Morose

🌠 Once Upon A Time 🌠(Concluded)

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Megan Pendragon

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Location: Rapunzel's Tower
Skills: N/A

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Megan paused as Lancelot patted her on the shoulder. She was not a huge fan of physical contact. It was then a testament to the value she placed on him that she did not say a word; that she did not threaten to cut off his hand. Instead, Megan nodded curtly. "Try not to die," she requested, before leaving the room with Rapunzel. Rapunzel was right - Lancelot did need rest. And the emotional familiarity was beginning to make Megan feel somewhat ill, like she would break out in hives at any moment. She wasn't quite used to that either. The only person she was really close with in the other world was her brother, and he tended to not get too touchy feely with her. Neither of them were particularly skilled at it anyways.

The others seemed to be discussing Walt Disney at the moment. Megan had never really been into Disney growing up - the only movie she really liked was the Nightmare Before Christmas. The Corpse Bride was good too, although she didn't think Disney made it - but she couldn't been wrong. Most of the things she watched were horror movies, not the sort of things the family friendly corporate giant tended to produce.

X-Men: Cosmic Crusades 👽

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Guin Stark

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Location: Blackbird
Skills: Perception, Engineering Design, Electronics and Computers, Problem Solving
~Fit Check~

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"How about the power to never lose?" Guin suggested sarcastically to Jaclyn. There were a million power sets that would be helpful right now, but at the end of the day, Guin was confident they'd win. Sure, they seemed to do horribly in 1x1s - but fighting as a team, they'd win. They had to win. There wasn't another option. Plus, they had the freaking Phoenix on their side. No one else could have better odds.

"These suits... are basically exactly the same quality," Guin said, raising an eyebrow. She knew she should've been focusing more on maintaining the telepathic connection, but she couldn't help herself. Suits were kinda the family business. The only difference she really saw between Max's suits and the ones they previously had was the fact that Lance's seemed to basically incorporate a neck brace into the design. "Except for you seem to weirdly be planning for someone to snap Lando's neck, which, weird." But also not the weirdest thing that had ever happened to them.

"And no offense, but RE your plan - Carolina doesn't know shit about hacking into things. So that isn't going to work unless I telepathically coach her. X always said I should be able to just download information into people's heads, but I've never tried it before, so no guarantee I don't scramble your brain in the process." She then pressed a few buttons, activating the stealth functions of the Blackbird. "We're now invisible to radar, so no need to drift without power. Unfortunately, if Magnet Brain just reaches out, he will be able to notice a giant floating chunk of metal."

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Neil Spellman

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Location: the Asteroid
Skills: N/A
~Fit Check~

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Neil liked hearing about Annie's adventures, at least at first. It reminded him of a campaign setting almost, the intergalactic space prison that they had ended up in. But as Annie narrated more about what had happened, it turned from a fun thought exercise into a grim tragedy... He didn't want to know either what the other Annie had been like. He couldn't imagine Annie being anyone other than herself. But he could imagine a monster wearing her skin. "Did you run into another version of me? Were they...." Neil trailed off, before realizing that he was scared to ask the question. He knew he was on the verge of understanding something fundamental about himself, something that would re-contextualize everything, but he was scared.

So he asked a different question. "Did they look like me? Or... like how I used to?"

He fell quiet again. Part of him did wish that he had been braver to ask the other question. "Um, yeah, let's go catch up to Bethany. Maybe she found something interesting. But at the very least, we shouldn't split the Party... more." He didn't want to leave her alone. He didn't want something bad to happen to her when they were just walking around... talking.

Avengers Academy: Junior Year 💥

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@BlueSky44@Nallore@Trainerblue192@Achronum@PatientBean@Forsythe@Blizz@Kirah@Natsu

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8:20 AM - Wed. Sep. 15th, 2038 - Margaret Carter Institute

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@Blizz@Nallore@BlueSky44@Forsythe: "Excellent introductions!! You all get 2/5 points on that assignment. You only get full marks if you're perfect and I'm the only thing here close to perfection, so tough luck," Usagi said, before laughing obnoxiously at her own poor joke. "We're going to start off in the Framework today, as I only want the best for my kids. All those other losers training without this thing? They don't stand a CHANCE in the contest. I'll let you all in on a little secret - those Young Avengers twerps? They're here every night. That's why they win. It isn't talent. It's F-A-V-O-R-I-T-I-S-M!"

