View source for 9675/The Princess and the Promises 4

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2026/06/06
|Location=Pipeland
|Synopsis=The dark fairy, Lila, has surrendered to Sarracenia and her allies. In an attempt to reduce any punishments headed her way, Lila offered up the shards of her broken dark crystal orb. She claims it was the conduit through which the Darkmancer syphoned energy from her world to wherever he is. Using this, the group should be able to track the residual flow of energy directly to the Darkmancer's lair. Sarra is hoping a certain gamer and a pair of investigators can accomplish this task.
|Cast of Characters=446, 7652, 7573, 7683, 33
|Tinyplot=The Princess and the Pau...Princess?!
|Tinyplot2=The Princess and the Promises
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:446|Sarracenia (446)}} has posed:'''<br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The time has come. All indications are with just a little more work, Gregory will be avenged. Despite the number of those supporting the effort dwindling, Sarra has two she trusts implicitly with her and a pair of investigators that have proved how capable they are in her eyes. <br> <br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The meeting today will take place in a war room. But, not the war room inside the castle. This time, the group is being taken to the Sundew Sovereign, Sarracenia's flagship. The reason is simple. Once the tracking has begun, they will use the Sovereign to move quickly to wherever the Darkmancer is hiding. The large wooden airship's engines are already primed and humming as the party rides the elevator of the Sundew Airport. It is a towering (yet rather thin) skyscraper of alabaster stone with a spiral of platforms along its sides, each one able to hold something the size of the Sovereign. <br> <br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The platform at the very top is their destination, where the regal wooden vessel that is some 200 feet long awaits the party. Sarra leads them inside. The princess is already clad in her battle dress, a long dress of hardened black leather on top and thick, broad strips of leather making up the skirt. The chest piece has an additional breastplate of polished red steel bordered in gold, and a quartet of triangular pieces form a second skirt around her waist. Beneath the skirt, sleek, elegant, armored and heeled greaves of the same design can be seen peeking out. They clack as she walks along the stone to the lowered ramp of the airship. Soldiers and sailors mill about, making pre-battle preparations. <br> <br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Sarra continues to lead the group up through the levels to the deck of the ship, and from there into the royal quarters that has been refitted into a proper war room. The room is dominated by a large table in the center, where the pieces of Lila's crystal have been laid out. There are no chairs in here, ensuring everyone is ready to move at a moment's notice. <br> <br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Once everyone is gathered around the large, round, polished wood table, Sarra looks around at the others gathered. "Thank you all for staying by my side throughout this ordeal. Money and favors do not seem enough to express my gratitude, nor enough to compensate for the risk involved. So, again, thank you all." <br> <br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Sarra turns her one blue eye to Arthur, Marcus, and Gretta after that. "I am counting on the three of you to guide us to the Darkmancer. If Lila was telling the truth, that is." There is little else to be said, since everyone here knows what they are here to do. But, Sarra does spare a glance to Love. "...be prepared to unleash beams of destruction once we arrive." she says, then to the group. "I do not intend to take it easy on the Darkmancer. But, I still must insist he not be killed." She is quiet a moment. "...if it can be avoided." <br> <br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The shards sit on the table, ready to be picked up. Thick pieces of a dark purple crystal, dull in appearance now that it is not glowing with its own dark light.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:7652|Riku Asakura (7652)}} has posed:'''<br>This is the second time Riku's been on the Sovereign; the first time was a trip around his hometown after Sarracenia visited Nebula House to deliver much-needed cooking and supplies to Riku.&nbsp;&nbsp;He's still a bit excited to fly in the airship, but does his best to keep his enthusiasm contained because of the seriousness of the reason they were here.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br><br>Riku follows Sarracenia up to the War room and takes a seat near one side to stay out of the way of Marcus, Gretta, and Arthur.&nbsp;&nbsp;They'd be doing the heavy lifting of finding their target, the Darkmancer.&nbsp;&nbsp;He knew what he was here to do, and that was to fight the murderer.&nbsp;&nbsp;Though given that he was able to fight Sarracenia before, he should expect anything to be thrown by this guy.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br><br>'But, I still must insist he not be killed.'<br><br>Riku nods once to Sarracenia.&nbsp;&nbsp;"We'll bring him to justice, I promise," he says firmly and with a tone that says he means it to her.&nbsp;&nbsp;He looks to Love and gives her a supportive smile.&nbsp;&nbsp;"Guess we're going to be depending on you to break any defenses he might have in the way before we can make good on that promise.&nbsp;&nbsp;We're counting on you!"<br><br>He pulls his own tools out: the Fusion Riser and two ultracapsules, ready to transform into Ultraman and support the people here with finding and beating the Darkmancer.&nbsp;&nbsp;"I wonder where he's put down, anyway?&nbsp;&nbsp;It'd have to be somewhere pretty far to make it this hard to find him, right?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:7573|Angela (7573)}} has posed:'''<br><span style="color:#767676;">''I still must insist he not be killed''</span><br><br>Love blinks a little, <span style="color:pink">"Why's that? He's a total bad guy, isn't he?"</span> She knows that her lasers can accidentally blow people apart, if she does it as an accident it's probably okay, but it's not really very proper of her to pretend she accidentally defeated a youkai lieutenant when she could have said she intentionally defeated the bad guy and saved the day. <span style="color:pink">"You beat him before and didn't kill him and now he's going around harassing innocent dark fairies and tricking them into supporting his villainous schemes."</span><br><br>rBut she supposes, at least, she does get to blast things for the sake of a positive goal and that is pretty encouraging. She does sort of kick at the floor a bit though.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:7683|Storm Investigators (7683)}} has posed:'''<br>With tracking devices tucked away in a portable bookcase, <span style="color:#875f00;">Greta</span> and <span style="color:#0087ff;">Marcus</span> are both present in the Sundew Sovereign. If either of them are nervous about anything, the taller one is certainly better at hiding it. Greta truly does look like she's as used to standing in an airship as is she is on solid ground, and Marcus-<br><br><span style="color:#0087ff;">"Ugh... Have we landed yet?"</span><br><span style="color:#875f00;">"No, Marcus. We've just boarded the ship."</span><br><span style="color:#0087ff;">"Oh... Shoot. I hope it's not a long flight."</span><br><br>-looks like she wants to be anywhere but here. Sighing softly, the senior investigator grips the juniors arm lightly to help steady her while the meeting begins with Sarracenia's explanations.<br><br><span style="color:#875f00;">"Thank us after we've found the Darkmancer. Until we've neutralized the threat they pose, we still have work to do."</span><br><span style="color:#0087ff;">"I th.. I do not think Lila was trying to deceive us after all that. There would be little to gain after our last meeting."</span><br><br>Looking over at Arthur, Marcus inhales lightly before breathing out softly and taking the tracking devices out of her bookcase. <span style="color:#0087ff;">"Are you more comfortable using these or your own abilities, Mister Lowell?"</span> She asks, handing one to Greta before offering one to Arthur. <br><br>Greta, meanwhile, nods lightly in agreement with Riku and Sarracenia regarding a non-lethal resolution. <span style="color:#875f00;">"Use your best efforts. Just do not endanger anyone's lives to prioritize his if the situation calls for decisive action."</span> She pauses, eyeing the Fusion Riser and then Love before letting out a vaguely disbelieving noise. <span style="color:#875f00;">"Although considering everyone present, there's a strong possibility we may not get the chance."</span><br><br>Love's questions get a brief nod from Greta afterwards. <span style="color:#875f00;">"That is how it sounds. There's more to the situation than what we've seen and heard, but I have not seen any proof that eliminating the Darkmancer would create a worse result than what's happened already."</span><br><br>Marcus, meanwhile, doesn't look quite so comfortable about the possibility of icing the Darkmancer. Instead of speaking up about it, though, she's far more comfortable focusing on the immediate task: Tracking! Eager to focus on work and helping get the airship ride over with, she activates the device, stares at it closely, then starts rattling directions off to those flying the ship.