All for Manta
Chapter 1: What I do for Manta
"Sir, I believe you don't have enough," The Secret Shop owner sadly remarked at the coins Anti-Mage had unloaded on the table.
"What? Last battle I had more than enough," the tan-skinned man with the purple face paint argued.
"The price has gone up, I'm afraid," he said. The increased price would make sense since it was the last Manta Style the Secret Shop had in stock. Clearly the shopkeeper had not been prepared for more needy participants in the match, such as the Manta-Style-dependent Viper, Mirana, Sniper, and Anit-mage himself. The man in purple eyed the last Manta Style that hung on its holder with intense desire.
"How much is it now?" He asked.
"6600 gold," the shopkeeper responded. "And if I were you, my dear hero, I would get that gold fast. Viper of the Dire is also intent on a Manta Style."
"Vile-sorceries!" Anti-mage groaned. He still hadn't finished farming and only had his battle fury. The outcome of the battle depended on him, and he needed that item. He marched away from the Secret Shop and down to the bottom lane where he could farm. Using his blink ability, he navigated his way down faster than his other teammates could have. He stopped dead in his tracks as he saw a fed Ursa charging at the creeps he was about to farm. Anti-mage flinched as he watched from behind the trees as the overgrown bear massacred the wave of Radiant creeps in a mass of claw and teeth. That was his cue to go farm in the jungle. He only earned 45 gold before his teammate pranced into him.
"Oh, Anti-mage. What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be farming?" Enchantress asked in her feminine tone.
"I'm jungling. There's an impure Ursa on the lower path and I am unable to find gold elsewhere," He explained. Mirana was in the mid lane while Invoker and Tinker were on top. Farming bottom would result in a lot of blinking and feeding.
"Oh…" Enchantress murmured in a soft, quiet voice. She rested her head on her shoulder and stuck out her bottom lip. "But I like my jungle. I have all my friends here and... Ursa's scary..."
Anti-mage looked at her, slightly enchanted at her batting eyelashes and the glowing sparks that floated around her sparkling fawn-like body. She was like something out of a fairy tale. Anti-mage hated when his female teammates would beg. He HATED it, mostly because he had a reputation of being one of the most handsome heroes in the whole fight and the closest thing to being human (which most of the female heroes were). He felt like he was supposed to act a certain way to keep the adoration the girls had for him going. Enchantress was one of the more difficult to resist, and rarely asked for anything. She must have been using her enchant on him or something.
"Fine," he sighed, blinking away to the happy smile of Enchantress shined before he left. Anti-mage trod through the river towards the mid-lane, hoping that Mirana could go defend bottom or something while he farmed middle.
"Yes, I'll defend," she said as she lept away on her tiger or whatever it was. Anti-mage didn't care because he finally had the lane to himself. He collected the gold as the Dire creeps fell to the ground from his blade. In the meantime, a team fight erupted on bottom and sent all his teammates down to the fight. So far, Anti-mage was the strongest on the team. A few sacrifices were made in the fight, namely Mirana, Enchantress, and Tinker, for Viper and Sand King on the Dire. Thank the divines that Viper was sent to respawn with less gold than he once had. Anti-mage then decided that he should probably get the 2 items that he could currently afford that could combine to make his Manta Style at the Secret Shop. He blinked until he was in front of the owner once again, when Invoker bought the last Manta Style at the counter. Anti-mage's jaw dropped.
"Thank you and come again," the shopkeeper dismissed. Invoker then activated the Manta Style and 2 illusions of himself appeared. He spent the next minute admiring them until they disappeared, then was about to head to the middle lane until Anti-Mage blinked in front of him.
"Ah, my dear Magina. What ever is the problem?" he asked, amused.
"You bought the last Manta…May I perhaps buy it from you?" Anti-mage asked politely, hiding his outrage behind the handsome charm of his face.
"Oh, but how else will I be able to admire my glorious self while fighting?" Invoker played with his long blond hair.
"Is that the only reason you bought it? You don't even need Manta," Anti-mage argued.
"If you're not here to admire me then get out of my presence," the master sorcerer gave a shooing motion with the flick of his hand. Anti-mage wasn't going to back down nor have his team lose because of some self-centered magic-wielding stuck-up. He already hated Invoker because he was the most obnoxious sorcerer he knew, but also because he would flaunt his magic in front of Anti-mage whenever he could. He knew Magina's origins and his strong dislike for magic but continued to annoy him anyway.
"How much do you want for it?" Anti-mage demanded.
"It's not up for sale. It's the last one, and it's rightfully mine. Face the truth that you were too slow, my dear Magina," Invoker stuck his head up.