Usagi did another triple flip into the air, before landing again on a chair. "Change into these glorified scuba suits, then hop in the tank. Once you're inside the Framework, I'm going to see how you all do under pressure... as you all FIGHT IN A BATTLE ROYALE!!"

A bead a sweat rolled down Arcade's face. "Do I have to?" he asked. He loved the Framework as an idea, but going inside of it and fighting people? He always hated that part. He just wanted to use it to play retro video games and feel like he was living his Spy Kids 3 fantasy.

"YES! Now get dressed, all of you!" Usagi snapped. There were bins off to the side containing various sizes of the Framework scuba suits. There were also five changing rooms for privacy, all individual stalls.

Uniform Trim Colors

You can choose what variation of the uniform your character is in - i.e., pants or skirt or shorts. The top is going to be a plain white button up with a tie. In the winter months, people will put on an academy blazer or sweater on top, but it's likely way too warm for that right now. We're heavily drawing inspiration from the Umbrella Academy uniforms.

Green: Diana & Zelda
Purple: Mary Sue, Ardere, Sabine, Leah
Blue: Andy, Zari, Vicky
Red: Percy, Dorian, Danni, Mads, April

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April Flynn

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Location: Gym - Training Room A
Skills: Hydrokinesis, Ice Generation

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April's jaw dropped when Andy revealed Magneto had adopted her and she wasn't sure how to feel. She was more shocked. Her own father, one of Magneto's biological children, had been given up for adoption. April knew it was for the best and she was pretty sure Lensherr hadn't even known about her dad at the time, but still. She couldn't help but feel somewhat offended on her father's behalf. It was a mixed bag of feelings - similar to when she had found out about her dad's half-sister, who her grandmother had actually wanted to keep...

Her phone buzzed again. This time, it was a text from Sabine. April's heart pounded and the discomfort Andy had unintentionally brought up was in the rearview mirror. Lady Nimue was already here, and had set them with their task - they had to retrieve their swords or die at the hands of this mythological beast. April wished she had the skills to type out a quick reply, and she reached into her pocket, hoping that she could reply something coherent to the chat. She was visualizing the keyboard, doing her very best, and she sent...

@Sabine, Leah

Sailor Neptune: gjw8brf80

Hoping that the message she sent was a series of frowny faces, April almost missed Andy calling out the shots. "Uhh, on it! You can count on me!" There wasn't much water in the room. April cursed internally. Her eyes flickered over to Lady Nimue. Would she mind....? No, no she couldn't do that. She'd have to make her own water. And then, full of regret and mourning, April realized what she had to do.

"I'm so sorry, little one," April whispered to her iced caramel machiatto. Andy and Mads were both getting their asses kicked by the questing beast, landing in an unfun cuddle pile against the wall. April winced. Mary Sue had summoned up magical girl swords in front of them all - the one in front of April was blue, her favorite color. "Protected by Neptune, the Outer Planet of the Seas, Guardian of the Deep Sea. I am Sailor Neptune!"

April grabbed the sword. It was solid in her hands. And she dropped her iced coffee. The cup spilled its contents on the floor, and April channeled her energy through the sword. She aimed it at the spilled coffee and the water rose up from the ground, floating in front of her. She couldn't make more water out of it, but it was enough to work with. The questing beast was TERRIFYING but it still had to see.

So April went for the eyes!

She threw the water forward, transforming it into ice shards of ice. The ice missiles missed the questing beast's eyes, and April concentrated, turning the ice back into water and pulling it back towards herself. She tried again, and this time, her aim was true - two little shards of iced coffee speared themselves into the questing beast's eyes and it hissed in pain.

"OMG I GOT IT I GOT IT! TAKE THAT YOU FUCKING SNAKE!" April cheered.

But the beast wasn't done yet. While it had the head of a snake, snakes were still able to hear - muffled, but sounds were still audible. And the questing beast, hearing the excited screams of a teenage girl, charged right towards April, hissing all the way. Now might be a perfect time for someone to go for a sword.

