1x1 War Stories

[Blacksmith]

It sounded pretty peaceful actually, especially once the descriptions registered. From the sound of it, the High Commission seemed used to going out themselves to deal with problems. That was either due to a lack of funding or this Mewni was nominally easy to care for.

Or they just preferred field work over paperwork, a sentiment he certainly shared in spades. As they walked, he considered all this carefully before finally asking.

"So you'd be privy to a rogues list of folks from your world, willing to start something like this. Off the top of your head, who is the most likely suspect to collaborate with outside powers?"

@Raptor Jesus​

 

[Raptor Jesus]

It sounded pretty peaceful actually, especially once the descriptions registered. From the sound of it, the High Commission seemed used to going out themselves to deal with problems. That was either due to a lack of funding or this Mewni was nominally easy to care for.

Or they just preferred field work over paperwork, a sentiment he certainly shared in spades. As they walked, he considered all this carefully before finally asking.

"So you'd be privy to a rogues list of folks from your world, willing to start something like this. Off the top of your head, who is the most likely suspect to collaborate with outside powers?"

@Raptor Jesus​

"Uhhhh... well, I'd have to say Ludo would have to be the only one desperate enough to try something like this, but he wouldn't have gotten this far without getting caught.

The only other person I could think of who's even remotely capable of pulling this off is...." Hekapoo would pause for a long moment before eventually shaking her head, seeming to write off whatever idea she had as soon as it popped into her mind. "No no... it can't be him." She said in an almost nervous tone as she continued onwards.

@Blacksmith​

 

[Blacksmith]

"Uhhhh... well, I'd have to say Ludo would have to be the only one desperate enough to try something like this, but he wouldn't have gotten this far without getting caught.

The only other person I could think of who's even remotely capable of pulling this off is...." Hekapoo would pause for a long moment before eventually shaking her head, seeming to write off whatever idea she had as soon as it popped into her mind. "No no... it can't be him." She said in an almost nervous tone as she continued onwards.

@Blacksmith​

Well, that was ominous in its own way. For his part, Lucifer decided it could wait for now. There was no gain in determining who it was just yet not without further evidence. So with that in mind, he opted for silence as he made his way with Heckapoo towards the block in question. Soon enough, there were signs aplenty to denote the truth of their unwilling source.

There was a grime in the air and on the walls that mere filth could not replicate. The air became enclosed, like entering a tomb. Decaying flesh and rot now saturated their surroundings, one among many contributing to the foreboding air. Lucifer glanced at his hand, noting the trembling appendage and nodded in satisfaction. In quiet tones, he spoke.

"Boundary field. We passed into its borders a few steps back. It's lazily done, meant more to drive civilians away if they pass down here. This one seems to just try to scare people." He looked away from his hand, slowly giving off a smirk as he made a fist.

"We're getting close."

From a nearby tunnel, the sound of a shuffling footfall heading their way was heard...

@Raptor Jesus

 

[Raptor Jesus]

Well, that was ominous in its own way. For his part, Lucifer decided it could wait for now. There was no gain in determining who it was just yet not without further evidence. So with that in mind, he opted for silence as he made his way with Heckapoo towards the block in question. Soon enough, there were signs aplenty to denote the truth of their unwilling source.

There was a grime in the air and on the walls that mere filth could not replicate. The air became enclosed, like entering a tomb. Decaying flesh and rot now saturated their surroundings, one among many contributing to the foreboding air. Lucifer glanced at his hand, noting the trembling appendage and nodded in satisfaction. In quiet tones, he spoke.

"Boundary field. We passed into its borders a few steps back. It's lazily done, meant more to drive civilians away if they pass down here. This one seems to just try to scare people." He looked away from his hand, slowly giving off a smirk as he made a fist.

"We're getting close."

From a nearby tunnel, the sound of a shuffling footfall heading their way was heard...

