View source for 5562/Soliloquy of Reproach: Release, Part II

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2017/11/10
|Location=Windknight's Lot <WKL>
|Synopsis=The two groups met up again in the throne room of the castle, to face Magnus for the first (and last) time. Attempting to masquerade as Alucard, who he had previously kidnapped, proved fruitless for the incubus, as the Elites saw through his scheme this time. A battle commenced, and through the efforts of the Elites, Magnus was sent back to Hell, and both Erina and Alucard were rescued safely. All's well that ends well, at the final '''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMWtp_ke9Ws "Roundabout"]'''!
|Thanks=Jonathan Joestar, and everyone involved in the plot that brought it so smoothly to its conclusion.
|Cast of Characters=1128, 1100, 290, 571, 707, 994, 1011, 1107, 1084
|Tinyplot=Soliloquy of Reproach
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:1128|Alucard Tepes (1128)}} has posed:'''<br>LAST TIME:<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The group that has been investigating the vampire in Windknight's Lot came to the ruined castle that seems to loom over it like a predator crouched over its territory, to rescue Erina Pendleton, kidnapped by an incubus named Magnus. The decision was made to split into two groups.<br><br>FRONT TEAM:<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Reimu's orb strikes with its holy power and throws the giant into a wall -- probably cracking the stone. It catches the Weapon Master between the wall and itself, damaging it further as it refuses to relent. It holds the Giant in place for the rest of the group, too. Xiaomu's ice shots freeze its armor over well, and the anti-spirit rounds pierce its armor easily; and Seras just UNLOADING on the bastich... just DEVASTATES the area it's standing in. Probably including the wall it's been held to by Reimu's orb.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;When the smoke clears, the giant's armor is still there, though scattered around as if it had fallen off and then been scattered by the Elites' deadly volley. The Giant itself? Nowhere to be found. Its weapons remain, however, broken and twisted -- leaving little doubt that it's not coming back.<br><br>STEALTH TEAM:<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Erina seems to be coming towards the group! Rizzo can see it in her aura -- worry. Fear. Anxiety. And a little bit of anger, too, but far eclipsed by the other emotions. Rizzo's hopes for a peaceful ending to all this may be coming true...<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;But there's something off about her, though, on a deeper level than just her physical appearance. Which is bad enough, she looks like she's been smacked around a little. But she appears dark, somehow, on that deeper level that Rizzo's looking at.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Jonathan!" Erina declares. "Oh, I'm so glad to see you! Come, let's leave this horrible place!" She runs towards Jonathan, arms outstretched, as if to embrace him. But one hand is held in a 'clawed' pose...<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Alucard suddenly exclaims, "Joestar! Move, quickly!" As he calls out a warning, 'Erina' swings that hand down, fingers still clawed. But instead of Jonathan as its target... Alucard leaps between Jonathan and 'Erina' as the hand swings down.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The claws seem to wound him on a spiritual level rather than actually touching him, which those sensitive to such things might see. He emits a cry of pain, reacting as though he's been physically struck, and then crumples to the ground.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;'Erina' grabs him by the back of his cloak and begins to literally float backwards. Her form blurs and... guess who? Yup, it's Magnus. Who smirks.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Well, that wasn't QUITE how I saw that happening. But I'll not look a gift horse in the mouth," he declares. "Come, then. Follow me to your death, if you wish to save your beloved. You will all make ideal sacrifices for the rise of the new Dark Lord."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And then his form blurs again, and he disappears.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;With Alucard.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1100|Leyanne Mace (1100)}} has posed:'''<br>Leyanne Mace keeps her Bushmaster lowered as the smoke clears, looking out over the strewn armour. "Scratch one." She mutters, smoke curling up from the barrel of the massive cannon. She begins to track around the room, looking for additional threats that may flicker out of the darkness. <br><br>"Not seeing anything else." Tiny comments, after scanning the four corners of the room. "Should we check in with the other team?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:290|Rebecca Chambers (290)}} has posed:'''<br>Even if she wasn't actively visible for the time being, Rebecca was assisting in the fight with the giant as best as she could. The medic came prepared, bringing her MP5K as well as her Magnum and even a shotgun as well. How does she carry all those items? (Well, she has six item slots, so each weapon takes up one slot. As for ammo, don't ask.)<br><br>Regardless, Rebecca gave it her all in the fight against the giant, and upon seeing that the giant is now pretty much in pieces, she takes a moment to reload her shotgun. "That was a tough one. Used up quite a few shotgun rounds on him." She looks to the others to make sure everyone else is all right and that nobody is in need of first aid. When she sees nobody needs any first aid, Rebecca smiles a little. "Well done, everyone." She nods to Leyanne. "I agree, we should try to meet up with the other team now. I wonder if they've found anything?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:571|Alexis Maaka (571)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Maaka advances just in time to see Erina! "You're alive! And you escap-" Wait. She pauses, and sudddenly, 'Erina' pounces toward Jonathan just in time for Alucard to interrupt her. And then they disappear. "...what just happened?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:707|Xiaomu (707)}} has posed:'''<br>Xiaomu reloads, keeping her ears perked and her eyes open. Also sniffing cautiously at the air - not just with her mundane sense of smell, but stretching out her supernatural awareness as well. Not that she expects to get particularly detailed ideas of what's going on or where any additional foes may be lurking in wait. "Doesn't matter quite so much how much ammo you've already used as how much you have left," she observes to her allies. "And more importantly than that, anyone hurt?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:994|Athela Valemore (994)}} has posed:'''<br>Athela got involved in this matter a bit behind the others, and as such as been taking up the role of rear guard to make sure the main team doesn't get ambushed by more problems while they deal with the one in front of them. She's been around enough old castles to know one should never presume they aren't being watched or followed.<br><br>It's a good explaination for why she hasn't been on-screen until now, right?<br><br>As such she's remained at the back of the area, assisted by her Timburr in the overwatch until the giant finally falls. "The size of the foe matters not when Justice and Honor are brought to bear 'gainst them."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1011|John Rizzo (1011)}} has posed:'''<br> Alucard reacts faster than Rizzo can--but that does no one any good. It was a trap, something he should've come to expect by now. Even so, however successful the incubus thinks his ploy was, it's going to be taken as another nail in his coffin by the other elites. "Magnus, pal... you're gettin' to be a real wet sock around here." <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Raising his watch to his lips, he considers relaying the situation to the others... no. No, then it's just going to be even more of a witch hunt. If somone else wants to spill the beans, they can, but him? He's gonna nip this in the bud, like he should've done at the start of all this bad business. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "The greaseball got the bulge on us, that's what happened." He isn't upset--but there is a certain disappointment within him as he follows after Magnus. The vampire raises his St. Jude medallion and his will radiates from it brightly. No more stealth, now--just pure willpower, attempting to forcibly repel anything that stops him from pursuing the incubus.