Note: I don't own any of the characters mentioned, just my own OC. Credit for the GrimmFall Universe goes to Lord Maximus. :3 Enjoy! :)
Opening Files: Soul Magicks
Soul magicks are a different brand than the Soul Magic crafted by Nyx.
Soul magicks are actually a forbidden form of magic, long since banned by the magical government that oversees all mages and other magic practitioners: the Mage Council.
The Mage Council has seen fit to deem this magic as black magic, as it taints the souls of those who practice it. Those who use it are able to manipulate the souls of the deceased, turning them into a power supply or even a reserve of what they deem 'élan vitali', or soul energy. This energy is in actuality very dangerous to control, and soul magicks often revolve around manipulating it into different forms. Some say that House Von Stuffum are actually practitioners of this dangerous magick, and that it has formed the basis of their Foodian magic.
Of course, no one can confirm or deny this, as no one has seen it in action, and the Mage Council has been tightlipped on the matter.
Close Files
"Forbidden, black, dark. All these things imply something dangerous or even downright sinister," TOM lectured as he closed the files. "But did it ever occur that maybe there was a reason for that being labeled as such? Such as a nuclear weapon. These weapons are labeled as weapons of mass destruction due to their immense power and ability to destroy an entire city in the blink of an eye. But that is only in the hands of the wrong people. Yet in wartime, is it really a weapon of mass destruction, or is it just another weapon to use?"
He brought up an image of a nuclear missile impacting a descending colony before switching to show a city in ruins from the same type of weapon. "These two instances show the difference in how they are used. The one that was used to wipe out a destroyed colony was used in defense of the world's peoples, while the other one was used to destroy a city in peacetime, precipitating a nuclear war. It all depends on the person behind the helm of whatever faction has them."
The screens closed as TOM looked at the audience (you). "So next time someone says that something is forbidden to you, try and consider the reasoning for such actions."
(The scene shows a city in chaos as Navy Pier is attacked by Grimm, only for a young boy to get involved, taking a blow to his chest during the fighting, his eyes widening before he collapses)
Start Dawn Over a New World (Dragonforce)
(The youth is in the hospital as the camera pans down to show the flashing light of the life support machine before the scene goes black)
In the darkness of the night in the shadows of the dawn (A pair of violet optics flares before the camera pans back to reveal a dark blue mecha with a pair of draconic wings on his back, standing in front of a battlefield laden with Grimm, a cloak flapping about his frame as six others stand beside him: a woman with brown hair and a rapier, a man with a trench coat missing the sleeves below the elbow, a sandy-blond haired man with a broadsword resting against his back, a woman with long sandy blonde hair wielding a shotgun, a red-armored woman with a sword in her left hand, and a woman with a large hammer)
It's turning black no looking back the sands of time are sown (The seven of them lunge towards the camera as it goes black)
When the day will slowly end and the sun has turned to grey (A flash of light erupts from the center of the screen before it pans down to show the reddish skies of the Darklands, two red eyes flashing)
Will we feel the power of freedom with the dawn of a new day? (The light from the eyes fades to show a sunset as the group stands before a futuristic city, more advanced than even GrimmFall)
Title: GrimmFall: Dragon's Rising
Over mountains paved with gold to the valleys of the slain (The Gundam is shown walking down a mountain path littered with slain warriors, the hood of his cloak covering his face, images of his friends in the background)
Our quest will lead us onwards to the journey of the brave (He stops as he looks back at his friends as they jog to keep up, each of them with their own weapons in hand)
When the time has come to stand for the power we believe (A horde of Grimm suddenly appears, their reddish eyes illuminating the scene before the group readies themselves for battle as the Grimm charge in a sea of black)
We will ring the sound of victory for one and all to see (The seven unleash a combination attack that strikes the Grimm, turning them into thick black smoke that engulfs the camera)
Sometimes in your darkest dreams you will feel the haunting prayer (The smoke vanishes to show a pair of amber eyes on a shadowy wolf-like form before it lunges at the camera)
Silent tears of your hidden fears come to haunt you once again (The figure vanishes to reveal a group of mouse Mobians huddling as sinister cat-like shadows loom in the darkness around them)
Fight on for the memories of the everlasting dreams (The images get closer as the darkness covers the screen, only to fade as a blast of light comes from the side, the camera panning to reveal the Gundam holding his beam magnum at the ready, having pulled the trigger to dispel the nightmarish darkness)
Their pain in the silent lands on wings of glory free (The Gundam lowers his weapon and charges at the screen, his optics flaring before the camera follows him, showing him flying at a large figure that is hulking in its blackness)
We can go on forever with the darkness so far away (The two clash, a shockwave cutting across the screen before it vanishes to show the same city from before, but this time there is a sunny sky above it as the darkness is fading into the distance)
And the warriors who live forever fight on to the end (The seven warriors stand there, each of them ready to fight to the very end)
Across the highest mountains and through the endless seas (The seven split off, and this time the woman with the rapier is shown as she cracks it into a whip, sending an arc of lightning right for a Grimm)
