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Golden Gate Empire: Dreams of Grandeur [IC | PG-16]


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The journey back to the hotel was a long one but Bethany hadn't even noticed. She was asleep through the majority of it. The time awake she spent trying to figure out what had happened. She swore she had heard her brother's voice but the things he was saying weren't...like him at all. And how could he be talking to her when he was in a coma?

 

And what had happened to her? She could vaguely remember the fight...she had certainly done some things she didn't think she was capable of. She felt the wear on her body still. But how did they happen?

 

Once she caught sight of the hotel another thought came to mind. How was Janey doing? Surely she had watched the match. Maybe the girl could help her figure out what had gone on.

 

Though once she arrived she was swarmed by medical staff. She tried to brush them off, she hadn't taken many blows, but they were insistent and she eventually relented. When she asked about the girl everyone was silent, focused on their work, and by the time she got out she was too exhausted to do anything.

 

The next day she found out what had happened. She couldn't find the supposed video left behind but she got the general idea. It was lucky she couldn't find Sergei or Geno. Her anger had boiled over in a way that she wasn't used to and she wasn't sure...no, worse, she was sure exactly what she'd have done had she seen either of them that day.

BGM

Bethany locked herself in her room, sitting in the middle, her mind a whirl. After the heat of anger at others passed, as it always does when there's nothing to stoke the flames, the cold anger of self-loathing crept through her body.

 

She shouldn't have left. She just abandoned the girl who very clearly needed her to be protected by these people. The people who already had suffered one security breach, at least, how could she be so stupid to think that it was safe here?

She won the match, yes, but wasn't she doing this to protect people like Janey? Yet when one was right here, in front of her, she walked away.

 

Bethany's day was spent like this. She hadn't eaten, though she was used to going days without food, but it didn't cross her mind. The floor, walls, and ceiling gradually became coated in ice and, by the time a knock on her door sounded she was in what was essentially a freezer.

"Miss Bethany?  It's Matilda.  I was hoping if you wouldn't mind, that you and I could discuss some personal matters, I do have Theo with me, but he can remain outside if you wish."

 

She didn't want to answer. Just hearing the voices of others, of people connected to what happened at that, brought up the anger again. But she couldn't very well keep them out if they wanted in, anyway. "Do whatever you want." She said.

 

As they came in they'd find Bethany sitting in a chair by the wall, facing away from the door. The room was freezing cold as they stepped inside. "Are you here to tell me about how you screwed up?" Bethany said, voice as cold as the room. "I already know. Your people...they said they'd keep her safe. But she's dead. But what does that matter, right? She was just some outcast girl. What's she to the great and wonderful King Sergei and his court of elites? Just another life to be tossed aside and forgotten. And life goes on right? I heard about that...banquet." She spat the last word out with venom. "You want me to go there? Have a little party while that broken girl rots in the ground? Or whatever happened to her body if you even bothered to find it." She turned to the pair and her face didn't show the anger her voice would have implied. She looked much older than she was, and haggard, Bethany's true self. Beaten down time and time again by a world that didn't want her kind. Shown over and over how little lives like hers, like the children she works so hard to keep safe, mattered. "What do you want?"

 

But she didn't cry. Even now. She didn't deserve tears. Tears would be an escape, a release, and she had to hold onto this feeling. She had to feel this guilt, this hopelessness, this grief for a girl so many people will have already forgotten like hundreds of other lost children. Because if she didn't, who would?

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Mango looked in awe at her new arm. It was almost exactly like the old one! Almost. She didn't quite remember the details, but from what she was able to gather, she'd cut off her own arm during the fight at Godstone Valley, which had contributed to her loss. Hence why the capable team at the Golden Gate Hotel had used stem cells to help her body grow a whole new one! However, something about the new arm was distinctly different...

 

"Try as we might, we were unable to restore the blades present at your fingertips. We apologize for the inconvenience."

 

"No no, it's fine! It's actually better like this! Thank you!" As the doctor had said, Mango's new arm, unfortunately, wasn't able to properly grow the distinct blades at the ends of her fingers. However, this was the furthest thing from inconvenient. If anything, the blades themselves were the inconvenience! Being rid of them - even if it was just for one hand - was a welcome change! She could shake hands with people now. Or eat using regular utensils like everyone else. Or do all sorts of things the blades made difficult, that a normal hand would be perfectly capable of. It was an exciting fresh start! Mango almost wanted to ask about a surgery to remove the blades from her other hand now that she was here, but the hotel staff had already done so much. Getting more out of them like that might have been a bit overbearing.

 

Instead, Mango's attention turned onward to the near future. The banquet she'd been invited to, along with all the other contestants. She was absolutely going! It was a chance to take her new - non-lethal - hand for a test run, so to speak. She waved a friendly hand goodbye at the doctor who had told her about the "inconvenience" of not having her blades back, and said "I'm going to the banquet now. Have a great day."

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Another convenience of no longer having a right hand that tore most clothes to ribbons was that... well, Mango could wear actual people clothes. She wanted something new to wear, now that she finally had that option. This meant a very fast shopping trip. In the end, she decided to keep things relatively simple. It was a dress, it was pink, and it was short. Granted, everything in the general area of the dress's left sleeve had been torn apart by Mango's still-deadly left hand. Most of it was still intact though; Mango had made sure to be extra-careful putting it on to keep it from getting too damaged.

 

The banquet was supposed to be for the fighters, wasn't it? Mango was apparently the first one of the fighters to arrive, despite her small detour to pick up new clothes. Maybe everyone else was super-busy today? Looking around, she didn't really recognize most people here. Some staff members here and there, a few guests she'd never seen before, and... Mr. Sergei Nikolaev. It was a weird way to think about it, but if he'd never asked her to join the tournament, she wouldn't have gone through all the changes she had gone through since coming here. They were all changes for the better, too! Her long-term survivability was better, and she was able to touch people without making them sick, thanks to the pills the lab had developed in response to her fight against Louis, and her right hand wasn't dangerous anymore thanks to the fight against Choros.

 

She became less deadly by fighting. If she kept it up, would she be a perfectly normal human girl by the end? Although, there wasn't really more fights for her to be in, were there? But there's nothing wrong with wishful thinking. I like being me anyway, even if I'd like to be less of a danger to everyone around me. She had to thank Mr. Nikolaev for the tournament and stuff, since it was responsible for Mango's current - considerably less lethal - state. The natural first step to that was to call out for his attention.

 

"Heeeeeeeeey!" she called out, waving her brand-new hand up in the air, as she started in Sergei's direction. "Mr. Nikolaev!" Once she was close enough to speak properly to the man in charge, she held out her hand to show him. It had no blades! She still got a warm and tingly feeling just thinking about it! "Look, it doesn't have any blades now! The doctors said they couldn't grow them back like the rest of my arm, but it's better this way. I can shake hands with people and stuff, and all sorts of things I couldn't do with them in the way. Isn't it amazing?"


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Meal Prep

 

"Ace," Sergei said with a smile.

 

Bradley shook Sergei's hand.  "Welcome back, sir.  I trust everything went as planned?"  Bradley was dressed in his signature blue and white tuxedo and was holding an electronic pad in his left hand.  His hair had been slicked back and he was as spiffy as ever.

 

Sergei nodded as he straightened the tie on his red and black tuxedo.  "It did.  We have everything we need.  Tell me, how are preparations coming for the banquet?"

 

"The table has been set and invitations to contestants and guests have been extended," Bradley confirmed.

 

"Excellent.  Has Jackson been shown to his room?" Sergei asked as he and Bradley walked about the North Tower's lobby floor.

 

"Yes, sir.  Mr. Rider and Sir Saul have had their rooms prepared as well.  Mr. Gurney's tuxedo was sent to his room and Mr. Rider's tuxedo should be arriving... now," Bradley said as he examined his wristwatch.

 

"And the doors?" Sergei continued.

 

"Mr. Saul's doors were exchanged for those that perfectly fit his presence and won't require him to stoop.  Courtesy of Theo," Bradley finished.

 

"Great.  Let's go see to it that the banquet goes as planned and we can start the next round without a hitch," Sergei said with a smile.

 


 

Misconstrued

 

"I'm sorry you feel that way," Matilda said plainly.  "Just so you know, there was nothing left of her.  The explosion created by her mutation occurred internally, not externally.  She erupted from the inside out.  If there's anything left, it's her memory."

 

"Ms. Matilda!  Ms. Bethany is grieving!" Theo barked.

 

"She is, Theo.  I'm not telling her to get over it," Matilda said, still standing in the doorway.  "My father lost five good men, and today, we held funeral services for them with an honorary service held for Miss Janey.  What happened to her is a tragedy, that is true.  She is one of many victims.  But I'm not about to be lectured by this woman who developed a small, irrelevant friendship with someone I've known for years."

 

"Matilda, that's enough!" Theo said as he laid a giant hand on Matilda's shoulder.

 

"Grieve all you like, but don't sit there and pretend you're the victim.  She was a fan.  She wasn't your friend.  She wasn't your sister.  She was passing wind for people like you.  But they won't be forgotten," Matilda said as she pushed past Theo.  She stopped at the edge of the doorway.  "You just make sure you attend the banquet."

 

Matilda vanished behind Theo's giant body and as he turned to stop her, she had vanished into thin air.  "Matilda... ?"

 

Theo shook his head and sighed.  "I won't ask you to forgive her.  She doesn't deserve it.  Not with that attitude," Theo began.  He kneeled in the doorway so that Bethany could see his face.  "She and Janey have quite the history from what Sergei has told me.  The remark about them being sisters... " Theo paused.  He thought his words over carefully and let them loose from his lips. "It is true.  But Janey was born to Madam Nikolaev sometime before she met Mr. Nikolaev."

 

Theo closed his eyes and tried not to weep.  "Please pardon my intrusion, Miss Bethany.  I was not fortunate enough to have known Miss Janey very well, but her death is unacceptable.  Your analysis of our lapse in security is correct.  Even Ghost--er, Geno, could not detect our assailant.  But by my will, I will let no further harm come to guests of this hotel.  Even if it means exchanging my life."  Theo began to stand.  "Please excuse me.  I must tend to the banquet.  At your time and pace, we do hope you would join us.  We will be honoring those lost in this tragedy."

 

Theo's giant steps down the hallway signaled that he was away from the door and now entering the elevator.

 


 

Sunday Special

 

A portrait of Janey Briggs had been erected in the dining hall.  Beside her, five men formerly employed by Sergei Nikolaev.

 

Large oak arch-doors standing twenty-five feet tall were opened to reveal a deep, lengthy dining hall.  Marble floors glistened from the pristine lighting from above.  An elegant chandelier hanged aloft from the ceiling above the centerpiece of two side-by-side elongated tables.  There were twenty-five seats in total.  The first table would seat contestants.  The second table was for the family of those deceased and Sergei's staff.

 

Sergei was standing and greeting guests as they entered.  Jackson Gurney had cleaned himself up and showed up in a black and white tuxedo, sitting nearest where Sergei would have sat at the far end of table two.

 

Sergei was then approached by Mango, who seemed elated at her successful recovery.

 

"Heeeeeeeeey!"

 

Sergei smiled.  He hadn't seen a contestant this happy.  It was very pleasing.  "Mango, you look splendid."

 

"Look, it doesn't have any blades now! The doctors said they couldn't grow them back like the rest of my arm, but it's better this way. I can shake hands with people and stuff, and all sorts of things I couldn't do with them in the way. Isn't it amazing?"

 

Sergei examined Mango's less lethal hand.  "Well, it looks positively wonderful, my dear.  I'm glad to see you in such high spirits.  Why don't you have a seat?  The servers will be around just as soon as the rest of our guests arrive."

 

It was about the time that Sergei's greeting with Mango ended, that Matilda entered.  She was wearing a purple and black ankle length dress with a diamond bracelet on her left arm and flawless diamonds around her neck.  Her hair had been curled into a neat bun to better display her beautiful face and her diamond earrings.  Her ensemble was complete with slender black heels that gently wrapped around her feet.

