Side Story Champions of the Arena II: The Hunt

Status
Not open for further replies.
Right away, Yashamaru felt disgusted by the hologram before him. Jabba reeked of the elites he disposed of in his own world. Corrupt. Greedy. A superiority complex so massive that the wellbeing of others meant nothing to him. And here he was, ready to work for such a monster. But with only a week on the line, and the lives of not only himself, but of his companions, dependent on making enough money to pay off Sorc Tormo, did he really have a choice in the matter? It's only for a week, he told himself. I'll pay for my sins when I'm back home. Alive.

"I apologize for the delay, Exalted One." Ugh, dear lord. Talking like that only came during undercover missions and was never sincere. He should've gone with Gen... "But we are here now." In an act of deferrence that made his stomach churn, Yashamaru knelt before the Hutt, head bowed. "Back home, I am known as the Karasu Tengu, a thief and assassin who eliminates those above the law. Though my exploits have only followed me through my own tongue, I have the feeling those magical windows out there captured my dealing with another of the Hunted."

He drew his blade, resting it on his palms and extending it forward. "This blade, as well as all of me, is yours for this week. I will strike down your enemies without mercy, and...do all in my power to repay your kindness." This was a terrible idea, what the Hell was he thinking-- "Though, I do ask one mercy from you, Exalted One. Dengar was slain for his careless treatment of an innocent bystander. I request that I am not required to bring harm to those I protected in eliminating him. All else, I...I am willing to do."

@Sark @Atomic Knight @dark
 
District B- Bar
View attachment 4646

"Huh? Extorting Sorc?" Frost hummed to himself. His spine straightened out a little. He placed his hand over the rim of another drink and slid it towards Bad Girl. "Usually I wouldn't dream of trying something so underhanded but... It's safe to say he's forced our hands..."

Frost stroked his chin, trying to piece together Bag Girl's plan. He did his best to fill in the blanks. He still didn't understand half the words she was saying. What the hell was a Motherfucker? Putting out? Exploding Cocks? He sighed to himself and turned to the bartender.

"You. Where does Sorc Tormo live?"

"Who?"

"Tall alien. Pale. Long face. Strange Helmet. Ring any bells?"

"Oh. Yes. He spends his days at the Comependium Hotel. A penthouse sweet, so I've heard."

"Perhaps it's time we took a trip into District A..."

@Jeremi




District A- Above the Subway Station
View attachment 4647

Those who chose to venture to the surface found themselves in the middle of a light storm. In the distance, the could hear the sounds of distant combat. A few flying police vehicles soared overhead. Perhaps they had been sent to investigate the recent murders at the station? Perhaps they were heading north to search for survivors in the wrecks of the fallen skyscrapers? It was hard to say. Following some of the more armoured cars would no doubt lead you towards the battle in the Upper District.

Across the street, a beautiful neon cinema glowed, its doors open, as usual. They were showing the usual movies: Murderworld: the Truth, Champions of the Arena-- the Movie, Arcade: his Life and Times, and the like. The first arena had left a mark on Prudence's culture, to say the least.

Around the corner, the hunted could make out the sparkling outline of the Compendium Hotel. Two guards stood outside its revolving doors, welcome their visitors with a smile and a nod. Renting a room in the Compendium would be pricey, there was no getting around it. Renting a room would set you back 20,000 credits... then again, picking a lock would cost you nothing. A few guests had ventured out into the streets and prepared ventured into a nearby alleyway. It was a well-known shortcut that would lead you to the racetracks. The path was dark and secluded-- the perfect place to convince a visitor into handing over their room key.

At the very edge of the street, a crimson, inhuman creature stumbled. He cradled his arm, nursing a dirty black wound. Every few steps he stopped to lean upon anything he could find. A lamp-post. A parked ground-car. Anything that would take the weight of his slender frame. Whenever he took a moment to breathe, he flickered out of sight. He remained invisible as long as he remained still. His attention was fixed upon his efforts to stay upright- he hadn't noticed the gathering of the hunted at the other end of the street...

Victor's collar began to beep.

//CREDITS TRANSFERED//
CURRENT BALANCE: 2,022,190 CREDITS

@Ottonomous Ghost @Crunch @Gummi Bunnies @Jackythejack @District A Underground​

Bad Girl slammed her fist down on the bar. "OH FUCK YEAH IT IS!" She downed the second drink that Frost offered her before twirling around and leaping off her barstool. "First, what's the fastest way to district A? Second, anyone got some spare credits? Hand them the fuck over cause I'm going to need some fucking driving money. And third, and most important! Frosty! Bottle those drinks! We're taking them on the go!" She raised her finger, turned around, and downed two more of them. "You fucking deaf? I said bottle those drinks!"

She then turned towards Vamp. "Hey, Jesus Christ Superstar. Wanna come along and murder a piece of shit alien garbage?"

@Sark
 
“Are you sure we want to be at the hotel?” Seto asked as he hurried along after Uzume, now holding onto Rena’s hand again and gently guiding her to make sure she didn’t get lost. “I don’t think staying in public is a good idea. I mean, one of those random people in the subway killed one of the others. I don’t think anyone is going to want to give us peace...”

@Raynar Saassin @Sark @Gummi Bunnies @Hotel
 
Everything hurts.

The air surrounding Kruber crackled like rain hitting a pan, his whole body frozen in that desperate position - pressing the sword into Trudgen's gut - for the entire extent of the next attack. Arcs of lightning danced across the greatsword's burnished steel and into Markus' supple palms, it heated the metal past the point of human handling; scalding, sizzling iron.

The gloves were the first thing to melt away entirely. Then came the skin; Markus watched his hands begin to blacken the longer he held the blade. It hurt. Taal, did it hurt. Truthfully, he'd already come to terms with losing his hands in this fight at the very moment he witnessed arcs of lightning spew forth from his opponent's fingers. Such is the fate of any regular man trying to take on a wizard.

His eyes fluttered for just a moment, the scalding, throbbing pain in his palms nearly making him throw up - before a warm light suddenly caressed the old soldier's hulking frame. Before he'd even registered what happened, the pain in Markus' hands had dulled to the point where he could focus his gaze on Trudgen now. A seething, unfettered rage burned bright in the mercenary's eyes hotter than any heated steel.

ac294aaaa0324c52c7c8bd01f642ae52.png


"Heh... heheheh.. you want a blade... to call your own, eh?! All that... GLORY that comes with war?!"

"Fine, then..." Markus rasped between haggard breaths, grinning wickedly at his desperate enemy. "You can... bloody HAVE IT!"

Kruber let go.

The mercenary's grip on the sword vanished. His mass shifted back, away from Trudgen, while his hand flew to the wooden stock of a blunderbuss slung around his back. The rifle flew from its sling and into both of Kruber's aching palms, one hand beneath the barrel and the other at the trigger.

At point-blank range, he leveled the Coach Gun towards Trudgen's head.

BOOM!

@Yun Lee @Takumi @Gummi Bunnies @Sark @Atomic Knight @District B Mall​
 
Kayn and Rhaast
@Sark @Raynar Saassin @Ottonomous Ghost @Gummi Bunnies @Jackythejack @District A Subway Streets
"Don't mention it. That was actually all part of my ploy once he took ya'll hostage like that. A CPU's duty is to protect, so yeah."

Uzume exclaimed to the two of them with a determined look on her face as she looked around and then heard Seto ask what they were going to do.

"Well... I was planning on setting up a base somewhere, wanna join me?"
"...Not sure what a 'CPU' is, but I'm glad those two are in good hands," Kayn replied before picking up his scythe. "Protection isn't exactly my strong suit," he smiled as he flourished his weapon, turning to leave. "I'll be in the area. If something happens, make some noise. This place is getting more dangerous by the second."
Those who chose to venture to the surface found themselves in the middle of a light storm. In the distance, the could hear the sounds of distant combat. A few flying police vehicles soared overhead. Perhaps they had been sent to investigate the recent murders at the station? Perhaps they were heading north to search for survivors in the wrecks of the fallen skyscrapers? It was hard to say. Following some of the more armoured cars would no doubt lead you towards the battle in the Upper District.

Across the street, a beautiful neon cinema glowed, its doors open, as usual. They were showing the usual movies: Murderworld: the Truth, Champions of the Arena-- the Movie, Arcade: his Life and Times, and the like. The first arena had left a mark on Prudence's culture, to say the least.

Around the corner, the hunted could make out the sparkling outline of the Compendium Hotel. Two guards stood outside its revolving doors, welcome their visitors with a smile and a nod. Renting a room in the Compendium would be pricey, there was no getting around it. Renting a room would set you back 20,000 credits... then again, picking a lock would cost you nothing. A few guests had ventured out into the streets and prepared ventured into a nearby alleyway. It was a well-known shortcut that would lead you to the racetracks. The path was dark and secluded-- the perfect place to convince a visitor into handing over their room key.

At the very edge of the street, a crimson, inhuman creature stumbled. He cradled his arm, nursing a dirty black wound. Every few steps he stopped to lean upon anything he could find. A lamp-post. A parked ground-car. Anything that would take the weight of his slender frame. Whenever he took a moment to breathe, he flickered out of sight. He remained invisible as long as he remained still. His attention was fixed upon his efforts to stay upright- he hadn't noticed the gathering of the hunted at the other end of the street...

Kayn blinked several times in awe, blown away by the chaos of light and noise. Being right in the middle of a crowded city paled in comparison to the small villages of Ionia. He grimaced a bit as he tried to adjust to the sensory overload.

He looked toward where the flying machines had been going, only to witness the destruction of high-tech buildings. Seeing them crumble as easily as an Ionian village, for once, filled him with fear. "What could possibly have the power to do that...?" he muttered aloud. Perhaps this game would be the death of him. His strength couldn't even compare. "Me. With time, I could bring all of these miserable buildings to the ground. Why don't you go over there, Kayn? You'll never improve without fighting the strong."

The assassin didn't respond, instead opting to ignore the destruction for now and look around for other options. He saw Saltzpyre in the distance, and his eyes narrowed. Asking him to team up against a threat like that was asking for a fight. Maybe there were other Hunted that weren't so zealous?

Before Kayn could begin his search, his eyes caught hold of a monster flickering in and out of sight every few seconds. He immediately rushed to the shadows of nearby buildings and sneaked closer to the being. Perhaps this could be his next kill. Not only could he advance the power of his shadow magic, but having this thing lurk around was too dangerous, especially with Seto and Rena nearby. There was room for only one assassin in this world, and that was Kayn.

He would trail the freak and, using his own powers to blend in with the shadows, watch its movements closely, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.​
 
Helena had totally been paying attention followed the group down the building until they reached the streets at which point she left them. She now found herself on the street, on her way to The Art Gallery in hopes of clearing her head from all that had suddenly happened.

@Sark @Streets​
 
Right away, Yashamaru felt disgusted by the hologram before him. Jabba reeked of the elites he disposed of in his own world. Corrupt. Greedy. A superiority complex so massive that the wellbeing of others meant nothing to him. And here he was, ready to work for such a monster. But with only a week on the line, and the lives of not only himself, but of his companions, dependent on making enough money to pay off Sorc Tormo, did he really have a choice in the matter? It's only for a week, he told himself. I'll pay for my sins when I'm back home. Alive.