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1107|Jonathan Joestar (1107)}} has posed:'''<br>"Erina..!"<br><br>Jonathan could hardly believe his eyes. The knee-jerk response was so powerful that, without even thinking about it, Jonathan's guard was left wide open. His arms outstretched, as the two moved towards each other -- but in the blink of an eye ... everything changed. Alucard was swiped brutally, yet left no blood behind as he was dragged off. His foe's taunts did nothing to alleviate the acute familiarity with the kind of loss he was experiencing.<br><br>Once again, in this damned ruin, an ally had all but sacrificed themselves for him. The sound of strained leather filled the hall as Jonathan clenced his fists as tightly as his own hands would allow. Magnus knew they were here now -- in other words, advancing with caution was now pointless. John Rizzo had a similar idea, advancing forward with his bastion of light. Jonathan breathed in, so deeply that his chest seemed to expand like a small balloon. It charged his whole body with energy, vitalizing him into a high speed dash down the narrow corridors he now knew intimately.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I won't let you have your way!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1084|Seras Victoria (1084)}} has posed:'''<br>Seras can't help but walk over to examine the remnants... and is baffled by the complete lack of anything filling the armor. Very weirded out. But magic is weird like that. After giving Reimu a helplessly quizzical look, she turns her attention to her radio... and her face goes starkly white at the news. With a sudden flaily panic she bolts back towards the door to regroup!<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Bad... badbadbad. He's going to do something awful with him!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1128|Alucard Tepes (1128)}} has posed:'''<br>FRONT TEAM:<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Everything seems quiet, and the group can go further into the castle now. Nothing stands between them and the ruined throne room but hallways. But off in other parts of the castle, there's screeching of unnatural things! But a laugh comes from the direction of the ruined throne room. Ever get the feeling you're walking right into a trap?<br><br>STEALTH TEAM:<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Little can touch the group as Rizzo and Jonathan come tearing through the hallways radiating faith, strength, and SHEER DETERMINATION. Lesser demons are put off even the approach by the combined willpower of Jonathan and Rizzo and flee; anything stronger is burned and repelled by that willpower. This should make enough of a path for the group to meet up again, even if some of these creatures do manage to make half-hearted grabs.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:571|Alexis Maaka (571)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Maaka sticks behind Rizzo and Jonathan, swapping to her shotgun as she finishes off anything that tries to grab her. Point blank buckshot will do a lot of havoc on you, after all. She has no problem keeping up with the two, as she sprints, reloading offhandedly. The demons won't be nearly an issue now, between the three of them.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:994|Athela Valemore (994)}} has posed:'''<br>Athela Valemore frowns farther at the news over the radio. "We must make haste." Her cloak gives an appropriately dramatic flare behind her as the young knight marches forth, caring not for the creepy sounds coming from all sides of them. If anything is foolish enough to put itself to her blade, so be it. "The field will certainly be expecting us, but it matters not. We have allies and fair maidens needing to be rescued. Onward, stalwart allies of mine!" Her goblin-like pokemon gives a grunt in agreement, sholdering the massive log he uses for a weapon and following her.<br><br>It probably -is- a trap, but if it's meant to scare them off whoever laid it doesn't know them vary well.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1100|Leyanne Mace (1100)}} has posed:'''<br>Leyanne Mace scowls and follows Seras, shaking her head "This feels a bit like a trap." She calls out as she hears the laughter, following after the police vampire. She's glad she brought the Bushmaster; the steadi-cam-styled supporting rig allows her to run almost at full speed while keeping the cannon near-ready. "I can't believe I'm the one saying this, but maybe we shouldn't just charge on ahead, and be a little more cautious instead?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:707|Xiaomu (707)}} has posed:'''<br>Okay, so it's not like the castle is normally full of monsters, but Xiaomu still feels like there should be more resistance presenting itself than there already is. Rather than walk around with her guns out, though, she just keeps her staff handy - whether to whack something with it, to draw Suiren and stab or slice, to unleash ice magic or other forms of sorcerous force, whatever the moment seems to demand.<br><br>And yeah. This is totally a trap, she can all but literally smell it. But sometimes, when you're expecting a trap, the only thing you can do is walk into it and then counter it when it goes off around you.<br><br>Xiaomu actually starts whistling as she walks, the thud of her staff on the floor adding a percussion line to the tune. Not quite in time with the music, but that's not exactly the point.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1107|Jonathan Joestar (1107)}} has posed:'''<br>Anything that stepped in Jonathan's way was dispatched, not thoughtfully. All it took was one touch to release a surge of Hamon directly into their bodies, leaving them dead or dying in his wake. Re-animated skeletons, little devils, and even the occasional wolf-on-two-legs found themselves being subjected to the very potent sensation of magma flowing into every nook and crevice in their bodies.<br><br>Jonathan himself was fuming with as much loathing for himself as his opponent. Using his dear Erina's face for such a diabolical move, if there were a way to push the gentleman over his edge, then surely Magnus was gunning for it as hard as he could. Frankly, he wasn't sure if he could hold himself back to let Rizzo have his chance at peace.<br><br>The double doors ending the connecting bridge that led from the tower they were in back into the main castle burst open as Jonathan bulldozed his way through.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:290|Rebecca Chambers (290)}} has posed:'''<br>Rebecca also follows behind Seras, having a bad feeling in her gut about this whole thing, but knowing they have no choice all the same. She keeps a tight grip on her shotgun, eyes dartig from side to side in hopes of avoiding a possible ambush or trap from the side. When Xiaomu starts whistling, Rebecca shoots a glare at her, but then realizes that she can understand Xiaomu doing so, since the place is rather creepy...<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1011|John Rizzo (1011)}} has posed:'''<br> Between himself and JoJo, it seems like most of Magnus' resistance is easy pickings for Maaka. The odd one that manages to muster the will to do more than ruffle the sleeve of his coat his shoved aside with force grossly inproportionate to the red-headed beanpole of a vampire. The last vestige of subtlety is shattered when Rizzo graps a man-sized demon by the collarbone, digs his fingers in, and hurls it into a suit of armor with a noisome clatter. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; This he does with a solemn, dispassionate frown. The frown remains on his face as he and Jonathan storm through the double doors. He isn't the strongest of Caine's children, the fastest, or the toughest. But one thing his Clan is known for, even feared for, is their ability to read people. There's murder brimming not just in Joestar's eyes, but in his every movement.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1084|Seras Victoria (1084)}} has posed:'''<br>Seras gets about as far as the main doorway before realizing... oh right. THIS is the castle that Magnus would've taken Alucard to somewhere in. Probably. Right? Everyone else jumping after those sudden screechings gets her spinning around with a fearful scowl on her face. She clutches her weapons even more tightly... and just barrels for the throne room. Still somewhat flaily.