Side Story Champions of the Arena II: The Hunt
- Thread starter Sark
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Lucky
But We Were Happy
Allison Argent
Allison would look over at him. " Here's the actual problem though. We don't know who the trustworthy party is or if the King is even better than Cluth. All we are doing is making more trouble for us," she whispered, really resisting the urge to shot an arrow in Eight's neck.
@Jeremi @Sark
Allison would look over at him. " Here's the actual problem though. We don't know who the trustworthy party is or if the King is even better than Cluth. All we are doing is making more trouble for us," she whispered, really resisting the urge to shot an arrow in Eight's neck.
@Jeremi @Sark
Takumi
Member of the Yato Club
"Stop." Chise sighed, forcing herself between the two. She glanced between both companions for a moment.
"There's no point going back and forth like this guys." She grumbled. The damage was already done at this point, she just hoped the bouncer wouldn't decide to get back up to try and keep them prisoner or something worse.
@Jeremi @Lucky @Sark @Others @District C/Slums
"Cluth is a fat slob who earns his money on the misery of others," Eight Hearts stated in a matter of fact tone. "That to already disqualifies him. You saw how he lives, and the place we're at now. The rich snob could buy houses and food a hundred times over to everyone in this ward and chooses not to. No, I believe King is the man we should put faith in, and get rid of his enemies."
"Stop." Chise sighed, forcing herself between the two. She glanced between both companions for a moment.
"There's no point going back and forth like this guys." She grumbled. The damage was already done at this point, she just hoped the bouncer wouldn't decide to get back up to try and keep them prisoner or something worse.
@Jeremi @Lucky @Sark @Others @District C/Slums
Another one of them popped up. "Please, go back to distract the robot. We don't need him to inform his master of anything just yet."
@Sark @Lucky @Sark @Others @District C/Slums
Takumi
Member of the Yato Club
"As much as I don't want to go back to robot babysitting, as long as you two don't keep arguing like this..." Chise replied under her breath in slight exasperation at the thought of having to stick with the LW any longer than necessary, before heading back and out of sight where the others were.
This probably wouldn't end well for them either way this went, but Chise was going to hope that things would be looking up for them once it was over.
@Sark @Jeremi @Lucky @Others @District C/Slums
Lucky
But We Were Happy
Allison Argent
" And this man refers himself as a King to rebels. He could have picked any title, ruler, leader, president, comrade, but he choose King. That tells us a lot about him. He sees himself as someone who shouldn't be messed with, someone above everything. That's just as dangerous as a corrupt businessman, if not more so," she replied.
@Jeremi @Sark @Takumi @Slums
" And this man refers himself as a King to rebels. He could have picked any title, ruler, leader, president, comrade, but he choose King. That tells us a lot about him. He sees himself as someone who shouldn't be messed with, someone above everything. That's just as dangerous as a corrupt businessman, if not more so," she replied.
@Jeremi @Sark @Takumi @Slums
Sark
Im-im-impossible!!
HEIST
Gen nodded, understanding Yashamaru completely. He gentle held his blade in his hands, tipped his head slightly, and threaded the sword through his sash.
"I'll guard it with my life," Gen smiled warmly. "And I trust you'll guard our prize with yours. Still... If things go wrong in there, remove yourself. We can regroup. Find another trophy. We can't afford to have the authorities breathing down our necks. We can't afford to lose you, either."
Without another word, Gen turned towards the bathroom door. For a moment, he hesitated.
"I'll be waiting across the street. If you cannot see me, check the roof. Good luck, Yashamaru. I pray you won't need it..."
***
The walk down towards the security door was long and arduous. Appearance wise, Yashamaru played the role of a security guard quite well. He was almost indistinguishable from the rest of the Bank's staff, with most of the establishment's patrons barely giving him a second glance. A single barrier stood between him and the path to the bank-- a single guard remained rigid, standing stoic beside the security doors. If Yashamaru wanted to scan his key card and venture deeper into the Bank, he would have to get through him...
@Yun Lee
Mall
"Hey! That sounds like a threat to me b--" The Leader of the 9s words were cut short as Ouka's foot struck his face. Stunned and stumbling, he withdrew his weapons and snarled. "You heard the man! We're in his way! So get moving, lugs! Kill him!"