"I apologize for the delay, Exalted One." Ugh, dear lord. Talking like that only came during undercover missions and was never sincere. He should've gone with Gen... "But we are here now." In an act of deferrence that made his stomach churn, Yashamaru knelt before the Hutt, head bowed. "Back home, I am known as the Karasu Tengu, a thief and assassin who eliminates those above the law. Though my exploits have only followed me through my own tongue, I have the feeling those magical windows out there captured my dealing with another of the Hunted."

He drew his blade, resting it on his palms and extending it forward. "This blade, as well as all of me, is yours for this week. I will strike down your enemies without mercy, and...do all in my power to repay your kindness." This was a terrible idea, what the Hell was he thinking-- "Though, I do ask one mercy from you, Exalted One. Dengar was slain for his careless treatment of an innocent bystander. I request that I am not required to bring harm to those I protected in eliminating him. All else, I...I am willing to do."

@Sark @Atomic Knight @dark
District A- Casino Backroom
giphy.gif

"Ho ho ho..." The Hutt gurgled. "Mi no Gaggalak. Yanee dah poo noo. No. Mi bosco de mu moolee."

"The Mighty Jabba likes how you speak. He likes how you think. Most of all, he likes how you kneel. But he would not ask you to turn against your allies. That would be bad for business. He has a different contract in mind."

The corners of Hutt's slimy cheeks curled into a smile. Perhaps his cheeks were the only parts of his fat body that were still mobile.

"Dengar no noa-a-uyat. Goo kachu than uyat. No ku. Ku yanah coto da eetha."

"As for Dengar, Jabba believes that he was more trouble than he was worth. As his killer, you have proven yourself to be of more worth to him than some washed-up hunter from Corellia. The contract he is offering you requires skill and subtlety. Dengar lacked these traits."

"Cheespa Champio no Murishani"

"A Champion is more valuable than a Hunter."

"No Murishanis. Mi Moocha Nal Hutta. Ku wan koose rowka copah. Bargon u noa-a-uyat"

"He does not need assassins or body guards. He has assassins and body guards. Tonight, he needs a thief. Whilst intoxicated, Jabba sold an item of value to his partner, Sorc Tormo, for a fraction of its worth. The Exalted One wants Glorious Jewel of Nal Hutta back. He will reward you for your services."

The Droid's tone betrayed his words. Despite his dire warning, he remained chipper and upbeat. He had been programmed to be little else.

"Mi wah ning chee kosthpa murishani tytung ye wanya yoskah."

"And if you cross him, he will place a bounty on your head so large that every bounty hunter in the galaxy will be on your tail. Prudence will only be the beginning. Stay on his Majesty's good side. For your own health."

"Ning Chee? Ku's. No wanta yanee noa-a-uyat."

"As for the rest of the vault, you are welcome to take whatever you please. Jabba does not concern himself with small prizes."

"Ku ye?"

"The Mighty Jabba is offering you a contract, Karasu Tengu. Will you take it?"

@Yun Lee @Atomic Knight
At point-blank range, he leveled the Coach Gun towards Trudgen's head.

BOOM!

@Yun Lee @Takumi @Gummi Bunnies @Sark @Atomic Knight @District B Mall​
Daniel opened his eyes to find that he had been saved by the cool-looking sword guy, but now he was completely stuck. Daniel stared for a moment, his mouth agape, before realizing he had to do something with the glass floating in the air. He started floating it down to the ground slowly, but as he did so, he heard some of the weird stuff Trudgen was saying. He was yelling and being really scary. Daniel wasn't sure what to make of it, especially as the lightning began to come out of the man and shock Markus.

"Wait, w-what...?" Did everyone else here have powers too?

"Stop," he said, definitely too quiet for anyone to hear considering the noise. "Stop!" he repeated, yelling now.

Daniel exhaled and let out a wordless yell as he brought his arm down to exert a heavy pressure of telekinetic force down on Trudgen.

"Let go of him!"

@Yun Lee @Takumi @Gummi Bunnies @Crunch @Sark
District B- Mall
[BOOM]

Trudgen's cracked mask shattered like glass. Obsidian steel was sent skidding across the food hall's floors, a trail of crimson skidding in its wake. A hundreds camera's flashed. The crowd roared and cheer at Trudgen's death, completely unaware of the danger they had just been in.

TRUDGEN REN HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!
FATE: CRUSHED BY DANIEL DIAZ AND SHOT POINT-BLANK BY MARKUS KRUBER

Markus' collar began to beep.

//BOUNTY ADDED//
//CURRENT BALANCE: 2,011,000 CREDITS//

The large holographic screens that littered the food hall began to flicker. The advertisements they had been playing on loop suddenly stopped playing. They were replaced by a breaking news broadcast.

MURDERER!
MARKUS KRUBER RECORDED KILLING TRUDGEN REN!

The pair are believed to be participants in the controversial Champions of the Arena Tournament on Planet Prudence. Any information regarding the whereabouts of this threat to public safety must be passed on to your local law enforcement agency. Cash rewards will be provided to anyone who can provide information that might lead to the arrest of Markus Kruber. This broadcast is sponsored by the OBLIVION Energy.

BOUNTY RAISED
MARKUS KRUBER WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE
IN ADDITIONAL TO SORC TORMO'S BOUNTY, HANDING MARKUS KRUBER OVER TO THE PRUDENCE POLICE WILL EARN A HUNTER AN ADDITIONAL 1,000,000 CREDITS AND TEMPORARY LEGAL IMMUNITY.

Looks like someone in the city's propaganda office had it in for Mr.Kruber.

The crowd were already reaching for their phones to call in Markus' 'crime'.

@Crunch @Yun Lee @Takumi @Gummi Bunnies @Atomic Knight
Bad Girl slammed her fist down on the bar. "OH FUCK YEAH IT IS!" She downed the second drink that Frost offered her before twirling around and leaping off her barstool. "First, what's the fastest way to district A? Second, anyone got some spare credits? Hand them the fuck over cause I'm going to need some fucking driving money. And third, and most important! Frosty! Bottle those drinks! We're taking them on the go!" She raised her finger, turned around, and downed two more of them. "You fucking deaf? I said bottle those drinks!"

She then turned towards Vamp. "Hey, Jesus Christ Superstar. Wanna come along and murder a piece of shit alien garbage?"

@Sark
District B- Bar--Streets
"Oh, I---sure!" Frost cried nervously. He turned back to the bartender. "Do you, er--- have any spare bottles?"

"Empty bottles?"


"Yeah?"


"No."

"Oh, that's fine..." The Demon stammered. He clumsily pressed the remaining cups together and tried to lift them as a single unit. Two of the remaining six slipped from his grasp and shattered against the floorboards. The bartender rolled her eyes and searched for a mop. An opportunity presented itself. Frost dropped the remaining cups and stretched his tail over the bar. He forced open the registers and removed a handful of credit chips. The bartender was still distracted. The patrons were to drunk to care. He reached over the bottle or two, before bee-lining to the door.


"I've got the driving money you needed, Bag-Girl."

"Damnit! Who did--"

"And we need to hit the road. I say we just follow the skyscrapers and hope for the best?"

Vamp sighed. He tipped his glass back and finished the last dredges of his drink.
View attachment 4648
"Killing Sorc Tormo..." He whispered. "As comfortable as I am with my fate, I will admit that it... troubles me to know that my captor lives. Perhaps he is unworthy. Perhaps he does not deserve to take my life. Perhaps... perhaps..."

Vamp sat up from his seat at the bar and let his stool tip over.

"Fine. I'll come, so long as you don't call me Christ again. It spurs bad memories."

@Jeremi
"I do not have money to give you, but if you wish, I could treat you to something. Is there... Anything you would like?" She asked.

In that moment, Alice seemed older than she had been acting just a few moments ago. More confident, perhaps even motherly. Beneath her hood, one might catch a glimpse of a pair of red, but gentle eyes.​
Her gaze landed on the young girl. She wasn't sure she had anything that would help her, sadly.

589d37c2837e31cbc5f8cdae878120b1b32afb7a.jpg


Sad. Want to go home. I want to go home. Can't breath here. I don't want to be here. I can't. Sad. Sadsadsad--

She couldn't tell if it was the dragon's voice in her head or her own at the moment, suddenly feeling overwhelmed by her heightened senses being assaulted by the smell and cries of the poor and hopeless. But Chise collected herself, and kept walking. Jaw clenched as she avoided looking at those around them, trying to keep her gaze straight ahead as she squeezed her cursed arm to ground herself.

Then she stopped, hand going to her neck where under her hoodies collar and the collar she was forced to wear was the bolo necktie Elias gave her years ago, her thumb brushing against the blue gem as she remembered something else Elias gave her some time back, another ring as a backup in case she ever lost the first. Biting the inside of her cheek, she untied it and handed it to the little girl, along with taking the second ring out of one of her pockets and placing it with the tie, closing the child's hands over the items as she covered their hands with her's.

"Here, take it. It might be worth something if you sell it. This is all I have, it's all I can give." She spoke with a small, brief smile, before turning to continue walking with the rest, her smile fading into a frown as she squeezed her cursed arm again.

She felt angry, deep down. Angry that people had to suffer like this. Angry that the one in charge made then suffer like this. Angry that she couldn't do anything about it. Keeping her anger off her face, she walked beside Ventress, quiet for a moment.

"It bothers you too." It wasn't a question, but a simple statement. An observation from eyes that suddenly didn't feel completely human.
District C- Slums
"Of course it bothers me too." Ventress snapped under her breath. She gave Chise a side-eyed glare. "Astute observation. I've stood where they stand now. I know exactly how they feel. How they suffer. I'd rather not relive those days, thank you."

The girl smiled up at Chise with wet, hopeful eyes. She took her ring and her tie and held them close to her heart.
"Thank you, Miss! Thank you!"

The Child vanished down a distant alleyway, crying out for her mother. For the first time in decades, a child cried out with joy in the City's Third District.

The child stuck out like a sore thumb against the miserable backdrop. The sound caught they ears of a dozen pariahs. They sheepishly approached the Champions with curious eyes. They pride had been stripped away years ago. They bit the bullet and reached out to the Champions as they passed by...

"Please...."

"Anything... We'll take anything..."

"A coin... A swab of clothing..."

"I've been working my whole life for crumbs... Please! Some food would..."

"--she needs medicine... My child needs medicine... Please.."

Hundreds of desperate hands reached out towards the Champions. They hands were cupped. Their hungry bellies called for them to beg.

"Pleas...!"


"Please..."

"Please..."

"Please..."

There were too many to help. Too many to cry for. Too many hopeless eyes staring out at you. Every broken window you passed presented another shattered face. With every step you took, home seemed to drift further away. The bridge seemed to get further away too. You see nothing but suffering. Nothing but starvation. The scattered, needy starvation could do little but whisper prayers to you... prayers for mercy, prayers for kindness..

[BANG]

A gunshot shook the city to its core. The beggars turned and ran back into their 'homes' and crumbling shelters. They knew who had fired into the skies.

View attachment 4649
[PAN HANDLING IN THE CAPITAL CITY IS A CAPITAL OFFENCE NO MATTER HOW QUIET// CLEAR THE STREETS BEFORE FORCE IS REQUIRED//]

LW-11 lowered its rifle. The remaining pariahs cleared the area.

[///DO NOT GIVE TO THE PARIAHS// THEY'RE DOGS. YOU'RE ENCOURAGING THEM// WE'VE BLOCKADED THIS TOWN FOR A REASON. THESE ANIMALS HAVE NO PLACE IN THE GLORIOUS DISTRICT B// PRAISE MAYOR CLUTH///]

The Commando Droid saluted.

