Days until Boros arrives: 7
Days until the end of the world: 37
Metal Bat's eyes widened and his grip on his weapon caused the metal to creak in protest.
"With me!" he said, and not bothering to wait or check at Sneck and Charanko, rushed towards Tornado and the Rookie.
"Sneck, Charanko! Go help Fubuki!"
"Yes!"
"Got it."
"Leave the granny and the Esper to me and Tornado."
"You mean to us, don't you dear~?" Nisha asked with a wink, appearing to his left.
"Yeah." He smiled and nodded in thanks, the drumming of his heart continuing to ramp up, preparing—
'Crash'
Only for a gigantic figure to land in front of them, making them scramble to a stop as the dust cleared.
"I'm afraid not."
"You don't really think you'll get away with this, do you?" Tatsumaki asked with a glare, hovering but a dozen meters from her, the hag, and their hostage. The bitch gritting her teeth as she should.
Psykos huffed and blew a strand of blue hair to the side. "Au contraire, my friend. You'll find that I very much know that I'll get away with this."
The bitch huffed. "Oh, yeah?" followed by the bitch crossing her arms. "And pray tell, how do you intend to do that exactly? After all, in case it's escaped you." Tatsumaki uncrossed her arms and in a slow encompassing wave gestured at their surroundings. "We're in the center of A-city. The beating heart of the hero's association. Meaning, that unless you somehow intend to continue this stalemate until the sun goes out…you'll be begging for mercy pretty soon, for this place will be swarming with heroes."
Psykos inclined her head. "Normally you'd be right, but, did you think I did not plan for this?"
"Not another one of those plans of yours…" Tatsumaki said, not bothering to even pay attention to Psykos, closing her eyes and pinching the bridge of her nose.
Even now you ignore me, you bitch? No matter, you'll learn your place soon enough.
"Tell me, when has that ever worked out for you, exactly?"
Psykos, fighting back her fury, merely smirked and dropped her arm away from Yuha's neck. Causing Tatsumaki's eyes to narrow into pinpricks.
Just as I had foreseen.
The bitch's arm twitched. No doubt preparing to act before she grinned down at her.
"Ok, perhaps I'm being too harsh. This, unlike your previous attempts, was…passable. But, I know something you dont~" the girl sing-songed.
And Psykos offered an innocent blink.
"Oh, and prey tell, what is that?"
"Hiyaaaa!" and from the sky above, a female voice shouted, descending, stretching out her hand to the side, the woman's palm in a loose gripping motion, and, as the curiosity that Psykos also faced some difficulty predicting descended towards her and the hag with alarming speed, a long blade manifested in the woman's hand. The silver broadsword seeming to hum in a fury equal to that of it's master as it sliced through the air.
And Grayfia, focused entirely upon the bug, glared at Psykos and the hag, swinging her massive blade, aiming to bisect Psykos while within Grayfia's other palm, a golden orb of death started to spin into existence, aimed at the hag.
Above, the bitch started to smirk, no doubt pleased at how she'd seemingly thwarted Psykos' plans.
But—
"Gkh!" Grayfia's eyes bulged, the sword leaving her nerveless hand. Fading. And before the woman could react—
A second kick from the newcomer in a form fitting latex bodysuit sent Grayfia careening away, the force behind the kick causing the woman to dig into the stadium's walls.
And Psykos smirked as one of her most successful experiments landed on the ground, the black-haired androgynous figure working the kinks out of their joints.
"You…"
A second figure landed into the stadium, kicking up dust and blocking the foolish heroes and Subterraneans rushing towards Psykos.
"Sonic," she said, voice bored, drawing the attention of one of the small numbers of her creations that were worthy of her notice.
The black-haired androgynous ninja turning his head towards her as he continued through his stretches.
"Yeah?" he asked with a blink, for in a curious inversion, unlike the other monster she'd brought with her, the youth's eyes had merged into one.
"Forget the bug, help Gouketsu," she said, and the youth shrugged. "Sure."
The bitch, stopped gritting her teeth for a moment and blinked. "Wait, why would you—"
"Surely, you must have noticed by now~? She asked in mirth, causing the girl to blink.
