Topic: At the Ready (Marketplace)

Wanda · Date: 2012-04-21 21:12 EST

(Taken from Live chat tonight. Thanks to all involved!)

Trouble has a way of showing up when you least expect it. She had been enjoying a drink in the inn when people started showing...

People including one Brian "Raven" Ravenlock...

An envelope was placed somehow in front of Wanda... Yet he never moved. A nod was given to the witch, as he spoke.. "Places that will no longer be places, very soon... Unless you and yours do something this time around... Like on the docks... I'll give you a day or so, then I act." The envelope carrying a bit of-- frost on the edges...

It had been enough of a warning for Andu to offer his trains to help with evac.

However, there hadn't been time to run this to HQ, even if she teleported. She moved to a booth and drew the privacy curtain closed. Slipping her ID card from her pants pocket, she contacted the AI to scan the letter.

The letter gave specific locals, in the temple district, southern and north gate areas, and a store inside the market... An orphanage was even listed as well, as to why they were listed...

The thought chilled her enough to ignore the general chaos that was the Inn...

Wanda · Date: 2012-05-05 16:16 EST

Marketplace District, northwest corner directly. Three buildings against the north wall, stemming from the corner tower. Heavily guarded. Caution on the wall, itself.

These were the words that the witch carried with her as she started surveillance of the three buildings that night. She had been using the time to monitor strengths and weaknesses, looking for patterns in the guard shifts. Her goal was to find the quickest way in so she could send the warhead into orbit. The scale of the warhead should not be bigger than a nuclear missile she calculated. It was just a matter of waiting for Virus to arrive and getting in. It had made sense for her to take on this location as she was the closest to the marketplace. She knew what they were dealing with from the encounter in Dockside, even if she had no clue what the chemical composition of the payload was.

What the Nine Levels of Hell was this play for? She had to wonder. The wall and the damage to Koc Holdings would be significant if that was allowed to go off unchecked. Allowing an army ease of access to the marketplace would be a crippling blow to the city. And yet, she had to wonder, aside from shock value, what was the point? Raven has already proven he did not need such tactics in order to bring an army in. No, there had to be something else.

Still there was little time to ponder this as D.I.A.N.A. broadcast the assignments from Zulu. There was a soft smile as she spoke softly into the mic she was wearing. "(vq) Scarlet to base, in position and awaiting backup."

That athletic form was in a catsuit of pure black with some additions for pockets for her ID card and another curious item...

Well, Bloom, time to see if we can save lives. The artifact sent a soft pulse in response to the thought. Bloom had taken on the form of an ear cuff this time. It had taken sometime to convince the artifact to reform into some more... portable. This way she kept it close and not so obvious to the naked eye.

"If they're worthy..." came his soft reply from a half-step back. The Virus' arrival came with only the briefest shift in the wind. "Virus on location." he stated in muted tones to D.I.A.N.A. before looking to Scarlet. "Certainly have our hands full..."

She didn't seem phased by the appearance of the man assigned to this task. A hand pointed in the direction of the nearby condominium complex owned by Koc Holdings. "My thought was them more. Anyone that is in there and not a prisoner will have a lot of 'splaining to do, Lucy." She quipped quietly as she watched the buildings.

"Well then, shall we take the back door?" Looking about the place he wore a partial frown. Scratches at his beard pensively.

There was a nod to that question. That black mane was caught up in a ponytail and there was that glint of silver on her ear lobe. "Quietly, or shall we wake the dead?" A soft inquiry that was belied by a serious tone.

"Quiet to start, upgrade later if required?" He offered in return before adjusting the straps on gauntlet and bracer. "Certainly will be entertaining..."

The witch stood and nodded. Her own outfit was absent of her trademark red. Pure black and intended for stealth. "It's showtime."

"Can you sense if there are any casters within?" Better to get that taken care before hand. A mage could change things drastically.

"No, I cannot sense them but knowing Raven, I would say it is safe to assume the answer is yes." Better safe than sorry there.

"Very well..." he looked about once more from his shadowed place. "What do you know of the KoC?"

"Nothing aside from public knowledge. Principal owner is Alper Ergin, spouse to Dr Valkonan." She started the math to begin her descent, "One of the more Famous tenants is Jonathan Granger."

"More than enough wealth there to pay for any damages. Opens up our options a pubic hair..." Offered in his own dark humor.

She chuckled softly, "(vq) And opens up more criticism if anyone there is hurt. Can you imagine the public outcry?" She murmured, "Don't care about the politics, but members like Elpis and Nightengale don't need that garbage." She was especially fond of Eless.

"Public outcry?" That earned a scoff of derision. "Half this town lives in delusions. The other half don't give a flying fuck. Let's just do what we came to do. Save who we can, if they need it."

She made a move to flip off the wall she had been on. Her power was used to allow her to land gently on her feet. "That's the idea." She quipped saucily and quietly as she made her way to one of the three buildings grouped together, "Bookends and meet in the middle."

"Works for me..." as he dropped with her, landing in a muffled thud on the cobbles below, knees bending with the impact. His steps turning away from the Witch for his own destination.

(Many thanks to Sylus ;) )

Wanda · Date: 2012-05-13 09:43 EST

She moved silently through the shadows, using her powers to amplify her agility and other natural abilities. Without her powers, she was no more than a normal human. She took a moment to look over the guards stationed in front of the first building. It would be hard to enter quietly as planned. She continued to look over the building looking for a hole in their defenses. She smiled spying a hatch on the roof that seemed to have been left open.

Without a sound she was levitated over the guards heads to the roof. She moved with that silent grace to examine the hatch. A light touch of her hex and the latch was released and the hatch slowly raised. She dropped through the hatch to the support beams above the main floor. She walked along the beams like they were a balance beam. She came to a stop above the center of the room. There was no sign of a warhead. Where was it being hidden?

She continued scanning the room working out the probable hiding places. Math was something she was good at. She located was a single door to the left that had two stationary guards. That would have to be the access point she needed. She looked around the room and found it odd that they were the only two here. The stronger resistance would have to be below.

No time like the present. Bloom, let's see about putting those two out for the count. The Myriad, being in the hands of someone that was trained for these type of missions, pulsed in approval of the idea that Wanda was formulating. With a gesture and the use of the Myriad's power, she turned her right palm up and blew a gentle breath across her palm. The breath seemingly carried a fine mist to the two guards. She watched a few moments as the mist took effect and the two slumped to the floor... sound alseep.

Very nice. She dropped silently to the floor below and searched the guards for a key of some sort. She secured a pass card and slid it through the reader. She did not speak a word, not wanting to give away her position yet.

Keyword... yet.

There is something to be said about moving headlong into the mage waiting just beyond the door. Which is what the witch did.

She narrowly avoided the the flaming arrow spell that had been hurled at her and sent an energy blast back at that mage. The blast was mostly absorbed by the shield spell the mage had cast.

Wanda · Date: 2012-06-05 21:57 EST

There was a frown on the Warlock's lips as the Witch turned aside or nimbly avoided his most lethal spells. Worse was the small smile on her lips. No words were exchanged between the two spell-casters; the silence broken only by the sound of magic exploding around them...

? or the frustrated growl of the black cowled man, ?Stop dancing around and die, you thrice damned bitch.?

?I cannot say I like your suggestion, gruesome. Death and I do not play nice together.? She quipped as she sent another energy blast at the Warlock, further weakening his shields.

He growled, pushing a jet of fire at her, only to have it reflected back at him. ?Where is your bravado, hero?? He purred trying to lace the Silk Speech into his words. He sought to lull her into complacency. ?Don't you want to know why we are doing this?? He smirked thinking his prey easy, after all she was only a woman.

A woman that shocked him with a core of steel that had been forged in fires that only hell could match. ?I already know why, you idiot.? She turned a disdainful look on the man as he growled with her insult. ?Did you really believe I would be cowed and cower before this moronic display of power?? She ripped through the remaining shielding with her magic as her tone revealed her disgust. ?You who are nothing more than the pitiful lackey in the shadow of a broken man??

?Lying witch!? The Warlock threw all he could into a last ditch attack hoping to force her back, to overwhelm her.

The power of his attack seemed to stagger her for the briefest of moments. The corridor filled with smoke and dust as debris surrounded the two. The Warlock let out a wild cry of victory...

? Too soon he vent his mirth...

She stepped through the smoke, surrounded in a crimson aura and stalked almost casually to the Warlock. Fear froze the spell-caster as a bolt of energy flew into his torso and slammed him into the wall. He crumpled to the floor like a rag doll that had been tossed aside. He moaned in fear as the witch approached him bathed in that crimson light...

?You yet live because I refuse to walk in Magneto's shadow.? She held up a hand to her lips and breathed softly, scattering that glittering pollen of Bloom's creation. The Warlock was forced into a deep sleep as a healing spell settled into place. The Witch frowned and cast one more spell before moving on. Without more than a thought, she seal the warlock's magic, rendering him all too human.

She continued her trek, striding almost imperiously, dispersing the pollen ahead of her march. She fought were she had no choice, choosing instead to render her opposition insensate. Bloom seemed to aid in the growth of her powers...

? The trail of fallen left little doubt as to which of the twins had the potential to resemble their father. And so it continued until she reached the device itself.

?Scarlet to Virus, device located.? She murmured grimly as D.I.A.N.A. transmitted the information from Rocketeer.

Sylus Kurgen · Date: 2012-07-04 21:36 EST

Drifting along quietly he caught Scarlet's message at finding a strange device about the same time he came across an odd shape connecting a series of cables. "Describe it Witch?" he demanded to make sure they were seeing similar devices. A mixture of circuitry, it looked like a relay switch. But for what? His gaze followed the cable where it went forward and back they way he'd come trying to figure out if it was actively transmitting or currently dormant. If he were Raven the thing would be active to deter tampering.