Our journey ever onwards fight until we all be free (She leaps back and snaps her whip out, curling it around the neck of a catlike Mobian dressed in gangster gear before throwing him towards the camera)
Through the darkness shining the neverending light (The camera follows the Mobian before he gets to his feet, glaring at the man with the trench coat, a rocket launcher held in his hands, his Aura shining a light grey color)
On through the days of glory rise towards the fight (The man aims his weapon and fires, the camera following the rocket before it explodes against a large horse-like Grimm, dispelling it into black smoke)
And one day we will find a way towards this distant golden age (The smoke is blown aside as it shows the group standing in front of ruins that depict an ancient civilization of technology far more advanced than even GrimmFall's best technologies)
The cries of war will sound the day (The camera pans to show the torch before zooming back, showing a humanoid shape standing in front of a horde of Grimm that resemble cyborgs, but not, and in the background two green optics flare sinisterly)
We stand before the dawn of a new world (The shape lunges at the screen, a fist thrusting forward and slamming it into the ground before the dust fades to show the seven standing atop a cliff overlooking the ocean)
On through the raging thunder across the seven seas (The camera follows the ocean for a few seconds before it pans up and follows a bird before it zooms down to show a western town)
Cold winter skies are falling on the battles we have seen (A single tumbleweed blows past the camera as the town's populace is shown, alongside guests and tourists)
We can go on forever with the darkness so far away (The town's populace is almost overwhelmed by Grimm before a blast of red fiery energy destroys a number of them, the camera panning over to show a red-clad warrior with wild blonde hair)
And the warriors who live forever fight on to the end (The warrior turns to face the Gundam as he approaches, followed by a dog Mobian wielding twin pistols)
Across the highest mountains and through the endless seas (The trio pivots to face a sinister shape with a monocle on its left eye, holding a cane in one hand)
Our journey ever onwards fight until we all... (The figure waves its cane as more shadows lunge out, forcing the trio to go on the attack, all three combining their most powerful moves into one attack which strikes the shadowy shapes, covering the screen in smoke)
Across the highest mountains and through the endless seas (The smoke is blown apart to show the man with the trench coat having fired his rocket launcher at a large Grimm that looks like a bull)
Our journey ever onwards fight until we all be free (The Grimm shrugs off the rocket and charges at the man as he turns intangible, phasing into the ground)
Through the darkness shining the neverending light (A formless shape emerges from the dirt, first becoming an eyeball with a single leg before morphing into a more humanoid form, its lone eye flashing red)
On through the days of glory rise towards the fight (A large explosion of dust and earth engulfs the screen before the wolf-like figure from before lands, eyes flashing amber before a blast of ice and snow engulfs the screen)
And one day we will find a way towards this distant golden age (Snow and ice are blown apart as the Gundam fires his beam burst gun, the blasts exploding close to the ruins from before, showing a mural with the same advanced city depicted on it)
The cries of war will sound the day (The camera pans away from the ruins to show the seven warriors standing before a Grimm Horde as it attacks, only for them to lunge at the Horde, as both sides clash to send a shockwave towards the camera)
We stand before the dawn of a new world (The shockwave dissipates to show the seven standing on top of a building in the mountains)
We stand before the dawn of a new world... (The camera pans around to show them from the rear as the sun rises beyond the mountain city, showing nothing but green fields and the ocean beyond the horizon)
GRIMMFALL: DRAGON'S RISING
Arc II: Battle at Green River
The five of us arrived back at the town just as the Food Creature did.
Or rather we arrived after it did.
And just in time, too.
Nick was the first one to hold out a hand and the rest of us skidded to a halt behind him. First was Amy, then Sylvester, myself, then BurningGreymon, in that order.
"What's the big idea?!" Amy hissed.
"Shhh!" Nick shushed her as he pointed to one of the buildings. We all peeked around him as several figures emerged from the saloon.
The most notable was that gentlemanly cat, and his eyes were hard as he watched the next person come out.
My optics widened as I stared in shock at the form of Grandma Stuffum, otherwise known as the Food Witch. No longer was she dressed as a mere cook. Instead she was clad in her wizard's robes, her hat perched on her head and her wand in hand. Under her arm was that infamous spell book, the Grimoire, its tattered cover and pages a dead giveaway. Her eyes were narrowed as she looked at the creature in disappointment.
"I am very disappointed in you!" she scolded. "You have failed to vipe out ze Dragon, and his allies!"
The creature bowed its head, but the woman wasn't lenient. She drew back her wand as it seethed with dark magic, and then thrust it forward. The purple bolt of lightning lanced out and struck the creature in the chest, a loud wail erupting from its 'mouth'. My optics widened in shock as it began to writhe in the lightning, her eyes flashing a deep purple color. Her Aura shimmered a brilliant violet, much like my optic color, channeling her magic into the wand. "You have failed me for ze last time!" she hissed.
A meaty hand reached out as if begging her to stop, but it collapsed as the creature began to literally dissolve before our very eyes/optics. And slowly, one by one, a child's soul detached from it, writhing as they succumbed to the black magicks binding them together. And the worst part? I could sense their very pain, their suffering... their begging and grief...
