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

[Charmera]

Claudia still held her grip on Ariel. A stoic frown on her face that was slowly giving way to rage. She knew soon that she would not be able to control her actions, and that she might end up seriously hurting Tomia's mother in front of her if not killing her, so she attempted to calm the raging fire. Instead she merely settled for slamming her face into the ground and keeping her pinned so she couldn't hurt Tomia. She wasn't too sure what to do with her once she got her in the hold though.

"Wrong Choice!" Spoke Claudia, slamming her face down onto the ground with enough force to knock her out, She was careful not to use too much. She then stood. "Hurt Tomia again and you'll learn just how wrong."

She turned to Tomia. She carefully picked up the girl. "I'm... sorry about your mother. She doesn't seem okay... like... in the head." She explained. "It's best if I do as Hiroshi said and take care of your for now... Though I'll find a way to make sure you can see her and be with her again without her hurting you."

Tomia:

The moment her mother went limp, Tomia screamed out for all she was worth, her mothers face buried in the dust beneath her. After seeing the last person she had left slammed mercilessly into the ground, Tomia released a feral howl, struggling uselessly in Claudia's arms. Her flailing clearly had no effect on the crimson titan, even as the sun set on this part of the earth, she felt something swell in her chest, and fire filled her veins.

"Let me go!" She screeched, digging her fingers into the muscled flesh of Claudia's forearm. " LET ME GO!"

She felt the world slow as fire burst around her. Breathing erratically, she felt something boiling within her, the helplessness setting in. Her breathing slowly became more and more shallow and difficult. Dust and dirt swept of the ground around the two, swirling like a tornado. Burned and charred wood swept away, helpless beneath the force exerted against them.

The golden fire within and around her suddenly felt very real, like it expanded past her imagination and went on forever. It was blisteringly hot, yet comforting all the same. Anger boiled within her, and it was like the fire was telling her to release it all, just let it all go...

Then the fire came out entirely, golden flames bursting from every directio around her, and all Tomia could see was gold. And all she could hear was her own screaming. Opening her mouth, she gulped in air, her screaming increasing in volume, eyes snapping open, she stared into the fire.

And with those emerald eyes, the world changed forever.

Claudia frowned a concerned, shamed, unhappy frown. Her tantrum might have been ineffective even at super saiyan level. A testament to how much Claudia's power had jumped. But she didn't care about that now."Tomia... she's not dead. She's okay." Spoke Claudia. She tried to sooth the girl. To try to get her to stop. "She's okay Tomia. Just unconconius." Finally. She relented, slowly and softly she placed the girl down.

Then fell to her own knees. On the verge of crying. She had never asked for this...

Reaching out, he focused on an image of her, and spoke into the inky blackness.

Claudia... Can you hear me?...

Hiroshi!? She asked. Then mentally sniffed. I... I don't know what to do. She's upset... I don't know what to do... I wish you were here. We're alive. You...

Claudia slowly changed, sadness this deep without giving to rage or any other emotion weakened her. So slowly she reverted back to her regular form.

She then looked to Tomia. "I'm sorry. I'm just trying to do what's best for you. If i hadn't knocked her out she would have hit you again. And she shouldn't hit you. Mothers don't hit daughters, ever." She spoke. "They shouldn't hit them."

She then paused. "If it will make you feel better. You can hit me."

[Charmera]

-Lisa

The battle seemed to be won, and it was brief to boot, but the question of trusting Lisa was almost entirely answered. Until, however, that it seemed like she was prepared to kill the Yellow Lantern. Magneto stood idly by, awaiting for the final blow to be struck, not to judge, but to know that Lisa had what it takes to go past the edge - because unlike his daughter, Val, Magneto was ready to murder immediate threats. It was in his blood, his very being, a cutthroat personality with no nonsense. Val, however, did not stand by, rather, she ran to Lisa's side.

"Lisa!" Val said, holding her hands out in front of her in order to reason with the android, "Lisa...you don't have to kill her." She explained, using her hands to talk as well, "Maybe...maybe you can...I don't know, teleport her ring somewhere else? She can't do much without it, and if it gets too much, you can just teleport her into a prison or something." Val tried to say, hoping to describe alternative scenarios to end the fight without major bloodshed. Her father seemed to scoff, however, walking closer to where Val stood while looking at Lisa.

"Let her do what she must, Val. Lisa must decide on her own. Neither path is truly correct, because if she imprisons, then she is a torturer and no better than the Regent in that regard yet has no blood on her hands, and if she kills, then she gives the girl a short mercy but is forever doomed to the life of a murderer, and still, no better than the Regent. It is a lose-lose situation, but, it's her reasoning on the matter than makes the absolute difference, Val. She can do either for the sake of herself, or for others, and that's what will make her far above her counterpart here." Magneto explained, crossing his arms and observing which way the android was willing to go, already assured that she is on their side either way.

Listen to the Mutant. Kill her and you won't have to worry about her threatening the safety of your friends.

What about this martian? Does she not deserve safety too? What gives us the right to kill her?

She attacked YOU. She started it...

...But we need not end it that way. Let her go.

Lisa paused slightly. Her eyes glowing an ever deeper red as her blade swung towards the martians neck. Blood was drawn,

But then she stopped.

No.

"No. I wont kill her. I won't lock her up either."

"It's not loose-loose. There's always a third option." Spoke the android. In a show of lateral thinking, she flipped the prisoner over. She saw the loyalty chip scar in her neck and pressed her hand to it. She quickly tried interfacing her system with it, but it rejected her immediately. She frowned, reasoning the regent must have updated her security protocols, but was willing to bet she didn't update the chips themselves, since she had little time to adapt them and would have had to dig out the chip. She pressed a finger to the scar. The chip dispeared, teleported into the ground as it's atoms fused with that of the concrete. The systems designed to make it explode were rendered inert.

"We don't have to kill anyone!" Lisa smiled as she got up. The Loyalty chip had been teleported out.

Suddenly, the backup monitor in the base flashed on and the voice of the Question rang through "Is everyone all right in there?"

He paused, sighing. "Well. Even if you are dying, you may want to hear this." he explained. "I have bad news and I have good news.... and I have very bad news."

[Charmera]

---

Hadrimmelis looked at the girl and giggled softly as she watched her antics, quite amused at her 'victory dance' and at how this mirage of the Great Temple of the World-Dragons seemed to become brighter, more colorful, almost cartoonish in nature, all of it simply because she was there, all of it because she was happy. It brought a smile to the crimson-eyed lady's own face as she continued watching and listening to this supposed wanderer of dreams.

"Yes, I noticed. Older than myself, and that is not something that can be said often. You must be the first being I've met in the last few billions of years that happens to be my elder. Certainly the cutest." The World-Dragon said, walking towards Lula, softly, slowly. "I do appreciate that you thought of coming to this dream to keep me some company. This is not the first time another creature has wandered into my mind, but it must be the first time the creature bears such noble intentions." She stated, arriving next to the girl and gently grabbing her hand before turning around, in order to lead her around the Great Temple. Since they were here, the white-robed lady supposed, she might as well show her guest around.

"I do have one correction to make, however." She said, turning her head briefly to look at Lula, a playful grin on her face. "I'm not a telepath. I'm a dragon."

"Thank you! You're dream avatar is very pretty too! Some say that's the marker of a healthy mind..." Lula smiled when she was complimented. "I do certainly hope I am cute, though really I could take any form you wish. After all this is your dream." She explained. "Also, don't mention my age too much. You're going to make me self conscious." She joked.

The girl's eyes widened greatly when the world dragon revealed her species, though she still smiled wide and excited, in fact it was even more so. "Oh! A dragon! You must be a World-Dragon! Oh wow! I am lucky indeed!" She spoke, holding Hadrimmelis "I had only heard about your kind, but never have I had the chance to meet one of you!" She spoke, as she followed her host she couldn't help but swing her other arm. "I wasn't even aware you're kind dreamed when in your long slumber. It can be hard to sense the dreams of beings with mental powers after all." She explained. "I'm quite lucky I came across yours."

"Speaking of dreams, what do you usually dream about? This temple? It is a rather nice temple... Where are we right now?"

[Charmera]

Frank Mayhem

Battles & Worlds

A fair amount of time has passed since Max left me and Liberty to guard the ship, the so-called "The Ark", or, in other words - wait around and do nothing while they take care of the rest. I was frustrated, even though I wasn't talking with the Earthling Android at the moment. You see, I am a person to whom doing nothing is akin to torture. Yes, that is kind of childish, but I am that way. And when the others can just go out and fight while I stand here in the sidelines... But I didn't bother to follow them.

Especually when the rumbling of their battles suddenly reached my ear sensors. It was a very faint sound, and one a normal person could barely hear, but it was clear to me. Something was goung downhill there. I mean, think of the power that those guys possess. We beat a Thor Corps, and though most of them had problems holding their own, they did fairly well. And we're on Doom's planet, after all. It was pretty much expected that something was going to happen.

"Did you hear that?" I spoke to Liberty, while still standing on the top of the ship and looking to the horizon. "They already engaged enemy forces. To be fair, so many battles a day can wear out a large army simply through attrition."