She murmured softly, giving as much of a description as she could. She used the ID card to scan an image into the system. It would be helpful in the long run. She looked at the different wires and the like, "(vq) Just like Rocketeer had described."

On a risk, Sylus inhales and slowly breaths out a freezing mist to let it soak down into the circuitry, draining its electrical components. No explosions came, and he let out a normal breath of relief. "Froze a relay switch, first I've come across. Should prevent an incoming and outgoing signal for this port. Advancing."

"(vq) Roger that, Virus." She located a similar switch within her device and calculated the odds of the temperature dropping as she needed. A delicate touch of her finger and the power was applied to the switch. "(vq) What I wouldn't give for Ranger or Rocketeer right about now."

He advanced at a casual pace but cautions since only a thief would skulk. Anyone that should be down here wouldn't be sneaking. Focusing his senses, Sylus extended them out from himself in a short radius. His hearing adjusting to the concrete walls to pick up the slow vibrations any movement would carry. His nostrils flare, catching lingering scents to mark the passage of men. The pupils of his eyes slowly shift to red dots as he monitors the infrared spectrum. He slowly came to a wide circular chamber; the cable running along the floor connects to a central junction and shoots off in three other directions. Despite the open space the shadows linger in heavy bars like a net across the entire room where the skylights cross hatch their rays.

Slowly he drew his twin scimitars and moved towards the central box, eyes looking around for the trap he smelled waiting to spring. There should have been guards, he smelled them coming and going through here but didn't see any heat trails. The foot prints long turned cold in the ground as he watched at least three different sets disappear between the adjoining hallways. Kneeling at the junction relay he let out a focused breath of cold, freezing the circuitry just as he had with the one coming in.

"Well aren't you clever?" a voice ripples from the surrounding darkness.

Jerking to his feet pain explodes up Sylus' back as he feels a slashed cut pass between the joints of his armor. With a snarl he snaps his head back and forth trying to see where the attack came from. He didn't see any body heat, and there a nonexistent scent.

Sylus Kurgen · Date: 2012-07-05 21:50 EST

"But clever little boys get into trouble bigger than they can handle, don't they?" Birte laughed out of the darkness, her voice bouncing and echoing against the stone walls. She rolled her long knife over the back of her hand and into a grip that laid the blade parallel to her forearm. Then she stepped out of the shadow the intruder cast, close enough to lay a kiss on his ear if she had wanted to, and slashed low for the joint at the back of his knee.

With a growl he felt the cut behind his knee and used the momentum form his leg going to to launch himself into a forward roll, twisting to come up facing his attacker. His twin blades glint in the soft light of the room. "Thought something was off..."

Slowly exhaling he felt the cuts start to close before coming to his feet."And you are?"

"Does it matter?" Hmm. This intruder was going to be tricky: that cut should have severed the tendons in his knee and he shouldn't even have been able to stand. She didn't even see him bleeding. Birte bared her teeth in a feral grin and vanished with another step backward into the shadows. She emerged behind the intruder and wrapped the darkness around herself, another scrap of anonymous shadow with all the others.

Watching her fade he frowned heavily and began to walk a small circle, looking closely at the shadows as he pushed out with his senses trying to get a hint of where she went. Some part of her scent?even a heartbeat. "Not really. We're both just corpses waiting to fall."

"You first." Those bright glowing red centers of his eyes were a fine aimpoint. She spun out of the shadows and slashed high, aiming across his eyes for a blinding stroke, before she whirled back and away with the black ribbons and silk of her costume fluttering and snapping accent to the motion.

Screaming in pain he staggered back as blood filled his eyes and ran down his rough features. Another growl rumbled in his chest as Sylus kept his eyes closed and adopted a fully defensive stance. He'd picked up the movement only a fraction of a second before the attack came. This bitch was quick, but he could be too. Once more drawing his thoughts into focus, he pictured a flame in his mind and into it he fed everything. Emptying himself of distractions, anger, even pain, until he was a being of pure focus.

Birte's laugh danced around the room much as she did, chasing her into and out of shadows so that one second the sound was behind him, the next it was in front, then to his left before a moment later bouncing off the walls to his right. When she was passing behind him on his left side, she lashed out with another vicious slice of her knives. She aimed one between the joints at his shoulder, the other low toward his waist and his kidneys.

There! He heard the wind dance around her blade as they came in and he twisted to bring his inside bladed down in a circular parry aiming to sweep them both wide and counter with a snap of his boot to her midsection

He was faster than she thought, and he spun quickly enough to parry her blades, knocking them aside (though not out of her grip. His kick landed while she was already starting to spin away, but she hadn't gotten far enough to blunt the impact. Her boots scraped against the floor and her shoulders hit the wall when she impacted, gasping for breath.

"I might not be able to see you...but I can still smell you." Not willing to let her get away he caught the sound of her shoulders connecting with the wall and inhaled. Soft scales form along his skin as his exhales a maximized cone of cold.

If he hadn't knocked her back against the wall - into the shadows that hugged the edge of the circular room - that cone of cold would have done much more damage. As it was she jumped through the shadows to the ones near his feet, throwing herself out of the darkness into a tumble between his legs with her knives striking out again.

Feeling the slash of her knives he roars, weight coming down with the severing of the tendons. He couldn't figure out how she recovered that fast. Some how she was teleporting. It was the only conclusion he could make at how she was moving so quickly. He needed to limit her movement, but how?

He fell and she flipped up to her feet so that she could hop over and try to stab her knives down into him while he was at least still partially immobilized. As fast as he healed, though - well, Birte would never admit it to anyone else, but she wasn't sure if this was a fight she could win. If he lit the room well enough, most of her special abilities would be nullified.

Knowing better than to stand still, Sylus pushed forward with his leg into a long slide along the ice patch created by his missed breath attack. If she still managed to connect, he at least got some distance between them. He was a quick healer, certainly, but even that required time to take effect.

Sylus Kurgen · Date: 2012-07-05 22:22 EST

She missed, and the ice beneath her feet when she landed sent her into a skid and scramble to try to recover her feet. "Naughty boy. Come back here and take your punishment - "She said it right before she dived into another shadow, emerging from the shadows clinging to corner of wall and ceiling so that she could try to drop right down on top of him.

He felt the skin across his eyes finally knit together. Looking up through drying blood he saw the shadow descending but couldn't lift his legs to kick again and there wasn't time for another attempt at freezing her. There was only one shot for this...

Waiting until the last possible moment he braced Redemption in the armpit of his right side and thrust Retribution upward in a centered strike.

There were no shadows between her fall and his blades that she could dive into and avoid the blows. She twisted desperately, but there just wasn't enough time. The pain of impact was shocking, the sound of her flesh ripping as she tumbled hideous. Blood and gore splashed down on him, followed by the impact of a small woman with the firm jaw line of a human, the tilted large green eyes of an elf. She landed and fell half on, half off him with a surprised look on her face. "He said there would..." The words gasped and bubbled out, but Sylus never got to find out what there would be. Her eyes were looking at another realm, now.

As she came down on his blade Sylus felt the joint in his elbow pop and snap where she hit him as so much dead weight and blood. He watched the light fade from her eyes and lifts his head to kiss her cold lips. "You danced well..."

With his good arm he pushed her off and lay there for a handful of moments letting his body heal. Whatever she had been, he completely hoped he never came across one. Ever. Again.

(I want to thank Kacilla Lynne's player for an awesome NPC!)

Sylus Kurgen · Date: 2012-07-10 02:28 EST

Sylus lay in the pool of blood from his nameless attacker for all of a minute before rousing himself to stand. Legs bend and stretch as he works out the renewed ligaments before picking up his weapons, with some effort as he felt Redemption drag across a rib. Once freed he looks over their blades, after cleaning them off on her corpse of course, to make sure they weren't too badly nicked. Weapons secure, he turns his thoughts to another minor detail. He knew the blood layering his leather raiment would dry within the hour and begin to crust over all but destroying any hope at maneuverability as the iron hardens into a brown rubber. Not to mention the scent completely takes stealth out of the equation. Can't sneak up on someone wreaking of blood.

"Not the cleanest kill, but sometimes you have to take what drops in your lap...literally..." he mumbles quietly while removing the leather vestment revealing an intricately woven chainshirt underneath. Some red stained the metal links where her blood soaked through, but the armor was largely clean.

Turning over the nameless assailants' body he began searching for details on who she'd been. Did he expect to find any? No, not at all. However there always remains that small chance of a mistake. Everyone makes a mistake at the wrong point in time. This wasn't one of them. No papers, no identification cards. Just some coins and her knives. The coins he left behind and took up her weapons to test their weight and balance. Liking the feel he adjusts some items along his belt to snap them in place just behind his right kidney.

In a show of respect for a fellow warrior he drapes his discarded armor over her upper half and offers a small prayer. He may be a man of few morals, but the Elder Kurgen kept himself strict on many things. Respect for the fallen being one of them. "Hopefully you won't be coming back on me. I hate having to kill someone twice. Messier the second time around. So for my sake? Stay dead."

Focus shifts to the three remaining paths out of the room. Not certain which to take he moves left for the closest and walks into an unwelcome memory

Sylus Kurgen · Date: 2012-07-10 21:18 EST

Eyes widen in confusion as a single step brings him into an open courtyard. The vacant space dominated by a single, large cherry tree that seemed sculpted and windblown. Dumb struck he swivels left and right while proceeding cautiously amidst the flutter of white petals drifting down from the great tree. Further in, he sees a slender woman standing just beyond the tree. White-gold hair hangs down below her shoulders in even lines as she appears to be deeply considering something in her hands, head bent forward, but unnaturally still. He can't make out any detials from where he stands, though something niggled inside his brain and struck him as familiar. The lean to her stance, one hip jutting to the side sensually?then she turned.

