Main Event Fighting of the Spirit

[Crimson Spartan]

The discussion went on and on as the group continued upward, treading the street that climbed the side of the mountain. As they went higher, the city seemed to expand outward as more of it was revealed in full. The view from up close was grim, but seeing the city from above was an entirely different sight. Distance and scale gave the toppled high-rises and ruined streets a chilling beauty that could possibly be appreciated if one was removed from the reality of the situation.

"Is the whole planet like this?" Eleanor asked, eyes transfixed on the darkened horizon.

Ludger ran a hand through his hair. "It is, I think. But it is impossible for us to know for sure."

Eleanor thought on this for a moment. "How do we know the Great Spirit is nearby?"

"Well..." Ludger shrugged. "Milla Maxwell's intuition. Plus, there has been Revanchist activity in the area. Where they are, the Great Spirit can't be far..."

Ludger trailed off as he watched a heavy plume of smoke and ash erupt into the air in the distance. Its origin was in the middle of a number of dilapidated factories and steel mills that lined the edge of the city bordering a lake. Though they could not possibly be operating any longer, smaller plumes of smoke rose hazily from the smokestacks.

"Interesting," Ludger said. He looked up the rest of the street. "That might be the activity we're looking for, but let's just get to the top to get the best view."

The group was close now. The street turned harshly at the top, splitting off to snake through the rest of the city that had been built on the mountain. Lining the street and overlooking the side of the mountain was a park, though it hardly looked inviting. Dead trees and grass, the smell of filth, and an unsettling wind dared all who came near to turn right around.

@Crow @Takumi @Minerva @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Krieg @Josh @Jeremi @Glostechk @York @Gummi Bunnies @Alex Azure @Yun Lee @Space_Candy @MelodyMeister @Kaykay @Ver @Lucky @Hahli Nuva @Ottonomous Ghost @Sark @Crimson Spartan @HealThyWounds

Keaton looked around as he took in the area around him sniffing the air as the group moved. He tried to stay close to Wade as well as Corrin before the scent fully entered his nose. He happened to look at the park as well his eyes widening.

"T-this smell..."

"It's..."

"It's....."

"It's absolutely divine! Here I thought this place was dreadful but not now!" .....Only Keaton would fine the smell of filth to be 'divine'. That park also looked pretty interesting.

"It will give us a full view of the city below the mountain," Ludger said to Severa, stepping on to the park grounds. Almost immediately, he felt a droning in his ears. He paused for a moment, looking around.

"Look over there," Eleanor said quietly, pointing to a circle of bushes nearby. Though everything else here was dead, these plants seemed healthy. They swayed slightly in the breeze. If one stared at the foliage long enough, shadows seemed to dance above the plants.

@Crow @HealThyWounds @Minerva @Jeremi @Yun Lee @Takumi @CrunchyCHEEZIT

Huh that's a little out of place and it ruins the aesthetic! Well people seemed interested in it but Keaton's eyes wandered back to all the other dead stuff around.

@Crow @Takumi @Minerva @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Krieg @Josh @Jeremi @Glostechk @York @Gummi Bunnies @Alex Azure @Yun Lee @Space_Candy @MelodyMeister @Kaykay @Ver @Lucky @Hahli Nuva @Ottonomous Ghost @Sark @Atomic Knight @HealThyWounds @Everyone
​

 

[Gummi Bunnies]

❝ Well, ain't that something? Don't know about you guys, but I'm just gonna back up from the suspiciously healthy plants. ❞ Majima wasn't too sure on what to expect from here anyways.

@Crow @Takumi @Minerva @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Krieg @Josh @Jeremi @Glostechk @York @Gummi Bunnies @Alex Azure @Yun Lee @Space_Candy @MelodyMeister @Kaykay @Ver @Lucky @Hahli Nuva @Ottonomous Ghost @Sark @Atomic Knight @HealThyWounds @Crimson Spartan @Everyone​

 

[Hahli Nuva]

"I've had enough fooling around. We need to move. That spirit isn't going to protect itself."

Will drew War Song and slashed at the plants, clearing the debris and sending violet light bursting everywhere. The plants were turned to ash as the area around the heroes was illuminated.

