Infinite Justice: Beyond (Marvel,DC,DBZ X/Over, IC, Open)

[The Rebel Alliances]

Ralph the Rat-16 Yrs-New Mobius

The stone shattered as it contacted my gloved hand, as pieces scattered around everywhere. I continued my training on the floating island, high above the ground on New Mobius. My friends had all gone to pursue their own desires. Solar running endlessly around the new planet, exploring it's every facet and gaining a new appreciation for our new world. While Trix the Linx worked alongside the humans and Overlanders to ensure our races could thrive peacefully together. She was rapidly becoming a important figure for our cooperation. As for myself, I am testing my new found abilities, as I work to become stronger to defend the Master Emerald as well as our world, from anyone who would harm it. And to do so with my own power, without needing to borrow from the Chaos Emeralds. Discovering that I can enhance my physical strength with psychic energy. Allowing me to compensate somewhat for my normally frail body. A talent I was not aware I had. As I sensed one of the many trees behind me, I focused my psychic power into my left leg, as I swiftly rotated and threw a powerful side kick at the tree, enhancing my kick with telekinetic power, breaking through the trunk and seeing the massive plant creak and fall over, it's pieces snaking across the small floating island.

As I observed the results of the latest training. I was not quite satisfied. Certainly, it is far and above what I believed I could do just days ago. But it seems so insignificant against the threats I recently faced. If indeed there are beings like Perfect Chaos, or Maelstrom Claus out there, then this level of ability is meaningless.

Of course, all begin somewhere, but the feeling of being completely outclassed is hard to shake. I was able to calm the spirit of Chaos. But that was with all of the positive power of the Chaos Emeralds.

I was able to wound Maelstrom, but had Max and Mir not been there, I could have never defeated him.

Surely, I will not achieve that level of power in a day. But it gives me a goal to reach. Even if I never have to use such power. I then decided to test another way to use my abilities, as I was content with seeing what I could do in close range combat. So, I figured that the next logical step was ranged combat. I had some experience throwing rocks back on Mobius, however, I dont think that will always be an option or maybe there is just a better way.

I mentally grabbed a hold of four small stones around me, and slowly had them ascend into the sky above me. Until they were about thirty yards out, and I was content with the distance. I then had them simply hold their position in the sky, as I focused on them. Mentally firing what could only be called telekinetic bullets at the stones, and seeing them turn to dust.

A feint smile provided evidence for my satisfaction. As I knew that I was only groping at the basics of what I could achieve. However, my training was interrupted as my stomach protested it's emptiness. Sighing to myself, I resigned my training early so as I could take a break. I sat myself down indian style right beside the large hovering green emerald. Gripping a large and yellowish colored fruit from a nearby tree, I pulled it off and took a bite from it without ever touching it with my hands.

Simply biting it as I held it with my psychic powers I enjoyed my mid day meal as I enjoyed the ambient sounds and solitude to my new homeworld. Not expecting any of my friends, or anyone else to show up for some time.

Of course, I had been wrong before.

[The Republic of Atria]

"He's actually gotten better since he recently lost his powers. He has others, but he's not as good with them yet. And you can meet him when we're done tearing Ultron a new processor. He lives in the Tower. Since he's broke, I have him collecting rocks from space for us, and in exchange I pay for... Everything." She snickered.

"Oh, that's too bad..." Kylie began, before hearing the rest of Naja's explanation. "Wait... the tower? Our tower? You're letting your BF live in our tower!? And never said anything about it!? Whaaat!?" Kylie quickly entered freak-out mode, worried that Alex might've used his new mystic magic powers to spy on the girls. She didn't know him, she couldn't trust him, so there was enough reason to be worried.

"I don't mind. He got me superpowers. Brand name ones too. So I'm just paying him back. He uses magic nowadays. He's not bad with it. It's kinda weird, but he knows what he's doing. I've actually been talking to him. He can like... Project himself over space. Or something. It's magic. He's been doing research on Ultron for me. It's nothing we didn't already know. Other than the fact that we need a way to seal his consciousness into one body so when we break him, he stays broke."

"Oh yay, so he could have spied on any of us in our rooms whenever. Great." Now exasperated, Kylie lost the energy to freak out anymore. "Whatever, we gotta talk about this later. But Ultron... big bad robot guy, right? I've been doing some research on a lot of bad guys recently." Kylie was proud of herself for knowing that, even if all she had to do was ask the ring. "I know this might sound dumb, but has anyone ever tried taking out his batteries? Serious question, I think it could totally work."

"Relax. He's not that kind of guy. Once you meet him it'll be fine. He's more concerned with trying to get his magic under wraps and protecting the planet. Used to be he was out twenty four, seven. So I gave him a place to stay. Besides, he's not invulnerable anymore. I catch him doing that, and I'ma smack him. That... And he said he finds human women boring, after spending so much time in space." She snickered. Ever so slight revenge for Kylie freaking out about her appearance on their first meeting. Naja looked out of the hole in the wall. "So. What needs hitting? Just let me know what needs to be stopped and I'll do that. Either that or punch Ultron."

[The Rebel Alliances]

August Carter/Ranger-13(20ish Years)-Devil's Den

Even with my helmet on, it was hard to contain my nervousness around this girl. This girl has had more girls than I did? How does that work? As she named off a guest list worth the names I simply plopped myself back down as I realized just how out of myself I was. I know what she is talking about...after all, I am 13. But beyond the general theme of behind closed doors, I dont know much about it. I was reaching for my half full glass of milk when she even said that had she liked boys, she would even give me a pass. Or whatever that meant, the comment worked me up so much I dropped the glass all over the counter, spilling the milk everywhere.

The one important thing that I picked up was that she was helping Chorus look for someone. Presumably the one who stole her voice. If I could help Chorus find this person...and get her voice back. She would fall in love with me...right?

Yeah, thats how it works. In my video game RPGs the hero always has to do something BIG to impress the princess. Man I miss playing my Sega Spectrum.

And if it comes to a fight, I sparred with my dad, so I should be fine. It was then that the bartender had responded to Deedee's order to get me something with alcohol in it. I was still wearing my helmet, actually forgetting I had it on. As I just star ed blankly at the substance through my visor.

"My parents dont have alcohol. It's not allowed in our home. And I am not legal age anyways..." I droned on to no one in particular. Also forgetting how old I appear to the two ladies. It was then that I finally noticed through the reflection in the beverage, that I was still wearing the helmet, so I once more removed it. As I slowly picked the drink up.

Well....I suppose one drink wont hurt right? After all...as long as NO ONE tells mom....I will live.

As I brought the drink to my lips, ignoring the strong smell as I slipped a sip in between my lips, and the spurted it in front of me.

Horror then spread across my face as I saw who it was in front of me.

I just spit alcohol all over the crush of my life....

I completely froze, unable to say anything, but silently cursing Deedee in my mind. As I frantically tried to dry Chorus off with the napkins, I realized...that Deedee is the type of girl my mom warned me about.

And mom was right.

[Zarkenis Ultima]

---

---

Sarah looked up at Sam as she was lying on the ground, still greatly hurt by the impact, her face twisted into an expression of pain. With some effort, she sat up, leaning her back against the wall in order to support herself. She was very damaged after hitting the wall and falling to the ground because of the wizard's wind spell, the hit causing quite a number on her fragile body. But even then, she knew that she had to get up and continue fighting the wizard, for the sake of her sisters. She couldn't let him get to them, after all, and so, steeling herself, she nodded at Samantha and gently took the potion from her hands, putting it to her lips and drinking the liquid hastily. As soon as it touched her tongue, she grimaced, the awful taste nearly causing her to gag, but she resisted and pressed on, swallowing everything. Almost immediately, she began feeling better. The pain caused to her by the wizard's attack swiftly faded, and she felt fine once again.

"Thanks, Sam." She said affectionately to her sister, before standing up.

As all of this happened, however, not all was well. Hanah's attack, most likely, was successful to a degree far greater than she expected. The wizard's torso was turned into a mangled, bloody mess contained inside her jaws. By all means, the fearsome wizard with pits of yellow chaos for eyes should have been dead, completely and utterly dead. Had he been a regular human he would have been dead, for certain. Yet, instead, he placed his hands on Hanah's shoulders, and suddenly, these hands began bursting with electricity that was blasted straight into Hanah's body. It was definitely not to kill her, durable as she was in her werewolf form, but it was more than enough to cause her pain, and, most importantly, it was far more than what should have been managed by a dying man without a torso.

"You have not learned either, have you? Death can not hold me." The wizard said, coughing blood into Hanah's face, though his face always remained obscured.

---

---

The monster shrieked and flapped its wings wildly as it felt the pain of Masami slashing at its wings. The kitsune caused a great deal of damage, and eventually, the beast fell to the ground, unable to fly anymore due to the grievous injuries on its wings, the left one nearly completely severed. However, before falling to the ground, it managed to shake off the fox woman. Then came the tremendous crash, which shook the entire platform on which the battle was taking place. It was about to turn and begin attacking Masami, and would have done so, had it not been for the crystalline sword which suddenly tore through its body, lodging itself in its torso.

After throwing her blade to continue drawing the creature's ire, Garnet continued riding towards the pedestal, having been joined by Shadow moments before her attack. The monster, however, while unable to see, relied on sound to find its way, much like regular bats, making Masami's illusion moot. As such, it could detect where Garnet was, and charged up a fireball in its mouth before launching it towards Garrnet. Despite this, the blonde woman and the Phantom Horse continued racing towards the pedestal, as she knew that the treasure on it was vital for her mission.