"Ilyena?" His voice cracking as her name is ripped from his lips.

"Why'd you do it Sylus?" Her slender frame turns, hands covered in blood from the single stab wound in her stomach. "Why'd you kill me? I thought you loved me, Antala?"

"Verad-" He began.

"Don't hide behind a dead enemy!" She pointed an accusing finger at Sylus, blame laid for not protecting her well enough for leaving her behind and to her fate.

"Yes?walk into my web?" The delicate fingers of Weaver?s four hands moved and more shrouded images filled his head. She watched him stand immobile, a victim to his own memories. Her hoarsely whispered voice could be heard saying, "I know what you fear. I know what you hide. I shall make you face what you choose not to see." Her laughter mocked him. ?It shall be your undoing!?

The old ones simply called her Weaver. She had long since forgotten any other name she might have had. Like a spider settled in her web, she had been waiting for him to touch the right strand of silk. She found a memory he had long wanted to forget and drew it from his mind to force him to relive it. There was an image of love; fresh, new, and beautiful. It twisted and became one of betrayal and hatred. The grappling that had once been physical was now a battle on the plane of the mindscape. The woman?s hand was outstretched, pleading, perhaps for what might have been and never was.

He stands immobile beneath her imperious judgment. No words come to his lips as Sylus feels the strength leaving him at her truth. He had left her. She fell for the lures of an insightful enemy and he hadn't fought for her. He did the opposite. He'd killed her. "I know I failed. I swore an oath and could not keep it?"

A finger tugged gently, like a harp string being plucked, as the memory took form and wrapped around him. He would soon be trapped in cocoon of his own making, a web of his own past and things that had not come to pass, but would taunt him nonetheless.

The face of a second woman filled her minds' eye, a fair skinned and slender elf, strong and powerful creature that had also been betrayed but in another fashion. ?You should have stayed with her,? came the derisively whispered voice, ?but in the end, it was her that left you for one that was thought to have been lost.?

With a sneer she watches the webs of his mind ensnare her prey. A victim of his own making.

" She's nae th' oonla woman ye've b'trayed Sylus. R'memeber wha' ye didst tae me?" A silver column coalesced to reveal Alais in all her Elven beauty. "Och Sylus, ye were nae a real wolf, were ye? Wolves mate fer life, an' yet ye didst le' me gae... gae tae a dragon auld 's time...." Argentine eyes lock onto him as cool and unfathomable as liquid silver.

She remained unmoving, the tall Rouwanwood staff held in delicate, pale hands. "Yer promises tae me were ephemeral 's th' mists Sylus..... ye lacked anna abilitae tae see anna thin' through tae 't's endin'." The elfen hand moved, revealing a crimson smear of blood soaking into the white wood staff as she faded into silvery mist.

Sylus Kurgen · Date: 2012-07-14 23:03 EST

When the vision of the elf faded, Weaver smiled wryly. "There was another ... one that wanted things you could not give. Was it greed that made you hold her so close or love?"

"Or was it her greed that pushed you away?" Haunting laughter filled the air. "Such beauties and you lost them all in some way." The memory web wraps around his lower torso. "You could have asked for your own share ... but you let go." The voice came then in a breathy whisper, "You wanted your way and she hers."

The whispered thoughts were ones he couldn't differentiate from his own as they came. Ilyena's pointing finger never wavered as he saw Joey next to her. Both women shake their heads in disappointment.

"Why couldn't you be stronger?" They spoke one after another while advancing. Circling him slowly, Joey trailing a hand along his hip as she always did; Ilyena cups his cheek with her bloody hand. The touch flooding him with aged memories while Joey's brought new. Then and now clashin his mind.

"I....." he begins but cannot finish. Once again immobilized by the look each placed on him.

"They demand penance from you, now." Again, the laughter came. "The Virus ... it seems that suits you well, does it not? You spread yourself and infected these women." Four hands move to create tableaux of things past. A harsh tone spilled out, "Would you change things now if you could?"

His mind refuses to work, to filter through everything. It's just too much. He feels himself hit the ground, knees cracking from the slump. Still they condemn and demand penance. He wasn't strong enough. Never had the power or will to keep them at his side, right?

"I was weak..." he whispers, unable to meet their gaze.

"Weak or believing yourself too strong to have any weakness?" she posed a rather odd question. Her eyes blinked and glittered in the dim light. Clacking noises like many shoe heels against a wooden floor resounded from several yards away.

"Both..." he answered his own thoughts out loud. Unable to look at Joey and Ilyena he instead looks to his hands. Hands stained red with what he was covering everything he was trying to become.

"The last still remains, but will you try to make amends or live with a burning anguish? People oft forgive, but not forget. Is that how you are?" Weaver tugged the web again to make room for more. "What of the elven male long gone long gone that you called brother? What of your own brother by blood? There are wounds there, too, are there not?"

He saw the boots and the sandals come into his vision. Looking up he saw two men that were worlds apart. On the left his brother whose angular features were near mirror to his own but those eyes of vibrant green sear down at him with intelligent resentment. "How many times did you try to protect me? But who needed the protecting brother? I, who has four children and a loving woman in my bed, I think not. You spent so much time worrying of me?.while your own bridges burn."

"So busy thinking of others that you forget yourself?" The laughter of a temptress followed, wicked and sultry. Harp strings, that's what the webbing was like to her long thin fingers. But it was music of a flute that filtered into those memories, now. The flute, itself, handmade was one few treasures that had been left behind.

So fixated was he on Artemus' words that he nearly misses the laughter. Seductive, low, and erotic is certainly not a laugh common to his thoughts. His brow knits in confusion. Just as he starts considering the laughter?he hears the flute. More memories fly to his mind but not ones of failure and weakness. That flute comes from a time of healing. Memories of watching elves celebrating the harvest and seasons, of Sulrin and Chelle his heart-brother and sister and the time they gave him to move on.

"I was weak?..I was?human." He says softly, feeling his fingers curl around steel as he starts to stand up. "But no longer?"

As he stood, the web of memories slowly began to unravel. Some part of her was pleased and it echoed in her whispered voice, "You are the first to even to try to rise from the ashes of his own making. What will you do, now?"

"The human in me made me week. The human in me is still getting buried and gone." There was a flash of steel as he steps forward, burying the dagger in the stomach of his brother. Watching the illusion's eyes go wide, twisting the blade. "I'm done protecting those who can't protect themselves."

"Cannot?" The visage of his brother and heart brother's children appeared. The last, perhaps, a poor example of Weaver's point given the girl's budding bow skills, but she was there nonetheless. "Or will not? With the loss of being human, one should not lose their humanity." Her job, despite what she had been tasked with by Raven, seemed to have been something much different than simply twisting minds to crush them.

On to the ploy now he looks at the images of the children and slowly exhales, steeling himself for what he's mentally about to do. Shoulders square, he wades into the children....blades cutting a crimson swath.

As the illusin fades he comes away, seeing webs at his feet and lining the walls. Others who'd been caught in the odd trap hung in neat rows along the ceiling. With a grunt he continued onward not even bothering to think on whether or not this would be just another illusion. The man just murdered his nieces and nephews; it was an image he knew would steal sleep.

"And so your choice is made ... " her voice faded off as a light in the distance shined on the pathway that lead onward.

( wanna thank Rhi B for playing an amazing NPC, dunno, this one might make a come back )

Wanda · Date: 2012-07-15 18:27 EST

Meanwhile, back where Wanda had left the mage...

"Disgusting..." Vorcha sneers at his crumpled apprentice. "You were weak."

With a hiss, he extends a hand and traces the magic left by the woman in black. Rather than risk triggering some delayed enchantment he scoffs and trails after her in silence, hovering a few inches off the ground. He'd watched her small match with his apprentice and saw much. She used a power not like any magic he knew. Tapered fingers carefully draw a wand from the bolero at his waist and he carefully takes aim watching her kneel at Raven's Bomb.

Training as one of Fury's pet mutant had the hackles on the back of her neck standing up. She feigned the distraction, waiting for the last possible moment. All the while, the math flowed through her mind.

He couldn't risk hurting Raven's bomb otherwise what happens next might have been vastly different. From the end of the wand, he fires off a large ball of thick, green, goo. Filled with the secretions of an abyssal spider it would stick to anything and hold anything immobile.

There was a negligent gesture of her hand that was shielded from sight by her own body. Her form was sheath in a red aura, yet It seemed as though the goo hit its mark and she spat out a Romany curse in perceived frustration.

Too easy. He muses, not buying the charade after watching how easily she dealt with the apprentice. Holding back in the shadows he watches calmly, wand still raised and waiting. His defensive spell dances along the fingers of his offhand should she try and retaliate.

She looked over her shoulder and there was a sharp look in the direction of the Mage. "Really now, is this the best you have?" She purred the taunt softly.

No response came as the wand fires off four more globes, their pattern staggered.

She expanded the shield to stretch the goo that was on her form and stood as the rest splattered on that transparent wall. "Good try, not good enough."

This had just been the distraction. Rising behind her, a bearded devil steps from the plane of Gehenna, raising a fell blade of fire and evil as it heeds the summons from the mortal who bound it. Hubris... typical. He muses silently as she expands her defensive wall.

There was a pulse on the witch's ear warning her. In an instant, the shield dropped and she was attempting to cartwheel out of the reach of her new playmate. "And here I thought no one could be uglier than Toad." She was flippant, but that was a mask.