@Atomic Knight @Jeremi @Yun Lee @Crow @Lucky @CrunchyCHEEZIT

 

[Yun Lee]

"Oh great, she's already trying to get us all killed..." Severa, still weaponless after the Origin mission, ducked behind Majima, figuring this giant dude had plenty of sense in avoiding the suspicious plants, being one of the few to do so. "I'll heal your injuries if you keep me from dying. Deal?"

@Gummi Bunnies​

 

[Gummi Bunnies]

❝ Sure thing, missy! I got a real good track record playing bodyguard 99.9% of the time! No extra charge needed! ❞

@Yun Lee​

 

[Crow]

"I've had enough fooling around. We need to move. That spirit isn't going to protect itself."

Will drew War Song and slashed at the plants, clearing the debris and sending violet light bursting everywhere. The plants were turned to ash as the area around the heroes was illuminated.

@Atomic Knight @Jeremi @Yun Lee @Crow @Lucky @CrunchyCHEEZIT

Ben sees this sight of Will flaying the vegetation, widens his eyes, looks at his various allies, then crosses his arms.

"... this cannot end well, can it?"

@Atomic Knight @Jeremi @Yun Lee @Crow @Lucky @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Alex Azure @York @Hahli Nuva​

 

[Lucky]

Wade Wilson/Deadpool

" Well, judging by the fact that we have no clue what that is, if the plant was actually destroyed or just angered, seems like a bit of an assumption to assume it was destroyed as we don't know its origins- yes, you would be correct to assume that it won't end well."

@Crow @Atomic Knight @Jeremi @Yun Lee @Crow @Lucky @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Alex Azure @York @Hahli Nuva[/QUOTE]

 

[Crow]

Wade Wilson/Deadpool

" Well, judging by the fact that we have no clue what that is, if the plant was actually destroyed or just angered, seems like a bit of an assumption to assume it was destroyed as we don't know its origins- yes, you would be correct to assume that it won't end well."

@Crow @Atomic Knight @Jeremi @Yun Lee @Crow @Lucky @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Alex Azure @York @Hahli Nuva

[/QUOTE]

"... you gonna step back, Deadpool?"

@Lucky​

 

[Lucky]

Wade Wilson/ Deadpool

"Yes, I already did.... but some more distance might be good." Wade took a giant step away from the living plant in the park though he had never been near it either, waiting to see if they were about to die.

@Crow

 

[Crow]

Wade Wilson/ Deadpool

"Yes, I already did.... but some more distance might be good." Wade took a giant step away from the living plant in the park, waiting to see if they were about to die.

@Crow

"I will join you...

... as should everyone."

Ben takes his steps back.

@Lucky​

 

[York]

Spoiler: Replies

The discussion went on and on as the group continued upward, treading the street that climbed the side of the mountain. As they went higher, the city seemed to expand outward as more of it was revealed in full. The view from up close was grim, but seeing the city from above was an entirely different sight. Distance and scale gave the toppled high-rises and ruined streets a chilling beauty that could possibly be appreciated if one was removed from the reality of the situation.

"Is the whole planet like this?" Eleanor asked, eyes transfixed on the darkened horizon.

Ludger ran a hand through his hair. "It is, I think. But it is impossible for us to know for sure."

Eleanor thought on this for a moment. "How do we know the Great Spirit is nearby?"

"Well..." Ludger shrugged. "Milla Maxwell's intuition. Plus, there has been Revanchist activity in the area. Where they are, the Great Spirit can't be far..."

Ludger trailed off as he watched a heavy plume of smoke and ash erupt into the air in the distance. Its origin was in the middle of a number of dilapidated factories and steel mills that lined the edge of the city bordering a lake. Though they could not possibly be operating any longer, smaller plumes of smoke rose hazily from the smokestacks.

"Interesting," Ludger said. He looked up the rest of the street. "That might be the activity we're looking for, but let's just get to the top to get the best view."

The group was close now. The street turned harshly at the top, splitting off to snake through the rest of the city that had been built on the mountain. Lining the street and overlooking the side of the mountain was a park, though it hardly looked inviting. Dead trees and grass, the smell of filth, and an unsettling wind dared all who came near to turn right around.

