5231/Resurrection of The Bat

Resurrection of The Bat
Date of Scene:	02 May 2017
Location:	The Tapestry
Synopsis:	Kari Wolf, Staren and Princess Luna respond to a gunbattle over a strange ancient book sought after by Dracula cultists... but they find something else!
Cast of Characters:	640, 276, 993, Staren

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Echo (640) has posed:
     A reputed very /rare/ and valuable book has exchanged hands in one of the cities on the outer edges of the Tapestries. It was said to contain ~EVIL SPIRITS~ and a very rich businessman has paid mercenaries a lot of money to make sure whatever is inside the book stay hidden forever.

     That was until the armed convoy transporting the rare artifact was attacked by persons unknown--and the aftermath of what is just currently playing out when the report of this mess is heard. Someone is trying to steal a rare, possibly magical tome, which is heard to contain a dangerous evil spirit. Whether this is paydirt for the more inclusive, or a call to arms for the protection of the mighty, well...

     Currently one of the large SUVs that the black-suited mercenaries has been overturned--and there is still machine gun fire from MP5s and other small arms--there are a few of the blacksuited security dead in the streets--as well as what look like dark heavily clothed hooded men, firing back with AK-style rifles.

Kari Wolf (276) has posed:
    Kari was hired because she's small and unobtrusive. So while the hooded mooks with guns are taking all the attention, the tiny robot skates along the road, taking care to hug cover where she can. She's painted herself with various gray colors as some kind of camouflage, though it's clear it wasn't applied expertly or particular well. The shinki was told to get the book. The book. Which she presumes is guarded by the people who came out of the overturned SUV.
    Skate skate skate... Hopefully she can make it without too much trouble.

Princess Luna (993) has posed:
     As she is usually in the vicinity and happy to help, Princess Luna of Equestria departed her world quickly after hearing the call for assistance. Keeping evils sealed within magical items is kind of within her jurisdiction, after all. The combatants down below might notice a cloud of midnight blue smoke twinkling with starlight that closes in on their position rapidly. It comes to rest just above the overturned SUV, then solidifies into the tall, majestic form of Princess Luna. Her horn glows as soon as she is solid and a translucent shield of pale blue energy surrounds her to deflect any shots that might come her way.

     "Stop this attack at once and surrender, or thou shalt face destruction!" the bipedal pony princess exclaims as she holds a hand above her head. In a flash of pale blue light she summons a beautiful, dark-looking scythe that she brings down with a resounding thud on the overturned vehicle in an attempt to draw attention. "Thy misdeeds shalt not be rewarded this day!" she calls out in a voice that makes the area shudder lightly before she swings her scythe, sending cutting blades of magic at the apparent cultists.

     Kari goes unnoticed by the princess, but surely presents an imposing figure atop that SUV, with her tall stature, spread wings, and flowing ethereal mane and tail.

Staren has posed:
    The League wants the book. Evil spirit-books aren't something Staren is comfortable with experimenting on alone, so he's just here for acquirement so someone more qualified can examine the book safely later.

    He feels kind of awkward as he approaches and sees people are already dying over this, and also Luna is here. After what happened with Lise, he feels kind of bad about looking even /worse/ to the princess, but... that's going to be inevitable, he supposes.

    He pulls an SMG from his bag and fires rockets as he approaches -- they explode into rapidly-hardening goo to try and entrap Luna.

    AFTER shooting, he shouts, "The League is going to have their best experts look over the book, taking every precaution. We don't want to set evil spirits free any more than you do."

Echo (640) has posed:
     The Camou-shinki may notice that the hooded men seem to display the same kind of purple colored robe of Shaft, a cohort of Count Dracula--from confed times. Was this something connected with him? Something his followers or cultists really wanted to preserve or get back?

     Bullets do ping off Princess Luna's blue magical aegis--from both sides. They are not sure what to make of her, partly--though the cultists do take the opportunity of the security mercenaries momentary surprise to gain around and ventilate a few more of their number!

     At least a few do--a few more are caught by her scythe's wave of magic and thrown back--through the air, scattering almost like bugs.

     The security mistake Staren for another cult member and begin shooting at him--one even getting stuck in the splashes of goo meant for Luna.

     Meanwhile, a certain purple robed cultist with what looks like a large golden bat-shaped buckle for the clasp on his robes seems to be making off down the road with something!

Kari Wolf (276) has posed:
    Kari peers up at the winged unicorn woman who's colored like the night sky. That is so much cooler than the urban camo that Kari applied to herself. She makes a mental note to do something like that at some point.
    "So cool..." The shinki whispers. Suddenly the dude trying to make a break for it catches her eye. He has something, clearly! The shinki skates after the cultist, summoning three tiny armed drones to help her chase the guy down. A quiet radio signal to Staren pings the impending escapee.