Anti-mage seized Invoker by the collar and pulled him close to his angered face.
"If we want to take victory upon this battle you had better surrender thy Manta. Now halt thy self-absorbed indifference and purify thy sins by helping the team claim victory!" he shouted. Invoker's pupil-less eyes stared into Magina's. Their faces became even closer.
"I'll give it to you on one condition," Invoker whispered. Magina drew back a little but refused to release the self-absorbed sorcerer. "You have to kiss me."
Anti-mage abruptly dropped Invoker, appalled by his request and stepping back in disgust.
"Th-That's unpure! I would never kiss a mouth that has uttered such hexes!" Anti-mage snapped.
"Tis your choice. Time passes, dear Magina," Invoker smiled, and left Anti-mage in order to defend the top tower that was now being attacked. Anti-mage was left standing alone near the river. He put his hand over his forehead and groaned. He hated Invoker so much, but he really needed Manta. It was the only way he could actually take on Viper or maybe even Ursa in a one versus one. Anti-mage blinked to the middle lane and farmed. He finally had enough money to buy the Manta Style, which was no longer purchasable from the Secret Shop. He let out a breath as he went to the Secret Shop for a Butterfly.
"Ah, Anti-mage, what's wrong my son?" The kind shopkeeper asked.
"Invoker bought the last Manta…" Magina frowned. He couldn't take it out on the shopkeeper. He was just doing his job. Anti-mage turned over the money and the shopkeeper, accustom to Anti-mages purchases every game, handed him the butterfly.
"I'm sorry," the wise shopkeeper said. "Did you negotiate with him?"
"That beast has no intention of giving it to me unless I do him a favor," Anti-mage sneered at the thought of Invoker's ridiculous request. The shop keeper, who had a huge interest in gossip, couldn't resist asking about it.
"What kind of favor?" he asked. The mage slayer trusted the shopkeeper through his constant purchases and chat sessions enough to tell him. He also didn't want the shopkeeper to keep begging, which he was afraid he would do.
"He wants me to kiss him," Anti-mage explained, sighing and frowning. There was a period of silence before the old shopkeeper started bursting out laughing.
"That's ridiculous! Why would he want you to kiss him?" He cried out, laughing.
"I don't have the slightest notion," Anti=mage growled.
"Well, he has to be serious. Invoker doesn't go back on his offerings," The Secret Shop owner said, putting away some of his things in his storage box. The tangos, the clarities, and all the cheap things one would buy early in the fight were stashed away.
"What do you think I should do?" Anti-mage asked. Obviously the shopkeeper seemed to know a lot about every hero on the battlefield.
"Analyze the situation. Do you really need that Manta?" the Shopkeeper responded. Dire's courier then flew above the shop and landed on the "take out" perch of the shop. The shopkeeper listened to the whinnying of strange blue donkey and took out a Desolator. Anti-mage had something to say about this. Just as the donkey placed sniper's gold on the counter and took the Desolator in its messenger bag, Anti-mage destroyed it with one swift slice. Money dropped all over, which lead to a decent sum over 250. The shopkeeper didn't seem to mind, as long as he had the gold. I guess seeing innocent couriers die by his shop had hardened his heart.
"I'm going to go farm…" Anti-mage said, thinking that he could really use a Basher. The shopkeeper nodded as the mage destroyer blinked away to the mid lane, only to see a vulnerable Witch Doctor exposed in the middle of the creeps. He blinked in with swiftness, attacking the voodoo-weirdo with his mana-destorying blades. Witch Doctor was unprepared and sent his mysterious ball that stunned enemies into the creep wave, stunning everything but Anti-mage. The determined magic-abolisher used mana break on the doctor, taking about a huge portion of his life. The doctor quickly fled behind the middle tower, only to have Anti-mage blink in dive the purple creature. Suddenly, Drow popped out of the woods and started hitting Anti-mage with ice arrows and combined her attack with Witch doctors glowing purple sentry. Its purple magic bullets fired at Anti-mage and he quickly blinked out, unable to hit Drow, who was out of range of the sentry, because half of his life was already gone. Ah! If only he had his Manta he could have taken both of them! He had had enough. He blinked to top where Invoker was having issues with Viper.
"Ah, Magina. Care to rid my lane of this flying abomination?" Invoker asked, pointing to Viper. Anti-mage couldn't go in there alone against Viper, especially when Viper also had a butterfly and along with that a Shadow Blade.
"I'm not doing thy work for you," Anti-mage responded, slightly hoping Viper would kill Invoker and with the mage down and dead, take his Manta.
