Academy of Villains: Now With 200% More Multiverse [IC]

[Free Empire of the Low Isles]

"Shooting range. I need to practice with a gun anyway." Coilin said, moving to get into his wheelchair.

TIME SKIP TO SHOOTING RANGE, LIKE FIVE MINUTES MAX
Sal was wielding his favorite pistol, a modified desert eagle with silncers. However, due to it being a shooting range, he still wore his earmuffs. "Nothing to take off a little steam than shooting a gun, eh mate?!" Said sal, hitting the target a large majority of the time. "Pity they aren't live targets though!"

Coilin was shooting the Python gun he picked up up for the fight with Anastasia. He was starting to hit the target more often than not, but he still wasn't a great shot. "If they were, I'd be dead by now mate!" he yelled, the earmuffs on his head pushed back a little.

[Bycrest]

"Seeing as how you pretty much have this situation under control, I think I'll head back to the VTOL. Since this mission is basically scrubbed anyway." Zayne left Raven to her happy time and walked back to the VTOL.

"So how bad do you think we're going to get it?" Zayne asked as he reached the VTOL.

Derek chuckled. "Oh, you're getting off easy, except for Agent Furan... I have higher expectations on my shoulders, knowing my bosses, I'm going to end up with a solo mission to Siberia or Northern Ontario..."

"That doesn't sound very pleasant. Do you think the League can salvage this mess or is it a loss?"

[Free Empire of the Low Isles]

Abrir grabbed her shirt, and pulled up, propelling her blade into his chest. He leaned in next to her ear.

"And you'll... Burn with us." he whispered, blood spattering her shirt.

And then he died.

She just kept smiling, that vacant smile as she nodded and said the last words he would ever hear.

"I know."

Then he was gone, and the smile remained. Just... there, on her face, as she stared at the body and rocked back and forth in a faint motion, before pushing her hands up over her face and over her forehead, running them through her hair, and revealing something odd.

She was crying.

Saira moved over and sat next to her. She wrapped her arms around her. "Thank you... Natalya..." she said quietly.

[Charlia]

She just kept smiling, that vacant smile as she nodded and said the last words he would ever hear.

"I know."

Then he was gone, and the smile remained. Just... there, on her face, as she stared at the body and rocked back and forth in a faint motion, before pushing her hands up over her face and over her forehead, running them through her hair, and revealing something odd.

She was crying.

Saira moved over and sat next to her. She wrapped her arms around her. "Thank you... Natalya..." she said quietly.

As much as Kitty wanted to push the girl away, to cry out, "Don't touch me!" and pull into the corner, Natalya was strangely comforted.

"...Пожалуйста," she finally said. "Пожалуйста."

[Free Empire of the Low Isles]

Saira moved over and sat next to her. She wrapped her arms around her. "Thank you... Natalya..." she said quietly.

As much as Kitty wanted to push the girl away, to cry out, "Don't touch me!" and pull into the corner, Natalya was strangely comforted.

"...Пожалуйста," she finally said. "Пожалуйста."

"Come on... I want to start that new life you promised me..." Saira whispered.

[Charlia]

As much as Kitty wanted to push the girl away, to cry out, "Don't touch me!" and pull into the corner, Natalya was strangely comforted.

"...Пожалуйста," she finally said. "Пожалуйста."

"Come on... I want to start that new life you promised me..." Saira whispered.

"...Right," Kitty said, shaking slightly. "That's right." She stood up, and took Saira's hand.

"Let's get back to the ship..."

[Free Empire of the Low Isles]

"Come on... I want to start that new life you promised me..." Saira whispered.

"...Right," Kitty said, shaking slightly. "That's right." She stood up, and took Saira's hand.

"Let's get back to the ship..."

"And I can meet Coilin! He sounded nice... If you like him, I should too, right?" Saira said, smiling for what seemed to be the first time in her whole life.

[Charlia]

"...Right," Kitty said, shaking slightly. "That's right." She stood up, and took Saira's hand.

"Let's get back to the ship..."

"And I can meet Coilin! He sounded nice... If you like him, I should too, right?" Saira said, smiling for what seemed to be the first time in her whole life.

"Well, that's all up to you," Natalya reassured the girl. "Everything is up to you now."

She gave the girl a quick hug and began leading her back to the ship.