Right on cue, he fired off another glob from the wand, aiming ahead of her cart wheeling path. The Bearded devil laughs at he comment. It?s many tentacles curling in derision of the mortal trying to goad it. Instead it just points a finger at her, electricity dancing from that raised appendage before shooting off a line of lightning.

Goo or Lightning. She was seemingly trapped. Seemingly... However, the witch was already adding her probability power into the mix. Her agility increased and she preternaturally twisted to avoid the lightning and most of the goo... Goo which entangled her legs bringing her down less than gracefully... Faceplant.

"Well now, who saw that coming?" Vorcha taunts lightly, finally coming into the room.

"You summoned me for that?" the acidic rumble of the demon far from amused as its feet tremor the ground where it approaches the downed woman.

Wanda · Date: 2012-07-15 18:53 EST

"You miss the lower planes all ready? Why not take the bitch with you, let her be a concubine for a few millennia..." Again he watches her warily, firing off another globe of green.

She waited a moment, listening. Once the demon was close and the goo fired. She flung up the hand and redirected the goo to the demon. "Yes, Bitch is what they call me, but rarely to my face." She spat back and started drawing on the combined power of the nexus and Bloom as she looked between the two.

Snarling as the projectile smothers his face the devil scrapes at the mess to get it away, feeling it close up his nostrils and mouth.

"Then obviously you don't listen enough..." Vorcha counters. A chain of lightning dances from his fingertips like a web that flies out in a wide arc, igniting the air in its path.

Still immobilized by the goo, she flung out that hand again and again attempted to redirect the lightning towards his ally. "You might want to reconsider that you are at Ground zero should this baby go boom... You and your pet." She was going to use every weapon at her disposal... Even Raven's bomb.

The lightning splits with her deflection. One hits the devil while the other hitting dangerously close to the bomb, but Vorcha just laughs. "Don't you get it? That's what we want."

"Suicide, hmm? Martyrs for a broken man?" She glanced at the demon. "So this is how he honors his contract with you." She was tugging on the power and the math letting it build... Grow... She would not allow him to win.

"Hardly girl." He almost said more but caught himself and a look from the devil as it got some of the green substance off its nostrils where it lay prone from the blast of lightning. "Thought you would be better..." Sneering he levels a finger at her and says a single word or power. "Kill."

The power was built up and as he was uttering that word and single energy blast was flung at him. She pulled on her own power and used Bloom to make it grow.

Yelling in pain, his finger lifts marginally with the blast of energy. A black ray firing from his fingertip, striking the bearded devil in the chest and searing a hole straight to its heart as the Power Word: Kill severs its connection to the material plane.

The next gesture was to disintegrate the goo. She regained her feet slow as an aura of crimson surrounded her Athletic form. "As for you, boy. " She raised her hands up from pointing at the ground until they were are heart level, palms up. Vines seemingly sprung up from the floor in an attempt to capture his form. "You have much to answer for."

He just laughed a bit feeling the vines before fading into a mist that sinks through the cracks in the floor. His voice whispering ethereally, "Appears you're very new at mage warfare."

She did not rise to the taunt. Instead, she worked her hex to attempt to force him back into flesh and blood. If he got caught in the floor, bonus points in her mind. "You mistake me for one of your ilk."

"How do we differ? I rip power from the very fabric of the universe? you draw your power from the same source. You are of my ilk. Born of my ilk." The voice isn't disgusted, more pitying.

Wanda · Date: 2012-07-15 19:11 EST

She shook her head, "Perhaps I was... a long time ago. But then I got over myself." There was an amused smile; "The difference between us is that you follow a broken man when you have your own power. That makes you weak." She knew the psyche game well. She didn't waste time and sending another blast of energy at him. Time to try to sever that source.

"Follow...or encourage?" the mage offered softly before an earthen fist erupts at her feet.

"Follow... for you see your Charge has a mind of his own... Or perhaps the Brian persona has a greater influence than you." She stated in a teaching tone as she back flipped out of the grasp of the hand. She turned in midair, another blast was sent at him.

As the blast strikes the mist it dissipates, gating elsewhere. The grasping hand fails to catch her before erupting, rocks fly in a three hundred and sixty degree radius. "You truly think there are not those who want destruction... just for the glory of it?"

"I've known several, cold-blooded killers in my time..." Those brown eyes sharp as that personal shield comes back to reflect the debris at him. "Killers that would make your wet yourself like an infant." Images of Sabretooth and Longshot come to mind. "How much longer before you tire out, boy?" She was going to burn herself out, but she'd take him with her. "What are the odds of it happening now?" And with that phrase she cast her hex at him.

"All bravado? but no follow through. Typical for what you're aspiring to be. No backbone." The words delivered right as her hex envelopes his cloaking mists, fracturing the spell.

There was a small smile as the mists fracture. She did not answer the charge as she sent another energy blast at him. She had more control then he would know. The smile on her lips was amused.

Hit by the secondary blast he could only smile himself watching the fallen Devil's blade lifts into the air where she stood in front of its body. His spell had killed the devil, enacting its curse, and the blade would come for Vorcha's blood he knew. However, it would cut through anything between the source of its curse. No dodging, no weaving... it would cut right through that bitch on its way to him.

She narrowed her eyes, focusing on the mage. He was watching something behind her. A look over her shoulder and she was instantly taking to the air to avoid that blade. Narrowly as the blade grazed her arm. It was not given the opportunity to do more as the blade buried itself into his chest and pinned him into the wall.

As she watched the light fade from his eyes, ?I hear Karma is also a bitch.? She murmured without remorse, letting the life drain from him. Unlike the others, she was not about to waste the energy on trying to reverse the course of the blade. She understood well the meaning behind demon pacts and what happens when one if broken.

They never end well?

(A big thank you to Sylus for the NPC)

The Raven's Hand · Date: 2012-07-17 22:40 EST

?A half hour ago, or so...?

?Has it been done??

?It has, the watch station has been sealed, and the girl is inside with the boy. We've left a few units to remain, and clean up whatever is left.?

?Good, and the forge??

?Mistianne has failed, and something else was felt.?

?We don't have time for that, no doubt he knows already, and will be sending others. Sides, the dragon is already on the way with her brood. We still haven't found the other, either---?

?Sir??

?Change of plans... The order has been switched, we set off whatever has not been tampered with, right now. Activate what guard we have as well... And any carriers within the city--- ignite them.?

?Are you serious?! He intends to start now!??

?The forge has fallen, and other strongholds are being taken as well. Devices have been discovered, and it seems the dragon was delayed a bit. So we begin now, and spread them even thinner for what finally arrives, and we do that by setting everything off at once. Also, the collateral damage order has been lifted. It's a contingency plan, prearranged. Pass the word, and get to work. We've a city to strike.?

?Understood sir, and you??

?I am headed to the market place district. There is somethi-- no someone there waiting for me, and I will not keep her waiting any longer.?

?We'll pass the word and get to work, and one last thing, sir? When you said ignite the carriers??

?Detonate them, and begin--- with the children. The orphans the and sleepers, I want what is left of them detonated, no matter where they may be. We cannot allow anything else to fall into the defender's grasp, and it also adds to the chaos. Now go!?

?Presently...?

He had know this would never have gone as planned, no matter how much the dark one had wanted it to. It was the same all those years ago, during the operation known as 'family matters', which centered very much so in the extermination of many of the 'heroes' of Rhy'din, beginning with the Ravenlock family, and their closet friends and loved ones. Not to mention, various government officials as well.

Oh it went well enough in the beginning...

The turning of Lain Ravenlock, setting her against Jewell and Brian. The pushing away of Wyheree Ravenlock, and Jadden. The attack on the farm of Charlotte Steele, in order to flush Brian out. The isolation of Jenai Angelique, and other small operations as well. Yes it had begin well, and then as fate would have it, certain parties saw fit to interject themselves, causing all sorts of trouble for the dark one and his gathered.

Not to mention, the 'taking' of Brian Ravenlock. That was something they did not foresee by any measure.

Then was then, and now we have today--- the here, and now.

Once more parties have seen fit to interject themselves in business that was never theirs to begin with, and once more the unforeseen had reared its nasty head. However, unlike the last time, Raven and his chosen were a tad more ready than they were before, and is intentions were far more vile in nature than they were all those years past.

That is why he had people like Aldridge, within the ranks of his chosen. People that would act accordingly with little direction, keeping true to the intent of the orders given. People who could adapt on the drop of a coin, and do so without thought or hesitation what so ever. People who would lay such waste without batting an eye, be it man, woman or child.

A true mercenary in every sense of the word.

Aldridge returned that respect, time and again, as he carried out the orders that others would ponder on first before acting. Quickly, efficiently, and with a lasting impression. That is how the man carried out the tasks given, and to make matters that much more interesting--- he was not even a death knight.

He was one hundred percent human, and still wore the ebonsteele armor.

But we digress...

?I hear karma is also a bitch.?

?And I hear, that there are bitches, that need to be put down...?

The voice behind her, as he stepped through the portal. 5'11 or so... Clad in the ebonsteele, save his head. A weathered face, bearing a single scar down the right side of his face, literally leaping over his eye. His hair light gray, and cut short. Eyes of green bore down on the witch, as a somewhat smile took form. A hand lifted to rest upon the hilt of one of the short swords at his side, as the other lifted further offering a quick gesture.

Instantly other portals began to open all over, as those ebon forces that were currently alive fled, in exchange for the ten fresh ebon knights that emerged from said portals to take their place.

?Leave no one alive, and see to the device! This ends TONIGHT!?

The ebon knights needed no other encouragement, as they cried out loudly, and went to work.

Aldridge however remained where he was, those eyes of green settling upon the witch, as a brow somewhat raised.

?My apologies for keeping you waiting. But, I am here now and your playtime with the children has come to an end...?