"Battle... Where I should be. Instead of guarding this stupid hull." She spoke out loud. She got up, frowning. She had previously been leaning back. "Can't I get a decent battle on this stupid fucking doomro-"

Then the Archon came. Which was a surprise.

Frank Mayhem

A Song of Air and Fire

My eyes didn't register someone heading our way, so only when one of them spoke did I turn my head, taking a look at the person. It was something that my database had never registered before. So it's new to me. And rather weird-looking. Not that it was an abomination or anything, but it was... weird. It looked like a human, but it was definitely not one. The sensors detected properties similar to air. What is this, an air creature? Where do things like this even come from? I didn't bother with questions, though.

The person in question, which looked like a female, though I wasn't sure if a race made of air could even have genders, was talking to us very playfully and like a child, calling us "playmates". I would have ignored it if it was an actual Earthling child, but it wasn't, really. I didn't say anything, and instead jumped down from the ship's entrance and stood in front of the visitor. My right hand held tightly onto the sheathed Heat Blade. On Battleworld, you can't trust anyone.

Air creature? She thought of unsheathing her blade, but decided against it.

Doesn't seem like physical attacks would do much. After all air is gaseous... She thought to herself. Gotta be careful. See what she does and perhaps see if I can use my white fire and Lightning... If those don't work I may be screwed if I can't find some other stratagem.

Meanwhile, Elsewhere
Tina stepped back and surveyed her work. A smile on her face as she saw the monument of doom she had carved, as ordered, at the size of a statue. Had she not been so details and exact she would have finished the job in five seconds. But Doom had diven her tasks and it was best not to rush such things. Though it still didn't take long, and was one of the shorter projects.

Tina was just about to take a nap, turning around only to end up face to face with Aqua. She frowned. "Aqua? You're done with your thing?"

Aqua nodded. "Ages ago... in fact I'm kinda bored now."

Tina frowned. "Okay..."

Aqua paused, "I heard Ember and Zephy were moving out from the Thors. We could go see them! Maybe help them."

Tina sighed. "I don't know... I was going to take a nap..."

"Pleasssseee Tina! You owe me after I helped you with that rain and mud problem."

Tina sighed. She knew Aqua was inevitably going to wear her down, seeing as she was so good at that. "Fine..." She spoke reluctantly. "I'l Earth shift us over soon. Just let me get a few finishing touches done first." She turned back to the statue.

[Charmera]

Claudia frowned a concerned, shamed, unhappy frown. Her tantrum might have been ineffective even at super saiyan level. A testament to how much Claudia's power had jumped. But she didn't care about that now."Tomia... she's not dead. She's okay." Spoke Claudia. She tried to sooth the girl. To try to get her to stop. "She's okay Tomia. Just unconconius." Finally. She relented, slowly and softly she placed the girl down.

Then fell to her own knees. On the verge of crying. She had never asked for this...


Hiroshi!? She asked. Then mentally sniffed. I... I don't know what to do. She's upset... I don't know what to do... I wish you were here. We're alive. You...

Claudia slowly changed, sadness this deep without giving to rage or any other emotion weakened her. So slowly she reverted back to her regular form.

She then looked to Tomia. "I'm sorry. I'm just trying to do what's best for you. If i hadn't knocked her out she would have hit you again. And she shouldn't hit you. Mothers don't hit daughters, ever." She spoke. "They shouldn't hit them."

She then paused. "If it will make you feel better. You can hit me."

Tomia... Calm Down Kid

Two blue eyes canned over the sky, looking for any sign of her Father, who if she was correct, just spoke to her and Claudia. A boom of thunder rolled over the forest, frankly reminding Tomia to much of the battle she had witnessed only a few days prior.

" I wanna go home" She mumbled, burying her golden hair into Claudias chest, clenching her eyes shut and imagining Hiroshi holding her. She was unbearably warm, and the golden flames lapping at the ground and at Claudia were certainly no help.

Listen Kid... Until I get back, Claudia is in charge of you, and even if your really mad at her, I forbid you from hitting her or throwing a tantrum. I Love you Kid, but until I get back, you need to behave for me alright?

"Yes Daddy." She muttered, closing her eyes and relaxing into the red titan.

Good Girl. I'm very proud of you kid. Now Claudia, I need you to get her somewhere save, preferably your home or somewhere you can keep an eye on her. This is incredibly important to me. She's my world right now. I need to go, but... Ummm... I... thinkImight beinlovewithyou, BYE!

Claudia smiled for a bit, that last bit comforting her. She held Tomia, her human form giving her complete resistance to Tomia's fire even if she didn't have hulk durability at the moment. The little girl didn't feel as small as before. Claudia briefly wondered if she would gain her hulk form again, feeling strangely calm in a zen like mood at the moment. "I'm sorry Tomia. I know I'm not your favourite person in the world at the moment. But I'll take care of you as best I can." She spoke. Then suddenly her eyes widened. She shot up, letting go of Tomia. She lurched around.

"Tomia.. get back." She spoke, her vision going red for a moment as she felt rage. Unforgiving rage go through her system. She vomited forth blood, irradiated white hot blood. She hoped the child had moved back a bit. For the searing agony that poured through every part of her body that came next heralded an inferno. A sudden and intense fire around her. Her body turned red, her hieght increased and her form became more formidable.

Again, staggering a bit, she sighed. "That was... Painful." She spoke. She sighed, walking to Claudia and picking her up. "So. Do you want me to carry you while I jump or do you want to fly beside me?" She spoke. "We're headed to... new york. I have an apartment there.... if it's not trashed." She spoke.

Hector Gage/The Blue Lantern-28 Yrs-Undisclosed Location

As Ju'lee revealed the secret fop this place, my own thoughts were confirmed. This is nothing more than a test to these people. I captured the being as she sent him flying via a Green Lantern kick, and the man was surrounded by a shield of blue energy. But he died not accept his fate, or the players on the other side of the controller didn't. He began pounding away at the shield with his fist, causing several explosions. At first, I believed he would kill himself, being in a enclosed space like that with no escape for the blast. However, as the dust settled he somehow was immune to kinetic force of that nature, as he was unscathed and continuing his assault. I did not waste time, and released him from his hold, only to use the ring to help me time his movements.

By counting the time it took for him to react, I got a read on the reaction time and was able to use that to my own advantage, as the man pulling the strings cannot react instantly. That being said, he did not seem to mind much and we traded blows, but being a step ahead, I was able to eventually get into a favorable position, where I bound the man by the neck, and then scrambled the device on the back of his neck to break the control on him.

The process left him knocked out, and I gently set him down near the exit. As I backed away from him. Speaking to Ju'lee.

"This place, uses mutants and metas like rats." I then turned and looked her in the eyes, not needing to ask for her help, but my expression pleaded anyways.

"My children are here. Did you uncover a set of blue prints from the terminal? So that we dont have to waste time exploring this place? We need to end this operation. To do that we will need to open the containment cells, releasing the prisoners. Then find the central hub and shut this place down, while finding my kids." I let several moments pass without a word.

"You are more experienced here. How do you want to play this? Stick together, or split up?" I asked, placing the fate of my children and everyone in this place in the hands of my new partner.

"I got the blue prints, but I also got a better idea." Ju'lee moved towards the man he had dumped and scanned through his mind, picking out details. She broadcast them to her partner, sending a mental map of the place. "His mind is scrambled. If we had more time I could use him to figure out what was going on here, but we should go save your kids."

She got up. "We need to stick together. Though I could probably reach you in a millisecond if you got into trouble I'd prefer it if we were together. Relying on my telepathy would not be something I would like to do this deep in enemy territory. Plus we're more powerful together than apart." She spoke, not yet phased by the responsibility of leadership here. She took to it surprisingly well.

"If we get into more trouble, I'll take the hits. My Martian durability gives me a lot of extra protection. If my ring fails me, I at least have that. Your a human, which doesn't afford much extra durability, but it does mean you'll have to take the lead if we run into fire." She spoke. She began walking in the direction she felt would lead them to the kids, a telekinetic force turning off the computer. "Also, if you spot any cameras. Destroy them."

[Charmera]

Chorus: Strings Part 2

"So? Would you like to see my instrument?"

Chorus would have replied with a witty reparte, and even opened her mouth to do so, but nothing came out. She gritted her teeth with pure frustration. Seeing this, Jack smiled.

"Ah, yes. Songbird had her wings clipped. Her tune silenced. Still. I'll take your silence as consent little bird." He spoke, suddenly Chorus was noticing... something. She could barely make out. She squinted a bit, realizing they were... strings. Mapped around the room like spider webs. She noticed one nearby and in a reflex reaction backed away from it, hitting another and cutting herself. The strings became more and more... Visable? Tangible? She then heared a violin playing a song.

Then the attack came. Strings, attached to the mans hands cracked like whips. Chorus just avoiding them. Another attack, forcing her to block with her blade. She realised this was a mistake when the strings wrapped around verse and, with her hanging on, he was flung across the room and into a wall. She grunted, Verse's extra durability helping. More strings came, a horizontal strike. She jumped, avoiding them only to be cut by strings above her. She cursed. Every part of this room had deadly strings.