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:33|Arthur Lowell (33)}} has posed:'''<br>&gt; Arthur: Get to the meeting and TRACK!<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Arthur's here and he's got *all kinds* of interesting things going on. The minute Marcus starts, he sort of bobs his head in assent. "Get what you got." He cracks his neck, stands, then floats forward, projecting along the wall and letting the devices float in a ring below him, for Marcus' ease of use. The bright green shimmering energy that displays his spellcircles and suchlike are showing... a massive spirographic wheel, perpetually and indefinitely picking apart a multicolored light.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I'll get you to him." Arthur says, arms clasped behind his back in a moment of startling gravitas. "Slipery fuck like this, I'm ready to put a real grab on him." He's not explaining what he's doing, but Marcus, maybe even Greta, would be able to tell.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He's *sorting*.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Someone with dark magic has all kinds of misdirections. All sorts of dead-ends and failure systems. Wordlessly, Arthur forms navigational programs and systems for certainty. And his knowledge of constructed reality magic is finally put to use. Decoy Darkmancers might suddenly find themselves winking out of existence, even though they never knew they weren't the original. False dimensions constructed out of un-geometry may collapse with a sputtering "splat". One of Arthur's hands clenches.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Marcus can read the data and know where to go, easily. Arthur *makes* the data. Tracing that dark magic backwards up the veins of the Darkmancer's magical oeuvre with a mass of "counterprograms" and "antiviruses" and "decoy-killers" and other magical systems, Arthur brings raw starlight to darkness. He doesn't explain what he's doing -- "nerd shit" -- but he doesn't have to. Riku's got a being of light from space who might easily identify a violently-anti-hazard space magic system,&nbsp;&nbsp;and Marcus certainly has the data-feed.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;His energy flows into the ship. Not just directions, but energy. Arthur aligns wavelengths, boosts velocities, reinforces machinery with his generalized "living power-up" nature. The Sundew Sovereign is nuclear-powered and ready to cut through any dark-magic in the world right now. It could jump light-years if they tried. That's not even starting on what else he brought for when they arrive.<br><br><br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It's a bit overdone. He's doing it to keep his mind off something.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:446|Sarracenia (446)}} has posed:'''<br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Whether through story power or magical tracking, the trail is faint now. No energy has been drained in a while now. Faint...but not faint enough. Sarra pulls over the bell-shaped end of a communications tube, ready to relay directions to the captain of the ship. <br> <br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Those gathered can feel the Sovereign rising as they start on their way. Sarra assumes that the destination will be off-world, and so the Sovereign starts toward the warp gate before the tracking has even begun. But...as Arthur and Marcus start getting information it doesn't lead them off-world. Instead, it starts pointing them to the west...right here on Pipeland?! Sarracenia seems dumbfounded at first, then becomes quite angry. "HE IS HERE?! ON -MY- WORLD?!" she shouts with a growl to her voice. <br> <br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The airship banks rather suddenly and sharply thanks to Arthur's buffs, and the ship starts to glow softly around them as the energy infuses it. The propellers speed up, and the airship moves faster than it ever has before. And it was already pretty fast. <br> <br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Sarra looks on in awe as she watches Arthur and Marcus do their thing. But, Love's question distracts her. "Why? It is quite simple. I do not kill people. And I do not make exceptions. In this case especially, To do so would honor this vile being." she says. She nods to Riku. "Justice is our goal. Not revenge." Though, her tone suggests she would not complain at all if the Darkmancer did meet his end. <br> <br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Sarra shouts the directions through the speech tube loudly enough that it is probably hurting the ears of whoever is on the other side. The airship soars at breakneck speed over the tops of the massive trees, somewhat visible through the large windows of the royal quarters. The ocean soon comes into view as they follow the path of the magic trail. Which, despite Arthur's preparations is...rather straight forward. <br> <br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; It would have been a fairly long ride to where the Darkmancer is hiding if not for Arthur's empowerment of the Sundew Sovereign. As it is, it still takes a half hour or so of flying over the ocean. When they reach their destination, it turns out to be a fairly large island. Even from a distance is it obviously tainted with dark magic. Dark clouds hover over it, and a faint shell of dark energy swirls slowly around it. In the center is what appears to be an old, ruined castle. Presumably where they will find the Darkmancer. <br> <br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; As they get closer, the clouds start to swirl as well before familiar giant monkey bat creatures starts swarming out toward them. A warning bell is soon being sounded by one of the piranha plant sailors, and the rest form up lines on deck as the panels along the side of the ship open and the cannons are run out. The bottom of the airship opens, lowering the Banzai Bill cannon while the first salvo of Bullet Bills are launched, curving their way from the cannons toward the incoming horde. <br> <br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Sarra growls in annoyance as she sees the incoming enemies, then reaches into her purse and pulls out cloud power-ups for the group. "Here. You may need these if you wish to engage them in the air." she says before she heads out on deck, pulling out a missile launcher larger than she is and filled with shark-faced missiles she then fires into the incoming enemies. "How dare you come to MY world?! Of all the stupid, arrogant, evil things to do!!" she shouts into the air toward the castle. <br> <br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Despite all the Bullet Bills and Missile Megs, there is barely a dent made in the incoming horde. The captain, a piranha plant in a tricorn hat, barks at the other piranhas to prepare their spears and use their fire flowers in preparation to repel boarders just before the wave of dark creatures practically engulfs the Sovereign.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:7683|Storm Investigators (7683)}} has posed:'''<br>Even without express words, Marcus is actually able to keep up with what Arthur's doing! Eventually. It does take her a bit at first, of course, since she's never seen his specific way of doing things, but just watching what he's doing and reading what he's putting out soon makes it all just make sense before the airship can go far enough that it'd ever be considered a detour.<br><br>Having the raw data-feed certainly helps. Greta picks up on it after a longer while, too, between Marcus calling out directions and giving her mentor some explanations on the side when she isn't entrenched in just absorbing everything Arthur's giving her. She's in her element like this, focusing entirely on what's presented to her between his tools and her own, not having to spare much thought for more complicated things like 'holding a proper conversation' and 'remembering when and when not to maintain eye contact'.<br><br>Any extra high-speed jumps and turns still have her squeaking and losing her focus, though. Even Greta's not immune to the sharp turns and rapid speeds, but she's far better at hiding it with idle-sounding coughs that could easily just be coming from a light or former smoker. They do eventually get used to it, at least, and Marcus even gets acclimated enough to actually look out over the edge to enjoy the sights of an ominously darkened island!<br><br>One that's being defended by awful flying creatures, no less, and that has the investigators both drawing their main weapons: Marcus' lantern, and Greta's pistol. Despite having ranged weapons, however, Greta takes two cloud powerups for herself and Marcus.<br><br><span style="color:#875f00;">"We'll remain on the ship until it's time to descend. If they attempt to board, we'll have an easier time shooting them off."</span><br><span style="color:#0087ff;">"But there are so many of them...!"</span><br><span style="color:#875f00;">"Aim carefully, then. Marcus, prioritize the ones closest to the ship, we'll be fine."</span><br><span style="color:#0087ff;">"Y... Yes, Madam Hofmann!"</span><br><br>And so, the pair of investigators do exactly as they've practiced before for most kinds of battles with high target volume: Park themselves behind cover (or just the other sailors on deck in this case), and then start picking off anyone they can. Marcus' lantern illuminates the monkey bats at once, sweeping her arcane magic across a few of them at a time to weaken them before Greta makes targeted shots to bring them down.