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Percy Novikov

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Location: Gym - Training Room B
Skills: Small time-space displacement jumps

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Ser Nemo didn't look to be the slightest bit surprised by Danni's outburst. If anything, Percy thought that Nemo seemed... almost wistful? Or melancholic? Maybe their coach was an absolute psychopath. No one else would seem to be totally at ease, even happy maybe, when people (admittedly an asshole) was yelling at them. The more Percy stared at Nemo, the more his head started to ache and pound. Somehow, he was convinced that Nemo knew that too. That somehow, their coach was purposefully messing with all of them, starting off with this Drag Race Mini Challenge they were forced to do.

"I am afraid that She-Ra was a bit before my time," Ser Nemo apologized to Danni. "But from what I understand of Madam Razz, I would quite like to meet her."

Percy was pissed though that Dorian told him to stay out of it. Percy didn't want to be a part of it. But he hated that Dorian Gray was telling him no, as if Percy wasn't good enough to be a part of his shitty group... Urgh, Percy felt like he was going to boil over. The room felt so incredibly hot and stuffy. He almost wished that his hallucinatory savior, the young Tony Stark, would pop off, blast everyone else to pieces, and then take Percy on an exclusive tour of the British Museum. "For the record, didn't want to be part of it," Percy muttered. It felt like a lie when he said it.

He was mildly impressed (and annoyed) by Dorian's sword fight with Nemo. Watching it as a bystander, he couldn't help but feel the frustration from his own attempts to kill Nemo. And he watched with narrowed eyes as Dorian finally got in an opening on the old man, just to... whiff it. Just like Percy had the previous day.

"Well done, Mr. Gray," Ser Nemo praised. "Your form could use some work, some more definition. Ensure you do not practice only with non-lethal blows. Extend your arcs on occasion, or else you will find yourself holding back in a real fight. Oh, and Ms. Flynn! Please, come, join us. We are doing an exercise in identifying an opponent's strengths and weaknesses."

Then Sabine read Ser Nemo for filth.

There was something eerie about Ser Nemo's life story, something that made Percy feel like hyperventilating. He pulled his gaze away from the old man and instead looked at Zelda. He couldn't get a good read on her emotions. Hopefully she had just gotten lost. But she also seemed like the quiet shy loner emo type of sorts. He hadn't seen her super often growing up, just at reunions for their parents, but enough that he considered her a friend of sorts.

Ser Nemo didn't burst into tears though or run away sputtering or scream at Sabine until she was red. Instead, he clapped. "Oh, bravo, Ms. Bassard!" he said, wiping a stray tear away from his eyes. It looked more like a tear of pride than anything else. "You are quite right, on all accounts. I must also offer my thanks for your choice to redact certain details which I have no doubt that you gleaned. It is one thing to be strong, but another to have compassion."

"Okay, my turn," Percy interjected. He felt like was about to vomit. It was like the longer he was in this room, the sicker he felt. He figured Zelda wouldn't mind going after him. She had just gotten here after all and was probably paralyzed with fear at the idea of speaking in public. "If I were fighting you, I wouldn't attack you. You're slippery and fast. But your students are not," Percy said. The air shimmered around him and he reappeared behind Danni. He held his fingers in the shape of a gun and pressed them into Danni's back. "If this were a real gun, you'd have to jump faster than I could pull the trigger. I take you by surprise by taking them all out."

"... Always violence with you, isn't it?" Ser Nemo said somewhat sadly. He looked at Percy like he was a particularly nasty toad who had just attempted to swallow a butterfly. "Be careful of the path that will bring you to... Now, Ms. Flynn, I believe it is your turn. Please, deduce my strengths and my weaknesses."

Ω Heroes of Olympus: The Next Age of Heroes Ω

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☀️ Nancy Parker ☀️

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Location: Outside Burger King
Skills: N/A

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Nancy nodded grimly at Zeke's assertion he would be with her until the bitter end. If everything worked out as it should, she would never age. She would always look to be on the cusp of adulthood. He would grow older, wrinkles covering his face, his vision failing, and his hair falling out along with his teeth. And then one day, he would die. And she would still be on the cusp of adulthood. She would stand by him until his end; but he could not stand by her until hers. But maybe they would both die in this conflict. Maybe then the vow would hold.