 

"Matilda," Sergei said with a proud smile.  "Darling, you look radiant.  Look at you, you're glowing!"

 

Matilda smiled and hugged her father.  "Janey would be furious with me if I were too upset.  Not that she would have remembered me, but I haven't forgotten her.  Or mom."

 

"We can't forget, my dear.  They mean too much to us.  Why don't you have a seat?  I'm sure the rest of the contestants will be down--"

 

"Oh, dad, I can't stay long.  I want to dedicate this meal to Janey and our lost brothers.  But, after that, I have something important to tend to," Matilda interrupted.

 

"Really?  What is it dear?  Is everything alright?" Sergei asked.

 

Her smile quickly faded.  "Not really.  Actually, I'm going to need your help.  Could I meet you in your room in about thirty minutes?  I need to discuss something with you.  It's important."

 

Sergei nodded.  "Of course.  I'll have Bradley cover for me while we talk.  Is that okay?"

 

Matilda nodded as well.  "Yes, thank you, daddy."

 

Matilda brushed lightly past her father and went to greet the grieving families at table two.  She met with them one by one.  Most of them were very grateful for the funeral services and coverage provided by Sergei.  Some were naturally upset.  It was more than understandable.  Matilda spent approximately fifteen minutes with the families before she moved to the far eastern wall where the deceased's portraits were hanging beside Janey's.

 

"Bradley," Sergei said, waving him over.  Bradley approached with haste.

 

"Sir?" he asked quickly.

 

"I need you to oversee the banquet while Matilda and I discuss some very important matters.  I should return soon," Sergei said.

 

"Of course, Mr. Nikolaev.  I'll handle things in your stead," Bradley confirmed.

 

"Thank you," Sergei said as he began to walk away.  He disappeared inside of the employee elevator.

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Bethany's eyes narrowed as Mathilda spoke. Her words were sharp, and just plain wrong, and Bethany couldn't resist throwing out one last thing before she walked out. "I'm no victim, I never was, but it's people like you who think you need to be close to someone to care what happens to them that causes thousands of children to die alone."

 

Theo's explanations made sense, Bethany knew that, but she didn't really care right now. Mathilda represented what was wrong with the world. So they were related somehow, so what? "We need to take care of each other regardless of ties." Bethany muttered to the giant man as he left.

 

She let out a sigh as she was left alone. Bethany shook her head. She shouldn't have exploded. But she couldn't help it. Don't these people realize how many die all the time? They claim to have some sort of knowledge, empathy, in the matters of the downtrodden but if they did they should understand what she was saying.

 

Bethany was no victim, that was something Mathilda was right about, but it didn't take some rich girl to tell her that. Bethany had been telling her that all her life. How could she think of herself as a victim when she saw what victims really were?

 

Her thoughts strayed to the banquet. She let out a groan. Could she deal with that? All those people pretending to care?  And could she really handle seeing all these people feasting when she knew back home her kids were probably eating from the garbage outside of some restaurant. Or perhaps a can of beans they managed to scrounge up.

 

No, right now, with how she feels, she couldn't take that risk.

She had to keep herself in check, until the end of this tournament. She just had to fight until she won that money. That's what was important. And losing control would be the quickest way to get kicked out and then where would she be?

Just keep pressing on. Focus on what's important. Win. She could feel after.

 

"Not happening." She told the ghost of Theo's last words, as she sat against the wall, lacking even the energy to make sure the door was closed and locked.

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Lace sighed as she walked down the hotel hallway. After the last round, something about her now seemed oddly more human. Her skin was still pale, but her cheeks seemed to have just a hint of color now, and even her cold lavender eyes had a shine to them that one couldn't help but notice.

 

Though unfortunately her tiny lips were curled into a frown as she mused at exactly what she was going to do when she arrived at her destination...

 

"Oh! Miss XIII, are you looking for the banquet?" 

 

One of the hotel's workers greeted her with a smile as she turned the corner. "I can escort you if you'd like..." Lace halted her advance but said nothing. Instead choosing to study the other woman's face in what soon became a silent stare down.

 

"..."

 

"..."

 

"What do you do usually like to have done for you when you're feeling sad?" Lace broke the silence at last. 

 

"Excuse me?" Visibly confused, the hotel worker scratched the back of her head and glanced around the hall. "I guess my husband usually brings me cake from my favorite restaurant when I'm down..." The woman said thoughtfully before returning her gaze to Lace, who had already began walking again. "Why do you ask?

 

"..."

 

"H-Hey!" She called after the contestant to no avail. Sighing defeatedly, the hotel worker shrugged and went about her business.    

 

"Food, huh?" Lost in thought, Lace touched her chin. XIII did recall seeing a lot of the characters in the movies she and Angelica watched eating lots of sweets when they were depressed...

 

"I suppose it's worth a try."

 

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Having never really understood the practicality of knocking, Lace hastily hit the door nob with her foot to find that it was left unlocked. "Bethany?" Upon stepping inside the room, XIII was instantly aware of a sudden drop in temperature. It was like walking right into a freezer. And though she herself was no stranger to such an environment, there was something about this frost that exuded melancholy...  

 

Glancing around to study the ice that covered every inch of the room, Lace's gaze finally fell on Bethany who had been sitting with her back pressed against the wall.

 

"Hey..." Clearly unsure of how to approach such a situation, Lace took another step into the room. In her hands she brandished a large shopping bag, as well as a tray from the hotel's coffee shop. "I wanted to give you my condolences." Steam billowed from the two cups as hot liquid as they struggled against the new cold environment, filling the room with a delicious chocolate aroma. "They also come with food... and chocolate." She glanced at the contents of the bag for a moment before extending it and the tray towards her future partner sheepishly.

 

"I-I didn't know what you liked so just grabbed everything..."

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"Hah, what use is it for an older sister that can't even impress her sibling?"

 

Angelica's recovery went well enough, and by the third day, she was feeling that her internal working was as good as it was before her match against Lace and Mango. The match that she lost, though strangely for her, she couldn't bring herself to be angry about it. It was unlike her match against Jack. She didn't try to excuse her loss for mistakes or that she was taken by surprise or any other such excuses, and she accepted that she's just thoroughly bested this time. She did her best throughout, and it was close. That's something to be proud of, at least.

 

Angelica also got the invitation for the banquet. It's strange for them to invite someone that didn't eat, but she decided that there was no harm to visit it. She had lost. Might as well make the most out of her time in this place. She could just figure out a way to contact her sister again once this was all said and done.

"Angela, are you watching? This useless sister of yours didn't do half bad, right?"
 

As Angelica was in one of her rare bright moods right now, she thanked the people that had taken care of her for the last few days before she left to find the banquet's location. There were quite a lot of the hotel's staffs there, people that Angelica never thought of interacting with properly before, yet there were barely any contestants so far. She noticed Mango, but everyone else was strangely absent. Well, there was not much reason for her to go look for any of them when they'd inevitably come here. Without any ideas for what she would do next for the time being, Angelica simply sat down, deciding that she would just go with wherever the tide would carry her to from this point on.

 


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Jack

That Night

BGM:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvuBTHDc0Ac&t=1746s

 

Even more than before, Yu's room was the perfect picture of a town after a tornado had its way with it. Tables and dressers were overturned, sheets and clothing scattered across the floor, picture frames shattered and fallen. Yu was knelt, in the middle of the room, shoulders hunched as she worked to clean and prepare her armor herself. Her hands shook and her teeth were gritted, her breathing heavy and unsteady. As carefully as she could, she attempted to move a flat-head screwdriver into place. With a jerk of her hand, the screwdriver slipped and sharply nicked her hand holding the armor in place. With a feral scream, she gripped the screwdriver and flung it across the room. The screwdriver slammed into a full-height mirror that, until now, had stood against the wall untouched. Cracks spider-webbed from where the tool had hit. Yu gripped her hand, tears streaming down her face.

 

"You didn't kill him," the distorted voice of the armor spoke. "You had the chance, and you didn't kill him." Yu looked up and stared at her reflection in the shattered mirror. Staring back at her, in the same pose, was her own Vermilion Wraith armor.

 

"Shut up," Yu snarled.

 

Jack laughed. "What, so you can keep running and hiding? You're pathetic, you know that? Hell, for all these years you could've just found him, easy as pie, and offed him right then and there." Yu stood to her feet, shaking. Jack did the same, yet boldly and confidently. "You've had all the chances in the world, AND FOR WHAT?!"

 

"I needed time!" Yu shouted back.

 

"TIME FOR WHAT," Jack yelled in turn. "TIME TO HOPE IT WOULD ALL GO AWAY? TIME TO PRAY THAT DEAR OLD DADDY WOULD MAKE IT ALL RIGHT AGAIN?"

 

"SHUT UP!"

 

"You're weak! You're a pathetic piece of chicken sheet that can't do the right thing even when it's STARING HER IN THE FACE." Yu's knees buckled and she slid to the ground. Jack stood, glowering down at the broken girl. Jack stepped forward through the mirror and knelt down in front of Yu, caressing her cheek as she sobbed quietly. "You still love him, don't you." Jack's voice had softened, gentle like a mother speaking to her idiot child. "All those years you've been waiting for him to say those words, and here he is giving all you ever wanted ripe for the taking on a silver platter." Yu continued to sob. Jack stood back to her feet and crossed her arms. "Well?"

 

Yu took a moment to catch her breath, choking down her sobs. "I was weak," She panted. "I... he took advantage of it, and I don't..."

 

"You don't what?"

 

Yu looked up and glared at Jack. "I don't love him. I hate him."

 

"There you go, was that so bad?" Yu watched as Jack paced around in the room, admiring the broken frames of the pictures. "Do you know what you need to do now?"

 

"Go back and kill him?"

 

Jack laughed. "You funking idiot, no! Who the hell cares what that sorry old man does now. No, you're going to do what you planned to do all along. You'll win this tournament, win the money, and together we're going to bring this world to its funking knees."

 

"Yeah," Yu said, a smiling stretching across her face. "That sounds good to me." Yu's crying slowly turned to laughing, and with each passing second, it grew more hysterical by the second.

 

 

Dinner Party

 

Jack had dropped off her suit with Rachel for a combination of maintenance, re-arming, and anything else that she could think of. For the banquet, Jack had shown up wearing a women's double-breasted pants suit; black with candy-red trim. The suit was normal, for the most part, save that Rachel had managed to fit Jack's armor directly into the suit; ready to be deployed at a moment's notice. She had shown up also with her usual cyan wig, but instead of her normal visor she was wearing a similarly black-and-red masquerade mask; the eye-holes filled with a red light, giving the impression that her eyes were glowing.

 

The guests had been flitting in slowly, one by one. Jack had shown up, throwing open the double-doors using both hands and walked as if she owned the place, taking her spot at the table. She had the air and demeanor of one who had just gotten into the finals, knew it, and was overly proud of it.

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Bethany wasn't sure how long had passed before her door opened once more. "I know I look so warm and inviting but this is ridiculous." She thought, slightly bitterly.

 

Seeing who it was Bethany straightened up a bit. The unusual "superhero" she had fought not long ago. They didn't really get much a chance to talk before. This wasn't exactly the best time to start but she didn't really have a reason to turn the strange girl away.

 

"I wanted to give you my condolences. They also come with food... and chocolate."

 

The girl blinked up at Lace as she handed her a cup and bag on a tray. Taking it, Bethany marveled at how awkward and out of sorts the other girl sounded. Of course, from what little Bethany gathered, she wasn't exactly a people person. So why was it that Bethany felt more honesty from Lace's "condolences" than any others?

 

"The perks of being an oddball." Bethany muttered, drinking from the cup. Warmth, so that's what it was like, it'd been a while.

 

Bethany probably should do something about her impromptu interior decorating sometime.

 

She looked at the chocolate and plucked a piece out of the bag. "Haven't had any of this in...a long time." She muttered as she gingerly put it in her mouth. "I think I've forgotten how to enjoy food."

 

She glanced back up at Lace. "So...hi? You're not going to try and bring me to that banquet are you?"

