[hr][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/MzIHaGw.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/JgL3zQi.png[/img][/center][right][b]Interactions:[/b] Linqian ([@FernStone]), Eve ([@LanaStorm]), & Leon and the Sexy Lynette ([@AtomicEmperor]).[/right][right][b][code]The Temple > The Fuck Outta There.[/code][/b][/right][hr][hr][quote=Leon][color=f7941d]"Now, drive safe, Ladies. Father Wolf's still out there..."[/color][/quote] When Leon said that, Britney's eyes shot open... that was a threat if anything else, and Britney's hand on Linqian's bicep went down to her hand as she held onto it (fingers interlocked), and then did the same to Eve. She awkwardly smiled and laughed as she faced Leon and Lynette, then said, [color=f4eb93][i]"Wellthankyouforhavingus[b]GOODBYE![/b]"[/i][/color] As she darted for the nearest exit... she wasn't sure what the fuck was the layout of this place, but she sure as hell was going to find an exit (or make one). Her second objective was to ensure that she kept her hands on Eve and Linqian... she didn't want to turn her head, and everyone was gone. Eventually, she found the exit and made it to the parking lot. There was that urge to check her car in case one of these sons of bitches sabotaged it... but she turned her head, and the place was completely gone. That did not cause Britney to relax at all, as she (and the others) got into the car and hauled ass out of there! She didn't put the pedal to the metal, but she was just about ready to do so. She sped off, and the second she was out of the woods, she sighed as the car approached the first red light. [color=f4eb93]"... Remind me to [b][i]NEVER[/i][/b] trust his ass again."[/color] Then her phone rang with a text message from Lila, of all people... she glanced at her passengers and said, [color=f4eb93]"... Texting and driving, I know."[/color][center][hr][hider=The Text Conversation][img]https://i.imgur.com/UzErAFj.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/fbQoOkB.png[/img][/hider][hr][/center]After the texting was done (and some psychopath didn't attack her), she turned to her passengers again and said, [color=f4eb93]"I'm going to drop you two off... I have an [i]errand[/i] to run."[/color] Then Britney proceeded to drop the two of them off...[hr]Afterwards, Britney stopped by her house and grabbed some wine and the ingredients for that tea she talked about, then she was back in her car. She wanted to return to her house and remove all her clothes and relax after that stressful ass day (well, two hours), but duty calls. She wasn't going to let somebody else get lost in an Apparition. She got back in her GMC Yukon and hoped that it would survive until the morning! She sped down the streets of St. Portwell towards Everlynn's house and hoped that the PRA wasn't looking for her for questioning... her phone rang, and it appeared on the dashboard as [b][code]Auri Auclair[/code][/b]. She hit answer and then realized that she hadn't updated Auri on [i]anything[/i] that went down at the strip club. "Good evening, Britney," Auri said. [color=f4eb93]"Hello, Auri, how are you?"[/color] "I'll cut to the chase... you were at the strip club, right?" Britney awkwardly laughed. [color=f4eb93]"Yeah, but Auri Auclair wasn't..."[/color] "Do you know what happened to Alizée Altieri?" [color=f4eb93]".... Uhhhhhhhhhhh, Ehhhhhhhhhhh, [i]Ummmmmmmm[/i]..."[/color] Britney tugged at her collar as she said, [color=f4eb93]"... She's dead, Auri."[/color] "So, the Void Heart was right," [color=f4eb93]"What do you mean? What's going on?"[/color] "The Void Heart called me, blaming me for Alizee's death.... " [color=f4eb93]"I... I don't know what happened, but apparently, she got into a fight with this group of girls at the strip club. She said that they jumped her. [i]They[/i] say that Alizee tried to kidnap one of them. I was trying to de-escalate things, but Alizee flew off the handle and attacked Stormy and one of those girls... Sully tried to jump in the way, but she attacked [i]him.[/i]"[/color] Britney cringed at the thought. If the Wolfpack hadn't shown up, Britney would have had no choice but to attack Alizee and restrain her. [color=f4eb93]"Then the Wolfpack showed up, and Leon - you know, Daisy's cousin - grabbed her and dipped... she then came back, and the Wolfpack shot her dead. Right there on the spot!"[/color] She got emotional, but Britney took a deep breath. [color=f4eb93]"Wait, the Void Heart called you?"[/color] "Yes... well, Layla Hyacinthus called him, but she put him on the phone; he told me she was dead and it was my fault but never elaborated when I asked. I honestly thought it was lying or that [i]he[/i] killed Ms. Altieri. I did not appreciate how he spoke with me, so I told him to put Ms. Hyacinthus back on the phone. However, it's clear he's holding her hostage." Britney was silent as she processed all of this information. Then, she sighed, then spoke, [color=f4eb93]"It's time we do what we should have done [i]ten years ago...