She frowned, he smiled. She attempted to mount a counterattack by jaunting towards her opponent. Huge mistake, she felt like she was being lashed by whips. She retreated backwards. He moved, she dodged. He struck, she dodged. He struck, she dodged, but found her heel caught and was sent flying. She cursed, wobbling as she got up from the impact. Attacked again, trying to Jaunt closer. Was repulsed by a hitherto intangible set of strings, forced herself back.

He laughed this time. And so the dance went. Strike, dodge, strike, dodge, whip, dodge. She was begining to get tired after a while. And no opening could be found. She backed off, the touched the door.

Another cut. The door was blocked. She could not leave. This had been a trap within a trap. She cursed her recklessness. Verse cursed it too and berated her. She resisted the urge to whimper, though it wasn't that hard since she couldn't if she wanted to.

She then steeled herself. Heartbeat rising. She calmed.

+June Activate+

Every wire was now visable to her as time stopped, tracked and counted and calculated. She deactivated June. Chorus attacked again, but this time not with any intenet to kill. She stopped herself before the wires came into being and smiled. They took a set amount of time to come into being. She waited, then once again June was called. Time frozen once more.

I see your plan

Think it'll work

Only one way to find out.

Eyes blue, time went back to normal. Chorus dodged the sweep from her opponent. Then instead of focusing on him she suddenly cut some of his wires. He frowned, stepping back. More random wires were cut. She sliced his web, wrecking it one piece at a time. He stopped, watching. He tried to attack a few time only to be dodged. As she cut the last of the wires.

Then, another wired whip strike. But this time instead of merely dodging she jaunted to the side and sliced the wires. Then she moved in, slicing the attacking wire like a whirlwind before he could really react. Then, finally there was his shield of wires. A few cuts and it would...

Not break. The wires repulsed her strike. He smiled. "Sorry Songbird, but the closer to me, the stronger the wire." Then she only had time to block when the wire was sent out to strike her, pushing her back. She grunted, but noticed something. The wire got weaker the further it was away from him.

Her eyes turned normal. She frowned. He was still going to be tough.

Suddenly. He was on the offensive. A wirlwind of wires came her way. Snapping at everything in sight and slicing through nearly everything. He floated in the center. Chorus' eyes widened as she lept to the side. It turned to face her, she was forced to dodge and to dodge again. Back to square one... or wire 1 as it seemed...

She had to regain control her. She turned and jaunted towards him, ingoring the sting of pain from the wires. She punged Verse through what she assumed was a hole in his defenses, and he tightened it. But then there was an ungodly screech. An unholy sound which nearly caused Chorus to clutch her ears, but cause her opponent to stop completely. Everything sort of fell limp for a moment before his eyes alighted with rage.

Chorus did not waste an opertunity. She began rubbing verse against the wires. She played an unholy violin solo which sent the man reeling. His wires weakened. And Verse then sliced them all.

He regained his composure. Seeing his defenses gone, he was just about to reconstitute the wires when Verse was plunged deep within him. Both Chorus and Jack gasped. Jack fell over, blood pooling. Dead eyes looking up. Chorus felt a pang of guilt, though it was nessecary for finding her voice and in the interests of self preservation he needed to be killed.

She suddenly doubled over. She gasped suddenly for air, then her eyes shone a verdant Green.

Jack looked at the blade, gasping. He chuckled. It may have been inert, but it was exquisite. Of course it was not yet finished, only the blade itself had been finished, yet it was completely inert, merely perfectly designed for it's purpose.. It? Soon that would be innacurate. Perhaps even rude. For this would be no ordinary blade.

It would be no mere tool. Strings would see to that.

"This was what you wanted yes? In your design?"

He ignored the voice for a moment. "It's more that I could have imagined..." He spoke. "True... beauty..." He spoke. Then turned. "Yes indeed. This is what I wanted."

"Good." Spoke the voice. "I assume it's now ready to be passed on."

He frowned. "... I guess. Damn. That is a shame..." He then smiled. "But I will be the one to wield it right? Right?"

A paused. A deeper frown.

"Oh. Fine. Who's going to wield it?" He asked. "Is it Janice? I knew she would do something like this. That Diva." He spoke bitterly.
She snapped out of the vision, stumbling slightly. Corpse on the floor, hand still on Verse.

Janice? asked Chorus.

"Janice...

Yes...?

Memories. Some good. Some bad. I think we dated.

Oh. Okay... Not sure how that helps us.

Yes. Not exactly helpful.

Choru's eyes narrowed. Oh, you're here now. Fantastic.

What? I can be helpful.

You tried to kill us.

If you can't beat em, join em I say.

There was a pause.

... Don't you want to hear the powers I give you?

That peaked Chorus' interest. Powers? Plural? I thought one soul only gave one power.

That is true. I do only confer one power. You can now sense voices. The primal energy within the soul. It confers a form of telepathy to you now.

Right... But you said powers. Plural. I can't stress the plural enough.... come on! Stop stalling dammit!

Fine... alright...Is she always this impatient?

You did take her voice... though to be fair you are being a little rude Chorus.

Indeed. Well. Perhaps this is better shown.

Suddenly, the remaining wires from the room. snaked towards Chrous, then moved around Verse in coils, forming a sheath of sorts before becoming intangible.

You may now control my strings. Since they are bound to my soul and my soul is bound here. It'll take you a while to master them however.

She paused. Neat. She thought. Now... where is Janice?

Glad you asked... I'd offer to show the way... but I can't at the moment. heh.... you know, cause I don't have a body anymore.

He's beginning to annoy me Chorus...

Annoyed or not, he's the only one who can lead us to Janice... and the next part of this... She thought.

[Charmera]

-snip-

Valka Silverhand
Aiuar

Valka, gritted her teeth as Asra's flames overcame hers. She had not expected that, thinking that her flames would match his flames. But she was wrong. Relying on her tungsten once again, she formed a shield of tungsten around the barrier dome, once again forming flames above them to be the first line of defense against Asra. She didn't expect it to hold, but it would grant her some time.

As the wave of absolute flames rushed at her, Valka, speedily summoning a bow, arched two arrows towards Asra. Then, just before it was upon her, she threw Oathbringer right at him, the uru sword arching over the flames and flying at Asra. She was not concerned with retrieving it, for only those worthy of the power of Valka could wield it, and Asra was certainly not worthy.

Then, as the flames came, she formed a ball of tungsten around her, and attempted to maintain it, feeling the absolute flames licking and melting her metal. Knowing that it would not last forever, she wrapped tungsten around her whole armor, another layer of it, and then burst out, summoning Oathbringer to her hand and launching herself at the unarmored Asra.

Constructs from Valka suddenly found themselves reinforced by troops donning their armour of old. Indignant bloodlust caused by the killing of their kind steeled their will into titanium. An army of mages these fire beings fought, each of which had access to ice and freezing magic. It that did not work, they had orders to switch to pure arcane death. However so far the frosty bombardments were quite powerful.

It was now that Aeshadra decided to intercede. Still mentally reinforcing the barier, she first focused on Valka. "Apologies, but I could not stand a single more second of this monsters existance." She spoke to Valka. She then looked at it. Hand outstreched, she began chanting a spell. Summoning Atral forces, she began bombarding the creatures mind and corrupted soul from a thousand points at once. While she did this, she also began summoning Astral Ectoplasm around him, the spirit goo would slow his movements and sap his energy. He'd have to make a concerted effort to avoid it.

She did not yet unleash any of her astral bombardment, for fear of hurting her ally.

[Charmera]

"Speaking of dreams, what do you usually dream about? This temple? It is a rather nice temple... Where are we right now?"

The World-Dragon giggled at the girls antics once again, amused at the way she reacted to her compliment, and appreciating the girl's own compliment as well. Certainly, it was something intentional, as Hadrimmelis, like the others of her kind, was capable of changing the forrm of her own avatars at will, and she would not settle for anything less than beautiful, since her avatar's form had to be one fitting for her role. Regardless, it was always nice to see someone else recognize it. Also pleasant was the sheer surprise that the girl showed after finding out about her race. There were not many who had heard about them, for their role in the universe was a silent one, with them awakening every few aeons and populated the universe with stars and worlds to replace the ones that were inevitably and invariably consumed in the fires of countless wars and cosmic struggles, before returning to their millenium-spanning slumber, posing as little more than another planet in the universe, another rock, another speck of dust in the clouds of creation. Indeed, not many had heard about them, but Hadrimmelis supposed that, if there would be someone who had, then it would be an ancient wanderer of minds, like Lula. Old as she was, it was in fact a surprise to the World-Dragon that she had never met one of her kind before. She would have to make a good first impression, it seemed, but she was quite certain that, with how she had treated the guest in her mind thus far, she already had.

"Oh, this place? Well, I will have to do a bit of explaining before telling you. First of all, you know a bit about us, do you not? We, the World-Dragons, create astral bodies in the name of Infinity. For this purpose, we are granted the ability to manipulate something known as the Dragon Force. It is... many things. It is a living entity. It is a power source. It is a progenitor of our race." At this point, Hadrimmelis paused, motioning all around her with her free hand as her other one held Lula's hand. All around them was the same azure-engraved masonry that composed the floor, also making up the walls and ceiling, though they were... not whole. Not broken or shattered, certainly, but rather simply incomplete, as though they were jigsaws about to form the whole picture, yet with a handful of missing pieces. The temple itself also seemed to be incomplete, with the space some distance before them being completely empty, though it seemed to be creating itself as they walked through its hallways, pieces of masonrry flying from every direction to form the floor and walls and ceiling.