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  • 2 weeks later...

Banter and retorts usually came quickly. But Lace's actually ability to judge the emotions of real people came entirely from the months she spent wandering around the earth looking for XII. She had spoken with monks, military officials, fashion designers, and even practitioners of the dark arts... but still had very little understanding of how to comfortingly chat with another woman on a personal level. 

 

"Hi." Though her features now appeared more colored, Lace's voice still lingered with traces of melancholy that were seemingly irremovable. "Not if you don't want to..." It suddenly dawned her that she didn't actually know why she quite why she was there. "I just came because..." Peering down at Bethany, Lace's eyes narrowed as she tried to think.

 

"In our match, you told me that you'd help me find XII when this was over." Lace let her mouth move on it's own, saying her thoughts the moment they came to focus. That memory was a warm one. The kind of memory that drifted high above the sea of scenes that swirled endlessly within her soul to store the recollections of all her lives. "The things you said... even if it was an accident, you made me feel like I was actually myself." Lace's gaze shifted to the ground with embarrassment.

 

"I-I don't know, ok!" Flustered, Lace suddenly snapped up with her tiny voice shaking. "The thought of you feeling loss... it made me also feel something..." She sighed and crossed her arms in defeat. "So I came to make sure my future partner was alright." Thinking back to the time she spent with Angelica, Lace couldn't help but marvel at how much easier it was to talk to people who also suffered from the same lack of social grace. As far she could tell Bethany never grew up such isolation, and surely everything that was just said probably sounded bizarre to the relatively normal girl.

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Bethany marveled at the sight before her. This was the fierce warrior that she had to fight her hardest against? The girl who moved with such speed and skill?

 

Why was Bethany so weak to the weirdos? With a grunt Bethany stood up. "You're not very good at this." Bethany began. There was a hint of a smile on her face as she looked at Lace. She was trying. To make Bethany feel better. She appreciated the sentiment. Even if it wasn't her own feelings that Bethany was worried about. She was just tired of how this world worked. And frustrated that everything she did couldn't stop disaster from falling. She needed to work harder to save as many people as she could.

 

Which meant she had to be strong for this girl too. She needed saving just as much as anyone else after all.

 

Bethany put her hand on Lace's shoulder and gripped it reassuringly. "But you'll get better. We've got a lot of time to work on that after all." Leaving her hand there Bethany cleared her throat a bit before continuing. "I'll be okay. Things got a bit out of control lately. Guess all this excitement made me forget how easy it is for people to get hurt." She paused. "Thanks for visiting. When this is over and after we track down that villain of yours maybe think about sticking around. There's a whole lot of people who need help."

 

She let her hand drop from Lace's shoulder. "Go on to that banquet. I'll rest here a bit longer. Need to think about some stuff."

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“This is a mess,” breathed a doctor through a thick mask.  “You expect me to piece him back together?  Do I look like I work in a funking toy factory?  We don’t build humans here.  And for that matter, he’s not even human!  He’s not even from this planet!” he snapped.

“You have all of the tools available to you, right here,” replied a slightly younger man in a black suit and tie.  “When Mr. Nikolaev hired you, he did say you were among the best surgeons in the world.  You’ve saved countless lives.”

The doctor sighed heavily.  “I have.  But this?  This man’s brain is barely being kept alive and I don’t even see how.  There’s nothing but bits of skull and tissue.  I know Sergei has enough money to literally buy countries, but I don’t know what he expects me to do here.”

“There are several things you don’t need to know about how this man’s brain is alive.  I’m not allowed to disclose that information,” replied the man in the black suit.  “However, there’s an exact shell of his body being distributed right now.  All we need you to do are find organs that fit him.”

The doctor remained silent for a moment, trying to find the words to express himself.  Exasperated, he finally breathed.  “A shell?  What do you mean a shell?  This man was cloned?  Is that… how?” the doctor asked.

“That’s none of your concern, doctor.  But you’ll find his blood-type is slightly out of the ordinary.  The closest matches that his brain won’t physically regurgitate have been listed for you.  Just use his DNA and the tools you’ve been provided with to get the job done.”  The man in the suit began to turn and walk away.  “And if you can’t, we’ll find someone who can.”

The doctor grit his teeth beneath his mask.  He plucked up some gloves from a side table and yanked them onto his hands.  “What sort of monster would revive a man from all of this?” he mumbled to himself.  The doctor stepped through two large steel swing-doors and began to address other nurses and doctors in the immediate vicinity.

“Dr. Corwell, Nurse Bonnaby, Nurse Steele, Nurse Englewood.  I’ll require your assistance on this operation.  I estimate the process will take a minimum of fifty hours,” said the doctor as he entered the room.

Dr. Corwell, Nurse Bonnaby, Nurse Steele, and Nurse Englewood all stood as their names were called.  “Then we should get started,” replied a young brown haired Dr. Corwell.  “Where do you need us?”

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In a cold room in an isolated, undisclosed facility, a shell -- a unique ‘body’ composed of synthetic tissue and lab grown organic muscle -- was wheeled inside.  The physique of the body was top notch, with rippling muscles and toned flesh.  Even so, the body had been “aged” to match what should have been Rawal’s outward appearance.  The hair was grey and white, with a fleshed out beard and a full moustache.  There were bags beneath the eyes and some scarring from previous battles to make his new body “authentic”.  And inside the shell, a circulatory system had already been “installed”.  Veins and a full skeleton flowed from top to bottom flawlessly, and Rawal’s brain was carefully placed inside.

“We’ll now proceed with nerve attachment,” said Dr. Corwell.

There was silence between the surgeons as they went to work, passing tools back and forth to one another.  After more than sixty minutes, the doctors stepped back and nodded at one another.  Rawal’s brain had been successfully fit into this new shell.  The “skull” was then closed around the brain and sealed shut.

“Do we have those organs?” Dr. Corwell addressed his partner.

“The heart and lungs are here.  Nurse, can you bring them in?” asked the second doctor.

“Yes, doctor,” replied Nurse Steele.  He whisked himself out of the room quickly and vanished behind two large swing doors.

“Dr. Ngyuen,” Dr. Corwell began.  “Will you begin with the heart or lungs?”

“The heart,” Dr. Ngyuen replied.  “I want to confirm that this circulatory system isn’t just a fluke.”

Nurse Steele returned with a large cooler where a heart and a set of lungs were stored separately.

“Let’s begin,” Dr. Ngyuen said.

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Over the next thirty-six hours, Rawal’s heart, lungs, intestines, ribs, and stomach were all restored, with full functionality

“Dr. Corwell,” piped up Nurse Bonnaby.  “Will you be placing the patient on life support?”

Dr. Corwell shook his head. “That won’t be necessary.  He’s pumping blood through his system.  His brain is… alive.  His lungs work.  He’s at least making it.  We just need to fill out the rest of this shell.  Then, we need to see how he responds.  Fortunately, his brain has accepted everything so far.”

“Enough chat,” interrupted Dr. Ngyuen.  “Let’s move on to the pancreas, liver, bladder, and kidneys.”

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Rawal’s restructuring process was a success.  All internal organs had been inserted into his new “shell” and his brain, so far, had been accepting and responding properly to each individual organ’s functions.  Blood flowed without irregularity throughout his body, his heart pumped with vigor, his lungs were healthy and breathed deeply, and he appeared to be, for a non-traditional human, in good health once more.

“Time?” Dr. Ngyuen asked.

“Fifty-two hours and sixteen minutes,” replied Nurse Bonnaby.

Dr. Ngyuen sighed.  “Alright.  Keep him on ice for eight hours.  His body is hot and he needs to cool down.  I want him monitored at all times.  If he makes any changes at all, we need to raise his temperature.”

Nurse Steele and Nurse Bonnaby began to wheel Rawal’s body out of the cold operating room.  As they disappeared, Dr. Ngyuen and Dr. Corwell disposed of their gloves, washed their hands, and finally shook hands on a job well done.

“Cross your fingers, brother,” Dr. Corwell said.

“I already am,” Dr. Ngyuen answered.

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Talis-Eye was floating nearby the sleeping man, the many eyes scrutinizing all the differences between before and after the physically-destroying attack by the shadow wielder. While there was great care in replicating the outer appearance, there are a few extremely-minor details that only they could really catch. However, as they floated, there was one thing that was noticed that would take a psionic entity to detect.

The damage did some damage to it, causing blanks in the mind that Talis-Eye could easily see because of blood loss and loss of oxygen. Thankfully, Talis-Eye was able to capture a duplicate of the knowledge of everything the elder knew and was before the damage could begin. So, all thirteen (I’m double-checking that number later) of their eyes glowing in addition to Rawal’s eyes glowing behind closed eyes, Talis-Eye began the one remaining process needed to awaken the elder, and that’s to place back into the mind the missing parts of memory to minimize the end changes. There was, however, one addition that Talis-Eye made for simplicity’s sake, that Rawal would not be aware of until he awakens…

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Hands finally began to twitch after several hours of slumber, the man’s grey eyes beginning to flutter open as he groaned. He felt disoriented and not wholly sure where he was. All he could see was white everywhere around him.

“...ow, my everything,” Rawal groaned, not yet acknowledging the shift in language he was speaking in yet as he collected himself and began to sit up. As he tried, though, he ended up tugging against what looked like thin wires that were attached to him...or so he thought they were wires. These didn’t look like metal strings to him. Taking a look at himself, he could see that he wasn’t wearing any aspect of his normal attire, instead appearing as if he was wearing something light-blue, really-light in fabric and rather-breezy in the back. “What...is this?” Pulling forward the front of the unusual garment, he saw the scars from the past fight in addition to new ones that look…

...he recognized those kinds of scars as operation scars. He had authorized several of them on Terrestria and had watched as they were performed such procedures before. He was about to panic and question them when he noticed something else.

It had been a few decades since he felt this fit. He didn’t feel some of the effects of aging he had to grow used to, and while it was a relief in one way, it was worrying in another. “Have I been reShaped somehow? And by who?” Looking around the room, he was unfamiliar with almost all of the technology present in the room, causing him to shake his head at this. Moving to stretch caused him to tug at the strange cords once more, irking him once more. “Suddenly thankful for the random lack of hair on the chest,” Rawal remarked before beginning to pull the things off him one by one, causing a few alarms to begin to ring loudly and aggravate him.

“How do I shut this thing up,” he roared in a way that could easily get him mistaken for being natively-Russian in speech. Managing to stand on legs that feel strangely-unused before, Rawal made his way to the loudly-beeping device, trying to fiddle with the knobs and buttons before finally silencing and shutting it off. “...I have a lot to get used to if I live in this world,” he muttered to himself, remembering how the technology here and back home was very, very different.

A tall, slender young man with orange wearing blue scrubs hair came darting into the room at the sound of bells and whistles. “You’re awake… “ he mumbled at first. “You’re awake!  Doctor!  Doctor!” he said, now darting back out of Rawal’s room, yelling at the top of his lungs.

The young man with orange hair and a male doctor wearing a lab coat returned to Rawal’s room almost a minute later.

“Turn those off, Mr. Steele,” Dr. Ngyuen insisted.  Nurse Steele jogged over to Rawal’s side of the room and began to shut down some of the alarms from the nodes that had been removed from Rawal’s skin.

Dr. Ngyuen approached Rawal slowly, which caused the elder to look towards him with narrowed eyes. “What happened to me? Did you somehow had me reShaped,” he snarled, one word lacking a known meaning by the earthers’ half of the conversation despite being clearly heard.

Dr. Ngyuen paused and stopped in place as not to further alarm the patient. “Forgive me, sir.  Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Alan Ngyuen. I’m a doctor and I was assigned to your restorative process after a rather nasty battle you had.  Sergei’s orders, you see.” Dr. Ngyuen remained a few feet away, as Rawal tried to examine more of what was still visible as if expecting something. “What do you mean, ‘reShaped’?”