Ouka's blade tore through the swordsman's chest. His blade slipped from his hand and fizzed against the Mall's floor. Alerted by his ally's fall, the second hunter leaped over Ouka's sweeping strike. Airborne, he planted his knee upon Ouka's jaw. Another guard moved into position. With a snarl, he struck the back of Ouka's right knee his his steel-capped boot.
"You're playing with the Big Boys now, Son!" The Leader of the 9s chuckled. "You're playing with the 9s!"
@Takumi @Gummi Bunnies
Hotel
"Sorry, You're not quite my type," Arcade chirped, cracking his knuckles. "So what's it gonna be? Do you want to die like dogs in the name of a man like Sorc Fucking Tormo?" He spat out the name as if it had burned his tongue. "Or do want live like a... say... CHAMPION OF THE ARENA?"
"I--" Frost closed his fingers into fists, desperate to stop his fingers from trembling. His tongue pinched between his teeth, he crouched down beside one of the crates and removed its lid. "I'm going." He whispered, stepping inside to box.
"Splendid!" Arcade grinned. "And what of you, Creepy McNightmare?" He sneered at Vamp. "Are you coming along for the ride?"
Vamp looked right through him, barely moving from his place on the wall.
"No." He replied abruptly.
"Just no? Come on! You know you want to join in! Get this prize for me, and I promise you this: I'll see to it that you'll have a good death. How does that sound?"
"And why should I take you on your word? Why should any of us trust you? You're wasting my time..." Vamp returned his knife to his belt and turned towards the door. "It's all a waste of time..."
The thought of Vamp leaving stirred something inside Arcade. His smile faded. He jumped to his feet, spraying the room in popcorn kernels as he did so.
"Fortune!!" He cried. Vamp stopped mid-step. He tightened his fingers around the door frame.
"You dare?"
Arcade scrambled across the room. He leaned in towards Vamp and whispered something in his ear.
For the first time since arriving on Prudence, Vamp was taken back. He slowly turned around. His brow seemed a little less furrowed than usual. He opened his box and stepped inside.
@Jeremi @Ottonomous Ghost @Gummi Bunnies
The Beggar's Kingdom
The bouncers eyes bounced back and forth between the two squabbling hunted. His arms stayed folded. His body remained stiff. He simple watched them argue in the streets. The quiet hum that had come rattling from inside the factory went quiet. A few more faces emerged from the dark doorway, eager to watch what was going on. They were putting on quite the show.
"There's a lot to unpack here..." The bouncer grumbled, adjusting his arms a little. He squinted down at the smaller hunted and sighed. "Cluth has offered you some cash to come an' kill the King. You're telling me that you're going to turn down that pay check and instead... just want to go talk to him? Call me a skeptic, but I'm calling bullshit." He shot a thick finger in Allison's direction. "This one's pantomime doesn't help. You guys want to go take 5? Come back when you've got your shit straight?"
[//NO NEED, CRETIN!] LW proclaimed. Before she could turn back to stop him, LW had marched down the dusty street to greet the bouncer himself, carelessly swinging his gun about as he made his approach. The bouncer simply rolled his eyes. [//PERHAPS WE SHOULD REPEAT OURSELVES, SO THAT YOUR MONKEY BRAIN MIGHT UNDERSTAND US!:]
"We have been contracted by a [//GLORIOUS] man to kill your King!" LW chirped, speaking with Heart's voice.
"A shit show... this is just... a shit show..." The bouncer buried his head in his hands.
@Jeremi @Lucky @Takumi
Slums- Alleys
Oblivious to Narancia's spying, the Hunter jogged down a nearby alley, constantly looking over his shoulder as he ran. He turned a corner and came upon the factory's back wall. He dragged a large dumpster across the concrete, cringing as it unleashed a large, grinding roar. Once it was in position below a nearby vent, he climbed atop it. The Hunter cursed to himself as his foot wet straight through its rusting lid. He shook his foot to remove the sludge Sunday from his shoe. After a few more seconds of cursing and casting his eyes to the heavens, he finally removed a knife from his belt satchel and slowly started to unscrew the vent's cover.
"What are you doing...?" Ventress muttered to herself, silently observing the Hunter from around the corner.
