"Yup," Hnikar smiles in response, "the Manaria Academy of Magic. You guys should pay a visit when all this is over. It's where a good deal of Mistarcia's greatest mages come from, and I'm hoping to be one of them!"
@Takumi @Sark @Atomic Knight @Crow @Red Team
"You're not the only one finding that strange," Beetle says to Xiayu, "on one hand, it does give us - and them too - some kind of upper hand. On the other... I'm really not looking forward to killing some guys with familiar-looking symbols of hope that I've seen on the League's roster, or anyone, really. If Arcade's as B-list as Scarlet Spider here says, then I say we go for the plan...
and I think I know how to start it out."
@Yun Lee @Sark @Takumi @Crow @YellowTeam
Oh.
Hell.
No.
Kate wasn't standing for this Arcade death game nonsense. She could have sworn he had done this exact same plot not so long ago and she didn't recall that having the major success he had probably hoped for. She couldn't say she knew a good 94% of the people Arcade had summoned for this merry vacation, which made her pause a bit, but it wasn't like it would make a difference. People were ultimately good and no one would realistically agree to kill indiscriminately, blah blah blah. Children's books about battle royale were just that: books.
"Hey, kids," Kate said, butting into the conversation between her so-called 'team.' "Can you chill out? No one's killing anybody, not if I have a say in it. I'm sure the Avengers or someone is on their way right now to put a stop to all this."
@Crow @Takumi @Sark
"Dunno about visiting, but if we both make it out we'll see." Alice spoke, though didn't think they'd ever see each other again after this-if anyone from this mess of a team survived anyway. Despite her doubts didn't want to bum out the guy too bad.
"I'm still new to the whole magic thing, not too interested in becoming a mage." She muttered.
To Kate, Alice placed a hand on her hip. Although more calm since talking with Hnikar, she still had her gun at her side at the ready.
"Don't know of any Avengers, but if you say so." She shrugged, a bit miffed at being called a kid, but if Renfred were here he'd likely hit her in the head so she guessed she deserved it regardless.
@Sark @Crow @Atomic Knight @Red Team
Nezumi was a bit hesitant with this plan, not really one to trust others so quickly. He didn't fully trust his team but the fact he even did a little was a start he guessed.
"Keep in mind that our generous captor is still present right now, and that if he so chooses can fuck with us before we put our plan in action." He warned in a voice loud enough only his teammates can hear, a bit of a smirk and some sarcasm leaking through at calling Arcade generous. He wanted to slit the clown's throat in all honesty, but decided to be a good boy and wait on that. Survival came first after all.
"I'll trust your guys' judgement for now, since you know a bit more than I do..." The moment he sensed any danger it'd be fight or die, however.
@Crow @Yun Lee @Sark @Yellow Team
"I can go talk to them. We'll cover more ground if we split up." And with that, the Doll moved over, just in time to overhear Steven.
"If it's a way out you want, maybe we can help you each other." Beside Jianyu, Xiayu appeared to the Pink Team, tone casual to prove her goodwill where her masked face couldn't.
"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Xiayu, Jianyu's sister. Obviously, I'd never kill her, or anyone she considers an ally. In fact, I don't intend on killing anyone here, and neither do my teammates." Xiayu nodded over to the Yellow Team. "We're working to bring as many teams as possible into an alliance in order to keep casualties to a minimum until we can stop this game."
"Sis!" Jianyu perked up hearing her sister speak of an alliance, and she couldn't help but feel relief wash over her. This meant that they'd stick together through this whole thing now, right? She looked to the rest of the group. "You can trust Xiayu, I promise. She doesn't lie."
Xiayu looked over at Kara and Terry. "One of my teammates-the Blue Beetle-he says he knows of you two and would consider you all excellent allies. And you..." Xiayu looked down at Steven. "I wouldn't feel right leaving a child in mortal danger."
"Who else are you guys talking to, anyway? Because I don't think everyone will be on board..." Jianyu glanced at Vanitas as she said this. That was one creep she wanted to stay far away from.
@Crow @Sark @Takumi @Atomic Knight @York
"Knives, guns and bombs... alright then" Ben hummed, listing off his ally's skills. "Sounds like a practical set right? I mean, I can shoot, sure, but I was never a knife guy, you know? I'm more of a punching guy, occasionally a kicking guy... Mostly a webs guy... It makes more sense when you see me do it..."
"Fine" Eli growled. "You're not saying or trying anything I haven't seen or heard before. Just remember: when you start shooting, remember to save one last bullet for... well, I guess you can imagine what might happen to you on an island full of killers. Consider that a friendly warning..."