I had to shake my helm and force myself to focus. Yasha was counting on me to find her. Her family was counting on me to bring her back safe and sound.
I tore my gaze from the sight as we all huddled behind a nearby building.
"That bitch!" Amy snarled. "She's gone way too far!"
"Duh! Like I don't know that!" BurningGreymon snarled. His tail swished behind him in anger as his wings arched themselves. "I can't believe that she was here all along!"
"I know..." I muttered. "And I was so stupid to not pay attention to all the warning signs!"
"So... how do you know this Food Witch, anyway?" Amy asked me.
"Long story short, me and BurningGreymon over there went on a mission to the ruins of Thorton to investigate strange sightings and activity there. We found it was the Food Witch and battled her. But she got away from us before we could do anything else," I explained.
Her eyes widened at that. "Oh..."
"Stho that'sth how you know BurningGreymon," Sylvester hummed.
I nodded. "Yeah."
"Quiet!" Nick hissed, silencing us.
We all fell silent and huddled around the corner, trying to not be seen as well.
The figures were now huddling in a group. I narrowed my optics a bit as I tuned my audio receptors to their highest setting.
"...can't believe they failed!" Grandma Stuffum muttered angrily.
"Yes, I can understand your frustration, Grandma, but you must be aware that the Dragon of Denver has been making allies here during the tournament," Cat R. Waul said. "He is not one to underestimate. Especially given his record."
"That thing should never have been allowed to come here!" the high-pitched voice of Chula issued from the shadows above him. My optics locked onto the tarantula Mobian as he skittered down a web strand.
"Well, you will get your chance to exact your revenge, my ssssspidery friend..." Rattlesnake Jake sneered as he emerged from the saloon, his Gatling gun held in his hands.
"Yes, but we also must be wary for if he tries to use his... secret weapon... against us," Cat cautioned.
"I am vell avare of zat fact, Cat," Grandma Stuffum growled. "Zat machine is proving to be troublesome!"
My wings bristled as I hissed through my vents. How I hated being referred to as a mere machine! I was a Gundam, dammit! Not some soulless machine crafted by man!
...
Okay, so maybe my frame was built by human hands, but at least I was still a living being.
"So, since you have failed to exterminate him using your magic, I assume you have a backup plan?" Cat inquired.
"Yes, in fact I do," the Bavarian remarked with a sneer. "I shall create a new golem, zis time centering on one he has come here looking for..." She held up a small bundle, and I gasped to myself as my optics picked out the little girl mouse Mobian. The pink onesie was a dead giveaway.
Yasha.
"Oh, shit...!" I muttered, dread filling my chest and frame.
"Ah! A rather cunning plan indeed!" Cat exclaimed. "He will be forced to choose between saving her or killing her!"
"Yes! Zat is ze idea!" the Foodian witch cackled. "Unless he happens to have a plan of his own..."
"Damn right I do!" I muttered under my figurative breath. I was so tempted to just let loose, to charge in and not even stop until the Food Witch was dead. But at the same time, I wasn't too keen on letting her know we were there. So I was torn.
I cast my gaze over my companions, taking in what I knew of them, having observed them over the course of the tournament and its events.
Amy I knew was incredibly strong, and her Graviton Hammer was a powerful weapon in of its own right. That coupled with her speed was a good combination, although her competitive nature remained a bit of an uncertainty.
BurningGreymon's skill set I knew very well, as I had trained him briefly before he left to go off on his own. He was fast and strong, but he also possessed the ability to manipulate fire, just not to the extent of the Fire Elemental. That, along with his ability to shift from his Human Spirit to his Beast Spirit, meant he had great versatility on the battlefield, and coupled with flight, gave him an advantage over most other Hunters. His aim with that rifle of his was decent, or rather it was excellent, given his keen eyesight and senses.
Sylvester was also a powerful Huntsman, wielding a double barreled shotgun. And his Aura was something to not underestimate as it allowed him to trap opponents using a sticky, goo-like substance. Plus his... awareness... was an added bonus as it allowed him to commune with the deceased.
And then there was Nick. An old friend and fellow Huntsman, I knew his abilities like the back of my hand. His Semblance was not only good for intelligence gathering, but also for sneak attacks. The only downside was that he needed to become solid once he chose to attack. His rocket launcher was also an added bonus, as most Hunters never really chose heavy artillery. But then again, Nick felt it was best to have something that could pack a lot more power than a standard weapon. And the rockets it fired were more or less laced with different kinds of Dust for added effects.
I finally looked to the pink hedgehog Mobian. "You know, I find it surprising that you chose to become involved in this," I noted. "Mind me asking why?"
Amy's eyes hardened as she looked at the Food Witch. "When I found out she was here after that golem, I just... Two close friends of mine... were..." Her eyes narrowed and she bared her teeth. "Cream and Cheese..." She clenched her fists. "They were never seen again after encountering her..."
At once a sense of disgust flooded my frame and I looked at her. "That's why?"
Amy was silent, but she nodded grimly. "Yeah. Cream and Cheese didn't deserve the fate they suffered... They only wanted to live a peaceful life..."