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1128|Alucard Tepes (1128)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The throne room is appropriately dark, but the hallway leading to it does that thing where all the torches flare to life as they head down it. And once they enter the throne room, the candles whoosh to life, illuminating the area. It looks... empty?<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;But there's a flicker of movement at the throne. It's a figure with a long cape that flutters as it turns, facing the assembled group. It looks like...<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;...Alucard?<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"...We were too late," he says flatly. "He has already begin the ritual." And those sensitive to such things can probably sense it -- the darkness has begun to increase in the area. "You should go, all of you -- I cannot guarantee your safety if you remain here."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:707|Xiaomu (707)}} has posed:'''<br>"Riiiiiiiiiight," drawls Xiaomu. "Try that again without cliches so old they're still encased in the stone that fossilized 'em. Or actually -"<br><br>The butt of her staff slams down on the floor next to her, hard enough to set the rings on its headpiece jingling even over the resounding *CRACK* of the former impact, and mystical energy blossoms in her upraised right hand.<br><br>"- don't try at all. <span class="bold_fg_y bg_n ++ hy">Sage Fox Sorcery: Demon Gate Seal!</span>"<br><br>A Taoist-based magic circle flares into existence, intended to be centered at Alucard's feet, and a bubble of magical force rises around it in the next instant - an attempt to contain 'Alucard' where he can't move ... and, hopefully, to force him out of whatever transformation he's using. If it's an illusion, Xiaomu's trying to counter that as well.<br><br>"Honestly," Xiaomu continues while she's exerting her will, "you drag Alucard off right in front of some of us, and you think we *won't* smell a rat when Alucard tells us it's time to go? Particularly when he's so sure it can't be stopped or interrupted but he doesn't even mention fleeing *with* us?"<br><br>Of course, if that really *is* Alucard, gosh is the fox ever gonna be embarassed.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:290|Rebecca Chambers (290)}} has posed:'''<br>Meanwhile, Rebecca has no idea what to do. She would level her shotgun, but she knows that this may not work on spiritual enemies. Not to mention, she doesn't know for certain what is really happening here. All she can do is step back a little and wait for the others to try to handle this directly.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1100|Leyanne Mace (1100)}} has posed:'''<br>Leyanne Mace snorts at Alucard's words "We ain't too late until we're dead and buried, bud." She explauns. "Besides, was there any point today at which you /could/ guarantee our safety?" She looks at Alucard, with a smirk. "I mean, this always was a bit of a do-or-die thing right? Besides, Alucard, I'm here for more than just you, Johnathan, and the lady. Correct me if I'm wrong, but if we fail here, he turns you into Vlad the Impaler Junior, and this whole world suffers." Leyanne shakes her head. "Fuck that, mate. That's not the Martian way. It's not the Polar City way, and it's sure as fuck not the Mace family way No. I'm seein' this through to the end."<br><br>And Xiaomu smells a rat. Tiny's not complaining; she listens and watches, turning to cover the group's six with her 25mm autocannon.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:994|Athela Valemore (994)}} has posed:'''<br>Her power comes from a source that by her world is considered divine, and right now perception is not having a good time. The dark and ominous presence lords over them like an ever enclosing specter, but it still fails to deter her steps. If anything the sense of something being very wrong, as well as the task they originally came to complete, drives her forward without hesitation.<br><br>Though she does take pause when they step into the throne room and it lights up, grimacing farther at the impending forebodance and movement at the throne. Alucard?!.. But the others said he was... this might be a trick.<br><br>"Started doth not mean it cannot be ended still..." It would seem Xiaomu has the same feeling, and better equipped to try and do something about. Athela's hands remain tight upon her relic sword, the blade already sheening as if wet as elemental energy is focused at the ready in it. Next to her Timburr clenches his hands around one end of his weapon, the vein-like vines wrapping his arms bulging with strength.<br><br>"Be ready for whatever she reveals," she murmurs to the others.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:571|Alexis Maaka (571)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Maaka doesn't even think to try and hear 'Alucard' out again. "You dumbass. You tried this already, do you think we'd fall for it a second time?" She swaps to her SCAR-H, and the rifle barks loudly as she opens fire upon him. If it IS Alucard, she's gonna look a little stupid, but to be honest it's been a long night. Maaka's done with this bullshit, so she's going to let the 7.62 speak for her as she fires in a rapid-double tap aimed chest-level.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1107|Jonathan Joestar (1107)}} has posed:'''<br>Jonathan's face looks like it's been carved from granite. His overly stern features devoid of his usual gentleness as he continues to advance, at first, not even bothering to trade words. When he finally did speak, it was in a strained tone. "Where is Erina?"<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A single question.<br><br>John Rizzo, easily able to read the emotions of others, already had a good idea of Jojo's emotional state. The answer to his question was more than likely what would push or pull him to the line of his temper.<br><br>Whether or not the ritual is underway was irrelevant. Magnus would be stopped. Whether or not this was a doppleganger, was irrelevant too. He had to know what was done with his betrothed, or he was going to go crazy.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1084|Seras Victoria (1084)}} has posed:'''<br>Seras arrives at the throne room, spotting... Alucard on it? Seated on it? warning them to leave? After all the things the dhampir said about the scenario, this leaves her blinking and pursing her lips a bit. And a more telling concern reaches her. "... How do I know you're not Magnus in disguise or someone else he tricked and mind controlled? We're not leaving. Not until we have this matter solved!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1011|John Rizzo (1011)}} has posed:'''<br> "Nothing doing, pally," says Rizzo with a firm swipe of his hand. Xiaomu has the right idea. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; He approaches the vampire--or, rather, the incubus, in all likelihood, still radiating a white corona of faith. With Xiaomu holding him there, it should be making whoever's being held in that bubble /awfully/ unfomfortable. But instead of pressing his would-be advantage, Rizzo takes a knee. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "I'm begging you--begging you. To stop this." His hands are brought up before him in a pleading gesture, fingers interlocked as he looks up at Alucard (or Magnus!Alucard.) "Let Erina go--" <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; At that point, Maaka begins opening fire. And Rizzo leaps in front of Alucard's form. Bullets zip through his body, tearing holes through the trenchcoat and leaving bright scarlet stains upon his crumpled white dress shirt.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1128|Alucard Tepes (1128)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Alucard shakes his head at Leyanne. "This ritual -- if it happens here, there will not be TIME for you to leave," he insists. "Go, while you still can." Athela's words get another shake of his head. "The magic released will kill anyone too close to it. Leave now, or you will die."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Seras gets a look. "There is no solution, not now." And to Jonathan? "At the center of the ritual. She cannot be saved now. To do so would kill everyone else here." His voice is flat and calm though, betraying no emotion despite the dire situation. The astute will see that his eyes are dull, too. Besides, didn't he say something about having to kill him if the ritual happened?