"Notice what?"
Instead of answering, she turned towards the hag. "As we've discussed," she ordered, and the white-haired monster gave a meek, shuddering nod before jumping upwards and landing next to Fubuki.
"Alright!" the hag roared, all signs of subservience and weakness vanishing, a cruel tint coloring her voice. "Up and at them, you useless excuses for Valkyries! I'll deal with the pretty one here—"
"I knew something was fishy about you! Leave my mistress alone, hiyaa—Gkh!"
"Oho~make that two pretty ones," the woman cackled. "Mayhaps they might even make for fine replacements for you useless bitches. Get to it! If you know what's good for you you sluts!"
"Y-yes, mistress."
"At once, my lady."
"Tsk, bitch."
"Ssh! Not so loud Reptera!"
Tatsumaki's hair started to rise, a bloodthirsty grin spreading across her lips as she slowly raised a finger, pointing at Psykos.
"I take it back. You're an even bigger fool than I thought," she hissed, just as the monsters landed next to Gouketsu's massive form. "You've left yourself full of openings and—"
"Have I?"
The bitch's eye twitched. "What do you mean, of course you—Gkh!" and spittle flew out of her mouth. The bitch losing control of her flight, even if a thin film of green energy continued to surround her as she continued to hover in the air in between Sonic's kick and Gouketsu's massive punch.
Mmh…Perhaps I should have gone with the Colosseum. That's where idiots like her died in honorable combat in the distant past, after all.
"Mind if we join the party, boys~? I promise, we won't be gentle," the blonde monster clad in a very revealing black bdsm outfit said, smacking her whip against the ground, causing dust to kick up even as she raised her other arm in front of her mask. "Ohohoho~"
"That is the fakest laugh I've ever heard," Nisha growled by his side, and Metal Bat had to agree. "It's even faker than that bitch of a princess' own," the woman continued, and Bat blinked with confusion. "There's no way anyone would be dumb enough to—"
"M-m-mommy! Step on me!"
Everyone froze and turned towards Charanko.
From the two reptile, or perhaps dinosaur like women, to the pale-skinned Maiko woman glad in an elegant Kimono, and of course Metal Bat himself, Nisha, Kisha and even Sneck.
"W-what?" the blushing youth asked.
"Fufufu~" the monster in the revealing Bdsm bodysuit said, her pink eyes surrounded by a black sclera creasing in joy as she crackled her whip once more. "Oh, I so like it when little piggies know their place. Just for that, I do believe we can do something about that request of yours~"
Metal Bat sighed.
"Nisha."
"Yes, dear?"
He jerked his head and pointed with his bat. "Help the idiot, will you please?"
Makes sense, I suppose. He is friends with Yuha, is he not? Why did I expect better from him...
With that, his grip on his weapon tightened, and he stole a glance towards the still out of it Rookie.
Worry not. We'll save you, my friend!
"Oh my, if we're picking opponents," the Maiko said with a soft, demure voice. "Then, I do believe I would like to test myself against that handsome young man over there, then."
Nisha, coming to a stop next to Charanko, slowly turned her neck. "What did you say?" she hissed voice low, dangerous.
"Fufufu~"
"Then we'll take the sharp-dressed idiot, I guess," the black-horned woman, with another overly revealing outfit, just like her probable sibling, said.
"That sounds fun~!" said sister added.
"Shut it, Raptora. I don't care about your 'fun'. I simply don't want the hag to kill us."
"Hai hai, Reptera!"
"Joy…" Sneck said, somehow managing to sound even less enthused about the whole thing than Reptera.
"Worry not, I will support you," Kisha said.
Yuha came to with a groan.
"M-my lord?" rubbing his head, he cracked open an eyelid and glared at the chained blonde elf clad in a bikini, the woman, clutching his knee and thigh, staring up at him in worry.
While in between his thighs, a redheaded elf woman's head bobbed up and down—
The hell?
Doing his best to ignore the sensation and with his mind racing, he took in his surroundings, from his bare scarred chest to the rough hodgepodge throne made out of bones and skulls to the many, many hulking figures kneeling at the feet of his throne while in the distance warriors drunk, ate and partied sitting around massive benches.