"You're right, Schoolman..." Eli thinned his eyes and letting his machete swing loosely on his belt once again "We're a 'team', right?" He mimed quotation marks with his fingers "We'll have to look out for each other... and save the back stabbing until Day... it might give Alice something to look forward to..."
"Ah, 'Make sure to call him Superboy'. I got it" Ben teased, tracing the Kryptonian's movements with his eyes. "Actually... if he's as strong as you say, maybe staying on his good side might be a good idea... or at least staying out of his way. I mean--"
"Oh, wow" Terry responded in a daze, a ghostly stare in his eyes "Kara? I haven't seen you since... well, my Kara since..." He rocked his head from side to side for a moment, forcing the confusion from his head "Time is complicated. What I'm trying to say is that..." You die horrible in my timeline. Very horribly. "Its nice to see a familiar face"
"Killing... is something that no-one should ever be 'okay' with... I mean... its a disease. Its an infection. It eats you up from the inside. Make you something you're not. Something new, strange, different... bad" He sighed, his thoughts turning to home and beyond. "But... there comes a time where fate's made up its mind: its says some's gotta die, and its either gonna be you or the guy with his hands around your throat... or the guy who's got his hands around hundreds of people's throats all at once. I mean.. Its never justified... its a last resort. But sometime's you've got to make sacrifices. So other people don't have to. You've gotta to what you've gotta do for the greater good... Not that there's any good here..."
"Ah, right. Jianyu" Terry went silent for a moment, collecting himself "If I'm crossing a line, let me know... but if you don't like the name, why not just... call yourself something else? Pick a new name or something?"
"Oh, don't worry. This thing isn't gonna be over in a heart-beat... well, it will end with one last heart-beat, but I'm sure you get what I mean..." Arcade's cheeks twisted into a sick smile.
"Oh, no, you're not following. The Vulture is a different guy. Bald. Skinny. Robs banks with some giant green armpit wings? Ring a bell?"
"Oh, you sweet talker" Arcade cried through a beam "I knew I'd like at least one of you. Take out all your fury, Vanitus, and you might just get another shot at your vengeance, and you'll leave with a plethora of new ways to inflict hurt to boot. Keep that in mind once the killing starts; every other team here stands between you and your duty to kill that boy..."
Terry's smile shine through his mask as he made his way towards the Yellow Team.
"Orange Team's on board" Bucky muttered, clicking the safety off of his side-arm. Rolling a spare clip across the fingers of his vibranium arm, he placed himself along the edge of the coalition's ring. "I was never one for taking orders to begin with. I'm not about to dance to this guy's tune. My guess is that the Kid's in" He made a vague gesture in Superboy's direction. "And the Fast One already has his name on the guest list--"
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"You know? I've had enough of this whole 'let's not kill each other' thing. Its so... lame. If you want peace, go to a nunnery. I mean, I've gone through all this effort to set up this death match and you just don't seem to appreciate it. And you know what? I don't think you respect me, and that's real sad.. because everyone knows that respect is the foundation of any health relationship..."
"Knives, guns and bombs... alright then" Ben hummed, listing off his ally's skills. "Sounds like a practical set right? I mean, I can shoot, sure, but I was never a knife guy, you know? I'm more of a punching guy, occasionally a kicking guy... Mostly a webs guy... It makes more sense when you see me do it..."
@Takumi @Yun Lee @Crow @Yellow Team
"Fine" Eli growled. "You're not saying or trying anything I haven't seen or heard before. Just remember: when you start shooting, remember to save one last bullet for... well, I guess you can imagine what might happen to you on an island full of killers. Consider that a friendly warning..."
@Crow @Atomic Knight @Takumi @Red Team
"You're right, Schoolman..." Eli thinned his eyes and letting his machete swing loosely on his belt once again "We're a 'team', right?" He mimed quotation marks with his fingers "We'll have to look out for each other... and save the back stabbing until Day... it might give Alice something to look forward to..."
@Crow @Atomic Knight @Takumi @Red Team
"Ah, 'Make sure to call him Superboy'. I got it" Ben teased, tracing the Kryptonian's movements with his eyes. "Actually... if he's as strong as you say, maybe staying on his good side might be a good idea... or at least staying out of his way. I mean--"
"Hey, got a problem with me, hoodie?"
A voice called from across the clearing
"What? Why would I--"
"Can't seem to keep your eyes off me, pal. Hope you and Blue Bottle aren't plotting something nasty for me over there. Gonna roast me alive or something when you catch me?"
"What? No I--"
"I'm messing with you, dumbass"
"Ah, right"
"I mean, even if you wanted to, I doubt you could take me out; I'm stronger than Bluey says"
"How did you--?"