[Free Empire of the Low Isles]

"And I can meet Coilin! He sounded nice... If you like him, I should too, right?" Saira said, smiling for what seemed to be the first time in her whole life.

"Well, that's all up to you," Natalya reassured the girl. "Everything is up to you now."

She gave the girl a quick hug and began leading her back to the ship.

"Okay... You sound sad. Why are you sad?" Saira asked, squeezing her hand and following.

[Charlia]

"Well, that's all up to you," Natalya reassured the girl. "Everything is up to you now."

She gave the girl a quick hug and began leading her back to the ship.

"Okay... You sound sad. Why are you sad?" Saira asked, squeezing her hand and following.

"Oh... Just some bittersweet memories."

Wish I'd had someone to talk me through this like I am for Saira...

[Free Empire of the Low Isles]

"Okay... You sound sad. Why are you sad?" Saira asked, squeezing her hand and following.

"Oh... Just some bittersweet memories."

Wish I'd had someone to talk me through this like I am for Saira...

Saira squeezed her hand again. "You can talk to me..." she said, smiling.

[Doughertania]

Anton Greaves
With the intruder bound tightly in the crimson bands of Val's magic, Anton expected to receive defiance, anger, or scorn. Maybe even an escape attempt. And yet instead of anything of the sort, the demoness began to cry. Between her sobs, she tried to explain that Meire had done something horrible, had gotten many people killed. Before anyone had time to react, Meire transformed, emerging into a monstrous winged form. He summoned a ball of fire, and force-fed it to their captive. It seemed any conversation with Val would have to wait, making him even more annoyed. He just wanted one conversation, was that so hard?

Jennifer was the first to act, sending domes of energy to seperate the two demons, but she wasn't looking too good. She had a calm demeanor, but her heart was racing, and he could see sweat on her brow. She was clearly freaked out, and he didn't blame her. Two supernatural creatures nearly killed each other in front of her, and now she just tried to break it up. He looked her way, and was about to thank her but saw three girls waving their figures at Jennifer. No, there was only one, the others were illusions. How'd she get in? He never noticed her enter. It didn't matter. The new girl was trying to continue the fight, Jennifer was trying to end it. No contest there. "Keep it up, Jennifer!" he said encouragingly, trying to keep her from panicking "Hold the line for a little longer, and it'll all be over. And you there! New girl! Leave her alone. We're not having a grudge match in my lab!"

As he finish, he felt the parasite shout unhelpfully in his mind, urging him to attack. Anton shook it off. "Yeah, yeah, give me a moment." he grumbled, making sure the way was clear for his maneuver. One alien creature talking in his mind was enough. He didn't need another one to nag him. As he readied himself, he noticed Niko rush in, and immediately began resuscitating the demoness. Anton gave a small smile. Sure, it broke his streak of saving people, but his symbiote was in no shape to do anything more than stabilize someone else. He gladly welcomed the entrance of another, more skilled healer.

Seeing his opening, Anton dove between the two demons, rolling to his feet and getting up. He angled his left arm back, protecting the demoness as best he could. With the other, he raised his arm towards Meire. A small lump traveled across the symbiote, moving from the back pocket up Anton's side and across his forearm into his hand. The white living metal pealed back, and the silver cross extended outward, embedded in his palm.

In a measured tone, Anton spoke, for once a twinge of anger coloring his voice. "Look, I healed you once. I sure as hell can harm you. So do us all a favor, and let's all calm down before you make me do something we're both going to regret." He stood there, completely calm, ready to react as the scene played out. If Meire lunged or made some aggressive action, Anton'd try to intercept him, wrapping the silver chain around his throat. If he back down, Anton would too. He hated having a potential fight in his lab, but it wasn't like he had any other choice.

Anton was amply aware of the demoness behind him. Although he believed her story, and even felt pity for her torment, he had seen her power. The energy she gave off was insane, significantly higher than what he had originally encountered in Violet or Meire. He had no doubt that if she could get a handle on her emotions, the girl could easily match Meire. Even now, she could be dangerous, and with his back to her he was vulnerable to attack. He just had to have faith that Val could immobilize her before he took damage. Speaking behind him, he said "Val, keep yourself trained on her. I don't want my spine shattered." He realized what he was doing, asking his rival to protect him, yet he didn't care. They both were wary of extra-dimensional creatures, surely she would protect him. Besides, there was something natural about working with her, something that made her seem like less of a threat and more of an ally. He'd have to reflect on that later, on some other time when there weren't so many crises happening at once.

Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Kadus come into the room, bringing in a wheel-chair bound Anastasia. Why was she here, and why'd she bring a crippled being? Why was Anastasia even alive? Didn't Coilin and Raven eviscerate her? Either way, he was wary. Kadus had never forgiven him for freeing Poppy from her clutches. And with Anton focused on the demon threat, he wouldn't be surprised if she tried something now. "Poppy, do me a favor. If anyone tries to exasperate the situation, seedpod them. Leave the demons to Val and I." After a pause, he added "That's an order." That last part left a bitter taste in his mouth, but he had no choice. When Poppy was anxious, she reverted back to the submissive personality, and with both Kadus and Anastasia here, there was able cause to be nervous. What she needed now was to stay focused.

[Skyline United]

Anton Greaves
-Snip-

Meire's joyful expression changed to an annoyed frown when Anton moved between him and Lucy. When lifted the cross towards him, he felt it draining his strength, but it wasn't fast enough for what Meire did next. With one quick blow, he batted Anton to the side with one of his powerful wings.

"Do not test me mortal. I am not in the mood." he growled at Anton, his voice calm. "I was simply punishing her for her wrong doings." He grinned and did a little bow. "After all, it's what we demons do best." he finished.

Lucy groaned in pain slowly forced herself to a sitting position. Her eyes had changed to brown and the energy that was there before was gone. She appeared to be a normal human being.

Upon seeing Lucy, Meire glared at her and whispered something so quietly that is was inaudible. The expression that crossed the girl's face was that of pure terror. She had heard what Meire had said. Now that he had finished his work, Meire simply walked out the door.

He returned to his room and sat down on his bed. His body slowly changed back to how he appeared before. His hair was red once more and he appeared to be human. Once it was complete, he collapsed from fatigue.

[Kractero]

The demoness had appeared to be okay. Val was impressed by Niko's adept healing, managing to bring her back from the brink of death with one heal, seemingly repairing all damaged bodily organs and bones in an instant. Anton had dove and rolled over to bridge the gap between Meire and Lucy, giving him potential space to just walk up and hurt the girl again. Val stood up to protect the girl and Niko as he continued to heal her, leaving Anton to deal with Meire. The cross would suffice anyway, but she watched carefully.

He was watching him exchange banter and pull out the cross as his form of offense. That was so Anton, always wary of picking fights. If she was on the offensive, she wouldn't have known what she would've done. Probably try and fight, but they haven't properly assessed his powers yet. Perhaps his form of fighting would work.

In the thrill of spectating, she almost didn't notice or hear him tell her to "Val, keep yourself trained on her. I don't want my spine shattered." She almost instantly responds with a yes, glad to be able to protect her frie-rival. If he wasn't alive, who was she going to be rivals with? Who was she going to argue with? "I've got your back...or spine. Wouldn't want my friend to die before we could start working together, right?"

She continues to watch the demon, intent on protecting Lucy, Niko, and Anton. Meire had finally gotten up, staring at Anton with a bit of annoyance before bringing his hands to swipe Anton towards the wall. Almost instantly, her emotions influenced her next act, rather than the suit, and she rushed over to his side. "Are you okay, Anton?" She had the parasite scan him for bodily damage, but there didn't appear to be much. She glances up to see Meire finishing saying something to Lucy before leaving to his room.

"And stay out, asshole!"

[Arstotzkas]

Jennifer releases her constructs and almost casually says to Anton "Well, that was terrifying. I hope you're alright Anton, looks you took a nasty blow back there. But as for the girl, I think she suffered more than just physical damage..I'll go check on her"

She walks up to Lucy, now looking surprisingly normal and asks her "Hey, are you ok? It looks like you took some nasty hits from Meire, and you don't look great right now to be honest. She found it odd that the energy and have that once radiate from her was now gone, making her almost seem like a normal human Bing.

[Archembalt]

As the VTOL -- separate from the one which would pick up Zayne, Derek, and the other two girls -- landed, Orson woke from his nap with a gasp. He began to scan his surroundings and realized that he still resided on the plane.

"Eugh." he groaned, clearly not enjoying the metallic bed that he had been provided during his trip.

Getting up to his feet, he began to stretch out. His wounds had healed only a tad, so he could still feel the creeping pain of his shrapnel-based injuries as he extended his limbs.