<br><br>That's probably also why Greta wanted to stay on the ship: It's easier to shoot the monkeys coming towards her if she's not also trying to steer a cloud.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:7652|Riku Asakura (7652)}} has posed:'''<br>Riku, for his part, doesn't recognize the energy Arthur is putting into this as anything other than a light show that he can see.&nbsp;&nbsp;He's still a young Ultraman, so he'll need time before things like sensing other light-based energy become second nature to him.&nbsp;&nbsp;Though he does watch this unfold with wide eyes.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br><br>'HE IS HERE?! ON -MY- WORLD?!'<br><br>"Wait, really?" he says, having been prepared for a long journey, but now it's just a literal hop, skip, and a jump away from the Sundew Kingdom.&nbsp;&nbsp;"I guess the best place to hide is right under our noses... and maybe he needed to be closer to the book to get its energy?" he asks, not really sure himself.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br><br>'Justice is our goal. Not revenge.'<br><br>Riku nods at this, "It must not be easy to say that, after what happened with your loved one, so... I'm glad you're this clear-headed despite things," he says with a smile.&nbsp;&nbsp;To Love, he gives a sort of frown.&nbsp;&nbsp;Killing people isn't something he likes, and she kind of makes it sound like it's normal.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br><br>When the island is in sight, and the monsters pour out from it, Riku starts to walk out. Though not before taking a star power up.&nbsp;&nbsp;He really didn't NEED power-ups, but... well, this one had cute little eyes on it.&nbsp;&nbsp;Standing around doing nothing won't get them anywhere, as he likes to say.&nbsp;&nbsp;He pulls up the Fusion Riser, after taking a breath, especially because of the large number of monsters before them...<br><br>"You go," he says, activating an Ultracapsule and sliding it into the holder used to scan them.&nbsp;&nbsp;Beside him, a giant of light appears.&nbsp;&nbsp;"I go," he says again, activating a second Ultracapsule, before sliding it into the same holder.&nbsp;&nbsp;This time, a giant of darkness appears next to him.&nbsp;&nbsp;"Here we go!" he continues, scanning each capsule, and the Fusion Riser, in the double helix part, changes colors to one side being white, and the second being a dark red.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br><br>"Time to get ready!" he shouts, pulling the Fusion Riser up into the air, before bringing it down over his chest, and pulling the trigger on it.&nbsp;&nbsp;White and blue fire pour out of him as he makes one final shout, "GEEEEEEEED!" and his form blurs as it changes into that of Ultraman Geed.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br><br>FUSION RISE<br>ULTRAMAN<br>ULTRAMAN BELIAL<br>ULTRAMN GEED PRIMITIVE<br><br>From the spot on the ship, Geed flies out, growing into the large giant of light that's become familiar across the Multiverse.&nbsp;&nbsp;There were so many enemies, and the first thing that he did was bring his giant hands together before swinging them out.&nbsp;&nbsp;Crescent energy beams rip out, attempting to cut through as many monsters as they can before disappearing.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br><br>Anything he can do to give the crew of the Sovereign a little breathing room.&nbsp;&nbsp;The monsters had to be finite, and then they just had to get through that barrier.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:7573|Angela (7573)}} has posed:'''<br>Love beams at Greta. She doesn't really seem to know about what to do with Greta, who is, like--what--in her thirties? And isn't raising a magical --oh wait, she is isn't she. Marcus is right there. Okay, she thinks she understands Greta. Be respectful, though, she might not know Marcus is clearly a blue type magical girl. Though considering they are going on a mission together, she probably does and Love thinks it's really sweet to see. She thinks Marcus is a teenager. Love's expression gets a bit blank when Sarracenia says her goal is justice not revenge like it's flying through one ear and out the other but, well, this is Sarracenia's quest. She doesn't HAVE to kill, the important thing is that she gets to express herself as a hero to all magical girls. And in pursuit of that, she reaches into her pocket and offers Marcus a brightly wrapped gummy treat in sparkly packaging. It tases like watermelon flavoring!<br><br>She then spins her staff around in a circular motion and chants, lets face it, a full on incantation that is really too long.<br><br><span style="color:pink">"Heed me, thou that are more azure than justice and more crimson than love! In the name of those buried in destiny, I shall make this oath to light! Mark the hateful beings who stand before us! Let your strength merge with mine, so that we may deliver the power of love to all!"</span><br><br>A hefty blast of pink energy erupts out of the staff and towards the shell of dark energy. This is so in her vibe that she's really glad she came!<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:7683|Storm Investigators (7683)}} has posed:'''<br>Marcus gets a sweet treat from Love! Remembering her lessons on handling this sort of occurrence quite well, she keeps the surprised smile from growing too much (even if it's clear she's totally pleased to get it) and bows lightly to Love. <span style="color:#0087ff;">"Oh! Thank you, Miss Love."</span> <br><br>It's a modest morale boost going into the battle! Greta also looks on at Love with a bit more approval than before, although she's still not quite sure how to feel about someone that might be as willing to kill the Darkmancer as she is. She'll have to keep an eye on that one to make sure she's not secretly a bad influence on her own blue-type, but she can worry about that after the fighting is over.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:33|Arthur Lowell (33)}} has posed:'''<br>&gt; ==&gt;<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Here. Here in her world...<br><br>&gt; Arthur: Remember<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He thinks back. Back to a confrontation in a clocktower. Back to a little noble who suffered in anguish as the group returned home to a tense, painful encounter in their own home. The talerot hadn't come from outside the library. The thing that had torn up her happiness was from inside her. From her past, from her self.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I'll do what it takes, Mimi." He had said to her, then. He had lied.<br><br>&gt; Arthur: Stop remembering<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He shakes his head, trying desperately to clear it. His search program coalesces, collapses, and, now useless, is recycled for its energy. The spellcircle crunches to a single point, spins until it whines and then until it screams, and fills the barrels of the cannons. He joins Sarracenia out on the deck, staring at the incoming darkness. From talerot to this...<br><br>&gt; Arthur: Strife!!<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He braces himself, and claps his hands. His kill-nav program discharges. All those unused countermeasures and unspent barriers come out of the Sundew Sovereign's muzzles in a bullet-hell flurry of white light in the dark, arcing like the arms of a galaxy and measured in equal by the redoubled boost to the Sovereign's systems to cut through the horde physically as well, bracing the recoil of Love's and Geed's beams with more thrust and trusting them to have the heavy attackers covered. Arthur's millions of bolts should shred the smaller stuff.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:446|Sarracenia (446)}} has posed:'''<br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <span style="color:white">'It must not be easy to say that, after what happened with your loved one, so... I'm glad you're this clear-headed despite things.'</span> <br> <br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Sarra offers a slight smile of appreciation, but then it turns a bit dark. "I will enjoy visiting him in prison, forcing him to hear my voice and hear just how well I am doing." <br> <br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <span style="color:white">'We'll remain on the ship until it's time to descend.'</span> <br> <br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Sarra nods to the pair. "Very good. I would not expect any of you to rush into that horde." she says, then motions to large treasure chests dotted about the deck. "If you find yourself in need of more firepower, those chests are filled with various power-ups. Use them as you see fit." <br> <br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <span style="color:white">'Heed me...'</span> <br> <br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Though Sarra does not really like the tragedy that often surrounds magical girls, she quite enjoys Love's encantations. It brings a confident smile to the princess's face as she waits for the magical beam. When it finally fires, it cuts a swathe through the horde, helping to clear a path for the ship. <br> <br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The Sundew Sovereign barely slows down as the wave of enemies crashes over it. Sarra commands the captain to push forward with everything the engines have. With the light energy infusing the hull, the shining ship breaks through the horde like a dark knife through butter. Many monkey bats let out ear-splitting monkey roars as they are vanquished back into smoke-like darkness. Many others bounce off and catch themselves before moving to attack from behind. <br> <br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Marcus and Greta take up position to fire from cover. A sound strategy overall. Marcus's weakening beam helps but small arms fire can only do so much against a horde. Although, it turns out to be more than might be expected as falling monkey bats collide with others in chain reactions that at the very least slow groups of them down. <br> <br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <span style="color:white">'Arthur: Strife!!