“Shaping one’s self for a permanent positive effect that isn’t solely for medical reason is Forbidden where I am from. Such often leads to the increasing feeling of indomitably and instability in the mind. Such would be as if you just gave someone the ability to cast certain spells without any need to train in how to use it.” Lowering his arms, Rawal looked back towards the doctor with eyes that are used to being in a position of very-high authority. “I can feel that I have been physically improved in various ways, and back on my world, the way it was done by literally changing a being’s DNA strands, eventually caused all sorts of mental disabilities and illnesses, such as amnesia, insanity, irrational anger and I could go on. I am half-expecting that to happen to me at some point...though I have no idea how a world like this could do such a feat.”

Rawal put his hands on his hips in thought as he looked down. “Is this what it feels like to have used a Geneforge,” he asked more to himself in musing.

Dr. Ngyuen could only understand so much of what Rawal explained, but he did his best to regurgitate the information. “Well, thanks to your brain somehow remaining alive, we didn’t have to manipulate your DNA at all. And while your body is…artificial, aging will be, according to what we were told, more than one thousand times slower. You’ll have to mind your own organs, but you’re obviously very intelligent, and that shouldn’t be a problem. Any side effects you may have experienced on er, your world, should be of no consequence here. And if you do experience them, I’m sure that we can help.”

Rawal continued looking down for a second before finally looking around. “Talis-Eye?”

“Yes, Lord Rawal,” everyone would hear vocally before the Eyebeast floated into the room. “We see the language addition worked as we had hoped.”

Rawal raised an eyebrow before he realized something he hadn’t earlier. He wasn’t talking normally, he was speaking in ways unfamiliar to him and spoken to in that same way, but he could understand. He couldn’t before, so how…? “What did you do to me, creation, Rawal took to an authoritative tone, his voice demanding submission from the addressed.

An audible gulp became heard before the creature responded. “We took the opportunity to make it so that you would be able to understand and speak the local language while feeling in the gaps in your mind that was damaged by the aftereffects of the battle against the Shadow Wielder. That is all, Lord Rawal.”

A nod emerged after a few moments, acknowledging the answer as he listened without even blinking and focusing on the main eye. “Very well.”

Meanwhile, Nurse Steele had passed out at the sudden emergence of an otherworldly creature.  Dr. Ngyuen looked on in curiosity and shock, not sure if he should address what was happening.  “I-is there anything else I-I can assist you with, sir?” Dr. Ngyuen asked at last.

“That I can think of, besides getting into an outfit other than...this...no.” As if to make a point, Rawal raised his arms to either to note the garb he was currently wearing...which was far too breezy for his liking. “Where is my attire?”

Dr. Ngyuen pointed to a plastic bin just at Rawal’s bedside, slightly out of his view.  “Your belongings h-have all been placed there.  We apologize for any inconvenience,” Dr. Ngyuen said as he cautiously began to step backward.

“How’s the pati--holy sheet!” said a suddenly emerging Dr. Corwell at the sight of Talis-Eye.

“Dr, please do not startle the patient!” Dr. Ngyuen said, turning around and motioning for Dr. Corwell to retreat.

Dr. Corwell did not argue, but fled the area with haste.

Rawal just rolled his eyes at the fear people were displaying as he got his clothing on, seeing how they were different despite being of the same style in appearance. He could tell the fabric was different and that he would have to get used to it if he would be staying here for any prolonged period of time. Only once he was dressed did Talis-Eye disappear from view and followed after the Shaper out of the room.
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  • 2 weeks later...

Lace's cheeks flushed ever so slightly as she took in Bethany's words. It had never occurred to her that there would be more to come after defeating XII. Though she was well aware that she could never be the kind of person Bethany was, it made her happy that she could at the very least help her do good for world. 

 

"Ok." Lace responded whilst turning towards the door. "I'll leave you to it," Just before she made her exit, XIII glanced back over her shoulder to get a final look at Bethany. "Partner." In that moment Lace's vessel seemed to move on it's own. As she uttered the word her eyes closed, and her tiny lips curled into a warm smile that quickly vanished when she stepped into the hall. 

 

Her walk to the elevator was silent and Lace's expression was rather distant as she waited for the doors to open. When she finally stepped into the elevator she scanned the panel for a moment. Seemingly weighing something on her mind, XIII quickly shook her head and hit the the button. Though instead of heading down towards the banquette, the elevator instead began to shoot up towards the roof. 

 

Stepping out onto the top of the building moments later, Lace peered up at the sky and allowed a strong gust of wind to wash over her. XIII recalled her battle with Angelica, and how she had just narrowly managed to snatch victor by a hair. She'd be facing Jack soon. Someone who had also managed to best Angelica and had more than likely grown stronger since then...

 

"That's the nature of a tournament like this... Warriors growing stronger and pushing past their limits out of pure necessity." She spoke to the sky. "I did it in the last fight, and so has-"

 

Lace suddenly felt cold. The image of Jack was quickly replaced by a hotel room that was completely covered in frost and in that moment Lace recalled the energy Bethany had been putting out when the first met. It was almost like she had been talking to a completely different person a few minutes ago.

 

With a scoff, Lace reached back and grabbed Beowulf by the hilt. Channeling her energy through the blade, she grunted with effort before taking a step forward and drawing the blade in a wide stroke. "Magnum Locust!" She cried over the roar a massive shockwave that tore through the clouds and climbed hungrily into the evening sky over the hotel. It was match larger than any shockwave she had been able to generate prior to coming here and fighting against such strong opponents.

 

She watched her attack for a moment and smirked before taking up a fighting stance. There was no time for the silly banquet. Lace would spend the rest of the night shaking the upper floors of the hotel with her furious training.  

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  • 2 weeks later...

As he was being escorted to the party that was being held with the rest of the contestants via an extremely-long vehicle he could not help but panic at moments when it looked like others would collide with it, there was many things that Rawal had been thinking about since his reawakening and now ability to understand those around him without some form of aid.

The first was regarding his body, which felt both unusual and familiar, a strange mix to coincide with one another. He felt more youthful and energetic, yet he still appeared mostly the same when he looked at a reflective surface. From his research into devices known as the Canisters, devices containing a unique liquid geared to reShape a specified part of a specific member of the species linked to it in various, miraculous ways. Increased health, intellect, strength, even the innate use of magical power and ability to Shape to make both as easy as it was to breathe. While it was safe to use one, using more than that was addictive and made the user of such devices unstable. The Geneforge, the ultimate tool for such changes, could only be used once in a being's lifetime, a second time normally killing them.

The Shaper had been expecting some of the aspects of what he had seen in...that blasted traitor he took in before the fall of the Shaper Council that had been caused by the blue-haired bastard, but they never came. Rage, forgetfulness, madness...none of it came.

"It might be wise to study this world's techniques," Rawal mused silently to himself as he leaned back into his seat, finding himself looking up towards the ceiling of the land-bound vessel. Another thought that had crossed his mind after recalling that his lifespan may have been severely lengthened was that he was somehow made into a golem, but what he knew of as a golem and this clashed severely. Golems were often made with rock and crystal for the shell, brought to life by demons bound to the shell. He felt no other within this body and he could tell that no crystal resided within it.

For so much to be done without Shaping, without the ability to create life itself, confused and interested him. "Maybe this world is unreliant on magic of any form to Shape," he also mused to himself after some thought.

We have arrived, he heard in his head, prompting the man to look up and stretch his limbs in an attempt to get more used to his new body...something that he never thought could happen. If this world was advanced enough to create a new body for someone like himself, what if it was possible to live through multiple lifetimes?

He would be able to save his Art for sure, if that was the case.

He heard a click to one side, indicating that he was being let out. Taking a deep breath, Rawal made his way out before standing straight up, allowing the hood of his new robes to fall behind him to reveal his head in full, grey eyes scanning the area as his peppered hair was held back in a ponytail against the back of his neck.

"This way, sir," he heard and Rawal followed into the party to come.

For all of his musing, however, none of it would matter as long as he was not even considered a resident of this world as a whole in a legal standpoint...maybe he would gain aid in this from the organizer of this tournament, win or lose, he had no idea. Even so, while he had no idea the goals for the others, he knew he was fighting for survival. For himself and for the Shaping Arts. He was still, as far as he knew, the last acting Shaper.

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[spoiler=Little Black Bird]

 

"These portraits will serve as a reminder that we are all human.  They will hang in this building now and forever in honor of those who gave their lives to protect and defend the guests here with all their might.  Though their deaths pain us, we are grateful for their service and thankful for their presence and their memories that they have left with us.

 

And to my dearest sister, may you rest in peace."  Matilda raised a glass as she stood beside table two.  "Thank you all."

 

Out of the corner of her eye, Matilda saw Jack.  There she sat with the same smug aura about her as always.  Matilda approached without caution and stood beside Jack.  “Forgive me, Jack, but I need to speak with you.  It’s urgent,” Matilda both demanded and requested.

 

Jack watched Matilda leave the banquet hall out of the corner of her eye, and after waiting a few moments soon got up and trailed after her, hands in her pockets to give a casual air, yet fully aware of everything that was going on around her.

 

“I told you, back in the Congo,” Matilda began.  “That I was going to make you an offer.”  Matilda paused for just a moment.  Jack wouldn’t notice it at first but the air around them was thick, like being in the mountains.  Matilda had cast a spell around the two of them.

 

“I’d like to extend that offer formally now.  Soon after I leave you, I’ll tend to some important business with my father.  And then, things will get really messy.  But the problem is, Jack,” Matilda said with an innocent smile.  “I don’t want to get rid of you.  I have a lot that you can do when I’m ready to take action, and I’d like to see you come out of the coming events unscathed.”

 

Matilda outstretched her and revealed a black ring made of obsidian.  “This ring, should you choose to wear it, will protect you when I deem it necessary.  There are only two others like it.  One of them I am wearing, and the other I am reserving for Bethany.  Letting her die with that kind of power would be a tragic waste,” Matilda chuckled.

 

“I won’t give you the grimy details.  I simply want an answer.  Will you stand with me and walk into the new age?  Or will you deny me?” Matilda asked at last.

 

“I have one question,” Jack started, not taking her eyes off the ring. “What do you want with me? And I’m not asking this like some bullshit where I expect you to wrong me or whatever, I’m asking what am I worth to you?” Jack paced slightly from side to side. “Now don’t get me wrong, I know I’m some real hot sheet. But after what I saw and fought, I know I’m no dragon, no magical wizard, or anything. I’m just a badass chick with some kickass toys. So what do you want with that?”

 

Matilda smiled.  “That’s just it, Jack.  I don’t need you to be a wizard or a dragon.  I need you to be you.  I will need someone to control my underlings.  Someone who won’t take sheet and won’t hesitate to put down anyone who steps out of line.  Someone like you.  Granted, you’re human, but at your request, I can change that.  I could gift you with whatever strength you deemed necessary to lead my people.  Jack, I can do anything, now.  I only need to take one more step before my plans are complete.  But I need to know where you stand,” Matilda replied.

 

Jack took a moment to look at the ring and smiled a wide, toothy smile. “Okay, I think you got your girl,” she said, reaching for the ring.

 

Matilda happily watched Jack slide the ring on her finger.  “Good.  When the time comes, you’ll be rewarded for your service to me.”

 

The air around them thinned and Jack’s ears would pop as sound around them suddenly became crystal clear.  “I’ll need you to escort me from the banquet hall when I return.  I want you present for the grand finale.  Your friends will be trapped with one of my new toys, so I would advise following me quickly.”

 

Matilda strolled past Jack without another word.

 

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Out of the silence in Bethany’s room, Matilda was suddenly standing at the foot of Bethany’s bed.  “Are you still grieving for my sister?” she asked, sitting beside Bethany.  The door to Bethany’s room slammed shut on its own.  “It’s not how I expected things to end.  I knew that man was abusive but I didn’t mean for him to effectively kill her,” Matilda said with a sigh.

 

“I’m sorry, by the way,” Matilda said earnestly.  “What I said before, it was a half-truth.  When someone means something to you, it doesn’t matter if they’re a fan or a stranger.  They’re important to you.  I was wrong.”  Matilda forcefully embraced Bethany.  The room became warm and stuffy, and the air became thick around them.