The hair on the back of her neck stood up as she heard Kristin's voice. She had to resist the urge to pull her blades and skin the demigod alive. What part of not coming did Kristin not understand? Did she think Nancy was just being dramatic and would end up doing this quest with them? Prophecies be damned, Nancy had found her workaround, and it didn't involve her having to work with Kristin or any of the others. She'd go to the grotesque hotel with Zeke. What the others did there, wandering around the Casino like zombies, well that was not any of her business. "Is she fucking deaf?" Nancy growled under her breath.

Irritation aside, they'd need to find a place to shelter down for the night. "Let's go find some shelter. I'd rather not sleep on the street." She wasn't thinking though about paying for a motel. Truthfully, she was thinking about finding some building that seemed reasonably safe - a school, maybe - and breaking in. They had to wait for first light if they were going to catch a ride from the Sun Chariot. Nancy hoped their asshole dad had been eavesdropping and knew they needed a ride.

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🌈 Leda Storm 🌈

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Location: Under the Sea
Skills: Superspeed

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Much faster than even the speedster could've anticipated, Kiera was back from her mission and here to rejoin them. A small part of Leda was angry about that - she'd rather her girlfriend be out of harm's way, farm from Oceanus. But that wasn't the life of a demigod. And Leda wasn't going to keep Kiera like some prized flower, wilting away inside a jar. She would rather love Kiera briefly and lose her than rob her of everything that made her, well, her. She hoped her girlfriend felt the same.

The ground shook and Leda briefly lost her balance, the hefty weight of the trident throwing her off center. But she managed to steady herself. She grimaced, seeing that their means of escape had been drastically reduced. They could try to blast their way out, but the cave could collapse further and kill them all. The telekhines started barking, and if the theft of the trident hadn't been noticed before, it definitely was now. Sera was in. She didn't have any hesitation. Leda though couldn't help but feel... fear. Fear in a way she never did facing down common monsters. Her palms felt sweaty, even under water. "Alright. Kiera, take this - it should probably respond better to you," Leda said, handing her girlfriend the trident. It made sense. Poseidon's daughter would be more attuned to it.

"I'll start with the grunts, you two stay hidden till he comes out," Leda asked.

Leda then took off at a charge without waiting for confirmation from the sisters. Her sword glowed red as she swung it through the ranks of the demons, cutting off the sounds of their horrific barking and covering the cave floor in monster confetti. There were about two dozen or so of the beasts, and Leda moved so fast that the stroke of her sword was faster than the beating of her heart. She would have finished them all, had it not been for a sudden surge of pain, sending the speedster crashing to a halt. Blood collected around a horrific wound in her lower back, the teeth of a telekhine having sunk into her. Leda screamed out in pain, as the demon released her, her blood coating its teeth.

Inferno - STRIKE THE MATCH! - Concluded

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@BlueSky44@Nallore@Trainerblue192@PatientBean@Blizz@Kirah@KazAlkemi

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Hallow's Eve - Earth-666

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Perhaps you do not know how to read, otherwise you would have followed my instructions.

Dressed in what was once mine, you are now a Sorcerer Supreme of Earth-666 in the year 2021. I do not know why there are nine of you, but I have my suspicions. I was murdered in Limbo. This realm, existing outside of time and space, fractures the soul. One soul is multiplied into many. One Sorcerer Supreme begets nine. For the sake of my native reality, I hope that your powers are equal to mine. Anything less and our universe will fall.

Alone in this mountainous range, perhaps you have called out, searching for another soul. You might have waited for minutes - you might have waited for days. Time moves strangely here. It is impossible to track. Eventually, a red haze sweeps in - tiny particles of sand or dust, obscuring your vision. It buffets your face, and if it gets into your eyes, it will burn like a ghost pepper. The haze grows thicker and thicker, until your lungs are burning and your eyes streaming with a river of bloody tears.

It is then that you will see a crossroads ahead - with two other figures nearing the center.

Madalyne, Jack, and Annika will meet at a crossroads.

Maximilian, Princess Klara, and Carolina will meet at a crossroads.

Queen Runa, Prudence, and Edus will meet at a crossroads.