Princess Luna (993) has posed:
     Her attempt at drawing attention works a bit too well. Princess Luna's eyes widen as she feels impacts on her shield from pretty much all directions except maybe from above. Her horn glows more brightly as she tries to keep all the bullet fire at bay. Cracks start to appear in her shield, and Staren's rocket explosion finishes it off. There is a sound like shattering glass as the magic barrier is sundered before Luna falls to the side, covered in the sticky goo from Staren's gun. "By the stars! What is this!" Luna exclaims as she tries to free herself, only to be quickly glued to the overturned SUV.

     She follows the path of the shot to Staren and, combined with his declaration, her eyes widen before seeming to burn with anger. "You! Thy arrogance and thirst for knowledge could lead to disaster for masses! I have seen countless times the sorts of evils contained within such talismans!" she bellows in her Canterlot Voice, again shaking the ground with its force. She pulls with all her might against the goo, then grimaces as more gunfire reaches her. Unprotected, the princess is perforated by several rounds before she flattens against the top of the car. Her horn glows as she tries to re-establish the shield while she cuts at the hardened goo with her scythe.

Staren has posed:
    The riot foam is tough, but can't stand up to any serious elite effort.

    Staren sighs, radioing Kari back, <"It could be a trick... Keep an eye on him, I'll check the van.">

    Bullets riddle his forcefield, breaking and shattering its outermost layers as he runs for the van to try and use it for cover. To Luna, he replies: "I've saved worlds. You don't know /anything/ about this talisman, and neither do I. That's why I'm going to take it to an expert to examine. I advise that you do the same if I lose. Ainsley can probably tell what's up."

    He draws a federation phaser and fires back at both sides with stun shots -- when he fires, the shield has to briefly lower and bullets hit his armor. He can't afford to take too long to do this...

Echo (640) has posed:
     The Shinki gains on the apparently scooting and higher ranking cult member--who seems to be intent on getting away with the prize!

     Princess Luna has goo shot at her by the catboy, and is apparently caught in his rocket goo trap! As well as shot! Ouch. Seems like the dark pony queen is having some trouble there!

     Some distance away, the cultist with the elaborate robe clasping begins to rifle through something--it's the book! He's apparently trying to descipher whatever it is inside of it--perhaps to unleash whatever power it contains! There seems to still be time to stop him!

Kari Wolf (276) has posed:
    Kari is not entirely sure she should try to take on a nasty looking person like that all on her own. Normal sized people tend to cause her problems. But the goal is the book, and that person might have the book. The shinki sees that the guy has stopped, giving her mini-machines a chance to catch up and remain within control range. So Kari directs the drones to shoot the tiny laser beams into the cultist's backside to draw his attention away from whatever he's rifling through.
    "Hey you!" Kari adds, just to make extra sure the head cultist is distracted.

Princess Luna (993) has posed:
     The book! Perhaps Luna can get to it before the others and whisk it away to safety within the vaults of Canterlot Castle! The slicing from her scythe seems to do the trick, and Luna manages to get her own shield back up despite a few bullet wounds. She spreads her wings and takes off like a shot, trying to get to the cultist that seems to be holding the book. "Examining such things is exactly how those evils are released! If thou hast truly saved worlds in the past, thou must surely be aware of that!" she calls out to Staren as she races toward the cultist.

     In an effort to keep him from activating the book, Luna's horn glows more brightly and her telekinetic powers grasp the book. She tries to wrestle it away from him as Kari provides some distraction of her own. "Give me that book! Whatever thy intent, such things are too dangerous for the average citizen!"

Staren has posed:
    Staren looks in the SUV for the book or an Obvious Suitcase or the like. Nothing except guns. Damn. How did that purple-cloak guy get the book?! Luna shouting at him confirms it.

    Staren manifests energy wings and flies after cultist leader guy. "I've also seen tools of evil turned to good! And do you seriously think someone pulling off an operation like this is an 'average citizen'?"

    "What are you gonna do, lock it up without even looking at it and hope the seal doesn't degrade or wear off? Even if you're sure what's inside is evil, all the MORE reason you need to understand the seal! What if it was created by a mere 'average citizen', huh?!"