</span> <br> <br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The Sundew Sovereign, already adorned in much gold over its wooden hull, starts to glow even more brightly. The crew watches in bewilderment as the cannons all start firing those beams of light alongside the Bullet Bills. Additional thrust pushes the ship even faster through the horde. <br> <br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Then, the ship lurches powerfully as the shining hull impacts the dark field around the island. It shudders and rocks as the barrier around the island fights to keep them out. Love's beam and Ultraman Geed's crecent waves smash into it as well. The barrier holds for a few moments before shattering like glass while the horde of monkey bats is all but eliminated. <br> <br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Sarracenia laughs with combat-fueled delight as she sees this between swings of her hammer and tosses of bob-ombs. "Captain! Fire the Banzai Bill!" she yells into the comm while her piranha plant soldiers fight valiantly beside her, their thick armor chestplates and man-o-war helms helping them stay in the fight. Their spears keep a perimeter mostly clear around Sarra, while their fireballs bounce across the deck or over the sides to assist the others as best they can. <br> <br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The Banzai Bill fires, empowered by Arthur's magic into a rocketing golden bullet the size of a cargo truck. It screams toward the castle, but as it goes it starts getting hit by dark beams from giant dark turtle-looking creatures with cannons on their backs. It explodes before reaching the castle, leaving a growing exploding fireball right in the path of the Sovereign. "Incoming!" Sarra exclaims before hitting the deck. The soldiers all do the same as the ship sails through the final shockwave and mushroom cloud left by the Banzai Bill, burning its way across the deck.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:446|Sarracenia (446)}} has posed:'''<br> <br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The ship shudders as a few of the propellers are knocked off the tall masts. The ship starts losing altitude and the captain yells out, "Brace for impact!" a few moments before the Sovereign strikes the ground and slides for a good distance, leaving a deep furrow in its wake and lurching as the underside cannon is ripped away. <br> <br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Although rough, the landing can be walked away from. Sarra gets back to her feet, the ends of her long red hair sizzling a bit. The large turtles (about the size of Bowser actually) are already turning to fire on the downed ship. "I guess the Darkmancer did learn at least a little from before! We have to take those creatures out before they can fire again!" she exclaims, and leaps off the ship while pulling out a Bullet Bill power-up. She is engulfed in an explosion before rocketing away as a Bullet Bill toward one of the five anti-air turtles.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:7652|Riku Asakura (7652)}} has posed:'''<br>'I will enjoy visiting him in prison, forcing him to hear my voice and hear just how well I am doing.'<br><br>Before Riku set out, he looked at Sarracenia after she said this.&nbsp;&nbsp;"I guess the best way to live when someone wants you down is to just live a good life," Though this might be a TOUCH mean girl.<br><br>As Ultraman, Geed is attempting to cut through the field of enemies, but the Sovereign cuts its way through the horde and towards the castle.&nbsp;&nbsp;Geed flies with it, striking out where he can.&nbsp;&nbsp;When the Banzai Bill is fired, when the ship breaks through the barrier, Geed attempts to fly to the head of the ship.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br><br>He notices the shots from the turtles and turns his maneuver into a sudden one.&nbsp;&nbsp;He forms a barrier, aiming to try to protect the Sovereign and himself with it while they charge through the mushroom cloud.&nbsp;&nbsp;It's not much, but it's at least something for the ship and her crew.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br><br>On landing, Sarracenia points out the dark turtles with railguns for weapons.&nbsp;&nbsp;While Bowser is a large creature, Ultraman Geed is larger right now.&nbsp;&nbsp;He aims to pick up one of the turtles, spin it around in a large arch, and then launch it at a second turtle before they can fire again.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:7683|Storm Investigators (7683)}} has posed:'''<br><span style="color:#0087ff;">"There's toom any of them... Will the ship hold?"</span><br><span style="color:#875f00;">"If we focus, yes. If something explodes, no. Keep the cloud ready if you see something about to explode. And..."</span><br><span style="color:#0087ff;">"And?"</span><br><span style="color:#875f00;">"... Princess. Do consider the opportunity cost of gloating over the Darkmancer in prison compared to aiding your people, or going on vacation. Asakura is not far off there."</span><br><br>At first, Marcus and Greta aren't too worried about that happening. Arthur's doing all sorts of things to the ship that Marcus only sort-of grasps and Greta barely so, Riku's providing a bigger target for the defenders to focus on rather than the ship itself, and Love is aiming safely far away from the ship. The shaking is worrying, but it's not panic-inducing yet as long as they keep a good grip on the situation.<br><br>Marcus is the first of the pair to see the Banzai Bill's explosion being way too close for comfort, and she shouts <span style="color:#0087ff;">"Incoming!"</span> just a second after Sarracenia does. With both investigators diving, they hide besides those soldiers on the deck to minimize how much they get singed from crossing through the explosion. The heat's worse than expected, but using the other soldiers as cover helps enough that they can get back up easily enough to see the damage to the ship.<br><br><span style="color:#0087ff;">"Madam Hofmann... The propellers are coming off, and teh ship's dropping!"</span><br><span style="color:#875f00;">"Get on your cloud, Marcus, and stay close."</span><br><br>Somehow, flying on a cloud ends up feeling safer than being on the airship at that point, and they're both floating along just moments before the airship makes its crash landing. They lower their altitude to stay closer to solid ground, but they're not coming off the clouds just yet as they continue doing what they were doing before: Marcus on illumination and weakening duty, and Greta making the shots. <br><br>Realizing that the revolver and Marcus' lights might not be enough for the sheer volume of incoming assailants, however, Greta takes a brief detour to a chest full of power-ups that Sarracenia mentioned earlier. Not fully understanding the difference between the orange and blue flowers, she just intuits that Something is different enough about them before swinging back around to Marcus and tapping her with the blue one.<br><br><span style="color:#0087ff;">"Madam Hofmann?"</span><br><span style="color:#875f00;">"Field testing. Just keep doing what you were doing."</span><br><span style="color:#0087ff;">"Y... Yes! Understood."</span><br><br>And so, the ice-flower'd Marcus and the fire-flower'd Greta continue shooting at the flying monkey bats in tandem with their new temporary powers! Neither of them are quite so adept at chucking fastballs, though, so they do a little experimentation to see if they can get the lantern's light and the revolver's shots to take on the properties of those flowers instead.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:7573|Angela (7573)}} has posed:'''<br>Unfortunately, Arcana Slave has a cooldown period. It wouldn't really be fair if it didn't. Frankly, Love is lucky that it isn't a once per battle thing, even if it often effectively is. Usually if your finishing move doesn't work as a magical girl you're THROUGH you're DONEZO and you have to wait at least ONE WHOLE EPISODE before you can challenge those that defeated you once again. That may not sound like a lot, but she'd basically be stuck twiddling her thumbs for the rest of this battle!<br><br>Love, of course, is told to hit the deck so she kicks her foot real hard into the deck. She doesn't seem to get what's meant. But she does understand 'brace for impact!' and she says, <span style="color:pink">"Oh!"</span> As she reaches for a railing to hold onto--<br><br>--but instead gets flung away before she can reaches it and bounces across the deck before sliding off it.<br><br>When she rises once more, she's in her winged serpent form. This isn't a story mode so she can spooky mood all she likes! She opens her mouth and sends another wave of energy there and about, though this time it's magenta colored energy which is way more CORRUPTED than pink energy. But it's fine. It still blasts about the same.