@Capri
Opera
"It's a little too late for that, my lovely..." The Phantom grinned a yellow-toothed grin. "That little chandelier is past the point of no return... there's no saving it now. It's just a matter of time before it comes crashing down and then....kerr-splatt!" The Phantom erupted into a laughing fit. "It'll all be over. Not that your dear friend will be alive to see that... good for him, I suppose." He tightened his lasso. "Not so great for you, though. You're going to see some horrible things before this week is out..."
For a moment, Kenway stopped struggling against the rope. He reached towards his belt and snapped the buckle open. His pistol fell from his waist and struck the beam with a crack. Springing to action, he kicked against the floor, forcing his foe to stumble back a few steps.
"BASTARD!" The Phantom snarled.
"Take it!" Haytham's eyes darted towards the gun. "Shoot him!"
@Yun Lee
"Well looks like you got some of these fuckers pussy whipped," Bad Girl replied as she moved towards one of the boxes. "If you fucking lied to me I'm going to string you up by your balls and use you as a human pinata. You fucking got that?" She quickly added. "And don't do any witty comeback bs, you're not as funny as you fucking think you are."
@Jeremi @Ottonomous Ghost @Gummi Bunnies
"The robot speaks the truth!" Eight Hearts exclaimed to the bouncer. "I understand the concern of my compatriot but I believe you hold your leader in great esteem. If you are concerned about our intent to allow me to speak to him alone. My life will be in your hands and if you wish my death I understand, but I believe we can reach an understanding...and the toppling of a pig."
@Sark @Lucky @Takumi
Takumi
Member of the Yato Club
Grunting as he stumbled then fell to a knee, Ouka kept moving despite the pain as he always did, as was habit for him, and quickly threw a barrier over him and the two Huntes closest to him, whirling with another crystalized sword in hand to the one behind him, he aimed for the Hunter's throat.
Whether successful or not, he'd turn and give a upward swing to the one who kneed him in an attempt to cut them in half.
@Sark @Gummi Bunnies @District B/Mall
"Don't swing that around like that." Chise hissed at the robot. Why did Cluth give these things guns if they handled them like this?
Chise threw Eight Hearts a glance, a little worried. Well, he did suggest it, but keeping the LW out of it would be more of a headache than necessary.
@Sark @Jeremi @Lucky @District C/Slums
0ttonomous
Self-Proclaimed Seeker of Truth
Kayn sighed deeply, rubbing the temples of his forehead. On one hand, there was too much he didn't know about Arcade. There was no telling if the magical boxes were a trap or not. But, at the same time, Arcade's ideology regarding the game was much more appealing than Tormo's. Kayn did like the sound of being a true Champion of the Arena, rather than a lamb to be slaughtered...
"Come on, Kayn," Rhaast said impatiently, as if a slab of meat had been placed in front of them, "There's bound to be more guards to murder..."
It was true. He needed to kill more enemies after all. But if it turned into a bloodbath rather than a precise infiltration, there was no telling if he could control the Darkin scythe any further.
His allies began entering the boxes. Who knows if there were any others who were as willing to work together as they were?
...
The assassin took his hand away from his face and flashed a reckless smirk. "Alright. You've got a deal," he said, stepping towards a box, "This better be quick."
"Come on, Kayn," Rhaast said impatiently, as if a slab of meat had been placed in front of them, "There's bound to be more guards to murder..."
It was true. He needed to kill more enemies after all. But if it turned into a bloodbath rather than a precise infiltration, there was no telling if he could control the Darkin scythe any further.
His allies began entering the boxes. Who knows if there were any others who were as willing to work together as they were?
...
The assassin took his hand away from his face and flashed a reckless smirk. "Alright. You've got a deal," he said, stepping towards a box, "This better be quick."
Yashamaru couldn't help but return Gen's smile, if only momentarily. It had been fortunate, really to have met a kindred soul upon arrival in the game. The thief wouldn't be foolish enough to risk anything. "I'll come out in one piece," he said. "I promise you that." He refused to die here, to be a victim of Tormo's feeble attempts at playing God. And he refused to let Gen or anyone else on their side perish, either. Taking a deep breath, Yashamaru looked into the bathroom sink. He couldn't fully surrender himself to rage, not at this point, but he had been worked up enough so that he could at least turn his hair black. It should last, if he controlled it, for up to an hour...but he would need to stay in complete control of his emotions so he didn't use this up in seconds. For now, though...it was time.