The fireball exploded, but when the smoke cleared, there was nothing there.

Suddenly, a blur approached, and Garnet's nameless sword was removed from the bat's torso. The blur began circling around the monster, moving far faster than a human should have been able to move, firing off several shots at the creature before coming to a halt next to Masami. At that moment, ceasing to be a blur, Garnet became fully visible. There was a part of her arm that seemed burned, but it also seemed to be healing more or less quickly. However, likely what was most surprising was the mask now on Garnet's face, covering all of her features, though her curly blonde hair flowed freely behind her.

"Ready to finish it?" She asked Masami.

---

---

The target that Aru was chasing after was none other than the Fallen Rainborn whose flames could consume everything. Flames that even now hungered for more to destroy, a ravenous instinct that had led the Ashbringer to Earth, a planet full of life that could be snuffed out at a moment's notice, like a feeble candlelight engulfed by the void. Floating over the surface of Earth, the Blazeborn released a stream of flames that descended towards the planet, ready to burn. These were not the dark, corrupt Absolute Flames that burned away even magic and death, but they were more than enough to incinerate whatever they touched regardless. An attack that was by no means his strongest, but likely enough to draw out any hidden strength that the puny inhabitants of this planet may possess. Strength that he could steal.

Down on Earth, Gilbert saw all of this happening. He saw the fearsome warrior clad in black armor who seemed to be kept aloft by wings of flame and bore a sword as dark as the void. The red visor of his helmet only made his appearance more intimidating, and soon he proved that he was as menacing as he looked by releasing an enormous stream of flames with nary a movement, with just a thought. Frowning, Gilbert reached out with his hand and began stealing time from these flames, causing them to reach the natural conclusion of their existence within instants: extinction. The flames were unraveled, denied the opportunity to incinerate Earth by a lone man with borrowed power.

But even this borrowed power was enough to catch the Ashbringer's eye, and so, he descended to Earth, towards the one who had displayed this mysterious power over time. Asra flew down, carried by flameborn wings of destruction, and came to stand in front of Gilbert, red glare pointed at him. The two stared at each other, Asra with cold indifference and etheral calculation, Gilbert with utmost caution and startling uncertainty.

Growing tired, the Blazeborn made the first move. Swinging his blade in a wide arc, he summoned a wave of flames that raced towards Gilbert. Seeing the attack, the young man faced it head on, rushing towards it and stealing all time from it in order to empower himself, before reaching Asra and delivering a punch with one hundred times his own strength, completely destroying his own arm in the process, just so that he could harm his enemy.

He barely made a dent in the armor.

Pausing for a moment as if to accentuate the futility of such an attack, Asra hit Gilbert with a brutal uppercut, sending him high into the sky without even using all of his strength, which could crush the earth and rend the sky. Idly flying into the air within his own broken body, Gilbert thought to himself that, even with all of the Time Demon's powers, it would take a miracle for him to be able to stop Asra. He couldn't do this on his own, yet as far as he was concerned, he was on his own. A hopeless sitaution, or it was in the eyes of one who did not know that an ally was fast approaching.

[Tomia]

Samantha Grimm
Sam put her hand on her sister' shoulder as she drank the potion. She knew it wouldn't be a pleasant experience, but Samantha was impressed with her sister's steely determination to drink it. Instantly Sarah looked much better and Sam smiled when she thanked her. "No problem sis." She said as she smiled. Suddenly hover she heard crackles of electricity and what she saw horrified her. The wizard was a bloody mess, clenched in Hannah's jaws, but he was still alive. How was that possibly. When Hannah was electified Sam shouted ou,"No!" She said in a panicked tone. She knew Hannah would be okay as it wasn't enough to kill her, but it looked like it would hurt like hell. No one hurt her sisters and got way with it. "It's time for you to cool off!" She shouted at him, raising her hands to attack. "Gelida Vita!" She shouted at him as a small concentrated ice Strom fired out of her hands towards him. If it touched him it would freeze him solid instantly.

[Osnil]

Devils Den
Salis walked through the portal into the crisp city air of Gothem. He took it in with a slight smile on his face. This was the one thing he had enjoyed as a kid on the streets. The quiet, the calm. How the lights of the city never went out and people never seemed to sleep. It was beautiful, and Salis cherished moments like this even more now that he was hunting Vannis. This was what he loved, and they were going to pay for taking this from others.

"Who ever said I wanted friends," he said as he turned back to Jenny, "I want the criminals of this city dead, and all I need for that is aquaintances." With a gesture of his hand a portal appeared in front of them. "I can make this lead to anywhere I'm familiar with as long as it's a reasonable distance. Where do you want to go?"

Jenny silently took in the atmosphere-it was pretty, sure, but it didn't hold a candle to the beauty of Atlantis or the sea. For now, she would play along until it was advantageous for her to leave.
"We're gonna take a trip to the docks, get your diving stuff on. He has an underwater lab," Jenny replied, "that's where he's hiding I hope. As for killing the criminals, there must be some other way. I'd prefer not killing, but if it's absolutely necessary, I will help you. If we must go, then let us be off. My name is Jenny, by the way."

[Mavorpen]

Just Outside of Kree Space...

Suppose the United States suddenly became encased in a dome and separated from the rest of the world. What would happen? Naturally, the rest of the world would immediately begin asking a few key questions. 'What, exactly, is happening?' would likely be the first question. The next question would probably be something along the lines of 'Who, or what, could have possibly caused this?' And the following question would explain why everyone, even those residing in countries who don't have... favorable views of the United States, would be concerned: 'Are we next?'

Now extend that on a galactic scale. When an empire such as the Kree suddenly fell silent, word spread swiftly to the other races of the surrounding space. Similar to the United States, the Kree, while not particularly viewed in the most positive light possible, were recognized to be a formidable militaristic force. The sudden silence of such an empire caused them to feel concern not necessarily for the Kree, but for themselves.

And so, weeks passed. Weeks of failure. Failure both at establishing communications with the Kree and penetrating the barrier that cut off the Kree from the rest of the universe. Currently, an intermingling of ships from various societies were congregated in one spot outside of the barrier. Among those present included those from Imperial Sparta, the Galadoran Spaceknights, and even the Badoons.

In one of these ships was the commander of this temporary alliance of different races. Video feed popped up on a screen in front of him. "Commander, the Badoon captain ship has reported that they have yet again failed in their ninth attempt to breach the barrier with their continuum ram."

The Commander sighed. "Thank you for the report." The video feed turned off and he placed his fingers to his forehead, letting out another, more frustrated, sigh. "I don't know what frightens me the most, the fact that it didn't work, or the fact that the d'ast Badoon are so desperate that they are willing to use a weapon they've kept secret from the rest of the universe and thus reveal it to us."

A group of Kree soldiers glanced at each other, their expressions filled with worry. "I'd put my money on the former, sir. The readings that we're getting... we've never seen anything like this before." One of them said.

The Commander turned to the Kree solider. "Is there anything you can tell us about this shield, Chell-Tek? Anything at all?"

"As I already said, Spartoi, I was in charge of a convoy ship that was just outside of Kree space when that d'ast barrier was erected. I'm just as lost and frustrated as anyone e-"

"Commander!" A male Spartoi turned around in his chair away from the screen he was minitoring. "I've just detected a sudden warp distortion off the port bow. Judging by the readings, it's a gravimetric stargate of some kind."

The Commander stood up and walked up behind the man who turned back around to face the screen. "Hail the ship and request it identify itself, now. It could be a potential threat."

"But.. sir. It's not a ship."

The Commander frowned. "Then what the hell is it?"

"Attention, allied armada." Jamal's voice rang out through the communication systems of all of the ships. "It is vital that you pay attention at this time. I am Nova Centurion. Don't you think for a single moment about getting in my way. I'm escorting personal vital to freeing the Kree from the clutches of the Phalanx."

"What did he just say!? Confirm that last broadcast. How do you know this?" The Commander said.

"While I'd love to sit down and tell you the engaging story over a cup of tea, people are dying and I don't have time for that. I'd rather, you know, deal with the problem at hand as swiftly as possible." Jamal said as he and the others reached the barrier. "Warlock, can you get us through?"

"[The barrier is weakened, Jamalfriend. It is likely that the Babel Spire has been damaged in some way. It is based on Technarchy field harmonics. Breaking through is mere child's play for Tyro and Self.]" The barrier spread apart and made a hole large enough to fit the group.

"Alright, sit tight you guys." Jamal said, speaking to the army behind him. "Don't try to follow us. Also, wish us luck." Jamal and the rest entered Kree Space

"Relax. He's not that kind of guy. Once you meet him it'll be fine. He's more concerned with trying to get his magic under wraps and protecting the planet. Used to be he was out twenty four, seven. So I gave him a place to stay. Besides, he's not invulnerable anymore. I catch him doing that, and I'ma smack him. That... And he said he finds human women boring, after spending so much time in space." She snickered. Ever so slight revenge for Kylie freaking out about her appearance on their first meeting. Naja looked out of the hole in the wall. "So. What needs hitting? Just let me know what needs to be stopped and I'll do that. Either that or punch Ultron."

"Well, we'll get plenty of stuff to punch about --" Ruby suddenly ducked and behind her appeared Ultron in Adam Warlock's body, as well as a sizeable group of Phalanx soldiers, the K'Ragnar, and Ronan. Ultron-Warlock's fist whizzed horizontally where Ruby's head was previously, indicating that he intended to have caught her off guard by teleporting and landing a blow on her. "--now." Ruby finished.