[///LW-11 APOLOGISES// YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE HAD TO SEE THIS CITY'S UNDERBELLY// THE PARASITES THAT CLING TO THE BELLY OF OUR NOBEL BEAST SHOULD HAVE BEEN BURNED AWAY DECADES AGO, IF YOU ASK LW-11// LW-11 WELCOMES YOU TO PLANET PRUDENCE ON BEHALF OF MAYOR CLUTH/// ALL PRAISE MAYOR CLUTH!///]

A recorded trumpet fanfare echoed from inside the droid's cracked casing.

[LW-11 HAS BEEN SENT INTO THIS FILTHY DIVE-TOWN TO DIRECT YOU TO THE MAJOR'S OFFICE. HE FEARS THAT YOU MIGHT GET LOST, OR WORSE, BRUTALLY MURDERED, WITHOUT LW-11'S DIRECTIONS. PRAISE MAYOR CLUTH'S FORESIGHT!]

The fanfare sounded again.

[///IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO FOLLOW LW-11, LW-11 CAN LEAD YOU TO THE DISTRICT C'S MAYOR'S OFFICE! PRAISE LORD MAYOR CLUTH!///]

Another fanfare.

[///OF COURSE, THIS IN AN INVITATION, NOT A COMMAND!/// IGNORE THIS POLITE INVITATION AND YOUR EXIT RIGHTS WILL BE REVOKED, AND THE BORDER GUARDS WILL BE GIVEN A POLITE 'SHOOT-ON-SIGHT' ORDER FROM SAINT CLUTH!/// LORD MAYOR CLUTH IMPLORES YOUR TO ACCEPT HIS INVITATION! ALL HAIL LORD SAINT MAYOR CLUTH!///]

Yet another fanfare cracked from LW-11's internal speaker. The Commando Droid seemed fairly insistent.

@Takumi @Jeremi @amwexia @York
Kayn and Rhaast
@Sark @Raynar Saassin @Ottonomous Ghost @Gummi Bunnies @Jackythejack @District A Subway Streets

"...Not sure what a 'CPU' is, but I'm glad those two are in good hands," Kayn replied before picking up his scythe. "Protection isn't exactly my strong suit," he smiled as he flourished his weapon, turning to leave. "I'll be in the area. If something happens, make some noise. This place is getting more dangerous by the second."


Kayn blinked several times in awe, blown away by the chaos of light and noise. Being right in the middle of a crowded city paled in comparison to the small villages of Ionia. He grimaced a bit as he tried to adjust to the sensory overload.

He looked toward where the flying machines had been going, only to witness the destruction of high-tech buildings. Seeing them crumble as easily as an Ionian village, for once, filled him with fear. "What could possibly have the power to do that...?" he muttered aloud. Perhaps this game would be the death of him. His strength couldn't even compare. "Me. With time, I could bring all of these miserable buildings to the ground. Why don't you go over there, Kayn? You'll never improve without fighting the strong."

The assassin didn't respond, instead opting to ignore the destruction for now and look around for other options. He saw Saltzpyre in the distance, and his eyes narrowed. Asking him to team up against a threat like that was asking for a fight. Maybe there were other Hunted that weren't so zealous?

Before Kayn could begin his search, his eyes caught hold of a monster flickering in and out of sight every few seconds. He immediately rushed to the shadows of nearby buildings and sneaked closer to the being. Perhaps this could be his next kill. Not only could he advance the power of his shadow magic, but having this thing lurk around was too dangerous, especially with Seto and Rena nearby. There was room for only one assassin in this world, and that was Kayn.

He would trail the freak and, using his own powers to blend in with the shadows, watch its movements closely, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.​
District A- Streets
[PING-PING-PING-PING]
View attachment 4650
The creature's radar sounded. Disoriented by his pain and the shrill sound, the creature jumped onto the defensive. His raised his Imperialist arm canon and waved it around frantically in search of a target. His sudden movements made his already weak legs tremble. He fell onto his back and flickered out of sight once again. The jerking glow of his weapon's sights was the only hint to his whereabouts.

"Stay back!" Trace yelled, searching for his foe in the shadows. "The Hunt of a Kriken is not to be interfered with! My prey has been marked! I shall return to her! Get in my way, and my hands are tied. I will kill you! I will---" His voice trembled. His pain was injuries were slowly getting the better of him. "I---will---for my people!"

@Ottonomous Ghost

"Things are finally going according to pla---"

Kurome was cut off when all of a sudden she found herself punched in the jaw by some sort of creature with incredible strength. Caught off guard by the strike, Kurome stumbled backwards before regaining her ground.

"Hmph. I'll send you into a whirlpool of delusion for that."

She readied her Megaphone weapon and prepared for combat against Akuma. She was very exhausted for having pulled such a strong force through a dimension into another, so she wasn't at full strength.​
District A- Uptown
"Hmph! Delusion?" Akuma snorted. "You reek of it."
View attachment 4651
Flames surged forth from Akuma's person. His ki began to rise. He bared his teeth and brought his hands together at his side.

"You aren't worth my time. Not worth my effort. Now fall, before my Shakunestu Hadoken!!"

Akuma forced a flaming ball of ki from his fingers. The ball of light, like the breath of a dragon, consumed the air between them and added it to its mass. The blast exploded mere inches from Kurome's megaphone, dousing her in fire and pain.

"Burn!"


A wave of heat consumed her. The force of the flames was enough to bring beads of sweat to even Victor's skin.

@Raynar Saassin @Crunch





Maya's trained eyes moved from the the plasma gun's breaking of the rocks in front of her. She'd been spotted by some form of alien of some sort. By the look of it, they weren't Helghast or Vektan, so she planned to jet out of there as fast as possible.

She observed the terrain while she ran

Before the rocks broke, she'd have to find a higher place soon so she could snipe.

Either that or slit the alien's throat.

Or escape to live another day.

She would use the items below as a hiding spot until she could ready her STA-61 Sniper Rifle.

She snuck a silencer on her magazine and crouched down as she marked (aimed the crosshairs at) Greedo for death, and took the silenced sniper shot at Greedo. She silently moved again between the boxes, moving with her Sniper Rifle with her.

@Sark

Sewers
Greedo's finger came down upon his trigger like a hammer to an anvil. It was his DT-12 Blaster against her STA-61. Just like the Old West.
View attachment 4652
"MACLUNKEY!"

Greedo shot first, as he always had and always would.

His shot grazed Maya's shoulder and neck, before soaring by and striking the bricks behind her. A messy shot. It didn't do enough damage to warrant a letter home.

Maya's shot, however, had struck true. The her shot struck the Rodian's shoulder and sent him stumbling back. He knocked down a crate or two as he fell.

"Chuba doompa, dopa-maskey kung!" He spat. "Bantha Poodoo!"

Cradling his wound with one hand, Greedo crawled back behind another contraband box. He stayed low, not daring to raise his head above his cover.

"Echuta!" He taunted. "Karking Sleemo!"

@dark
____________________
@York

District B- Lucky Shot's Gun Store
The bell above the Lucky Shot's door rang as the T-800 lumbered through it, grabbing the cashier's attention.

"Ah, a customer!" She cried, turning away from her ledger. "Welcome to the Lucky Shot! If you're looking for covering fire, we've got you covered! We sell bullets by the bucket load. Anything from sniper shells to plasma shots. You strike me as a heavy arms kind of man, so what will it be today? Grenade launchers? A turret machine gun? Plasma launcher or... maybe a couple of bazookas?"

The cashier slapped with eagerly and cried out with verve.

"Go on. Tell me you have to creds for a bazooka?!"

@York
 
Oh. Well. That was so much better than Yashamaru expected. Sheathing his sword, he stood, and bowed. "I thank you for your mercy," he said, a little more genuine than he had been before. To take from Sorc Tormo was a victory in itself. And if he played his cards right, then maybe he could take enough to get his allies out of here... "I am honored to accept this contract, Exalted One. Your Glorious Jewel will be returned to you." There was no point in betraying Jabba. Not only did he absolutely have the power to end all involved in this game, but he was going after Sorc. Something Yashamaru had longed to do the moment he arrived.

@Sark @Atomic Knight @dark

---

What should have been relief at a battle's end turned to mortification. No...that knight, he was just trying to help save a child's life! It was self-defense, not murder! Oh Goddess...this was all her fault. She had done this. Had she left, it would have been a different story. They'd be hurt, but he wouldn't be targeted like this. It should be her, the one with a higher bounty over her head. She was the beast, here. Not those two.

"I'm sorry...I'm so sorry..." Marianne sobbed tearlessly, using Physic once more to give Kruber one last burst of healing. It wouldn't be enough to completely heal the damage Trudgen had done, but it would at least give him a fighting chance. She owed him that much, for cursing him with her existance. Once she had healed him, Marianne turned her heel and fled the mall, out into the streets of District B. That boy had said her blue hair would make her stand out? Good. Maybe out here someone could do Planet Prudence a favor and send her to the Goddess.

@Sark @Atomic Knight @Crunch @Mall -> District B Streets​
 
District A- Casino Backroom
giphy.gif

"Ho ho ho..." The Hutt gurgled. "Mi no Gaggalak. Yanee dah poo noo. No. Mi bosco de mu moolee."

"The Mighty Jabba likes how you speak. He likes how you think. Most of all, he likes how you kneel. But he would not ask you to turn against your allies. That would be bad for business. He has a different contract in mind."

The corners of Hutt's slimy cheeks curled into a smile. Perhaps his cheeks were the only parts of his fat body that were still mobile.

"Dengar no noa-a-uyat. Goo kachu than uyat. No ku. Ku yanah coto da eetha."

"As for Dengar, Jabba believes that he was more trouble than he was worth. As his killer, you have proven yourself to be of more worth to him than some washed-up hunter from Corellia. The contract he is offering you requires skill and subtlety. Dengar lacked these traits."

"Cheespa Champio no Murishani"

"A Champion is more valuable than a Hunter."

"No Murishanis. Mi Moocha Nal Hutta. Ku wan koose rowka copah. Bargon u noa-a-uyat"

"He does not need assassins or body guards. He has assassins and body guards. Tonight, he needs a thief. Whilst intoxicated, Jabba sold an item of value to his partner, Sorc Tormo, for a fraction of its worth. The Exalted One wants Glorious Jewel of Nal Hutta back. He will reward you for your services."

The Droid's tone betrayed his words. Despite his dire warning, he remained chipper and upbeat. He had been programmed to be little else.

"Mi wah ning chee kosthpa murishani tytung ye wanya yoskah."

"And if you cross him, he will place a bounty on your head so large that every bounty hunter in the galaxy will be on your tail. Prudence will only be the beginning. Stay on his Majesty's good side. For your own health."

"Ning Chee? Ku's. No wanta yanee noa-a-uyat."

"As for the rest of the vault, you are welcome to take whatever you please. Jabba does not concern himself with small prizes."

"Ku ye?"

"The Mighty Jabba is offering you a contract, Karasu Tengu. Will you take it?"

@Yun Lee @Atomic Knight


District B- Mall
[BOOM]

Trudgen's cracked mask shattered like glass. Obsidian steel was sent skidding across the food hall's floors, a trail of crimson skidding in its wake. A hundreds camera's flashed. The crowd roared and cheer at Trudgen's death, completely unaware of the danger they had just been in.