If you act as though you belong, people will think you belong. Everyone is so caught up in their own lives that they only really notice you when you give them a reason to do so. He walked with a purpose, and that purpose was to do his job. Yashamaru would give this guard no reason to think he was anything more than a coworker. "Evenin'," he greeted, readying his key card for use. Though he was unused to the technology of this world, he had observed the other Hunter as he'd pulled his trick. He could figure this out. He had to.
@Sark
---
Marianne silently agreed with the Phantom, yes, she would see many horrors this week. Most, if not all, she would cause, and each one she would deserve to face. But innocent people were going to get hurt! She couldn't let that happen, couldn't let this wicked man hurt anyone else. And then Haytham gave her an opening. She'd never seen one of these things before, what he'd just tossed down, but she would try to use it even so. Her hands shaking, the girl aimed at the Phantom. The trigger had to be how to use it, right? She pulled it, and certainly hoped so.
@Sark
If you act as though you belong, people will think you belong. Everyone is so caught up in their own lives that they only really notice you when you give them a reason to do so. He walked with a purpose, and that purpose was to do his job. Yashamaru would give this guard no reason to think he was anything more than a coworker. "Evenin'," he greeted, readying his key card for use. Though he was unused to the technology of this world, he had observed the other Hunter as he'd pulled his trick. He could figure this out. He had to.
@Sark
---
Marianne silently agreed with the Phantom, yes, she would see many horrors this week. Most, if not all, she would cause, and each one she would deserve to face. But innocent people were going to get hurt! She couldn't let that happen, couldn't let this wicked man hurt anyone else. And then Haytham gave her an opening. She'd never seen one of these things before, what he'd just tossed down, but she would try to use it even so. Her hands shaking, the girl aimed at the Phantom. The trigger had to be how to use it, right? She pulled it, and certainly hoped so.
@Sark
Lucky
But We Were Happy
Allison Argent
Allison groaned in disappointment and would seemingly walk away from the conversation. She would go farther away, sinking into a shadowy dark, pulling out her bow and loading something into it.. After about five seconds, five arrows would come out of nowhere, all aiming at the bouncer's neck. This really needs to go faster.
@Sark
Allison groaned in disappointment and would seemingly walk away from the conversation. She would go farther away, sinking into a shadowy dark, pulling out her bow and loading something into it.. After about five seconds, five arrows would come out of nowhere, all aiming at the bouncer's neck. This really needs to go faster.
@Sark
Sean - Heist
ohshitohshitohshitohshitohshitwhatamidoing
Sean had seriously been on autopilot for a while now, feeling extremely overwhelmed given everything going on. He was on the complete edge of throwing up and absolutely felt like his life could be snuffed out at any moment. This whole heist business reminded Sean all too well of the botched attempt on Merrill's safe what felt like years ago now. Just, you know, the whole thing that had cost him an eye in the end. Really, that he was caught up in all of this now really spoke to Sean's stupidity, he felt, but there was not much that could be done now, considering he was knee-deep in it now.
Sean didn't even have much of a role in all this. He was just tagging along for extra help. This whole sneaking in like a badass thing was not his best skill, so he was reduced to to stumbling along, waiting for the perfect moment to run in behind the guard after the samurai dude did the deed of getting inside.
God, what the hell was he thinking? As soon as all this was over, Sean would have to find Daniel as soon as possible.
@Yun Lee @Sark
Daniel - District B/The Mall
"Stoooop fightiiiing!"
Suddenly, the hunters nearest Ouka would be hit by a blast of fierce telekinetic force.
Daniel Diaz stood nearby, the air around him beginning to pick up and twirl around him like some kind of tornado. The telekinetic energy he was emitting was building quickly. The boy held his hand in the air, ready to strike again if needed.