"Is that why you became a Hunter?" I asked softly.
She didn't even say a word as she hefted her Hammer. "..." But the way she nodded indicated I was right on the mark. "If not to stop her, then to prevent others from suffering their same fate!" she snarled.
And actually, that made a lot of sense.
I just nodded. "Okay then."
Nick whistled lowly. "I... I'm sorry..." he whispered.
BurningGreymon said nothing, but his tail was swishing in a threatening manner, and Sylvester's eyes were mere slits as he pumped his shotgun.
However, that sound was enough to give away our position.
"Who's zere?!" the Food Witch demanded, drawing her wand and aiming it in our direction. We all pulled back as she fired off a purple bolt of lightning, striking the side of the building and turning it into a graham cracker.
I hissed through my vents as a plan came to mind. Well, not so much a plan as it was an attack.
I was on the move in a flash, my wings flaring open as I darted out of hiding. I was not about to let her get away with whatever she was going to do, no matter what!
"Wait!" Nick hissed, but I was out of range by then.
I lunged for the Food Witch, her eyes narrowing as she fired off a lightning bolt at me. But I dodged it by taking flight and rolling to the left. She growled as she aimed the wand at the bundle, forcing me to halt. "Don't even zink about it, Dragon of Denver!" she sneered.
"Dammit!" I heard Sylvester swear.
"Ah. So you had some help..." Grandma Stuffum purred with a sneer.
"So what if I did?!" I spat. "That only means more trouble for you!"
Stuffum chuckled. "So you say..."
I began to get a bad feeling in my gut at those words. My psychoframe began to twinge, and I gulped. Whenever it twinged, it usually meant something was about to happen, and I needed to be ready. Prior experiences had taught me that much.
And oh, boy... was I right to heed it.
The last thing I expected was to see several grey funnels dart past my line of sight and my sensors blared as energy beams lanced out from them. Thinking swiftly, I launched my own fin funnels and formed my beam barrier just in the nick of time. I was knocked back within the barrier, but at least it held.
I sat up, rubbing my helm as I glared at the shadowy shape as it emerged from the darkness.
My optics narrowed as I swore under my breath. The white coat, mask, and blonde hair were a dead giveaway as to who it was. "Wile E. Coyote!" I hissed.
The coyote Mobian sneered as he folded his arms across his chest. "Honestly, I wasn't expecting you to arrive so early," he chuckled. "I was expecting you to arrive a half hour from now."
I didn't even say a word as I got into a fighting stance, my fin funnels dispersing and coming to a hover around me.
"Just because you got the brains doesn't mean you can use them properly," the old, wise voice of Wyle Burp remarked as he looked up from his spot on an old rocking chair. (How had they not noticed him?!)
"Yeah! And for once, I am going to stand up and fight against this kind of murder!" Tyger's voice barked as he staggered out of the general store, holding his machine gun at the ready.
"And don't forget me!" I heard a familiar voice snarl.
My head whipped to the left as a dark blue shape emerged from the shadows as well.
Tiger of the Wind. In all actuality, with all the chaos happening, I had forgotten about him at the hotel itself! He still looked sickly and skeletal, but at least he was able to move and stand, although his legs were shaking with the effort.
Then again, how had... oh... right... He was a GENO. So of course his senses would've been heightened.
Tiger limped out into the light, his amber eyes hard. "Don't think you can handle this alone," he growled.
"What makes you think otherwise?" I shot back as I hefted my beam tonfas as they ignited.
The GENO snorted, but didn't say anything else.
Of course, we had no idea as to how much worse things were about to get. Especially as a loud bellow suddenly echoed across the entire town. "AT LAST!" My optics widened as I recognized that voice.
Suezo's.
The large, lumbering GENO stormed into view from behind the hospital, prompting what few guests and civilians remained to run for the hills and take up refuge at the larger, more modern hotel further back. His single red eye pulsed menacingly as he looked Tiger in the eyes. "Finally! We meet again, traitor!" he sneered.
"Suezo..." Tiger's fur bristled as he growled.
"How easy it will be to finish you off!" the Fallen GENO cackled.
"Hardly!" Tiger hissed.
That was it.
All of us had been assembled.
Me VS Wile E. Coyote.
BurningGreymon VS the Food Witch.
Tiger VS Suezo.
Amy and Nick VS Chula.
Tyger VS Cat.
Wyle VS Rattlesnake Jake.
And to be honest... it was gonna be a hellhole.
Something I was not looking forward to... at all.
(BurningGreymon's 3rd Person POV)
'Okay... Things are not looking so good...' was the first thought that passed through his mind.
BurningGreymon narrowed his blue eyes as he spread his wings, his tail swishing behind him.
He felt a strange sense of deja vu as he stood before the Food Witch, her eyes glistening with sinister intent as she started to circle. He remembered the first time he and Dracon had faced her down in the ruins of Thorton, which actually hadn't been that long ago, to be honest. The situation had been much less bleak, but the primary purpose had been the same: to save any hostages held in her clutches. And the first objective, he knew, was to try and lure her away from the hostage she was holding, or at the least, force her to drop the Mobian girl.