"Wh-" Ultron-Warlock began before he was interrupted by Ruby turning around and uppercutting him in one smooth motion slightly reminiscent of a Shoryuken. He was thrown backwards, but quickly recovered, doing a backflip in the air, stopping, and floating in place. "Kill them all!" He commanded.

[The Starlight]

Valka Silverhand
War in the Heavens - Battle of Skyfathers

The battle of Olympus had raged for several days, and both sides had been equal in number. But the might of Asgard could not be stopped and more over the power of the All-Mother, her fiery Valkyries and the everpresent Thor, whose hammer the Olympian soldiers soon learned to fear. But many Asgardians had fallen in this obtaining of glory, but more still of the Olympians. All of the Olympians had been locked in chains built by Valka to restrain a god,even grey-eyed Athena, in the end. That is, all save one.

The Mighty Zeus remained, and his seemingly impenetrable defense was where the battle was hardest. For he had rallied the soldiers left, and they took heart in his tirelessness, the spark of lightning blue within his eyes and his great bellows as he felled many an Asgardian.

The Silverhand took a look at the landscape of death and blood and for a instance, she wondered at war's worth. For though Asgard loved battle, war was not a thing to be taken lightly, and they had suffered its toll all too often. And then she cleansed her mind for now, needing her full willpower and strength for the battle that she would soon initiate. A battle of Skyfathers, a Silverhand against the Master of Lightning. She had proudly proclaimed to the Amazonians that Zeus was no longer Master of the Skies, and that claim would have to be proven now.

She had saved as much as the Valka-Force as she could, but was necessary to defeat some of the gods. The question would be whether it would be enough to defeat Zeus. She sighed once, making eye contact with Thor, before riding alone, upon Salvistar, Gungnir held tightly. Her Valkyries were beckoned aside, for this was not a battle they could take part in.

And there was a sudden hush over the battleground, as Greek and Asgardian alike turned to watch Valka's lonely ride. This was the battle they had all been waiting for, the battle to decide the ultimate fate of this battle. The Asgardians fighting Zeus's contingent parted the way, Valka riding through and stopping some 30 meters away, planting Gungnir in the ground and dismounting Salvistar, patting the winged horse to send it back to relative safety. And there stood the All-Mother, Mjolnir crackling in her grip, her eyes blazing in a challenge.

The Olympian soldiers responded, casting away their fear, charging with their spears and swords tightly gripped. Valka, swirling the hammer, sprang, not waiting for them to reach them, landing in the middle of them, swirling the hammer, summoning a sword in her hand. All that could be heard was the clashing of swords and spears and hammers, and groans as bones were cracked. And shortly later, Valka stood alone, the soldiers groaning on the grass. And on she continued, her blue cape fluttering in the breeze. Walking steadily towards the alone Zeus, Gungnir once again in hand, she spoke, "The time has come Zeus," observing the 6 foot 7 figure with a shaggy red beard. She herself stood only at 6'1'', but height was not everything here.

The Olympian gave no reply, letting the thunder boom in reply. And then, giving a great shout, he himself charged, that great lightning bolt crackling in his hand. Valka, taking a hop, let Gungnir fly, the great spear finding its mark in Zeus's shoulder. Yet it was a testament to Zeus' durability that he did not halt nor falter, only attempting to wrench it from his shoulder. To his dismay, he could not, for there was a worthiness enchantment upon it, and he was most certainly unworthy. His dismay turned to a growl as Valka set it aflame, but Zeus only increased his speed, though the spear had affected his balance.

Valka, planting her feet, twirled Mjolnir faster and faster as Zeus continued his charge, and it was only when she could see the blue of his eyes when she called out, "Thor!" And the Asgardian replied, hurling Mjolnir towards her, Valka raising a hand to receive it, Oathbringer soon appearing in the Odinson's hand. Even Zeus's eyes widened as the second Mjolnir landed in Valka's hand, but he could not stop now. And so Zeus, All-Father of Olympus, was met by the metal of two fiery Mjolnirs, the impact sending him flying. Valka soon reclaimed the two, twirling them in her hands, before leaping after him. And so the battle began.

Valka herself, after a few blows upon the prone Zeus received a blow herself, a blow to her helmet that threw her back, creating a crater where she landed. Her head ringing, she threw the helmet aside, promising to improve its design and she grasped Mjolnir once again.

And this was no short battle, and it soon escalated from the streets and plains of Olympus to the skies, where the two blasted each other with their respective elements and energy. The Earth below trembled as Valka sprang aside 7 times to avoid Zeus' thunderbolts, sending a blast of the Valka-Force in reply. But Earth was not the only stage for this titanic battle. The two teleported themselves and each other to various worlds and skies, always battling for dominance, Zeus using his energy manipulation, Valka using her unparalled mastery with weaponry, along with the might of the two Mjolnirs.

And at the end of five days, they had not yet finished their battle, having fought straight through five days and four nights, and there was no quarter given, nor break called. On an unknown, uninhabitated alien world, Zeus, blocking the blow of a Mjolnir, seized Valka and blasted her with electricity, pumping the lightning into her, and not even uru armor could absorb it, and the All-Mother cried aloud. Zeus, making his fist crackle, punched her straight through a planet, Valka not having the strength at the moment, nor the ability to stop her descent. And landing on the moon of that planet, she did not get up, gasping for breath, in pain, Zeus soon arriving, summoning one of his innumerable thunderbolts to finish the deed.

Valka, seeing him, feebly lifted a finger, raising a shield of Valka-Force energy. The bolt descended, blocked as usual, and Valka examined her inner stores. That was the last of the Valka-Force, she had feared this would happen. Zeus, floating down, paused for a respite, and then asked. "Why, Asgardian? Why do you still fight? I am clearly the strongest and most durable of us too. Why will you not yield?"

The All-Mother slowly began to rise once more, a still regal and queenly figure despite of her injuries and the smell of burning flesh that surrounded her. "Loyalty. Honor. A willing heart. That is all I ask of my people, and I will at least ask the same of myself. Moreover, Zeus, as I told Alexander of Midgard, "Strength does not make one capable of rule. It makes one capable of service. I am not Asgard. I serve Asgard, and all of my children. This battle, Zeus, was never truly a battle of strength. It is a battle of wills. And my willpower, Zeus, is greater than thine."

Standing tall now, Valka murmured over her ring finger, removing the enchantment that lay upon it. And as it cleared, there laid a Nord Corps ring. Valka, giving no time for Zeus to respond, raised it, and summoned forth a blast, recalling one of the Mjolnirs to lie in her other hand. Her attack was relentless and ever the beige blasts and Mjolnir probed and tested Zeus' defenses. The Olympian found his control over the skies seized, as Valka's sheer willpower was her strength. Letting Mjolnir drop for a moment, she raised a hand, summoning the Odinsword. And with it, she sliced off Zeus' right arm, the King of Olympus howling in pain, stumbling back, grasping his shoulder. Valka let him do so, turning in the direction of Earth and raising both arms.

The earth of Olympus trembled and suddenly the great ball of metal Valka had made from the caltrops of Athena speedily rose in the air, gaining mass as it flew towards the alien world, it soon arriving, Zeus beginning the healing of his right arm. But he was not quick enough, and Valka, causing the ball of metal to melt, directed it towards Zeus, covering him in liquid metal which soldified on contact, rising to cover all of Zeus save his head. The Olympian god howled again as his wound cauterized, and he attempted to blast himself with lightning to somehow remove the metal, or provide himself with vigor. But to his dismay, the metal only conducted the electricity, sending him into more howls of pain before passing out temporarily.

Valka removing the metal, quickly summoned the shackles she had created especially for Zeus, binding him in them. And so she carried him, casting his boy upon Olympus, the All-Mother shouting to the ears of all. "Look upon thy god, Olympus!" A great cheer rose from the Asgardians, and the Olympian soldiers cast down their arms. Valka, floating down, spoke to all the Asgardians. "Gather our dead and set sail for Asgard. We shall feast tonight, and tomorrow we shall remember the slain. I will join you soon.

Borrowing some of the Valka-Force from Thor's Mjolnir, she returned the hammer to Thor, giving him a nod. Once the Asgardians had departed, she sent a thin beacon into the sky, summoning the Council of Godheads. And the skyfathers came, those of the Aztecs, the Japanese, the Hindus, the Zoroastrians, the Elder Gods and many other beside them.

Valka explained the events that had occured, and the treachery of Zeus, and the Council spoke at length, determining the veracity of her statements, and deciding on a punishment for Zeus. It was thus, he would no longer be Skyfather and All-Father of Olympus. A ban was put on his powers. But Olympus needed a ruler, still, and it was left to Valka to decide.

After some thought, she chose Athena Parthenos, and so Zeus was forced to transfer his power over to his daughter. When this was all said and done, the Council departed, Valka only remaining with the Olympians. Unshackling them, she spoke long with Athena, reforming their alliance, among other things. Valka, gathering her helm, nodded to Athena. "I hope no ill will remains between us, Skymother," she spoke with a smile, glad to have another All-Mother besides herself.

And so, she departed in peace and friendship, and, setting things in order in Asgard. And laying down in her bed, guarded by her Valkyries, her first Sleep began. It would last a day, and then she would rise, the Valka-Force restored to its fullest levels.

The War of Gods had ended. There were dead to be buried and moreover, a hunt....

A Hunt For Loki.

[The Templar High Council]

"Oh, that's too bad..." Kylie began, before hearing the rest of Naja's explanation. "Wait... the tower? Our tower? You're letting your BF live in our tower!? And never said anything about it!? Whaaat!?" Kylie quickly entered freak-out mode, worried that Alex might've used his new mystic magic powers to spy on the girls. She didn't know him, she couldn't trust him, so there was enough reason to be worried.