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:33|Arthur Lowell (33)}} has posed:'''<br>&gt; Arthur: Force the progress forward<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No matter how much he boosts the engines that remain, he can't replace faltering hull. When it slams into the ground, he's got his hands white-knuckled firmly on the railing of the deck, but he doesn't lose his footing. There's more to fight, and bigger targets to take the shots at.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He doesn't rise this time. He's staying, pace by pace, with Sarracenia. He flies when she does and lands when she does. Geed has raw force and size to move things. Love has her winged serpent body. Arthur puts both to work. When corrupt bolts stun the monster, Arthur readies, shimmering green lines of energy rushing around. When Geed's classical ultra-grappling moves the titanic turtles, smashing one into another, Arthur is ready: A portal is there, sized enough to move a mountain if it were properly wrestled. Once the giants of love and light topple the turtles, any of the less-alert ones will find themselves with the limbs bracing on nothing at all -- falling through huge gates that lead to some empty shoreline, twenty worlds away. Ring out.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Took one of the powerups with him. But we'll get to that in a bit.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:446|Sarracenia (446)}} has posed:'''<br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <span style="color:white">'I guess the best way to live when someone wants you down is to just live a good life.'</span> <br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <span style="color:white">'.. Princess. Do consider the opportunity cost of gloating over the Darkmancer in prison compared to aiding your people, or going on vacation. Asakura is not far off there.'</span><br> <br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Sarra, being quite the mean girl herself, mmphs in slight annoyance at the tone, but also at the words. "...you are both right, of course." She admits, but then mumbles, "...it is not as though doing one precludes the other..." quietly. <br> <br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A bit of experimentation proves that...yes! They can embue their weapons with the fire and ice powers! Monkey bats hit with ice first are frozen in a solid, sort of cartoonish block of ice. If shot after, they shatter along with the ice they are in. Those hit with fire first then ice are better off, since they either are killed by the fire shot or are caught on fire then frozen solid. <br> <br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Love unleashes another beam of destruction, and Geed practices shotput with a turtle cannon. Between the two of them and Arthur's efforts, all but the cannon turtle that Sarra is after are dealt with quickly. Bullet Sarra explodes against her turtle, then the princess emerges from the explosion with a forward somersault, bringing her silver hammer down with a resounding CLANG atop the turtle's head. <br> <br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; All the cannon turtles disappear in dark smoke, vanquished. The piranha plant sailors and soldiers meanwhile are clearing out of the ship just in case more of those things appear and are finding cover positions. They help Marcus and Greta battle monkey bats in the meantime. <br> <br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; They are within running distance of the castle now, and the front gate lowers with grinding creaking of old chains and gears. And Sarra does just that, taking off at a run. She is a bit surprised that Arthur stays so close, and it finally dawns on the princess that there might be more to this than just helping her. He had mentioned a few times that he had dealt with such things before. She doesn't say anything about it for now, but files it away as something to ask him about while offering him a smile of appreciation. "Once we are done here, I look forward to more lessons, Sir Arthur!" she says before pulling out another Bullet Bill. "Onward!" she exclaims, then is engulfed in another explosion and rockets off again. <br> <br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; For some reason, the lowering of the gate does not unleash another wave of enemies. Bullet Sarra rockets through unhindered and straight into the castle, and the others are only impeded by whatever few remaining monkey bats there are.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:446|Sarracenia (446)}} has posed:'''<br> <br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; There, in the ruined castle's large throne, sits the Darkmancer. Sarra's Bullet Bill power-up explodes before she can reach him, and she skids across the ground to a stop, facing him and giving the others a chance to catch up. <br> <br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Sarra looks around, suspicious, then looks to him. He looks...pretty average, really. Just a guy with suitably dark grey skin sitting on a throne in a black robe, fiddling on his cell phone. He looks up as the group arrives, then frowns and stands up. <span style="color:red">"You know. I figured after you lost your favorite manservant you would just...give up this hero business. You weren't a real destined heroine before, you failed to be a heroine for him, and you thought you had finished me off just because your fiery and much MORE qualified friend destroyed my shadow."</span> <br> <br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; He regards the group. <span style="color:red">"Guess that friendship didn't work out, huh? Actually, none of the 'friends' you had last time are here now. Kind of sad, really. Are you even a heroine at all? Or just a blustery princess with delusions of grandeur?"</span> <br> <br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Despite looking pretty average in build and appearance, his voice booms like it is coming from the very air around them. <span style="color:red">"Well...here I am, fake hero! What are you going to do about it? Once I take care of you here, I will move on your kingdom and turn it into a land just like in that story! Hahahaha!!"</span> <br> <br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; He raises his hands, and dark portals open all around them. Sarra growls and rushes forward without thinking, hammer raised, ready to smash him into the ground. <br> <br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; She swings, and the Darkmancer...explodes in smoke before she even hits. The smoke surrounds the princess, and she yelps before crying out as it starts to soak into her. Beams of darkness fire from all the portals, most focused on the princess but enough spread around to try and distract the rest. <br> <br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Sarra cries out again, but it doesn't really look like the beams are hurting her. Finally, they stop, and Sarra drops to a knee. She is still for a moment, then slowly stands up again and turns to face the others as she reaches into her purse and pulls out a bob-omb. <span style="color:red">"Well</span> well..." she says, her voice and the Darkmancer's broadcasting in unison. <span style="color:red">"...that</span> was <span style="color:red">easy.</span> She <span style="color:red">really</span> is <span style="color:red">so</span> stupid." <br> <br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; She then grins. <span style="color:red">"You</span> all <span style="color:red">won't</span> mind <span style="color:red">dealing</span> with <span style="color:red">her</span> for <span style="color:red">me...</span> <span style="color:red">RIGHT?!</span> <br> <br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The portals resume firing, and the possessed princess starts throwing bob-ombs with glee.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:7652|Riku Asakura (7652)}} has posed:'''<br>Geed, once done with the giant turtles, moves towards the entryway for the castle.&nbsp;&nbsp;This forces him to reduce his height so he can get in, which isn't a problem for the giant of light.&nbsp;&nbsp;However, what is a problem is that Sarracenia rushes ahead of the group.&nbsp;&nbsp;"Wait, don't go on ahead!" he calls out, too little, too late.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br><br>Rushing behind her, all he can do in that moment is listen to the Darkmancer taunt her. Stopping once they get there, he listens to the Darkmancer.&nbsp;&nbsp;Riku grits his teeth inside the giant of light's body, knowing it's not true.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br><br>Portals open all around them. Without a second thought, Riku brings that shield up again, trying to provide cover to his allies.&nbsp;&nbsp;However, Sarracenia rushes off without thinking.&nbsp;&nbsp;"Wait!" he calls out to her, but he can't reach her in time, the beams fire.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br><br>Holding his own against the beams, though some that aren't directly in front of him strike him across the back.&nbsp;&nbsp;However, Sarra is caught in the shower.&nbsp;&nbsp;For a moment, it looks like things are alright, until his and her voices start speaking in unison.&nbsp;&nbsp;It doesn't take Riku long to figure out that he's manipulating her through his 'darkmancer' powers.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br><br>"Get him, I'll handle Sarracenia.&nbsp;&nbsp;I got something for this situation..." he says firmly.&nbsp;&nbsp;He reaches his hand up into the air...<br><br>Inside Riku is already scanning two more Ultracapsules.