The chill of the passenger section struck his bare chest, causing him to shudder. Soon, the medic who had tended to his wounds tossed his ripped gray polo shirt before dipping back into the cockpit.

"Seriously? No new clothing?" Orson just sighed, as per usual, and placed his shirt back on. It wasn't the best, but at least he wasn't naked. He went to step out of the plane finally after opening the door, removing his bandages. The scars were still there, but he didn't mind. His long sleeves would cover up the injuries, mostly.

And then the introspection began once he gained some bearing of his location.

He did not want to associate himself with any of the individuals who had tortured Abrir and wreaked such reckless havoc in the power plant.
They were brutes, he thought to himself. Orson couldn't comprehend why the school would allow psychotic teenagers like them to run amuck. Maybe it was some sort of social experiment. Who knew.

Not what I wanted to experience on my first mission. Not at all.

Next, Orson wanted to find some like-minded individuals -- someone with a cool, calm, and collected psyche who could hold a decent conversation without having to resort to violence or condescension. Someone who was somewhat sane.

His best bet was to look throughout the base and try to find some other students to speak with, so that was what he decided to do first. He assumed that it would be easy enough to spot someone who looked trustworthy enough.

Hope I can find someone who isn't fighting or trying to kill someone else.

Orson wandered about the halls, looking for someone to interact with. Then it hit him . . .

Glancing down at his shirt, drenched in Abrir's dried blood, he would realize that there would be questions.

Then again, most people here are insane, so they won't think much of it.

Orson grinned wryly to himself.

Maybe I should take a shower? I'm kind of interested to see how people react. Would give me some clue as to who I'm dealing with. Everyone here seems used to blood.

[Charlia]

"Oh... Just some bittersweet memories."

Wish I'd had someone to talk me through this like I am for Saira...

Saira squeezed her hand again. "You can talk to me..." she said, smiling.

She managed a smile. "I just... It just feels nice, being able to be here for someone who's gone through some of the same things I have. Makes me wish that there'd been someone to help me through it, too. That's all."

Anton Greaves
Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Kadus come into the room, bringing in a wheel-chair bound Anastasia. Why was she here, and why'd she bring a crippled being? Why was Anastasia even alive? Didn't Coilin and Raven eviscerate her? Either way, he was wary. Kadus had never forgiven him for freeing Poppy from her clutches. And with Anton focused on the demon threat, he wouldn't be surprised if she tried something now. "Poppy, do me a favor. If anyone tries to exasperate the situation, seedpod them. Leave the demons to Val and I." After a pause, he added "That's an order." That last part left a bitter taste in his mouth, but he had no choice. When Poppy was anxious, she reverted back to the submissive personality, and with both Kadus and Anastasia here, there was able cause to be nervous. What she needed now was to stay focused.

Poppy hadn't noticed Kadus come in, but when Anton spoke, her mind snapped back to the present, and she said, "Yes, sir," quickly and quietly.

Then she saw Anastasia.

A horrified scream tore from her throat, and she darted back, hiding behind Anton. He'd protect her. He treated her like a human being. He was nice to her, he helped her, he'd protect her from--wait, why was she in a wheelchair? And why did she look so... different?

That didn't matter. Surely it didn't matter. She was Madame Anastasia! To Poppy, she was the devil! Memories of her time with Anastasia flashed through Poppy's mind, horrible memories. Being forced to fight, to kill her only friend. Spending time with Flint, being broken in both body and soul until she was nothing more than a tool.

She kept the seedpods ready so she could obey Anton like she was supposed to. She had trained herself to obey without question. Her time with Anastasia had given her a mantra, one that she would repeat to herself if an order seemed hard to carry out.

Be a good girl, and Flint won't hurt you again.

It didn't really apply here, but she remembered Kadus slapping her, and she felt a dull, reminding ache. She didn't like Kadus. Kadus was mean.

Anton wouldn't hurt her. He'd protect her from Anastasia if the woman tried anything...

She hoped.

[The Dystopian Isles of Frisct]

As the VTOL -- separate from the one which would pick up Zayne, Derek, and the other two girls -- landed, Orson woke from his nap with a gasp. He began to scan his surroundings and realized that he still resided on the plane.

"Eugh." he groaned, clearly not enjoying the metallic bed that he had been provided during his trip.