 

“But that’s not why I’m actually here,” Matilda said as she let go.  “Bethany,” Matilda began.  “You have in you an exponential amount of raw, untapped power.  It’s so great that it frightens you.  But the truth is, despite your hard work, it has neither helped nor saved those you care about.  Whether or not you want that to be true doesn’t matter.”  Matilda remained seated beside Bethany, unmoving.

 

“I’m here to make you an offer.”  Matilda extended her palm to Bethany and revealed in it a black ring made of obsidian.  “Within the hour, I will exact a revenge on this world.  A revenge so great that not a single soul across this forsaken planet will be safe unless I deem it so.”  Matilda sighed.

 

“But I don’t want to lose you in the chaos.  What you bring to the table is marvelous.  You have the strength to take down the walls of all those who would oppose you.  Who would oppose me,” Matilda said.  “And I believe that if it meant keeping those children you love so much, safe from danger,” Matilda said as the ring in her hand began to multiply rapidly.

 

The rings multiplied so fast that they began to clutter to the floor and spill around Bethany’s and Matilda’s feet.  “We can do that.  We can protect them forever, and I can still help this world begin anew.”

 

“These rings will protect those who wear it so long as I breathe.  No harm shall come to them.  Any person you can think of, I can save.  If they are important to you, I can help them,” Matilda confirmed.  “You and those children--you will never want for anything ever again.  But for that to happen,” Matilda said as she closed her palm.  The rings around their feet crumbled to dust.  “I need your help.”

 

Matilda opened her palm again and revealed a single obsidian ring.  “When the time comes, I want you to be leading General.  I want you to lead my people--my army--to glory.  I want you to embrace your full strength and stand by my side,” Matilda said with a smile.  “Can I count on you?”

 

Bethany listened to the woman. The... honestly, crazy woman. There wasn’t any other way to put it. This woman was nuts. Plain and simple. Just the fact that she wanted Bethany to “embrace” her power was in of itself insane.

 

Bethany looked down at the floor, which had earlier been frozen, and thought of what she had just told her. It was a lot to take in. From what she could gather all the pain that had occurred during this tournament was on her. And now she’s asking for help? 

 

The warmth she had created concerned Bethany. What kind of power did this girl have? It would be easier to accept, clearly, she could do a lot, and it might wind up making Bethany’s life easier.

 

No, that wasn’t quite right. Life wasn’t supposed to be easy. She saw what an easy life does to people.

 

“You know, that’s a tempting offer,” Bethany said at last. “There’s a bit of a problem, though.”

She looked up at Matilda. “Those rings, you say they’ll protect who I want to right? Protect them from all the hurts of the world... protect them from you. But, see, here’s the thing…”

Cold air whipped up around Bethany. “I want to protect everyone.” 

 

Matilda sighed.  “But, Bethany, that’s naive.  You can’t protect everyone.  Well, I say that but I specifically mean you.  I could protect everyone but not everyone deserves to be protected.  You’re strong Bethany, but by no means will you be able to protect anyone if you oppose me.  And I really don’t want to lose you.”

 

“You don’t get it. You didn’t get it before and I don’t think you’ll ever get it. It doesn’t matter if I can’t protect everyone. What matters is I want to. I’ll keep struggling, saving everyone I can, and I won’t stop until I can’t go on anymore. That’s what it means to protect. Giving your all and not letting up. I won’t be satisfied with saving just a few people. That desire, to protect everyone, will give me the strength to keep going. It’s the hard path but... I can barely live with myself as is. If I took the easy way out… Those who can do should do. Should do what they can for everyone who can’t. I may not be the strongest out there but I will not sit back and see more people hurt because of what someone thinks is right. Maybe I’m the bad guy here... but if I die at least I’ll die knowing I tried my best.”

 

Matilda sighed, crushing the ring into dust in her palm.  “You foolish girl,” she said.  Matilda placed a hand on Bethany’s cheek, sapping her of energy and strength, preventing her from moving.  “Now, I simply can’t afford to lose you.

 

Without warning, Matilda kissed Bethany, and every breath they shared was affecting Bethany.  When Matilda finally backed off, Bethany would find herself exhausted and drained momentarily.  “I’m sorry.  I can’t just let you go so easily.”  Matilda began to stand.

 

“When I’m done with my father, you’ll come around.  Not by choice, of course.  I shouldn’t have expected someone with a heart as big as yours to understand.  But you will serve me, Bethany.  And the first blood on your hands will be of your fellow contestants.”

 

Matilda sank into Bethany’s floor in a pool of oozing black liquid and disappeared from sight.

 

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Matilda took to the lobby and headed through the employee elevators down to Sergei's office where he was already waiting. The doors were unlocked from the inside and Sergei allowed Matilda in.  She shut the doors quietly behind her.

 

Sergei was at his desk with a glass of wine, closing some confidential matters while monitoring the activity in the Northern Tower.

 

"Daddy," Matilda said solemnly as she entered the room.

 

"Come in, dear, have a seat," Sergei insisted.  He pulled up a chair for her beside his desk.

 

"No, it's okay, I'll stand.  Thank you," Matilda replied.  "It's about the tournament."

 

Sergei paused.  After a brief moment, he nodded.  "I'm listening," he said earnestly.

 

"It has to end, dad.  Too many people are getting hurt.  And I fear one of us--even you--could be in danger.  What am I supposed to do if you were to get hurt dealing with these people?" Matilda asked.

 

"These people?  Matilda, I know the danger they represent.  But that is why I have Geno and Bradley.  They are skilled enough that I have no need to--" Sergei went on to say.

 

"No, they're not!  And stop calling him Bradley, it's an awful name!  He can't even protect you now!" Matilda screamed, outraged.

 

"Protect me?  From what?  I'm in no danger here, my dear.  Brad--er, Colston has been my ace for many years now.  He would never allow me to come under harm.  He is a much bigger threat than any of our contestants, I can assure you," Sergei said.  "Matilda, I am aware of your concerns.  But this tournament, it is much bigger than you or I.  Some of my... investors.  You see, they have very grand stakes in this tournament and if it were to come to a sudden halt--"

 

"Then F.A.L.L. would kill you, right?" Matilda asked, her hands shaking.

 

"What?  What do you know about them?  Why do you know about them?  Matilda, have you been sneaking into my room?" Sergei asked, sliding back in his seat just slightly.

 

"No, daddy.  I didn't need to," she said as she loosened her hair from the bun on her head.  It draped down to the nape of her neck and she shook her head.  "They report to me."

 

Sergei's hands held tightly to his chair as he sat back further.  "What are you talking about?  F.A.L.L. is a global shadow organization.  They control everything behind the scenes.  They--"

 

"I wouldn't touch that if I were you," Matilda said coldly.  "The silent alarm under the arm of your chair.  Don't touch it.  Put both of your hands in your lap where I can see them."

 

Sergei frowned, but he did as he was told.  "What have you done, Matilda?"

 

She smiled finally.  "I'm finishing what Raven started, daddy."

 

Sergei glared at Matilda, enraged.  "Don't you dare bring your mother into this!"

 

"She is the reason I've gotten so far, dad.  What was once within her was birthed into me.  But you knew that, didn't you?" Matilda asked.  "Is that why you got me the enchanted obsidian bracelet when I was a child?  To force my powers to stay dormant?"

 

Sergei shook his head.  "It was my hope that your strength would not taint your mind.  But even the obsidian bracelet could not stop your power from developing."

 

"No, dad, it couldn't," Matilda said quickly.  "I need to know something.  Something that, for some reason, even when I tapped your mind I could not see.  I need to know what happened to her."

 

Sergei remained silent, and this enraged Matilda.

 

She threw herself forward and gripped the arms of Sergei's chair while she screamed into his face.  "WHAT HAPPENED TO RAVEN!?"

 

Sergei had turned his head, flinching.  "She was dangerous, Matilda.  Her power was unstable.  Unchecked.  Giving birth to you only accentuated that!"

 

"So you admit it," Matilda said as she stood back up straight.  "You had her put down, like a sick dog."

 

"I had no choice, Matilda!" Sergei said with tears in his eyes.  "That was my wife!  Your mother!  I loved her as much as I love you!  But hundreds of thousands of lives were too many to lose!"

 

Matilda slapped Sergei across his face and then grabbed his cheeks with an iron grip.  "You're pathetic.  You had the world's most senior witch at your disposal and instead of using her to right wrongs, you let a little unstable magic scare you away.  So you put her down.  And that's when Colston showed up."

 

Sergei nodded.  "His ability to suppress anything he deems a threat was... miraculous.  He saved my life countless times, even as a boy.  I needed him."

 

Matilda let go of Sergei's face and rubbed her own chin.  "Before I killed Gerald, he admitted something to me.  He said there would be a nasty surprise if I brought any danger to you or the hotel.  Is that what the Magical Handling Unit is about?  Did he think they could stop me?"

 

Sergei sighed, wiping the tears from his eyes.  "I suppose he did.  But, even I didn't know you had something to do with all of this.  What is your goal, Matilda?  What can you do that I cannot provide to you?  Why are you hurting people?"

 

Matilda frowned.  "This is revenge for my mother.  For the countless magical beings who have been subjected to torture and death simply because they weren't human like you.  For being "deemed a threat" because you people couldn't adjust to the new world.  This is for me."

 

Matilda kissed her father gently on the forehead and she watched him sink into his chair.  "The Atlas.  You've done it, haven't you?" Sergei asked.

 

"Not yet.  But when you die, I'll have everything I need to cleanse this world and start anew," Matilda said as she stood up straight.

 

Sergei froze at Matilda's words.  His eyes darted around the room and he began to feel light headed.

 

"That was the kiss of death, daddy.  You'll be light headed at first, and then your body will begin to shut down.  Your organs will fail one by one and you'll be dead in minutes.  You can join mother on the other side," Matilda said flatly.

 

"Matilda... why?" Sergei asked again.

 

"For the greater good.  For my justice.  For Raven," Matilda replied.

 

Sergei could feel himself getting cold.  As he looked into Matilda's face, he blinked, tears streaming down his face.  "I... I love you... Matilda."

 

She kissed Sergei on the cheek this time and held his hand.  "I love you too, daddy."

 


 

[spoiler=What They Have Wrought]

 

Geno had been perched on the rooftop of the Northern tower when he detected a spike in energy.  To his right, Lace had appeared and was recklessly throwing concussive blasts into the air.  De-cloaking, he approached her, annoyed.

 

"Hey!  Just what the hell do you think you're doing!?  You can't do that on hotel property!  I could have you suspended from the competition!" he said angrily.  "Get your ass off this rooftop or I'll remove you by force," Geno demanded.

 

iU8EggM.png

 

"Okay, I have to really pour on the waterworks for this one," Matilda recited to herself.  She put a temporary spell on herself that forced her to experience an unbridled anguish like she had never been through before.  Tears began to stream down her face and she could feel her heart aching.  "Wow, that's powerful stuff," she said through an uncontrollably breaking voice.  She then picked up Sergei's desk phone and began to dial a phone number.

 

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"Sergei.  You almost never call me from this line.  Is everything--Sergei?" Colston said.  He could hear someone sobbing on the other end of the line.

 

"Bradley," Matilda wept.  "It's--it's Matilda."

 

"Ms. Nikolaev?  Is everything alright?  Where is Sergei?" Colston asked right away.

 

"Get down here, as fast as you can, please!" she said urgently.  "He's not breathing!  I think--I think he had a heart attack or something!  Just--please!" Matilda begged.

 

Colston felt his heart sink.  "Call the nurses and every available medical staff we have!  I'll be there immediately!"  Colston began to march toward the dining hall doors when Theo emerged from them.  "Theo!  I need you to oversee the banquet!  I have to get to Sergei!"

 

Theo was about to stop Colston but the man he knew as Ace had broken into a full sprint toward the employee elevator.  Theo asked no questions and went to stand in Colston's place.