&nbsp;&nbsp;Scanning each in turn, he holds up the Fusion Riser.&nbsp;&nbsp;"I'll show you something shocking!" Once the trigger is pressed, blue flames pour out from the encased Riku, before...<br><br>Ultraman Geed is covered in blue energy before stepping in front of the bomb and using a blade of light to deflect the explosion away.&nbsp;&nbsp;Instead of his usual colors, he's now silver and blue.&nbsp;&nbsp;The blade of light fades, and he takes a more strategic stance to handle Sarracenia.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br><br>"I know you're in there, Sarracenia, don't let him control you like this.&nbsp;&nbsp;Fight it," he says.&nbsp;&nbsp;He brings his hands down, crossing them in deliberate motions.&nbsp;&nbsp;Slowly, he raises them again, as what looks like bubbles and blue energy form on each hand.&nbsp;&nbsp;They start to form a halo of rainbow lights on the center of his chest, where the hands come on either side.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br><br>"Smash Moon Healing!" he calls out, before releasing a soothing wave of light and blue energy.&nbsp;&nbsp;It's specifically made to soothe things that have lost their sense, and remove evil influence from those under dark control.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:33|Arthur Lowell (33)}} has posed:'''<br>&gt; Arthur: Break the mood. Lessons soon!<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Lessons... Right. Sarracenia will need teaching. She's going to know her Aspect, isn't she? She's going to get to *be* what she needs to be, unimpeded by all of this. Cast off all this cruft that has been holding her down. Live, live truly, the way she ought to. Greedy for kindness and wealthy in it enough to live like an embodiment of mercy and harmlessness. The way it's supposed to be.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;But he's blasted back by beams. He's slammed away by waves of power. He doesn't know the magic happening here enough to interrupt it. And when it's done...<br><br><br><br><br>&gt; Arthur: Follow the script, re-enact the play<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Arthur is atop the clocktower.<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<span style="color:#8888ff">She</span> turns on him, finally, elegant rapier in one hand, dueling revolver in another. Her pocketwatch shines as it dangles loosely. Her eyes shimmer. Not a speck of blood stains her elegant dress, unlike Arthur. He draws his broom, he...<br><br>&gt; Arthur: Fight her again<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Arthur is in a throne room.<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<span style="color:#ff0000">She</span> turns on him, finally, elegant gloves on explosives. Her crown shines as it sits firm on wild hair. And her eyes shine with another power too. Today, nobody will know if blood is on her dress. He draws his broom. He...<br><br>&gt; Arthur: Do it again<br>&gt; Arthur: Over and over<br>&gt; Arthur: and over and over and over and over <br>&gt; Arthur: and over and over and over <span style="color:#bbccbb">and over and over and</span> <span style="color:#aaddaa">over and</span> <span style="color:#88dd88">over and</span> <span style="color:#44dd44">over and</span> <span style="color:#00dd00">over and</span> <span style="color:#00EE00">OVER AND</span> <span style="color:#00FF00">OVER AND</span> <span style="color:#00FF00">OVER AND</span> <span style="color:#00FF00">OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND OVER</span><br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A bomb blasts across his face. It disperses the tears that were streaming. He slams onto his back, dazed, staring up at the ceiling of a throne room. Spread-eagle, ears ringing, wounded a hundred times more in his horrible little heart than in his body, but not for lack of wounding his body. "Why," He whispers. "Why, why is it always like this. Why..." His eyes are welling up with tears again. "This story. Again. Again. Again, always, always again, and I always..."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:7683|Storm Investigators (7683)}} has posed:'''<br>Did Greta hear Sarracenia mumbling? As usual, she doesn't let it show by looking at the princess after the mumbling or even raising an eyebrow. She totally did, though, but she's remaining quiet about it for now.<br><br>With the way to the castle cleared out, the investigators finally get a chance to catch their breaths. Marcus is still looking somewhat shaken, but moreso over getting attacked by flying monkey bats than the killing of said creatures. She even glances around briefly before leaving the ship, hoping to snag another one of those flowers before disembarking. <br><br>Alas, Sarracenia runs for the castle before Marcus gets a chance to, so she and Greta give chase at a relatively safe distance. <span style="color:#0087ff;">"We will return soon, I hope! Ah... Do keep an eye on the castle if it starts to move!"</span> She calls out to the soldiers remaining with the ship, then yelps painfully for some reason before continuing to run alongside Greta.<br><br>With Sarra moving faster than either of them would have expected or preferred, the two continue running/jogging briskly and catch up in due course. Neither of them are going nearly fast enough to skid, though, so they're both (even Marcus) are looking pretty okay even after getting singed and battered around by those flying monkey bats earlier.<br><br>Hearing and seeing the Darkmancer for the first time, they exchange brief glances as they both realize there's still plenty of details they're missing about what happened between him and Sarracenia. <br><br><span style="color:#0087ff;">"Should we... Stop him from saying...?"</span><br><span style="color:#875f00;">"No need, Marcus. They have some bad blood to air out, and we might hear something useful."</span><br><br>Indeed, they certainly hear something from the Darkmancer, but none of it is immediately useful in the moment. There's even an awkward silence practically radiating off both of them when he taunts Sarracenia about her friends. Marcus very much isn't one to shout in response to things generally, and Greta is just keeping her hands busy counting the bullets in her pockets in preparation for what's sure to be some kind of battle against Sitting Guy.<br><br>Something about that is still bothering Greta, but it doesn't start clicking together until after Sarracenia is already running for him. Someone sitting and waiting like that would need confidence in some kind of overwhelming advantage, or perhaps overconfidence in their own power. Considering what kicked this all off, she can only predict it's the first one, meaning...<br><br><span style="color:#875f00;">"He has something planned. Don't run off on your own!"</span> Greta calls out a bit too late, and she's forced back along with Marcus when the beams start coming out of the portals. Pulling Marcus back behind herself, Greta grimaces as a beam rakes across her side before they finally start running away and around as a unit.<br><br><span style="color:#0087ff;">"The Princess, she's been possessed! How do we...?"</span><br><span style="color:#875f00;">"Do what you've trained for Marcus. I'll keep us covered, so hurry."</span><br><br>Yanking Marcus up under one arm, Greta takes them both behind a convenient cover pillar, then peeks out to see where Sarracenia's throwing those bombs. She looks out at just the wrong time for one of them to explode and send shrapnel cutting across her face, too, then ducks back again to weigh her options.<br><br>It only takes a second before she fires at the projectiles, first at the ones soaring through the air, then at one just as it's being hurled and well within blasting Sarracenia some in the process.<br><br>Marcus, worried that Sarracenia might get caught up in too many of those explosions just like the Darkmancer would want, skips right to reading the air in the throne room while shining her light around in broad sweeps. She winces as more of those bombs burst nearby, shielding her head and her lantern with her free arm while looking for the densest concentration of magic in the room that matches the portals and what's around Sarracenia. <br><br><span style="color:#0087ff;">"He must be somewhere in all of this...!"</span><br> <br>