<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Xiaomu DOES have the right idea, it seems. Because as she casts the binding circle at him, he draws back! It's too late, though, and the seal forces his figure to waver. He releases an angry roar, one that raises in pitch to the screechy voice of Magnus! "BLASTED FOXWOMAN!" he screeches angrily. He's held, unable to move for the time being.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Rizzo gets a snarl from the now-revealed incubus, as he seems to wriggle in those bindings, trying to twist away from Rizzo's sheer light. "I will NOT! I WILL have the Castle back!" He looks up in time to see Maaka aiming at him, and his eyes widen as he realizes there's no way for him to dodge it. However... Rizzo, of all people, blocks it for him?!<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Fool!" Magnus laughs. "Like the young master -- so foolish, with misplaced belief in these humans. But now you see! Humans are no better than they proport us to be!" Yes, he's lumping Rizzo in with himself. "But perhaps you will be useful after all..." He reaches out a hand towards the blood that Rizzo shed upon the ground.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"<span style="color:xterm9">DARK METAMOPHOSIS!</span>"<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Magnus glows with a bright crimson light -- much like the spell Alucard used on the blood in Windknight's Lot the night Jonathan stumbled across him and the two fought -- and the blood seems drawn to the incubus's palm, where the light glows even brighter. And yes, he laughs. His eyes glow brightly, and then the throws his arms out to the sides, his wings flaring up behind him. The sealing magic breaking with this motion is almost audible.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;But more than that? He splits into six identical images of himself. "I am too close to going home!" Each of the Magnus images speaks, making a cacophany of screechy incubus voices. But they all six take to the air. "I WON'T LET YOU TAKE IT FROM ME AGAIN!"<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;This just got a lot more complicated, didn't it?<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:571|Alexis Maaka (571)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Maaka is VINDICATED! Or maybe not. But that's not the issue here. She runs to go and get Rizzo to his feet, just in time for Magnus to duplicate himself. "Time and place, mate." She whispers to the detective, before she takes aim at one of the incubi's duplicates. Her rifle trails on the clone, before she opens fire with a few more shots. This time she tries to keep Rizzo out of the line of fire, hopefully he doesn't try AGAIN to get in between her and her target.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1100|Leyanne Mace (1100)}} has posed:'''<br>Leyanne Mace picks one of the clones, based on a combination of factors perceptible apparently only to the mouse, and opens fire. Her antennae seem to be stretched out to their fullest extension, sticking out like the antennae on an old-style television for the best reception. She brings the massive Bushmaster cannon she calls Crocodile to bear, its steady-gun rig helping her stay on-target as she rips off a six-round string of chaingun fire. <br><br>"Rizla, mate?" She calls out. "Some folks are just unredeemable. Let's just smoke this bastard and save those who we CAN save, yeah?" <br><br>The recoil of the cannon pushes her back several steps. The loudness of the gun, her sheer size, lack of cover, and bright red armour conspire together to make her a very impressive, tempting target...<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:994|Athela Valemore (994)}} has posed:'''<br>Sigh, it can just never be as easy as it could of been, can it? Not that Athela could truely blame Rizzo, it was entirely possible that it had been Alucard under mind control, so....<br><br>But in the end, it does make matters a bit more contrived. So be it.<br><br>"Then you shall just have to keep waiting." But then he pulls some trick similar to Double Team or Substitution to leave an entire group of himself for them to face. But when there is multiple potential targets, there is one reliable way to handle having to pick out the right one.<br><br>"The tides shall wash away your foul presence!" Athela, wary of the others using ranged weapons, opts to do similar as she takes a swing with her sword. Her elemental power is channeled through it, releasing a surge pulse of water wide enough to hopefully hit several of the Magnuses at once much like a wave would.<br><br>This was a lot quicker than trying to pick through which ones are real or not, deal with the whole group.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:707|Xiaomu (707)}} has posed:'''<br>Well, it SORT of worked. Xiaomu would have drawn down and opened up on 'Alucard' if she'd been absolutely certain that it was Magnus - but there WAS that shadow of a doubt, and sometimes, that's all it takes. The binding circle SHOULD have held Magnus just fine, too ... except for two things.<br><br>One of them was Maaka jumping the gun. The other was Rizzo jumping in the WAY of the gun.<br><br>And then Magnus went and *used* that blood to bust loose while Xiaomu's attention was wavering. The fact that there are shortly no fewer than six of Magnus draws a spectacularly cross look from the sage fox as she cancels her binding circle - but there's one bright side to it:<br><br>Plenty of Magni to shoot at, just so long as she doesn't wound any of her allies due to any of the copies being, say, less substantial than they look.<br><br>She doesn't need autofire or AoE attacks, either - she draws Silver and Platinum, both of them currently loaded with an alternating mix of anti-spirit and mundane bullets, and just starts shooting at the flying Magni. Worst-case scenario, the way she figures it, is that shooting a fake unleashes some kind of counter - and, well, that's the kind of mistake that only one person needs to make to find out WHAT happens. She may as well share the risk, right?<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:290|Rebecca Chambers (290)}} has posed:'''<br>Going with her gut instinct, as well as remmebering that encounter she had with a giant bat at Umbrella's Training Facility, Rebecca switches to her Magnum and fires upon the flying target as well. It's strange that she'd be going with such an instinct, but that's just the way Rebecca is sometimes.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1107|Jonathan Joestar (1107)}} has posed:'''<br>It felt like the situation was continuing to devolve every second. First Rizzo was shot right in front of him, sent sprawling down, and then Magnus with his form revealed, multiplied himself and went on the attack. Many of his compatriots were using ranged methods of attack, but undeterred and reckless, Jonathan opted for his usual go to of using stepping into effective melee range to defeat his enemy.<br><br>Jonathan closed his eyes, and like the Vikings lead by the north wind, left his offense to instinct and fate. The Sword of Luck &amp; Pluck was drawn from its scabbard, lightning rolling off in crackling licks of the brightly glowing blade colored in bright reds, oranges, and blues.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1011|John Rizzo (1011)}} has posed:'''<br> "I wish you hadn't done that," Rizzo says sadly, leaning on Maaka for support. Through the myriad holes in his trenchcoat, Maaka and Tiny can see the wounds closing up in his body--and pushing out the bullets with a brief tinkling of metal hitting the floor. Fixing Magnus and his doppelgangers with a frown, the vampire rises to his feet as the silent hall is suddenly host to the roar of gunfire. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The incubus had been given the opportunity to stop his own suffering, to free himself from his self-imposed blindness, to break the shackles of sin... and he'd refused. There's nothing the vampire can do to stop the other Elites from killing him, or sending him back to Hell--however things work here, he's sure they're not going to make it a pleasant experience for him. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "I tried to nurture the good in you and I failed." Standing fully and without support from Maaka, he raises his medallion aloft once more. "Please forgive me." The vampire's will extends from the medallion like a spotlight, shining on each phantasm in an effort to dispel the incubus' magic and make the fight as short and painless as possible.