I know Goodhope would be very reluctant to do so, but since the latest GM post has her deciding to be carried by Xolys, is it okay to assume she just pushed through her fear?
Just wondering, since I'm working on an Olivia post and I wasn't sure how to word things.
Ashley had just finished patching up Wukong when she heard Breacher call her, the draconic esper clearly astonished that she had survived her trip through the portal. However before she could begin to tell her ally about her horrific ordeal, Binky’s voice sounded from the entrance. A moment later, the green-haired esper made her appearance, noting that they needed to get moving as time was of the essence. Still, that need for urgency didn’t stop Valkyrie from giving a small motivational speech, or Leroux from stepping forward to offer herself as fuel for additional blood magic assistance from Lada.
Ashley honestly had no idea what to make of the armored young woman. At first, she had thought her an intelligent and experienced agent, but then that opinion had changed to one of annoyance at her thoughtless flippancy and almost suicidal tendency to rush into danger without any thought for her own safety. But now, seeing her express a genuine desire to guard against future blood magic attacks, and willingly offering herself as a means to ensure that they would have such protection, the Knight of Tomorrow couldn’t help but feel somewhat jealous of her ally’s courage and tenacity. After all, this was a woman who’s entrails had been spilled out on the floor only a short time ago. What Leroux suggested may have been crazy, but it was also somewhat commendable, at least as far as Ashley was concerned.
After an alarmed exclamation from Breacher, Binky quickly nixed Leroux’s idea, explaining that not only would such a plan simply not be viable for espers like themselves, but also that Lada had been promised she wouldn’t be placed in any potential danger. With that out of the way, the team proceeded further into the sinister mansion…
.
..
…
After making their way through a labyrinthian maze of corridors, the assault team found themselves in a large chamber. Ashley took a quick note of the hall’s ostentatious decor, including the repulsive sculpture which dominated its center. Although she was familiar with the concept of “heroic nudes” from her art history classes, the high-tech heroine couldn’t help but feel disgusted by this particular piece. Indeed, she had half a mind to shatter it apart with a well-placed energy blast. However, as much as she wished to destroy this crime against fine art, her attention was soon drawn to the small group on the far side it. The small group lead by a large monster… This was obviously the Maverick contingent, Ashley realized, which meant that towering figure had to be Billy Black. The Knight of Tomorrow’s grip on her instrument tightened as she watched Binky and Billy approach each other and have a short conversation, one which, surprisingly enough, didn’t end in a battle, as they both seemed to agree that removing Justin was the most important thing. Still, that left their forces alone in the chamber, and it was only a matter of time before conflict began…
As it transpired, Breacher was the first to act, taking up position behind the statue and firing a few suppressive rounds at the Maverick espers. One of the latter, dressed in a colorful harlequin getup, responded by diving for cover, before popping up briefly to shoot a volley of playing cards of all things at the draconic esper. Meanwhile, Valkyrie moved to place herself opposite the Maverick harlequin. A moment later, her massive railgun sounded forth three times in rapid succession, promising to make a mockery of any cover the enemy esper chose to hide behind. Ashley, on the other hand, wasn’t nearly as eager to engage fellow humans, even ones tricked or brainwashed into following a monster. Thankfully, as her team’s only healer, she had other tasks to perform besides direct combat. The real question was, who should she assist first? Neither Leroux nor Wukong’s injuries had been fully healed, and while Silhouette’s condition was unknown, he seemed more than little beaten up. Still, from what little she knew of these three, it was Leroux who had proven to be the most reckless, and thus, the one in most need of her assistance.
Placing a glowing hand on her armored ally’s back, Ashley filled the impetuous young woman’s body with another pulse of restorative power, hopefully mending any lingering internal injuries she might have sustained from her earlier disemboweling. That accomplished, the Knight of Tomorrow took up position behind the armoire next to Valkyrie, from which she used hand signs to inquire if Silhouette required healing as well.
18 | Female | GEMINI | Vision of Tomorrow Implements of Tomorrow | Wand, Shield | Arcane | Tune of Tomorrow Raiment of Tomorrow | Stride of Tomorrow Light of Tomorrow | Light | Power of Tomorrow [Reveal (2), Purity (4)], Damage (2), Damage X (6), Shield (4), Reflect (4), Heal (6), Major Heal (18), AoE (2), Powerful (0), Piercing (2)
@Ponn: I'm not really sure if Xolys is capable of flight or not, I erred on the side that it could for my post, but if this is inaccurate, just tell me and I'll edit the post accordingly.