Through the gaps in the structure, and through the empty space ahead of them, Lula could likely see a strange sky streaked with clouds and lines that gave it the aspect of a hazy nebula, all of it tinted an ethereal azure, just like the rest of that world. "And as you can likely guess, it is a location. A dimension." Hadrimmelis said, picking up from where she had left off as she continued leading Lula through the temple. "That is where we currently are, the Dragon Force Dimension, as we call it. A place we can use to travel quickly to any point in the universe, or to recharge our energy. Most creatures find it harmful to stay in here for a prolonged ammount of time, but not us. Not you either, as this is only a dream." The World-Dragon explained with an academic air to her, as if she enjoyed telling Lula about the intricacies of her role and other such things.

"Now, this temple is known to us as the Great Temple. It is a place where we the World-Dragons gather to meet should the need ever arise, though in the past, very few times have we ever found out about a situation so urgent and important that it warranted us coming here to meet. This temple also functions as a prison of sorts, as we sealed a powerful entity here a long time ago. I've been picking up some disturbances in the Dragon Force as of late, but we placed countless safeguards just in case, so, it is nothing you should concern yourself with." The World-Dragon stated. Then, finally at the end of her long-winded explanation, she smiled. "So, that is where we are right now. And to answer your question, yes, I often dream about this place, as to me it represents serenity. But we dream for so long that we dream of countless things."

Still walking, she turned her head to face the dreamwalker once again. "And you? Anything you care to tell me about yourself?" She asked of her guest.

"Oh I do know quite a bit. Though most of what I know I was able to glean from other beings minds. That's how I keep up to date on the world. Of course I don't go too far." She explained. Then she listened to the world dragon explain. She smiled. She liked Hadrimmelis so far. It was not often she got to talk to someone closer to her age. Even the more ancient beings of this universe were almost children compared to Lula. Plus she enjoyed listening to her, she spoke with great knowledge and wisdom yet it never felt like she was attempting to talk down to Lula. Though she did find it cute that she thought Lula needed to be reminded that this was a dream. Then again, with some beings the different between them was almost indistinguishable...

"This is intriguing... I didn't know that you had your own dimension. Of course I suspected something like that, after all how else could you carry out your purpose."

The ancient dreamer frowned when the prison was mentioned. "The time demons." She spoke. Her face growing dark. For but a moment the whole dream lost it's childish air and it began to feel chilly. One could almost swear the radiant little girl's appearance began to dull and grey. "They too dream." She spoke. She said nothing more on the subject after that, the girl returning to her happy and bright self. It would leave one to wonder... if she had seen countless dreams, then surely she must have seen innumerable nightmares too.

She gave a thoughtful look when she was asked about herself. "Well... I was born with the first sentient dream. Though it was more of a desire than anything, it came from the first sentient. I... can't for the life of me remember who it was, but he was there. And then I was there." She explained. "Ever since I've been wandering minds and dreams. occasionally copying them and collecting them, preserving them so that even should a being expire their dreams will live on."

"It's more of a hobby though. I don't really have any purpose other than to exist, or at least not one I know of. I don't really have any other being like me either. Neither do I have a body, though I can manifest myself in physical form."

"Mostly, I just try to have fun and help people. Many beings have nightmares they need help defeating. I help with that usually."

"How about you? Do you have any nightmares?"

[Charmera]

Zephy & Ember
Max's Ark

Ember, who had flown 2 miles further than the targeted Ark had returned close enough to see Zephy being her playful self thinking this is a game. It was for the best, she was at her cruelest when playing a game because she absolutely hates losing them, and after just having lost the race she may seem happy at this moment but she wouldn't stand for a second loss in one day. Meanwhile Zephy had a big smile adorning her face as she was pumped to begin, in the distance she noticed Ember returning but Zephy would make the first move and take the lead she thought.

"Time, to, PLAAAAAY!" At the world play Zephy unleashed powerful winds that emanated from her body in all directions, winds strong enough they were tearing apart the earth and would even cut the metal from the Ark. Wile that was going on Ember couldn't help but smile herself, her little sister was so predictable to her, at least in these situations. Time to make her own move though, from the distance she was at she began firing giant fireballs towards where Zephy stood, once arrived the fire would spread thanks to the heavy winds and cause waves of fire flying in every direction.

Frank Mayhem

A Song of Air and Fire

I stood in a battle-ready stance before the sudden attack. After all, it is quite suspicious to see an air elemental come here and state that it wants to play. Right? Maybe. As the girl-ish thing started speaking again, I immedialy took out the Heat Blade from it's handle and turned it on, making it glow in a faint blue light, which informed that it's heated up. What the opponent attacked with was what was to be expected - a sudden burst of high-speed winds. My legs cloaked themselves in a thick energy construct, which struck the ground and held onto it like an anchor.

It was still a strong attack, though. It messed my hair up. God dammit, now I will have to fix it up again. However, while I was standing my ground and the Ark behind me started taking serious damage, the waves of wind took in fire from an unknown source. Fiery air winds are never a good thing, especially to clothing. I learned that the hard way on Planet Hariyama. It's a long story...

However, the source of the fire was quickly determined by my eye sensors - someone else farther away was supporting the air elemental with giant fireballs from it's direction. Time to take care of that one first - Liberty can deal with the childish one. I assued that one was less crazy, considering it toommore of a subtle approach. I dissipated the energy anchors on my right leg and stabbed the ground with it, and as I removed the other anchor, I used the hole made as a way to accelerate fast enough to get out if the winds. And it worked, sort of. I managed to dashed out of of area and moved in a bit behind the fireball shooting friend of the elemental. Without saying a word, I released a wide wave of energy at it's direction. I had no idea how strong these things are, but attacking them is a good way to measure that...

Liberty braced herself against the wind. finding she was able to withstand it well enough. She frowned. Whomever this was had great power over her element, which made sense considering she was made of it.

Liberty decided to counterattack and regain control of the battlefield. Though that would be hard against someone who counted air itself. The Robot accelerated herself towards the wind being, using both her personal speed and white fire to propel her forwards. Then she put her hand forward and unleashed a gout of her own flame, dodging the other Archons fire in the process. The white fire billowed out like a massive flamethrower, very high heat being reached by it. She reasons she might have trouble with that, after all fire consumed oxygen within air, and to say nothing of the heat itself.

In her other hand however she charged up her white lighting. Ready to attack again should this not work.

[Charmera]

Claudia smiled for a bit, that last bit comforting her. She held Tomia, her human form giving her complete resistance to Tomia's fire even if she didn't have hulk durability at the moment. The little girl didn't feel as small as before. Claudia briefly wondered if she would gain her hulk form again, feeling strangely calm in a zen like mood at the moment. "I'm sorry Tomia. I know I'm not your favourite person in the world at the moment. But I'll take care of you as best I can." She spoke. Then suddenly her eyes widened. She shot up, letting go of Tomia. She lurched around.

"Tomia.. get back." She spoke, her vision going red for a moment as she felt rage. Unforgiving rage go through her system. She vomited forth blood, irradiated white hot blood. She hoped the child had moved back a bit. For the searing agony that poured through every part of her body that came next heralded an inferno. A sudden and intense fire around her. Her body turned red, her hieght increased and her form became more formidable.

Again, staggering a bit, she sighed. "That was... Painful." She spoke. She sighed, walking to Claudia and picking her up. "So. Do you want me to carry you while I jump or do you want to fly beside me?" She spoke. "We're headed to... new york. I have an apartment there.... if it's not trashed." She spoke.

Tomia:

Her hands began to shake, her body trembling, tears pricking at the edge of her eyes. Stumbling forward, she buried her face in Claudia's shoulder, letting the tears lose as she held on tightly. Somehow, this all felt like her fault. Her Dad wouldn't have been killed if it wasn't for her. Her mother wouldn't have been nailed to a wall and later slammed into the ground if she hadn't been there and had behaved as she should have. Her Dad was gone right after finding him, and now she was stuck with this mean girl, who her Daddy loved more than her Mom and stood up for Claudia instead of being here for her when she needed him.

Breathing erratically, she felt the weight of her power within her chest. It was enormous, to much for a child to handle, and she shouldn't have to deal with it, she was just a kid, not like her Dad who was a seasoned warrior and could control these forms. Wait... When he changed his hair back to black after he cut the big blue monster in half, he had closed his eyes, took a deep breath and let it lose, and bam he was better.

Taking a shaky breath, she closed her eyes, willing the golden flames away and.. poof it was gone!

"I-_ did it!" She smiled tiredly, her cheeks puffy and red from crying, all visible skin covered in dust and on odd occasion blood.

"D-Daddy wanted to be wished back by the Dr-D-r-a-g-o-n Balls." She said slowly, enunciating each word slowly, in a strangely adorable way for a child covered in blood and dust, with her left arm hanging limply at her side.