Echo (640) has posed:
     The head cultist is distracted by Kari--and suddenly finds himself trying to wrest control of it over some external force--which he clearly recognizes is Princess Luna. He is trying really hard to keep control of it--but he can't reach for a weapon AND hold onto the book at the same time, straining against Luna's telekinetic might! He is insane, of course--belonging to Dracula's cult--and doing so gives him a tenacious will to hold onto it--so while Luna's force begins to pull him closer to her, he's not letting go yet.

     The man WHIRLS as he is swooped down on by Staren--finally letting go of the book to try and pull what looks like a high-powered pistol from inside his robes and fire at him--the book lands on the ground. Open.

     Eldritch energies begin to pour OUT of the book as what looks like several hitodama--blue will'o'wisps, the dead souls of humans--spring fourth and a light is projected up out of it--a winged and humanoid shape elongating as energies pour forth from the book!

Kari Wolf (276) has posed:
    Kari look at the figure emerging from the book, then at Princess Luna as things go so very very wrong. She thinks that maybe whatever world Luna is from also is where the book is from. But then why are these guys dressed like the old Count's associates. Too weird.
    Kari elects to flee from the fracas, as the small shinki doesn't cherish the idea of being fried by magic, and so skates away to hide behind a convenient streetlight.

Princess Luna (993) has posed:
     It might seem unusual, but when the head cultist suddenly releases the book it throws Luna off balance as surely as if she had been holding the book in her hands. The sudden release of force sends Luna tumbling through the air for a few moments before landing on a three-point stance on the ground near the book. She blinks as she sees it start to glow and those soul lights emerge, followed by the rising form of a demonic-looking (at least to Luna's eyes at this point) creature.

     Well, Staren might be able to say told you so after this. Hopefully he is smart enough to resist. Either way, all there is to do now is watch as whatever creature is imprisoned in the book emerges. Luna slowly rises back to her full height, then grips her scythe tightly as she prepares to assault whoever or whatever this is. "...well, it would seem studying the book may be a moot point now." she says to no one in particular.

Staren has posed:
    Staren's too close for the forcefield to protect him -- the bullet hits the armor and dents it. "Agh!" Staren reaches for the book but too late. He swears.

    "Alright none of that matters now, just do your thing!" He fires his beam cannons at the ghostly figure in hopes it can be damaged!

Echo (640) has posed:
     The full power pistol in the cultist's hand bangs off several rounds--denting Staren's armor--half emptying the magazine on him, realizing that Staren is trying to fire upon and thus damage the entity he's been trying to secure--he throws himself in front of it!

     "Lord Drac--ughh--uulaaaa..." he seems to have been injured as the beam cannon hits him--in his upper body. He lands on the ground and tries to pull himself toward the shape that is emerging out of the ghostly light...

     Black and red inverness cape does not greet him, but there is the distinct shape of what looks like a blood red stiletto heel? The cultist is perhaps a bit confused when he sees it attached to what looks like the slender form of a humanoid woman--with bat wings, and fur! She's wearing a whispy black dress and stretches out her arms and wings, as if she's been couped up for a very, very long time.

     "Oh my, I have you lovelies to thank for letting me out, don't I? Aww, you poor thing," Echo reaches down to the very wrong and very confused cultist--who's eyesight is failing him even as she picks him up. This wasn't the dark lord he was after! What had he done?!

Staren has posed:
    "Oh come on!" Staren shouts as the cultist takes a beam shot meant for the entity. "...Wait, you thought DRACULA was in this book?!"

    And then Echo emerges! He levels the phaser at her because it's in his hand while the beam cannons are cooling down. "Alright you, talk fast!"

Princess Luna (993) has posed:
     Princess Luna is left to merely watch as Staren and his armor weather a direct attack from a pretty dangerous looking weapon. When the cultist seems surprised by the person emerging, it leaves Luna baffled as well. "...this is not even the being who was the motivation behind thy attack?" she says, her expression deadpan. She shakes her head, then holds out a hand and her horn glows. Her own shield disappears as she puts a restrictive bubble around the apparent bat woman. "Please do not resist. Thou art under arrest for suspicion of being a destructive, evil entity. If these beliefs are false, we will have to detain you until it is sorted out. If thou art in fact an evil being, we may be able to help thee in thy efforts to reform." she says.

     Of course, Luna has already been weakened by the fight. Her shield is strong, but not impenetrable.

Staren has posed:
    Staren looks at Luna. "SERIOUSLY?" Then he shrugs, "Eh, well, I was gonna shoot her so I guess arresting her's no worse."

Echo (640) has posed:
     "Ah, a unioner--I didn't expect to get VICTIMS so soon," Echo crackes her knuckles, her long crimson nails flaring as she worked her slender white-furred hands. "You, take a nap," she puts the cultist to sleep, who lands in a heap next to her, her wings flaring out--but then she suddenly doubles over, her chest apparently cramping up.