Well, he does have wings, although up until now all he's done is a little gliding.
However, if the GMs are okay with it, I have no problem with him having full flight capability.
Even if that's not normally the case, we could just say it's a boost received from Goodhope's blessing.
As the battle at the Industrial District progressed, the Angel of Hope continued to provide healing and enhancement to her immediate trio of companions. Although, through the use of duplication, that trio had now grown into a small army.
Looks like we’re making good progress on these fuckers, Angela noted. And at least this goth chick knows to protect the healer, she added, upon noticing how Roxanna had deployed her clones to shield her from the brunt of the fighting.
“You have this humble servant’s most sincere gratitude, noble champion,” the Angel told her with a warm smile. “Truly, it fills my heart with such great joy to be in the company of such a kind and thoughtful soul!”
Finn then announced that he was heading to find the ‘source’, before dashing off towards a nearby factory.
Where the fuck is that emo edgelord going? Angela wondered as she watched the bandaged magical boy depart. And what the fuck did he mean by ‘the source’? Does he think there's some kinda spawn point nearby? She pondered that possibility for a moment, before quickly dismissing it. Nah, he’s probably just having some chuuni delusion… I mean, why else would someone dress like that?
“May fortune be with you on your quest, brave champion!” the Angel called. “Please know that this humble servant even now prays that you shall find what you seek, whatever it may be!”
She had barely finished speaking, when a mighty thunderbolt crashed into the midst of the wendigos, heralding the arrival of a magical girl of truly astounding power. Seeming less a magical girl and more an unbridled force of nature, the new arrival swiftly set about butchering the antlered monstrosities with terrifying efficiency…
“Good heavens…” the Angel gasped, her eyes widening in a mixture of awe and horror.
Who the fuck is that?
Magical Dream Princess
3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 4 | 9 | 4 | 24 | 9
Oddball: Sweet Dreams | Barrage
Wealth and Resources (not while tf'd) | Enhanced Weapon | Power Artifact | Dual Weapon | Natural Aging | Money | Intuition
Focused | Mental Link | Hidden Death | Mana Font | Mystic Might
Despite the great speed of her multicolored mount, MDP quickly discovered that it paled in comparison to what her girlfriend was capable of. Thus, by the time she and Kar’is arrived at the Industrial District, Penny was already well on her way to finishing off the remaining wendigos single-handedly. “Wowie zowie~” MDP murmured in awe as the rainicorn pegasus gently lowered her and Kar’is to the ground before dissipating in a puff of glitter. “Penny Wenny is, like, soooo super duper amazing wazing~” she sighed, her face taking on an exceptionally dreamy expression. For several seconds, the whimsical girl was content to simply admire her girlfriend’s breathtaking prowess, but it was only a matter of time before her painfully short attention span got the better of her.
“Oooh~! There’s Oliver Woliver~!” she exclaimed happily as she caught sight of her ghostly friend. “And there he is againsie~! And over theresie, too~! Like, there are lots and lots of Oliver Wolivers heresie weresie~! (giggle!)” She observed with a cheerful smile, her childish mind taking great delight in the fact that there were now so many of her friend. “Oh~! And, like, there are some other people weple over theresie that Magical Dream Princess hasn’t ever wever seen beforsie~! Maybe waybe they’ll want to be friendy wendies with Magical Dream Princess, too~! (giggle!)”
With that new thought fully dominating her ADHD addled mind, MDP skipped over to where her potential new friends were waiting, blasting back any wendigos that came near her with prismatic beams from her whimsical wand, almost as an afterthought.
To Gaia’s great relief, it appeared as though her and Miko’s words had convinced Caroline to depart in search of her sister. However, only a moment later, and all their efforts were undone by the arrival of a strange, but also somewhat familiar, serpentine young woman. While the snake-like maiden had started off in a polite, and even somewhat regal manner, she soon devolved into hurling crude insults, before basically challenging the clearly unhinged Caroline to a fight. Yes, despite her drastically altered appearance, Gaia quickly realized exactly who this person was…
Sakura… You are such an idiot… Gaia seethed, while squeezing her eyes shut in an attempt to maintain her usually serene composure.