TRUDGEN REN HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!
FATE: CRUSHED BY DANIEL DIAZ AND SHOT POINT-BLANK BY MARKUS KRUBER

Markus' collar began to beep.

//BOUNTY ADDED//
//CURRENT BALANCE: 2,011,000 CREDITS//

The large holographic screens that littered the food hall began to flicker. The advertisements they had been playing on loop suddenly stopped playing. They were replaced by a breaking news broadcast.

MURDERER!
MARKUS KRUBER RECORDED KILLING TRUDGEN REN!

The pair are believed to be participants in the controversial Champions of the Arena Tournament on Planet Prudence. Any information regarding the whereabouts of this threat to public safety must be passed on to your local law enforcement agency. Cash rewards will be provided to anyone who can provide information that might lead to the arrest of Markus Kruber. This broadcast is sponsored by the OBLIVION Energy.

BOUNTY RAISED
MARKUS KRUBER WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE
IN ADDITIONAL TO SORC TORMO'S BOUNTY, HANDING MARKUS KRUBER OVER TO THE PRUDENCE POLICE WILL EARN A HUNTER AN ADDITIONAL 1,000,000 CREDITS AND TEMPORARY LEGAL IMMUNITY.

Looks like someone in the city's propaganda office had it in for Mr.Kruber.

The crowd were already reaching for their phones to call in Markus' 'crime'.

@Crunch @Yun Lee @Takumi @Gummi Bunnies @Atomic Knight

District B- Bar--Streets
"Oh, I---sure!" Frost cried nervously. He turned back to the bartender. "Do you, er--- have any spare bottles?"

"Empty bottles?"


"Yeah?"


"No."

"Oh, that's fine..." The Demon stammered. He clumsily pressed the remaining cups together and tried to lift them as a single unit. Two of the remaining six slipped from his grasp and shattered against the floorboards. The bartender rolled her eyes and searched for a mop. An opportunity presented itself. Frost dropped the remaining cups and stretched his tail over the bar. He forced open the registers and removed a handful of credit chips. The bartender was still distracted. The patrons were to drunk to care. He reached over the bottle or two, before bee-lining to the door.


"I've got the driving money you needed, Bag-Girl."

"Damnit! Who did--"

"And we need to hit the road. I say we just follow the skyscrapers and hope for the best?"

Vamp sighed. He tipped his glass back and finished the last dredges of his drink.
View attachment 4648
"Killing Sorc Tormo..." He whispered. "As comfortable as I am with my fate, I will admit that it... troubles me to know that my captor lives. Perhaps he is unworthy. Perhaps he does not deserve to take my life. Perhaps... perhaps..."

Vamp sat up from his seat at the bar and let his stool tip over.

"Fine. I'll come, so long as you don't call me Christ again. It spurs bad memories."

@Jeremi


District C- Slums
"Of course it bothers me too." Ventress snapped under her breath. She gave Chise a side-eyed glare. "Astute observation. I've stood where they stand now. I know exactly how they feel. How they suffer. I'd rather not relive those days, thank you."

The girl smiled up at Chise with wet, hopeful eyes. She took her ring and her tie and held them close to her heart.
"Thank you, Miss! Thank you!"

The Child vanished down a distant alleyway, crying out for her mother. For the first time in decades, a child cried out with joy in the City's Third District.

The child stuck out like a sore thumb against the miserable backdrop. The sound caught they ears of a dozen pariahs. They sheepishly approached the Champions with curious eyes. They pride had been stripped away years ago. They bit the bullet and reached out to the Champions as they passed by...

"Please...."

"Anything... We'll take anything..."

"A coin... A swab of clothing..."

"I've been working my whole life for crumbs... Please! Some food would..."

"--she needs medicine... My child needs medicine... Please.."

Hundreds of desperate hands reached out towards the Champions. They hands were cupped. Their hungry bellies called for them to beg.

"Pleas...!"


"Please..."

"Please..."

"Please..."

There were too many to help. Too many to cry for. Too many hopeless eyes staring out at you. Every broken window you passed presented another shattered face. With every step you took, home seemed to drift further away. The bridge seemed to get further away too. You see nothing but suffering. Nothing but starvation. The scattered, needy starvation could do little but whisper prayers to you... prayers for mercy, prayers for kindness..

[BANG]

A gunshot shook the city to its core. The beggars turned and ran back into their 'homes' and crumbling shelters. They knew who had fired into the skies.

View attachment 4649
[PAN HANDLING IN THE CAPITAL CITY IS A CAPITAL OFFENCE NO MATTER HOW QUIET// CLEAR THE STREETS BEFORE FORCE IS REQUIRED//]

LW-11 lowered its rifle. The remaining pariahs cleared the area.

[///DO NOT GIVE TO THE PARIAHS// THEY'RE DOGS. YOU'RE ENCOURAGING THEM// WE'VE BLOCKADED THIS TOWN FOR A REASON. THESE ANIMALS HAVE NO PLACE IN THE GLORIOUS DISTRICT B// PRAISE MAYOR CLUTH///]

The Commando Droid saluted.

[///LW-11 APOLOGISES// YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE HAD TO SEE THIS CITY'S UNDERBELLY// THE PARASITES THAT CLING TO THE BELLY OF OUR NOBEL BEAST SHOULD HAVE BEEN BURNED AWAY DECADES AGO, IF YOU ASK LW-11// LW-11 WELCOMES YOU TO PLANET PRUDENCE ON BEHALF OF MAYOR CLUTH/// ALL PRAISE MAYOR CLUTH!///]

A recorded trumpet fanfare echoed from inside the droid's cracked casing.

[LW-11 HAS BEEN SENT INTO THIS FILTHY DIVE-TOWN TO DIRECT YOU TO THE MAJOR'S OFFICE. HE FEARS THAT YOU MIGHT GET LOST, OR WORSE, BRUTALLY MURDERED, WITHOUT LW-11'S DIRECTIONS. PRAISE MAYOR CLUTH'S FORESIGHT!]

The fanfare sounded again.

[///IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO FOLLOW LW-11, LW-11 CAN LEAD YOU TO THE DISTRICT C'S MAYOR'S OFFICE! PRAISE LORD MAYOR CLUTH!///]

Another fanfare.

[///OF COURSE, THIS IN AN INVITATION, NOT A COMMAND!/// IGNORE THIS POLITE INVITATION AND YOUR EXIT RIGHTS WILL BE REVOKED, AND THE BORDER GUARDS WILL BE GIVEN A POLITE 'SHOOT-ON-SIGHT' ORDER FROM SAINT CLUTH!/// LORD MAYOR CLUTH IMPLORES YOUR TO ACCEPT HIS INVITATION! ALL HAIL LORD SAINT MAYOR CLUTH!///]

Yet another fanfare cracked from LW-11's internal speaker. The Commando Droid seemed fairly insistent.

@Takumi @Jeremi @amwexia @York

District A- Streets
[PING-PING-PING-PING]
View attachment 4650
The creature's radar sounded. Disoriented by his pain and the shrill sound, the creature jumped onto the defensive. His raised his Imperialist arm canon and waved it around frantically in search of a target. His sudden movements made his already weak legs tremble. He fell onto his back and flickered out of sight once again. The jerking glow of his weapon's sights was the only hint to his whereabouts.

"Stay back!" Trace yelled, searching for his foe in the shadows. "The Hunt of a Kriken is not to be interfered with! My prey has been marked! I shall return to her! Get in my way, and my hands are tied. I will kill you! I will---" His voice trembled. His pain was injuries were slowly getting the better of him. "I---will---for my people!"

@Ottonomous Ghost

District A- Uptown
"Hmph! Delusion?" Akuma snorted. "You reek of it."
View attachment 4651
Flames surged forth from Akuma's person. His ki began to rise. He bared his teeth and brought his hands together at his side.

"You aren't worth my time. Not worth my effort. Now fall, before my Shakunestu Hadoken!!"

Akuma forced a flaming ball of ki from his fingers. The ball of light, like the breath of a dragon, consumed the air between them and added it to its mass. The blast exploded mere inches from Kurome's megaphone, dousing her in fire and pain.

"Burn!"


A wave of heat consumed her. The force of the flames was enough to bring beads of sweat to even Victor's skin.

@Raynar Saassin @Crunch

Sewers
Greedo's finger came down upon his trigger like a hammer to an anvil. It was his DT-12 Blaster against her STA-61. Just like the Old West.
View attachment 4652
"MACLUNKEY!"

Greedo shot first, as he always had and always would.

His shot grazed Maya's shoulder and neck, before soaring by and striking the bricks behind her. A messy shot. It didn't do enough damage to warrant a letter home.

Maya's shot, however, had struck true. The her shot struck the Rodian's shoulder and sent him stumbling back. He knocked down a crate or two as he fell.

"Chuba doompa, dopa-maskey kung!" He spat. "Bantha Poodoo!"

Cradling his wound with one hand, Greedo crawled back behind another contraband box. He stayed low, not daring to raise his head above his cover.

"Echuta!" He taunted. "Karking Sleemo!"

@dark
____________________
@York

District B- Lucky Shot's Gun Store
The bell above the Lucky Shot's door rang as the T-800 lumbered through it, grabbing the cashier's attention.

"Ah, a customer!" She cried, turning away from her ledger. "Welcome to the Lucky Shot! If you're looking for covering fire, we've got you covered! We sell bullets by the bucket load. Anything from sniper shells to plasma shots. You strike me as a heavy arms kind of man, so what will it be today? Grenade launchers? A turret machine gun? Plasma launcher or... maybe a couple of bazookas?"

The cashier slapped with eagerly and cried out with verve.

"Go on. Tell me you have to creds for a bazooka?!"

@York

"Everyone has faced some form of suffering in their life. Just looking at them makes me relive moments I'd rather not, but--" she muttered loud enough for Ventress to hear amongst the begging of the broken and hopeless, until the gunshot cut her off. Bringing her hands to her ears, she winced at the sound, before her gaze leveled on the droid as it spoke to them, removing her hands from her ears once the shooting stopped.

18e7686f81a291262f117ef3f493e3c1306bc9f3.jpg


"..."

'Even I can tell that it's a command and not a polite invitation.' Chise thought.

65a4a0118819db20844168441116cb2bd07b2917.jpg


"If you insist, then I guess we must." She said, unenthusiastic and a bit blunt.

Might as well see what the Mayor wanted, and maybe if she needed to, strong arm him into leaving their group alone--or into not burning the people and their homes to the ground.

@Sark @Jeremi @amwexia @York @District C/The Slums
 
"Of course it bothers me too." Ventress snapped under her breath. She gave Chise a side-eyed glare. "Astute observation. I've stood where they stand now. I know exactly how they feel. How they suffer. I'd rather not relive those days, thank you."

The girl smiled up at Chise with wet, hopeful eyes. She took her ring and her tie and held them close to her heart.
"Thank you, Miss! Thank you!"

The Child vanished down a distant alleyway, crying out for her mother. For the first time in decades, a child cried out with joy in the City's Third District.

The child stuck out like a sore thumb against the miserable backdrop. The sound caught they ears of a dozen pariahs. They sheepishly approached the Champions with curious eyes. They pride had been stripped away years ago. They bit the bullet and reached out to the Champions as they passed by...

"Please...."

"Anything... We'll take anything..."

"A coin... A swab of clothing..."