"Super hearing bud. I can pretty much hear you sweating right now pal. You though it was a good idea to wear the spandex and the hoodie this morning?"
"And you thought it was a good idea to wear the glasses and the jacket? One of the two says 'I'm an Edgelord', but the two of them together just scream 'Help! I got lost on my way back to the 1970s!'"
"What can I say, Scarlo? I like to push the boundaris of fashion--"
"--You can't pretend that the Old Superman did that, right Beets?"
@Yun Lee @Takumi @Crow @Yellow Team @Orange Team
"HopingThere'sRoomForAFlashOnYourTeamTooRightBlue?" Wally stopped himself mid-verse, slowing his breathing and quashing his rushing thoughts. Smoke still pouring from his boots, he continued speaking in a calmer tone ."Oh, yeah. You're not my Beetle. Guess I ain't your Flash either, but... from what I've seen from the World's I've been to, there sorta seems to be a sorta rhyme... a pattern, when it comes to parallel worlds. The way I see it, a Titan is a titan. Whatever you're planning, I'm in"
@Yun Lee @Crow @Takumi @Yellow Team @Orange Team
"Oh, wow" Terry responded in a daze, a ghostly stare in his eyes "Kara? I haven't seen you since... well, my Kara since..." He rocked his head from side to side for a moment, forcing the confusion from his head "Time is complicated. What I'm trying to say is that..." You die horrible in my timeline. Very horribly. "Its nice to see a familiar face"
@Atomic Knight @Yun Lee @York @Pink Team
"Killing... is something that no-one should ever be 'okay' with... I mean... its a disease. Its an infection. It eats you up from the inside. Make you something you're not. Something new, strange, different... bad" He sighed, his thoughts turning to home and beyond. "But... there comes a time where fate's made up its mind: its says some's gotta die, and its either gonna be you or the guy with his hands around your throat... or the guy who's got his hands around hundreds of people's throats all at once. I mean.. Its never justified... its a last resort. But sometime's you've got to make sacrifices. So other people don't have to. You've gotta to what you've gotta do for the greater good... Not that there's any good here..."
@Atomic Knight @Yun Lee @York @Pink Team
"Ah, right. Jianyu" Terry went silent for a moment, collecting himself "If I'm crossing a line, let me know... but if you don't like the name, why not just... call yourself something else? Pick a new name or something?"
@York @Yun Lee @Atomic Knight @Pink Team
"Oh, don't worry. This thing isn't gonna be over in a heart-beat... well, it will end with one last heart-beat, but I'm sure you get what I mean..." Arcade's cheeks twisted into a sick smile.
View attachment 3641
"You know, you'd think this High School Splatter House thing would leave you skinning each other for pelts in the first 5 minutes, right?
But it never really goes that way. Its a slow burn. I'm going to push you. I'm going to push you until you snap then push some more. I'll break every single one of you.
Your moral codes wont save you. Your sense of mercy wont save you. Your parents.Your friends. None of them can keep you safe now.
By the end of the week, the little monsters inside you all will have come scurrying out.
By the end of the week, you'll be murders, and you'll find yourself thanking me for all the fun you've had. And when that time comes, it'll be worth the wait. Believe me, Loa. There will be excitement. I only hope you'll live long enough to see it"
@Minerva @Jeremi @Gummi Bunnies @Green Team
"Oh, no, you're not following. The Vulture is a different guy. Bald. Skinny. Robs banks with some giant green armpit wings? Ring a bell?"
Arcade's smile was unwavering, his eyes still glowing with a childish vanity.
"Believe me, Laura, I'm far more gracious that I used to be; this time, I'm giving you all a chance. I could have killed every last one of you whilst you were in stasis. It would have been easy. Boring, but easy. Instead, I'm letting you sing for your supper. I'm giving you hope, Weapon Hex. You of all people shouldn't be complaining; your odds are far better than say, Loa's. Lighten up. Let your hair down. Wouldn't kill you to smile now, would it?"
@Gummi Bunnies @Hahli Nuva @York @blue Team
"Oh, you sweet talker" Arcade cried through a beam "I knew I'd like at least one of you. Take out all your fury, Vanitus, and you might just get another shot at your vengeance, and you'll leave with a plethora of new ways to inflict hurt to boot. Keep that in mind once the killing starts; every other team here stands between you and your duty to kill that boy..."
@Jeremi @Minerva @Gummi Bunnies @Green Team
Terry's smile shine through his mask as he made his way towards the Yellow Team.