"You did kid." Spoke Claudia. A smile came to her face. She frowned as she saw her injury. "You're a really brave kid. You know that?" She said. She quickly looked for the sensu bean, giving half of it to Tomia. "Eat it before we go. We'll head to new york, I'll jump you there and we can rest. From there we can gather the dragon balls and wish your dad back to life." She frowned, looking at her again. "And... you won't ever have to see me again..." She spoke. Even if Hiroshi loved her, Claudia didn't want to have to force Tomia to endure living with her. Plus who would want to live with an unstable red hulk? No. It'd be better for everyone if she stayed away from the family.

But for now, she offered a weak smile. "I bet you I could jump all the way to New York in just three Jumps." She boasted. She had to be glad for her power at least a bit. It flooded her limbs with strength she didn't know was even possible for her to have. She felt invincible to say the least.

[Charmera]

---

After her explanation of where they happened to be at the moment, Hadrimmelis simply smiled at the childlike dream wanderer's reactions as she continued leading them through the self-generating Great Temple, through azure-tinted hallways adorned with ancient tapestry, mysterious engravings and statues of those World-Dragons that lived no longer, immortalized as stone watchers by the Dragon Force itself to be remembered forevermore. Hadrimmelis was indeed quite content to see Lula's reaction to everything she had explained earlier, pleased to have someone to talk to, even in such an isolated place as her dreams. Certainly, she was always hearing the thoughts of every one of her subjects, and she could talk to them if she so desired, making use of her avatars to interact with them. Yet, in a way, one could say that this Hadrimmelis, the one found inside of her dreams, was the 'purest' of her avatars, being unique and also closest to her true consciousness. As such, she appreciated the company a lot more than she would if this were any other of her avatars.

When Lula spoke cryptically about the dreams of the Time Demons, however, the World-Dragon glanced at the girl with curiosity, and a tinge of concern, noticing that there was a change in the dream completely opposite of the one that occured when she was happy about guessing her traits. She reasoned that the girl's mood could greatly alter the host dream without any conscious effort, which seemed like a dangerous power, but then, this was hardly a harmful manifestation of such power, and in the event that things did get out of control, which they did not, then surely her psionic power could be of some assistance. Despite this, Hadrimmelis was quite relieved when the girl seemed to return to her usual self only a moment after her statement. As far as company went, she much preferred her to be like this.

Hearing Lula speak about herself, the World-Dragon listened with interest. If she was born with the first sentient creature, then she was indeed old. The second most ancient sentient creature in the universe, one could argue, perhaps the oldest alive, but then, the universe worked in strange ways sometimes, so she wouldn't bet on it either. Her task of recording minds was very intriguing as well. An universal oniric record of sorts, if she understood it correctly. A look into the past for some, a history lesson, perhaps. An interesting thing nonetheless, one she would have to ask about later, definitely.

"Oh, nightmares?" Hadrimmelis spoke after hearing Lula's question, looking thoughtful for just a moment. "No, I can't say I do. There are things that concern me, things that bring me worry, but nightmares? No, we don't have those." She stated. "One of the many side effects of our vast psionic power is that we are able to remain lucid while dreaming during our long slumber, and even though we are asleep, we are still conscious. As such, nothing appears in my dreams if I don't wish it to be there." She explained, before glancing at Lula with a smile. "With the exception of you, I suppose, but then, I don't particularly wish you to be gone, either, so that's a non-issue." She said.

"You would not need to try and excise me from your mind like that." Lula smiled back. "If you wish for me to be gone, then simply tell me. I won't stay if I'm not wanted or needed." She replied. "Though, I do hope you'll let me stay for a little while at least. I've enjoyed talking with you immensely so far. It's not often I get to meet a dragon... especially one as erudite and kind as you." She kept following, the dream now regaining it's happy quality once more as she continued. It was quite interesting that this centuries old entity didn't quite act it's age. Perhaps it was a little too childish for it's own good.

"No nightmares... that must be rather nice. I too wouldn't have nightmares either if it weren't my job to collect dreams." She explained. "Well... Self imposed duty. After all if no one else is going to do it I might as well. Plus it kills the odd century when your feeling bored."

"I also sense other minds fairly nearby. You're within a world aren't you...? If I remember that correctly about your kind." She asked. "Do you ever wonder what it's like to be... mortal? Or normal?"

[Charmera]

Zephy & Ember
Max's Ark

Zephy's winds were gaining in power, but fluctuating in stability, the heat was causing the air speeds to go up but they also began to fly higher because of it, Zephy herself included "Zephy feels weird, lighter." She said half confused. Simultaneously Ember got snuck up on by one of the opponents, when the energy weapon hit she dispersed in to flame and the barrage of fire stopped. Ember seemingly vanished besides several sparks flying around like a campfire that just went out. After a few moments the parks began to grow however, each forming a completely new body one after the other "That wasn't very nice, trying to take me down without even greeting me."

At this point a second Ember had formed "Makes me think you don't think of me highly." Directly after the second Ember stopped talking a third one formed and continued "He might be thinking he can divide and conquer, Zephy is falling victim to the laws of nature after all, we, I should cool her down a bit." A final and fourth Ember formed afterwards "This divide and conquer business isn't going to fly." At this point the Ember closest to the person that just attacked them, charged her opponent screaming "My name's Ember, don't forget it!" As she seemingly tried to punch this opponent but instead phased through his body hoping he wouldn't expect this leaving his back open for a massive attack.

Once she phased through her target she turned around, stretched her arms and put both her palms together and a powerful stream of fire shot out of her hands, just from the heat this attack was emanating the ground below Ember's feet began to melt. Simultaneously the 3 other Embers combined together again and let gravity pull them through the ground. Once underground she moved towards Zephy where she reappeared "Having fun little sis?" "Zephy feel weird!" Was the respond she got wile the winds had completely died down "It's ok little sis, Ember's here to help." Ember stretched out her arm and began absorbing the heat that was disestablishing Zephy. "Feeling better?" "Yay, Zephy feel like Zephy again!".

"Good to hear little sis, how about we take care of these two now and win this little game then." "Zephy and Ember always win, Zephy loves winning." Ember giggled softly as she turned her gaze to her new opponent, waiting to see what her reaction would be.

Huh... Well that didn't do jack shit. Thought Liberty, thinking on how that plan had just got to hell. Now she needed another. She felt energy crackeling at her fingertips. White lighting dancing from them like tesla coils. She had almost forgotten about that. Depending on what these elemental people were made of she could likely disrupt them our case them to be harmed by the electricity. It might even perform a form of electrolosis on the fire one depending on what she was made of.

With that, she began her electric storm. Again, like a tesla arc the entire area became completely electrified with a ridiculous amount of voltage coursing through the air as little arcs of white lighting coursed from the android. She also produced another fire storm just in case the windy one was resistant to electricity.

[Charmera]

Kimiko did not halt her charge for long, merely stopping for a moment as she used the time to move her halberd in a circular motion, slicing the seven arrows with her perfectly timed sweep. Not missing a beat, she once again charged her foe, pointing her halberd at her. "Why thank you." She spoke, then suddenly and viciously stabbed forward with her Halberd like a spear at her opponent. One might think this strike dangerous apart from the fact it was a mere fienght, as she then drew the polearm back, keeping momentum as she instead made a sweeping strike towards the other magical girls legs, intending to trip up her victim. "As for you and your friends, would you prefer to be buried or cremated?" She spoke, the smile indicating she was arrogantly only taking this battle half seriously, not even having resorted to her own magic,

Elena huffed at the arrogance of the girl before her. This wasn't the first time she had fought magical girls, and it likely wouldn't be the last. However, for her to be taken down so quickly and with such little effort would be absolutely unacceptable. As the halberd came to swing at her legs, the experienced Elena jumped up and back flipped to the wall of the church. Using magic, she stuck herself to the surface, and unleashed another hail of arrows. A solid twenty were making their way towards Kimiko this time, and at the very end of the volley, a large arrow consisting of magical energy converged on the girl. Blocking it would likely result in her being flung back, and any impact it made would result in area of effect damage.

"Well you're obviously not an amateur, but rushing in like that is a sure way to go yourself killed," Elena lectured the senior magical girl, hoping to get a rise out of her,

There was then a flash.

Bright as it was hot, the arrows simply vaporized on contact with hot, fiery nuclear death. Pure heat and radiation consumed them like a fire would kindling. Then, there was the smiling Kimiko. Arrows gone, but her smile still there. She felt good whenever she use her power. Like some new age goddess of fire and death, though there were others more powerful than her in this world (For now) she still couldn't help but feel on top of the world after that.

Shame it had to stain her soul gem when she used it too much...

"Really? Because if your just going to pelt arrows at me from afar I really have little to worry about." She stood, smiling her cocky smile. "Should we discuss terms of your surrender again or shall I use your friends' intestines to construct your noose?"

[Charmera]

"You did kid." Spoke Claudia. A smile came to her face. She frowned as she saw her injury. "You're a really brave kid. You know that?" She said. She quickly looked for the sensu bean, giving half of it to Tomia. "Eat it before we go. We'll head to new york, I'll jump you there and we can rest. From there we can gather the dragon balls and wish your dad back to life." She frowned, looking at her again. "And... you won't ever have to see me again..." She spoke. Even if Hiroshi loved her, Claudia didn't want to have to force Tomia to endure living with her. Plus who would want to live with an unstable red hulk? No. It'd be better for everyone if she stayed away from the family.