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1084|Seras Victoria (1084)}} has posed:'''<br>It's Magnus! Seras's suspicions are proven unfortunately true! And it gets a grimace from her. She brings up both cannons threateningly. "...Bloody pig. Just a selfish demon with no conscience. GO BACK TO HELL!" BLAM BLAM BLAM BLAM BLAM BLAM!<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She's not going to consider mercy or negotiation any longer. ONLY BULLETS. Very big bullets from the Harkonnen cannons she's touting as if they weighed nothing. They spit fire and noise and most especially 30mm explosive shells one after another! Casing after spent casing rattles to the ground around her.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1128|Alucard Tepes (1128)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Maaka's clone dodges a shot, but in doing so, it brings him in range of another shot. He yelps as the rifle shot takes a chunk out of the side of his torso. Leyanne's isn't sticking around, but even if the shot misses its target directly, just the force of the shot alone tosses the Clonecubus through the air to smack into another of them. The two of them go down in a cacophany of cursing, but they're probably not out. And Athela's powerful wave of water is the last thing Magnus is expecting, it seems -- any of them! They're staying far apart, mostly, but three are tossed back into walls and structures -- the one Maaka wounded and the two that went down from Leyanne's cannon fire. Now that's teamwork!<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Fortunately for Xiaomu, and all her allies, these clones seem to have just as much substance as the original one had! The anti-spirit rounds especially seem to hurt quite a bit -- shortly a fourth of the six is shortly thrust down into SAGE FOX BULLET HELL and peppered with bullets that throw it back in the air. Disadvantage of fighting from the air is there's no stable platform to defend from! The fourth clone tumbles right into Rebecca's range, too, and gets peppered even MORE! The shots from both women tear through its body, and it flails in the air, seeking some escape from the double-team bullet hell!<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The fifth of these clones sees Jonathan. "HA! Weep not, sirrah! You and your lover will join each other in the embrace of Death!" So said, it swoops down on Jonathan, arm outstretched. On the fingers of that hand? The same dark, chitinous claws that had struck Alucard without seeming to leave a wound.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Rizzo's radiation of goodwill seems to hurt the sixth of these clones, and it squirms, trying to draw away. But doing so puts it into Seras's range, as well as holds it in place for her... and the clone gets several holes in itself as payment! The clone screeches, the sound more angry than anything else.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In short order, the clones will get themselves reorganized, and draw away from fire as much as possible. And then they align themselves in the air in a circle. Which makes it seem like they're going to be easy targets; perhaps he's giving up and letting them take him out? But in the next instant it becomes clear that no, he is not. As one the group screeches, "HaaaAAAA!" Their hands clap together in front of them, as one.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And as their hands pull apart again, large orbs of purple light start to emanate from their palms, one from each clone's hand -- many of them, one right after the other. The orbs fly in unpredictable patterns, and strike with a great deal of force if they're not dodged. And it's advised to dodge, because whatever the orbs happen to hit, it'll burn with purple fire for a brief instant. Like a dark magical molotov cocktail.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1100|Leyanne Mace (1100)}} has posed:'''<br>Leyanne Mace takes a hit from one of the magic fireballs, knocked back and down to one knee. The brief flare of purple fire leaves her exposed fur singed in places, and there's a nasty hole now in her right shoulderplate, revealing an open wound with blood that glistens with the sparkle of nanobots. To the vampires in the room, it has a strange, alien scent to it that may, or may not, be unpleasant. Leyanne grew up on a world with a much lower oxygen content to the air and a much higher iron content to the soil, along with a few exotic chemicals that would probably be toxic to earthborne.<br><br>She stands back up again, swinging her cannon to bear. Her chosen target is tracked, the mouse's antennae still identifying for her exactly which one it was she laid into. He gets another string of fire from Leyanne's autocannon, the mouse growling a little as the recoil causes her new burn to hurt yet more. <br><br>"Ow bastard bastard ow..."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:290|Rebecca Chambers (290)}} has posed:'''<br>Unfortunately, one of the balls homes directly in on Rebecca herself, and poor Rebecca gets hit. She is knocked to the ground, tumbling a few times before recovering in a fetal position for a moment, before forcing herself up. "That was clumsy of me!" Rebecca says as she rubs her torso, feeling the pain. "But I'm not done yet!"<br><br>Dashing towards where her Magnum fell out of her hands, Rebecca dives for it, doing a forwards roll before landing in a semi-kneeling position and firing on her target once again. "It takes more than that to put me down!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1011|John Rizzo (1011)}} has posed:'''<br> The cone of white light locking down one of Magnus' clones quickly retreats, reforming itself into a shield. It seems Rizzo didn't get the memo about these. At first, the shield holds fast--but the purple flames licking at the surface with each hit? Well, the Beast inside of him isn't too fond of that. And True Faith takes constant willpower to maintain. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The battle of wills between his better nature and his darker side weakens the shield enough for a volley of three projectiles to hit him, briefly searing his flesh and singing his coat. And this little bit of fire, plus the egregious expenditure of blood already committed to this engagement, is ultimately what ends up unleashing the beast. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; John's normally sedate gaze becomes a wild, panicked thing, his pupils dilated. His instincts tell him Kill--Kill the Fire-Thrower. Claws extend from his fingernails and tear up the carpet as the frenzied vampire runs on all fours towards the clones. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; With a howl of rage and fear more animal than man, Rizzo leaps into the air, attempting to tackle one of the clones to the ground and tear out his neck with his teeth.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:571|Alexis Maaka (571)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Maaka throws a thumbs up to Athela when she slams three of the clones at the wall, before she takes aim at them. She opens fire, not picky which of the clones she wounds, before she catches a fireball to the chest. She screams, knocked over as she tries to frantically smother the flames, before she tosses the ruined rifle aside and draws her sidearm. The .45 fires repeatedly at the clones, as she takes a knee, clearly undeterred by her injuries.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:707|Xiaomu (707)}} has posed:'''<br>There's an old saying about 'those who would shoot must be prepared to be shot,' but Xiaomu wasn't quite expecting THAT much retaliatory bullet-hell from the incubus. She re-holsters her guns and focuses on being as evasive as possible ...<br><br>... which would normally work better than it actually does in this case, but Magnus is spreading his balls all around and not letting himself fall into any kind of predictable pattern. Jerk. Whatever rejoinders Xiaomu might be launching verbally at Magnus, she's too busy trying to minimize damage to herself to actually say much of anything, or even to yell.