"I've been working my whole life for crumbs... Please! Some food would..."

"--she needs medicine... My child needs medicine... Please.."

Hundreds of desperate hands reached out towards the Champions. They hands were cupped. Their hungry bellies called for them to beg.

"Pleas...!"

"Please..."

"Please..."

"Please..."

There were too many to help. Too many to cry for. Too many hopeless eyes staring out at you. Every broken window you passed presented another shattered face. With every step you took, home seemed to drift further away. The bridge seemed to get further away too. You see nothing but suffering. Nothing but starvation. The scattered, needy starvation could do little but whisper prayers to you... prayers for mercy, prayers for kindness..

[BANG]

A gunshot shook the city to its core. The beggars turned and ran back into their 'homes' and crumbling shelters. They knew who had fired into the skies.

upload_2020-1-22_23-30-33.png

[PAN HANDLING IN THE CAPITAL CITY IS A CAPITAL OFFENCE NO MATTER HOW QUIET// CLEAR THE STREETS BEFORE FORCE IS REQUIRED//]

LW-11 lowered its rifle. The remaining pariahs cleared the area.

[///DO NOT GIVE TO THE PARIAHS// THEY'RE DOGS. YOU'RE ENCOURAGING THEM// WE'VE BLOCKADED THIS TOWN FOR A REASON. THESE ANIMALS HAVE NO PLACE IN THE GLORIOUS DISTRICT B// PRAISE MAYOR CLUTH///]

The Commando Droid saluted.

[///LW-11 APOLOGISES// YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE HAD TO SEE THIS CITY'S UNDERBELLY// THE PARASITES THAT CLING TO THE BELLY OF OUR NOBEL BEAST SHOULD HAVE BEEN BURNED AWAY DECADES AGO, IF YOU ASK LW-11// LW-11 WELCOMES YOU TO PLANET PRUDENCE ON BEHALF OF MAYOR CLUTH/// ALL PRAISE MAYOR CLUTH!///]

A recorded trumpet fanfare echoed from inside the droid's cracked casing.

[LW-11 HAS BEEN SENT INTO THIS FILTHY DIVE-TOWN TO DIRECT YOU TO THE MAJOR'S OFFICE. HE FEARS THAT YOU MIGHT GET LOST, OR WORSE, BRUTALLY MURDERED, WITHOUT LW-11'S DIRECTIONS. PRAISE MAYOR CLUTH'S FORESIGHT!]

The fanfare sounded again.

[///IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO FOLLOW LW-11, LW-11 CAN LEAD YOU TO THE DISTRICT C'S MAYOR'S OFFICE! PRAISE LORD MAYOR CLUTH!///]

Another fanfare.

[///OF COURSE, THIS IN AN INVITATION, NOT A COMMAND!/// IGNORE THIS POLITE INVITATION AND YOUR EXIT RIGHTS WILL BE REVOKED, AND THE BORDER GUARDS WILL BE GIVEN A POLITE 'SHOOT-ON-SIGHT' ORDER FROM SAINT CLUTH!/// LORD MAYOR CLUTH IMPLORES YOUR TO ACCEPT HIS INVITATION! ALL HAIL LORD SAINT MAYOR CLUTH!///]

Yet another fanfare cracked from LW-11's internal speaker. The Commando Droid seemed fairly insistent.

Narancia's eye twitched. His hand rose up to his face as he bit on his thumb to try and stop an angry outrage.

How dare he? How dare he fire upon innocent people like that? They just wanted food! They were suffering! He knew what it was like to live in the streets, poor, alone. He knew what it was like. He also knew that kindness was the only way to help these people.

He saw himself in the people of these slums. Any attack on them was an attack on him.

Narancia stepped forward.


"You bastard!" Narancia says, burning anger evident in his voice, "I'LL MURDER YOU!!!"


Narancia's hair waved wildly, almost as if it was out of pure anger. Anyone who looked at Narancia at the moment could only see black in his eyes.

"AEROSMITH!"

View attachment 4657

Aerosmith flew out of Narancia, flying far above the group. As it got closer to the ground, bullets began to fire rapidly at LW-11!

@Sark @Takumi @Jeremi @York @Lucky
 
District A- Uptown
"Hmph! Delusion?" Akuma snorted. "You reek of it."
upload_2020-1-23_0-12-7.png

Flames surged forth from Akuma's person. His ki began to rise. He bared his teeth and brought his hands together at his side.

"You aren't worth my time. Not worth my effort. Now fall, before my Shakunestu Hadoken!!"

Akuma forced a flaming ball of ki from his fingers. The ball of light, like the breath of a dragon, consumed the air between them and added it to its mass. The blast exploded mere inches from Kurome's megaphone, dousing her in fire and pain.

"Burn!"

A wave of heat consumed her. The force of the flames was enough to bring beads of sweat to even Victor's skin.

"!!!"

Kurome was caught off guard by the flames of Akuma's Shakunestu Hadoken, followed by a wave of immense heat as she was in a very bad state. However she had one saving grace; Dark Purple. The giant CPU reached down and slammed into the ground with her fist, knocking Kurome backwards into a nearby wall, both dealing damage to her as well as slightly putting out some of the flames that were consuming her but she quickly scrambled to douse herself. Now Akuma had to deal with the giant.

"Hope is just an illusion in the end. Now accept your demise!"

She then proceeded to swing both her hands towards Akuma!

@Sark @Crunch @District A/Uptown
--------------------------------------------
"...Not sure what a 'CPU' is, but I'm glad those two are in good hands," Kayn replied before picking up his scythe. "Protection isn't exactly my strong suit," he smiled as he flourished his weapon, turning to leave. "I'll be in the area. If something happens, make some noise. This place is getting more dangerous by the second."

"A CPU is... uh... Oh! They're responsible for looking after a entire nation of people, protecting the innocent, beating up monsters and bad guys that dare threaten peace, that kind of thing."

“Are you sure we want to be at the hotel?” Seto asked as he hurried along after Uzume, now holding onto Rena’s hand again and gently guiding her to make sure she didn’t get lost. “I don’t think staying in public is a good idea. I mean, one of those random people in the subway killed one of the others. I don’t think anyone is going to want to give us peace...”

"Come on, what's the worst that can hap---"

Uzume turned around to Seto before eventually looking towards a source of damage. Flashbacks of irritation and strength hit Uzume's mind as she recognized immediately what was going on.

"--pen... She's back..."

Uzume then extended out her hand and all of a sudden, a Power Button appeared a few inches above her palm. She then slammed it into her chest and all of a sudden she was engulfed in a bright light, as her form changed drastically. Her long red hair remained the same but it became light orange and at the base, is looped in a loose circle, resembling a ribbon, while the rest of the hair runs loose. The hair surrounding her face elongates and her eyes become light blue. She gains a white-themed outfit with accenting of orange and blue.

View attachment 4660

"Transformation Complete!~ Uzume apologies for just up and leaving you boys and girls, but Uzume has a job to do!"

She then jumped up and took flight, flying towards the source of the destruction!

@Sark @Jackythejack @Ottonomous Ghost @Gummi Bunnies @District A/Subway Streets​
 
District A- Casino Backroom
giphy.gif

"Ho ho ho..." The Hutt gurgled. "Mi no Gaggalak. Yanee dah poo noo. No. Mi bosco de mu moolee."

"The Mighty Jabba likes how you speak. He likes how you think. Most of all, he likes how you kneel. But he would not ask you to turn against your allies. That would be bad for business. He has a different contract in mind."

The corners of Hutt's slimy cheeks curled into a smile. Perhaps his cheeks were the only parts of his fat body that were still mobile.

"Dengar no noa-a-uyat. Goo kachu than uyat. No ku. Ku yanah coto da eetha."

"As for Dengar, Jabba believes that he was more trouble than he was worth. As his killer, you have proven yourself to be of more worth to him than some washed-up hunter from Corellia. The contract he is offering you requires skill and subtlety. Dengar lacked these traits."

"Cheespa Champio no Murishani"

"A Champion is more valuable than a Hunter."

"No Murishanis. Mi Moocha Nal Hutta. Ku wan koose rowka copah. Bargon u noa-a-uyat"

"He does not need assassins or body guards. He has assassins and body guards. Tonight, he needs a thief. Whilst intoxicated, Jabba sold an item of value to his partner, Sorc Tormo, for a fraction of its worth. The Exalted One wants Glorious Jewel of Nal Hutta back. He will reward you for your services."

The Droid's tone betrayed his words. Despite his dire warning, he remained chipper and upbeat. He had been programmed to be little else.

"Mi wah ning chee kosthpa murishani tytung ye wanya yoskah."

"And if you cross him, he will place a bounty on your head so large that every bounty hunter in the galaxy will be on your tail. Prudence will only be the beginning. Stay on his Majesty's good side. For your own health."

"Ning Chee? Ku's. No wanta yanee noa-a-uyat."

"As for the rest of the vault, you are welcome to take whatever you please. Jabba does not concern himself with small prizes."

"Ku ye?"

"The Mighty Jabba is offering you a contract, Karasu Tengu. Will you take it?"

@Yun Lee @Atomic Knight


District B- Mall
[BOOM]

Trudgen's cracked mask shattered like glass. Obsidian steel was sent skidding across the food hall's floors, a trail of crimson skidding in its wake. A hundreds camera's flashed. The crowd roared and cheer at Trudgen's death, completely unaware of the danger they had just been in.

TRUDGEN REN HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!
FATE: CRUSHED BY DANIEL DIAZ AND SHOT POINT-BLANK BY MARKUS KRUBER


Markus' collar began to beep.

//BOUNTY ADDED//
//CURRENT BALANCE: 2,011,000 CREDITS//


The large holographic screens that littered the food hall began to flicker. The advertisements they had been playing on loop suddenly stopped playing. They were replaced by a breaking news broadcast.

MURDERER!
MARKUS KRUBER RECORDED KILLING TRUDGEN REN!

The pair are believed to be participants in the controversial Champions of the Arena Tournament on Planet Prudence. Any information regarding the whereabouts of this threat to public safety must be passed on to your local law enforcement agency. Cash rewards will be provided to anyone who can provide information that might lead to the arrest of Markus Kruber. This broadcast is sponsored by the OBLIVION Energy.

BOUNTY RAISED
MARKUS KRUBER WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE
IN ADDITIONAL TO SORC TORMO'S BOUNTY, HANDING MARKUS KRUBER OVER TO THE PRUDENCE POLICE WILL EARN A HUNTER AN ADDITIONAL 1,000,000 CREDITS AND TEMPORARY LEGAL IMMUNITY.


Looks like someone in the city's propaganda office had it in for Mr.Kruber.

The crowd were already reaching for their phones to call in Markus' 'crime'.

@Crunch @Yun Lee @Takumi @Gummi Bunnies @Atomic Knight

District B- Bar--Streets
"Oh, I---sure!" Frost cried nervously. He turned back to the bartender. "Do you, er--- have any spare bottles?"

"Empty bottles?"

"Yeah?"

"No."

"Oh, that's fine..." The Demon stammered. He clumsily pressed the remaining cups together and tried to lift them as a single unit. Two of the remaining six slipped from his grasp and shattered against the floorboards. The bartender rolled her eyes and searched for a mop. An opportunity presented itself. Frost dropped the remaining cups and stretched his tail over the bar. He forced open the registers and removed a handful of credit chips. The bartender was still distracted. The patrons were to drunk to care. He reached over the bottle or two, before bee-lining to the door.