But for now, she offered a weak smile. "I bet you I could jump all the way to New York in just three Jumps." She boasted. She had to be glad for her power at least a bit. It flooded her limbs with strength she didn't know was even possible for her to have. She felt invincible to say the least.

Tomia:

" But we can go anywhere then." She whispered in disbelief. " But... Nu-Uh! You can't jump that far!"

The little girl seemed to freeze in place. quickly trying to find a place they could do instead, somewhere she'd never been before. If Claudia didn't know better, it was like she was vibrating across the soft grass. Deep within the wreckage of what was once a house, a small tattered poster of the Twin Towers hung limply, slick with rain.

"I wanna go there!" She shouted happily, bouncing up and down in the grass, now messy pig tails bobbing with her. Pointing a small finger towards the small poster, she rushed back inside, grabbing her favorite stuffed animal, a small, albeit dusty, brown teddy bear, giggling happily she jumped into Claudia's arms.

"Sure. That's in New York. Though it's a little different than the picture..." She explained. She cradled the girl comfortably in her arms, the already small child dwarfed even more by the Titan Red Claudia. She inhaled, and exhaled. "Alright, you may want to hold on tight. Also whatever you do don't freak out alright. I'll protect you." She spoke. She frowned, realising she didn't know what direction New York was in. She shrugged. We're bound to get there eventually. With that, she moved back and had a running start for this jump. Her Long red legs propelling her in the air as she used a some fire to give herself a boost. As they reached a the high arc of their jump Claudia laughed slightly and let out a exclamation of joy. When they landed, her red body absorbed the incredibly impact like it was nothing, keeping Tomia safe from the force of it. She looked around, noticing she was probably going in the right direction.

A few more jumps and they landed in the metropolitan city through pure luck. Of course she nearly overshot it a few times and three jumps was an exaggeration, but she still didn't have to jump too much to get there. She jumped on a few buildings rooftops, careful not to use too much force that would completely demolish them.

She paused. "So you're a Saiyan like your father right?" She asked. "That means you have powers too right?"

[Charmera]

Hazzel
Hazzel nodded as the man explained his abilities. He had experienced some incredible scientific achievements and creations, but this guy was something else. "I'm for your lose. I know how it feels to not be able to help the people you care about." He looked down in surprise when the ground beneath them turned from sand to grass. He gave a bit of weary, bitter smile when he described his abilities as God's gift. Hazzel wasn't exactly the religious type. "Well, you're lucky you've got a gift. A lot of times people like us end up with curses. Where as you seem to have a talent to create, the only thing I've ever seemed to be able to do is destroy." He told Baxter. He didn't usually open up this much to people, but this man seemed to be someone who would be able to understand Hazzel more than most. Besides Hazzel had a feeling that Baxter could figure out his secret on his own if he wanted to.

Cora, New York City
Cora had spent a decent while in the beauty salon. The terrified staff and had taken no other customers and gave the strange woman their complete attention. When she was finally satisfied she had gotten a pedicure, a manicure, and had her hair cut and styled. She gave a kind wave to the people she had basically held hostage, feeling much better about herself. Now she realized that she needed new clothes. She made her way toward one of the expensive clothes stores down the block and entered it. She was amazed at how many beautiful dresses, gowns, and outfits there were to choose from. Cora began to chide herself silently for not coming to New York sooner.

She realized she didn't know much about fashion however and went over to one of the saleswomen. She demanded that the store be closed and that every employee help her pick out some clothes to wear. The woman began to laugh until Cora grabbed hold of the entrance door and pulled in off its hinges with ease, tossing it through the store window. The woman looked horrified and quickly nodded, ushering her over to the back of the store to pick out outfits. Cora smiled contently, she had power and she planned to use it at least for a little while. She was scared of feeling weak and helpless. She wanted friends, love, and respect, and she was determined to have it.

Meanwhile, while all the customers were herded out. A single smiling girl walked up to the salon, whistling to music on her headphones as she skipped along. The oblivious girl didn't even notice the lack of a door she was so much in her own world. She had made enough money to justify getting pampered for a bit. Working as both a regular job and a vigilantee job really did leave her feeling tired.

She walked up to the front desk and frowned, seeing no one. She turned slightly, seeing the broken door and frowning deeper. Oh you've got to be freaking kidding me! I came here to relax... Calm down... maybe they're just remodeling.

She poked her head around, keeping stealthy she looked around. The staff were all congregating arounf one woman, which was never a good sign, but from what Katie could tell this woman was in fact not human. Too much electricity to be human. Welp. This is grand. Seems I have to play hero... As she thought this, she quickly pulled out her costume and changed, thankfully everyone was too concerned with the android girl to care about her.

Katie came out from behind the wall she was ducking behind. A frown on her face as she cross her arms, though people would have a hard time seeing her face her eyes obscured by darkness and the bottom half of it covered by a mask, reaching to the bottom of her nose. "You know. It's not very nice to hog all the service to yourself." Katie was already gatherine electricity, the buildings light flickering as she did so.

[Charmera]

Cora was in the salon being pampered when she heard a voice speaking from toward the door. The salon workers parted so that she could see who it was. It appeared to be a young girl around her age, though she was human by her energy signatures, but there was something off with them as well. She couldn't see her face as it was covered by a mask but Cora could tell when the lights flickered that she wasn't scared of her.

"Sorry about that, you're free to join me if you'd like." Cora said to the girl, motioning to the seat next to her. She could tell that the girl meant to fight and Cora would if necessary, though it was a rather crowded environment. Cora still didn't want to draw too much attention to herself even if she wasn't exactly laying low. The government and her former creators were both still after her. "I'm Cora by the way, it's nice to meet you." She said to the girl in the mask.

Katie raised an eyebrow, a little taken aback by this response. She frowned. Huh. Okay... She wasn't too sure what to do at the moment, most of the goons she fought tended to spout something stupid then attack her. This was kinda new for her. She let her electrical charge disapate for a moment, debating whether or not she should say something badass and attack... but she wasn't sure this was the situation that called for such an aproach. Instead she pulled up a chair and sat in it. I guess we'll try talking.

"I would, but I can't. Trust me I would really love to. I came here to get pampered for a while and forget I'm a superhero... believe me fighting is the last thing I want to do at the moment." She spoke. Sighing as she looked at the android. "I can talk though. With you." Her eyes narrowed slightly. Her arms rested on the chair back. "You do know this isn't exactly right... right? You can't push people around just because you have powers. It's not... fair. Or legal. Or nice."

[Charmera]

Cora smiled brightly when Katie sat down next to her. Usually people would just look at her strangely and walk away, or insult her for being a freak. For this reason she was really pleased when Katie sat down next her. When her makeover was done she shooed the salon workers away so that she could talk to Katie. Her hair had been styled and braided, and her nails were painted a light red. She hoped this make over would get people to like her. "Do you like my look?" She asked Katie with a bright smile.

Cora looked confused however when Katie said she couldn't push people around with her powers. "What do you mean? How else am I supposed to get people to like me? Every time I try to be nice people just run away from me." She said, sadness in her voice. "I'm tired of it. If the only way I can get people to like me and want to be around me is by force, then that's what I'm going to do and I won't let anyone stop me." Her voice had gotten a little more angry and determined now. Cora just wanted friends, but she was frustrated and spiteful because of how she had been treated by humankind.

Cora didn't know however that while she was busy talking to Katie one of the salon workers had called the police on her cell phone after going into the back room of the store. She told them that she and her staff were being held hostages by a woman with explosives. Soon a number of police vehicles were heading toward the salon to deal with the hostage situation.

"You look good." Spoke the other girl honestly. Sighing. That could have been her had the android not decided to do this in her regular Salon. Katie was begining to regret her decision to forgo the pampering. But it wasn't like she had a choice. She couldn't reveal her secret identity to all these people. They knew her name after all. "I can't get mine though as I said before. Secret identity and all..."

Katie frowned. "That's not how it works. People won't like you if you use force, they'll just fear you. And they might even grow to hate you. Which isn't a good thing." She spoke. "You're doing things because you're lonely right? Well if you use fear and intimidation to get people to do what you want, no one will like you. You'll be even more alone than before." She sighed. "And if you keep doing this than I will have to stop you. And I really don't want to do that. I mean you seem like a decent person after all." She spoke.

Katies eyes were suddenly drawn to the woman who had made the police call. She frowned. She had to make a decision. "Look. We don't have a lot of time. We need to leave right now." she spoke. She took the android hand. "I'm not an expert at... things. But I'm guessing you don't have a place to stay and you want someone to help you make friends.. I can do both." She spoke. She had a feeling the cops would only make things worse, so she had to say anything to get her out of here.

[Charmera]

Cora smiled genuinely when Katie complimented her. She had never really got a compliment before, unless you count her creators complimenting her on her ability to kill. She looked frustrated when Katie said she couldn't use force to make friends. "Well what am I supposed to do!" She said in frustration, getting a bit angry. "Being nice has never worked, everyone just thinks I'm a freak!" She vented, clearly upset.