@Crow @Takumi @Minerva @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Krieg @Josh @Jeremi @Glostechk @York @Gummi Bunnies @Alex Azure @Yun Lee @Space_Candy @MelodyMeister @Kaykay @Ver @Lucky @Hahli Nuva @Ottonomous Ghost @Sark @Crimson Spartan @HealThyWounds​

"It will give us a full view of the city below the mountain," Ludger said to Severa, stepping on to the park grounds. Almost immediately, he felt a droning in his ears. He paused for a moment, looking around.

"Look over there," Eleanor said quietly, pointing to a circle of bushes nearby. Though everything else here was dead, these plants seemed healthy. They swayed slightly in the breeze. If one stared at the foliage long enough, shadows seemed to dance above the plants.

@Crow @HealThyWounds @Minerva @Jeremi @Yun Lee @Takumi @CrunchyCHEEZIT​

"Something's fishy here," Ben says as he squints to see shadows lurking in the healthy bushes. He shines his torchlight upon it, and if he felt it was ineffective or nothing happened, he would raise a palm and shine an even brighter, pinkish-hued sphere of light made from mana at the bushes.

@Atomic Knight @Crow @HealThyWounds @Minerva @Jeremi @Yun Lee @Takumi @CrunchyCHEEZIT​

Keaton looked around as he took in the area around him sniffing the air as the group moved. He tried to stay close to Wade as well as Corrin before the scent fully entered his nose. He happened to look at the park as well his eyes widening.

"T-this smell..."

"It's..."

"It's....."

"It's absolutely divine! Here I thought this place was dreadful but not now!" .....Only Keaton would fine the smell of filth to be 'divine'. That park also looked pretty interesting.

​

Huh that's a little out of place and it ruins the aesthetic! Well people seemed interested in it but Keaton's eyes wandered back to all the other dead stuff around.

@Crow @Takumi @Minerva @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Krieg @Josh @Jeremi @Glostechk @York @Gummi Bunnies @Alex Azure @Yun Lee @Space_Candy @MelodyMeister @Kaykay @Ver @Lucky @Hahli Nuva @Ottonomous Ghost @Sark @Atomic Knight @HealThyWounds @Everyone
​

❝ Well, ain't that something? Don't know about you guys, but I'm just gonna back up from the suspiciously healthy plants. ❞ Majima wasn't too sure on what to expect from here anyways.

@Crow @Takumi @Minerva @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Krieg @Josh @Jeremi @Glostechk @York @Gummi Bunnies @Alex Azure @Yun Lee @Space_Candy @MelodyMeister @Kaykay @Ver @Lucky @Hahli Nuva @Ottonomous Ghost @Sark @Atomic Knight @HealThyWounds @Crimson Spartan @Everyone​

"I've had enough fooling around. We need to move. That spirit isn't going to protect itself."

Will drew War Song and slashed at the plants, clearing the debris and sending violet light bursting everywhere. The plants were turned to ash as the area around the heroes was illuminated.

@Atomic Knight @Jeremi @Yun Lee @Crow @Lucky @CrunchyCHEEZIT

❝ Sure thing, missy! I got a real good track record playing bodyguard 99.9% of the time! No extra charge needed! ❞

@Yun Lee​

Ben sees this sight of Will flaying the vegetation, widens his eyes, looks at his various allies, then crosses his arms.

"... this cannot end well, can it?"

@Atomic Knight @Jeremi @Yun Lee @Crow @Lucky @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Alex Azure @York @Hahli Nuva​

Wade Wilson/Deadpool

" Well, judging by the fact that we have no clue what that is, if the plant was actually destroyed or just angered, seems like a bit of an assumption to assume it was destroyed as we don't know its origins- yes, you would be correct to assume that it won't end well."

@Crow @Atomic Knight @Jeremi @Yun Lee @Crow @Lucky @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Alex Azure @York @Hahli Nuva

[/QUOTE]

"... you gonna step back, Deadpool?"

@Lucky​

[/QUOTE]

Wade Wilson/ Deadpool

"Yes, I already did.... but some more distance might be good." Wade took a giant step away from the living plant in the park, waiting to see if they were about to die.

@Crow

"I will join you...

... as should everyone."

Ben takes his steps back.