@Raptor Jesus

"Well, it'll take more than a couple of dead bodies to scare off 'ole Hekapoo." The forger replied rather confidently as they continued through the corridor, not seeming to give off any hint of fear.

Once they approached the tunnel, Hekapoo only tugged out her daggers again as she silently waited from behind a nearby wall, trying to go for a more stealthy approach here.

@Blacksmith​

 

[Blacksmith]

Lucifer faded into the shadows, the act almost magic. One moment there, next he was not. It was just in time as well as the following came up into view.

The beings were clad in riot gear, in varying types and forms. With diverse symbols of government, it was clear these were salvaged and that slap-happy array of weaponry proved that much. The second bit about them was the smell of rot, lingering heavily in their aura as eyes gleamed with purple light. A force that could fight and work, even bypassing life scanning.

They were already dead after all.

@Raptor Jesus​

 

[Raptor Jesus]

Lucifer faded into the shadows, the act almost magic. One moment there, next he was not. It was just in time as well as the following came up into view.

The beings were clad in riot gear, in varying types and forms. With diverse symbols of government, it was clear these were salvaged and that slap-happy array of weaponry proved that much. The second bit about them was the smell of rot, lingering heavily in their aura as eyes gleamed with purple light. A force that could fight and work, even bypassing life scanning.

They were already dead after all.

@Raptor Jesus​

"Great. I just love dealing with the undead.." Hekapoo barked in a low whisper as she examined the group of zombified soldiers heading her and Lucifer's way. When her partner suddenly disappeared out of nowhere.

"Hey, what gives!?" She exclaimed angrily in a voice as loud as she could muster without alerting the zombies ahead.

@Blacksmith​

 

[Blacksmith]

"Great. I just love dealing with the undead.." Hekapoo barked in a low whisper as she examined the group of zombified soldiers heading her and Lucifer's way. When her partner suddenly disappeared out of nowhere.

"Hey, what gives!?" She exclaimed angrily in a voice as loud as she could muster without alerting the zombies ahead.

@Blacksmith​

There was no word from her companion, but the undead that marched past did so in synchronization. They didn't seem to sense Heckapoo, and oddly enough they didn't seem to be a patrol either. Within the middle, a hover-trolly with a sealed crate would be pushed by the creatures. Behind the undead, something bigger would be moving. It towered above the undead, it's head nearly scraping the ceiling. The ground shook with its footfall and liquid shadow obscured it's form.

At one moment, this creature paused as it looked at its surroundings before turning as it kept on going.

Soon enough unless alerted, the strange group would turn a corner and was out of sight.

@Raptor Jesus

 

[Raptor Jesus]

There was no word from her companion, but the undead that marched past did so in synchronization. They didn't seem to sense Heckapoo, and oddly enough they didn't seem to be a patrol either. Within the middle, a hover-trolly with a sealed crate would be pushed by the creatures. Behind the undead, something bigger would be moving. It towered above the undead, it's head nearly scraping the ceiling. The ground shook with its footfall and liquid shadow obscured it's form.

At one moment, this creature paused as it looked at its surroundings before turning as it kept on going.

Soon enough unless alerted, the strange group would turn a corner and was out of sight.

@Raptor Jesus

Hekapoo stared at the towering figure with wide eyes, almost letting out a gasp in surprise before she abruptly stopped herself from doing so, instead covering her mouth until the giant was out of sight.

"Hey, fleshwad! They're gone now!" Hekapoo shouted, still speaking in a low whisper. She secretly a bit too afraid of heading forward without the guy who knew this prison inside and out.

@Blacksmith​

 

[Blacksmith]

Hekapoo stared at the towering figure with wide eyes, almost letting out a gasp in surprise before she abruptly stopped herself from doing so, instead covering her mouth until the giant was out of sight.

"Hey, fleshwad! They're gone now!" Hekapoo shouted, still speaking in a low whisper. She secretly a bit too afraid of heading forward without the guy who knew this prison inside and out.