Wanda · Date: 2012-07-24 23:15 EST

?My apologies for keeping you waiting. But, I am here now and your playtime with the children has come to an end...?

"And the wet nurse arrives..." She replied with a quiet amusement. Her arm throbbed as the power slowed the bleeding from the demon's blade.

She took the measure of the knight before her. The cold focus and steel determination came to the fore. The flighty girl was replaced by the woman that stood before him. The woman who had faced down the demon and watch the mage be impaled without flinching.

Fear, though, settled into the pit of her stomach. Yet, it did not paralyze. No, instead it fed into her power... the Chaos she was able to harness. She had faced much in her life including death. Truly the only man she feared was her father.

She did not miss the hand resting casually on the hilt of the sword. Only a fool would face suck a skill opponent head on...

... She was not a fool.

Sylus Kurgen · Date: 2012-07-28 20:45 EST

A glance over his shoulder watches the webs pull tight in the passage as he emerges into the main circular room. "Right where I left you?" to the corpse he fought upon first entering.

From the entrance to building he hears running foot steps. Several. And armor clad by the heavy tread and the faint breathing that comes ahead of the ruckus. A moment is taken to calm his breath and listen. Time almost slows to the rate of a steady heart beat. Twelve people he makes out. His steps move towards the center of the room as the group rushes out of the hall in a staggered formation.

The stragglers will dodge, but I can catch the leaders with a well placed line of cold. Inhaling he jets out the elemental cold, picturing how the entire fight will go before taking action. The four in front taking point are frozen solid. The other eight split to the left and right.

They'll seek to rush me now, prevent another freeze attack. Left, the four on the left will come first as they reacted the quickest. That one, with his head shaved will come first with an overhand, while the woman with a patch on her eye will strike low, hoping to catch me as I deal with the distraction.

Time speeds up to the realm of action as his hands rise, catching baldy in a heavy slash, but Sylus keeps in motion, pivoting away from the woman and pulling her compatriot into the line of attack. The clang of her blade hitting the back of his armored legs are not without reward as it further pushes the man off balance. Kurgen chambers his leg and kicks, launching the two back into a third. Three dealt with he sees their fourth hadn't escaped his breath entirely, a leg frozen to the ground. Raising his left gauntlet, a thin blade, the size of a woman's nail file fires from the wrist, catching the crippled man in the throat where his helmet and armor offer little protection. Sylus paid him little attention after hearing the shattering of frozen flesh and the heavy thud that follows.

The other four will be approaching from behind thinking I?m distracted. The large one with the greatsword, he'll stand back as the other three come on and wait for his chance to bring the large weapon into play, no doubt when they try to limit my mobility. Good. I predict it will be the smaller man with the katana and ninjato who gets to me first.

As he came around Sylus' prediction proves true. The katana is raised in a cross slash while ninjato held back defensively, or to stab should he not notice it and just block the larger blade. The open palm of Sylus left hand catches his gauntlet at the wrist, pressure crushing the joint with surprise strength. To the Ebon Knight's credit he comes in with the stab, but a sudden blade slides out from Sylus' right gauntlet, the middle split for such moments. Catching the ninjato it falls to the ground as its twisted from the man' grip. Kurgen lower' his center and falls back, bringing the man with him, a boot finding the solar plexus. With a heave Sylus launches the man at the three he'd previously knocked over. Feet kick back to get him into a kneeling position, hands closing over the hilt of dropped katana and ninjato.

The other two will come on now. Longswords center lined.

Heaving the katana up, his elbow braces as the two blades come down with jarring force where they collide with his parry. Pushing their weapons up and left, he hoists the ninjato and brings it down right through the center of the closest inline foot. As the man screams in agony, Sylus looks up, seeing their larger friend rushing in now, great sword up to cleave down between the two men. Right on cue.

With a jump, Sylus steps off the pegged knight' bent knee and watched the large warrior widen his eyes at the unexpected maneuver. Using both hands to bat aside the greatsword, he reverses the direction of the edge in passing over the big man' shoulder, feeling the blade catch on flesh, and stick tight to something akin to bone. The blade getting stuck not initially planned on, Sylus moves with the pull to spin behind the warrior and land. A hand coming around to catch the greatsword as it falls from the dying man' grip.

Sylus Kurgen · Date: 2012-07-28 22:47 EST

Six dead, two wounded. Four unharmed. The man with the crushed wrist will be last to rise, certainly more concerned with getting the gauntlet off his hand. Same with the man who's foot is pinned with the floor. Hurl the greatsword at the three beyond the frozen to engage the closest man individually.

Once again times speeds up from thought to present as he takes up the greatsword in both hands and spins forward, releasing it end over end like a whirling disk of death. The lone knight drops to the ground in a panic and takes up the ninjato holding his counterpart in place. Twenty feet beyond he sees two of the three dives to the side, the third panics and tries to block only to get taken off his feet by the great blade. Now on his feet, the lone knight rips free the ninjato from his fellow' foot, making him fall away holding the offended limb. With a smirk Sylus moves forward.

His grip is awkward. The ninjato is a foreign weapon so he treats it like a long dagger, something he knows. Like a piercing weapon, when it's for slashing. He'll come overhand, blade down.

All ready in motion, Sylus brought up his right hand and slapped the downward stab aside, shifting his forward momentum into an elbow. The cartilage of the man's nose explodes inward, broken. Temporarily stunned he'll step back and swing wildly to keep me at bay.

A half step back from the flailing ninjato, Sylus hooks one of the dropped longswords with the toe of his boot and kicks it up into a waiting hand. Pivoting, he transfers the weapon to his left where it comes up and down, slicing off the hand holding the ninjato at the base where armor links together forming the flexible joint to allow movement.

Two wounded, two unharmed, one unconscious, and one bleeding out. Their confidence now shaken, I need to shatter it.

Distraught by the severing of his hand the Ebon Knight is blind to Sylus standing over him. His last thoughts are of ghostly fingers that will no longer bend or flex as cold envelopes him in ice. With calculated precision his head is removed with the crunch of frost bitten veins and shattering armor. The body falls apart where the cracks from the head being taken off. Eye contact is made with one of the remaining two as Sylus begins to bounce the head from foot to foot, using the inside of each boot as though playing hackie sack.

They're no threat now.His laughter follows the pair as they flee back the way they came, followed shortly by a punting head and a heavy clatter of stumbling knights.

From a belt at his waist, Sylus removes a pocket watch to check the time. Six minutes, damn. You're slipping old man.

Fingers adjust the weapon belt at his waist, the sentient scimitars barking at him for not drawing them to deal with Raven' knights. He caresses each tenderly with a shake of his head as he moves to the last room, seeing the size of the bomb in need of defusing. Trust me old friends. You'll get exercise soon enough.

The Raven's Hand · Date: 2012-08-06 15:47 EST

Fingers softly tapped along the hilt of that sword, as the man simply watched her.

Runes of blood crackled ever so fondly, at the mere thought of drawing such blood. However, that urge was set aside, as the woman?s words caused the slightest of chuckles. A brow raised somewhat, as she was slowly taken in. She was no easy meat, what so ever, and it spoke volumes to the man.

In fact, it spoke far more than mere volumes.

Such a sternness, that had come about in the barest of moments.

Gone was the rather ?off? girl, replaced with a much harder being altogether.

Yes, this is what he was here for?

He felt it as well?that fear. He detected it, despite the casual reply she had offered him in retaliation for his own sarcastic introduction, in regards to her. However the sentiment still stood. Playtime with the children was at an end, and he felt she understood more than most, given the fact that the fear of hers, carried no true lasting effect.

If anything, it seemed to be a part of what was actually bolstering her.

This is indeed why he was sent here, because of what she now was.

Slowly, those fingers tapped along the hilt once more. A shift of form, as a step was taken towards her, and just as quickly the momentum had ceased.

As Aldridge found himself pausing in step, looking rather stunned, with his eyes quite widened. The reason for that, being a single rune that appeared upon the darkened chest plate of his. A single rune of gold, that literally caused the man to nearly double over, as a look of agony took form upon that face of his.

Brighter, and brighter did the rune shine, until it shattered violently, sending the man crumpling to a knee as a hand clutched his chest, while the other supported him. It seemed he was hardly alone in what he felt, as some of the others that had arrived with him, had also been afflicted by this unknown force.

She would have felt it though, as would others adept in extra-sensory perceptions. To them, it was a pulse?a wave if you would, comprised of various energies. As to the how and why, that is another story altogether.

The one thing that mattered was that it affected the ebon warriors.

?A minor--- set back? It seems the parameters have changed a bit??

Slowly, the man began to regain himself. However, it seemed there was an opening. The question though--- was would she take that chance?

Wanda · Date: 2012-08-14 21:22 EST

She braced for an attack that never came. She is expecting a blow to be struck. Yet, the blow that hit was not one that any expected?

? A blow that was indeed far reaching and the witch capitalized on the weakness now exposed in those defenses. One stone in a pond causes a ripple that disturbs the surface. So too, does the presence of such power affecting the one before her.

Hands rose at her sides, palms up, as if lifting the power from the earth itself. The Myriad lent strength to her own power. As the holder of Bloom, she felt the power grow and shape her. As the Scarlet Witch, she calculated what it would take to destroy the Death Knights. And free the victims of this atrocity? Such power, even her father would not be able to ignore. As such, she took the chance, praying it was enough.

?A minor--- set back? It seems the parameters have changed a bit??

It has been said that it is extremely difficult for brown eyes to be cold. Yet, the witch pulled it off easily. Seeing the one living knight, she turned that gaze on him, ?You best pray that whatever deity you hold dear is merciful.? Her voice was eerily ethereal in tone and devoid of all emotion. ?For you will find none here, butcher.?