“M-Miss Sakura?!” Connie exclaimed, before gasping in fright as Caroline darted off to engage the new arrival in frenzied combat.
Meanwhile, and to the surprise of no one who knew her, Ronin prepared to race to her sensei’s aid, only to be restrained by Miko. Still, despite her calmer and more cautious sibling’s concerns, the teal-clad samurai was adamant in her desire to help. It was then that a visibly desperate Miko glanced toward Gaia and Connie.
Gaia’s mind raced. She knew full well Miko’s concern for her sister, as Gaia felt the same for Connie, who even now looked torn between preparing to flee in terror and rushing forward to help her friend. Taking a deep breath to focus herself, the verdant maiden exhaled a weary sigh. “Please, allow me to handle this,” she announced in a voice both tranquil and commanding. “Clearly there’s been a bit of a misunderstanding here, so I believe a small time-out is in order.” With that, the botanical beauty raised Nature’s Blossom and pointed the staff at the two combatants. From the flower at its tip sprouted a second, smaller bud, which opened to disgorge not a beam of emerald energy, but rather a thick cloud of sedative spores. With luck, both Caroline and Sakura would be knocked unconscious in seconds, allowing the remaining foursome time to figure out their next course of action…
Olivia listened with rapt interest as Lucette described the encounter with her sinister doppelgänger. “Gosh, that must have been incredibly unnerving!” the bespectacled brunette exclaimed once the story had concluded. “But that was really smart thinking, Miss Lucette!” she added with an excited smile. “What with deciding to detransform and all. Oh, but I guess that’s not too surprising, considering how experienced you are,” she conceded with a nasally giggle/snort. While the creature the veteran Magical Girl had fought didn’t sound particularly cute, it was certainly interesting to think about. For instance, what if Olivia were to face her own dark reflection? Would her darling Xolys also be duplicated, and if so, what would he look like? It was definitely something for her to think about and make sketches of, but for now, it seemed that Lucette would be leading them onwards. However, they hadn’t even left the park when the peaceful and clear day abruptly changed it guise.
In what seemed like the blink of an eye, the formerly fair weather had shifted to far stormier conditions. A fierce wind howled, propelling ominous thunderheads, while luminous, serpentine tendrils of jagged lightning darted through the charged atmosphere. And as it soon became glaringly apparent, the increasingly hostile meteorological conditions would be the least of the quartet’s worries, as each flash of lightning illuminated the menacing shape of a towering figure, which loomed out of the roiling clouds…
“Achoo!” Olivia sneezed as the rising wind agitated her allergies. “W-Wow, the weather changes so quickly here!” she marveled, before gasping at the sight of the monolithic Pageless. “T-Then again, maybe it doesn’t have anything to do with the weather at all…”
As sheets of torrential rain fell upon the foursome, a shivering Olivia closed her eyes in concentration, focusing on the power locked deep within herself, the power bestowed upon her by a tale as old as time…
In a flash of azure light, the scrawny, bespectacled brunette was transformed into a stunning blonde maiden of surpassing beauty, and beside her towered the nightmarish form of Thyerg’Xolys, eldritch Master of Xhar’doth.
“Please stay behind me, my sweet,” the Lovecraftian beast instructed as he moved forward to place himself between his beloved beauty and the looming Pageless. “You as well, Miss Wilhelmina,” he added, mindful of the fact that the maritime maiden lacked much direct combat ability. “As long as you remain at my dearest Olivia’s side, you shall come to no harm.”
“Thank you darling!” Olivia gushed, while clasping her hands over her heart. “I just know we have nothing to fear, now that you’re here to protect us! Oh!” she added, turning her attention to Wilhelmina. “Are you perhaps going to summon some of your ghost sailors now?!” she inquired eagerly. “I would very much like to take a closer look at them, if it isn’t too much trouble, of course!”