@Blacksmith​

"So I gathered."

There was suddenly a deeper shadow in the dark and with the flick of a lighter, Lucifer was once more there. The flame flickered in the dark, it's fluttering looked at intently by the Damphir before he put out the fire. Aloud, he spoke calmly.

"There's an exit somewhere back where that lot came in. The air is flowing when it should be stagnant. Considering what they were pushing along, I trust we'll find them soon. So."

He looked at Heckapoo, eyes gleaming quietly.

"How well are you at seeing in the dark?"

@Raptor Jesus​

 

[Raptor Jesus]

"So I gathered."

There was suddenly a deeper shadow in the dark and with the flick of a lighter, Lucifer was once more there. The flame flickered in the dark, it's fluttering looked at intently by the Damphir before he put out the fire. Aloud, he spoke calmly.

"There's an exit somewhere back where that lot came in. The air is flowing when it should be stagnant. Considering what they were pushing along, I trust we'll find them soon. So."

He looked at Heckapoo, eyes gleaming quietly.

"How well are you at seeing in the dark?"

@Raptor Jesus​

In response to Lucifer's last inquiry, Hekapoo would only smirk, casually balling up her fist and resting it on her hip as she held out her other hand and opened up her palm, a small flame appearing in her hand as she did so.

"I can handle seeing in the dark just fine, hot stuff." Hekapoo replied before closing up her fist, the flame dispersing as she did so.

"But uh... what exactly were they carrying in that crate? Must have been pretty important if they had a whole squad of zombies guarding it." Hekapoo asked, seeming a bit nervous as she did so but overall managing to maintain her cool.

@Blacksmith​

 

[Blacksmith]

In response to Lucifer's last inquiry, Hekapoo would only smirk, casually balling up her fist and resting it on her hip as she held out her other hand and opened up her palm, a small flame appearing in her hand as she did so.

"I can handle seeing in the dark just fine, hot stuff." Hekapoo replied before closing up her fist, the flame dispersing as she did so.

"But uh... what exactly were they carrying in that crate? Must have been pretty important if they had a whole squad of zombies guarding it." Hekapoo asked, seeming a bit nervous as she did so but overall managing to maintain her cool.

@Blacksmith​

"Oh, no doubt. It's just that they'll see you coming in these dark confines if you use a light. I might have something that could aid you. Or...." He looked her up and down, one foot tapping lightly as he considered her before continuing.

"You don't look as though you weigh much. If I carry you, we should be able to move swifter and more silently."

@Raptor Jesus​

 

[Raptor Jesus]

"Oh, no doubt. It's just that they'll see you coming in these dark confines if you use a light. I might have something that could aid you. Or...." He looked her up and down, one foot tapping lightly as he considered her before continuing.

"You don't look as though you weigh much. If I carry you, we should be able to move swifter and more silently."

@Raptor Jesus​

Hekapoo paused for a moment when Lucifer asked if he could carry her, unsure of how to respond at first. On one hand, she wasn't exactly a fan of some guy she just met carrying her, but on the other hand, she didn't like the idea of an entire army of zombies after her even more.

Shrugging, Hekapoo slowly nodded. "Alright, sure. You can carry me. Just don't try anything." Hekapoo sais, punctuating that last sentence with a firm finger-point and a glare.

@Blacksmith​

 

[Blacksmith]

Hekapoo paused for a moment when Lucifer asked if he could carry her, unsure of how to respond at first. On one hand, she wasn't exactly a fan of some guy she just met carrying her, but on the other hand, she didn't like the idea of an entire army of zombies after her even more.

Shrugging, Hekapoo slowly nodded. "Alright, sure. You can carry me. Just don't try anything." Hekapoo sais, punctuating that last sentence with a firm finger-point and a glare.

@Blacksmith​

He nodded, once and moved to scoop the smaller woman up.

"No fire at this point, unless it's life or death. Hold on."