[/i]"[/color] She dramatically paused, [color=f4eb93]"... It's time we seal the Void."[/color] "I concur," Auri said, "He seems... erratic. Dangerous." [color=f4eb93]"He was always erratic and dangerous, and we should have sealed him from the beginning! But Alizee didn't want help, and... you can't help those who don't want help."[/color] Britney sighed. "I'm going to see about speaking with Stormy... I know he doesn't care for you-" [color=f4eb93]"... You think?"[/color] Britney chuckled. "I know... I'm going to talk to him, then Jack." [color=f4eb93]"Just keep this on a need-to-know basis, on the low, you know... I don't know, but..."[/color] Britney trailed off as she thought about Leon, [color=f4eb93]"... I feel like the ten years have changed some people for the worst."[/color] "I feel the same way," Auri said. Eventually, Britney made it to Everlynn's house, and she came to a stop. [color=f4eb93]"Keep me in the loop, and understand that the Void Heart is extremely dangerous..."[/color] Britney trailed, [color=f4eb93]"That said, enjoy the rest of your night. I'm going to talk with Everlynn and Lila."[/color] "Will do; stay safe," Britney hung up, exited the car, grabbed the tote bag, put her wine and ingredients for her "herbal tea," and walked to the front door. She gave it a few firm knocks, and when the door was opened, she smiled and said, [color=f4eb93]"Heyyyyyyyyy, how are you all doing?! I'm not sure how long you all want to stay up, but I'm fine with staying up allllllll night long! We can do each other's hair, paint our nails, talk about boys [sup]or girls if that floats your boat[/sup]... I can teach you all to seal and then go fuck off for the night! Whatever you all want to do!"[/color] And she proceeded to have a fun night. [hr][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/x8slyeV.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/f9M4emQ.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/Cduq3Ee.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/H0PZlqQ.png[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/CoRfSte.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/gnXxYCo.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/CTw50k0.png[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/QPLFqKR.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/CAONHK9.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/e3gV256.png[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/hfAXGHT.png[/img] [img]https://txt.1001fonts.net/img/txt/dHRmLjExNi5hY2FjZWYuUTJ4aGJtTjVJRkJoZEhKcFkycy4x/burn-out-fade-away.regular.webp[/img][h1]The PRA Vs Judas Bennet.[/h1][/center][right][b]Interactions:[/b] None[/right][right][b][code]The PRA Headquarters.[/code][/b][/right][hr][hr] Initially, the alleyway seemed derelict, with trash and locked doors against either wall. Clancy persisted; the rooftop view from the streets had demonstrated that there had been a way. Judas didn’t strike him as a man who scaled the side of a building with his bare hands. Rounding a corner, he realized why: a twisted chainlink, rebar, and asphalt staircase had been formed in a backlot space behind this building. What remained of a nearby fence had been pulled away to form the structure's base. Unfortunately for most, the creator had the foresight to cut off the stairwell at the midpoint, leaving an excellent human-sized gap between the malformed chainlink steps and the twists of rebar and asphalt at the top. [i]No loose ends, right?[/i] Clancy shook his head; there was still just enough structure to get him a few meters off the ground. Clutching the axe in one hand, he planted a foot on one step to ensure it wasn’t going to fall apart on contact, then sprung off that onto an adjacent row of dumpsters angled at [i]just[/i] the correct position to let him step up to the guttering. He pushed off, vaulted, and clamped his tiny fingers around one of the rungs fixing the pipework to the wall, then began to pull his weight up, alternating between using his feet and his one free hand to push and pull against any handholds he could. [i]Enjoy it while you can.