"Oh yay, so he could have spied on any of us in our rooms whenever. Great." Now exasperated, Kylie lost the energy to freak out anymore. "Whatever, we gotta talk about this later. But Ultron... big bad robot guy, right? I've been doing some research on a lot of bad guys recently." Kylie was proud of herself for knowing that, even if all she had to do was ask the ring. "I know this might sound dumb, but has anyone ever tried taking out his batteries? Serious question, I think it could totally work."

"Relax. He's not that kind of guy. Once you meet him it'll be fine. He's more concerned with trying to get his magic under wraps and protecting the planet. Used to be he was out twenty four, seven. So I gave him a place to stay. Besides, he's not invulnerable anymore. I catch him doing that, and I'ma smack him. That... And he said he finds human women boring, after spending so much time in space." She snickered. Ever so slight revenge for Kylie freaking out about her appearance on their first meeting. Naja looked out of the hole in the wall. "So. What needs hitting? Just let me know what needs to be stopped and I'll do that. Either that or punch Ultron."

"Well, I guess that's alright then..." Kylie replied, barely OK with what she heard. "Let me hit him too if it happens. And I'm not boring." She proudly declared as Ruby blasted through the wall. "If I go meet him, he'll have to rethink everything he knew about your average human. I'll knock his super socks off!" But then...

"Well, we'll get plenty of stuff to punch about --" Ruby suddenly ducked and behind her appeared Ultron in Adam Warlock's body, as well as a sizeable group of Phalanx soldiers, the K'Ragnar, and Ronan. Ultron-Warlock's fist whizzed horizontally where Ruby's head was previously, indicating that he intended to have caught her off guard by teleporting and landing a blow on her. "--now." Ruby finished.

"Wh-" Ultron-Warlock began before he was interrupted by Ruby turning around and uppercutting him in one smooth motion slightly reminiscent of a Shoryuken. He was thrown backwards, but quickly recovered, doing a backflip in the air, stopping, and floating in place. "Kill them all!" He commanded.

The Fight.

[New Rob Halfordia]

snip

As Arctico cheered for his people, a familiar voice suddenly rang out behind him, "I wouldn't be so sure, traitor.", the Arcosian God known as Frostbite said with a menacing tone, "For you see, it has been ensured that Kilian will never return. That's right. I won. And that of course means... that you lose."

Frosbite's energy was emanating through space, dwarfing that of the other Arcosians, "So,", he said, extending his arm outwards and generating a ball of energy with enough explosive power to rival a supernova, "Who among you would like to challenge a God of Destruction?"

[The Fallen Jedi]

- Snip -

Arcos

Arctico fell silent as he heard Frost's voice emanate from behind him, he could sense that Frostbite stood behind him, his power rolling over him like a monsoon of water that enveloped Arctico's own energy "Yet you decide to oppose the oncoming tide that is change Lord Frost." Arctico said as he slowly turned around to face his former mentor, staring at him intensely as once more, the bio armor of his body began to slowly chip away, revealing the shining silver layer that lied beneath his black bio-armor "You still fail to realize that the rule that was once implemented by you personally is flawed, not only has it led to the suffering of billions of people, but it has also led to the oppression of our own people, surely you must care about the safety of your own people as well as I do?" Arctico asked, the bio-gems around his body turning into a blue color, followed by his eyes turning from red to blue, his entire body shining with a silver color, his Ultimate Evolution Form in all of it's greatness.

"No..." Arctico's fist tightened to the point of bleeding "From what you've let you brother King Cold do in the past, it is obvious that you didn't care for your people, neither did the Cold Clan, for the Arcosians to be even related to the Cold Clan..." Arctico spat bitterly "It is a disgrace to all of the Arcosians, I will be doing a favor of all people in the universe by finally extinguishing the final members of such a clan!" Arctico exclaimed, the ethereal angel-like wings forming from behind him as he powered up, a fiery red aura revolving around him in rapid succession, always being accompanied by purple bio-electricity that occasionally sparked around him "The Cold Clan has been at fault for all the genocides in the Universe, and as the former rulers of Arcos, your actions have made our species the most hated and most malicious species known, and I intend to correct such a mistake that should have been corrected so long ago!" The Silver Arcosian cried out passionately, having never ceased making eye contact with the person who he called his mentor.

---

New Namek

Shimura's jade eyes opened up quickly, having sensed two energy signatures from a planet that was well known throughout the Universe, Arcos, the homeworld of the Arcosian Species. Grabbing hold of his Overworld Staff, walking quickly to the outside of his home "That energy..." Shimura said, spinning the Overworld Staff with one hand before he planted the staff itself onto the surface of New Namek, focusing his sights onto the two entities that were emitting such power. Sure enough, the images of Frostbite and Arctico appeared within the floating orb of the staff, the two of them continuing to power up "Is that Arctico?" Shimura said to himself, pleasantly surprised by the godly energy he was putting out "So he has finally mastered his Ultimate Evolution form has he?" Shimura muttered, a smile on his face.

Said smile quickly faded away when he focused all of his attention on the being known as Frostbite, this Arcosian was something far more different in comparison, his energy was beyond godly, it was an energy signature that matched "The Gods of Destruction!" Shimura exclaimed, quickly deducing that this was not an average God of Destruction, but it was the God of Destruction that essentially curbstomped Lord Beerus! "That's impossible! Last I heard, his body was shattered into nothingness, how could he have regained such a body in short notice without others being aware?!" Shimura was on the verge of panicking, but he quieted himself, noticing that Frostbite's second body was drastically different, surely Frost would have wanted to regain his original body. Shimura's eyes narrowed as he continued watching "No... This isn't his original body, I can sense two differing energies within..." Shimura calmly stroked his chin "He's relying on the body of another Arcosian to serve as a medium so he can become involved in events once more." Shimura concluded, continuing to anxiously observe the two beings that confronted one another.

[Empire of the Siberian Flaming Eskimos]

Salis nodded as he heard the location. Like anyone on the run with half a brain he had explored the major parts of the city for future reference. He could get them reasonably close and let Jenny lead from there. "Next stop, the Docks," Salis entered his portal and came out behind a trash can that had been pushed against an alley wall. Kicking it out of the way, Salis stepped into the docks. The wind was blowing softly but steadily from the sea, carrying the scent of salt and fish. Salis pulled his jacket tighter around himself as the cold bit at him.

"So, where's the entrance to this base of his," he said as pulled on his jacket, "I can't take us somewhere I haven't been. Unless you want to end up impaled on piece of a shipwreck of course."

[Charmera]

---

---

Sarah looked up at Sam as she was lying on the ground, still greatly hurt by the impact, her face twisted into an expression of pain. With some effort, she sat up, leaning her back against the wall in order to support herself. She was very damaged after hitting the wall and falling to the ground because of the wizard's wind spell, the hit causing quite a number on her fragile body. But even then, she knew that she had to get up and continue fighting the wizard, for the sake of her sisters. She couldn't let him get to them, after all, and so, steeling herself, she nodded at Samantha and gently took the potion from her hands, putting it to her lips and drinking the liquid hastily. As soon as it touched her tongue, she grimaced, the awful taste nearly causing her to gag, but she resisted and pressed on, swallowing everything. Almost immediately, she began feeling better. The pain caused to her by the wizard's attack swiftly faded, and she felt fine once again.

"Thanks, Sam." She said affectionately to her sister, before standing up.

As all of this happened, however, not all was well. Hanah's attack, most likely, was successful to a degree far greater than she expected. The wizard's torso was turned into a mangled, bloody mess contained inside her jaws. By all means, the fearsome wizard with pits of yellow chaos for eyes should have been dead, completely and utterly dead. Had he been a regular human he would have been dead, for certain. Yet, instead, he placed his hands on Hanah's shoulders, and suddenly, these hands began bursting with electricity that was blasted straight into Hanah's body. It was definitely not to kill her, durable as she was in her werewolf form, but it was more than enough to cause her pain, and, most importantly, it was far more than what should have been managed by a dying man without a torso.

"You have not learned either, have you? Death can not hold me." The wizard said, coughing blood into Hanah's face, though his face always remained obscured.

Hanah grunted in pain, backing off slightly, In the process she let go of the part of the wizard she had been nomming on. "I suppose I haven't. But you haven't learnt diddly squat either" Usaully she wouldn't bother trash talking in a fight, since no one but her sisters actually understand what she was saying beyond "growl" and "roar". Even in her more humanoid dragon form her words seemed to be going backwards to most people. Though, this wizard has also been able to understand her, which could be mildly disconcerting. Honestly Hanah was actually kinda happy she could trash talk for once. She often saved all her material for fights with the wizard. Then she saw Sam's attack and mentally smiled. She timed her charge so that the ice would freeze him first, or at least distract him. "You haven't learnt that fighting the grimm Sisters is a good way to get your ass kicked!" She howled, as she charged in, aiming to tear off his arms and likely beat him to what passed for death to him.

[Siliarba]

Sabrina El Carter/Star Girl-18 Yrs-Siberia
After a few moments of toying with the pieces, I had a almost as good as new stereo now playing some of my favorite music as I tried to relax. Never knowing the affect it would have on the girl.

Rin Tarla

For the longest of times, there was nothing, not a thought, not a breath, not a heartbeat and not a sound. No activity, no life, only existence and preservation, what she carried withered away, what she wore remained protected, who she is has been forgotten. The body unchanged but the mind has been wiped, bringing life to the body, will not restore the person, Rin Tarla vanished 10 years ago, who this was now, was yet to be determined. And the first steps in determining who she would be had begun right now. For the first time in a decade, music returned to her body. Her brain was receiving energy again through the sounds and reactivated everything, her heart, her lungs, her powers.