@Lucky​

Schala Zeal
@Atomic Knight @Jeremi @Yun Lee @Crow @Lucky @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Alex Azur @Hahli Nuva @Others?

Schala frowned as she saw the factories in the distance seem to spring to life... But grew even more wary when Eleanor brought her attention to the strange, lively looking plants, unsettled by the shadows dancing over them.

"Could this be... An illusion?" She murmured, thinking out loud.

Unfortunately, before she could study the plants any further, Will's rash actions made her recoil, attempting to warn her, but sadly too late.

"Wait! Don't!" She shouted, literally just before Will started demolishing her surroundings.

With a yelp, Schala jumped back, suddenly alert. She was thinking the same thing Ben and the others were as she prepared to cast a defensive spell should the need arise.

"Yes! Keep back! Whatever happens, I'll... I'll protect you, all of you!" She shouted.

Although to be honest, even she herself wasn't sure what might come of this, or if her magic would even help against what might happen next. But all the same, she seemed determined to do her best to protect her friends, for the better or worse.​

 

[Crimson Spartan]

"I've had enough fooling around. We need to move. That spirit isn't going to protect itself."

Will drew War Song and slashed at the plants, clearing the debris and sending violet light bursting everywhere. The plants were turned to ash as the area around the heroes was illuminated.

@Atomic Knight @Jeremi @Yun Lee @Crow @Lucky @CrunchyCHEEZIT

"..."

"Was that really necessary....?"

The Wolfskin did not understand why this had to happen or why everyone was acting so scared all of the sudden.

@Crow @Atomic Knight @Jeremi @Yun Lee @Crow @Lucky @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Alex Azure @York @Hahli Nuva @Minerva @EveryoneElse​

 

[Crunch]

"It is not uncommon to find healthy plant life even in a ruined environment like this. Even so..."

Deoxys took no chances. The pokemon trodded ahead with purpose, flexing its appendages outward as the clay-like mass encompassing the alien's body began to expand outward into a durable carapace and thick slab tentacles. A second later and a defense-forme Deoxys was spearheading the group along with Schala and anyone else with their minds geared towards caution.

Wordlessly, Deoxys lifted its broad tentacles and folded them over its 'torso' like a shield, continuing a slow approach in the direction of the strange plants (or what remained of them after Will's outburst).

"...Empty your minds," Deoxys repeated in an ominous mantra as it continued to move forward, eyes sweeping the landscape for any more peculiarities. "Empty your minds."

@Atomic Knight @Jeremi @Yun Lee @Crow @Lucky @York @Alex Azure @Hahli Nuva @Ver @others​

 

[Hahli Nuva]

The efforts of the others to defend themselves for any potential outburst from the foliage wasnot lost on Will. The Keeper knew damn well she was taking a big risk, but she knew that walking around this hellhole wasn't going to get them any closer to their goal. if she had to look like a nutjob to make progress and save a life then so be it.

If anyhting jumped out, she would easily dispatch it with a slash of her blade. Just in case, she silently put a protective barrier around the group with Quintessence, to further shield them in case she did hit the wrong wire and cause an explosion.

"I know what I'm doing! I'm a professional. Trust me."

@Atomic Knight @Jeremi @Lucky @Crow @Alex Azure @Ver @Yun Lee @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Others

 

[Jeremi]

The efforts of the others to defend themselves for any potential outburst from the foliage wasnot lost on Will. The Keeper knew damn well she was taking a big risk, but she knew that walking around this hellhole wasn't going to get them any closer to their goal. if she had to look like a nutjob to make progress and save a life then so be it.

If anyhting jumped out, she would easily dispatch it with a slash of her blade. Just in case, she silently put a protective barrier around the group with Quintessence, to further shield them in case she did hit the wrong wire and cause an explosion.

"I know what I'm doing! I'm a professional. Trust me."

@Atomic Knight @Jeremi @Lucky @Crow @Alex Azure @Ver @Yun Lee @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Others

Frank could only give the girl a stare as she destroyed the only thing on this planet that seemed to growing.

"Yeah a professional dunce, let me just build you a dunce cap so that everyone can see it!"