Getting up to his feet, he began to stretch out. His wounds had healed only a tad, so he could still feel the creeping pain of his shrapnel-based injuries as he extended his limbs.

The chill of the passenger section struck his bare chest, causing him to shudder. Soon, the medic who had tended to his wounds tossed his ripped gray polo shirt before dipping back into the cockpit.

"Seriously? No new clothing?" Orson just sighed, as per usual, and placed his shirt back on. It wasn't the best, but at least he wasn't naked. He went to step out of the plane finally after opening the door, removing his bandages. The scars were still there, but he didn't mind. His long sleeves would cover up the injuries, mostly.

And then the introspection began once he gained some bearing of his location.

He did not want to associate himself with any of the individuals who had tortured Abrir and wreaked such reckless havoc in the power plant.
They were brutes, he thought to himself. Orson couldn't comprehend why the school would allow psychotic teenagers like them to run amuck. Maybe it was some sort of social experiment. Who knew.

Not what I wanted to experience on my first mission. Not at all.

Next, Orson wanted to find some like-minded individuals -- someone with a cool, calm, and collected psyche who could hold a decent conversation without having to resort to violence or condescension. Someone who was somewhat sane.

His best bet was to look throughout the base and try to find some other students to speak with, so that was what he decided to do first. He assumed that it would be easy enough to spot someone who looked trustworthy enough.

Hope I can find someone who isn't fighting or trying to kill someone else.

Orson wandered about the halls, looking for someone to interact with.

Dante woke up in his bed, his hair messy and his clothes wrinkled. He didn't know what time it was, but he decided that it was time to get up. He put on a white button up shirt and some jeans. He slipped on a pair of shoes and brushed his hair before going outside into the hallway. He hadn't been outside of his room at all since came here, and decided that he would explore. Maybe he would meet some people while he walked around.

[Kractero]

Saira squeezed her hand again. "You can talk to me..." she said, smiling.

She managed a smile. "I just... It just feels nice, being able to be here for someone who's gone through some of the same things I have. Makes me wish that there'd been someone to help me through it, too. That's all."

Anton Greaves
Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Kadus come into the room, bringing in a wheel-chair bound Anastasia. Why was she here, and why'd she bring a crippled being? Why was Anastasia even alive? Didn't Coilin and Raven eviscerate her? Either way, he was wary. Kadus had never forgiven him for freeing Poppy from her clutches. And with Anton focused on the demon threat, he wouldn't be surprised if she tried something now. "Poppy, do me a favor. If anyone tries to exasperate the situation, seedpod them. Leave the demons to Val and I." After a pause, he added "That's an order." That last part left a bitter taste in his mouth, but he had no choice. When Poppy was anxious, she reverted back to the submissive personality, and with both Kadus and Anastasia here, there was able cause to be nervous. What she needed now was to stay focused.

Poppy hadn't noticed Kadus come in, but when Anton spoke, her mind snapped back to the present, and she said, "Yes, sir," quickly and quietly.

Then she saw Anastasia.

A horrified scream tore from her throat, and she darted back, hiding behind Anton. He'd protect her. He treated her like a human being. He was nice to her, he helped her, he'd protect her from--wait, why was she in a wheelchair? And why did she look so... different?

That didn't matter. Surely it didn't matter. She was Madame Anastasia! To Poppy, she was the devil! Memories of her time with Anastasia flashed through Poppy's mind, horrible memories. Being forced to fight, to kill her only friend. Spending time with Flint, being broken in both body and soul until she was nothing more than a tool.

She kept the seedpods ready so she could obey Anton like she was supposed to. She had trained herself to obey without question. Her time with Anastasia had given her a mantra, one that she would repeat to herself if an order seemed hard to carry out.

Be a good girl, and Flint won't hurt you again.

It didn't really apply here, but she remembered Kadus slapping her, and she felt a dull, reminding ache. She didn't like Kadus. Kadus was mean.

Anton wouldn't hurt her. He'd protect her from Anastasia if the woman tried anything...

She hoped.

Noticing the fear in Poppy's eyes, Niko turns to her after he finishes healing Lucy.

"She's basically an entirely different version of herself. All her domineering aspects are gone. She would be more restrained, but Kadus brought her along, and I don't have any good technology since I haven't botany." He laughs sarcastically to himself before continuing. "Don't think about orders as people ordering you around, just think of it as them asking for favors so when you need something, they'll do it for you. I like what you've been doing with your plants, anyway. Make one that can produce power and it can be a power-plant..."