<br><br>That doesn't mean she's purely on the defensive, though. In between dodges, near-misses, and actually getting burnt by a few of those orbs, she manages to launch a measure of retaliation - namely, one of her Shinra Special grenades, the mundane explosion enhanced with magical fire. If she can pop that down the center of the Magni formation RIGHT at he instant it detonates, the fireball should at least peg all of them. If her aim is off (which is very probable), some of the clones will go unscorched while others get a bigger dose of fiery explosion. And the timing -<br><br>She's been using these grenades for a while, she knows how long the fuse is, and she's timing her throw to make as certain as possible that it goes off when, and thereby roughly where, she wants them to.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1084|Seras Victoria (1084)}} has posed:'''<br>Purple flames up above! And Seras has used up quite a bunch of ammo so far. But she's one angry little Draculina right now. And anger plus her vampiric nature leads to her eyes shifting from baby blue... to <span class="bold_fg_r bg_n ++ hr">glowing like the pits of hell.</span><br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She zigs and zags, streaking around with short steps back and forth as if the path of the flame spray is all too obvious to those glowing eyes. Only a few handfuls of it scorch her arms and legs, just enough to get a few angry growls from her.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;To finally evade the mess she VAULTS up into the air and, while airborne, keeps unloading those cannons up towards the clones--<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;UP until she sees John Rizzo going completely ballistic at them anywys. THAT shocks her out of what might well be a combat zen. Her eyes return to normal once again. "... Mr. Rizzo! That's too clo--"<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Of course, then she sees him going for the throat. ... and presses her lips together thinly, quivering a little herself.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:994|Athela Valemore (994)}} has posed:'''<br>So only one may be the real Magnus but they are all tangible targets. That is good to know. Unfortunately that also apparently makes them all perfectly capable of attacking as well, turning one spell into a shower of several projectiles. Too many for Athela to effectively dodge even with her heightened battle senses.<br><br>But her pokemon snaps into action, leaping in front of her and using his massive wooden beam as a shield against the barrage. Several of the magic spheres slam into it, bursts of purple not-quite-fire leaving scorch marks on the surface in their wake as he's bowled backwards from the force of the hits.<br><br>Magic fire's a bitch, but it's not enough to put the Timburr down when there's a fight to be had. What remains of the log is thumped to the ground and used to pick himself back up, then tossed aside as it's burned too short to be useful as a weapon. "Burrr," her practically growls, clenching his fists once more.<br><br>"Alright then." Athela steps back for a moment, letting the pokemon take the fight. "Vine Whip!" A jerk of the arm unfurls the vines from around the limb, and then with a powerful swing due to his stout strength Mizzen flings the length at one of the Magnusclones, intending to yank him away from the formation and slam him into whatever surface is convenient.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1107|Jonathan Joestar (1107)}} has posed:'''<br>Two eyes snap open, burning with an inner flame as Jonathan whirls around at the last second. The crackling blade is swung with air-splitting speed with his movement to cut through the clone's arms and upper chest in equal measure, intent on severing its whole body into two pieces. "What are you saying?! I WON'T ALLOW IT!"<br><br>The battle rages. John Rizzo seems to go from man to monster in the blink of an eye, and moments after his assault, he finds the blade bristling with power pointed in his direction. "Regain your senses, I don't want to hurt you!"<br><br>Like this, he was as much a threat to them as Magnus was. Perhaps more so, in some regards.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1128|Alucard Tepes (1128)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Xiaomu's grenade ends the barrage of burning balls, throwing the clones in different directions and breaking their magical synergy. And hurting a lot, too. Seems like they don't share the resistance to fire that the giant outside had. One is set ablaze, and screeches as it falls from the air, flailing, trying to put itself out.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;This time Leyanne's shot strikes true, making a large hole in the torso of the clone. It screeches in pain and falls from the air, with a new hole in its torso. It's probably not going to be much of a threat, but it IS still alive.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Rebecca further perforates a second of the clones with more gunfire, this time shredding the wings. And a second drops -- now flightless but still in the fight. It demonstrates this by leaping at Rebecca, claws bared, snarling, "INSOLENT HUMAN '''TRASH'''!"<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A third of the clones seems taken aback by Rizzo's animalistic attack. So much so that it's easily tackled to the ground, with a grunt. But instead of seeming angry? The tackled clone grins broadly! And even as it wrestles with Rizzo, it laughs. "Yes. YES! Give in to your nature!" He seems content to be Rizzo's victim, even though it appears to be losing the battle. It barely gets its arm in the way of Rizzo's teeth, and in short order finds its arm shredded. And it's in no place to be able to extricate itself.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Maaka's gunfire seems to be helping too, particularly if she takes potshots at anything she can see. Particularly if it happens to be the clone that's leaping at Rebecca. A well-placed shot will put it off its aim long enough for Rebecca to move. And possibly for her to plug the clone in the head, if she's fast enough!<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Seras's canons force one of the clones into too tight of confines. It flies into the shot and screeches as a wing is hit -- the force and explosion tears it basically off, and the clone falls. It's this clone that the vine from Athela's Timburr catches around the ankle as the clone falls, flinging it into a wall. It doesn't get back up immediately.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Magnus swoops from above, claws outstretched, at the English gentleman. But Jonathan's blade slashes through the air, and the strike hits home. The blade snips cleanly through both the arm and the slender torso of the incubus. The claws seem to crumble to nothing, for some reason, and the demon screeches loudly as he falls. More than that. The attack dealt to the demon by Jonathan seems to break the spell. The demons disappear as if they had never been there, dissipating into so much smoke and disappearing.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Magnus isn't quite dead, but that's not far off. "Ha... haha... I knew it..." he rasps. "There is... no place for us... in the humans' world... They will not... allow it..." His eyes close. "...At least now... I'll never have to... see another human again... Whatever Hell awaits me... it will be preferrable... to that..."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And then he just... collapses into dust.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;There's silence after that, and the dark feeling that surged at the beginning seems to have abated. It seems Magnus is gone, hopefully for good.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Suddenly the silence is broken by a howl from a chamber on the other side of the throne room! Notably, Erina doesn't seem to be in THIS room. Hopefully that's not from the room she's in...<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1100|Leyanne Mace (1100)}} has posed:'''<br>Leyanne Mace looks at Magnus with pity. "Rizla and I are proof that they'll let anyone live in their world if they're not a complete cuntbag, Magnus, even if they're crazier than a bag full of ferrets." She explains, shaking her head. "The only reason there was not space here in this world for you is the fact that you were an evil fucknugget. Your exile is your own stupid ignorant subborn-ass undead fault."<br>She looks around. "Speaking of Rizla... Joe mate, ease off him I got this. Haven't you got a missus to save?"<br><br>And she walks up to John and, if he's still frenzied, simply picks him up and holds him at arms length with her left hand. "John. Oi. Rizla! Rizla, look at me. Look at me. Don't make me slap some sense into you."