"I've got the driving money you needed, Bag-Girl."

"Damnit! Who did--"

"And we need to hit the road. I say we just follow the skyscrapers and hope for the best?"

Vamp sighed. He tipped his glass back and finished the last dredges of his drink.
View attachment 4648
"Killing Sorc Tormo..." He whispered. "As comfortable as I am with my fate, I will admit that it... troubles me to know that my captor lives. Perhaps he is unworthy. Perhaps he does not deserve to take my life. Perhaps... perhaps..."

Vamp sat up from his seat at the bar and let his stool tip over.

"Fine. I'll come, so long as you don't call me Christ again. It spurs bad memories."

@Jeremi


District C- Slums
"Of course it bothers me too." Ventress snapped under her breath. She gave Chise a side-eyed glare. "Astute observation. I've stood where they stand now. I know exactly how they feel. How they suffer. I'd rather not relive those days, thank you."

The girl smiled up at Chise with wet, hopeful eyes. She took her ring and her tie and held them close to her heart.
"Thank you, Miss! Thank you!"

The Child vanished down a distant alleyway, crying out for her mother. For the first time in decades, a child cried out with joy in the City's Third District.

The child stuck out like a sore thumb against the miserable backdrop. The sound caught they ears of a dozen pariahs. They sheepishly approached the Champions with curious eyes. They pride had been stripped away years ago. They bit the bullet and reached out to the Champions as they passed by...

"Please...."

"Anything... We'll take anything..."

"A coin... A swab of clothing..."

"I've been working my whole life for crumbs... Please! Some food would..."

"--she needs medicine... My child needs medicine... Please.."

Hundreds of desperate hands reached out towards the Champions. They hands were cupped. Their hungry bellies called for them to beg.

"Pleas...!"

"Please..."

"Please..."

"Please..."

There were too many to help. Too many to cry for. Too many hopeless eyes staring out at you. Every broken window you passed presented another shattered face. With every step you took, home seemed to drift further away. The bridge seemed to get further away too. You see nothing but suffering. Nothing but starvation. The scattered, needy starvation could do little but whisper prayers to you... prayers for mercy, prayers for kindness..

[BANG]

A gunshot shook the city to its core. The beggars turned and ran back into their 'homes' and crumbling shelters. They knew who had fired into the skies.

View attachment 4649
[PAN HANDLING IN THE CAPITAL CITY IS A CAPITAL OFFENCE NO MATTER HOW QUIET// CLEAR THE STREETS BEFORE FORCE IS REQUIRED//]

LW-11 lowered its rifle. The remaining pariahs cleared the area.

[///DO NOT GIVE TO THE PARIAHS// THEY'RE DOGS. YOU'RE ENCOURAGING THEM// WE'VE BLOCKADED THIS TOWN FOR A REASON. THESE ANIMALS HAVE NO PLACE IN THE GLORIOUS DISTRICT B// PRAISE MAYOR CLUTH///]

The Commando Droid saluted.

[///LW-11 APOLOGISES// YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE HAD TO SEE THIS CITY'S UNDERBELLY// THE PARASITES THAT CLING TO THE BELLY OF OUR NOBEL BEAST SHOULD HAVE BEEN BURNED AWAY DECADES AGO, IF YOU ASK LW-11// LW-11 WELCOMES YOU TO PLANET PRUDENCE ON BEHALF OF MAYOR CLUTH/// ALL PRAISE MAYOR CLUTH!///]

A recorded trumpet fanfare echoed from inside the droid's cracked casing.

[LW-11 HAS BEEN SENT INTO THIS FILTHY DIVE-TOWN TO DIRECT YOU TO THE MAJOR'S OFFICE. HE FEARS THAT YOU MIGHT GET LOST, OR WORSE, BRUTALLY MURDERED, WITHOUT LW-11'S DIRECTIONS. PRAISE MAYOR CLUTH'S FORESIGHT!]

The fanfare sounded again.

[///IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO FOLLOW LW-11, LW-11 CAN LEAD YOU TO THE DISTRICT C'S MAYOR'S OFFICE! PRAISE LORD MAYOR CLUTH!///]

Another fanfare.

[///OF COURSE, THIS IN AN INVITATION, NOT A COMMAND!/// IGNORE THIS POLITE INVITATION AND YOUR EXIT RIGHTS WILL BE REVOKED, AND THE BORDER GUARDS WILL BE GIVEN A POLITE 'SHOOT-ON-SIGHT' ORDER FROM SAINT CLUTH!/// LORD MAYOR CLUTH IMPLORES YOUR TO ACCEPT HIS INVITATION! ALL HAIL LORD SAINT MAYOR CLUTH!///]

Yet another fanfare cracked from LW-11's internal speaker. The Commando Droid seemed fairly insistent.

@Takumi @Jeremi @amwexia @York

District A- Streets
[PING-PING-PING-PING]
View attachment 4650
The creature's radar sounded. Disoriented by his pain and the shrill sound, the creature jumped onto the defensive. His raised his Imperialist arm canon and waved it around frantically in search of a target. His sudden movements made his already weak legs tremble. He fell onto his back and flickered out of sight once again. The jerking glow of his weapon's sights was the only hint to his whereabouts.

"Stay back!" Trace yelled, searching for his foe in the shadows. "The Hunt of a Kriken is not to be interfered with! My prey has been marked! I shall return to her! Get in my way, and my hands are tied. I will kill you! I will---" His voice trembled. His pain was injuries were slowly getting the better of him. "I---will---for my people!"

@Ottonomous Ghost

District A- Uptown
"Hmph! Delusion?" Akuma snorted. "You reek of it."
View attachment 4651
Flames surged forth from Akuma's person. His ki began to rise. He bared his teeth and brought his hands together at his side.

"You aren't worth my time. Not worth my effort. Now fall, before my Shakunestu Hadoken!!"

Akuma forced a flaming ball of ki from his fingers. The ball of light, like the breath of a dragon, consumed the air between them and added it to its mass. The blast exploded mere inches from Kurome's megaphone, dousing her in fire and pain.

"Burn!"

A wave of heat consumed her. The force of the flames was enough to bring beads of sweat to even Victor's skin.

@Raynar Saassin @Crunch

Sewers
Greedo's finger came down upon his trigger like a hammer to an anvil. It was his DT-12 Blaster against her STA-61. Just like the Old West.
View attachment 4652
"MACLUNKEY!"

Greedo shot first, as he always had and always would.

His shot grazed Maya's shoulder and neck, before soaring by and striking the bricks behind her. A messy shot. It didn't do enough damage to warrant a letter home.

Maya's shot, however, had struck true. The her shot struck the Rodian's shoulder and sent him stumbling back. He knocked down a crate or two as he fell.

"Chuba doompa, dopa-maskey kung!" He spat. "Bantha Poodoo!"

Cradling his wound with one hand, Greedo crawled back behind another contraband box. He stayed low, not daring to raise his head above his cover.

"Echuta!" He taunted. "Karking Sleemo!"

@dark
____________________
@York

District B- Lucky Shot's Gun Store
The bell above the Lucky Shot's door rang as the T-800 lumbered through it, grabbing the cashier's attention.

"Ah, a customer!" She cried, turning away from her ledger. "Welcome to the Lucky Shot! If you're looking for covering fire, we've got you covered! We sell bullets by the bucket load. Anything from sniper shells to plasma shots. You strike me as a heavy arms kind of man, so what will it be today? Grenade launchers? A turret machine gun? Plasma launcher or... maybe a couple of bazookas?"

The cashier slapped with eagerly and cried out with verve.

"Go on. Tell me you have to creds for a bazooka?!"

@York

“How fucking stupid are you really?” Bad Girl snapped at Frost. “It’s Bad Girl. B-A-D G-I-R-L. Get your fucking shit together already!”
To Vamp she just flashed a manic grin. “Mental problems because of bad childhood huh? Well get in fucking line.” She took two more shots from Frost before she started to leave the bar. “When I’m done with that fucker he’s going to look like a fucking Jackson Pollock painting!”

@Sark




Well, that sounded like the complete opposite of what he was saying! Eight Hearts thought to himself as he listened to the droid. Still…perhaps it would be wise to meet this Major. They can figure out a plan once they’ve got an audience and-



Narancia's eye twitched. His hand rose up to his face as he bit on his thumb to try and stop an angry outrage.

How dare he? How dare he fire upon innocent people like that? They just wanted food! They were suffering! He knew what it was like to live in the streets, poor, alone. He knew what it was like. He also knew that kindness was the only way to help these people.

He saw himself in the people of these slums. Any attack on them was an attack on him.

Narancia stepped forward.


"You bastard!" Narancia says, burning anger evident in his voice, "I'LL MURDER YOU!!!"


Narancia's hair waved wildly, almost as if it was out of pure anger. Anyone who looked at Narancia at the moment could only see black in his eyes.

"AEROSMITH!"

View attachment 4657

Aerosmith flew out of Narancia, flying far above the group. As it got closer to the ground, bullets began to fire rapidly at LW-11!

@Sark @Takumi @Jeremi @York @Lucky


“Mister LW-11 get down!” Eight Hearts leaped over the droid to push him and himself away from the gunfire. “Thank the heavens!” He then exclaimed pushing him away. “Young Narancia was lucky to spot the bastard!” He hoped this was going to work. “You see the poor child is deathly afraid of rodents and well there was one as big as a wolf behind you! If he hadn’t acted in the way he did then you would have been attacked by that murderous bastard rodent!"

Eight Hearts turned his attention to Chise. “My lady, could you be so kind as to try and calm the poor child down? I understand phobias are hard to deal with, but he almost hit our new friend!” He’d help LW-11 up from the ground and dust the droid off hoping his ruse had worked. Otherwise, well...giving the masses some scrap metal was one way to pay them, right?

@Sark @Takumi @Jeremi @York @Lucky @amwexia
 
“How fucking stupid are you really?” Bad Girl snapped at Frost. “It’s Bad Girl. B-A-D G-I-R-L. Get your fucking shit together already!”
To Vamp she just flashed a manic grin. “Mental problems because of bad childhood huh? Well get in fucking line.” She took two more shots from Frost before she started to leave the bar. “When I’m done with that fucker he’s going to look like a fucking Jackson Pollock painting!”

@Sark




Well, that sounded like the complete opposite of what he was saying! Eight Hearts thought to himself as he listened to the droid. Still…perhaps it would be wise to meet this Major. They can figure out a plan once they’ve got an audience and-




“Mister LW-11 get down!” Eight Hearts leaped over the droid to push him and himself away from the gunfire. “Thank the heavens!” He then exclaimed pushing him away. “Young Narancia was lucky to spot the bastard!” He hoped this was going to work. “You see the poor child is deathly afraid of rodents and well there was one as big as a wolf behind you! If he hadn’t acted in the way he did then you would have been attacked by that murderous bastard rodent!"

Eight Hearts turned his attention to Chise. “My lady, could you be so kind as to try and calm the poor child down? I understand phobias are hard to deal with, but he almost hit our new friend!” He’d help LW-11 up from the ground and dust the droid off hoping his ruse had worked. Otherwise, well...giving the masses some scrap metal was one way to pay them, right?

@Sark @Takumi @Jeremi @York @Lucky @amwexia



Narancia's eye twitched. His hand rose up to his face as he bit on his thumb to try and stop an angry outrage.