[Archembalt]

As the VTOL -- separate from the one which would pick up Zayne, Derek, and the other two girls -- landed, Orson woke from his nap with a gasp. He began to scan his surroundings and realized that he still resided on the plane.

"Eugh." he groaned, clearly not enjoying the metallic bed that he had been provided during his trip.

Getting up to his feet, he began to stretch out. His wounds had healed only a tad, so he could still feel the creeping pain of his shrapnel-based injuries as he extended his limbs.

The chill of the passenger section struck his bare chest, causing him to shudder. Soon, the medic who had tended to his wounds tossed his ripped gray polo shirt before dipping back into the cockpit.

"Seriously? No new clothing?" Orson just sighed, as per usual, and placed his shirt back on. It wasn't the best, but at least he wasn't naked. He went to step out of the plane finally after opening the door, removing his bandages. The scars were still there, but he didn't mind. His long sleeves would cover up the injuries, mostly.

And then the introspection began once he gained some bearing of his location.

He did not want to associate himself with any of the individuals who had tortured Abrir and wreaked such reckless havoc in the power plant.
They were brutes, he thought to himself. Orson couldn't comprehend why the school would allow psychotic teenagers like them to run amuck. Maybe it was some sort of social experiment. Who knew.

Not what I wanted to experience on my first mission. Not at all.

Next, Orson wanted to find some like-minded individuals -- someone with a cool, calm, and collected psyche who could hold a decent conversation without having to resort to violence or condescension. Someone who was somewhat sane.

His best bet was to look throughout the base and try to find some other students to speak with, so that was what he decided to do first. He assumed that it would be easy enough to spot someone who looked trustworthy enough.

Hope I can find someone who isn't fighting or trying to kill someone else.

Orson wandered about the halls, looking for someone to interact with.

Dante woke up in his bed, his hair messy and his clothes wrinkled. He didn't know what time it was, but he decided that it was time to get up. He put on a white button up shirt and some jeans. He slipped on a pair of shoes and brushed his hair before going outside into the hallway. He hadn't been outside of his room at all since came here, and decided that he would explore. Maybe he would meet some people while he walked around.

It would only be some time before the two boys would meet each other. Dante came into Orson's sight, and he formed a slight smile on his face to prepare a greeting. Granted, this would not be a normal confrontation. The African-American boy, dried blood staining his visage and garments, started waving at Dante from down the hallway, ambling over to him. He was eager to meet someone and maintain a relatively decent conversation.

"What's good, man?" His smile widened some, attempting to come off as a slightly affable person.

That's a simple enough greeting, isn't it? Keep it normal. We're not normal, but that doesn't mean I can't uphold some sense normalcy around here. People like that, don't they?

[Charlia]

She managed a smile. "I just... It just feels nice, being able to be here for someone who's gone through some of the same things I have. Makes me wish that there'd been someone to help me through it, too. That's all."Poppy hadn't noticed Kadus come in, but when Anton spoke, her mind snapped back to the present, and she said, "Yes, sir," quickly and quietly.

Then she saw Anastasia.

A horrified scream tore from her throat, and she darted back, hiding behind Anton. He'd protect her. He treated her like a human being. He was nice to her, he helped her, he'd protect her from--wait, why was she in a wheelchair? And why did she look so... different?

That didn't matter. Surely it didn't matter. She was Madame Anastasia! To Poppy, she was the devil! Memories of her time with Anastasia flashed through Poppy's mind, horrible memories. Being forced to fight, to kill her only friend. Spending time with Flint, being broken in both body and soul until she was nothing more than a tool.

She kept the seedpods ready so she could obey Anton like she was supposed to. She had trained herself to obey without question. Her time with Anastasia had given her a mantra, one that she would repeat to herself if an order seemed hard to carry out.

Be a good girl, and Flint won't hurt you again.

It didn't really apply here, but she remembered Kadus slapping her, and she felt a dull, reminding ache. She didn't like Kadus. Kadus was mean.

Anton wouldn't hurt her. He'd protect her from Anastasia if the woman tried anything...

She hoped.

Noticing the fear in Poppy's eyes, Niko turns to her after he finishes healing Lucy.