The gesture turned to him and the math changed focusing the power and those victims on the sole living knight. This power would not last her too long before draining her? She had to move fast and pray to the goddess it was enough.

Sylus Kurgen · Date: 2012-08-18 16:43 EST

Like a vulture he circles the device curiously with an appraising eye. He knows the layout described by Rocketeer and then Witch, however at present the appropriate tools are lacking. Kneeling down he watches the little gears turn; the wires crisscross one another, and understands the idea of freezing the device will work on a temporary basis. What he doesn?t know is whether or not the internal liquids have the appropriate freezing point.

Fingers lightly tap on a bit of glass speculatively when the hairs upon the back of his neck rise. A primal growl rumbles heavily in his chest as eyes look back the way he came where the wounded Knights lay in their heaps. He could smell the magic emanating from them, something raw of metal and earth, and he doesn?t like what this forebode one bit. With a long inhale, he turns and blasts the incendiary device from just a foot away, watching the air freeze and crystallize into ice so blue it nearly glows in the dark.

Fractured images display under the ice letting him see gears slow down and stop, pockets of air within the mixture waiting to brew form and solidify into place, little cracks form on the wire casings to show clear to the dielectric. A dark part of him prides on the image, that same place reveling in its own power and wanting to take flight, roam and rove for prey.

Holding his head, Sylus stamps that thought down and lopes out to the main room where he is met with an explosion of mystical energies. A golden rune glitters in the darkness on their chests before fading away. Yet the damage remains. ?Always someone trying to play hero?? he mutters under his breath.

?Virus to Witch, what, the hell, did you do?? is spoken gruffly through the communication piece thinking the sudden rune is her handiwork.

The Rocketeer · Date: 2012-08-27 08:16 EST

The Rocketeer tore across the RhyDin sky from the other side of town at breakneck speed; once he closed in on the Market location he angled the thrusters in his jetpack, switching from his 'Superman' pose to a backward lean. The rest was a controlled fall, several short bursts keeping him upright and slowing his descent to a manageable rate until he landed on a rooftop overlooking the scene with a heavy thud.

He climbed to his feet out of the dissipating cloud of steam from his rocket and touched his helmet to broadcast to the Avengers' frequency: "This is the Rocketeer, I've arrived at the Market, Enforcer and Black Knight to follow. Diana, Virus, Scarlet Witch, whoever's in the know, I need the location and status of the explosive device and transmitters."

As he spoke he watched his surroundings warily, gave his pressure gauges a quick check. Enough for four, maybe five super-powered pneumatic punches - if his stressed joints could even handle the additional abuse. Whatever happened, hopefully he would be ready for it...

Wanda · Date: 2012-08-27 16:52 EST

As she held the power for the spell, Sylus' words came through the mic in her ear.

?Virus to Witch, what, the hell, did you do??

"If you refer to the rune, Virus, I wish I could take credit for that. I am just capitalizing on the weakness revealed." She murmured softly as she concentrated.

Then Sergi's voice sounded in the earpiece, "This is the Rocketeer, I've arrived at the Market, Enforcer and Black Knight to follow. Diana, Virus, Scarlet Witch, whoever's in the know, I need the location and status of the explosive device and transmitters."

"Witch to Rocketeer, We have two out of three device's covered. Encountering heavy resistance from our friends here. A hand would be greatly appreciated. The third device is still hot and in the center building." She reported softly. "Proceed with caution, my friend."

The Raven's Hand · Date: 2012-09-09 23:41 EST

Slowly, Alridge rose to his full height once more, albeit in a quite uneven manner, as that pained look slowly began to face from the hardened face of the dark knight. The words of the witch taken to whatever darkened heart the man had left within him, as his eyes narrowed upon her once more.

?There is no deity with mercy where we come from, so there is no need to worry of me looking for any, woman.?

The blade was drawn slowly, as the runes of decay flared to life once more, granted the witch would definitely be able to sense the diminished capacity of the darkened power that came from the man.

Steps were taken towards the woman, as the sword was twirled in hand for measure.

?You are an interesting one, I admit... When I saw you at the dock side chasing him, I felt we would meet this way. A shame, you picked the wrong side of the fence this time around.?

Suddenly, he paused in step.

The sword was lowered, as his free and went to his head. Fingers rubbed against his temple, as an insanely obvious frown took form upon the hardened face of the knight.

?Unbelievable...?

Righting himself once more, he hefted that sword of his yet again.

That free hand of his dipped into his chest piece pulling a small chain tied around his neck, with something attached to it. A squeeze of the something attached, that then took a reddish hue as it was quickly tucked into the chest piece once more.

My friends are taking their leave, but I will remain here to dance with you.

To confirm his words, the quite audible retreat could be heard as whatever ebon forces that were present, quickly fled from the building in a western direction. Something easily seen by the newest arrival, and felt by Sylus as well.

Instantly, the device became rather active, as a slow hissing could be heard, coupled with the build up of energy to add to the measure.

?You have less than two minutes, woman... Finish me, and you can end this here and now. Or you can run like the rest, and wait for him. Either way, the die has been cast.?

The Rocketeer · Date: 2012-09-10 08:56 EST

Sergei saw them running and touched his helmet to activate his radio: "Rocketeer to Enforcer and Black Knight, bogeys outbound west on Haymarket and 10th." There was a brief interruption as he landed on the ground, recovered and then dashed toward the building. "We need eyes on them, see where they're headed. Moving to the remaining device now."

At a run it didn't take the Rocketeer long to find Wanda and an armored man - Alridge, as it turned out. And what's that he's tucking into his armor...?

"Tell me that isn't the third device." The mechanisms inside his sleeves hissed as he raised his fists in a boxer's stance. He knew they weren't that lucky. It had to be the device. "How long?"

The Scarlet Witch wasn't the only math-minded person in the room. As the Rocketeer prepared to help her in whatever way he could, in his head he reckoned how long it would take him - should he be able to get the device into his hands - to get it well clear of any populated areas. There would be enough fuel for it, sure... but would there be enough time?

Wanda · Date: 2012-09-10 19:27 EST

?You have less than two minutes, woman... Finish me, and you can end this here and now. Or you can run like the rest, and wait for him. Either way, the die has been cast.?

There was a grim look on her face as she faced down the knight. Keeping her eyes on Aldridge she replied to Sergei, "No, we were not able to reach the third device, it is in the center building."

The witch changed the probabilities around her and materialized a sword from seemingly out of nowhere. She was speaking into her earpiece for the entire team to hear. "Witch to D.I.A.N.A. The devices are armed and hot. Two minutes to Detonation. I repeat two minutes to detonation."

She trusted Ranger and Zulu to get word out and start evacuating the area.

"You have left me little choice." She waited for the attack, circling the weakened knight.

The Raven's Hand · Date: 2012-09-11 20:46 EST

?You have left me little choice.?

Aldridge growled lowly, as those narrowed eyes of the dark knight watched the witch with the deadliest of intents, as she began her pace.

?Now that is interesting, because I was thinking that very same thing, myself!?

The runed blade was stabbed into the flooring, as runes of decay erupted about the man, in a well of power, the likes of a torrential fury. More and more the runes came forth, only to quickly erupt time and again, unleashing such necrotic energies of such an amount that any psionic sensitive being in the area, or even across town would be hard pressed to ignore.

Cries could be heard from outside, as people trying to flee, literally collapsed in states of seizures, varying in intensity as others tried in vain to pull the affected ones to safety.

The witch would see it quite plainly given her proximity, and talents in the arcane field. She would see the energies being siphoned from the victims, and more so she would see that same energy shift properties to something much more darker.

She would see that darkened energy manipulated in such a way, as it was pulled towards the sword, and knight in such a twisted manner, while the cries continued outside.

?Do you hear that, witch!? Do you??

Sword and knight each spoke it seemed in unison, as the energies continued to well within the pairing, as they spoke yet again.

?I've nothing to lose, witch! He will come here, and he will see my work to its end, should I fail, so I have nothing at all to worry over, save ending what life you have left in this world, that you do not belong in!?

Turning to face her, Aldridge offered a most sinister smile, as it seemed the knight was much more than he was moments ago, after the affliction. A hand reached to that sword, that was still feeling, as finger gripped the hilt, tugging it free.

?So how will you fight, someone who does not fear anything any longer!? Especially when YOU have more to lose now than ever!??

Wanda · Date: 2012-09-13 19:22 EST

?Just remember, anger is always your enemy. You must keep your emotions in check. The moment you lose control of them, you lose the fight every time. (Takeshi)? - Sherrilyn Kenyon, Acheron

?So how will you fight, someone who does not fear anything any longer!? Especially when YOU have more to lose now than ever!??

?With all that I am.? Came the calm, measured response. The Ear cuff that adorned her ear suddenly glowed with a white light and disappeared, only to reform on the hand holding the sword into a gauntlet of black that was wrapped in a single red rose. Even her voice seemed different, again ethereal. Bloom had seemingly awoken with the rising necrosis.

The Witch then stabbed the ground with her own blade. Motes of cleansing flame spread across the runes. ?Fire the first power that comes to a witch and the last to leave.? She breathed, pouring that magic into those necrotic links. ?The greatest law of a witch, ?an it harm none? Do as you will for every action, good or ill, will revisit you threefold.? That power seemed to build as she chanted softly.

She turned her gaze upon Aldridge, raising the blade with her two hands then slamming the tip into the floor. She forced the life energies and her own mutant power through those runes now; aided by Bloom. ?As I will so mote it be!? She finished the chant and threw the combined power into Aldridge and his links.

She may have everything to loose, yet she willingly made the sacrifice to protect this city, her teammates and her loved ones.