 

iU8EggM.png

 

In the elevator, Colston began to dial a phone number from the landline inside.  "Come on, pick up.  Pick up, God damn it!"

 

iU8EggM.png

 

Geno's phone went off and he snatched it from his side.  The number calling was coming from inside the hotel.

 

"I'll deal with you in a moment," Geno said to Lace.  He stepped casually away and answered his phone.  "Geno speak--"

 

"You need to get down here, now!" Colston screamed at the other end of the line.

 

"Ace?" Geno asked.

 

"Sergei's hurt!  I just spoke to Matilda!  I need you to clear everything, and do it now!" Colston said.  The line was suddenly dead.

 

Geno stared at his phone, his heart beating rapidly.  He placed it back on his side and then raced off the rooftop past Lace.  It would take too long for him to take the elevator or stairs.  Instead, he dashed past Lace and leaped off the roof without a second thought.  Geno tucked his arms and legs and dove toward the ground.

 

iU8EggM.png

 

Matilda had canceled the spell and she resumed her composure.  She wiped her face with a small towelette and stared at the soon to be lifeless shell that was her father.  She closed his eyes and sat him up straight since he could no longer do it himself.

 

"By now, Colston should have contacted Geno.  They'll both be making their way to the lower floors, so I should get going," she said as she began to approach Sergei's doors.  "Thanks for everything, old man."

 

Instead of opening Sergei's doors, Matilda locked them from the inside.  Then, she sank into a pool of bubbling ooze and disappeared.

 

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Matilda emerged on the ground floor of the lobby, outside of the dining hall.  Most guests (excluding Bethany and Lace) had arrived for dinner.  Even Louis showed up.  The gathering was a big hit, despite the circumstances which surrounded it.  However, the event would soon be interrupted by more damning news.

 

As Matilda entered the dining hall, she called Theo over to her.  The giant man gently strolled to her side as requested and stooped down so that Matilda could whisper in his ear.

 

An urge overcame Theo and caused him to stand upright with urgency.  He quickly stepped out of the dining hall and closed the doors behind him.

 

As guests and contestants partook in the festivities, Matilda walked to the center of the room and stood with a glass in her hand and a soup spoon.  She gently tapped the glass so that everyone could hear her.  "Everyone, could I have your attention please?" she asked politely.

 

The room quieted down rather quickly, and Matilda went on.

 

"Thank you.  First and foremost, I am eternally grateful for those of you who are here.  While the circumstances could have been better and we would prefer to gather before the death of a loved one, I am thankful for your presence today.  At this time, however, I'd like to make an announcement."  Matilda gestured her hand toward the contestants who were attending.

 

"The Secret Cup Tournament has been permanently suspended," Matilda said right away.  "For you see, it no longer has a host.  My father--the hotel owner and organizer of these events--is deceased.  And I, Matilda Nikolaev, will not be carrying things out any further.  I apologize."  Matilda never took her eyes off the contestants.

 

"Contestants will still be rewarded, of course.  While my father's fortune is overwhelming, the prize money was just a drop in the bucket.  I'll give the top contestants something much more worthwhile.  Money is... well, silly," Matilda shrugged.

 

Louis stood up from his seat, annoyed.  "I don't know what kinda stunt you're trying to pull, but Sergei had better not be dead.  And I had better still get paid."

 

Matilda raised an eyebrow, smiling at Louis.  "Darling, my father is dead.  I killed him."

 

The room was deathly quiet for a moment, and Matilda continued.  "In fact, Colston should have found my father by now.  He'll likely return with the corpse soon."

 

"Louis..." whispered Basabth from the darkness beneath the table.  "This woman is mad.  And potentially dangerous."

 

"I'm the only thing dangerous around here," Louis retorted.  "Matilda, you crazy jabroni," Louis called from the other side of the dining hall.  "It was you behind all of this?  The disappearing people.  This F.A.L.L. organization.  The death of your own sister.  You're a pretty disgusting person.  Someone should put you down."

 

Matilda chuckled.  "And who do you suppose is going to do that?  You?"  She turned to face the contestants, not moving from her original position.  "Up until now, you've fought one another for a chance to win ludicrous amounts of money.  I will extend to you a new offer," she said.  "Take up your arms in service to me, and I will see to it that, in the new world, you shall lead a bountiful, fruitful life.  But if you should deny me," Matilda continued.  "I will have my generals slay you where you stand.  You will drown in a puddle of your own blood and watch with dying eyes as the world is reshaped by my hand."

 

Matilda stood at the center of the dining hall and flicked her wrist at every dining table except the contestants' table.  These tables were strewn across the room with great force and velocity, crushing the occupants and splattering their organs against the walls like fresh paint.

 

"What will you do, metahumans?  Will you become a part of the revolution?  Or do you desire a swift death?" Matilda asked plainly.  "And do decide quickly.  Colston willl return here in a moment, at which time I will secure my father's body that I might complete the ritual and ascend to my righteous place as your new queen."

 

With a snap of her fingers, a magical barrier was erected around the dining hall, preventing anyone inside from exiting the room.

 

"Now.  Choose," Matilda demanded.

 


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4IDxGH1.jpg

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"Now.  Choose."

 

This girl...so conniving...so deceitful.  She killed her own father, was the head of F.A.L.L, and was now threatening everyone's life at this very table.  The chutzpah of this girl was making him writhe in his chair.  That was supposed to be his line at the end of all this.  Had he brought back his next report to intelligence, his next mission might very well be to have done the same exact thing.  A sick grin began to trace the boy's lips, devilish in intent.  He merely kicked his legs up on the table, and laughed. 

 

"Are you sure you wanna do this Louis...she might double cross you."  Basabth warned.  

 

"We'll cross that bridge when we get to it...and throw her over the side."  Louis relayed back to his companion, through his mind.

 

Louis stopped laughing, only to lean back further in his seat. 

 

"My, my, Matilda.  I didn't think you had it in you!  As a matter of fact, I'd say you're the first person I like in this joint."  Louis snickered a bit at the thought.  "Hey...as long as you pay me...I don't have an issue taking part in some new world order.  I was only in my line of work to slay Meta-Humans who didn't want to join me!  Being some shadow operative for your majesty would be the greatest prize in this tournament."  Louis started peering around the room at the others who had still yet to make a decision.  Mango, Rawal, and Bethany in particular.  "I'd be happy helping you kill anyone in here who objects as well...kekek."  Shadowy tendrils began to rise around him, whizzing through the air with sharp hums.  Up until now, he realized more than half of the other contestants hadn't seen this demeanor of his.  He wondered how fun of a reveal it would be to all of them.  

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What in the world was that? Bethany stumbled and her back hit the wall. She felt...tired. Matilda the megalomaniac just left the room in the creepiest way. "There's a door you psychopath." she muttered as she regained her strength. This was bad. Things had already been bad but this was...world ending bad.

 

Why was this happening? Bethany was used to dealing with crooked cops, druggies, and self-righteous soccer moms (the worst of the lot), but within the span of these days she's fought all sorts of insane creatures and now...Miss Crusader wanted to kill off thousands of people for her depraved vision of a perfect future? "Guess I shouldn't just let that happen, eh?" she said with a sigh.

 

Feeling some of her strength return the girl pushed herself from the wall. She had to go. Though, as she stepped into the hallway, she realized she wasn't sure where she should start.

The host of this place wouldn't believe anything against his daughter from someone he barely knew. Tiny, too, though he seemed kind and caring, would likely not take her side. Maybe that security guard would at least listen to her enough to look into it.

 

But, no, Bethany found herself heading to where the banquet was. She knew she didn't suddenly get a hankering for some chow so there was obviously something else pulling her there. She couldn't name it. Instinct, magic, whatever it was. But she just had a feeling that it was the place to be.

 

Perhaps she should get help. The others would be at the banquet and surely they could hold off one girl for long enough, even if she was some Uber Powered Main Villain type.

Then again, if Matilda had made that offer to her...

 

Bethany sped up. She had to get to the banquet fast. She didn't know what she'd do when she got there but she could figure that out along the way. "No one else has to die...please, God, if you're there, let no one else die."

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~~~Rawal's POV~~~

 

"You will drown in a puddle of your own blood and watch with dying eyes as the world is reshaped by my hand."

 

Out of all that happened around him, this one line repeated in his head multiple times after it was originally said, though all else spoken was still heard. The shadow boy nearby already showing willingness to align with him did not break his thoughts, either. In fact, after recalling what he could from when he was inside the large shadow and the attempt to brutally execute him, the elder expected it.

 

No, he was recalling how Talis-Eye had mentioned that someone had stolen a copy of Rawal's memories to take for themselves the knowledge of the Shaping Arts and rendered the Eyebeast unable to do anything about it. In fact, if his thoughts were right about whom that could be, Rawal was probably the only one that knew what she truly meant by reShaping the world.

 

"You are the thief," Rawal simply stated, an accusation that likely held weight. "The thief of knowledge you have no ability to use."

 

Talis-Eye, extend your reach but find and tell whomever holds the host's body to not come to this floor by any means, Rawal ordered mentally in an attempt to extend time, unwilling yet to answer either way.

 

Already doing that.

 

~~Talis-Eye's POV~~

 

...I can open this, but I cannot leave. What gives.

 

Talis-Eye had made it look like one of the entrances had opened from the chain of tables flying on their own accord, disguising their attempt to leave unseen. Fortunately, they did not need to leave to close the main eye and focus on trying to find the mind focused on carrying and bringing up to the current floor the body of the dead host. To each mind, one thing is projected as a warning:

 

If you value your lives and the sanctity of the body you are carrying, do not bring the dead man's body any closer. His murderous daughter plans on using his body for a still-unknown ritual.

 

Once projected to the minds outside of the dining room linked towards Sergei's dead body, Talis-Eye floated back closer towards Rawal, prepared for whatever the Shaper ordered. They had planned on dumping him at some point, but they felt that this chick...whatever world she may create will die as soon as it was made. And the Eyebeast valued staying alive.

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"Hell's even happening here?"

 

Angelica let out an audible groan by the time Matilda announced her plan and the end of the tournament. She was just starting to feel content about her loss and now this Matilda had to come and ruin her fun. All that she wanted was just to participate in the tournament to have a chance to meet her sister again, not to get into this mess. Well, admittedly Angelica spent her time being too spirited about the battles themselves, but even so...

 

"Now.  Choose."

 

"First of all, I don't bleed. Sorry to disappoint you."

 

One of the contestant had taken Matilda's offer. Well, that was not what Angelica expected, but it's not something she personally found to be against. The mess Matilda caused on the dining room was sure gruesome and needless however. It somewhat ruined Angelica's mood even further.

 

"Second, why now? Could you at least wait until the tournament is over? That's just very very rude of you." Where's Lace, anyway? Angelica wondered whether the swordsmaster was in any way fine. Angelica had no interest in what Matilda offered. No, especially not the notion of being the lackey of someone else.

 

If Matilda's the one that's going to lick Angelica's shiny metal feet then Angelica might consider her offer, but as it stands now, like hell she would.

 

"And third, go to hell with your offer."

 


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"Hey!  Just what the hell do you think you're doing!?  You can't do that on hotel property!  I could have you suspended from the competition!" Get your ass off this rooftop or I'll remove you by force,"
 
Geno's demand prompted Lace to suddenly halt her swing mid stroke. Completely unaware of how impressive this feat was, she peered blankly at the man for a moment before finally recognizing him as the hotel's head of security. 
 
"Oh." XIII lowered her blade with the same neutral expression. For a moment she toyed with the idea of knocking the man out. Though quickly disregarded the notion after sizing him up and realizing that she'd never get away with it...
 
Sighing, Lace opened her mouth to apologize only to find her self silenced by the ring of Geno's phone.   
 
"I'll deal with you in a moment," Geno growled, causing Lace to arch an eyebrow.
 
Watching him walk away, Lace lazily listened in on his conversation with her inhuman hearing.
 
"..."
 