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Runa the Grey

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Location: Limbo
Skills: N/A
Spells: Elder Furhark Runes (algiz)

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Runa sighed wearily. They had expected some sort of a response, some vicious mockery from Stephen's ghost. They were surprised that the (deceased) Sorcerer Supreme had not split off a portion of his soul for such an event. It was reckless. They reached into the pocket of the cloak, intending to see what else Strange had left. Their fingers wrapped around something stiff and scratchy - paper.

It had been eons since they had felt paper under their fingers. Yet they were blind and could not read even braille. Had they eyes to roll, they would have rolled them. Instead, they returned the piece of paper to the pocket. Perhaps later they could think up some way to read it. Seidhr was always an option, but it left the body vulnerable. They did not know where they were, but they could feel the heaviness and pain in the air - this was some sort of hell realm.

And she had no intention of dying here.

She tightened her grip on her staff. Though she did not know, the bones glowed slightly green , even after all this time. It was the last connection she had to someone she had adored more than the moon and the stars. The staff would one day kill her. She bore it all the same. "Åh, ånden min blir trett. Vil ikke noen forbarme seg over en gammel og lede meg mot ly?"₁

She didn't expect it to be that easy. She heard not another living soul. However, her lungs began to burn - and so would have her eyes, had she something more than empty sockets. The burn spread all over her body, a chemical heat that caused only the slightest tinge of panic in her empty chest. Their bony fingers dug through the bag of runes they kept tied to their waist, feeling before recognizing the carving of algiz. A muttered spell shot up a flimsy shield of protection, and the aching chemical burn lessened, but her body continued to scream in protest.

Runa hobbled forward, through the stinging atmosphere. It might have been years of walking before it cleared. But eventually, she heard a new sound. She could hear the ground crunching under feet that were not hers. In the All-Tongue, they cried out, leaning their body weight on the staff. "Oh, kind traveler, won't you spare some time for an elderly soul who has lost their way? What realm pray tell is this?" Their hood fell over their face, obscuring the empty sockets.

Translations

1 = Oh, my spirit grows weary. Won't someone take pity on an old one and guide me towards shelter?

🌠 Once Upon A Time 🌠(Concluded)

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Megan Pendragon

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Location: Rapunzel's Tower
Skills: N/A

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"And here I thought my bedside manner was poor," Megan mused. She was amused with Rapunzel's chiding of Lancelot. And she was not particularly surprised to hear him groan with pain. In Megan's experience, men tended to have a lower pain tolerance. She accepted the bandages from Rapunzel and finished up bandaging Lancelot's wound, pleased with her work. She was fairly confident that the treatment would work. And if it didn't, well, Lancelot would die. There wasn't really an alternative to be had.

"You should try to have your wounds incur in less critical locations, if you wish to be spared the pain in the future," she advised Lancelot. Was she being patronizing? Maybe. But it was genuine advice. If Lancelot didnt' like having his wounds cleaned, he could always try to have his arm be targeted instead. They could just lop that off then. Although that might decrease his effectiveness as a knight somewhat.

Avengers Academy: Junior Year 💥

@Ever Faithful Hey fam, you hit day 8. I've given you grace before but I gotta apply the rules, so you are removed from the RP. You'll be removed from the discord shortly. I wish you the best of luck in the future!

Avengers Academy: Junior Year 💥

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@BlueSky44@Nallore@Trainerblue192@Achronum@PatientBean@Forsythe@Blizz@Ever Faithful@Kirah@Natsu

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8:10 AM - Wed. Sep. 15th, 2038 - Margaret Carter Institute

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@Blizz@Nallore@BlueSky44@Forsythe: "SHE'S RIGHT HERE!" Usagi shouted, as she did a triple flip through the air. Her point of origin was the ceiling rafters of the Framework, and she landed on Leah's shoulders. If the cat was cut from Leah's skin, she didn't show it. She flipped again, this time landing on Diana's head and surveyed the room. Usagi looked at Vicky for a second, before chuckling slightly to herself. She didn't look at Arcade for long. He was hanging back by himself somewhat, seemingly a little shy and nervous. He looked like just a generic white boy, the kind that AA was lousy with. He had entered not too long after Leah had.