His back arched as his wings bristled, the effect seeming to make him even more imposing as he started to circle as well. His hands flexed as he bared his teeth. "So... what's the girl for?" he asked, trying to at least glean a bit of info from her on her plans. Not that she would even tell him, anyway, he figured. She didn't seem like the type to blab about her plans in his perspective.
"You vant to know? Vell, then you shall be ze first to find out!" the Food Witch cackled as she pointed her wand at the bundle.
His eyes widened as he sensed the electricity forming at the tip of her wand, and he reacted with a speed that he swore rivaled Dracon's reflexes. He pushed off the ground, lunging for the woman and drawing back a fist for the blow.
The Food Witch sneered as she aimed her wand at his heart and he gasped, realizing he had fallen into a trap! Panic overcame him as the wand fired a purple lightning bolt in his direction. Time seemed to slow down for the Warrior of Flame. All he could see was the lightning as it arced through the air towards him, the panic on those faces closest to him, the sneering glare of the Food Witch, and the dancing lights of Wile's fin funnels...
He gritted his teeth before he called upon the feeling of fury within him and then the next thing he knew, a blast of light erupted from around him as a cocoon of fractal coding enveloped his form. He cried out as he shifted back to his Human Spirit. "SLIDE EVOLUTION!"
He felt his wings and tail retract into his being and he became less bulky, more like lean and strong, his hair becoming long and wild again. Then, as quickly as it happened, it was gone, and then the spell struck the coding, generating an explosion and sending him flying back.
Now as Agunimon, he flipped around, his hands flying for the rifle/katana on his back and he drew it, spinning the Dust chamber and landing it on fire Dust. The flames began to seethe over the blade as he drew it across his chest and slashed as hard as he could, catching the Food Witch by surprise. Her eyes widened as she saw the flames coming, and she was forced to roll to the side, but at the same time her grip on the small bundle slipped...
And he reacted.
Agunimon dove for the bundle, his eyes narrowing as his hand reached out to grasp the pink fabric.
Grandma Stuffum roared in fury as she tried to grasp the bundle tighter, but her hands were too busy trying to keep a firm grip on her wand as well. The fabric-wrapped baby landed on the ground, and wailing started to echo in the area. Agunimon's hand grasped the bundle and pulled it close to his chest as he landed and skidded, his katana/rifle held away from his body.
He looked up, his blue eyes hard as he held the baby in a protective grip, his teeth bared in hatred. "Okay... You've gone too far!" he hissed. "What did you want this kid for, anyway?!"
"Oh... Just to conjure up a new recipe... for ze Dragon!" the woman cackled as she aimed her wand at the duo.
Agunimon jerked back in shock as he saw the tip sparking. "No you don't!" he snarled, shifting his stance so his blade was held at the ready in front of the baby. "You won't get her!"
"Oh, but I vill..." Grandma Stuffum purred. "After all, I am ze Food Vitch... and I always have a plan or two in ze vorks!"
The Digimon frowned, not liking the implications. He shot a brief glance down at the Mobian infant, and his eyes widened a bit as he saw she had a small bow on her head, and she was clearly a mouse Mobian, dressed in a pink onesie.
'This must be that Yasha girl Dracon mentioned...' he thought, briefly reflecting back to the night prior to the train robbery event. Dracon had informed him of the situation with the little girl, which turned out to be the real reason he was even there to begin with. While Agunimon may not have been as keen on helping as Dracon was, he still wasn't about to let this kind of sick entertainment go on any longer. (Eating Mobian babies was going way too far in his book.)
But he didn't have time to go down memory lane, as the next thing he heard was a loud screech from the Food Witch as she lunged for him, forcing him to dodge by leaping away from her.
His eyes hardened. "What are you planning?" he growled.
"See for yourself~!" the Bavarian sang.
A shifting and shuffling reached his hearing and his eyes flicked down to the bundle, only to widen as he gasped in shock.
Her little body was becoming covered in meat and vine-like vegetable roots as they started to slither around her. She was crying and wailing as it crept up towards her face. Agunimon reacted by grasping the fabric and onesie, pulling and trying to tear it off. 'She must've cursed the fabric!' he thought in a panic. He pulled harder, finally tearing off the onesie and the blanket. The meat and veggies remained around her body for a bit longer before they came loose under his harsh tugs, only for him to throw the clothing away in the nick of time.
"Damn you!" the Food Witch screeched in rage.
Agunimon's eyes narrowed as he finally tore off his cloak and wrapped little Yasha in it before putting it down on the ground and turning to face her. "All right. No more of your dirty tricks!" he hissed. "This time, you and me! One on one! No magic, no tricks! Understood?!"
The Food Witch sneered as she stood up. "Ah... if zat is vhat you vant, zen so be it!"
The Warrior of Flame however wasn't too keen on letting her get the best of him. He suspected that she would try something, as that was part of her fighting style: to fight dirty.
He started to circle, his hands gripping his katana/rifle in a firm grip. He wasn't going to use his fire manipulation abilities against her, but he had a Dust canister in his weapon just in case she tried anything.
And he was right to be prepared.