In an instant the girls eyes shot open as she took a deep breath, the first breath in years, it had to fill her lungs completely. The flow of blood returned and color reappeared on the girls skin and lips. For a moment there was nothing but questions "Where am I? Who are you? Who am I? What's going on?" But before anyone could possibly respond her powers came back and as if someone opened the flood gates, sound rushed through every fiber of her body, from the sound of her own breath to a cricket's heartbeat 499.3 kilometers away. It all came back, all at once, no slow buildup, no on or off button it just all appeared. And together with that she could see it all, every detail her own back, that cricket 500 km away, even its heart was visible to her.

There was no way the girl could have been prepared for all of this, there was no way anyone could have been prepared for something like that. As she broke in to tears, her cries began, first it seemed like the cry of a regular girl, hovering around 80 decibels, but the sound soon climbed the scales, and they climbed fast. After 6 seconds she reached 105 decibels, at 10 seconds 134 decibels, at 12 seconds, 164 decibels, at 15 seconds , 294 decibels.

As the girl had her eyes closed and her hands over her ears out of instinct wile a stream of tears left her eyes, her cries and screams were beginning to cause earthquakes, avalanches, any normal human just standing close to her would have died from the sound alone as the shockwave the sound was creating alone, could already crush their bones. And all the wile the decibels kept climbing faster and faster with no sign of stopping.

[Charmera]

---

The monster shrieked and flapped its wings wildly as it felt the pain of Masami slashing at its wings. The kitsune caused a great deal of damage, and eventually, the beast fell to the ground, unable to fly anymore due to the grievous injuries on its wings, the left one nearly completely severed. However, before falling to the ground, it managed to shake off the fox woman. Then came the tremendous crash, which shook the entire platform on which the battle was taking place. It was about to turn and begin attacking Masami, and would have done so, had it not been for the crystalline sword which suddenly tore through its body, lodging itself in its torso.

After throwing her blade to continue drawing the creature's ire, Garnet continued riding towards the pedestal, having been joined by Shadow moments before her attack. The monster, however, while unable to see, relied on sound to find its way, much like regular bats, making Masami's illusion moot. As such, it could detect where Garnet was, and charged up a fireball in its mouth before launching it towards Garrnet. Despite this, the blonde woman and the Phantom Horse continued racing towards the pedestal, as she knew that the treasure on it was vital for her mission.

The fireball exploded, but when the smoke cleared, there was nothing there.

Suddenly, a blur approached, and Garnet's nameless sword was removed from the bat's torso. The blur began circling around the monster, moving far faster than a human should have been able to move, firing off several shots at the creature before coming to a halt next to Masami. At that moment, ceasing to be a blur, Garnet became fully visible. There was a part of her arm that seemed burned, but it also seemed to be healing more or less quickly. However, likely what was most surprising was the mask now on Garnet's face, covering all of her features, though her curly blonde hair flowed freely behind her.

"Ready to finish it?" She asked Masami.

Masami nodded, having recovered from being thrown off. She flicked the blood off her sword, gripping the blade tightly. She was impressed by Garnet's sudden disaplay of speed. Though wondered from whence this power came. She then noticed a mask on Garnet's face. "A mask... seem's you've already looted the dungeon." She remarked. Surprisingly, Masami has played some video games in her time. She was not always the diligent fox she was now, yet there were times where she still referenced those games she played. "Now, to see if we can't get us some XP..."

---

The target that Aru was chasing after was none other than the Fallen Rainborn whose flames could consume everything. Flames that even now hungered for more to destroy, a ravenous instinct that had led the Ashbringer to Earth, a planet full of life that could be snuffed out at a moment's notice, like a feeble candlelight engulfed by the void. Floating over the surface of Earth, the Blazeborn released a stream of flames that descended towards the planet, ready to burn. These were not the dark, corrupt Absolute Flames that burned away even magic and death, but they were more than enough to incinerate whatever they touched regardless. An attack that was by no means his strongest, but likely enough to draw out any hidden strength that the puny inhabitants of this planet may possess. Strength that he could steal.

Down on Earth, Gilbert saw all of this happening. He saw the fearsome warrior clad in black armor who seemed to be kept aloft by wings of flame and bore a sword as dark as the void. The red visor of his helmet only made his appearance more intimidating, and soon he proved that he was as menacing as he looked by releasing an enormous stream of flames with nary a movement, with just a thought. Frowning, Gilbert reached out with his hand and began stealing time from these flames, causing them to reach the natural conclusion of their existence within instants: extinction. The flames were unraveled, denied the opportunity to incinerate Earth by a lone man with borrowed power.

But even this borrowed power was enough to catch the Ashbringer's eye, and so, he descended to Earth, towards the one who had displayed this mysterious power over time. Asra flew down, carried by flameborn wings of destruction, and came to stand in front of Gilbert, red glare pointed at him. The two stared at each other, Asra with cold indifference and etheral calculation, Gilbert with utmost caution and startling uncertainty.

Growing tired, the Blazeborn made the first move. Swinging his blade in a wide arc, he summoned a wave of flames that raced towards Gilbert. Seeing the attack, the young man faced it head on, rushing towards it and stealing all time from it in order to empower himself, before reaching Asra and delivering a punch with one hundred times his own strength, completely destroying his own arm in the process, just so that he could harm his enemy.

He barely made a dent in the armor.

Pausing for a moment as if to accentuate the futility of such an attack, Asra hit Gilbert with a brutal uppercut, sending him high into the sky without even using all of his strength, which could crush the earth and rend the sky. Idly flying into the air within his own broken body, Gilbert thought to himself that, even with all of the Time Demon's powers, it would take a miracle for him to be able to stop Asra. He couldn't do this on his own, yet as far as he was concerned, he was on his own. A hopeless sitaution, or it was in the eyes of one who did not know that an ally was fast approaching.

That ally came down like an avenging angel. Her eyes narrowed upon her opponent. Her quarry was treated to both her contempt and her anger. She had been tracking this abomination since Aiuar, and he had given her lots of trouble as well as causing many deaths. Now she sees him practicing melee combat, not even using a weapon. The ultimate disrespect for an opponent. Are there no lows these villains wont sink to? How very barbaric. She thought. Then she deployed her three drones, each hovering around the battlefield.

Then, two plasma cannons formed around her hands, the barrels pointed at the corrupted rainborn as she suddenly blasted him. Though she kept her plasma yeild down as she did not want to kill Gilbert, not raze the entire country. This was merely to attract the attention of Asra.

[Altito Asmoro]

Len-El
Devil's Den

Stepped outside from the Devil's Den, and breathing the fresh, if smelly, air of Gotham once again, Len-El stepped out to made another feat of heroism on the streets of Gotham once again. Looking at his surroundings made him realized that Gotham is still the same dirty city, just like what he saw before he went to the Den.

Stretching his body, arms, legs, and all of his parts of body, and then it was finished in no time. Stepping his foot to the ground, before he launched himself to the sky, made a crater on the ground, and flew to the sky of Gotham, feeling the breeze of the air. His goal right now, however, is to finds Two-Face...

"GCD Runner 3 reporting, flying Maskjust sighted above Gotham." A voice came through the radio. "Identity unknown."

"Figure it out, Runner. Unless he's a Hero, we've got another damn problem in this cesspit of a city. Any more reports on Two-Face?" The Commissioner himself responded.

"This is Runner 4, a large group of Two-Face men are moving towards our borders. Possible attempt to reclaim it. All available units, please respond."

"Sorry, Reclaimer, looks like you'll be handling Croc on your own. We can't afford to lose what little territory we have to the coin flipper." The Commissioner sent to Retlyer. "You can handle it?"

"I can try."

As the vast majority of GCD forces moved to the Western border of their territory to take on the Two-Face thugs approaching it, Reclaimer finally arrived at Ashton and Seventh. Lit by a series of ill-maintained, flickering streetlamps, the intersection looked empty, if menacing. "This is Reclaimer, I don't see Croc anywhere."

"Turn around."

Retlyer froze, chills being sent up his back. An instant later, his vision went black.

---

"...is he? Where the hell is he!?" The Commissioner's voice slowly faded in.

"He's not here, Sir. You sure it was Ashton and 7th?" A second voice.

"No, I thought it was Ashton and 2nd. Of course it was Ashton and 7th, you idiot."

Retlyer tried to call for them, but found his voice failed him. As his vision returned to him, he looked around, trying to find out where he was. He reached forward and saw that his hand was covered in blood- His blood. Not again...

His screams told the Commissioner where he was.

"Well I'll be damned for this."

Len-El turned left from his flight mode and then down to the ground. He heard of screaming down there, and it's not good. However, it might be the worst option now, maybe he's enemy, but hey, no enemies he can't take down.

He landed on the ground, near the source of the screaming, and as he walked around, he found a man, lied, blood all around him. Len-El approached him, "Are you okay? Are you hurt? Do you need any help?"

"I don't even know what hospital that still opens now. Do you have friends near here?"

[The Silhouette of Adventure]

"GCD Runner 3 reporting, flying Maskjust sighted above Gotham." A voice came through the radio. "Identity unknown."

"Figure it out, Runner. Unless he's a Hero, we've got another damn problem in this cesspit of a city. Any more reports on Two-Face?" The Commissioner himself responded.

"This is Runner 4, a large group of Two-Face men are moving towards our borders. Possible attempt to reclaim it. All available units, please respond."