:'''{{#var:7573|Angela (7573)}} has posed:'''<br>Love's transformation fades as she flops down back onto her face in human form. Looks like she couldn't...maintain it for long? Or she doesn't want to be in this form for the last big fight which she's largely guessing as being 'nowish' at this point. Also it looked like falling right down on her face probably hurt. She crawls up to her feet, a shadow over her face as she hobbles forward. <span style="color:pink">"</span>No killing. No killing this time. We agreed. Ahahah... Happy endings... That's how it should be. Since there's an endless amount of happy endings out there to make reality. An ever expanding Kingdom of Happiness...<span style="color:pink">"</span><br><br>She drags her magical staff behind her until...<br><br>Her eyes widen slightly as Sarracenia is corrupted by the darkness. She blinks twice, as if snapping out of it. She blinks again a few more times as understanding slowly hits her. She isn't really Sarracenia's friend, but the situation is one that feels ... almost designed almost...<br><br>She imagines the Servant of Wrath, bleeding acid. She imagines the King consumed with greed crushing the world in her hands. She imagines a knight alone, consumed by sorrow. And she remembers a girl who...<br><br><span style="color:#d70000;">Ruined everything to hold onto having meaning and purpose</span><br><br><span style="color:#afd7ff;">"You're the dummy."</span> Love says, the tenor of her voice shifting. <span style="color:#afd7ff;">"What is all this for, exactly? You're acting like you want to torture her, but it feels like you're trying to hurt us..."</span><br><br>She brings her staff forward, pointing it at Sarracenia. <span style="color:#afd7ff;">"The way to deal with magical possession is well documented. You blast them until they are healed."</span><br><br>The purple light gathers in her staff and explodes outward towards Sarracenia, this time without an incantation at all.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:33|Arthur Lowell (33)}} has posed:'''<br>&gt; Arthur: Do you know her well?<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"We keep meeting. I hadn't bothered to get to know her much." Arthur says, placidly, to apparently nothing in particular. A giant foot slams into the ground near him.<br><br>&gt; Arthur: You knew <span style="color:#8888ff">her</span> well, though<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Fucking obviously. Idiot. We knew each other better than anyone has ever known anyone else. An eternity of it. Lilian wishes, man."<br><br>&gt; Arthur: Why compare the two? They're not alike. She's much less well-read<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Seen the dress?" Arthur mutters incoherently, under the momentary protection of a giant of light.<br><br>&gt; Arthur: They dress similarly? You're that shallow, now?<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Kiss my ass. You aren't even real."<br><br>&gt; Arthur: Is that true?<br>&gt; Arthur: What voice do I sound like, to you?<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"...You don't. You're written. You're text." Arthur's breath heaves, softly. "Just like..."<br><br>&gt; Arthur: Get up, young man<br>&gt; Arthur: There's still a case of talerot to fix<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"..." He gets to his feet.<br><br><br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Maybe I won't be here next year. Maybe the next time you're struggling with some great problem, I won't be around." He mutters, softly, cracking his neck and deflecting a beam with one harsh motion. "But you keep what you take, and you take what you give. We lose these things. We always do. And we get new ones. Worse in some ways, better in other ways. We just keep going forward. It's never the same names and the same faces, but it'll always be the same scripts. Maybe in ten years, when you fight another dark guy like this, I'll be there. But if I'm not, there's gonna be someone like me. And he's gonna carry what you give him, once I hand it to you to keep."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"The stories deserve better than rotting." He clenches both fists, grips his broom, and takes a stance. "Rotting with the same fucking guy going in the same fucking circles. It's time for a fresh take. Blow the dust off and see what it's like when we've moved on from cycling again and again."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Let's reimagine Sarracenia's story without a Darkmancer in it."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Darkmancer made one key mistake: Combat by way of portals. When Arthur rockets forward... he trusts Geed to heal Sarra. He trusts Marcus to decode things. His magical systems link to her mental view of the books, Arcanum and Aspect tying together tightly. Where her scan looks for dense magic, Arthur infuses it with a geometric perspective, treating each portal as a point of access for its counterpart and allowing the scan to flow deeper. It's a simple tactic, meant to let Marcus locate him. But wouldn't it only allow her to locate him on the assumption that someone would have to go through the portal? The one densely filled with dark magic blasts?<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Arthur rushes headfirst through the best portal Marcus' magic can find, slamming facefirst through the beam. He... won't let Sarracenia regret harming him. The damage he suffers will be all, or at least most, at the hands of the Darkmancer. Her wish is to not harm, but still to strike with strength; well, Arthur will grant it. Smashing forward through the portal, broom's bristles spinning wildly and violently, he swings and pulses magic, intent on finding the Darkmancer... on the other side of the gates!! After all, that's where the beams are coming from, right? So he must be *THERE*! Or, at least, a nexus of his power has to be there!<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:446|Sarracenia (446)}} has posed:'''<br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The combined maniacal laughter of Sarracenia and the Darkmancer fills the room as dark beams lance about and bob-ombs explode. Those who know Sarra know she really enjoys her bombs, so it might just seem like regular Sarracenia if not for the deep voice of the Darkmancer mixed in there. <br> <br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Bob-ombs explode...some right as Sarra throws them. The first one stifles her laughter, and the second sends her stumbling back. She growls, then starts shooting fletchettes of Silver at Greta. Arrow-sized projectiles of gleaming metal seek to skewer her, though the pillar does its work of covering her while Marcus also works. <br> <br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Few seem to consider Sarra's elegance since it is often overshadowed by her loudness, but it is there when you look. Her dresses, her carefully styled hair, the way she dances when she is using her hammer. Arthur sees it, even if it is a mixture of his past and present shading things a bit. She likely looks elegant even now, standing tall and proud in her corrupted state, looking down on him. Dark Sarra laughs as he is knocked prone and sends more bob-ombs his way. <br> <br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Love speaks to Dark Sarra, and she turns to look at the fallen magical girl. <span style="color:red">"I</span> want <span style="color:red">to</span> hurt <span style="color:red">everyone,</span> really. <span style="color:red">I</span> was <span style="color:red">content</span> to <span style="color:red">just</span> hurt <span style="color:red">a</span> few, <span style="color:red">but</span> then <span style="color:red">this</span> brat <span style="color:red">of</span> a <span style="color:red">princess</span> decided <span style="color:red">she</span> wanted <span style="color:red">to</span> try <span style="color:red">being</span> a <span style="color:red">hero.</span> So, <span style="color:red">I</span> figured <span style="color:red">may</span> as <span style="color:red">well</span> go <span style="color:red">big</span> or <span style="color:red">go</span> home. <span style="color:red">You</span> know?" <br> <br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Given how many beams the magical girl has fired, the Darkmancer really wasn't expecting another so soon. It blasts Dark Sarra back, landing her in the throne. <br> <br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Ultraman Geed powers up, and several beams move to converge on him. Too late. The Smash Moon Healing engulfs Sarracenia, and she screams in pain and in stereo with the Darkmancer. His voice crackles in the air as he is forced out of Sarracenia, who lets out a weak groan before going limp in the throne similarly to how Gregory fell when the dark power was forced from him. Her eyes are open, but just barely <br> <br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Betting that the portals lead to the Darkmancer and are not merely portals to a plane of darkness or just energy conduits is a big bet. Sarra watches Arthur race into a portal, her one good eye tracking him as he goes. It is indeed dangerous, since that beam keeps firing even as Arthur dashes through. He manages to slip into it just before the portal winks out. <br> <br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Thanks to Marcus's aid, Arthur chooses the right portal. <br> <br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; He emerges...at the back of the throne room. The others might not be able to see him, but he can see them. And, he can see the Darkmancer, staggering back from the impact. He looks just like the shadow of himself that was sitting on the throne. <span style="color:red">"What the-how did you do that?!"</span> he exclaims, then tries to power up another attack. <br> <br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Wait, it isn't an attack. It's an escape spell! The false wall disappears, revealing him to everyone else in his haste to escape. There are likely only seconds to spare to keep him from fleeing and starting the cycle over again. <span style="color:red">"Her story would be completely boring without me and others like me in it. She's a worthless princess. The rest of the Multiverse knows it. I'm surprised she scammed you all into helping her!"</span> he says, trying to buy those last few seconds.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:7573|Angela (7573)}} has posed:'''<br>Love slowly brings her hands forward in a V-sign as her staff collapses to the ground She's out of juice.<br><br><span style="color:#afd7ff;">"I'm not doing this for Sarracenia."</span> Love says. She's easily the type to trick by getting her to say words instead of finishing the job but, like, there's Greta and Arthur around here so really if he gets away it's not going to be her fault because people who are much smarter than her are here so she doesn't have to worry about being smart herself.<br><br>Love lives in paradise every day.<br><br><span style="color:#afd7ff;">"But think about it."</span> Love says. <span style="color:#afd7ff;">"If Sarracenia is so worthless and pathetic and who cares about her, doesn't it make you even more worthless and pathetic for killing and hurting and betraying people just to make her suffer? I noticed the names you picked, the themes you chose. It's really sad, that Mr. Gregory--someone who did nothing but try to raise her into being a good person--died because you were obsessed and couldn't just let go of your hate and your grudge."</span><br><br>She looks towards Sarracenia for a moment and then lets her arm drop. <span style="color:pink">"That's the magical girl lesson of the day. Sometimes, Junior Magical Girls, you just have to walk away."</span><br> <br>