"Lesson one, ladies and gent - being on time isn't good enough! To surprise your enemy and best him, you should arrive hours in advance! Camp out! Disguise yourself in the terrain! TEAR HIS SPINE OUT AND DEVOUR HIS ENTRAILS!" Usagi laughed again, evidently really into her own dark sense of humor. She hopped off of Diana and landed on top of one of the tanks. "Hmm, we're one short. Or perhaps she's hiding, waiting to.... STRIKE! No? Must just be late then."

"Anyways, time for introductions. I am your coach, Usagi. I've served with the Avengers, so you can say I'm a big fucking deal. And now I'm teaching your twerps. My favorite color is blood. Okay, now the rest of you lot can do that same ice breaker - who you are, why people care about you, and your favorite color. Go."

Usagi's claws came out of her left paw. Why was she being threatening? Who could say...

"Um," Ed said, "My name is Ed - or, uh, Arcade. People care about me because... I'm good with computers? And my favorite color is red."

Uniform Trim Colors

You can choose what variation of the uniform your character is in - i.e., pants or skirt or shorts. The top is going to be a plain white button up with a tie. In the winter months, people will put on an academy blazer or sweater on top, but it's likely way too warm for that right now. We're heavily drawing inspiration from the Umbrella Academy uniforms.

Green: Diana & Zelda
Purple: Mary Sue, Ardere, Sabine, Leah
Blue: Andy, Zari, Vicky
Red: Percy, Dorian, Danni, Mads, April

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April Flynn

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Location: Gym - Training Room A
Skills: N/A

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If April's emotional state was a mirror, it had been filled with cracks yesterday (and early that morning), ones that she had hastily fixed together with tape. As Gallio-Lensherr approached though, asking about her coffee and mentioning her mother and introducing herself, April felt another crack form in the mirror. She was going to cut her soul to shreds on all of that glass. She wished she had been wearing sunglasses - it would've been easier to mask the internal turmoil. Thankfully, though, Mads kicked off the conversation, explaining they had grabbed the coffee from the cafeteria. "Yeah, there's a real cute little student run coffee stand in there, the Power Snack - it's not a perfect coffee but, like, for stuff on campus I think it's probably the best. Not counting Dori and Danni's stash. You should check it out sometimes. They've got really good stuff from all over the world - I wouldn't be surprised if some of it turned out to be illegal, it tastes like crack."

She tried not to freak too much out at the idea that Andy's mom had gotten her coffee - there was only one person with the surname Gallio April had ever heard about... but surely it was a common name. And Magneto was a slut, but he wouldn't have slept with SELENE! There was no way! Right? RIGHT? RIGHT?!?!?!

April's heart was beating furiously. "And my name's April! Or Cascade, if you wanna know codenames. Because of water. I'm kinda a water type of Pokemon. Fits with the name April too, y'know, April showers and all. So you're... you're Magneto's kid, then?" April asked. Maybe Lensherr was ALSO a common name. Maybe she was completely wrong. Maybe she wasn't related to this person.

But at superhero school... that seemed unlikely.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a girl come into the room and wave at her. April had a bad habit of just waving back whenever someone else waved, even if she had no idea who they were. So she waved back. Was that Mary Sue? Or was it... what was the name of the other person due to be on their team? Arendale? It had to be Mary Sue, right? Unless the person hadn't been waving at her and was instead waving at someone right behind her, in which case she had just completely embarrassed herself.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket. April took it out and flipped it up, reading the incoming text from Leah. Her mirror cracked a little more. But there wasn't time to press each button on the stupid Nokia a million times to reply, especially since -

"Is this everyone, then?" a strangely watery voice said. Where seconds ago there had been nothing, there was now a tall, elegant woman. She was made entirely out of water, the light reflecting off of her skin lovingly. Her clothing looked like it was made out of rocks or moss, or even just little plants that you might find on a lakeshore. This of course was Lady Nimue. And she was VERY attractive. April's face burned bright red.

"Hmm. A pity. Miss Terrane appears to be absent," Nimue said with a sigh. "Very well. We have no time to pause. I am Lady Nimue. I will shape you into the heroes you are meant to be. We will begin with learning the sword."

She waved her hands and a rack of swords appeared on the other side of the room. "The first lesson - retrieve your sword."

As well as a gigantic monster - it had the head and neck of a serpent, the body of a leopard, the haunches of a lion, and the feet of a stag. The beast hissed at the assembled students, its fangs dripping with venom.