Ebon Ilnaren · Date: 2012-09-13 22:39 EST

More and more the runes came forth, only to quickly erupt time and again, unleashing such necrotic energies of such an amount that any psionic sensitive being in the area, or even across town would be hard pressed to ignore.

Not far away, the Black Knight was tracking the men that the Rocketeer had indicated when he felt something... wrong. A sicking wave of necrotic power washed over him, and while his psionic defenses held strong, he saw people below him writhing in agony. "Enforcer, continue pursuit of the runners. I'm going to lend a hand to the Witch."

Quick as a wink, he spun around and flew back towards the building where the Scarlet Witch and Aldridge battled. As he drew close, he reached out with his mind to Wanda's, hoping to bolster her energies. You're not alone, my friend. Yet even as he sent the thought, Ebon could sense not one mind within, but two.

The Raven's Hand · Date: 2012-09-16 19:19 EST

Quite messy, that was the best term for what followed in the wake of the newly formed evacuation, in addition to whatever Aldridge had unleashed within the vicinity of the building that he, the witch, her ally and few others still found themselves within.

Ah yes, and that device as well.

As far as the populace outside went it was a bit chaotic, and that was actually being kind in the terms of a best used descriptive, when regarding what had befallen a good number of them.

Those that had not been afflicted by the dark knight, or had been so in the least of amounts, were busied assisting those who had been felled by the necrotic spell work, as members of the watch also took arrivals, assisting in whatever capacity they could, making sure people were guided away, as quickly and safely as possible.

So busied were they all, that they barely took notice of the remaining ebon troops that had fled from the building at the orders of their commander.

More importantly, they were so busied they never took notice, that those troops had shifted direction.

And would soon be upon them in a matter of mere moments.

?Now this woman, your words ca-- what!? NO!!?

Whatever she had done, it had been instantly felt and quite registered by the dark knight, as the man recoiled with a look of sheer astonishment, as runes of decay began to shift in color, and more so in form, as they began to slowly take a definite, and quite solid form.

A form, that with the aid of Bloom...

Began to pulse with life.

The expression upon the dark knight's face was not one for words, as the man realized truly, what the witch had done, and coupled with what had happened during the affliction of the ebon wearers, he further realized that if used properly, it would be disastrous not only for himself, but for any of Raven's forces, and possibly the dark one, himself.

Rebirth...

And to make matters worse, whatever she did had begun to use his own runes as a conduit of sorts, as those beings drained of life began to find themselves recovering, somewhat.

Aldridge had to act fast, if the dark knight had any chance of halting the witch's ambitions. Especially given the fact, she had an ally fairly close and others sensed nearby, and that damned watch no less.

Welling what reserves he had left within, the man took over where the dark knight had left off, as runes appeared once more, aside the shifting runes of decay.

A bright crimson were these runes as they flared so very brightly around Aldridge, unleashing their power, with a shattering that was very much registered by those in proximity.

As the power loosed, so did the man grow in strength...

The runes of decay began to fade, giving way to the witch's intent.

If the b*tch wanted life, she would have it, and in spades!

And so would the others, as those once afflicted by the runes of decay, and given a slow recovery by the newly shifted runes, would now find themselves crying out in such pain, as they fell to the ground in crumpled heaps of seizure. Their bodies seemingly not of their own accord, as limbs twisted in the most unnatural of manners, while the cries of anguish continued to pierce the already chaotic air.

A swipe of a gauntleted hand, as the dark knight grimaced in such pain, yet would hardly be done by any measure. In reaction, the runes appeared once more, shattering violently, yet again and again!

The anguished cries from outside began to cease somewhat as some gave in to what had been set upon them, seeing death as the sweet release it truly was, while others simply fainted from the sheer pain, their bodies still writhing in such horrific manners.

To a knee the dark knight fell, as hand lower to brace himself somewhat...

Blood seeped from his mouth, as he regarded the witch with the most condescending of gazes.

?The Marketplace... Where it began, he will appear. Make... Ready... Line the streets with red, and wait...?

The words said deeply within himself, yet he knew those who were meant to hear, would do so, and understand full well, what would follow.

A violent cough took hold of Aldridge, as the runes of blood began to dissipate, giving way to a shuddering heave, as rasped breaths were slowly taken in some manner of recovery.

In reaction those still living from the blood grip, ceased their seizing and simply lay where they were, as others attended to them.

Slowly, the man began to lift himself as the air itself, seemed to become somewhat--- cooler.

Soft runes began to appear, and vanish around the man, much akin to his master, who the witch had also observed closely at times.

Frosted were these runes, as the man regarded the witch once more.

?Well played, witch... Now it is time to use your words against you, as I intend to give you the last of my three fold, here and now. We are not leaving here alive, you and I...?

Another cough took hold, as the man steeled himself for whatever would come.

He was ready.

And as he was ready, the others who had fled changed their own course, to follow their commander's words.

They too would make ready...

The Rocketeer · Date: 2012-09-17 09:26 EST

The Rocketeer wasn't on the scene of the battle very long before he realized his array of gadgets would be put to better use elsewhere. He was keeping his distance, listening to the radio and relaying information to Watch and rescue while the Scarlet Witch and Black Knight battled Aldridge.

The Marketplace... Where it began, he will appear. Make... Ready... Line the streets with red, and wait...

That must have been why the ebon knights were fleeing. Wherever they were headed, Sergei needed to follow them. He tapped the side of his helmet on his way outside, speaking swiftly but clearly to the Avengers channel:

"Avengers, Rocketeer. Black Knight and Scarlet Witch engaged with hostile in possession of what could be the remaining device. He appears to be affecting civilians outside, exhibiting seizure-like symptoms. Watch and rescue onsite to assist, need help with evac. Fleeing forces have changed direction, soldier with the device mentioned the Marketplace 'where it began,' gave order to make ready. In pursuit. Rocketeer out."

He did not know how much more time Wanda and Ebon's efforts would be buying them, but there was little he could do on the ground here. In seconds he was hundreds of feet up in the air, scanning the streets down below for a thread of dark figures moving in a single direction.

"Found you," he said to himself, and dropped altitude for a closer look - a very close look. He was on the same level as most of the buildings on the street, giving the forces on the move as close a flyby as he could manage.

Ranger · Date: 2012-09-17 13:42 EST

He was on his way towards northern Rhydin, passing just beyond the wall, when he heard the calls coming in from multiple places over the fields of battle. Suddenly, it had gone from merely being the Abbey, to being right on their doorstep...

He'd thought this was all handled, that things were going as smooth as clockwork - the WestEnd bomb was disarmed, along with the orphanage and that mysterious warehouse, and the marketplace appeared to be proceeding smoothly as he went overhead, going to assist at the Abbey.

Just about to crest the highlands that lay north of Rhy'din, he came to a hover. "Di, current assessment."

It all came over his internal display, a holographic scroll that went by too fast for any normal person to possibly be able to read - but the man inside this armor, with his altered internal nervous and brain restructuring, interfaced directly with the feed, skimming through it all.

The Abbey, with some of the old-guard, original Avengers storming the way. The destruction of the Osprey, all parties surviving so far, including the pilot - impressive, that - and then, further along, Pestilence brought down by Spartan, who brought himself down in the attempt...and now -

"Di, where's Spartan's pilot?"

The cool voice came back a few moments later. "Unknown at this time, sir. I have powered down his armor and activated the beacon."

That indifferent voice irritated him for a moment, but he shook it off. Now was not the time, with so much at stake. "All right. Tell de ot'er Avengers not already at de Abbey dat dey're needed in de Marketplace to evacuate civilians, as many as possible in de time we have. We need to do what we can to minimize casualties and damages!"

And with that he turned back towards the Marketplace himself. "Di, get a message to Zulu dat he needs t'be watchin' Raven fer a retreat to Rhy'din, if dis goes off! Be ready fer it!"

Wanda · Date: 2012-09-24 18:31 EST

"Life isn't finding shelter in the storm. It's about learning to dance in the rain." ~ Zarek, Acheron

She knew what she had to do now that the third device was unattended and untouched. It was a long shot, but probability manipulation was her specialty.

?Well played, witch... Now it is time to use your words against you, as I intend to give you the last of my three fold, here and now. We are not leaving here alive, you and I...?

"Bring the rain..." She said in response and the glow around her brightened and started expanding outward. She was feeding off that energy, adding it to her spell.

Her brown eyes bore into Aldridge as she drew in more and more power. She needed to shield 3 bombs and fast. Two of the bombs had been disabled, including the one she was at. The third untouched and armed. This was going to hurt one way or the other.

She hands went out to her sides as she seemingly floated off the floor a few inches. She was pouring more and more power into the spell...

This was to say also that anyone in the building would be at the epicenter of the blast, but this was the best she could do.

http://eclipsedancer.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/bomb.jpg

The Raven's Hand · Date: 2012-12-18 21:07 EST

Finality...

A word that Aldridge did not expect to use what so ever, in regards to himself, when he had awoken earlier this same night. Yet it is a word the death knight now finds himself, pondering ever so within the darkest reaches of his own twisted self.

The fact, that he carried that word within him, and more so gave it credence in regards to his own situation, meant the situation for he and his own was far worse off than he ever would have given credit.

Bloom...

The spell had begun to intensify more so, despite the fact the runes of frost had worked against it so well in the beginning. Then again, given the witch's adeptness in regards to her craft, it was a given.

The shield was felt nearly instantly, as the death knight watched the witch make ready for whatever was to come, as she floated there in front of him, drawing in more and more power. As she did so, Aldridge countered what whatever he had left in reserve in a somewhat futile effort to buy whatever time he could, for whatever of his forces had made it through the previous exchanges between he and Wanda.