"She's basically an entirely different version of herself. All her domineering aspects are gone. She would be more restrained, but Kadus brought her along, and I don't have any good technology since I haven't botany." He laughs sarcastically to himself before continuing. "Don't think about orders as people ordering you around, just think of it as them asking for favors so when you need something, they'll do it for you. I like what you've been doing with your plants, anyway. Make one that can produce power and it can be a power-plant..."

Poppy just kept trembling, her green eyes wide and full of fear.

Then he complimented her plants, and she relaxed slightly, a hint of a smile beginning to form. At the end of his statement about the power-plant, she giggled at the wordplay, finding it funny.

"...So she... won't hurt me?" she whispered nervously.

[Kractero]

Noticing the fear in Poppy's eyes, Niko turns to her after he finishes healing Lucy.

"She's basically an entirely different version of herself. All her domineering aspects are gone. She would be more restrained, but Kadus brought her along, and I don't have any good technology since I haven't botany." He laughs sarcastically to himself before continuing. "Don't think about orders as people ordering you around, just think of it as them asking for favors so when you need something, they'll do it for you. I like what you've been doing with your plants, anyway. Make one that can produce power and it can be a power-plant..."

Poppy just kept trembling, her green eyes wide and full of fear.

Then he complimented her plants, and she relaxed slightly, a hint of a smile beginning to form. At the end of his statement about the power-plant, she giggled at the wordplay, finding it funny.

"...So she... won't hurt me?" she whispered nervously.

"She shouldn't, " Niko replies, glad that someone laughed at his pun. "She should actually address what she did wrong if you talk to her. If she doesn't, I haven't been raisin her well enough.

[Charlia]

Poppy just kept trembling, her green eyes wide and full of fear.

Then he complimented her plants, and she relaxed slightly, a hint of a smile beginning to form. At the end of his statement about the power-plant, she giggled at the wordplay, finding it funny.

"...So she... won't hurt me?" she whispered nervously.

"She shouldn't, " Niko replies, glad that someone laughed at his pun. "She should actually address what she did wrong if you talk to her. If she doesn't, I haven't been raisin her well enough.

"I... wonder..."

Nervously, she left Anton's shadow, feeling like she'd stepped out into a blizzard. She was disoriented, the world was spinning around her, she was so scared... she felt like she was being buried under a crushing weight.

"M-Madame Anastasia?" she said timidly, her heart racing.

[Kractero]

"She shouldn't, " Niko replies, glad that someone laughed at his pun. "She should actually address what she did wrong if you talk to her. If she doesn't, I haven't been raisin her well enough.

"I... wonder..."

Nervously, she left Anton's shadow, feeling like she'd stepped out into a blizzard. She was disoriented, the world was spinning around her, she was so scared... she felt like she was being buried under a crushing weight.

"M-Madame Anastasia?" she said timidly, her heart racing.

"Master, who's this?" Anastasia inquired as he approached her with Poppy. "Po...poppy?"

"Don't call me Master, it's Niko. And yes, it is."

"I'm sorry, Ma...Niko," she replies. Her memories of torturing and being rough with Poppy returns to her. "Sorry wouldn't repair what I've done...but I'm so sorry, Poppy..."

[Charlia]

"I... wonder..."

Nervously, she left Anton's shadow, feeling like she'd stepped out into a blizzard. She was disoriented, the world was spinning around her, she was so scared... she felt like she was being buried under a crushing weight.

"M-Madame Anastasia?" she said timidly, her heart racing.

"Master, who's this?" Anastasia inquired as he approached her with Poppy. "Po...poppy?"

"Don't call me Master, it's Niko. And yes, it is."

"I'm sorry, Ma...Niko," she replies. Her memories of torturing and being rough with Poppy returns to her. "Sorry wouldn't repair what I've done...but I'm so sorry, Poppy..."

Poppy stared at the woman in shock, holding trembling fingers to her mouth.

She's... sorry? I... I don't understand...

She's sorry.

To hear it filled her with overwhelming joy, a warmth that radiated through her body. Tears beaded, and then rolled down her cheeks.

She's sorry.

It was overwhelming.

She's sorry for letting Flint torture me. She's sorry for taking away my chance of ever being a mother. She's sorry for making me kill my best friend.

She's sorry.

She covered her face with her hands, shook with something like soft coughs, and cried tears that, like a cleansing rain, washed away years of silent suffering.