Though incapable recognizing the voice of the person on other line, the girl's eyes suddenly narrowed in fascination at their words. "Hey..." She began but was ignored in Geno's sudden dash down towards the lower levels.  
 
As Geno descended, XIII closed her eyes and tried to open up her senses. A strong wind hand begun blow atop the building, and after a few moments of standing their in meditative state, the girl felt a chill run down her spine. 
 
"Such a wicked aura..." Lace breathed before opening her eyes.
 
Though it was hard to pinpoint on the source with all disturbances around, she was certain that something grim was about to happen. The sensation lingered in the air, making it cold and heavy to the swordsman.
 
"Is this our next ordeal?" XIII sighed before returning her sword to it's scabbard and leaping off the side of the hotels roof. Now in her own free fall, Lace tried her best to zero in on the source of the malefic intent that she felt so potently. 
 
"The banquet..." Having finally narrowed it's location down to a general area, Lace's thoughts drifted to Angelica causing the girl to tuck her arms into her body to gain speed. There was no way in hell that she'd leave the her friend in whatever mess about to start without back up.

 

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Sergei’s door had been left open.  His lifeless body was slumped into his office chair and Colston approached it slowly, with shock and disbelief.  

 

“I told you, Sergei.  Didn’t I?” he strained to say.  His voice was on the verge of breaking.  “I told you.  I would do anything for you.”

 

Colston was dragging his feet until he could no longer stand.  His legs crumpled on the floor and he braced himself just feet away from Sergei’s corpse.  He couldn’t bare to raise his head.  He couldn’t fathom how he allowed this to happen.  With tears in his eyes and a burning red face, Colston could only whimper.  He was feeling so much at once, and he couldn’t take it.

 

“I loved you, Sergei,” he whispered to himself as he crawled forward to the feet of his master.  “I loved you like I loved no one else.”  Colston dragged himself upward with Sergei’s chair, staring into the eyelids of his fallen leader.  “And I failed you.”

 

Colston felt a presence behind him.  He ignored it as he took Sergei’s hands in his own.  “Forgive me.  For my faults.”

 

There was a clang on the floor behind Colston, followed by a distant rolling sound.  Geno had removed his helmet, still taking in the situation.  “No,” he muttered to himself.  “No, no, no.  No!  What the hell happened!?” Geno barked before sprinting toward Colston.

 

Colston intertwined his right hand with Sergei’s, then ran his left hand through Sergei’s hair.  “How dare you leave me here.  Alone.”

 

As he approached, Geno suddenly stopped as Colston raised the corpse of Sergei in his arms.  “How did anyone get past us?” Colston asked, not bothering to turn around to Geno.

 

“I--I don’t know.  I don’t have an answer.  I--”

 

“No.  This was premeditated,” Colston said as he held Sergei’s body close to his own.  “And there is no one closer to Sergei than his own daughter.”

 

Geno clenched a fist.  “You really think Matilda would do something like this?  Kill her old man?  For what?  She was going to inherit his fortune.  His companies.  Everything.  Why kill him now?”

 

Colston turned around slowly, still clutching Sergei’s body.  He walked slowly toward Geno.  “This wasn’t about money.  This… is something else.”

 

Colston slowly marched past Geno who was literally shaking with rage.  “Ace!” he barked.

 

Colston stopped just short of Sergei’s doors.

 

“You’re making some dangerous accusations right now.  You need to tell me--”

 

“Don’t call me that,” Colston replied as he continued walking to the elevators.

 

“What?  What are you going to do!?  You can’t take Sergei from here!  It’s a Goddamn crime scene!” Geno hollered.  “Ace!  ACE!” Geno continued to call out.  But Colston had already stepped inside the elevator.

 

Geno stomped into the halls and snatched up his helmet.  He pulled it on tightly and fastened it.  Pressing two fingers to his helmet, Geno began to give out orders to those on his radio line.

 

“This is Commander Olsen.  The time is nineteen hundred hours and thirty-six minutes.  At this time, all staff will enter code black.  This is not a drill.  I repeat.  This is Commander Olsen…” Geno marched his way to the next elevator and slipped inside, making his way to R&D.

 

“The Golden Gate Hotel is now closed.  Engage lockdown immediately.  No one in, and no one out,” Geno commanded.

 

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Colston slowly rose up the elevator, passing Research and Development.  It was then that his mind was probed by a psychic message.

 

If you value your lives and the sanctity of the body you are carrying, do not bring the dead man's body any closer. His murderous daughter plans on using his body for a still-unknown ritual.

 

Colston remained silent.  He couldn’t obey that order.  He needed to see this through.  And there was no one that could stop him.  There was no creature, no man, no god, no demon, no force that could stop him.  He stared down at Sergei’s corpse, tears streaming from his face once more.

 

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Geno slipped into R&D unnoticed, and Rachel and M.A.R.S. were busy at work, having no idea what was happening around them.  He uncloaked himself and knocked on the laboratory door.

 

“Sir Olsen?” M.A.R.S. queried as he approached the door.  There was a hiss as pressure was released and the door slid open electronically.  “What can I do for-- Sir Olsen?”

 

Geno removed his helmet and tucked it under his arm.  “Code Black, M.A.R.S.  Take Rachel and get her away from here.”

 

M.A.R.S. stood silently for just a moment.  “But, Sir Olsen--”

 

“Now, M.A.R.S.!  I don’t know what’s going to happen but I want her safe!  And if you can’t do that, then I’ll do it myself!” Geno said, suddenly brandishing a large pistol.

 

M.A.R.S. was silent again, but he nodded and acknowledge Geno’s request.  He returned to the laboratory and sealed the door shut again.  Geno stood watching, waiting for M.A.R.S. to act.  The machine placed a hand on Rachel’s shoulder on the opposite side of the laboratory and whispered something in her ear.  She turned around with a snap and looked to see Geno standing there with a gun in his hand.

 

“What!?” she screamed.  She sprinted toward the door but M.A.R.S. intercepted her and picked her up by her waist.  “Let me go!  GENO!”

 

Geno placed his helmet on tight once more and fastened it.  He tucked his gun into its holster then turned to his left where an inconspicuous panel waited.  He placed a gloved hand against it and the panel slid into the wall to reveal a single lever.  Geno placed his hand on the lever and yanked it downward with all his might.

 

Rachel’s laboratory lights flickered like floodlights and two steel doors smashed behind the laboratory’s entrance, sealing its occupants inside.  Though Rachel fought to get to Geno, M.A.R.S. began to carry her off away from the laboratory through an emergency exit, while Geno made his way to the main lobby.

 

iU8EggM.png

 

Mango frowned, having risen from the table she sat at.  “If everything you’re saying is true,” she said.  “Then you’re not a very nice person.  And I feel sorry for your father.”

 

Matilda chuckled.  “I don’t.”

 

"My, my, Matilda.  I didn't think you had it in you!  As a matter of fact, I'd say you're the first person I like in this joint."

 

With a smirk, Matilda looked at Louis.  “Are you trying to flatter me?”

 

"Hey... as long as you pay me... I don't have an issue taking part in some new world order.  I was only in my line of work to slay Meta-Humans who didn't want to join me!  Being some shadow operative for your majesty would be the greatest prize in this tournament," he added.

 

Matilda cooed.  “Somehow, I suspected you would come around.”

 

"I'd be happy helping you kill anyone in here who objects as well… kekek,” Louis sneered.

 

Matilda folded her arms.  “Well aren’t you the little trooper.  And tell your partner not to worry.  He’ll have a lot more power to play with once things are done my way.”

 

Could you at least wait until the tournament is over? That's just very very rude of you,” Angelica interrupted.

 

“Well, considering the tournament is under my control now, and I can suspend it and end it as I please, your point is moot, dear android,” Matilda replied.

 

Go to hell with your offer,” Angelica snapped.

 

“Oh, well look at you,” Matilda said observing Angelica.  “Seems the android has a little soul in her.  It’ll be a shame to see that all go to waste.  You’ll be scrap metal soon, dear.”  Matilda approached the door to the dining hall and placed a hand on it.  As she did, a shimmer arched out from her right hand and began to trace the walls of the dining hall from ceiling to floor.

 

“When I leave this room, you’ll all be trapped inside.  And don’t bother trying to dispel the barrier.  You don’t have the ability or the talent to do so.  Instead, you’ll be left to deal with my generals.  Or, rather, my generals will be left to deal with you.  Jack.  Louis.  For your cooperation I will reward you with two pleasures,” Matilda said as she turned around.

 

“The first is the great honor of doing away with your former allies here.  Spare them no mercy,” Matilda hissed.  “The second is a bounty of power.  And Jack, you already have yours,” Matilda smiled.  “Your ring.”

 

Jack would find her hand was suddenly adorned with the obsidian ring she had proclaimed as her own not long ago.

 

“Within that ring, you’ll find magical enhancements designed by myself--with the help of the Atlas of course.  By simply balling your fist, you will unleash its properties.  They are, of course, different for each person.  For example, Jack.  Your ring will enhance your reflexes and physical strength to that of a superhuman.  I’d dare say you could reach speeds even Lace or Angelica could not.  And yes, I know what you’re thinking,” Matilda said as the heels of her feet clapped against the tile floor.

 

“ ‘With my suit, my body should be able to handle those speeds no problem’.  Which, you would be correct.  However, just in case, I included a few augments to your flesh as well.  You already have a well-toned body.  But your limits will exceed that of even steel.  This will allow your body to suffer through much more.  Oh, and one more thing,” Matilda said, snapping her fingers.

 

“Those light augmentations are much too bright for my taste,” she said, twirling finger from a distance and causing a stir around Jack.  Jack’s shadow began to twirl around her until it encompassed her completely.  Jack was engulfed in an endless blackness, temporarily blinded and unable to do anything other than listen.  “Let’s try this instead.”

 

The shadow sank back into the ground and Jack’s vision was restored.  Her suit was somehow darkened even further, and the augments on her suit were going haywire.  The bells and whistles would settle at last, and Jack would come to realize her suit was no longer operated by machine.  Instead, it attached to her flesh like a virus to a host.  It was a part of her now.  Literally.

 

“Hmm.  Hopefully, that plays out to be dark matter instead of hard light.  Now then,” Matilda said turning to Louis.  “This one is for you,” she said as an obsidian stone ring materialized in her hands.  Matilda tossed the ring to Louis only to watch it disappear mid-flight and reappear on his left index finger.

 

“Truth be told, my dear, you don’t need much from me.  You’re already very, very strong in your own right,” Matilda said, acknowledging Louis’ strength.  “But, just in case, I thought to give you a little more… edge,” Matilda shrugged.  “Effectively, your ring does not affect your physical capabilities.  Rather, it affects your mental state.  I couldn’t think of a catchy name for it, so I went with something simple.  We’ll call it ‘Berserker’,” Matilda said, satisfied.  

 

“By temporarily snapping your sanity, it breaks any and all restraints you or Basabth may have had.  This releases your latent potential all at once and turns you into something akin to the legendary behemoth, Asashin.  Basically, it’s a super drug.  Physically, it will last about thirty seconds per dose.  For you, each dose will feel like hours.  Don’t overdose, okay?” Matilda finished.

 

“This last ring,” Matilda said, turning back to the door of the dining hall.  “Is reserved for Bethany.”  A smile suddenly crept across her face and Matilda could feel Bethany drawing ever closer to the dining hall.  “Though she declined my offer, I refused to let her go.  Instead, I have temporarily bent her free will.  And she has become a new creature.  You will be the first to witness the terrible power that she has kept locked away in a frozen tomb,” Matilda said softly.

 

“Witness rebirth.  Louis.  Jack.  Slay them.  I must complete the ritual.  Bethany will be here soon.  With her strength and your own, you cannot lose,” Matilda cooed.  “Colston will bring my father’s body to me soon.  In doing so, this transfer of flesh will be a gift, and thus the requirements of the ritual will be met.  This will allow me to complete the blood bonding with the Atlas, and forever seal my name as the greatest witch to ever breathe.”  Matilda grinned from ear to ear.