Cora's attitude softened though when Katie that she was a decent person. She always worried that she was a bad at person, she was made to kill after all. She never had family or friends, and a lot of times she wondered if that was her fault. "You really think I'm a good person?" She asked softly, slightly in shock. She then felt Katie take her hand, it felt strange but nice. No one had ever held her hand before, she'd been on her own since she escaped from the lab after all.

Her eyes lit up when Katie said that she could give her a place to stay and teach her how to make friends. "You can really do that?" She said, hope and awe in her voice. She nodded enthusiastically when she told her to follow her. She'd follow Katie anywhere if it meant she could have friends. She got up from the chair to follow Katie when suddenly she heard police sirens in the distance. Her eyes widened and were suddenly filled with fear. "They're coming to get me! I have to get out of here!" She said frantically and fearfully to Katie. She was traumatized by authority figures and her doctors/captors had used loud sirens to test her ability and break her will to exist so she was afraid of them as well.

"Yes." Replied Katie. "And I'll try to teach you how to make friends." She spoke.

"Well... I can try." She spoke, What was she doing? Why did she trust this girl enough to let her live in her home? She frowned as she heard the Sirens. It seemed that they didn't have much time at all. Keeping a tight hold of the other girls hand Katie ran out the back door and quickly found an underlying electrical cable under the ground. She burnt through the concrete with superhot plasma till she made a direct path to the cable.

She turned to Cora and smiled under her mask. "Now this is going to be a little wierd..." She spoke, hearing police in the building they left. "But trust me when I say, it's pretty awesome!" She spoke. Cora wouldn't have much time to wonder what she was talking about as all of a sudden the two of them were riding superfast on electrical current, they themselves part of it, but distinct. They were riding at about a hundredth the speed of light, at least two million meters per second. It took not even a moment to reach Katie's home through a small plug.

'Whew..." Spoke Katie, colapsing into her couch nearby for a moment, that ride has taken a lot out of her. Doing that with two people was something she had never tried before. She ussaully didn't need to be so close to the wire either, but because she had Core on board it made it harder. "Sorry... that took a lot out of me. Also I never gave you my name." She spoke. She got up, extending a hand. "With the mask on, I'm Voltara. Vigilante crime-fighter." She then removed the mask and hood. "Without it, I'm Katie Prince. Normal 18 year old college girl. Currently on vacation with a job at Pizza hut." She the got closer. "Don't tell anyone though. It'll just be out secret." She explained. It would be much easier if she knew her secret identity since she was going to be living with her.

[Charmera]

Hazzel clearly didn't like the idea of Baxter changing his DNA. He wanted to find a way to control his emotions so he didn't hurt people, but he wasn't about to allow another random genius to experiment on him. Still, he could tell it was a friendly gesture so he tried to stay calm, though his heart beat raised significantly as he thought on the past. "I think I'll stay the way I am, but thanks any way." He shrugged when he asked if Hazzel would like to help him. "Well, I don't have much else to do. I can give it a try. I may be a warrior in nature, but my strength should be able to help you. I'll do my best to try to stay out of trouble." Hazzel did genuinely try to avoid trouble most times, but because of his condition it ended up finding him more often than not. Still he was trying to redeem himself. Maybe helping others could help him find the peace and redemption he was looking for.

In the distance, amid sand and dirt in a short bush a small white fox was listening to their conversation. A fox called Masami. She wasn't exactly unnoticeable, but she wasn't trying to be stealthy. She was merely curious. This "Finger of God" was someone who interested the fox quite a bit. He seemed the honorable sort, doing what he could for the people of this continent. She also noted the person he was talking to: A saiyan. She had heard a bit about them in recent years, though not too much. Masami hopped past the bushes and got a little closer. Listening to their conversation with her acute hearing. She of course had business here, Yokai no longer confined themselves to her homeland anymore after all, but that could indulge her curiosity for a little while at least.

[Charmera]

Cora followed behind Katie as the other girl held tightly held her hand and pulled her down an alley. She didn't usually trust strangers, but she would do anything to get away from the sirens. Besides Katie seemed nice, though Cora noticed that she hadn't told her her name yet. Katie stopped at a wire and began to burn through it. She then said that something was going weird and before Cora could even wonder what she was doing she was shot through the electrical current. It was a strange experience, but it only lasted a second and suddenly they were in a place that Cora didn't recognize.

She looked around the apartment in awe, as Katie sat on the coach. Cora had never stayed in one place for very long since she had escaped the lab. Her mouth was open in awe as she looked around. She then saw Katie on the coach looking exhausted, "Are you okay?" She asked in concern. She watched her take her mask off and gave a small smile when she gave her her name. "It's nice to meet you Katie, that's a pretty name." She said shaking her hand. She looked confused when she mentioned where she worked, "What's a Pizza Hut?" She asked her innocently. She knew little about the world having only been exposed to it for a few years. She knew even less about America.

She nodded when Katie told her not to tell anyone. "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone, I promise. I've never kept someone's secret before." She told Katie, still processing all this new information. "So you live here? And go to college? I've never seen a college before." She said factually. Then she got a little more quite and shy seeming. "And... I can live here too?" She said quietly, almost like a whisper. This all seemed too good too be true and Cora was a bit worried that it was a trap.

"Pizza is a kind of food. Pizza hut is where you get pizza." Katie explained. putting her hands beside herself in a relaxed position. She wondered about her new android acquaintance. Where she came from? How she was made? She seemed powerful at the very least. "You really don't know much about the world and stuff do you?" She asked, surprised by how little Cora knew. She smiled. "Don't worry. I'll teach you as best as I can... This should actually be pretty cool!"

"Good. I'm fairly sure that it would be really problematic if anyone found out about that. I mean... especially after today." Katie spoke, She smiled as she went and poured herself some milk. Mostly to calm her nerves. "Yup. I live here and go to a university nearby. I'm studying to become a physicist one day." She remarked with a proud smile. "As for living here..." She paused, she had to think about this. "Sure! I've never had a room mate before. Especially not an android one, so this should be really fun! Though try not to break anything like you did with the door in the salon."

[Charmera]

Baxter

"I understand. I can't say that my answer would be any different if I were in your shoes. But-" He was cut off when the Saiyan turned his attention elsewhere when something caught his eye. Baxter gave a look and saw that it was some very unnaturally busty woman with animal ears. "Oh... I suddenly see why... Yeah." He said. "Excuse me miss. Pardon my friend here, he's a little on edge. Is there something I can help you with?" Among the many things that you don't see everyday, this was one of them. It seemed, despite being the most powerful being within a thousand miles, he was also the most normal looking. Though he could change that if he wanted. ]

The fox had transformed when the Sayian had spoke to her, a slight smile on her face at the reaction of the two of them, though it faded slightly. Her single tail brushed with the wind. "I was curious about the one they called 'Finger of God'" She spoke. Masami observed him, and the Saiyan. "You seem to be doing a lot for this continent, and I just so happened to be in the area. I thought I'd track you down and see what you were like for myself." She spoke. "Your Saiyan friend too is interesting." She regarded the other man. Then bowed slightly out of politeness towards the two of them before straitening up again. "My name is Masami."

[Charmera]

Cora nodded when Katie explained that pizza was a kind of food. She wondered if she should mention that she didn't actually need to eat, though she could if she wanted to. She decided not to mention it to her, she didn't want her to think she was a freak. She gave a shy smile when she said that Cora didn't know much. "Well, I've only been in the world a few years. Well I've existed for 18 years, but I spent most of it in a..." She stopped and her voice got a little quite as terrible memories from her times as a experiment flooded her mind. "Well, in a lab of sorts." She finally said, not elaborating further. Her smile returned a bit when Katie said she would teach her, "Well thanks, I appreciate that. So you're studying physics? That's something I actually know about, at least I was programmed to know about it. I haven't really applied it in awhile."

Cora's eyes lit up when Katie said she could stay with her. She felt like she finally had friend. She blushed shyly when Katie asked her not to break anything. "I won't, I promise. Thank you Katie, you're the nicest person I ever met." Cora said sincerely. She hadn't met many nice people in her life. Even though she felt hopeful for the first time in forever, the thought of the sirens and the police men that followed gave her pause, she hated uniforms.

Meanwhile at the crime scene of the salon, the police were huddled around the broken door and the flower that Cora had incinerated. They had called in an expert who confiscated the plant and took it back to the lab to be tested. The FBI had been called and everything, and were asking the hostages for a description of the woman. When it was given two officers looked at each other, "You think its her?" One of them asked, "It could be, or it could have been one of those others freaks that run around the city. That electric girl was here too. It seems strange, but we'll have to wait until the tests. But if it is her, it might be time to see what Hunter can do." The man said.

"So you're my age! Wow." Spoke Katie. She smiled widely. "You don't have to talk about the Lab. I can tell it's making you uncomfortable." She spoke, though inwardly was a little disappointed to not be able to ask her friend as much about her past as she would want to. "Yeah. I'm top of my class. It's really useful learning this stuff when you have the kind of powers I do. Plus if I want to keep doing my superhero thing I'm going to need some knowledge in how to best use my powers and stuff."