@Sark @Takumi @Gummi Bunnies
ohshitohshitohshitohshitohshitwhatamidoing
Sean had seriously been on autopilot for a while now, feeling extremely overwhelmed given everything going on. He was on the complete edge of throwing up and absolutely felt like his life could be snuffed out at any moment. This whole heist business reminded Sean all too well of the botched attempt on Merrill's safe what felt like years ago now. Just, you know, the whole thing that had cost him an eye in the end. Really, that he was caught up in all of this now really spoke to Sean's stupidity, he felt, but there was not much that could be done now, considering he was knee-deep in it now.
Sean didn't even have much of a role in all this. He was just tagging along for extra help. This whole sneaking in like a badass thing was not his best skill, so he was reduced to to stumbling along, waiting for the perfect moment to run in behind the guard after the samurai dude did the deed of getting inside.
God, what the hell was he thinking? As soon as all this was over, Sean would have to find Daniel as soon as possible.
@Yun Lee @Sark
Daniel - District B/The Mall
"Stoooop fightiiiing!"
Suddenly, the hunters nearest Ouka would be hit by a blast of fierce telekinetic force.
Daniel Diaz stood nearby, the air around him beginning to pick up and twirl around him like some kind of tornado. The telekinetic energy he was emitting was building quickly. The boy held his hand in the air, ready to strike again if needed.
@Sark @Takumi @Gummi Bunnies
❝ Um... if this doesn't lead up to too much trouble... I guess I'll... go... ❞ Rena twiddled her thumbs, timidly shuffling herself toward one of the boxes. It was definitely suspicious, but there wasn't much room to argue on that front. Especially when Rena wasn't really the type to argue anyways.
@Sark @Ottonomous Ghost @Jeremi @District A Hotel
Well, this was a mess. Preferably he would've wanted to take a non-hostile approach to this, but circumstances weren't allowing such liberties since he got here, that's for sure. Though, he wondered if he could make room for the others to flee.
❝ ... never thought I would resort to using this, but well... I am out of other options... ❞ He says as he takes a deep breath. He didn't draw out his sword, but a mesh of dark magic took form as multiple large claw-like hands.
❝ Unless you move aside, I will be forced to proceed with this attack of mine. ❞ The swordsman posed this attempt of intimidating the hunters, silently hoping that he didn't really have to use this kind of magic.
@Sark @Takumi @Atomic Knight @District B Mall
@Sark @Ottonomous Ghost @Jeremi @District A Hotel
Well, this was a mess. Preferably he would've wanted to take a non-hostile approach to this, but circumstances weren't allowing such liberties since he got here, that's for sure. Though, he wondered if he could make room for the others to flee.
❝ ... never thought I would resort to using this, but well... I am out of other options... ❞ He says as he takes a deep breath. He didn't draw out his sword, but a mesh of dark magic took form as multiple large claw-like hands.
❝ Unless you move aside, I will be forced to proceed with this attack of mine. ❞ The swordsman posed this attempt of intimidating the hunters, silently hoping that he didn't really have to use this kind of magic.
@Sark @Takumi @Atomic Knight @District B Mall
Eight Hearts got weary with Allison walking off. He hoped that she wasn't going to do anything stu- "Look out!" Eight Hearts reacted quickly as one of his arms formed into the barrel of an assault rifle as he placed himself between the arrows and the bouncer opening fire against the arrows to stop them before they had time to hit the bouncer.
@Sark @Lucky
Sark
Im-im-impossible!!
Hotel--> Heist
View attachment 5993
"Oh, you'll have to forgive me." Arcade's smile faded. A cold look danced in his eyes. "I spent a spell rotting in Hell. I'm out of practice. Would you prefer a song? Something dramatic and slowed down? Something nice and depressing? Everyone's a critic..."
Arcade reached down beside his chair and grabbed his cane. He slowly paced the room. As he passed the Hunted's boxes, he stamped his stick upon the ground.
"Just get in the box and stop complaining...'
On his command, the lids of the boxes slowly closed, choking out the last beams of moonlight that had drifted into Arcade's apartment.
****
With a fizz and a hiss, the boxes came sliding open. The green glow of the vault's interior came flooding into your crate.
A large mountain of gold bricks and coins sat at the center of the room, glowing like a dragon’s bed. Arcade's crystal sat atop it. The jewel stood out among the rest of the riches that filled the vault. It almost looked... hollow. It was almost as if, beneath its glassy shell, a storm cloud was lurking, twisting, dancing.