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:994|Athela Valemore (994)}} has posed:'''<br>"Cast not judgement on all because a few stood against you for your actions, fiend," Athela retorts to the icumbus' last words. But a wail is a good reminder that they don't have time to waste celebrating over Magnus' defeat. "This be not over yet." The fate of their foe is promptly put aside as she turns heel to run in the direction of the horrible noises. "Hurry, before it truly is too late!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1011|John Rizzo (1011)}} has posed:'''<br> In his frenzy, Rizzo easily sloughs flesh off of the clone's arm. Blood stains his mouth, and as Xiaomu's grenade detonates, the noise elicits from him a bellow of fury. It's as if someone tapped on the cage of an already agitated animal. The vampire plunges his fangs into the clone's neck and attempts to sate his thirst... only for Jonathan's strike to kill the real Magnus. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Rizzo rises, claws still extended and searching for food. Joestar is nearest, and at first, it seems as if he's going to advance. He's then promptly picked up by Tiny, and he even attempts to claw her face. When the clones turn to dust, however, spasms in her grip. Only the mouse's hands keep him from slamming his face into the ground, and with an unflattering sound, the vampire heaves up a cloud of dark red ashes. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; This has, evidently taken the fight out of him, so much so that when the last of it leaves him, Leyanne sees not animal fright in his eyes... but shame.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1100|Leyanne Mace (1100)}} has posed:'''<br>Leyanne Mace looks at Rizla... and it's not pity, or anger that crosses her face, but understanding. She sets him down with a gentle pat to the side of the head. "The real measure of a man is how he defeats his demons, and his actions after those demons took control." She says, warmly. "You've aquitted yourself pretty well on both counts. I've... I'm harder to calm down than that when I flip m'shit."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1084|Seras Victoria (1084)}} has posed:'''<br>Down goes Magnus. Sadness flickers in Seras' eyes. But only for a few moments. She's surprised to find herself feeling any sort of sympathy for a statement like 'not being accepted'... from such a monster.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Her shoulders heave... and she drops the cannons with a heavy *WHUNK*, her ammo almost entirely spent.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Just need to rescue the hostage... whew..."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Of course she turns her gaze towards Leyanne Mace and... and John Rizzo.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She sends him a look that is, strangely enough, highly sympathetic... if childishly so.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:707|Xiaomu (707)}} has posed:'''<br>"There could have been a place for you," Xiaomu says, her voice quiet but harsh. By the time she speaks, Magnus's body has already disintegrated - she speaks not so much to *him* but to the nothingness left behind. "If you had chosen to live among humans, to do little harm instead of treating them as prey or property, to accept the laws which govern them and exist in harmony within those strictures ..."<br><br>She trails off, falling silent and turning away, her ears drooping - only to perk right back up at the sound of that howl. "Right," she mutters. "Not done yet."<br><br>She starts making her way towards that next chamber, reloading as she goes. "Rizzo, don't go dying on us just yet. If you need blood, I can get a unit or two, just hang in a little longer."<br><br>She pauses briefly, looking around at the others. "Anyone *not* ready to push onwards?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1107|Jonathan Joestar (1107)}} has posed:'''<br>Jonathan couldn't bring himself to feel sorry for the creature. As cruel as its fate was, in the end, it had been little more than an incarnation of evil. Its idea of a home was a place where even good, honest folk would be slaughtered like cattle. Jonathan looked between the now subdued Rizzo, and the origination of the menacing noises that were now sweeping into the room.<br><br>He shakes his head at Xiaomu. "I'm going."<br><br>Truthfully, he did feel a little bit tired. But this was nothing compared to the night he fought Dio's minions here, so surely, this he could handle.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:290|Rebecca Chambers (290)}} has posed:'''<br>The enemy pounces on Rebecca, driving its claws into her in spite of having parts of its wings blown away. She cries out in pain and attempts to force the creature off of her, but it's no use. In desperation, Rebecca takes out a small chemical vial and tosses it at the creature, hoping to knock it off of her.<br><br>There's still the issue that Rebecca will be within the range of the explosion, leaving her with a few minor chemical burns, but once she gets away completely, she finds that they're mostly minor. Even the bleeding from her injuries can be treated with a spritz of green herb spray.<br><br>After that, she double checks her weapons and then looks to Xiaomu. "I'm fine here. If anyone needs patching up, I can help with that if necessary. Other than that, I'm ready to go when everyone else is!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1128|Alucard Tepes (1128)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Inside the room -- it once was a large master bedroom suite, from the look of it -- Erina is indeed inside. But instead of some horrible thing looming over Erina as it prepares to kill her? There's a much different scene.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;There is indeed a horrible thing in there. More specifically, it's a werewolf. But rather than looming over Erina? Alucard is there, between the werewolf and the blonde woman, seeming outlined by a vile red light -- Jonathan might remember it again, not only from back then, but that time he fought Alucard in Windknight's Lot. More than that, the blade of a very familiar sword pokes out of the thing's back, right about where its heart would be. But there is no blood flowing from the wound. The few droplets on the blade seem to be being drawn up the blade itself... towards Alucard.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Alucard pulls the blade back, and the beast collapses, bursting into flame. And then, he gives a choked sound and stumbles to a knee, only saved from falling on his face by virtue of supporting himself with the sword braced against the ground. He pants for breath, perhaps not recovered from the attack yet.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Hearing the group approach, he tilts his head up, tensing as if expecting more enemies. But when he sees who it is, he relaxes again. "...If you are here... then Magnus is no more. Good. I apologize for being unable to assist you..."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;For herself, Erina seems unhurt. She looks much like the apparition did -- rope burns on her wrist and a mark where something hit her in the face. She sees Jonathan and her eyes light up. Her voice rings with relief as she calls out, "Jojo! Oh, thank God you're all right!" She makes to move forward, but pauses when she nears Alucard. She seems like she isn't quite sure about him.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"...Go on," Alucard replies. "Yes, I am a monster. You saw as much. But I mean you no harm, now or any other time." Erina pauses again, looking to Jonathan, and then to the others for a moment, before she darts past Alucard to Jonathan. HUGGING WILL HAPPEN! She'll doubtless be concerned about Alucard in a minute -- he did help her, after all -- but give her a bit. She's super-relieved that all this seems to be over!<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In that vein in fact... "Is it... over? Is that horrible creature gone?" Erina asks.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:994|Athela Valemore (994)}} has posed:'''<br>To the rescue!... Not that it's needed, as the rescue is already there in the form of Alucard.