How dare he? How dare he fire upon innocent people like that? They just wanted food! They were suffering! He knew what it was like to live in the streets, poor, alone. He knew what it was like. He also knew that kindness was the only way to help these people.

He saw himself in the people of these slums. Any attack on them was an attack on him.

Narancia stepped forward.


"You bastard!" Narancia says, burning anger evident in his voice, "I'LL MURDER YOU!!!"


Narancia's hair waved wildly, almost as if it was out of pure anger. Anyone who looked at Narancia at the moment could only see black in his eyes.

"AEROSMITH!"

View attachment 4657

Aerosmith flew out of Narancia, flying far above the group. As it got closer to the ground, bullets began to fire rapidly at LW-11!

@Sark @Takumi @Jeremi @York @Lucky

4a0f5ebec0797ed50e8884e2a537c4e4ceeb77d3.jpg


"Of course." She spoke, and if Eight Hearts plan worked, she'd nod and quickly turn to Narancia, placing a hand on his shoulder. While she wasn't sure why exactly Eight Hearts asked her to be the one to do it, she wouldn't complain.

"Narancia, look at me. I need you to call off your Stand right now and take a breath." She spoke calmly.

She gave his shoulder a light squeeze, considering she was using the strength of her cursed arm to keep him still while it looked like she was consoling him. She didn't want to accidentally hurt him in the process however, so she made sure to be extra careful with how much strength she applied.

74b207ad6a647c6f6fb7adcf0a455e67b961e003.jpg


"I need you to play along with whatever Eight Hearts seems to have planned, can you do that? If we do end up meeting this Mayor Cuth, we can't go in guns blazing, okay?" She spoke low enough for only the Stand user to hear, her tone gentle as she tried to calm him and get him to focus.

@Sark @Jeremi @amwexia @Lucky @York @District C/The Slums
 
“How fucking stupid are you really?” Bad Girl snapped at Frost. “It’s Bad Girl. B-A-D G-I-R-L. Get your fucking shit together already!”
To Vamp she just flashed a manic grin. “Mental problems because of bad childhood huh? Well get in fucking line.” She took two more shots from Frost before she started to leave the bar. “When I’m done with that fucker he’s going to look like a fucking Jackson Pollock painting!”

@Sark




Well, that sounded like the complete opposite of what he was saying! Eight Hearts thought to himself as he listened to the droid. Still…perhaps it would be wise to meet this Major. They can figure out a plan once they’ve got an audience and-




“Mister LW-11 get down!” Eight Hearts leaped over the droid to push him and himself away from the gunfire. “Thank the heavens!” He then exclaimed pushing him away. “Young Narancia was lucky to spot the bastard!” He hoped this was going to work. “You see the poor child is deathly afraid of rodents and well there was one as big as a wolf behind you! If he hadn’t acted in the way he did then you would have been attacked by that murderous bastard rodent!"

Eight Hearts turned his attention to Chise. “My lady, could you be so kind as to try and calm the poor child down? I understand phobias are hard to deal with, but he almost hit our new friend!” He’d help LW-11 up from the ground and dust the droid off hoping his ruse had worked. Otherwise, well...giving the masses some scrap metal was one way to pay them, right?

@Sark @Takumi @Jeremi @York @Lucky @amwexia


4a0f5ebec0797ed50e8884e2a537c4e4ceeb77d3.jpg


"Of course." She spoke, and if Eight Hearts plan worked, she'd nod and quickly turn to Narancia, placing a hand on his shoulder. While she wasn't sure why exactly Eight Hearts asked her to be the one to do it, she wouldn't complain.

"Narancia, look at me. I need you to call off your Stand right now and take a breath." She spoke calmly.

She gave his shoulder a light squeeze, considering she was using the strength of her cursed arm to keep him still while it looked like she was consoling him. She didn't want to accidentally hurt him in the process however, so she made sure to be extra careful with how much strength she applied.

74b207ad6a647c6f6fb7adcf0a455e67b961e003.jpg


"I need you to play along with whatever Eight Hearts seems to have planned, can you do that? If we do end up meeting this Mayor Cuth, we can't go in guns blazing, okay?" She spoke low enough for only the Stand user to hear, her tone gentle as she tried to calm him and get him to focus.

@Sark @Jeremi @amwexia @Lucky @York @District C/The Slums

Narancia was ticked off, and was about to yell when he was grabbed by Chise. The restriction caused Aerosmith to retract.

He was furious. He was irate.


"Ugh..." growls Narancia, loud enough so only Chise could hear him, "I want that Cuth bastard dead, though, ya hear me?"

@Takumi
 
District B- Mall
[BOOM]

Trudgen's cracked mask shattered like glass. Obsidian steel was sent skidding across the food hall's floors, a trail of crimson skidding in its wake. A hundreds camera's flashed. The crowd roared and cheer at Trudgen's death, completely unaware of the danger they had just been in.

TRUDGEN REN HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!
FATE: CRUSHED BY DANIEL DIAZ AND SHOT POINT-BLANK BY MARKUS KRUBER


Markus' collar began to beep.

//BOUNTY ADDED//
//CURRENT BALANCE: 2,011,000 CREDITS//


The large holographic screens that littered the food hall began to flicker. The advertisements they had been playing on loop suddenly stopped playing. They were replaced by a breaking news broadcast.

MURDERER!
MARKUS KRUBER RECORDED KILLING TRUDGEN REN!

The pair are believed to be participants in the controversial Champions of the Arena Tournament on Planet Prudence. Any information regarding the whereabouts of this threat to public safety must be passed on to your local law enforcement agency. Cash rewards will be provided to anyone who can provide information that might lead to the arrest of Markus Kruber. This broadcast is sponsored by the OBLIVION Energy.

BOUNTY RAISED
MARKUS KRUBER WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE
IN ADDITIONAL TO SORC TORMO'S BOUNTY, HANDING MARKUS KRUBER OVER TO THE PRUDENCE POLICE WILL EARN A HUNTER AN ADDITIONAL 1,000,000 CREDITS AND TEMPORARY LEGAL IMMUNITY.


Looks like someone in the city's propaganda office had it in for Mr.Kruber.

The crowd were already reaching for their phones to call in Markus' 'crime'.


It was finally done.

Kruber stood tall like a statue, clutching the blunderbuss in two hands as if he expected the bastard to stand up again after having his head blown off. Trudgen's headless corpse did no such thing, remaining motionless on the mall's blood-spattered tiles as the red mist began to dissipate into the air. Markus snarled at the body for no particular reason, hocking a wad of spit on whatever remained of the genocidal knight as he stepped over the growing pool of blood to tear his greatsword free from Trudgen's chest.

The blade, much like the ground surrounding Kruber's feet, was stained in a deep crimson color. He made a conscious effort not to look at whatever was left of Trudgen's head, grimacing at the grisly scene left by his duel. All the while, a crowd of people roared around him like hungry animals, clapping and hollering at the death of another man. If this is another world, then it isn't anything different from the Empire, huh, Markus thought as all the eyes fell upon him.

He caught a glimpse of Daniel and Marianne. He wanted to thank them for saving his life, but he wouldn't get the chance. Black slates of glass suddenly came to life around the 'marketplace', showing a hyperrealistic image of an armored mercenary in a feathered hat holding a smoking gun and standing over the corpse of another man in pitch-black armor. An onslaught of sound from the massive screens nearly threw Kruber off his feet, but enough to sway his gaze from the image they depicted.

"Is that... me?"

Unfortunately, the words that then slowly scrolled across the image weren't as confusing; MARKUS KRUBER WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE

"
... Oh, no," he sputtered, the color in his face draining. "No, no, no..."

His gaze went wild across the crowd. In the span of a few seconds, the mob went from cheering for Kruber to withdrawing small black objects and throwing flashes of light at him, the name 'Markus Kruber' spreading across the crowd's lips like a disease. Above the sea of faces, Markus made out the faint silhouette of the girl who cast her healing magics over him - she was running away again, mouthing the words 'I'm sorry' over and over.

And the young boy with the force magic? Kruber didn't even want to see what his reaction was; he just blew a man's head off in front of a child, and now he's a wanted criminal. This wasn't making any sense. Kruber killed a man who threatened to butcher a whole crowd of good folk, and he's the one who gets the noose? Never thought there'd be a judge more corrupt than the fat pigs in Altdorf.

It always comes down to injustice. This really was a game of survival. Markus sighed.

"Oi, lad," Kruber's deep voice called down to Daniel, wherever he was. He didn't spare the boy a look, instead keeping his eyes on the crowd. "I saved your life, so you owe me a favor. D'you see where that lady with the blue hair went? I need you to follow her, n' keep her from hurting herself. You're lookin' for someone named 'Sean', yeah? She can help you."

"... And, ah, thanks for the help. Don't follow me."


His eyes drifted down to the bloody neck brace that Trudgen was wearing. A swift kick to the side of the thing sent it skidding across the floor, halting at Daniel's feet. Before the boy could do much else, the towering soldier was already on the move; hat lowered and a weapon in each hand, Markus hustled out the Mall's center and searched for a place away from the public's prying eyes, shoving and bowling through the growing crowd of people if he has to.

Whichever place that may be, it didn't matter; as long as the kid didn't try and follow him.

@Sark @Yun Lee @Takumi @Gummi Bunnies @Atomic Knight @District B Mall ---> Literally anywhere away from people




 
The creature's radar sounded. Disoriented by his pain and the shrill sound, the creature jumped onto the defensive. His raised his Imperialist arm canon and waved it around frantically in search of a target. His sudden movements made his already weak legs tremble. He fell onto his back and flickered out of sight once again. The jerking glow of his weapon's sights was the only hint to his whereabouts.

"Stay back!" Trace yelled, searching for his foe in the shadows. "The Hunt of a Kriken is not to be interfered with! My prey has been marked! I shall return to her! Get in my way, and my hands are tied. I will kill you! I will---" His voice trembled. His pain was injuries were slowly getting the better of him. "I---will---for my people!"
Kayn moved in for the kill at first. His cover had been blown; the blaring alarm probably meant that alien could see right through his shadows. He stepped forward, preparing to lunge. But, suddenly, Trace fell to the ground and flailed his weapon, the radar apparently failing him.

Kayn's target was too weak to even stand, let alone fight. He'd have no problem finishing him off.

"---for my people!"

... Bits of doubt arose within his heart after hearing the pained cry. He couldn't help but compare the hunter to a determined Ionian, feebly defending his land from invaders.

He quickly shook the thought from his mind. He could feel Rhaast's corruption creep ever further onto his torso the more he thought about such things, much like before when he was ambushed by Boba Fett.

In any case, the writhing creature on the ground looked like a red Voidling. Something so grotesque didn't deserve to live. Kayn tightened the grip on his weapon as he edged closer before finally leaping out of the shadows. He swiped down onto Trace's arm cannon, which would no doubt rend it inoperable.

If successful, Kayn would step on the broken weapon and aim Rhaast at Trace's head. "It's strange that a parasite like you can talk. But before I end your life, tell me about these 'people' that you speak of. What makes you so important?" he asked arrogantly as curiosity got the better of him. He'd prefer not to kill a conscious being without getting a solid grasp of their character beforehand.​
 
Last edited:





Narancia was ticked off, and was about to yell when he was grabbed by Chise. The restriction caused Aerosmith to retract.

He was furious. He was irate.