Several lock boxes lined the vault’s walls. Each was listed with a name.
Trudgen Ren.
Sam Rodrigues.
45 Rabbit.
Asajj Ventress.
Juri Han.
The boxes’ owners would no doubt give an arm and a leg to get ahold of their contents. Or you could try cracking them open and taking their contents for yourselves...
A high pitched screeching filled the vault. Sparks flew from the base of the door. Someone was drilling through the Vault’s lock. The Hunted were about to have some company...
***
Outside the Vault.
The second guard barely gave Yashamaru the time of day. He simply grunted in response, and shrugged as the security door came sliding open. He barely noticed the Sean running past him, too.
The subtle approach had played off—After a quick descent down the bank’s staircase, the Hunted were inside the corridor of vaults. Each one was guarded by a bait of stoic, unblinking droids. They barely flinched as the Hunted walked by. Judging by the thick layer of dust that was clinging to their armour, word of the Uprising in District C hadn’t reached the rest of the city. The King of Beggars had shut down the Bank’s security droids, leaving them frozen where they were standing.
The Hutt’s value sat at the end of the hall. It’s barred first door had already been cut down by concrete drill. A blonde man knelt at the foot of the main door. An open box of jewels, a guards uniform and a have gray wig sat on the floor beside him. He adjusted his collar and moved his drill into position. With an ear splitting screech, he turned his equipment back on and started drilling through the vault main door.
“Walk away, boys.” The Hunter muttered. He didn’t so much as look at the Hunted. “Just walk away.”
The crimson handle of a security alarm sat on the wall beside the Hunter. He wiped the sweat from his brow and kept on digging.
Several voices could be heard from inside the vault.
@Yun Lee @Atomic Knight @Jeremi @Gummi Bunnies @Ottonomous Ghost @BankBoys
It seemed as though their troubles had just begun. "Not a chance," Yashamaru said sternly. "We're all trying to survive, here, and are willing to split rewards between us all. There's three of us, and you can be our fourth. 80 million credits will be easy to find if we work together." He was in no place to fight, nor did he want to. But if need be, they might need a Plan B.
@Sark @Atomic Knight @Jeremi @Ottonomous Ghost @Gummi Bunnies
@Sark @Atomic Knight @Jeremi @Ottonomous Ghost @Gummi Bunnies
Sark
Im-im-impossible!!
"You know what? I like you, kid," The Bouncer boomed. "You're sitting somewhere between dumb and desperate. You're leading a pack of fools into the lions den here, buster. You've got balls and you've got gall, but you're not a threat to the King. Besides, he's been looking for a new jester. Just leave your weapons at the door. All of them. I'll know if you're holding out on me. After that you can head right---"
"FUCK!" The Bouncer flinched, stumbling back into the doorway. His hand soared down to his belt. A shining magnum flashed forward.
[BANG BANG BANG]
He unloaded 3 clumbsy shots into Allison's shoulder. The wounds would prove fatal is left untreated for four hours.
The Bouncer turned his pistol towards LW. The droid was slowly lining up a shot on the King's guard. A burning ball of led punched a hole in the machine's head. LW stumbled back, mumbling some robotic prayer to Cluth.
"Nobody move! The next shot will be fatal!"
@Jeremi @Lucky @Takumi
Sark
Im-im-impossible!!
Heist
“Yeah? Not gonna happen...” The Hunter grumbled. He slowly stepped away from his makeshift drill. He slumped some large, double bladed chain saw over his shoulder. “This is my drill. It was a real bitch to make. Cost me a fair few credits to find the parts. Risked my neck to bring them here. I’m not about to split my profit. Not now. I’ve got my own people to look out for. My daughter, first and foremost.“
The Hunter released a long, deep sigh.
“Look. I’m only going in there for a couple of things. A crystal for a crime lord. A lock box with my kids’ name on it. A couple of credits to get her and her husband off this rock. Anything I leave behind is yours. That sound fair?”
The Hunter’s drill buzzed and cracked. The vault’s lock had been deactivate. One more push and they’d be inside.
@Jeremi @Yun Lee @Ottonomous Ghost @Gummi Bunnies
- Status