 

“Taking over the world is so much fun.”
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Something was wrong. As Bethany headed for the banquet she knew that. She shouldn't be racing towards that place so desperately. Going in like this wasn't like her. Not when there was so much unknown. She should be careful, slow, make a plan. But whatever was dragging her there was working faster than her own mind.

 

A voice in the back of her mind called out "Stop, what are you doing? Stop this at once!" But even that wasn't strong enough to pull her from her path.

 

She entered the room...fear gripped her heart. Panic that she had never experienced before. She was in danger, grave danger, and the source of that danger was in this very room.

 

Her mind went blank.

 

Her body turned deathly cold.

 

Her eyes glowed white with power.

 

 

The entire room grew chill the moment Bethany took a single step inside. A dome of freezing air surrounded the girl and anything within six feet of her would freeze nearly instantly. She walked closer at a steady pace as the floor, the very air, turned to ice. With a nod of her head beams of frozen energy launched from this dome in an arc and crashed down on the room. Wherever it struck jagged pillars of ice grew, reaching the ceiling, and from these pillars a freezing mist extended.

 

She turned towards those who sought her destruction. In her normal state she knew them as Mango, Rawal, and Angelica. But as she was there was just one word she could think of upon laying her eyes on them. Enemies.

 

Three more beams arced out from the dome. This time when they came crashing down they were aimed for those three individuals in specific. If it touched them they would be frozen. Even if it didn't touch them the pillars that formed would cause their bodies to slow as the chill spread throughout the room.

 

Only Jack, Louis, and Matilda, through the magic of Matilda's control over Bethany, would be safe from this effect.

 

The Frozen World had begun.

[spoiler=OOC]

Okay to be clear the dome will freeze anyone who comes in contact with it within the span of a couple seconds. It's possible to last in the dome for a moment but only that. There is no defense against the freezing except to avoid being in the dome.

The more pillars that Bethany creates, there's 6 before her attack on the players, the more freezing mist is in the room. The mist will have the effect of slowing down one's body. The effect grows stronger if you're near a pillar and if you don't move from next to one you'll freeze within seconds as well.

If a beam strikes you directly you'll freeze as well. It can be blocked but direct contact will start the freezing process. Say you had a shield and blocked it you'd be safe for a moment but the ice would overtake the shield and you a few moments later.

 

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4IDxGH1.jpg

sPp4orE.png

 

“Well aren’t you the little trooper.  And tell your partner not to worry.  He’ll have a lot more power to play with once things are done my way.”

 

Louis nodded, as Basabth shuddered at the thought.  

 

“When I leave this room, you’ll all be trapped inside.  And don’t bother trying to dispel the barrier.  You don’t have the ability or the talent to do so.  Instead, you’ll be left to deal with my generals.  Or, rather, my generals will be left to deal with you.  Jack.  Louis.  For your cooperation I will reward you with two pleasures,”

 

Louis began to rub his hands together.  It was time to go on a murdering spree!  Courtesy of the ruler of the new world order!  It was then that Matilda had thrown something at him that almost immediately teleported straight into his hand.  He opened it up to reveal a black ring.   

 

“Truth be told, my dear, you don’t need much from me.  You’re already very, very strong in your own right,” Matilda said, acknowledging Louis’ strength.  “But, just in case, I thought to give you a little more… edge.  Effectively, your ring does not affect your physical capabilities.  Rather, it affects your mental state.  I couldn’t think of a catchy name for it, so I went with something simple.  We’ll call it ‘Berserker'.  By temporarily snapping your sanity, it breaks any and all restraints you or Basabth may have had.  This releases your latent potential all at once and turns you into something akin to the legendary behemoth, Asashin.  Basically, it’s a super drug.  Physically, it will last about thirty seconds per dose.  For you, each dose will feel like hours.  Don’t overdose, okay?”
 
Louis eyed the ring with one brow raised.  Now why would he wanna go all rage mode for?  And furthermore, why would he try to get addicted to some strange magic.  Instead of placing it on a finger, Louis threw the object over his shoulder and into his shadow, where the ring sank like a stone into water.  
 
"Sorry Queenie," He said shrugging, "I don't see a use for your 'pleasure'...So I ain't gonna use it.  I broke my sanity a long time ago.  Maybe we can arrange something later.  Discussions can take place in my room."  Louis started to laugh.  He kicked off the table and stood up out of his seat.  A large see-through dome was thrown around him, as eight inky tentacles started to maniacally spring from it.  They all whipped and whirred through the air, indicating that they were sharp as steel.  "Shame that Ice jabroni won't be joining the fun." 
 
“This last ring...Is reserved for Bethany.” Louis perked at the name.  “Though she declined my offer, I refused to let her go.  Instead, I have temporarily bent her free will.  And she has become a new creature.  You will be the first to witness the terrible power that she has kept locked away in a frozen tomb."
 
"A pity, really..."  Louis whined.  "I really wanted to get back at her for what she funking did to me!"  
 
"She spared you, you know?"  Basabth could be heard in the back of his mind.  "She could've killed us both in that instant.  But she didn't...you better thank her."  
 
"Thank her?!  If the tables were turned, I would show her no mercy!"  Louis barked back at his shadow.  Speaking of the Ice Devil, Bethany had come through the doors, positively oozing with icy powers.  
 
“Witness rebirth.  Louis.  Jack.  Slay them.  I must complete the ritual.  Bethany will be here soon.  With her strength and your own, you cannot lose,” Matilda cooed.  “Colston will bring my father’s body to me soon.  In doing so, this transfer of flesh will be a gift, and thus the requirements of the ritual will be met.  This will allow me to complete the blood bonding with the Atlas, and forever seal my name as the greatest witch to ever breathe.”
 
"Whatever you say Queenie.  You're the boss."  At least, for now, he thought to himself.  In coordination with Bethany's icy blasts, Louis shot out two tendrils at each of the other contestants.  Luckily, Louis wasn't feeling the effects of Bethany's magic, as much as the others across the room would.  
 
"Louis...I'm not sure we should..."  The shadow demon cried out nervously.  
 
"SHUT IT BASABTH!"  
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BGM

 

“Taking over the world is so much fun.”

 

"Maybe you'll get to try it again..." A soft voice sliced through the rising sounds of battle that had begun to fill the room as product of both Louis and Bethany's sudden attacks on the contestants. "In your next life I mean." In that instant, Lace's form appeared in the air above Matilda's flank in a flicker of high speed movement.

 

XIII's lavender eyes were sharp with killer intent, and her petite figure arched with tension as she gripped the hilt of Beowulf tightly whilst rearing her upper body backwards to gather all the strength she could muster. A azure blue aura danced and crackled angrily as it clung to her body, and if one were to look closely they would be able to see Lace's tiny muscles bulging from the massive flow of energy she was channeling from her artificial soul.

 

Lace was painfully aware that she'd only get one shot at this. Though she had originally planned to hide her presence and wait for the perfect time to strike at the witch. But the fact that Matilda now had Bethany in her clutches was enough to forced her hand now... 

 

There was no time to worry about finesse or even collateral damage. She'd bring down the entire building if that was what it would take!

 

"Fade away..." Lace let her aura run wild, sacrificing the Magnum Locust's nuance for wild uncontrolled power. The attack would be over in a instant. Suddenly releasing all of the strength she'd gathered through Beowulf's blade, Lace swung the enchanted sword downwards in an attempt to destroy Matilda with a single explosive display of raw speed and destructive force. 

 

"HAAAAAAAAAA!"

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Jack
 
Jack walked over and stood by Matilda's side as she made the great reveal, standing with her arms crossed and a wide smile written on her face. Her smile faltered somewhat when Louis stepped in, wishing to join, betraying the disappointment she felt in missing the chance to be the one to kill him. Of course, as the one Matilda wanted to keep her minions in line, she just might get that chance later.
 
Others in the room refused the offer, however, and especially the android that the hotel had opted to save from the exploding depths of the alien ship.
 
“Oh, well look at you,” Matilda said observing Angelica.  “Seems the android has a little soul in her.  It’ll be a shame to see that all go to waste.  You’ll be scrap metal soon, dear.”
 
"Don't worry, I'll make sure I finished what I started," Jack said, looking right at Angelica and licking her lips.

 

Matilda went on to explain the strengths and augments the ring would offer Jack, each after the next sounding more and more appealing to her. Then, a shadow extended from Matilda into Jack, and a red light enveloped Jack.

 

BGM:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIprdhZie6w

 

Her suit, before disguised as the tuxedo she was wearing, fully deployed and extended around her body, then slowly shrank and enveloped her skin tightly before fusing into her body. Jack let out a blood curdling scream as the magic and technology became one with her body, and changed her very make-up. Jack's scream grew louder and louder, before it changed from one of pain and anguish, to one of laughter and ecstasy. The light dissipated and Jack stood there, shrieking with laughter.

 

The sleek, angular design of her suit was gone. Instead, in its place on the arms and legs, were intricately carved and shaped pieces ending in sharp, curved spines around the shines, knees, elbows, and shoulders. The shoulder-plates and chest-piece each took the shape of a demonic skull missing its lower jaw, staring forward blankly. Her helmet was gone, instead the jet-black plating of the armor extended up her neck and around the back of her head. The upper-half of her face was obscured by the same jet-black scaling, with her eyes now jet-black with glowing red irises. Two large horns curved back from the sides of her head, and her hair was a solid, brilliant red billowing backward from her head.

 

Around her, Bethany's magic had begun to go haywire, but there was someone else who was springing into action, someone Jack had wanted to get a crack at the moment she had lain eyes on her at the beginning of the tournament.

 

BGM:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4U6b6Dj-_lE

 

In the middle of her swing, Jack's foot, in a flying kick, connected with the flat of Lace's blade, sending it just off-course enough to miss its target. Jack rebounded off from the kick, and landed, with a wide, fanged grin spread across her face.

 

Jack then spoke, mockingly, in a voice more inhuman than she had ever sounded over the course of the entire tournament. "Where do you think you're going, Barbie-Doll?"

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"You’ll be scrap metal soon, dear.”

 

"Bark all you want, lady. I won't die even when you kill me."

 

Of course, Angela realized that it was her this time that was barking, rather than Mathilda. She was hopelessly outmatched in this situation. Mathilda wasn't alone - she had the help of two other contestants. Louis and Jack, both which had been granted a gift from Mathilda to make the job even easier. And she said she's going to add a third one too. So that's four. Lace was still nowhere to be seen. That would leave Mango and Rawal to be on her side, neither which Angelica knew much about yet. Of course, she chose this option not because she wanted to be a hero. She was genuinely tempted to join Matilda a little bit.

 

But her pride simply refused to follow someone like her.

 

Yet, before she was able to do anything, someone else had arrived. It was one of the contestants too, but something felt off about her. And then the room suddenly froze over.

 

'You're...the third one, huh? Bethany, was it?"

 

The entire dining room had turned into an ice dome. Pillars had formed all around. Even an android like Angelica was able to feel the chilling affecting her. If it was not for her Shangri-la working on overdrive, she would have been frozen over almost immediately. Three beams were coming right at her direction, and Angelica used all of her thrusters to dodge the blasts, not going to let any of it hit her for the time being. At the very least, the other ones hadn't attacked yet. Angelica would need to figure out a way to disable Bethany before she ended up being overwhelmed.

 

"Maybe you'll get to try it again...In your next life I mean."

 

"Lace!"

 

A timely arrival. Lace appeared just in time to halt Matilda from going outside, but it wasn't long before Jack took interest in her and started to morph before going for an attack against her. At the very least, with Jack being occupied, Angelica was able to continue to move around, and once she get into position, she aimed her blasters at Bethany and went to aim her laser at at Bethany, but at the same time, two tendrils attacked her, and she was forced to blast them off instead. It did not really completely stop their advance, forcing Angelica to reposition herself into a less advantageous position, and reaimed at Bethany. Usually she was going to say some mocking one-liner here, but the severity of the situation made her not feel the mood for it.

 

"End this nonsense!"

 

A series of laser blasts were then fired from her palm.

 


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