"I don't know if I have all the mojo had back in his day, but you can count me in on this whole Alliance thing you've got going over here. We've got a Kryptonian, an Argonian, a Speedster and a Reach. Throw Batson into the mix and we've got ourselves a Justice League. If we can get the other 20ish guys on board, we'd be looking at a Justice Legion. I don't see this Arcade stopping a coup like that"
@Yun Lee @Crow @Takumi @Crow @Lucky
"Orange Team's on board" Bucky muttered, clicking the safety off of his side-arm. Rolling a spare clip across the fingers of his vibranium arm, he placed himself along the edge of the coalition's ring. "I was never one for taking orders to begin with. I'm not about to dance to this guy's tune. My guess is that the Kid's in" He made a vague gesture in Superboy's direction. "And the Fast One already has his name on the guest list--"
"You in two, Wings?"
"Of course, Ben" Angel muttered, following in the Winter Solider's footsteps. "I can't bring myself to take another's life. I won't do it. If dying is what it takes to keep that, promise, so be it--"
"Alright, I guess. Bit of a downer way to join the club, but to each his own. Welcome to the Avengers, Warren!"
"We're not the--"
"The name's Summers, pal. Folks call me Scott" The X-Man extended a palm, not surprised by the boy's sudden transformation."I'm hardly thrilled to be here, but I'm sure there's gonna be a way out. Some kind of... loop hole. A bloodless solution. Us mutants... we've got to stick together. We've got to protect our name... and I don't see murder as being the smartest way to do that..."
@Alex Azure @dark @Lucky @White Team
View attachment 3643
"Shush. Thinking" Amadeus muttered, hammering his temples and letting his thoughts flow unhindered. "Wait. No. Sorry. I'm Cho. Amadues to those who like a mouthful. I'm not a killer, and hey, I got some smarts. Real smarts. Got anything that could help a guy out here? Like... powers? Or something to drown out the noise? Got a lotta info to take in... lotta factors..."
@Lucky @Alex Azure @dark @Purple Team
"You know? I've had enough of this whole 'let's not kill each other' thing. Its so... lame. If you want peace, go to a nunnery. I mean, I've gone through all this effort to set up this death match and you just don't seem to appreciate it. And you know what? I don't think you respect me, and that's real sad.. because everyone knows that respect is the foundation of any health relationship..."
View attachment 3642
"I think you all need a reminder of who's wearing the pants here... Me"
"You're not in Kansas anymore, kids! You're in my domain. I'm the one dealing the cards, and it appears as if you've forgotten that it's that House that always wins.
So you've forced my hand here. You could have just listened. You could have just played along. But no. What happens next is on you"
With a wave of his hand, a ribbon of light erupted from the earth at their feet, whipping up a towering column of dust and dirt in its wake. From wherever they stood in the clearing, they could all feel the heat of the blast on their skin.
"Einey...meenie... minie... mine"
A scream rippled across the island. Arcade's fingers lined up with the Scarlet Spider's forehead. The intensity of the screams increased as the snake of light writhed its way deeper into his forehead.
"We could have avoid all this mess. Ben here could have lived for another couple of days. His odds of surviving were... middling. I'd say he could have lived to day 3. He could have said his prayers. Though about his family some more. Righted some wrongs. Died for something that would make Uncle Ben proud..."
"Instead, he dies here and now. 6:15am on Day 1. Isn't that just boring?"
View attachment 3644
"So this is it, children! One agonizing death! The first drop in the flood! Who will take his place? Who will put him out of his misery? Who will simply watch and enjoy the spray that comes when his body finally explodes?"
@Atomic Knight @Crow @Takumi @Gummi Bunnies @Jeremi @Hahli Nuva @York @Minerva @Yun Lee @Lucky @Alex Azure @dark
"Why wouldn't I be?" Conner stretched out his arms and threw them behind his head. As his body rocked back he seemed to drift from the ground, floating backwards as if he were sitting in a hummock. "Who in their right mind would turn down a chance to have a full entourage of groupies?"
"Hey hey hey, you're in no position to make demands here! The Yellow Team will start with one less member if and when I say it starts with one less member. I mean, sure, having an extra player in the mix would keep the game going on for longer, but honestly? You're reactions to my little display have made out ratings jump. Distress gets the views, Jaime. Ever seen a soap opera? Same concept only with blood, and lots of it"
"Quite the show, Hnikar! At last! Some fighting words! Someone has finally come to terms with the gravitas of the situation. It's time for smiting! I mean, you've only got about...oh, I'd say 2 and a half minutes before that bell goes and the kiddie gloves come off? So if anybody else has a smiting mode? I strongly recommend you get into it. Just think of what you're fighting for, right?"