     "Gah... so hungry, I feel faint--I don't even think I can handle this catboy joker," Echo blinked at Princess Luna.

     "That's.. not Ebon Ribbon, reminds me a bit of her though," she looks non-plussed.

     "What IS this place, what HAPPENED--" she looked around, confused--her illusionary magic already calling down what looked like a horde of white bats to distract Staren and Luna!

Staren has posed:
    "The Union's gone." This isn't some ancient evil. They know names, RECENT names. "I'm with the League now. And a lot of former Confederates are too, so if you'll just explain what you WANT-- agh!" As the bats come down he fires the phaser (now back on stun) at her and raises a hand to shield himself... Though what the bats actually hit is the forcefield coming back on. "Why were you in that book?! Who are you?! We can TALK about this, you know!" He shouts through the cloud of bats. The bat-cloud.

Princess Luna (993) has posed:
     Luna frowns lightly at Staren. "And I suppose when I emerged from the moon thou wouldst have done away with me as well." she says to him. She moves closer to Echo, keeping the shield in place. "I cannot say exactly where we are, but-" Then, bats! Luna really isn't scared of bats, especially illusory white bats. But, the impact of the bat storm is enough to be distracting, and Luna's shield flickers as she tries to shield herself from the bats. "Yes! We can talk! I myself was once imprisoned in a similar way! But, I was purified and now live quite happily as a good person and a member of the Paladins!" she says as she crouches down close to the shield to try and get some protection against the conjured bats. "Much has changed over the last few months! Please surrender, and we might be able to help thee!"

Staren has posed:
    "You'll note I did ask her to talk first, and now I'm not shooting her." Staren replies to Luna. "Well I mean it's on stun now so it doesn't count."

    "Yeah! Stop the bats and we can totes talk! You want exposition, I was THERE when the Union fell!"

Echo (640) has posed:
     "Gone?" Echo blinked her yellow cat-like eyes as she looks over at Staren. "Gone but you're still alive? Hmph, clearly whoever did it missed a few spots," Echo's eyes are wide as the phaser hits her--causing her to go down on one knee--groaning.

     "Purified? please honey," Echo brought her head up, looking over at Luna with one eye winced shut, as if to say 'nuh-uh girlfriend'.

     Echo's eyes suddenly begin to glow red and the phaser Staren is holding will suddenly look alot like a giant cobra in his hand! Is it another trick!? or are the bats really there?

Staren has posed:
    Staren drops the phaser-cobra. "Hey!" He backs away, "I'm not saying you need to be purified, but with that attitude you'll find few friends here!"

Princess Luna (993) has posed:
     Luna looks a bit offended at being addressed in such a manner, but that is forgotten as Staren is suddenly holding a cobra! She brings the shield in closer until it forms into bindings that wrap around Echo's middle, binding her arms to her sides. "What is thy intention now that thou art freed from that prison? And why is it that thou ended up imprisoned in the first place?" she says, keeping Echo between herself and the cobra-phaser.

Echo (640) has posed:
     The cobra turns back to the phaser as Echo's magical influence over her illusion begins to wane--as does her stomach begin to grumble again.

     "I'm hungry, damnit--what're you--" her arms are suddenly stuck to her sides by Luna's magical bindings.

     "Been imprisoned in that book close to 4 seaosns now--urgh..." she looked like she was faint again--slumping down and settling on her side as she splayed out against the ground. Did Princess Luna just subdue Echo?!

Princess Luna (993) has posed:
     "She is weak from hunger, it seems." Luna says as Echo apparently collapses. She bubbles Echo within that gentle blue light, then lifts her up. "I suppose with her free from the book, studying it is much less dangerous. Perhaps we can satisfy both our objectives." she says to Staren. "But, I hope thy curiousity does not result in more creatures being released."

     Luna then spreads her wings, preparing to leave with her prisoner. She pauses a moment, then looks at Staren again. "...didst thou see a very tiny human running about, or were my eyes deceiving me?"

Staren has posed:
    Hmm. Illusion? Or temporary transformation? Staren picks it up and puts his weapons away.

    Luna's subdued Echo and is focused on her. Staren feels slightly bad for her, but he's not sure there'd be any benefit to taking Echo back to the League, and it's risky.

    "I hope you can find a way to help her be a better person." Staren says solemnly. "I assure you, we'll put the best people we can find on it." he replies, re: the book, picking it up. He doesn't answer Luna's other question, turning into a beam of red light and shooting up into the sky as his ship's teleporter beams him up.