"And take care to not die facing the Questing Beast," Lady Nimue added. "We are already short a member."

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Percy Novikov

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Location: Gym - Training Room B
Skills: N/A

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Percy's eyes narrowed, overhearing what Danni and Dorian were saying to Ser Nemo. He was glad that Zelda wasn't here yet. It would've broken her heart to hear that her team was unwanted. Before he could stop himself though, he found himself butting in on the conversation. "You're right. A mistake was made. Having you two on this team," Percy interjected. "Just because you aren't on a team with all of your friends doesn't mean someone isn't good enough. Or do you only give a shit about your small circle of interest?"

He had liked Danni's cooking - the bit that Dorian had brought over as a peace offering. But now, they were picking on someone Percy considered to be a friend. Well, more of an acquaintance, but certainly someone whose feelings he didn't want to see hurt. He had considered that maybe he had misjudged Dorian, Danni, and the other assholes. But he saw clearly now that he hadn't. He had been right the first time. He should have stuck to his guns.

Why the hell did Agatha think he was madly in love with him? He wished Agatha had been one of the judges on the panel, so that way he could - wait a minute... Was Agatha behind this? Had she gone to her former colleagues and told them who to put where based on the tarot readings? Was the audition process all bullshit? The universe kept throwing Dorian Gray at him, to an extent that he was finding hard to believe.

But he could believe a petty, nasty old talentless witch would do it.

Did Ser Nemo look almost amused...?

"Now, boys, I chose each member of this team for a reason," Ser Nemo answered gently, like a kindly old grandfather. It made Percy sick. "Everything I do is part of a greater picture that you cannot yet see. This is the team that will win the Contest of Champions. I guarantee it."

"It does appear, however, that Ms. Flynn the Younger is late. We can proceed with today's mini challenge. It is important to be able to take the size of your opponent, to determine their weaknesses and strengths. I would like you all to make your deductions on me - Mr. Novikov, as you attempted to kill me, you will go last."

"...Fine." It'd be hardest going last. Everyone else would've already taken the low lying fruit, so to speak. Percy would have to remember how Nemo had moved during his attempted murder the previous day. There was something odd about the old man - he was far faster than anyone his age should've been. And while he looked fine, he was no Captain America. Percy didn't think he'd be able to run very much.

Inferno - STRIKE THE MATCH! - Concluded

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@BlueSky44@Nallore@Trainerblue192@PatientBean@Blizz@Kirah@KazAlkemi

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Hallow's Eve - Earth-666

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I'd kill to fit in, now there's blood on my hands
'Cause I only like my rubies red

Elliot Lee

My name is Doctor Stephen Strange, Master of the Mystic Arts, World Class Neurosurgeon, and Sorcerer Supreme of Earth-666 in the year 2021. This message is to my successor who has now inherited my mantle. The fate of this universe and its protection from otherworldly incursions is in your hands now. It is critical that you renew the veil, a complex spell that prevents other realities and spaces from bleeding into and colliding with our own.

DO THIS NOW.

The spell will have expired with my passing. You will have only received this message in the event of my death.

Good luck.

Stephen

P.S. Wong will have the ledger with other spells that need to be renewed. See to these within twenty four hours of my passing.

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It is Hallow's Eve in the universe designated as Earth-666. The veil separating our world and the next is precariously thin, held together by my will. The Genoshan mutants resurrect the dead en masse; our universe, 666, already finds itself more susceptible to devilry; and on Halloween, the veil comes to its thinnest point as the dead walk the land. I am less than a ghost. I can do nothing more than watch as my life's work is undone.

But where are you?

Perhaps you are at a party like I was, celebrating this magical evening. Perhaps you wander the woods alone, pining after all you have lost. Perhaps you were safely tucked away in bed, dreaming of wonders you might not live to see. It doesn't really matter where you were - only the when.

A blinding light strikes you. A cloak finds itself on your shoulders, and jewelry on your neck. These were mine. The Cloak of Levitation. The Eye of Agamotto (no, it does not contain the Time Stone - nice try). These are now yours. I am no longer the Sorcerer Supreme, but you are. The magic of the most powerful wizard in our universe is now yours.