Orcs. Orcs as far out as the eye could see, orcs and trolls and ogres and many, many more. All of them shouting his name, quite a few of his…warriors if the whispered memories told the truth, having a couple chained sobbing females next to them as they feasted and reveled while those nearest to him remained kneeling and raised their arms, axes in hand.
"Yuha! Yuha! Yuha!"
Chanting on and on and on.
The hell is going on?
"M-my lord?" the blonde elf asked again, and looking at her again, a name came to mind, Valeera.
"Foolish girl," a wizened voice snapped. Coming into view and offering a deep bow, the old Orc, staff in hand gazing at him in adoration before glaring at the girl again. "Isn't it obvious, both you and Liadrin have failed to please our lord," the old Orc snapped, shaking his staff and fell leaking from his eyes.
"So, if you don't wish to join Thalyssra in the re-education camp—"
"No! No!" the terrified girl screamed. "We…we'll do better! Won't we Liadrin?" the girl said, panicking as the redhead redoubled her efforts. "P-please my lord! Give us another chance!'
He ignored them, staring at the near reverent Orc.
"Gul'dan."
Causing the Orc to immediately bow.
"Yes, my lord? How may I serve? Do you perhaps wish of me to dispose them entirely?" a cruel crooked grin spread across the old Orc's lips. "I assure you, the sacrifice pits are well and ready. Just give the word and their meagre souls shall join those of the dozen others we've already prepared for this day's sacrifice in your name, my glorious liege!"
"P-please! M-mercy!"
'Voomp!'
Yuha frowned and stared at his scarred, naked chest where a pendant had appeared, ignoring the girls, the old Orc and his apparent warriors both, as well as the familiar runeblade with a goat's skull resting next to his throne amidst other trophies haphazardly scattered about.
He grasped the glowing silver pendant.
This is wrong.
His memories returned.
That's right, I was in the stadium with Tatsumaki and then Psykos did…did something.
Focusing on the pendant and closing his eyes. The fake world around him faded and, something squirmed and he knew nothing once more.
"H-how?" the bitch asked, voice weak as her monsters drew back, leaving Tatsumaki to hover weakly and Psykos, making an absent gesture, threw back the approaching Grayfia, embedding the gasping girl in another wall as she rose under her own psychic might and came face to face with Tatsumaki.
"How? You ask," she said, crossing her arms and tittering. "Oh, but that's easy, my dear friend," she said with a venomous growl, and snapped her fingers, her duo of monsters attacking again.
"Gkh!"
With Tatsumaki, throwing her arms to the side, barely managing to hold them at bay, reducing the strength of their blows, but not entirely, some of the force leaking through judging by her wince.
Impressive. But… I came prepared.
With a roar of her own, her aura shining bright, Psykos' own punch smashed into the barrier in front of Tatsumaki's belly, the barrier barely holding as the bitch gritted her teeth but then, Sonic, giving credence to his name. Landed over a few thousand kicks to his side of the barrier, and, as Psykos pushed harder, Tatsumaki's barrier shattered.
"Gkah!" making the tiny esper's eyes bulge and spittle to fly from her mouth as Psykos punch dug into the bitch's gut and she relished in the sensation.
"Yessss," she hissed. "How does it feel to be weak, to be impotent, just like the rest of us, eh?" she asked, leaning in close and causing Tatsumaki's head to rise, the woman glaring at her as her green eyes glowed the pupils disappearing into a haze of esper energy.
Fool.
'Thunk'
'Thunk'
'Thunk'
"Ah!" Tatsumaki jerked as blow-dart after blow-dart punched into her exposed back, the already weakened woman, blinded by her pain and rage, focusing entirely on Psykos and her minions, failing to guard her exposed back.
You've fallen right into my trap.
"Gouketsu, Sonic."
"Yes, my lady?"
"Yeah?"
"Deal with the heroes. This one is mine."
"As you command."
"Hah! This will be fun!"
"I…won't…let you…"
Despite herself, Psykos could admit to being impressed.
"Oho? Still managing to hang in there?" she asked, watching as the girl curled over her fist struggled to reactivate her aura.