(Amy Rose's 3rd Person POV)
The pink-furred Mobian narrowed her eyes as she hefted her hammer, the man in the trench coat narrowing his own eyes as he hefted his rocket launcher.
Before the duo stood Chula, his eyes glinting as his gold tooth glimmered in the dim lighting.
"You sure about this?" Amy asked Nick.
"Yeah. This guy is a real menace," the Huntsman remarked as he shifted his stance to a firing one. "Especially given his Semblance."
"What's his Semblance?" the Mobian asked.
"Oh... just a little something I like to call... Puppeteer!" Chula sneered as his Aura flared a sickening puke green color and tendrils of silk lashed out towards the duo.
"GET DOWN!" Nick shouted, lunging for Amy and tackling her to the ground. He kept a firm grasp on the Mobian woman as he looked over his shoulder at the tarantula Mobian. "Dammit!" he hissed.
Chula cackled as he unleashed more of those tendrils, but Nick grasped Amy and focused, his Semblance kicking in and turning the two intangible. Amy gasped in shock as she looked at a transparent hand, only for Nick's voice to reach her thoughts.
'C'mon! We gotta move!' he barked.
Amy shook her head to regain her bearings and nodded, still rattled by this sudden experience of not just being turned into a ghost, so to speak, but also because of the telepathy that Nick was capable of in this state.
The tendrils lashed through their transparent bodies, startling the spider Mobian. "What the Glob?!" he blurted.
Nick smirked. "Nice try!" he remarked. "As long as my Semblance is active, you can't touch us!"
Chula's eyes narrowed as he roared, lunging for the duo. But Nick was already moving, pulling Amy along behind him. "But I thought you said-"
'It can only be active for a limited time frame!' Nick shot back through telepathy. 'If I'm not actively possessing an object or person, I can only remain intangible for five minutes tops!'
The pink Mobian gulped in dread.
Chula proceeded to phase through their transparent forms, and his eyes narrowed as he spun around, splaying all eight legs to help him slow down. "Oh, no you're not!" he snarled. His 'hands' flew for his pistols and he pulled them out, spinning the Dust chambers to land on ice Dust.
Nick's eyes hardened as he grasped his rocket launcher in his free hand and aimed it. His finger was about to squeeze the trigger when a blast of fire lanced right by the duo, forcing Nick to release his focus on his Semblance and channel it into his Aura instead. Amy hissed as she hunched over before her hand flew for the handle of her Graviton Hammer. Her pink Aura flared to life as she lookd at Nick, his eyes hardening. "Dammit..."
He shot a glance at the direction the fire had come from: the fight between Agunimon and the Food Witch. She had clearly dodged the slash of his katana/rifle, causing the blast to fly past her and into their direction.
However, Chula sneered as he suddenly launched three tendrils of silk, right at Nick!
The Huntsman gasped in shock, but before he could get hit, Amy was on the move, her sneakers laced with Speed Dust giving her an advantage. She grabbed the human and pulled him down by his trench coat, earning a surprised yelp from him in response. Both landed flat on their backs before looking at one another. "T-Thanks..." Nick gasped. "Y-You saved me..."
Amy just gave a grunt as she got back to her feet. "Just drop it. We got a spider to squash!"
Nick nodded as he hefted his launcher and aimed it. "Can you keep him busy?" he asked.
"Yeah. But that silk is gonna be hard to avoid," Amy noted. "Man... I sure wish Sonic was here..."
Nick's eyes flew wide at the mention of the name. He had heard of the speedy hedgehog, but to think that Amy knew him? Well, that was a surprise right there. "You think you can call him down?" Nick asked.
"Hardly!" Amy retorted. "I've got a restraining order from him for a few years! I can't go anywhere near him until it expires! And that includes cell phone communications!"
The human growled in frustration, only to barely dodge a few Dust rounds fired by Chula. Amy leapt to the side as well, her Aura creeping into her fist as she clenched it around her hammer. The pink glow enveloped the hammer head and she leapt into the air. A shriek escaped her throat as she swung her hammer down towards the ground, slamming it into the earth and generating a shockwave that rocked Chula on his feet. His eyes went wide and his 'arms' flailed as he tried to recover his balance.
Nick took the chance to fire a rocket laced with ice Dust right for the spider. Chula's head snapped up at the sound of the rocket's screaming engine and he rolled to the side in a ball, squirting silk at the warhead in an attempt to detonate it.
"Get down!" Nick yelled, lunging for Amy and pulling her back as the rocket exploded upon contact with a hardened silk spear. The two landed on the ground, covering their noses and mouths to keep out the dust and dirt. Amy coughed a bit before she looked up, her eyes widening in shock at Chula's shape as he staggered out of the smoke, ice clinging to his body here and there, but for the most part he was in good shape.
"You have made me mad!" the Mobian roared as he launched himself at the two. His pistols began barking like crazy as he fired at them, forcing the duo to dodge by leaping to the sides.
(Tiger's 3rd Person POV)
Tiger hissed as his legs shook from the effort of standing. As it was, he wasn't even sure he could fight in his current condition.