"Ugh..." growls Narancia, loud enough so only Chise could hear him, "I want that Cuth bastard dead, though, ya hear me?"

@Takumi

14d0487a9e264200f96a28b9fb8f76e62a57f72e.jpg


"I can't promise that, but if it comes down to it then..." She trailed off for a moment. As much as she didn't like the thought of killing someone, she knew that someone like Cluth couldn't stay in power--not if he treated the people in this district like this and called himself a 'saint' and 'lord'.

"We'll see, okay?" She concluded, giving his shoulder another light squeeze.

19c8bc0d8d9cedd165d0220b0854c19ee1afaf6c.jpg


"Besides, we don't know if the next person to become Mayor would be better or worse than this Cluth fellow, you know?" She added, a small sad smile coming to her face then. If they killed Cluth, chances were someone would take his place--or that they would have more people come down on their heads before they could even find a new Mayor.

No, they couldn't just outright kill Cluth, they needed to get a better reading of the man and the situation that he put them in if he can just revoke their rights to pass and have the border guards 'politely' shoot them on sight. Especially since he so graciously 'invited' them to his place.

She wanted to help these people as much as Narancia and Alice did, but they could only do so much with only a week stuck in this planet to survive. If she did survive the week, she hoped she could find a way to help them like she helped the little girl moments before.

@Sark @Jeremi @Lucky @amwexia
 
A lot of things sort of happened at once so...Seto honestly didn’t know what to respond to. At one moment they were talking about heading into the hotel and then the next there was...well, complete chaos. He didn’t exactly know what to do, but...a hotel room was looking nice right about now. Slowly, he reached for Rena’s hand once again and hurried off towards the hotel.

“It’d be a lot safer inside,” he said quickly as he hurried in and moved towards the front counter. “Excuse me, you can confirm this place is, uh, safe, right?”
@Raynar Saassin @Gummi Bunnies @Sark @Hotel
 
Allison Argent

" Really starting to think that the sewers would have been the better choice. But sure, if it means getting out alive, I will go and see the Warden t get us out of these slums."

@Sark @Slums
 
District A
Kurome's might fists swung from one side of the street to another. Her strength was steadily rising. She had already levelled a handful of buildings. If it weren't for its highly-advanced and very expensive shields, the Compendium Hotel would have no doubt met the same fate as its neighbours. Electricity flooded Kurome's system as she struck the Hotel's shield. Sparks danced across the streets, warming the cheeks of everyone on the streets. Helena. Uzume. Seto. Kayn. Victor. Rena. Recent arrivals like Frost, Bad Girl and Vamp. All felt heat of the overloading shield dance across their skin.

Every glass surface in the tower shattered. The lights that had burned behind the tower's windows began to flicker and fade. It's fire alarms roared.

Suddenly, a wave of blackness washed over the Champions. Time slowed down to a steady crawl. They found themselves floating in the black once again....

THE ANNOUNCEMENT @EVERYONE
"What gets me out of bed in the morning?"
The anthropomorphic energy drink sang. "My job? My wife? My kids? No sir! It's OBLIVION Energy!"

"Who here knows what's best for me?"
The Chorus added. "That's right! OBLIVION Energy!"

The camera zoomed in on the Can's face. He smiled and winked.

The Advertisement faded to black.

"Up next, the Champions of the Arena, the Galaxy's Premier Reality Show! The Highlights of the Past Day's Murder- all the blood, gore, and bludgeoning, brought you by the Haxion Brood's very own Sorc Tormo!"

Applause assaulted your senses. Clapping. Wooing. You were starting to get Deja Vu. The Umbaran Crime Lord flashed a set of perfect teeth as he emerged from the Void. A deluxe leather chair, desk littered with trinkets and large holographic board appeared behind him. He waved to the invisible audience once again, before taking a seat at the heart of his freshly formed talk-show set.
View attachment 4704
"Good Morning, Planet Prudence!" Sorc grinned. The audience cheered. "And welcome to your nightly recap. I hope you're all sitting comfortably--" He picked up his script and straightened its pages against the edge of his desk. "--Because we've got a lot to talk about. But before we dive right into that, I'd like to let you all in on a little secret--"

He reached beneath his desk. He paused for a moment. The suspense rose.

The audience roared as he emerged holding two... children's toys?"

"THAT'S RIGHT LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! OUR EXCLUSIVE CHAMPIONS OF THE ARENA ACTION FIGURES ARE NOW ON SALE! REENACT SOME OF YOUR FAVOURITE FIGHTS FROM THE SHOW, OR DREAM UP SOME OF YOUR OWN! PERFECT FOR CHILDREN YOUNG AND OLD! THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS GIFT! A COLLECTOR'S DREAM!"


He clumsily smashed his toy Kayn into his toy Dengar.

"PEW-PEW-PEW POW-POW STAB STAB!" He spat as his action figures went to war. "Look at Kayn! He comes packaged with his signature sword, Rhaast! That's right, ladies and gents! That's real steel on his sword! If this doesn't get your kid excited about Murder, nothing will!"

'Rhaast' struck Dengar's neck. His plastic head popped clean off.

"Don't worry, babies. These things are easy to fix, so feel free to dismember Dengar as much as you like. If you buy the Replacement Part Pack from your local Triad Toy Store, your Dengar will live longer than the real one! Looks like this fight's going to end in Toy-Kayn's favour... unless--"

Sorc pulled out a small, plastic OBLIVION Energy can and placed it in Toy-Dengar's hand.

"GLUG! GLUG! GLUG!" He cried has he 'poured' the 'drink' into the Bounty Hunter's neck-hole. "Through the miracle of OBLIVION energy, Dengar has found his second wind! Who needs a head when you've got OBLIVION, right folks!"

He started smashing his toys together once again.

"PEW PEW PEW PEW POW POW BOOM! Who will emerge victorious? You decide! These babies will be available for purchase in all participating stores in an hour's time. Get yours before they sell out. Only 8,000 credits a piece and--- oh! Look at that! I've gotten carried away again!" Sorc laughed and threw his toys behind him. "I've spent all this time gushing about my new favourite toys, and now I've forgotten what I came here to talk about. Who here can remind me what this show's supposed to be about?"

"THE MURDER!"

The Audience roared.

"That's right folks! The Game Started just 2 short hours ago, and look at all my babies have accomplished! 5 dead hunters and it's barely 10pm! It's been an amazing show so far! Now, you're probably all asking yourselves:

"SORC! WHY ARE YOU GIVING US OUR UPDATE NOW? WHY SO EARLY?

"Believe me. I was about to ask myself the same thing. Stay tuned, babies. Your answers are coming.

"You see, tonight's update isn't about celebrating the night's murders. Oh, no-sir-ee. That update will be coming in the morning. I've climbed out of bed to let you all know about a little change that will be happening to this week's game. The goal posts have been moved! The rules have been changed!

"Here's the deal:"


Sorc Tormo's eyes bet yours. His stare grew colder.

"Kurome Ankokuboshi." He growled. "You destroyed 3 buildings in District A. Hundreds of lives were were lost. More importantly, the lives of potential viewers were lost. The lived of potential OBLIVION customers were lost. Lives of potential Champion Action Figure Customers were lost. On top of that, the corpses you're piling up won't be paying me any more rent. The icing on the cake? Your last attack damaged my hotel."

He breathed in deeply through his nose and sighed.

"You're costing me money, Kurome Ankokuboshi. You're eating into my profit margin. I won't stand idle whilst your fat fingers pick my pockets. This game will stay profitable. If not, you will die. If another skyscraper falls, two of you will die. The first will be whoever destroyed the skyscraper. The second will be selected at random. Don't test me, Kurome, or OBLIVION energy wont be the only oblivion you face today."

Tormo leaned back in his chair. He cupped his hands behind his head.

"You've already cost me a lot of money, Kurome. Too much money. I could kill you right now, but disqualifications are bad for business. Unsportsmanlike. So I'm giving you a second chance. I won't punish you alone for the damage you have caused. I'll punish everyone. Fair is fair.

"Ever head of the Law of Scarcity? It's a fancy business term a Hutt taught me. I'll put it simply. The less of something there is, the more valuable it becomes. Here's an example. My show? It's going to have about 14 episodes. One in the morning, one at night. Maybe a bonus episode or two. Every episode will have a sponsor or two. There are plenty of chances for Brands to get a slice of the MurderWorld pie...

"But if I were to... say, cut down my show from 14 episodes to... say... 4? I could start a bidding war. Companies would crawl over each other to become my sponsors. I've spoken to the boys in advertising. If I play my cards right, I could make more money in two days than I could in seven.

"Here's how its going to go down. You'll pay me for my troubles. Not in credits, but in time. You've forfeited 5 days. This game? It just got a whole lot shorter. You've got 2 days to live. 48 hours, starting now.


DAY ONE: THE DEEP END


You'll hunt for me. You'll kill for me.

DAY TWO: THE EVEN DEEPER END

And you'll do it
quickly.

DAY THREE: THE DEEPEST END

It's going to be glorious 48 hours. Cinematic. Raw. Dramatic. Full of blood and gore.

DAY FOUR: IT DOESN'T GET DEEPER THAN THIS

No more Mr-Nice-Tormo. We're going to Hollywood, babies. Pinch your noses and jump right in.

DAY FIVE: AAAAAGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!

"This is a win-win situation. I get a more action packed, profitable show. And you? You're going to get your asses in gear and a crap ton more exposure. Viewers will come pouring in to catch your reactions. Welcome to MurderWorld II, babies. I may not have a sea of killer bees to my name, but I can still make you suffer."

Sorc Tormo took a quick swing of his OBLIVION.

"Enjoy your final days. I know I will...."

DAY SIX: CONSEQUENCES
48 HOURS REMAINING
CURRENT TIME: 10:01PM
CHAMPIONS REMAINING: 45/50/ ESTIMATED VIEWERS: 42 BILLION/ BOUNTIES PER KILL: 2,000,000/ CURRENT DEBTS: 40,000,000
Mistakes have been made. It's too late to go back now.

You snap back to reality.

@District A
Those wanted to get into the hotel would find its doors swung wide open. Its emergency locks had been overridden. The only thing standing between them and the row of keys that hung from the lobby's back was a young, scared bellboy.

"Safe?" The Bellboy stammered, his eyes locking onto Seto's. "I don't think anywhere's safe anymore..."

Those standing out in the streets could hear the cops closing in. Sirens roared.

"Parasite?" Trace snapped. "I am a Kricken. A Hunter! A Warrior! Proud! Strong!" He coughed, his strength failing him. "Am an exile, cast from my camp. This game was to be my Rite of Passage. I could return to my brood with honour. Dignity." He did his best to slowly push Kayn's blade aside and crawl a little further down the straight. "The least I can do now is settle for a good death. One in battle. Or better yet, revenge---" He spat onto the concrete. "---To lick my wounds and hunt that monster another day..."

@Jeremi @Crunch @Raynar Saassin @Jackythejack @Gummi Bunnies @Minerva

@Casino
Jabba laughed, his belly heaving. He knew exactly what the hunters had seen. The Champions could barely hear him croak. Outside their private booth, the Casino was going wild. Bets were being doubled. Tripled. Quadrupled.

"I trust that you are still interested in the Exhaled One's offer, thief? The Jewel gathers dust in the Sacred Vault of the Silverball Bank. If you are as effective as your reputation would have us believe... this job could take no less than two hours."

@Yun Lee @Atomic Knight @dark
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top