"Sorry, Reclaimer, looks like you'll be handling Croc on your own. We can't afford to lose what little territory we have to the coin flipper." The Commissioner sent to Retlyer. "You can handle it?"

"I can try."

As the vast majority of GCD forces moved to the Western border of their territory to take on the Two-Face thugs approaching it, Reclaimer finally arrived at Ashton and Seventh. Lit by a series of ill-maintained, flickering streetlamps, the intersection looked empty, if menacing. "This is Reclaimer, I don't see Croc anywhere."

"Turn around."

Retlyer froze, chills being sent up his back. An instant later, his vision went black.

---

"...is he? Where the hell is he!?" The Commissioner's voice slowly faded in.

"He's not here, Sir. You sure it was Ashton and 7th?" A second voice.

"No, I thought it was Ashton and 2nd. Of course it was Ashton and 7th, you idiot."

Retlyer tried to call for them, but found his voice failed him. As his vision returned to him, he looked around, trying to find out where he was. He reached forward and saw that his hand was covered in blood- His blood. Not again...

His screams told the Commissioner where he was.

"Well I'll be damned for this."

Len-El turned left from his flight mode and then down to the ground. He heard of screaming down there, and it's not good. However, it might be the worst option now, maybe he's enemy, but hey, no enemies he can't take down.

He landed on the ground, near the source of the screaming, and as he walked around, he found a man, lied, blood all around him. Len-El approached him, "Are you okay? Are you hurt? Do you need any help?"

"I don't even know what hospital that still opens now. Do you have friends near here?"

As Retlyer screamed, and Len-El arrived, the Commissioner and his men arrived. "This the Mask we saw earlier?" One of the men whispered to the other. "Dunno. Think he's friendly?" The reply seemed somehow even more anxious than the question. "Dunno. Hope so."

"I'm the Commissioner of the GCD, who the hell are you supposed to be? That's my man down you're standing beside, and he ain't gonna be answering questions anytime soon." The Commissioner stepped forward.

[Altito Asmoro]

"Well I'll be damned for this."

Len-El turned left from his flight mode and then down to the ground. He heard of screaming down there, and it's not good. However, it might be the worst option now, maybe he's enemy, but hey, no enemies he can't take down.

He landed on the ground, near the source of the screaming, and as he walked around, he found a man, lied, blood all around him. Len-El approached him, "Are you okay? Are you hurt? Do you need any help?"

"I don't even know what hospital that still opens now. Do you have friends near here?"

As Retlyer screamed, and Len-El arrived, the Commissioner and his men arrived. "This the Mask we saw earlier?" One of the men whispered to the other. "Dunno. Think he's friendly?" The reply seemed somehow even more anxious than the question. "Dunno. Hope so."

"I'm the Commissioner of the GCD, who the hell are you supposed to be? That's my man down you're standing beside, and he ain't gonna be answer questions anytime soon." The Commissioner stepped forward.

Len-El seems to clenching his fists, ready to attack for kill.

"Who I am is not important, what important is, do you all working for Vannis? Or for Two-Face? Or for both? Because believe me, I don't have patience right now, and I always ready to kill. I'm here just to rescue him, just to bring him to safety, but if you try to attack me, or him, you die. And don't think I'll trust you right away for claiming to be his friend."

"Now, either you let me bring him away from here peacefully, or you let me bring him away after you all die. That's your choice."

[The Silhouette of Adventure]

As Retlyer screamed, and Len-El arrived, the Commissioner and his men arrived. "This the Mask we saw earlier?" One of the men whispered to the other. "Dunno. Think he's friendly?" The reply seemed somehow even more anxious than the question. "Dunno. Hope so."

"I'm the Commissioner of the GCD, who the hell are you supposed to be? That's my man down you're standing beside, and he ain't gonna be answer questions anytime soon." The Commissioner stepped forward.

Len-El seems to clenching his fists, ready to attack for kill.

"Who I am is not important, what important is, do you all working for Vannis? Or for Two-Face? Or for both? Because believe me, I don't have patience right now, and I always ready to kill. I'm here just to rescue him, just to bring him to safety, but if you try to attack me, or him, you die. And don't think I'll trust you right away for claiming to be his friend."

"Now, either you let me bring him away from here peacefully, or you let me bring him away after you all die. That's your choice."

Almost immediately after he said this, every person in the small crowd visibly relaxed. The Commissioner sighed. "Hot damn. A friendly Mask. The body you're standin' over is The Reclaimer- brand new Mask, decided to test his green arse against the Croc. He heals quick- But he screams while he does. That's what's goin' on now. He doesn't need a hospital, he'll be fine. The GCD stands for Gotham City Defenders- We've carved our little territory smack dab in the middle of Two-Face and Vannis. We don't like 'em any more than you do- Hell, we probably like 'em less."

[Altito Asmoro]

Len-El seems to clenching his fists, ready to attack for kill.

"Who I am is not important, what important is, do you all working for Vannis? Or for Two-Face? Or for both? Because believe me, I don't have patience right now, and I always ready to kill. I'm here just to rescue him, just to bring him to safety, but if you try to attack me, or him, you die. And don't think I'll trust you right away for claiming to be his friend."

"Now, either you let me bring him away from here peacefully, or you let me bring him away after you all die. That's your choice."

Almost immediately after he said this, every person in the small crowd visibly relaxed. The Commissioner sighed. "Hot damn. A friendly Mask. The body you're standin' over is The Reclaimer- brand new Mask, decided to test his green arse against the Croc. He heals quick- But he screams while he does. That's what's goin' on now. He doesn't need a hospital, he'll be fine. The GCD stands for Gotham City Defenders- We've carved our little territory smack dab in the middle of Two-Face and Vannis. We don't like 'em any more than you do- Hell, we probably like 'em less."

"Well then, I guess he'll be fine, right? Well then, I better get going to the Dock. Two-Face's there. I guess we'll meet again in the future." said Len-El, as he stepped his foot on the ground, before launched himself to the sky, and went away to his original objective, the Dock.

---

Meanwhile, Kyle Vannis is on his way to the Dock, alongside his men, in four cars. He's trying to strengthen the current alliance, and he needs something to do to let his mind goes away, his burdens, his depression. In the end, it's up to the rest of himself.

[New Rob Halfordia]

snip

Frostbite chuckled as the light in his hand encompassed his body, and he suddenly returned to a familiar form. Frost's will was slowly being imposed upon Xobice's physical energy, taking over, and causing the Arcosian host to lose his free will. And with that, Frost's became the dominant form, despite retaining some of Xobice's traits, like the white armored plates. His mask slid off and he smiled, "I thought this form would be more familiar for you.", he said, in his deep menacing baritone, "But, before we fight, I have a story to tell you, as you're clearly not too aware of the history of our people. And, the history of me."

"You see, once, the Arcosians were but a barbaric race of warriors who fought amongst each other like animals. Much like right now, except for even more trivial reasons. We were always power, sure, but, there was always one clan that always dominated the others. I speak, of course, of the Cold Clan. We were warriors of perfect design, and, had few matches except for the most powerful warlords among the Arcosian people.", Frostbite said, suddenly growing more serious, "However, it left us weak, and slow to the defense of Arcos. This was quickly apparent when, millions of years ago, the Majin brothers, Buu and Dabra, attacked our world. I was but a 12 year old child at the time, but, I was special. I had an unprecedented level of power. And, a quite powerful genetic mutation. One that allowed me to take on a form which channeled cosmic energy. Using this form, I fended off the two Majins and united the Arcosian people for under the banner of Cold."

"But, we had to ensure our people's safety should such powerful enemies strike again. I would not be around forever, after all. So, we formed the Planet Trade Organization, originally known as the Arcos Defense Force. It was created to enforce a new first strike policy, after we had almost been annihilated. We would eliminate threats before they sprouted up, and in doing so, expanded our empire. We had offense and defense in numbers, and, upon beginning the trading of planets, we became an economic powerhouse as well. Nobody could touch us. It was all at the hands of the Cold Clan, the true protectors of Arcos. We did not oppress meaninglessly, it was a necessary evil, to protect and unite our people.", Frostbite said, suddenly taking on a slightly less stern tone.

"You are no longer the wimpering brat who I once knew. You defeated several of the most powerful Arcosians of this time, and without even using your full power. But let me ask you this. That divine form you've entered is not one simply used by any Arcosians, no, but only by the most elite of one clan... the Cold Clan.", Frostbite said, before holding out his hand to Arcticos, "You have truly earned your place among the warriors of our great clan..."

"Son."

[New Rnclave]

Hiroshi:

Frail.

Even as he felt Claudia shift upwards and bound once more, he could only bring himself to think about how frail he was. Earlier today he was one of the strongest warriors in the universe, but now he was a broken shell waiting for someone to heal him, after he'd failed to avenge his daughter. He, Hiroshi Mako, the first to achieve the level pf Ascended Saiyan, of Saiyan powe-

There it was again. An unbelievably powerful Saiyan was far away from him, battling with another no doubt on a distant planet. Even as he lay there, he could see the warrior in his minds eye. A golden god wreathed in flame, with golden locks stretching down his back. Something about the power was soothing, yet terrifying in the same moment. He could feel the exact same power within himself, yet he couldn't reach it. But as he lay dying in Claudia's arms, a shiver ran over him, this was a power he would acheive.

Coughing, the scenery finally changed to a familiar site, a old Japanese style building, with a white cat working quietly within.

"K-Korin.. Sensu.." His voice echoed, the cat yelping as he rushed towards him, a small green bean between his fingers.