But this too, she anticipated.
As her minions turned to deal with the pests, with almost gentle motions, Psykos reached into one of her dress' pockets and retrieved a tiny parcel, which, with a gentle flick from her mind, unrolled and, bringing in between her and Tatsumaki—
She blew the dust into the bitch's face.
Making her cough and gag as she inhaled, and Psykos smirked.
Game. Set. Match.
Ignoring the esper for a moment, she lowered back on the ground, throwing the gasping esper to the ground with a careless thrust of her hand. Tatsumaki rolling to a stop a feet or two away.
All around them, the crowd screamed in fear and panic as the no name weaklings she'd brought along terrorized them while the heroes struggled against her other pets.
"You asked, how? Did you not?" she asked, blowing at her fist, as if to clean it from the spot where it contacted with the bitch.
Tatsumaki, gasping, sweating, glared at her even as she tried, and failed to push herself to her feet.
Psykos stepped closer and leaned in with a smile.
"Well, let me tell you," she said, and, reaching upwards, removed two tiny orbs from her ears, making Tatsumaki frown in confusion.
"Those are…"
"Earplugs," she said with a smile, before shrugging. "Well, highly advanced and specialized ones, but, earplugs all the same."
She kicked.
"Gkah!"
And Tatsumaki all but folded in two around her foot.
"For you, my dear friend, are special. And I knew I couldn't beat you in a fair fight," she said, tucking a few strands of hair over her shoulder while Tatsumaki gasped for air. "There are few who could. But, that doesn't mean there aren't other ways of circumventing your strength. Of helping you experience mortality."
A white aura started to form around the roaring tiny woman and Psykos rolled her eyes.
"I think not," she said and snapped her fingers.
'Thunk'
'Thunk'
"Gkh!"
And a couple more blow-darts dug into Tatsumaki's flesh, making her gasp and her power to sputter out completely.
"Admittedly, this too is a curious power, but one I care little about. But, to answer your question. It's simple. For you see, at the end of the day, all it took to bring you to your pathetic knees was to lace the stadium's speakers with an inaudible harmonic, one harmless to everyone else but one which, terribly weakens Espers."
Tatsumaki's eyes widened.
"The earplugs."
"Exactly!" she said with a clap, as if proud of a student coming to a correct answer, but her smile soon faded. "For you see, I knew that there was little chance of you forming a false psychic ear and lashing it to your real one." Psykos rolled her eyes and punched the girl.
"Aargh!"
"After all, for all your strength, you're a fool who tries to pretend you're human and not a monster like the rest of us. So, why would you maintain false psychic organs all the time to cover what few weaknesses you have, even though with your power it would be as easy as breathing?"
Huffing, Psykos rose to her feet. "Your false modesty sickens me," she spat. "But that was merely the opening act. After all, you're a monster. That alone couldn't knock you out. Oh no." She turned around, exposing her unguarded back. But she had little to fear in doing so. After all, the bitch, in her current state could do nothing. "That's where the blow-darts with a special mix to…calm you down, came in," she said, snickering at her own joke. "Which coupled with an even more special perfume were…are enough to do the trick."
She started walking away from the woman.
"Oh, and don't worry, the poisons take time to fully kick in. You'll grow even weaker before you start feeling better~!"
Not that you'll live that long.
Coming to a stop next to the bug, she made another psychic blade, coating her palm.
"W-wait!" Tatsumaki screamed behind her, making her shudder in bliss at the raw fear in the woman's voice.
Psykos' arm sung through the air.
And Yuha's head, with the starfish still attached, fell off. His blood drawing a beautiful arch as it did.
Not that Psykos let any of it land on her, of course.
And a couple of women screamed as Psykos turned and started heading back towards the screaming bitch with a smile of pure relish.
Ahh~ That feeling! That feeling of a job well done. A perfect plan coming together~! Tee~hee~!
In case you were wondering, no, Grayfia did not pull a Shirou... err mostly that is.
Rather, she utilized magic materialization coupled with her unconscious usage of Spiral to give shape to the object within her heart and mind-ok, yeah. That is similar to projection. :xD