:'''{{#var:7652|Riku Asakura (7652)}} has posed:'''<br>Sarracenia falls into the throne.&nbsp;&nbsp;The similarities to what happened to Gregory quickly flash in Geed's mind.&nbsp;&nbsp;However, there was no rest for the weary, as the Darkmancer sought to escape.&nbsp;&nbsp;Split off from Sarracenia, and drained... but not enough to stop him from escaping.&nbsp;&nbsp;He had to choose right then and there, if he'd try and treat Sarracenia, or try and go after the Darkmancer.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br><br>'She's a worthless princess. The rest of the Multiverse knows it.'<br><br>"She's not worthless!&nbsp;&nbsp;Nobody is worthless!&nbsp;&nbsp;Shut your mouth, you selfish jerk!" Geed has already made his choice, as the Ultraman fades and Riku appears next to Sarracenia.&nbsp;&nbsp;He's got a medical kit and his medical training from the Paladins.&nbsp;&nbsp;He's no doctor, but it should be enough to keep her from passing as Gregory did.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br><br>He looks up at Love, at Greta, at Marcus, and finally at Arthur.&nbsp;&nbsp;He can't stop the Darkmancer AND treat Sarracenia, so he trusts them to put an end to this cycle.&nbsp;&nbsp;The one thing that Riku can't do is leave someone to die to capture the bad guy.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:33|Arthur Lowell (33)}} has posed:'''<br>&gt; ==&gt;<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Silent, now of all times? Fine. Arthur, stop him.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"You...!" He shouts. A rocket-blast sends him forward again, false wall falling away, eyes wide and focused. His fist clenches around his broom, but when he swings, it's holding the haft aside. He never punches anyone, right? But...<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Fist braced around the haft of his broom, he swings a brutal slugging strike at the man's face, forceful enough to break his nose or jaw, and send him off his feet. And then he slams his broom into the ground, and all of a sudden, this throne-room chamber is somewhere else. Outer space. A desert. Careening towards an ocean. Half-sunken into a swamp. A beach. A savanna. Windswept plains. The interior of a titanic beast. The depths of a dyson sphere. The middle of a mile-wide raceway. Cities. Villages. Exotic places. Mundane places. A space-scramble so fast and so aggressive that no exit could ever be calculated.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"*I'm* doing this for Sarra. I don't give a shit about 'worthlessness'. I want to be her friend. Not even the close kind! Just the kind that *helps*!" He says, shaking fist slowly unclenching its white-knuckled grip. "And that means I get her some space from you, you hateful fuck. Let's see what the next guy does for her. And you, you're gonna *find someone else*."<br><br><br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The space-scramble finally tones down, hopefully depositing them somewhere near the Sovereign. "Someone get him somewhere he can't ask her to visit him." Jail? Magic jail? Who the hell knows. Arthur only thinks about things up until the point that he slugs someone in the face, he doesn't think about anything after.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:7683|Storm Investigators (7683)}} has posed:'''<br>Getting into an unexpected firefight against someone that Greta is fairly certain herself and Marcus combined is... Actually something of a relief for her. She's unfamiliar with the Silver, so many of those flechettes still scrape by and punch into her limbs and sides, but none of them land in vital areas she needs to worry about right away. Still, one lucky shot could still take her out of the fight or even one of Marcus' eyes, and bleeding out is still a possibility if things drag out longer.<br><br><span style="color:#875f00;">"Status?"</span><br><span style="color:#0087ff;">"Working on it! We have... We have a match! There, Mister Lowell!"</span><br><br>Right after Marcus identifies the portal leading right to the Darkmancer, she shines her light on it to make sure Arthur's aim is true and to buy him enough time to get through. Hearing the possessed Sarracenia addressing Love, she lets out a discontent noise before cranking the light up on her lantern. <br><br><span style="color:#0087ff;">"Living for vengeance is... Not great, but taking it out on others who haven't done anything is too cruel and irrational. Would it really make you feel any better if it's not even the person that hurt you first? Walking away-"</span> She glances over at Love with a slow, somewhat hesitant nod. <span style="color:#0087ff;">"It would be better than all of this."</span><br><br>Greta, meanwhile, doesn't speak up. Instead, she peers out from behind cover to watch Sarracenia, still cautious about whether or not she'll throw more of those Silver projectiles even after seemingly separating from the Darkmancer. Once the false wall is revealed, however, she moves to aid in subduing him while Marcus hurries over to join Riku in checking on Sarracenia (mostly to offer moral support).<br><br><span style="color:#0087ff;">"Is she alright? Ah... You're wrong, Mister Darkmancer, sir! I...&nbsp;&nbsp;I would not mind being her friend after all this. Although I do not know her enough to s-"</span><br><br>While Marcus is busy speaking her own thoughts on the topic of friendship, things move quickly between Arthur taking him through who knows where, and then familiar-sounding gunshots ringing out afterwards. One is aimed at the Darkmancer's left leg, one is aimed at his right shoulder, and the third is aimed just shy of his kidney. <br><br><span style="color:#875f00;">"Friendship is irrelevant here. We are being paid, and you've proven yourself to be a threat to everyone's safety."</span> Greta states, reloading her revolver calmly before keeping it trained on his chest. <span style="color:#875f00;">"You'll survive longer if you stay. How long depends on them."</span><br> <br>

:'''{{#var:446|Sarracenia (446)}} has posed:'''<br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; When Riku and Marcus move to check on Sarracenia, they find that...well, she is quite injured in addition to whatever side-effects from the dark possession are. It is good that Riku has a med kit, since Sarra hasn't been popping green mushrooms today. Their words do her as much good as the medkit, giving her hope that she has or could have friends here. She offers them both a weak smile. Arthur adds his friendship fuel to the fire, too! Even though Sarra was pretty sure they were friends (but not totally sure because the princess has a hard time believing anyone is her friend), and her eye tracks toward him and the Darkmancer as a few tears form in her eyes from his words. <br> <br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Then widens just a bit as the castle starts darting through space or dimensions or something! She didn't realize Arthur had this kind of power! The Darkmancer's spell is disrupted by the shifting, staggering him and keeping him from trying to recast it until finally he is smacked across the face with a...broom? Greta's shots soon follow, disabling the Darkmancer completely. He falls to his left knee, his leg no longer able to hold his weight and holds his left hand over his barely missed kidney. <br> <br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; He growls as he looks around at the group, then is quiet a moment before a slight smirk forms on his face. <span style="color:red">"Fine. Have it your way."</span> he says just as the clattering of armored forms can be heard. The piranha plant soldiers have made their way inside, with one squad flying in quickly using clouds. They land by Arthur and the Darkmancer while the soldiers on foot move to Sarracenia to help with her first aid. The captain of the ship moves to the Darkmancer, large and heavy cuffs in hand...er, leaf. "Darkmancer. You are under arrest by the authority of the Sundew Kingdom." he says, then claps the irons on. Another set is put on his ankles. And another cuff, likely one that was acquired off-world, is put around his neck. It seems to be an anti-magic cuff. <br> <br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The captain looks up at Arthur. "The creatures all disappears suddenly, so we headed in. Excellent work, all of you!" he says, then grips the chain on the neck cuff before he and the rest of the troops head back to the ship. It might take an hour or two to get it running again, but it is in good condition thanks to the team!. "Come on. You are going in a very deep dungeon for the rest of your life, I have no doubt."<br> <br>
}}