Shards, and pikes of ice flew towards Wanda only to shatter time, and again. The tapping of blood failed miserably, causing the death knight to growl loudly, as he renewed attack, after attack upon the witch, only to have it intercepted at ever juncture.

?Damn you woman!?

Lashing out again, and again against her, as runes violently flared and shattered about the man, as he threw everything he was able to throw directly at her.

As this went on, the remaining ebon forces broke rank after the fly by, and scattered in an attempt to get to the market place by any way they possibly could, using alley ways, stoops, balconies and whatever else. As they did so, did the citizens scatter in chaos, while some watch had also taken an arrival, causing confrontations all over the place.

As it seemed like everyone else had been fleeing from the building Wanda, and Alridge were in, that was not the case for one individual who was literally cutting their way through whatever ebon forces, had the misfortune of crossing their intended path.

Twin hand axes flashed a brilliant crimson, as small armored figure twisted and cut, making a direct line for the building, and the shield that was expanding from it. Moments later they found themselves before the shield, as the axes came crashing down against the spellcraft, causing quite the reaction that sent the figure back a few steps. A bit of a growl escaped them, as a hand lifted that helmet off, tossing it aside, while eyes of a somewhat crimson narrowed more so.

?This isn't going to work!?, said the armored figure.

?Forge Mistress!? Why!?? came a voice from behind her, as Ahnika turned to see a wounded ebon soldier, with a rather shocked expression on his face, as he looked from her to his own hand that was covered in crimson.

His own blood...

?Why do we bleed Forg---?

Ahnika seeing her chance, did not offer an answer at all, instead she reached for the man, while runes of blood flared about her. The reaction to her gesture was instant, as the soldier was pulled towards her completely against his will.

He then lost his head... That too was completely against his will.

?It's because we are all becoming the living once more. Well, cept for you.?

Turning to the shield, Ahnika began to seriously wonder if she would be able to ?

?Wait... That's it!?

The axes were sheathed, as two cross peen hammers were drawn from her belt. Softly, the girl began to sing, as hammer touched hammer ever so briefly again, and again, creating a rhythm of their own in complete time with her voice which had begun to become more intense by the second, as the hammers were lifted and then sent crashing into the shield one after another, in the same exact place.

?I am not the Forge Mistress of Ebon, no longer! I am Ahnika! Daughter of Kruger, the maker and un-maker! I am the Daughter of the Forge, and I will gain entry! I will be let in! Fathers, of the East and West! The North, and South! Heed the call of this unworthy soul, this ONE time, and give me the strength to right what has been wronged! Give me the strength! Lend me what you will, and help me!?

Again the hammers, came crashing down again and again, as the girl continued to sing so loudly, and to any who happened to be near, it did not look like she was alone in what she did.

No not at all, as it looked like there were others swinging, and singing with her. Etheral were they, each lifting when she did and each crashing down when she did again, and again!

And then, something happened.

Somehow, Ahnika found herself crashing forward towards the ground, as the peen hammers clattered upon the cobblestone. Hitting the ground, she scrambled to look behind her, to see what looked like a pair of hands--- many pairs of hands, holding what looked to be a hole in that shield. Bit by bit, it closed once more, as Ahnika realized she was inside.

Collecting her hammers, she looked to the closing hole to see what looked to be her mother just beyond the shield, as an etheral hand lifted towards to girl.

?Help them.?

Other etheral forms joined her mother, offering salute and then they faded from view.

A nod to herself, as Ahnika broke for the building itself. ?Aldridge!?

Inside the building, the death knight ceased his efforts against the witch, and slid to a knee in what looked to be exhaustion. ?You are something else, witch... Very good. Then we do it this way, instead.?

Hands lifted to tug at the darkened plate armor, letting it crash to the flooring in the most unceremonious of manners. The chest piece went first, revealing some sort of framework underneath. Pauldrons followed, as the man looked to Wanda with the deadliest of intents.

?Attached to me, is enough to take you and I along with anyone else inside to hell, and back and coupled with what's in the building with us, enough to assure that NO one in this damned neighborhood has anything to come back to, let alone the outer wall to the city, leaving it WIDE OPEN!?

Standing slowly, runes of frost flared around Aldridge, as the death knight literally froze the framework to his own flesh, freezing the blood his body ebbed in the process. A free hand tugged at the item chained about his neck, causing the chain to snap, leaving what Wanda could see as a detonator well within his grip.

Ahnika Delbuernon · Date: 2012-12-23 10:32 EST

?More of you!??

The hammers coming to life once more as they crashed down upon the helmet of an ebon straggler, felling the man instantly, as another strike followed to finish the job. A glance around the chaos that was within barrier about the building, told quite the story. Bodies strewn about the cobblestone, lifeless and writhing alike, as the effects of the ?shattering? that had been caused by Kruger?s work, still were felt ever so strongly. Even Ahnika herself had somewhat felt the effects of her father?s work, yet the strain of humanity within her allowed her to shake off any lasting effects, which was more than she could say for any of the others who did not carry that boon of humanity within themselves.

In short, Ahnika had been ?alive? this whole time? She and a select few chosen by Raven himself, were allowed to retain that last vestige of what was, while the others were raised from veil of death itself. Before, others like herself, Aldridge and Gestire were mocked for their humanity. Now it seems the very thing that they were mocked for allowed them to hold their own, against this newfound ?affliction?, this--- ?shattering?.

Ahnika could only guess, as to how many others their might have been. Those like her, that is. However, she knew it was nowhere near what was raised from the dead. A small comfort, given what was currently transpiring, of course. Still, they were easier to dispatch now.

And that was worth the fight alone, because now there was more of a chance than ever to end this properly.

Fates, willing.

Another charged her, and was felled instantly for their rather futile efforts.

Ahnika shook her head in sorrow, hating so much of what she had wrought upon this realm, so much of what she was? So much of what she would have to do, even more so. Still it had to be done, and she would follow through. She would not relent, and she would not turn back. She would end each of them as they came, and in doing so, free them from what they were. She would shatter the mortal coil, and allow the spirits to finally break free and fates willing, they would find guidance, somehow--- somewhere.

Another came, and soon was ended. And another.

Then it ceased.

Breaths were taken, as the girl looked to the building. The power that resonated was staggering! Literally could she see the exchange, back and forth between the two forces, as a plan quickly began to form, and then---- ?Aldridge, you sick bastard? I see it now.?

The device came into view via the pulsing darkness that surrounded it. It did not take the girl long to realize what Aldridge had been doing all this time.

He had been stalling for time.

"Necrotic... You're going to turn them all!?"

A growl escaped Ahnika as she tore for the building once more, hammers in hand flaring to life once more, as she beckoned for enough strength to see this through to its end, no matter the outcome, and fates willing? to see her father once more.

Wanda · Date: 2012-12-23 21:54 EST

?Maiden, Warrior, Mother, Crone; Help us keep these lands our own.
Rover, Guardian, Hunter, guide; With us now forever ride.? ~ Shin'a'in Warsong, Larry Warner

Had Aldridge been paying close attention might have been able to see her eyes shift from brown to green briefly and back under the onslaught from all sides. The Witch was getting hammered, quite literally on all sides. She was struggling to hold the shield when she felt the urge from Bloom to open the the wall. Bloom could detect no ill intent from those beings.

?You are something else, witch... Very good. Then we do it this way, instead.?

His hands lifted to tug at the darkened plate armor, letting it crash to the flooring in the most unceremonious of manners. The chest piece went first, revealing some sort of framework underneath. Pauldrons followed, as the man looked to Wanda with the deadliest of intents.

?Attached to me, is enough to take you and I along with anyone else inside to hell, and back and coupled with what's in the building with us, enough to assure that NO one in this damned neighborhood has anything to come back to, let alone the outer wall to the city, leaving it WIDE OPEN!?

Aldridge played his last card, not realizing that there were fifty-one other cards in the deck. Did he really think to rattle her with his actions ? the actions of a petty terrorist? There was a slow smile on her lips as she held out again him. He was getting desperate and predictable.

~Ebon, is there a way to keep him from pressing that button?~ It was another long shot, but they had to take the chance. She trusted that the rest of the team would be able to evacuate the neighborhood.

"Aldridge!? The calling of the knight?s name surprised her briefly. Was this aid for him or her?

* * * * *

Outside, in the air above the Marketplace, Ebon was fast approaching the building where Wanda and her opponent--Aldridge was apparently his name--fought. He heard another voice calling the man's name, but his attention focused on Wanda. ~If I can see hand and detonator, with eye or mind, then I can prevent it. However, if he presses it first...~ The Black Knight left the worst case unspoken. ~Focus on the shielding the other bombs, and yourself! I'm almost there!~

If the only trigger was physical... if there weren't any other enemies ready to detonate the bombs... if the other Avengers couldn't clear the area in time... if, if, IF! Ebon was beginning to hate that word.

Reaching the building, he didn't bother to touch down, letting his telekinesis carry him inside at speed. Time was of the essence!

(Collaboration w/Ebon and ties in w/Flooding the Marketplace)

Topic: At the Ready (Marketplace)

Wanda

Wanda

Wanda

Wanda

Sylus Kurgen

Sylus Kurgen

Sylus Kurgen

Sylus Kurgen

Sylus Kurgen

Sylus Kurgen

Wanda

Wanda

Wanda

The Raven's Hand

Wanda

Sylus Kurgen

Sylus Kurgen

The Raven's Hand

Wanda

Sylus Kurgen

The Rocketeer

Wanda

The Raven's Hand

The Rocketeer

Wanda

The Raven's Hand

Wanda

Ebon Ilnaren

The Raven's Hand

The Rocketeer

Ranger

Wanda

The Raven's Hand

Ahnika Delbuernon

Wanda