"Then again that would imply that everyone already didn't think that!" ​

@Atomic Knight @Hahli Nuva @Lucky @Crow @Alex Azure @Ver @Yun Lee @CrunchyCHEEZIT

 

[Crow]

The efforts of the others to defend themselves for any potential outburst from the foliage wasnot lost on Will. The Keeper knew damn well she was taking a big risk, but she knew that walking around this hellhole wasn't going to get them any closer to their goal. if she had to look like a nutjob to make progress and save a life then so be it.

If anyhting jumped out, she would easily dispatch it with a slash of her blade. Just in case, she silently put a protective barrier around the group with Quintessence, to further shield them in case she did hit the wrong wire and cause an explosion.

"I know what I'm doing! I'm a professional. Trust me."

@Atomic Knight @Jeremi @Lucky @Crow @Alex Azure @Ver @Yun Lee @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Others

Frank could only give the girl a stare as she destroyed the only thing on this planet that seemed to growing.

"Yeah a professional dunce, let me just build you a dunce cap so that everyone can see it!"

"Then again that would imply that everyone already didn't think that!" ​

@Atomic Knight @Hahli Nuva @Lucky @Crow @Alex Azure @Ver @Yun Lee @CrunchyCHEEZIT

Ben raised three fingers.

"Three..."

He lowered one.

"... two..."

One finger left.

"... one."

He scrolls through his Omnitrix's dial until he was visibly shifting between two different holograms on it, preparing to transform into a top-class gardener when the worst occurs.

"... Will, have you ever thought about our match at the Cell Games Tourney?"

Ben seemed a bit unamused at a time when he should be astonished.

@Atomic Knight @Hahli Nuva @Lucky @Crow @Alex Azure @Ver @Yun Lee @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Jeremi​

 

[Hahli Nuva]

Ben raised three fingers.

"Three..."

He lowered one.

"... two..."

One finger left.

"... one."

He scrolls through his Omnitrix's dial until he was visibly shifting between two different holograms on it, preparing to transform into a top-class gardener when the worst occurs.

"... Will, have you ever thought about our match at the Cell Games Tourney?"

Ben seemed a bit unamused at a time when he should be astonished.

@Atomic Knight @Hahli Nuva @Lucky @Crow @Alex Azure @Ver @Yun Lee @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Jeremi​

Will stopped hacking at the plants to point the busines end of War Song at the boy. Her light glare told him everything he needed to know. She would address the feiry warrior after Ben.

"You won that match by technicality, Tennyson. What's your point?"

@Atomic Knight @Lucky @Crow @Alex Azure @Ver @Yun Lee @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Jeremi

 

[Crow]

Will stopped hacking at the plants to point the busines end of War Song at the boy. Her light glare told him everything he needed to know. She would address the feiry warrior after Ben.

"You won that match by technicality, Tennyson. What's your point?"

@Atomic Knight @Lucky @Crow @Alex Azure @Ver @Yun Lee @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Jeremi

"'Technicality' is the reason why I'm standing right here and you're about to get slammed by whatever Innswood Dunwich Rl'yeh Alhazred thing pops up because he's mad that you ruined his flowers."

@Atomic Knight @Lucky @Crow @Alex Azure @Ver @Yun Lee @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Jeremi @Hahli Nuva​

 

[Yun Lee]

"Oh GAWDS." As Will held Ben at knifepoint Severa looked around at the barrier. "Can we get out of this thing? I'd rather take my chances with all of Silent Earth than be in a confined space with her!"​

 

[Hahli Nuva]

"'Technicality' is the reason why I'm standing right here and you're about to get slammed by whatever Innswood Dunwich Rl'yeh Alhazred thing pops up because he's mad that you ruined his flowers."

@Atomic Knight @Lucky @Crow @Alex Azure @Ver @Yun Lee @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Jeremi @Hahli Nuva​

Will lowered War Song, giving Ben an annoyed look. "I'm not gonna walk around this shithole for days until we find the right door. If you're not going to help me then stay out of my way.."

The Keeper readied her blade, enhancing it with Quintessence before slashing at the plants again. something was back there, and if she could bring whatever it was out into the open, the team could deal with it now instead of later.

@Atomic Knight @Lucky @Crow @Alex Azure @Ver @Yun Lee @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Jeremi