Before Ashley was even fully aware of them, several events transpired in rapid succession. First, the partially healed Leroux was able to fire off a melody at the burly vampire, while Ashley’s own arcane bolt struck the skeletal centaur-thing and distracted it enough for Wukong to finish it off. This was followed up by Leroux’s blade sphere slicing the vampire in twain, thus releasing Breacher and Valkyrie from their blood prison. The sinister nun lingered for a moment more, before blinking away in a burst of blacklight. In a matter of seconds, the smoke and flames that had so filled the chamber dispersed and extinguished to reveal that the G.E.M.I.N.I. strike team had apparently succeeded in securing the foyer, but that wasn’t all their absence revealed…
Ashley fell to her knees as she realized with increasing horror that none of the hostages had survived, the Knight of Tomorrow’s breath catching in her throat as she understood with utter, agonizing certainty that these twenty-four innocent men, women, and children would not see another... “N-No…” she whimpered, bringing a hand to her mouth as tears streamed down her cheeks. “T-They couldn’t… I couldn’t save any of them…” Squeezing her eyes shut, the young esper’s body trembled as she continued to weep for those who’s lives had been so cruelly taken, who’s futures had been so irrevocably turned to ash. All their rich possibilities, all their untapped potential, all their hopes, all their dreams, all now amounted… to nothing… “W-Why…? W-Why do I even have these powers, if I can’t help anyone with them?” she sobbed.
But you can… a voice echoed in her mind. And you will…
“W-What…?” she whispered.
You are still young, merely a student. You have much to learn, and experiences like this can help you…
“H-Help me? H-How?”
All the emotions you’re feeling right now, the sorrow, anger, pain… They can fuel your growth in ways you cannot even imagine. I know you’re hurting, but remember, while life may be painful, pain is nothing more than weakness leaving the body… You have great things to accomplish, Ashley, you’ve seen them, but to do so you need to be strong… Tell me, Ashley, what is the source of your anguish? the voice inquired. Who has caused you to feel this way? Who is really responsible for all of this suffering?
“Justin…” Ashley hissed, her voice dripping with hatred.
Yesss… the voice confirmed, seeming quite pleased with Ashley’s answer. He is the one who caused all this to happen, and you can be the one to make him regret it, to make him experience all the suffering he’s inflicted on others. You are the Knight of Tomorrow, the voice continued. You are the one who decides what tomorrow brings to those under your care… Hope? Or horror? The choice… is yours…
“Yes,” Ashley agreed, her previously distraught countenance now filled with a look of fierce determination. “It is…”
Rising to her feet, the Knight of Tomorrow deactivated her visor and wiped the tears from her eyes. The emerald eye shield quickly flickering back into place, she made her way down to the first floor to do what she could for her teammates. Of primary concern was Agent Wukong, who had suffered some fairly substantial injuries from both the flames and the undead spider centaur. “Here, let me patch you up,” Ashley offered with a kind smile as she reached out a glowing hand and allowed healing energies to flow through it and into her fellow agent. “There, does that feel a bit better?” she inquired.
We may have gotten a little beaten up, Ashley conceded as she glared up at the obnoxious portrait of the master of this wretched manor. But not enough to stop us from ending your thrice-damned life!
18 | Female | GEMINI | Vision of Tomorrow Implements of Tomorrow | Wand, Shield | Arcane | Tune of Tomorrow Raiment of Tomorrow | Stride of Tomorrow Light of Tomorrow | Light | Power of Tomorrow [Reveal (2), Purity (4)], Damage (2), Damage X (6), Shield (4), Reflect (4), Heal (6), Major Heal (18), AoE (2), Powerful (0), Piercing (2)
Connie sighed in relief as her first nightmare pulse found its target, taking some pressure off of her grateful friends, but before she could get a clean shot at the second wendigo, the beast charged towards her. Gasping in terror, the masked girl prepared another spell and instinctively conjured several defensive tentacles, even as Ronin got ready to leap to her aid, but none of this would ultimately prove necessary, as the antlered monstrosity suddenly fell to the ground, a burning weapon impaling its heart. This attack heralded the arrival of an oddly cheerful girl, who quickly took an interest in Connie, much to the timid girl’s dismay.