[The Fallen Jedi]

- [INSERT NAME HERE], I am your father... -

Before he could even speak, Arctico's eyes widened in pure shock, this couldn't be, Arctico assumed that his father had been killed long ago, it was impossible to believe that Frost was actually his father, he couldn't believe it "No..." Arctico's eyes remained wide open in shock as he felt himself being brought back a few feet from a seemingly invisible force "That's impossible, I've always assumed that my father had been dead so long ago!" Arctico yelled, finding that he was now unable to bring back his composure at this revelation. This was becoming far too much for even Arctico to handle, he assumed that his power was something that only a few Arcosian's could learn, not just because they were a part of the Cold Clan, it was ridiculous to say the least. What was worse for Arctico was that back on Earth, Frost actually tried to kill him, and even if he was his father, Arctico knew that there was absolutely no excuse for his father, as reluctantly as Arctico admitted it, to try and actually kill him.

This time, something new surged up from deep within Arctico, and it was anger, pure, unbridled rage began to bubble through him, the thought of his actual father attempting to take his own son's life was something that Arctico couldn't even handle "So now, even if you decided to admit now that you're my father..." Arctico's eyes began to flash between both red and blue "You couldn't have told me that on the day you decided to take my life when I sided with the earthlings against you?!" A majestic fire began to swirl all around the young Arcosian, absorbing whatever energy he could find before he unleashed it in a massive burst of golden and fiery energy that exploded with such force that it caused Arctico's men to be sent flying back in all directions. A tear began to fall down Arctico's eye as he continued to power up "Fathers are supposed to protect their sons when they are in their time of need, but when I truly needed a push, it was my friends and allies who helped me along the way, even when I treated them as mere underlings..."

Arctico glared at Frost, his father in pure anger "You may be my father, as much as I try to deny it, but that was no excuse as to why you nearly took my life back on Earth, that action alone is UNFORGIVABLE!" Arctico growled, his wing-like appendages morphing into multiple brightly lit orbs that revolved from behind him, rapidly gaining speed and momentum as Arctico's rage came to a boiling point, exploding forward like a powder keg "For that action alone, I don't even know why you would admit to being my father..." Arctico's eyes flashed red as the half dozen energy spheres unleashed a mass of beams that were aimed for only Frost "... It's not like it'll save you from my rage..." Arctico snarled, shooting forward, bringing his fist out "... Even if you are indeed my father, for the betterment of Arcos, it's people, as well as those who are enslaved under the Planet Trade Organization, you, must, die!" The Arcosian said, his voice as dark and as chilling as a demon.

[Zarkenis Ultima]

---

---

The joint attacks wrought havoc on the wizard's frail body. Samantha's winter storm froze his body and Hanah's relentless assault reduced him to a bloody mess of a popsicle. The ennemy that Sarah feared so much was all but defeated. And even then he refused to die, his face still obscured by that absurd hat of his, the two yellow pits of chaos that were his eyes still very much alive despite his grievous wounds.

"Children-"

Suddenly, a spike of shadows shot up form the ground, impaling the wizard's head.

For now, at least, he was gone for good.

But then the wind carried strange words to the sisters.

"Consider this a mere chance encounter, children. The next time we meet, you will find very dreadful, I'm sure. Look forward to it!"

And with that, the wizard's mangled, lifeless body faded into nothing but dust, scattering in the wind. Seeing this happen, and understanding that they were no longer in immediate danger, Sarah dismissed the shadow pike with which she had impaled the wizard, and rushed off towards Hanah, throwing her slender arms around her little sister's hulking werewolf form, pulling her into what could only be described as a very awkward hug. Sarah's eyes were watery on the sides, due to equal parts fear and relief. "Are you alright, sis?" The eldest Grimm sister asked softly. She knew that Hanah was the strongest, that she could definitely take on much more than she ever could, but even then, she could not help but be worried about her, against all logic. She loved her sisters dearly, after all. They were everything she had, everything she'd had, ever since she could remember.

Such was her concern, that she completely forgot about the sack of money, lying not far from where the three stood.

---

---

This time Garnet definitely laughed. "You know, of all the things I expected from an attractive and refined fox lady who hunts evil spirits, videogame references were the absolute last." She commented, before pointing her nameless crystalline sword at the bat monster, who shrieked in agony at its status: one of its wings nearly severed, its torso sporting a sword hole, and its other wing severely wounded. It was in a very poor condition, indeed, and Garnet smirked. "Now then, let's finish off the boss and continue with the story, shall we?" She said. Suddenly, her expression turned sour as she glared at the beast. "I've been itching to finish this damn game already and move on." She stated.

Then, the two ladies charged at the beast, each of them moving incredibly fast, their sword slashing and thrusting at the creature, who was unable to react to such a ferocious onslaught. Cuts and scars manifested all over the beast's body as it stood helpless in the middle of the room until, finally, the cursed warrior and the fox woman stood on opposite sides of the monster and stabbed their blades into its heart at the same time. The bat struggled no more, and died at last. Its body disintegrated into shadows which scurried off swiftly, disappearing from sight.

At that moment, the platform they stood on began to rumble. The pillars began to fell apart, and at the very edges of the circular platform, as bits and pieces of masonry fell, she could see a bright light from the holes where they had once been. Lava, she suspected, if only because such a cliche explanation would fit in perfectly with most of everything else she had seen there so far.

Paying it little attention, Garnet walked back to Shadow along with Masami, offering her a hand to help her up into the Phantom Horse despite knowing that she probably didn't need it, also implicitly allowing her to ride in front now. Shadow would only follow its master's wishes, anyway.

"You've helped me quite a bit by fighting here alongside me, so thanks for that. I'd like to help you in return, so if there's any place you'd like to go to, just say so. Shadow will take us there." She stated calmly, as if she was unconcerned about the fact that the place was falling apart.

---

---

Gilbert soared to the air until eventually the force of Asra's uppercut was able to carry his broken body no further, allowing him to begin the descent. As he dropped, however, he could have sword he saw something strange in the sky. A glint of gold, a strand of white... and then little more. It was just a momentary vision he had as he fell, but he saw it nonetheless, of that, he was certain.

He realized, in a very harsh way, that he had done nothing to avoid falling to his death, not that he could do anything in the first place, he was just, in a way, amused at his own distraction, even through the pain. If the blow had not been enough to kill him, the fall certainly did the job just fine, every bone in his body shattering from the impact as he became little more than a bloody mess on the pavement. But the power of the Time Demon resided within him still, and though he did not want to use it, he saw it as a necessary evil in this occasion. This monster, this beast clad in black armor, it had to be stopped, it was simply something that had to be done. If he would suffer another flash of pain as a result, then so be it. Such were the thoughts that led him to rewind time once again and bring himself back to life, his consciousness inhabiting his body once more.

But when he did that, he saw something that surprised him.

Asra had been too busy watching Gilbert rise and fall to pay attention to anything else, and so, he did not suspect that he was being chased, nor that the one being pursuing him had already caught up. The feeble human's efforts, they were laughable; Asra would certainly have laughed if his altered thought process had allowed for it, but he did not find any of this humorous. He merely observed the human to confirm his destruction. His ability was very interesting, but he, himself, was pathetic. A worm. As worthless as the men of steel that had faced him before. They bore great power, but they showed not the will to use it, which in turn meant that they did not need it. But Asra, he did need that power. His task was, in his eyes, something that trascended this miserable universe which he cared nothing for except in terms of what it had to offer.

Seeing Gilbert crash into the ground, Asra turned around. He was the only one who stood against him, and he showed him no power worthy of helping him challenge the Tyrant God. He would incinerate this world, and then leave to continue his mission.

Or he would have, anyway, but suddenly, bursts of plasma rained down upon him, searing his armor, though in the few places where the blasts managed to break through, they did nothing to the black reflective stonelike substance he was made of, despite burning through his flesh. Curious, Asra turned around, seeing the Rantu huntress standing there. Pointing his sword at her, he released a stream of his Absolute Fire from its tip.

At that moment, the alien warrior would feel everything around her slow down as her perception of time quickened, the stream of flames that would once have been lightning-fast and hard to dodge slowing down considerably without explanation. On a nearby rooftop stood Gilbert, who had moved there as quickly as possible in order to reach the blue woman. At the present moment, all he could think of was defeating the abomination that threatened his world, the corrupted creature below, and what he saw there, above, was an ally that could help him achieve this, or, more accurately, someone whom he could help achieve victory. He had thought that only a miracle would help put this monster down, and the miracle had come.

"Is there anything you can tell me about that thing?" He called out to her. "This is my home, let me help you protect it. I can heal you and make you a better fighter with my powers. If you will defeat that thing, I'll give my life to help you." He stated. Of course, he opted not to mention that 'giving his life' was not as meaningful for him as it was to other people on account of him being able to rewind time even after death. It was cooler this way.

[Bentus]

Mia Aveline – Devil’s Den
Moments after the fight

---

"What do you need to do?"

Mia’s eyes narrowed at Kross as he repeated her question, knowing full well that she didn’t have time to waste as she impatiently waited for his response. “Yes, that’s exactly what I just said.” She seethed under her breath, not wanting to draw undue attention. “I need you to leave before CeeCee sees you…” Mia’s voice trailed off as Kross’ face drew closer to her own. She found her eyes roaming over his now-exposed face, looking into his own features as she had to admit that he was kind of cute – and he was so close by that point that she could practically feel his shallow breaths. Slowly, Kross lifted his hands up to Mia’s face and she could feel her heart start to pound faster in her chest and the whole world seemed to shrink around her. What was he doing? And why didn’t she pull away?