And as the dark returned, he immediately ran up the side of the wall, not stopping till he was on the ceiling. He jogged, his footfall making no noise as his arms gripped Heckapoo to ensure she didn't fall. Now and then, patrols of the undead moved beneath, as did the living with their lights. None of them looked up and Lucifer made no move to attack. Eventually, they heard a sound of voices and as they came closer, the noise of generators. Strange, acidic smells filled the air and growls and howls punctuated in between. Still on the ceiling, Lucifer flipped them out onto the wall within, moving swiftly till they were in the rafters.

With careful gentleness, he put her back down and gestured to look below.

It was a factory floor, so to speak.

The living and the dead intermingled as they went about their work. An entire half of the room was set up, akin to a chemists lab where the smells came from . Robots and a few Humanoids in masks worked in this area. Everywhere else, gangsters and the dead wandered as they kept an eye out, though the former seemed skittish around the latter.

Two of those shadowy, massive beings were at rest, their shroud shut down and revealing what they were. They seemed to be mere hardened clay. Giant monoliths, in a form not unlike a child's sculpture of a man. Their eyes were made from mud, strange sigals etched into them. Lucifer spoke quietly.

"Golems. Powerful ones, designed as anti-magi weapons. In the world they were derived, a Jewish sorcerer created them to defend Prague from invading demons summoned by Britain." He grimaced and added quieter now.

"Their presence here is bad. That aside, do you see anything that may connect to your troubles?"

@Raptor Jesus​

 

[Raptor Jesus]

He nodded, once and moved to scoop the smaller woman up.

"No fire at this point, unless it's life or death. Hold on."

And as the dark returned, he immediately ran up the side of the wall, not stopping till he was on the ceiling. He jogged, his footfall making no noise as his arms gripped Heckapoo to ensure she didn't fall. Now and then, patrols of the undead moved beneath, as did the living with their lights. None of them looked up and Lucifer made no move to attack. Eventually, they heard a sound of voices and as they came closer, the noise of generators. Strange, acidic smells filled the air and growls and howls punctuated in between. Still on the ceiling, Lucifer flipped them out onto the wall within, moving swiftly till they were in the rafters.

With careful gentleness, he put her back down and gestured to look below.

It was a factory floor, so to speak.

The living and the dead intermingled as they went about their work. An entire half of the room was set up, akin to a chemists lab where the smells came from . Robots and a few Humanoids in masks worked in this area. Everywhere else, gangsters and the dead wandered as they kept an eye out, though the former seemed skittish around the latter.

Two of those shadowy, massive beings were at rest, their shroud shut down and revealing what they were. They seemed to be mere hardened clay. Giant monoliths, in a form not unlike a child's sculpture of a man. Their eyes were made from mud, strange sigals etched into them. Lucifer spoke quietly.

"Golems. Powerful ones, designed as anti-magi weapons. In the world they were derived, a Jewish sorcerer created them to defend Prague from invading demons summoned by Britain." He grimaced and added quieter now.

"Their presence here is bad. That aside, do you see anything that may connect to your troubles?"

@Raptor Jesus​

Hekapoo was silent throughout the whole trip, only gripping Lucifer's shoulders so she wouldn't fall, what with all his fancy jumps and parkour moves.

When the pair eventually found themselves above the chemical lab and looking down upon each of the workers, Hekapoo only seemed to be scanning the area for anything related to her little predicament.

"I don't know." She said, not facing Lucifer as she instead opted to continue to survey the room below them. "Maybe whatever's being manufactured here is part of what's being smuggled over the dimensional border into Mewni..." Hekapoo theorized.

@Blacksmith​

 

[Blacksmith]

"I don't know." She said, not facing Lucifer as she instead opted to continue to survey the room below them. "Maybe whatever's being manufactured here is part of what's being smuggled over the dimensional border into Mewni..." Hekapoo theorized.