"What are you doing here then?" Invoker asked. From across the pathway and behind the creeps, Viper was staring sinisterly at both of them, but looking reluctant to act against the two powers.
"I want my Manta," Anti-mage said. He once was told that in order for the team to win, he had to make sacrifices, and this time was now… especially when his teammate was being a complete selfish douchebag. The team comes before his own needs, and if he was to destroy magic and fulfill his destiny, he needed that Manta… (which he would probably use against Invoker later). Invoker smiled slyly to Magina's statement.
"Hmm, so I'm waiting," Invoker said, approaching Anti-mage. Magina then started to have second guesses about his choice.
'Uhh… How can I trust you?" Magina asked. He believed the shopkeeper, but kissing his rival? He had to make sure.
"My dear Magina, I never go back on my word. If I did then I would not have profited from my years of glorious training," Invoker explained. Anti-mage took in a huge breath and exhaled.
"Can… can we at least do it in the jungle?" Anti-mage requested. He didn't want to do it with creepy Viper looking. Who knows what went through his mind…
"No. Right now," Carl commanded, crossing his arms like a spoiled kid (which he was).
"What? Can't we just…"
"Right now or I won't give it to you."
"B-but Viper…"
"Now, or the deals off!"
Anti-mage had no choice. He grabbed Invoker forcefully by the head and smashed his lips against the sorcerers. Invoker never said how long it should be, so Anti-mage was pulling away when… Hey, it felt kind of … nice. Magina didn't break his lock with Kael's lips. Something seemed to awaken inside him, something that sent waves of pleasure through his veins. It felt good. Invoker noticed Magina's strange enjoyment of what he was doing and kissed him back, feeling the same emotions as he. They each pulled back a little, then went in again and deepened the kiss. The warm feeling that flowed through their lips nourished every part of their being and Carl heard a slight moan escape from Magina's mouth.
Viper threw up. He threw up the rats he had ate, part of sniper's beard, and a few arrows he'd gotten from Mirana when he was on the mid lane. The weirdest thing that came out of his mouth was Drow Ranger's bra, which no one knew how it got there. Anyway, Viper couldn't bear watching anymore and left the top lane, leaving a trail of his breakfast where he flew. A summoning circle engulfed on of the radiant creeps, and soon enough Tinker teleported to the top lane, just in time to see Invoker and Anti-mage. They were still kissing and move further. There was some passionate tongue action going on. Anti-mage had his strong fingers tangled in Invokers long blonde hair while Invoker ran his hand down Anti-mage's back. Sparks were flying in a tangle of lips and passion.
Tinker flipped. "This isn't at all logical!" He cried, backing up, rearming as quickly as possible and teleporting elsewhere. Word got to Mirana and Enchantress, who decided to abandon their lane and hide in the bushes, watching them, giggling. Finally, Anti-mage broke the kiss, looking up at Invoker with wide eyes, realizing what just happened.
"F-Foul sorcery! What hath thou done?!" He cried and blinked away. Anywhere other than there! His whole team saw him, even Viper who was on the other team! He was so embarrassed. He blinked onto the rocks where no one would look and sat, legs dangling off the edge of the cliff. Oh, what has Invoker made him do? And he forgot about the Manta too! He should probably go and retrieve it… and face Invoker again? He couldn't possibly… "Grr…" He growled. 'But… why did that feel go good? I mean… I hate all magic and Carl… why did I enjoy that so much?'' Anti-mage asked himself. He never felt the feeling he experienced back then before. It was almost magical. 'Ugh, I feel the cursed magic tainting my mouth…' Anti-mage thought. He blinked to the river near the bottom lane and knelt by the water. He took a handful of water in his hands, but remained motionless as they held the clear liquid. Anti-mage slowly let the water slip from his hands and carefully drip back into the river. Why couldn't he do it? Why couldn't he clean himself? Magina simply looked with indifference at the water. His breathing slowed into a calm rhythm. He was so confused.
Plop
Anti-mage turned to this right to see his Manta style on the grass and a pair stylish boots worn by a familiar mage behind it.
"A deal's a deal," Invoker said, crossing his arms. Anti-mage felt himself smile for no good reason. They heard the cry of Mirana and Tinker on the mid lane. Mid-tower was under attack. Anti-mage tightened his fist around his Manta.