The lack of food and movement wasn't helping, nor were his injuries.
And yet Suezo had the gall to call him out for a battle.
The GENO could only wonder what was going through his former friend's mind at the time, but he brushed it aside with a snort. All he really cared about now was avenging Holly when in reality he had been the one who had done her in.
It was ironic, in a way, Tiger mused as he struggled to stay upright. Here he was, injured, weak, and helpless while Suezo was much stronger, more powerful than before, and transformed by the Black Ooze, as well as having acquired a Semblance of his own.
His keen hearing picked up the battle raging around them, from the firing of lasers to the barks of shotguns and the shrieks of rockets and slams of melee weapons. But his eyes were locked onto Suezo's single red eye.
"So... this is how it ends..." the GENO/Fallen sneered. "The Great Tiger of the Wind... dead by my hands."
"And the last of our civilization!" Tiger gasped.
Suezo tilted his head to the side as a sneer crossed his face. "Oh, my dear Tiger... our civilization will not have died with your demise. In fact, it will live on... through me," he stated. "I have lived this long because of my gift. And that gift will ensure I continue to live, even beyond your death. So it will never die as long as I live."
Tiger's fur bristled as he arched his back as best he could in his weakened state. "No way in hell will that happen!" he growled. "You're not a GENO anymore! Not with what you did to yourself!"
Suezo placed one massive hand on his chest, feigning hurt. "You hurt me, Tiger! Right in the heart!" he mocked. Then he sneered. "Not."
The massive GENO spread his arms as he stood up straight. "Face it, traitor! With your demise, a long and tumultuous era of our civilization will have come to an end... and a new one shall begin!" he cried. "Our civilization will be reborn anew, Tiger. And this time, I will be the one to lead it! I will guide it to a new age, and the rest of these pathetic humans will die at the hands of my brethren, while we repopulate the world! That time is nigh, and there is nothing you can do to stop it! Even in your weakened condition!"
"Then I hate to burst your ego, but it will never happen!" Tiger snarled. "Your new dream is nothing but a mockery of what we stood for! If you recall, which I'm sure you don't, our country was against this very ideology! We fought to bring an end to the Grimm, not to allow them to proliferate like you want!"
"Ah... but don't you see? The Grimm will allow us to rebuild our society!" Suezo cackled as he leered at the other GENO. His blood red Aura flared as his eye began to glow. "And I shall be the one to lead that revolution!"
"Not if I can help it..." Tiger hissed.
In all honesty, he wasn't even sure if he could win in his condition. He didn't even know if he could use his special abilities he was so weak! But he had to try.
Suezo's eye flashed as he fired off laser at the blue-furred GENO, but Tiger leapt to the side, skidding a bit as his legs shook. But he forced it aside as he glanced up, calling upon the cold fury within his chest and body. He felt that distinct feeling of icy coldness building up in the back of his throat and, after a moment of hesitation, opened his mouth before firing it at the monstrous GENO.
He yelped as the Ice Bomb struck him in the face, disrupting his focus and letting the beam fade away. Tiger took his chance and lunged for Suezo, his legs shaking from his efforts. He forced the moment aside and ran for his former friend, leaping up and driving his teeth into his thick, muscular arm. Suezo roared with pain as he lashed out, swining his arm around to try and dislodge Tiger. But he dug his teeth and claws in deeper, drawing that black ichor to the surface. He wrapped his rear paws around as well, but his strength was waning fast.
Suezo roared as he swung his arm with all his might, the force of the swing dislodging Tiger and sending him flying.
He landed on the ground and bounced a few times before skidding and landing on his stomach. His wound was aching, and his body was already feeling sapped of strength. But if anything, his pride wasn't letting him stay down. He was determined to knock some sense into his former ally. And he wouldn't stop until he did so.
Even if it cost him his life.
(Tyger's 3rd Person POV)
The former Satyra member narrowed his eyes as he aimed his machine gun at Cat R. Waul.
For once, he was glad to have become a snitch for the terrorist group. At least this way he had government protection from them.
Cat sneered at his ex-minion. "So, Tyger... why is it you decided to betray me after I took you in?" he purred.
"Because of your sick actions!" the cat Mobian growled. "I didn't sign up to become a murderer of innocent children!"
"Oh... such heroic nonsense," Cat chuckled. "We are cats. It is in our nature to want to eat mice. Except this is a more... intellectual way... of going about it. Why waste calories by chasing when you can lure them in and then feast on them, as well as bring in business?"
Tyger's hands shook as he glared at his opposite. "That may be true, but it's also insidious and barbaric! Think of all the families that will never see their children again! Have you no conscience?!"
"Why would I have such feelings for rodents?" Cat asked as he examined one of his paws. "It's evolution that I am following. Despite the fact that we are civilized, we are still animals at heart, Tyger."
The ex-criminal couldn't take it. He let out a roar as he charged at Cat, his Aura flaring and his machine gun spitting out bullets in rage and fury.
Cat's eyes gleamed as he flipped with unnatural grace and landed behind Tyger, his foot whipping out as his magenta Aura flared and his Semblance kicked in. Tyger's Aura took the blow, but he did fall flat on his face. Cat sneered as he hefted his cane and flicked it, a hidden blade springing forth from the interior. It glinted as he prepared to bring it down on the other cat's head.