"You did mention the portals first alerted you to your problem. Seeing something like this, I don't suppose you have a drug problem back home?"

A towering figure down below stepped into the room. A cybernetic arm dangled at his side, as behind slithered a reptilian tail. Removing the hood from the ragged, purple over cloak showed a Septarian face with a gem eye where the left would be. His voice was as ragged as his overall personage, with deadly undertones.

"WE'RE MOVING YOU SCUM! OUR LAST SHIPMENT JUST CAME IN! PACK EVERYTHING AND PREPARE TO DEPART!"

@Raptor Jesus​

 

[Raptor Jesus]

"You did mention the portals first alerted you to your problem. Seeing something like this, I don't suppose you have a drug problem back home?"

A towering figure down below stepped into the room. A cybernetic arm dangled at his side, as behind slithered a reptilian tail. Removing the hood from the ragged, purple over cloak showed a Septarian face with a gem eye where the left would be. His voice was as ragged as his overall personage, with deadly undertones.

"WE'RE MOVING YOU SCUM! OUR LAST SHIPMENT JUST CAME IN! PACK EVERYTHING AND PREPARE TO DEPART!"

@Raptor Jesus​

"Not normally, no. Usually it's more people using magic to achieve effects far better than any drug could dream up. But then again---" Hekapoo froze in place when the new figure walked into the room.

She knew that voice.​

Her suspicions were confirmed when the figure removed the cloak and revealed his face. Her worst fear had came true.

"Rasticore.... this is worse than I thought." She muttered as she watched him, too shocked to say or do much else.

@Blacksmith
​

 

[Blacksmith]

Who? Lucifer didn't know him from Adam but from the look on Heckapoos face, he seemed to hold some significance. At the least, he seemed to be in a position of power here. The gangsters obeyed and the Golems rumbled to life, their shrouds returning to obscure their forms.

But it wasn't them Lucifer was concerned for. Rather, his attention was focused on the one called Rasticore.

That was a fascinating looking gem... He looked at Heckapoo and gave a nod.

"I have a plan."

And with a dispassionate toss, two boxes were flung from his coat as they landed in the midst of the illegal cabal. The motion drew curiosity at first from those on the ground, quickly followed by horror as they transformed into gatling turrets.

Gunfire filled the air, ripping into undead and those to slow to hit the ground. Bullets impacted Rasticore, his Regeneration aiding him as he howled in fury. The shrouded Golems spun as though on command, in synchronization.

Rasticore found himself suddenly occupied, Lucifer's foot smashing into his forehead as he axe-kicked the bounty hunter from above.

@Raptor Jesus​

 

[Raptor Jesus]

Who? Lucifer didn't know him from Adam but from the look on Heckapoos face, he seemed to hold some significance. At the least, he seemed to be in a position of power here. The gangsters obeyed and the Golems rumbled to life, their shrouds returning to obscure their forms.

But it wasn't them Lucifer was concerned for. Rather, his attention was focused on the one called Rasticore.

That was a fascinating looking gem... He looked at Heckapoo and gave a nod.

"I have a plan."

And with a dispassionate toss, two boxes were flung from his coat as they landed in the midst of the illegal cabal. The motion drew curiosity at first from those on the ground, quickly followed by horror as they transformed into gatling turrets.

Gunfire filled the air, ripping into undead and those to slow to hit the ground. Bullets impacted Rasticore, his Regeneration aiding him as he howled in fury. The shrouded Golems spun as though on command, in synchronization.

Rasticore found himself suddenly occupied, Lucifer's foot smashing into his forehead as he axe-kicked the bounty hunter from above.

@Raptor Jesus​

Hekapoo watched in mild amusement as Lucifer almost single-handedly took out the small squad of undead and managed to overcome Rasticore as well.

"Guess that's my que." Hekapoo chimed before dropping onto the ground and slowly approaching Rasticore, a look of pure anger on her face. Raising her right hand, her entire fist was engulfed in flame as she stared down at the Septarian with a glare that could pierce through even the most fearless man's soul.