"Let's put an end to this," Magina smirked. He blinked like lightning to the mid-lane and activated his Manta, sending illusions at the overpowered Sniper and quickly eliminated him from the team-fight. Ursa growled and slashed the illusion with his massive, paw, eyes widening at the realization that he had focused all his energy on a mere illusion. Tinker had his army of robots attacking Drow Ranger, who easily dodged and fired her ice arrows at the man in the robotic suit. Anti-Mage flew himself at Drow, whom he tackled and sliced away at her mana. Invoker joined the fight a little late but still was able to help out. Viper, Witch Doctor, and Ursa still remained, tearing away at Enchantress, who was fleeing through the jungle with her sprites.
"Cold snap!" Invoker cast and the great bear became rigid and cold. Anti-Mage leapt into action and with another Manta activation, while Ursa was distracted, he ripped away Witch Doctors mana. His blades were quick and swift, and soon Witch Doctor had no mana at all. Viper was unaware and quickly flew back too his teammates, too obsessed with getting Enchantress. Invoker activated his force staff and targeted Viper, sending him flying into the group of dire heros. Anti-mage then concentrated his energy and the released the Mana Break. Witch doctor instantly was killed, and all that was left of Viper and Ursa was one bar of health for each. Invoker then finished them off with a deafening blast, their bodies melting into the ground.
Anti-Mage turned to Invoker and nodded. He wanted to say something like "Nice teamwork" or anything close, but he couldn't. He was afraid Invoker would say something egoistic and ruin what had just happened. Now that their team was down, they had the chance to destroy some towers. With the power of alacrity and Anti-mage's Manta, the second middle tower of the Dire fell easily to the Radiant. The radiant team retreated quickly, in fear the Dire might try and gank. While retreating, a conversation started up on behalf of Anti-Mage and Invoker.
"So, what were you two up to on the top lane?" Enchantress asked, very curious. Invoker and Anti-Mage turned pink and looked away from one another. They didn't say anything and Enchantress was not at all satisfied.
"You boys were having a lot of fun up there," Mirana added. Tinker just kept walking, trying to ignore the conversation as best as possible. Anti-mages face deepened in its shade of red.
"I have nothing to neither deny nor discuss," the mage-slayer finally said. What did they expect him to say about the whole thing? Mirana frowned as the group returned back to their base to heal up after the teamfight.
Anti-mage was already on bottom farming once again. He didn't know what he wanted to buy with the money, but it kept him focused. Before the evil magic seeped into his homeland and destroyed the monastery, the monks would teach him about the importance of focus and concentration. Anti-mage could never get a hang of the whole concept. While the other aspiring monks would sit patiently with the elders and meditate, Anti-mage found that doing something he liked would spark his focus. He would rather chase bugs or play a game of stepping stones while his peers sat cross-legged in intense focus and concentration.
A luminescent glowing symbol then arose from one of the friendly creeps that lay beside him. Tinker seemed to emerge from the air and touch the ground with a graceful movement.
"What art thou doing on the lower lane, Tinker?" Anti-mage asked, slicing through one of the enemy creeps.
"To ask what phenomenon occurred on the top lane," Tinker said, stepping out of his mechanical suit to patch a few things up. Anti-mage became a little upset.
'Why is everyone asking me that? What is there to say about that that has occureth?" Anti-Mage groaned. He stopped his farming and faced Tinker who was taking out all sorts of gizmos and gadgets from his suit, some parts that looked almost unreal.
"Well, two male beings caught in the act of kissing is quite fascinating. Did your molecular impulse shift positively by any coincidence?"
"I do not know of what thou talkest about," Magina responded, staring at the dead body of one of the Dire's creeps.
"In simpler terms, how did it feel?"
Anti-mage had no choice but to answer if he wanted the curious man to go away.
"Twas wonderful," He grumbled, waiting for the next wave of creeps to slaughter.
"How fascinating! I will have to experiment with this further!"
Anti-Mage did not like the sound of that at all.
"Tinker, why are Carl and I so interesting?" He asked as the funny little man fixed up his Hazard suit and struggled to get in it again.
"Because my fellow scientist, you are in many ways, the direct opposite of invoker! And yet somehow up on the top lane, opposites attracted. You are both males, and your bodies are supposed to be attracted to females, yet this is a new phenomenon that I have not encountered in my studies. You also maintain a strong hatred towards magic, yet you make direct contact with the organ that mouthed such spells." Tinker explained as though he came across a new element that was undiscovered on the period table of elements.
"I am… flattered." Anti-Mage said with sarcasm, diving into the next creep wave. Tinker watched the mage slayer slash through the enemies one by one. In his head he was concocting a devious plan. A smile crept on his face, a smile that spoke of science. Anti-mage turned around, sensing some diabolical, but Tinker had teleported out without a word.