Connie couldn’t help but cringe slightly as the new arrival approached her, asking if she’d like to play some games. “O-Oh, u-umm, h-hello…” Connie replied hesitantly, her trembling fingers nervously playing with her hair. While the girl certainly seemed friendly enough, and indeed had a bubbly demeanor similar to MDP, Connie couldn’t help but feel that there was still something very… off about her… For all her overwhelming hyperactivity and frequent disregard for personal space, MDP was still a gentle and unthreatening soul. This girl, on the other hand, was unnervingly creepy, and Connie couldn’t help but feel a chill run down her spine as the girl continued to babble, now inquiring about her big sister.
“Y-Your s-sister?” Connie repeated with a frown.
However, before the awkward conversation could go any further, Miko mercifully turned the new girl’s attention to herself, by telling the strange blonde that her sister was indeed in Penrose, and that she should continue looking for her, rather than remain here.
“That sounds like a most prudent course of action,” Gaia agreed with a serene smile as she approached the group, placing a reassuring hand on Connie’s shoulder as she did so. The verdant maiden had also conjured Nature’s Blossom, but while the enchanted staff indeed served as a suitable guard against any potential threat the newcomer might pose, it had the added benefit of supporting the botanical beauty’s trembling legs, which had become significantly weakened after expending such a vast quantity of mana on the fire flowers. Thankfully, her emerald tresses shielded any signs of her weakened state from all but Connie, and her timid friend was far too focused on the unhinged-looking blonde to notice. “I wish you the best of luck in your search,” she bid the bizarre newcomer, positioning her staff so that it was between the blonde and Connie. “Who is to say? Perhaps morning’s light shall find the two of you happily reunited?” Hopefully, Gaia wouldn’t need to fight the deranged girl, but if it came to that, she was fully prepared to defend Connie to her last breath…
Magical Dream Princess
3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 4 | 9 | 4 | 24 | 9
Oddball: Sweet Dreams | Barrage
Wealth and Resources (not while tf'd) | Enhanced Weapon | Power Artifact | Dual Weapon | Natural Aging | Money | Intuition
Focused | Mental Link | Hidden Death | Mana Font | Mystic Might
“Thankie wankies, Penny Wenny~!” MDP told her girlfriend as the Mechanical Monarch swiftly dispatched the incapacitated wendigos she’d brought along with her. A moment later, an exuberant smile spread across the Princess of Dreams’s face as the new girl said she’d be happy to become friends with her. “Yaaaay~! Magical Dream Princess made a new friendy wendy today~! (giggle!)” the whimsical girl cheered, before wrapping her new friend up in a big hug. “Like, it’s super duper nicey wicey to meet you, too, Ka’ris Wa’ris~! (giggle!)” she added cheerfully. “Like, Magical Dream Princess thinky winkies your namey wamey is, like, super duper adorable worable~! (giggle!)”
It was then that the sound of many flapping wings drew the trio’s attention skyward, where a sizable flock of sinister-looking crows was making their way towards the industrial district.
“Golly wolly… There’re, like, sooo many birdy wirdies up theresie…” MDP observed as she watched the flock’s swift passage towards the far horizon. “They don’t look particularly wicularly friendly wendly, though…” she added with a frown.
A moment later, she was startled by an alarmed exclamation from Penny. Before she could ask for more details, or even fully realize what was happening, her robotic girlfriend was already racing down the street, propelled by glowing hover thrusters. “Like, Magical Dream Princess wants to helpy welpy too!” the whimsical girl called, even as her trio of plush hearts morphed and merged into another rainicorn pegasus that she quickly mounted. “Come on, Ka’ris Wa’ris!” she instructed, as she grabbed the floating girl and pulled her along.
Like, Penny Wenny seems super duper worried… MDP thought with a frown as her multicolored mount shot off after the Mechanical Monarch. But, like, with Penny Wenny and Magical Dream Princess working together wether, everythingie wingie will, like, totally wotally turn out okie dokie~! she reassured herself as a big smile returned to her cute face.
“Like, hold on super duper tight, Ka’ris Wa’ris~!” MDP advised. “Mister wister rainicorn wainicorn is gonna go, like, super duper mega wega fasty wasty nowie~!”
No sooner had she given her warning, then the prismatic pegasus shot forward like a lighting bolt, causing the world around them to disappear into a featureless blur.
FaithfulMuse
CitrusArms
LimeTime966
Villamvihar
Shadow Dragon
twave
BrokenPromise
Noctis
Majoraa