Tyger groaned as he looked back, and his eyes hardened as he bared his teeth. "Oh, no you don't!" he growled. "Not this time!"
"I'm sure you remember my Semblance, do you not?" Cat purred.
Tyger did remember. And it was why he was so feared in the criminal underworld. Despite being a legitimate businessman and having a real business on his hands, Cat was also well known for his uncanny speed, which was enhanced with his Semblance, Cat's Grace. It boosted his agility to unnatural levels, making him very hard to hit.
"How could I forget?" the orange cat snarled. "You made a fool of me last time!"
"Only because you were too slow on the uptake..." Cat jeered as he flashed his weapon in a fencer's stance.
Tyger hissed as he gritted his teeth. He focused his Aura, and his Semblance started to build up within him. He could feel the distinct rumbling and then he opened his mouth, a large shockwave coming out, accompanied by the loudest belch he could muster.
Cat's eyes widened as he stared in shock, the sneer falling right off his face. "Oh, Glob...!"
Tyger's belch hit him full force and he went rolling, his cane sword flying from his grasp and landing point first in the ground. Cat himself skidded on the ground before coming to a halt, dirt staining his pristine suit and cape. His top hat had been shredded by the belch and subsequent impact with the ground, so when he groaned and sat up, his eyes narrowed to mere slits at seeing what had become of one of his costume's defining features.
"I will strip you to bones for that!" Cat growled.
"I'd like t see you try!" Tyger snarled as he brandished his machine gun.
Cat's face twisted into a look of pure rage, his teeth baring as his eyes flashed in anger. He lunged for the heavyset Mobian, his sword flashing as he lanced out with it in a fencer's fighting style. But despite his girth, Tyger was far from slow. He was a large target, but his fighting style relied more on him using his Semblance to keep close range opponents at bay.
He let out another belch, the shockwave slamming into Cat and knocking him back. He flipped in the air and landed on his feet, skidding before he rushed the other Mobian.
But Tyger was on the move, firing his machine gun to keep Cat at bay. Cat's sword flashed as he slashed at the air, cutting through several bullets, but missing the majority with how many that came his way.
A third belch also added to the assault, leading to Cat flying sideways from the impact against the ground. His cane was still held tightly in his grip, but at least his Semblance had been disrupted. He skidded to a stop and glanced up, his eyes barely containing his rage. A loud yowl escaped the other cat as he lunged for Tyger. But the other feline stood his ground, his Aura flaring as he barely blocked Cat's swing of the cane sword.
His eyes narrowed as he finally roared, shoving the machine gun back against the blade, the metal digging into the machine gun's metal frame.
(Wyle's 3rd Person POV)
To say he was cornered was an understatement.
Wyle Burp, the former sheriff of Green River, stood as he faced down the dreaded outlaw, Rattlesnake Jake.
In all honesty, he wasn't really terrified of him like so many others were. In his eyes, the experience mattered more than the tricks. And he was the most experienced Huntsman in this town.
"Wyle Burp... former sheriff of thissssss little desssssert resssort town..." Jake purred, his forked tongue flicking in and out with each word. "It will be a pleassssure to kill you... if not ussssse your ssssskull as a trophy stand."
"I don't think so, son," the old dog said calmly. "I've encountered many others like you, and all have fallen at my feet in defeat."
"Then shall we ssssseee who isssss the better gunman?" the snake hissed, his eyes narrowing. His dark green Aura flared as he inched his hand towards his Gatling gun.
Wyle's eyes flicked to it and then his pistols were in his hands, firing off a single shot that nailed the outlaw's Gatling gun and sent his hand flying away from it. While he wasn't clutching at a stump where his hand had been, he was holding his hand which had a neat hole through the palm. He stared at it for a moment before his eyes hardened. "Sssso... playing dirty, are we?"
"That purple Dust is considered dirty!" Wyle shot back. "If you want to prove yourself a gunman, then do so without resorting to such a sinister trick!"
"Ah..." Jake stood up, ignoring the pain in the palm of his hand. "Then where'sssss the fun in that?" His snake lips curled into a sneer as his tongue licked them. "I relish in sssseeeing my victimssss crying in agony and dessspair."
"All the more reason to keep you from running free," Wyle said as he started to circle. If he could just keep Jake from using that blasted Dust, then there was a chance he could hopefully incapacitate him somehow.
The only question was... how?
He had heard of the outlaw, but never expected to be fighting him. He also knew of his Semblance, Fear Resurgence, and of how it was able to bring the victim's greatest fears to life. Not unlike Katz's Semblance, but it was far different in that it generated realistic illusions rather than subsuming the victim's mind in a torrent of terror visions.
The old dog Mobian chewed his lip thoughtfully as he looked around, taking note of the other battles, but at the same time keeping his gaze on the snake Mobian in front of him. He wasn't one to let the slippery devil out of his sight, knowing from stories and newspaper articles of how he fought.
And this one was not about to escape the law this time.