And then he started poking her.

Whatever had held Mia down, paralysed in place, evaporated in an instant as she recoiled away from the barrage. “Oi, cut it out! Stop – hold on – would you just – ouch! That one hurt you oaf –“ She tried to slap away Kross’ hands with her own, the pair looking like they must’ve been engaged in some childish fight until he seemed to halt of his own accord. Mia glowered at the man in a silent rage as he looked over her, cursing her past self for her previous inaction. She took a deep breath, trying to reign in the flurry of insults and names that were about to burst forth. “Haha, oh very funny. I suppose that was really mature of you.” Idiot. “So what’s it going to be?”

Boop.

Mia’s expression didn’t change an inch, her eyes not leaving Kross’ with a murderous glare. Just ignore it, don’t stoop to his level. You’re better than him and his ilk, remember?
“You’re going on a date with me! Be sure to give me a call.”

“WHAAAAAAAAT?!” Mia’s shriek drew the attention of some of the other bar-goers and she felt some colour flow to her cheeks as she continued in a quieter voice. “Na-uh, absolutely not – pick something else.” There was a final round of applause from the arena as the contestants exited into the ecstatic crowd. Mia could feel an onrush of defeat, looking at the slip of paper Kross held up with a look of disdain. Biting her lip in indecision, even as the claps from the arena started to die down, Mia groaned and snatched the slip. “Fine, but if you tell a soul, I will hunt you down.” Kross seemed to be content with the result, smiling and making his way to the stairs.

"You're buying on this date. That's what you get for fucking with my head and fucking with my powers. Peace, bitch.”

Mia’s eyes widened – that cur! He didn’t even have the decency to be a gentleman. “Fine!” She called after him, feeling like she had to say something else to vent some her rage. “And they’re my powers you – you – you big jerk!”

---

Mia Aveline – Gotham City
After the fight

---

Mia’s eyes had followed CeeCee as she turned to commence her part of the mission, a steely determination in her features as she vowed not to let the hero down. The streets of Gotham were practically abandoned, devoid of any signs of life or habitation as the young woman followed Daniel through the winding alleyways of the city. She nodded sharply in response to Nightblade’s observations; Mia had lived in Gotham long enough to know that pretty much anyone made it their policy to avoid areas where a Bat or Clown had been sighted. Still, it was exceedingly fortunate that they had a pretty much free-run to the Joker’s hideout, and Mia found herself grinning excitedly in anticipation for the coming battle. If Daniel had turned around to look in her direction, he may have noticed a spring in her step – almost a skip – as she imagined the look of surprise on Jester and Silver Queen’s faces when she surprised them. A surge of minor jealousy momentarily clouded Mia’s mind as she recalled the pair at Arkham, how they had held each other and cast out any notion of the outside world. In a hostile and dangerous world, where death loomed behind every corner, they had found each other to cling to like shipwrecked sailors on a raft. Mia swooned at the thought, envious of the love which the two villains shared, picturing herself and CeeCee in their places with a feeling of guilty pleasure.

"Joker always has had a liking for the theatrical."

Mia nearly ran into the back of Nightblade as he came to a halt. She glanced around blankly, as if observing their surroundings for the first time, having been so completely absorbed by her own idle thoughts. The factory had been transformed into a bright beacon for the Joker’s enemies, lights adorning the colourful sign that hang proudly over its entrance. Mia grimaced at the sight, almost feeling a physical pain at the hideous image that she was presented with. Honestly, could the Joker not try to be the least bit creative after so many years of his tiring contests with the Bat? Since she’d been a child, the News had covered the rivalry of the two titans to death until their repetitively bland motifs were nothing more than tired old re-runs of yester-year’s heroes.

“Mia, stay close behind me. These men should not be a problem, but when dealing with someone this insane, let's not leave any openings."

She felt a thrill as the distinctive click of Daniel loading ammunition into his weapon reached her ears. “I’ll be right behind you.” CeeCee was counting on them to create a distraction to draw away the Joker and his goons, so Mia was going to give it her all.

As Nightblade leapt over the barricade into action, Mia effortlessly followed him. Before the goons had even fully registered what was happening, she had sent a spool of Thread flying from her fingertips to grapple around one of their necks. The clown’s eyes widened in horror for the briefest moment of realisation before she gave a sharp tug, pulling the man off of his feet with a resounding crack that was lost in the din of muzzle fire. In only the fewest of bounds, Mia had closed the distance between her and the now limp form of her first target. Now having realised that they were under attack, the man’s partner instinctively raised his gun to fire at the small figure darting towards him.

In a swift motion, Mia swung her still-closed parasol into the goon’s hand holding his rifle; the man immediately cried out in pain as fragile bones shattered under the impact, causing him to drop the weapon. Mia paid him no attention as she twirled her whole body around, opening her parasol to shield herself from the hail of bullets that were unleashed by another of the Clowns. The rounds ricocheted harmlessly off the hardened Threads until the retort of the firearm was replaced by the pathetic clicks of an empty clip. Flinging herself back around, Mia once again turned her attention to the goon who was now clutching his bloodied, broken hand with agonised cries. His screams of pain were silenced the instant the serrated edge of her parasol cut into his neck, severing his trachea and mauling his vocal chords beyond recognition.

The adrenalin was really starting to flow and Mia was really starting to enjoy herself, the Joker’s rather démodé tastes aside. She flashed a grin at the last of the trio of goons still standing, causing him to fumble desperately as he tried to slide in another clip for his rifle. Mia was eager to see if she could get to him before he managed to reload the weapon, but both of them froze as a maniacal voice blared out from the speakers above.

"What does it take to bring down a Deadman knockoff and his sidekick Princess Peach? Huhuhahahehehe, oh well the show ends for you, and I am afraid there won’t be an encore."

The goon’s eyes widened in horror, all thoughts of Mia fleeing from his mind as he desperately searched for an escape route before the thick green gas began to seep out from the tank right behind him. Racked by a thick cough, the look of terror slowly morphed into one of hilarity as the man was overtaken by laughter than shuddered his entire body – laughter so great and uncontrollable that he couldn’t even breathe.

Mia’s own features had twisted into a look of shock as the Joker Gas floated its way towards her. Acting on instinct and with a calmness that defied the situation, Daniel ran over to her and roughly forced the antidote into her veins. The pierce of the sharp needle seemed to knock Mia from her reverie as they were enveloped in the green gas. “Owie!” She exclaimed, rubbing her arm with a pained expression – frowning as she looked at the small mark. “Did you hear what he said? Can you believe that self-righteous, inconsiderate…” Mia paused for a moment, a concerned look flashing across her face as she turned towards Daniel. “I don’t actually look like Princess Peach, do I?” No, of course I don’t, I can’t. Kross said that I looked cu – Mia cut off that train of thought immediately, irritated at where it was taking her.

---

The Funhouse factory had definitely seen better days. Doors and windows were boarded up and the abandoned insides of the structure were lined with cobwebs, rusted pillars and rotting floorboards. Time had proven to be too great a foe for the ailing building and Mia was amazed that the whole thing hadn’t already collapsed under its own weight. The floor creaked with every step that she took, and she had managed to pick out a number of gaping holes where it had given way in the past.

She sighed as she looked at Nightblade, wondering if he knew where exactly the Joker was hiding in the ugly mess. The excitement that had driven her in the initial fight had been replaced by a dull boredom as they had entered the factory to find a rude lack of a welcome. And here Mia had been lead to believe that the Joker knew how to put on a riveting show. Out of practice, she supposed.

“Sent – I mean Nightblade – we haven’t seen a single Clown since the entrance, are you sure that we’re going in the right direction? Maybe we should be trying on another floo –“ Mia was cut off as a blare of static almost made her jump, breaking the silence that had accompanied the pair since they’d managed to ward off the Joker Gas. Slowly, the hidden speakers whirred into action and a hysterical hoot resolved itself.

Mia’s eyes widened in terror as a blood-curdling scream threatened to overtake the laughter, competing with it for attention and dominance over the airwaves. It was a sickening sound of agony and pain, a hideous contortion of what was supposed to be an enchanting melody of a voice.

“We have to help her!” Mia declared frantically, racing ahead of Nightblade without looking where she stepped or waiting for a response. The girl’s thoughts were consumed by that scream, as if it were a desperate cry for help from the only person who could understand it. I’m coming, just hold on. A loud crack accompanied Mia’s next footfall as she suddenly felt a lack of resistance under her leg.

“Eeeeekkk!” She cried as the ground gave way, the floorboards beneath her having been entirely rotted through. Mia fell through in a cloud of dust and splinters to the floor below, landing haphazardly and rather gracelessly in a heap. Groaning at the prospect of waking up in the morning to find herself covered in bruises marring her otherwise porcelain skin, Mia pulled herself to her feet. Her dress was covered in scratches and dust; Mia pouted, it was her favourite and it was absolutely ruined!

“Well, well! Look what the cat dragged in, another pretty present for little old me – aren’t we lucky, hun?”

Turning to look at the source of the comment, Mia’s eyes fell upon the menacing smirk of the pony-tailed figure. There were two, both of their faces smeared with face paint and make-up in amounts that would usually sicken. The women had been circling each other, observing their opponent’s movements before Mia had so rudely interrupted their jokes. For the moment, Mia’s concerns about finding a replacement for her favourite outfit seemed inconsequential as her frown flipped itself around.

“Jester? Harley? Oh my God, I was just looking for you guys!” What were the chances that she’d find them both together, now she could probably kill them both in half as much time – CeeCee would definitely be impressed by that. “Where’s Silver?”