But your celebration - or mourning, I might hope - will be cut short. As soon as this light hits you, so does another. A strange yellow disc. You fall through it, falling down, down, and down. Until you hit the ground. You find yourself alone - without another soul in sight. The area is mountainous and rocky. What appear to be vultures circle above you in the crimson sky. The air tastes of pain and suffering - a taste you might be all too familiar with. It is heavy in your lungs.

You are in Limbo. A realm that exists outside of space-time. A realm that twists and turns upon itself. A realm that fractures the soul. Perhaps you are familiar. Perhaps you are not. In the pocket of the cloak, you will find my letter. I wish I had written what you needed to know.

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INTRODUCING THE NEW SORCERER SUPREME OF EARTH-666, IN THE YEAR 2021?

Runa the Grey - Sorcerer Supreme of Resurrection?
Prudence Knight - Sorcerer Supreme of Curses?
Carolina Reed - Sorcerer Supreme of Divination?
Madalyne Crane - Sorcerer Supreme of Evocation?
Edus Penior - Sorcerer Supreme of Thaumaturgy?
Klara, Daughter of Thor - Sorcerer Supreme of Love?
Jack Hawthorne - Sorcerer Supreme of Umbramancy?
Maximillian Gray - Sorcerer Supreme of Reality?
Annika Falling Star - Sorcerer Supreme of Transmutation?

Why are there nine...???

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Runa the Grey

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Location: the Dead Woods of a Distant Future -> Limbo
Skills: N/A
Spells: Kosmisk Ild

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Runa the Grey was alone.

She had done this for quite some time. Little life remained on this plane of existence. None of it sentient - besides her. The last creatures who could speak her tongue had died long ago by her own hand. She found it odd at first that some animals had survived the wrath of Surtur - and then her own. But now, she was glad. She could run with the wolves. She hunted small game.

Her knife made quick work of the rabbit. She carved out the part that would provide her sustenance - and tossed aside the rest to the wolves. It must have been a trick her mind played on her, but she could still feel the rabbit's heart beating. She devoured the organ all the same. Her chest throbbed painfully, a ghost tremor, as her heart had long since been sacrificed. But she felt the strength return to her weak body and a sense of calm settled over her.

They had long since abandoned keeping a calendar, but the changing of seasons and the weakening of the veil told them all the same. It was Álfablót. The time to sacrifice to the elves and other dark spirits, in order to assure a return to the light in the new year. "Kanskje det er du som bør ofre til meg,"₁ they said, staring off into the trees even though they could not see. The wolves had finished devouring the remains of the rabbit. "Kom, bli med meg ved bålet. Jeg blir lei av denne karaden."₂

Twitching their finger, a fire roared into being in front of them. There was no wood for it to burn. No source of life. Only their power. And that was enough.

Runa the Grey sat in silence for a while more. No one came to join them. The sky darkened, heralding the night. The air grew cold. The wolves howled, eyeing the sorceress for a moment, before dashing off. They did not pursue them. They knew that the wolves would return. For eons, it had always been like this. And for many more, it would continue to be, even as Runa felt the twilight of their life drawing in.

She did not see the light that engulfed her, but she felt it - she felt its intense heat pressing in on her skin. She felt the weight of a cloak on her shoulders and a necklace around her withered neck. And the next thing they sensed, they were falling. Perhaps someone else would have screamed. If she had a heart to beat, it would have been pounding in excitement. This was something new. They could smell the thick magic wrapping around them, such that had not been in their realm since the ascension.

Their back hit the ground and they groaned. Feeling with their hands, it was some sort of rocky surface. The air was thick and heavy, settling uncomfortably in their lungs. It was a place that they did not recognize. That was different. They had traveled the remains of the realms a thousand times or more. It almost reminded them of Surtur's realm, yet there was something different.

There was a tugging at her back. She found herself standing, propelled up by the cloak. This was not unusual. Runa had had a cloak like this once, when she first became ruler of her realm. She felt the necklace she bore. It was as she suspected. "Oh, Stephen... To come to me, you must truly be a fool," they said.

Translations

1 = Perhaps it is you who should sacrifice to me
2 = Come, join me by the fire. I grow weary of this charade.

Inferno - STRIKE THE MATCH! - Concluded

@BlueSky44 adorable. accepted. move her over!