Katie blushed a little when she was called the nicest. That was rather high praise for her. "Tha... thanks." She replied. "I mean... It's only the right thing to do. You don't have a home and... well you could use help learning about the world and stuff." She spoke. A little nervousness leading her to ramble a little in a fast energetic voice. "Plus I'm sure you'd make an awesome superheroing partner... I mean if you want to do that and help me. You don't have to, though it'd be awesome. Really awesome. I mean I don't know what powers you have but ripping off doors is impressive."

She realized she was speaking really quickly and rambling and so she blushed and stopped. "Sorry. Rambling. If I talk too much, please tell me to stop, because I wont on my own." she said and awkwardly chuckled.

But that was enough of contemplation for now. Tying up the strings of her apron, she whipped up a batch of molasses cookies, from a recipe passed down by the Stirlings since the 1900s. Reading a book as they baked, once the time was done, she let them cool slightly and then took them off the parchment paper, putting them onto a plate. Then, taking her trademark brown longcoat from the closet and putting it on, she headed over to Katie's, smiling at the smell of the cookies.

Knocking, she called out, "Hello Katie! I've got the cookies that we've been talking about!"

"Cookies!" Shouted Katie as she heard the magic word. Faster than most minds could even conceive she was at the door. Electricity surging through her as she anticipated the sweet, sweet taste of Val's cookies. The other woman was a much better cook that Katie, so often the girl would shamelessly mooch off of her kindness. Though in exchange Katie helped Val when she could.

She opened the door. "Cookie..." She spoke, nearly drooling as she saw them. Then she smiled. "Hi Val! Awesome cookies!" She spoke. Then remembered Cora. She opened the door a little wider, seeing an opertunity for Cora to make a friend. "Val, this is Cora. Cora this is Valancy Stirling."

"Cora will be staying with me for a little while." Katie said, smiling widely.

Hazzel watched as the fox transformed in to a stunningly attractive woman though she seemed uncomfortable with her looks. As if he hadn't seen enough seen enough for one day. "I'm Hazzel its nice to meet you." He turned back to Baxter with a small smile, "Seems like you're quite popular around here." He said before turning to Mamsami again. "Well, you're pretty interesting yourself if you don't mind me saying. I've never met a fox who turned in to a human before." He said with a smile.

Masami nodded. "I'm a Kitsune. We're a race of spirits or Yokai." She explained, some species pride in her voice as she explained it. "I've never met one of your kind before either Sayian. I hear that you are warriors of great power." She commented, then looked back to her single tail and blushed with shame. "Though, I'm not the best of out race to meet. I am but one tailed, and as such I'm not nearly as powerful or as wise as my kin."

[Charmera]

The fox had transformed when the Sayian had spoke to her, a slight smile on her face at the reaction of the two of them, though it faded slightly. Her single tail brushed with the wind. "I was curious about the one they called 'Finger of God'" She spoke. Masami observed him, and the Saiyan. "You seem to be doing a lot for this continent, and I just so happened to be in the area. I thought I'd track you down and see what you were like for myself." She spoke. "Your Saiyan friend too is interesting." She regarded the other man. Then bowed slightly out of politeness towards the two of them before straitening up again. "My name is Masami."

"That would be me miss... Masami, I hope I'm saying that right. Going to be completely honest with you, I don't know what any of those words mean." He said. "That is my alias, but my name is Baxter." He really wasn't sure what to make of the woman. He wasn't even sure how her chest got so big, but commenting about it was a good way to get him into trouble. She was friendly, and wanted to see him. Though he didn't know why.

Masami raised an eyebrow. Though she was going to be patient with this human. Most outside her home tended to be a little ignorant of these things. "Which ones? Saiyan? Your friend is an alien, part of an almost dead race. It's somewhat common knowledge seeing as two destroyed a city while on earth." Spoke the Kitsune. "Yokai are spirit beings, or not human. Kitsune are Yokai. Most of us protect the world from other, less moral Yokai."

[Charmera]

Masami raised an eyebrow. Though she was going to be patient with this human. Most outside her home tended to be a little ignorant of these things. "Which ones? Saiyan? Your friend is an alien, part of an almost dead race. It's somewhat common knowledge seeing as two destroyed a city while on earth." Spoke the Kitsune. "Yokai are spirit beings, or not human. Kitsune are Yokai. Most of us protect the world from other, less moral Yokai."

"I know about Saiyans. I know about the Golden Guardian that defeated them. The latter is what I needed explaining. Thank you, by the way." Baxter said. "I serve the Lord. He saved my life and gave me the power to save others. So that's what I'm doing." He said spreading the grass he had created in the village through the area for miles. "This place needs more help than almost any other area on Earth. Start small. We've got plenty of people saving the world from evil aliens and stuff. We need more down to Earth heroes. Helping the downtrodden."

"I see... so you do this as a sort of religious duty. Interesting." She replied. This Baxter guy seemed interesting. Masami did not regret tracking him down. She was also glad she met the Saiyan. "I'm here as I heard tell that there was a Yokai in disguise leading one of the factions here... though it seems like a mere rumour unfortunately... I may have to go back home empty handed."

Hazzel listened to Masami explain her people and then she said that she wasn't as strong or wide as the rest of her kind. "I can relate to that. I'm a half Saiyan after all. I've never seemed able to measure up to the others, but don't be so hard on yourself. I've learned the hard where that there are more important things in life than strength." He listened to her describe his race to Baxter, surprised how much she knew about it. He winced a little when she discussed the destruction of East City. That had been the work of his father's two allies, Raditz had died before the battle took place. He didn't really like the word alien either but knew she didn't mean it as an insult. It just brought back bad memories from his childhood.

"It's not just strength. It's a mark of respect. The more tails you have the more highly you are regarded. I am a mere one tail, and so I'm not very high up in the clan..." She remarked. "But that's why I'm here. I have to earn more tails by slaying evil beings. It's my purpose after all." She spoke.

[Charmera]

The Wages of Sin
Jacelyn Grim, Missoula Falls

---

"Mors Cum Terrore Novo Venit"

Scratching. Burning. Drilling. Biting.

Bad men in white rushed around her. Machines poked her body, needles stuck her. They muttered incoherently, her mind in awake sleep. Fluid rushed into the girl, helplessly cabled down to the table. Wires snaked to her head, under her arm-skin, drilling their biting heads into her muscles.

Gnawing. Cutting. Ripping. Tearing.

Roar of monstrous blades pierced her ears. Slowly brought close to her, they cut. Muscles ripping, her bone exposed. Her body felt like it was being torn apart.

Fighting. Screaming. Bleeding. Crying.

Tossing her body against the bonds, she fought to be free. Screams tore her throat, begging the pain to end. Blood dripped slowly from her wounds, caking the ground in crimson iron. They would never leave her. She would never be free. "Momma! Momma!" Tears poured down her face, mixing with the drying blood.

ENOUGH!

Her eyes shot open.

---

Explosion.

A bright light exploded as the ground blew outward. A massive cloud of dust and smoke mushroomed upward, energy and ash spit out from the base. Windows shattered, and buildings were blew over, careening to the ground. Those unfortunates caught in the blast radius were instantly erased from existence, blackened ash the only remaining testimony to their death. Chaos reigned as all ran frantically from the source of destruction.

Metal and concrete rained from the sky, shot forth like flechettes and artillery shells. Screams drowned by the roar of the blast, innocents cowering in abject fear.

---

Death.

Jacelyn lay in a pile of rubble. Lost, alone, confused. Standing up, everything spun around her, making her fall on her face. Pain shot through her body, tears unbidden came. It was like a dream, she didn't, couldn't know what happened.

Pushing up, she stood again. Glass cracked under her feet, cutting and biting her soles. The blood came. But she didn't notice. There was light pouring from the gaping wound in the structure above her, bidding her follow.

Mindlessly, she walked on, climbing the rubble before her. Nothing was understood. What was real?

Blood stained where she walked, a trail of crimson behind her. After eternity, she exited into the world.

The light blinded her, and she curled into a ball on the broken streets. It all hit at once. And she sobbed.

"Momma! I want Momma!"

"MOMMA!"

Energy burst outward, spraying pavement all over.

Then silence. Nothing but the wind could be heard as it blew around her naked body, chilling to the bone. No screams. No shouts. No machines. No bad men.

Tired and scared, the girl cried herself to sleep.

Lula was in a dreamscape not unfamiliar to her. Dark and gloomy, she frowned. A concerned frown of someone who knew someone they cared about was being hurt. She probed the world of the dream, finding someone she once knew. Guilt came into the ageless entity, welling in her little mental projection of a body. She shouldn't have left. Lula wondered if it was possible that she could have stayed. But considering the state of the dream... it would have been much worse had she done so. For both her and Jace's sake she had to leave. But still... this was... horrible...

"What did they do to you Jace...?" She asked.

This is far too gloomy. Poor Jace. With a snap of her fingers the world around her brightened, so she was now able to visibly see everything around her, and hopefully Jace would be able to do so too. She looked around and found Jace's dream avatar. Her eyes widened as she ran towards it. She came towards the avatar, the much smaller girl would stand out against the grey, being white and very bright. "Jace...?" She smiled weakly. "It's me... Lula...?" She spoke. She wondered whether Jace would be mad. She didn't want her to be mad...