<br><br>Athela lets out a sigh of relief when the slain wolf-beast collapses. She sheaths her own weapon as it is no longer needed, and steps over to help Alucard up as Erina runs to embrace Jojo. "You may be a monsters... but that does not inherently make you a bad person." Especially not in comparison to ones like what they fought in the previous room.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1100|Leyanne Mace (1100)}} has posed:'''<br>Leyanne Mace hefts up her gun, engaging the storage mode of the smartgun rig and letting go of the gun. The Bushmaster stows itself against her backpack. She looks over at Alucard. "A monster? Nah." She shakes her head. "You ain't a monster. A monster is defined by the choices he makes when he has all his faculties. You and Rizla? You're not monsters, despite what the ignorant might call you." A pause. "Unless, 'course, that's an actual species definition like those pokemon types."<br><br>She pulls a wooden humidor from her backpack and offers it around; Victory Dance-brand cigars. She takes one for herself, lighting it with a zippo - which she shields from Rizzo's view, out of courtesy. "The pretty girl is safe, none of the good guys died, so the fat lady's singing."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1011|John Rizzo (1011)}} has posed:'''<br> "Yes," Rizzo says firmly. "Yes we are. At least, /I/ am. It's a miracle things turned out as good as they did. Me and my worse half almost made this a trip for biscuits." He should've just... ducked out as soon as the fighting began. This was a warning, a shot across the bow by the Almighty to let him know he's playing too fast and too loose with his own rules. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "I appreciate the thought, Tiny... and your offer, Xiaomu. But I gotta blast." After all, the whole thing is his fault. Had he spotted Magnus' deception when he first tried to play everyone against Alucard, they wouldn't be in this predicament. Erina's life wouldn't have been in danger, nor Lyudmil's, nor Jonathan's or Alucard's had he just... put any thought into anything he did, ever. SO stupid. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Catch you cats later." Shoving both hands into his pockets, Rizzo edges his way past everyone--politely. His eyes never leave the ground.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1100|Leyanne Mace (1100)}} has posed:'''<br>Leyanne Mace looks over at Rizla, with a sigh. "Yeah, well, maybe it's time you shared that burden, eh? I've read the Earth stories of the religion you follow. That Jesus dude never did much without his twelve mates, and the times he DID do things without them, things went to shit. Maybe you ought to invest in some of your own, eh?"<br><br>Leyanne completely misunderstands the Bible... but maybe she understands the message...<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1107|Jonathan Joestar (1107)}} has posed:'''<br>Jonathan's sword clatters to the ground, the Hamon quickly fading from its form as Erina's safe form enters his vision. His large, muscular arms lift her off the ground in their embrace. It felt like a downpour of soothing rain fell to cool the overworked furnace that had been his heart for the past twelve hours. The injuries that blemished her quashed any post-mortem regrets he may have been developing for Magnus, at the very least. "It's over now -- you're safe. After we take you back to town, we'll need to sweep the castle grounds for any leftovers that cretin brought with him, but otherwise..."<br><br>They should be fine. Jonathan turns down the cigar. "Thank you, but my Hamon requires my lungs to be in tip-top shape. Smoking would be a quick way to get myself killed."<br><br>"Though, Constable .... some wisdom passed down by my master, before you go."<br><br>" 'A good human is a brave human, courage is a marvel of humanity.' ... being courageous is more than just fighting. It's about being able to do the right thing, regardless of your fears. Tonight, I think you were very brave."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:707|Xiaomu (707)}} has posed:'''<br>Xiaomu nods to Erina first, "Yeah, Magnus is dead. Can't say as I'm going to cry for him - he picked a fight he shouldn't have tried for, then he made it bigger whether he meant to or not. He was an idiot and he got stomped on for it."<br><br>Her gaze shifts to Alucard .. and she just smirks. "Bein' a monster doesn't mean you lose your right to exist, Luke. Fine, you're not a regular human; your old man did terrible things, and one of his surviving retainers tried to get you to follow in his footsteps. You *didn't* take the bait - you clung to what was precious, protecting the person whom somebody else cares so deeply about, and in so doing, protected *your* desire to help others. To be good. To do what was right, not just what you wanted."<br><br>She rolls her shoulders briefly. "That's why you're qualified to join the Paladins, right? You aren't human, you have abilities beyond what anyone I know would call 'normal'. I may walk around in the shape of a cute young woman, but I'm less 'human' than you are when you get right down to it. And you use what you have to help the people who need it, to help keep society stable and to fight down those who would break laws for their gain and others' pain."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:290|Rebecca Chambers (290)}} has posed:'''<br>Rebecca nods as well. "Magnus has been taken care of." She sighs a little, as she remembers all that they went through during that battle. It's kind of a mixed bag of emotions for the medic. Nevertheless she smiles a little as she speaks. "The more we have in the Paladins, the better we'd be."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1128|Alucard Tepes (1128)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Alucard stands, with Athela's assistance, and nods in her direction. "Thank you," he offers. he doesn't speak to her words of 'monster' and 'bad person' not being the same thing. But there is the ghost of a smile on his face there. Leyanne gets much the same, but he does note, "It is difficult to think of what else to call my kind. But thank you, nonetheless."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Rizzo's words get a wince, though Alucard suppresses it. ''('We are too much alike,')'' suddenly flashes across Alucard's mind. "Mister Rizzo," Alucard calls to the vampire detective as he's leaving. His voice is quiet. "Thank you. For sparing Lyudmil, and keeping him safe from Magnus."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He agrees with Jonathan's words, but he can't rightly say anything to dispute Rizzo's either. He's felt like that himself enough times. He does offer, "True courage is indeed acting despite fear. And I thank you for your help." Xiaomu's words take him aback, though. But he listens. "...I... suppose you have a point," he acknowledges. Rebecca gets a nod. "That was why I joined, after all -- to keep those safe who could not protect themselves."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He sighs, and then looks around at the assembled Elites. "This would have ended badly had all of you not stepped in to assist. More than that. If Magnus has been destroyed, Maria should soon recover. He did indeed place a curse upon her. So you have saved her as well. So, for that as well, I thank you all."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Here he pauses, a thoughtful look on his face. And then he turns to address Jonathan and Erina, and bows deeply. He is indeed supporting himself on his sword. He doesn't straighten up as he speaks. "I... beg your forgiveness. It was those from my world that caused this trouble for you. I cannot make amends for this... I can only hope you can find it in your hearts to forgive me."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:994|Athela Valemore (994)}} has posed:'''<br>Athela Valemore and her pokemon both bow briefly to Alucard. "It was our duty and honor to assist you." As one would probably expect a knight to respond. ""Lives were at risk and such a fiend could not be left to roam freely." She stands upright, politely shaking her head to Leyanne. "I appreciate the sentiment but must decline. The smoke muddles my head more than I feel comfortable with."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:290|Rebecca Chambers (290)}} has posed:'''<br>Rebecca salutes formally and says, "I'm glad we were here to help." She smiles a little more than she did before, having regained her confidence for the time being. "This was too unreal, but honestly, I'm glad I experienced it!"<br> <br>
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