"TELL ME WHAT THE DRUGS ARE FOR, AND ABOUT THE PORTALS THAT HAVE BEEN OPENING THROUGHOUT MEWNI!!!!" Hekapoo shouted in a voice so loud that Ig probably shook the whole room, the tiny candle on her head now growing into an extravagant flame as she spoke.

@Blacksmith

​

 

[Blacksmith]

Hekapoo watched in mild amusement as Lucifer almost single-handedly took out the small squad of undead and managed to overcome Rasticore as well.

"Guess that's my que." Hekapoo chimed before dropping onto the ground and slowly approaching Rasticore, a look of pure anger on her face. Raising her right hand, her entire fist was engulfed in flame as she stared down at the Septarian with a glare that could pierce through even the most fearless man's soul.

"TELL ME WHAT THE DRUGS ARE FOR, AND ABOUT THE PORTALS THAT HAVE BEEN OPENING THROUGHOUT MEWNI!!!!" Hekapoo shouted in a voice so loud that Ig probably shook the whole room, the tiny candle on her head now growing into an extravagant flame as she spoke.

@Blacksmith

​

Lucifer had taken out a good portion of the enemies in this place. That much was clear. But already the undead were starting to rise and regroup. The former living, bearing the mark of Sabbat likewise began to twitch and rise in turn. From criminal hive to undead swarm, the dead were rising to fight back.

Rasticore was stunned, but not out. His skull had been caved in, the indent of Lucifer's prior attack showing off the damage. And as Heckapoo made her way forward, one of the Golems slammed it's massive fists towards her, seeking to ward her off.

Lucifer had eyes only for the Golems though, noting their sway and movements as he flipped back, landing atop one of the empty turrets. The ammo had ran out and slightly crouching, Lucifer spoke in satisfaction.

"I see. Heckapoo? He's controlling the Golems through that false eye of his." The ghouls and zombies lurched for his position and kicking off the turret, he landed back-to-back as on one side, the dead swarmed.

On the other, the Golems and Rasticore moved into position .

Lucifer spoke, gesturing to the Golems before his hand pointed to the undead mob.

"Sooo... Meat or potatoes?"

@Raptor Jesus​

 

[Raptor Jesus]

Lucifer had taken out a good portion of the enemies in this place. That much was clear. But already the undead were starting to rise and regroup. The former living, bearing the mark of Sabbat likewise began to twitch and rise in turn. From criminal hive to undead swarm, the dead were rising to fight back.

Rasticore was stunned, but not out. His skull had been caved in, the indent of Lucifer's prior attack showing off the damage. And as Heckapoo made her way forward, one of the Golems slammed it's massive fists towards her, seeking to ward her off.

Lucifer had eyes only for the Golems though, noting their sway and movements as he flipped back, landing atop one of the empty turrets. The ammo had ran out and slightly crouching, Lucifer spoke in satisfaction.

"I see. Heckapoo? He's controlling the Golems through that false eye of his." The ghouls and zombies lurched for his position and kicking off the turret, he landed back-to-back as on one side, the dead swarmed.

On the other, the Golems and Rasticore moved into position .

Lucifer spoke, gesturing to the Golems before his hand pointed to the undead mob.

"Sooo... Meat or potatoes?"

@Raptor Jesus​

"I've always fancied myself as more of a meat kind of gal." Hekapoo chimed, managing to muster a small grin as she held both daggers in hand, preparing for the fight. After delivering a small nod in Lucifer's direction, Hekapoo soon began to multiply like she did back at the bar, her numbers quickly outmatching even the undead's.

Within the span of a minute, the entire army of undead was quickly dealt with thanks to several stabs, fireballs, punches, and kicks. Now it was Lucifer's turn with the Golems and Rasticore.

@Blacksmith​