"Ouch! Now that one really stung!" Arcade clutched his chest as if he had just been struck through the chest by a might arrow "Remind me to get a band aid on the way home... God sometimes sometimes I forget the demographic I'm dealing with..."
"More projected insults! If words could kill, you wouldn't need breaking in at all. Now I don't mean to sound like... I don't know, every parental figure you've ever disappointing, but if only you'd redirected your energy towards something a little more productive, such as, say, murder, I wouldn't have to--"
"Why wouldn't I be?" Conner stretched out his arms and threw them behind his head. As his body rocked back he seemed to drift from the ground, floating backwards as if he were sitting in a hummock. "Who in their right mind would turn down a chance to have a full entourage of groupies?"
@Crow
"Its starting to look like quite the crossover. Just sucks that whenever we all seem to get together like this, it always ends in some sorta Crisis. I mean, why can't we all hang out for a normal night on the town instead of fighting aliens or time traveling demons or... each other, I guess? When we get out of this we're gonna have to do some normal-people stuff to detox"
"Hey hey hey, you're in no position to make demands here! The Yellow Team will start with one less member if and when I say it starts with one less member. I mean, sure, having an extra player in the mix would keep the game going on for longer, but honestly? You're reactions to my little display have made out ratings jump. Distress gets the views, Jaime. Ever seen a soap opera? Same concept only with blood, and lots of it"
"Unless you're planning on jumping on the sword to safe little Reilly here, I suggest you get back in line. I doubt Paco and Brenda would be too happy dying just because you couldn't follow some simple instructions. And little Milagro... it would be a shame if you squandered to chance at earning her safety over someone as... weak as Reilly..."
"Quite the show, Hnikar! At last! Some fighting words! Someone has finally come to terms with the gravitas of the situation. It's time for smiting! I mean, you've only got about...oh, I'd say 2 and a half minutes before that bell goes and the kiddie gloves come off? So if anybody else has a smiting mode? I strongly recommend you get into it. Just think of what you're fighting for, right?"
"Ouch! Now that one really stung!" Arcade clutched his chest as if he had just been struck through the chest by a might arrow "Remind me to get a band aid on the way home... God sometimes sometimes I forget the demographic I'm dealing with..."
"More projected insults! If words could kill, you wouldn't need breaking in at all. Now I don't mean to sound like... I don't know, every parental figure you've ever disappointing, but if only you'd redirected your energy towards something a little more productive, such as, say, murder, I wouldn't have to--"
As Weapon Hex tried to undo the Island's attack on the Scarlet Spider, she would find herself overwhelmed by a sudden wave of dark magic, the force of which would send her shooting back from Reilly like a torpedo. Once she recovered, she would find that the effects of her spell had been reversed, engulfing Ben's body in a vivid crimson fire.
"Nice shot, sport, but you'll have to do better than that. Again, I don't want to sound like you Dad or anything, but I've got to say: 'Laura, you're just making things worse'. You're welcome to take another shot at healing the poor sod, but I wouldn't recommend it. Unless, of course, you'd rather end his suffering?"
"Don't----let---him---play-you-----Larua-----" Ben snarled like an animal, swallowing his screamed and forcing back his tears. "The---hairy---Cana---C---" A scream broke up his words into fractions, then fractions of fractions, until he could barely form full sentences without tearing apart his voice box. "Canadian---- guy----will----kill----me----if-you-get-----hurt-----------for----me"
"Oh, noble suffering. Adorable. Maybe you could try pulling a hankie or two from your sleeve, witch? Might do a better job at making him feel better that way"
"Go------to------"
"Ads? You want me to cut to the ads? Sorry pal, but our sponsors would much prefer we give an uninterrupted performance and plug their product in the final act. How about we zoom in on your face instead? A close shot for you Oscar performance?"
"---Hell---"
"Cute. Save me a spot, would you pal?"
@Everyone
She had failed and that had probably been by design. "Hrn..."
"Killing due to mercy is not the same as killing for sport." Laura got back up from where she had landed popping her claws as she made her way back towards the Scarlet Spider. "I will trust your judgment, but say the word and I will end it. For you," She motioned towards Arcade. "Not for him. I'm sorry I couldn't rescue you."
@Sark @Everyone
"Hey, give me some kind of sign and I'll try to make it as painless as possible." Nezumi spoke up, hoping Ben could hear him-or at least see him for that matter. This dragged on far enough, in his opinion. Completely ignoring Arcade and hhis taunts, Nezumi watched Ben's body language carefully.
@Sark @Jeremi @Everyone