[/i] Unlike the big man, Clancy had taken the more challenging route. Yet, midway through, he noticed a [i]thin[/i] window, no bigger than a mail slot and probably used to light up a storeroom in the building, except a meaty face was positioned in the center - transparent, almost, as though it sat in the reflection rather than behind it - and something heavy was clacking along the rooftop from the other end, like a collection of farm animals skidding on gravel. [i]Keeping those kids busy,[/i] he rationalised. The boy gave it no further thought, continuing his ascent; one last time, a hand clamped around the top of the gutter, this time no further handholds waiting behind it. He was at the top. Clancy pulled his weight upwards, peering over the top - face-to-face with one of Judas’ pets, rushing at the ledge. Before he could pull back, the creature clamped its jaws around his shoulder and pulled him over the edge, tossing him mid-air like a toy. A golden light approached on the horizon, swelling in his vision until it was blinding. [hr] Bianca rolled her eyes at Trevor's "singing" and stepped into the arrow-created portal, stepping out the other end and jumping into the PRA vehicle. "Boy, am I glad to see you all," she chirped as if this wasn't the middle of a paranormal turf war (that she'd been shot during, but it was okay; she was healed). She took the bulletproof vest from Trevor and pulled it on over her jacket. She paused, giving him a questioning look. "Wait, aren't you also off today?" “Yeah, but I heard that you were in trouble and [i]had[/i] to help!” "Sure, bet you were dragged along 'cause you didn't have anything better to do," Bianca snorted before patting her leg - right above the pronounced blood staining. "Unfortunately for you, I already got fixed up by another healer… anyway, you don't have a gun for me too?” “... I do,” Fiona said as she handed Bianca a Glock 19M from the back seat. “It’s great to see you’re safe, Agent Manalo!” She said in a bubbly tone. "Thanks," Bianca nodded to Fiona, gratefully taking the Glock. Much better than being unarmed. "Course I am! It takes more than a bullet and a shadow fist to take me out." “Well, I hope you are, because we gotta solve [i]that,[/i]” Nakala gestured towards the fight between Judas and Samson. [hr] Sonya looked through the scope of her sniper rifle and observed the fight with her own two eyes. Judas was able to fight evenly with Samson’s phoenix. What in the world?! Samson was one of the most vital PRA Agents, and Judas could fight fist-to-fist with him… However, what was more urgent to Sonya was the kid getting thrashed around by the monster-demon-dog-thing. She winced as she desperately looked for an opening to snipe it with a taser dart so they could get the kid free. Still, with Samson right there, it was impossible to get a clear shot at the bastard… … Then Samson was sent flying by Judas, and Helena and Sonya were forced to dodge! He landed right next to them, and Sonya said… "... Oh, hi, Samson," Sonya waved at him before she looked down at the scope, and [i]finally[/i] got her opening at one of the dogs. She had to be careful, as a subsonic round like this would be [i]heavily[/i] influenced by the wind. She held her breath, and at the top of her breath, she pulled the trigger and fired a taser dart… she saw it go from the barrel of her M24 to the neck of the Cur. It convulsed and dropped the kid, and Sonya fist-pumped! “Nailed i-” Then the building collapsed underneath her feet, then she screamed… [hr] Clancy writhed in the grasp of one of Judas’ pets. The axe had slipped from his fingers shortly after being tossed, leaving him to wrestle in its jaws with his own unconventionally strong hands. Then- A crackle was followed by the entire mass of the beast seizing as something made contact with its body. Clancy threw an arm out and pushed hard against the roof of the beast's mouth, hard enough to rend the connective tissues between upper and lower jaws, saliva, and [i]other[/i] crimson fluids spattered everywhere. Something gave, and its hold on him dissipated as its legs gave out; his body dropped, rolling onto a puddle of blood and asphalt, only stopping when it hit an AC unit. He found his footing quickly enough and only then realized after looking back how much damage had been done; the collapsed monster's jaws were bent out of alignment, like a pair of partially opened pliers that had been bent sideways. He wasn't looking much prettier either. His clothes were [i]ruined[/i]] at this stage Tears, punctures, and other signs of extensive damage pockmarked his apparel, with patches of pasty white, unblemished skin intermingled with gouges that led to a cold, black hollow beneath. [i]Teeth.[/i] They were bloody, although none of it was [i]his[/i]. The axe, nearby, remained there waiting for him. Clancy hollered at the leader of the Wolfpack and stood at the far side of the rooftop. [B]”I'm getting tired of this bullshit, lardass.”[/b] Judas just gave Clancy the side eye. “... What are you doing up here, kid?” He asked before he looked over Clancy and saw the Phoenix on the other rooftop… with some people on it. Judas snapped his finger, and the building collapsed, giving them no time to plot. Then he turned back to the kid and said, “Go home and play some video games.” Overhead, great wings swept as flocks of birds scattered from the chaos, although neither seemed to notice. [b]”[i]Ashley Stone![/i]”[/b] Clancy called back, the first time some genuine emotion was in his voice. He knelt, fingers tightening around the ornate handle of what was once Victor Villarian's axe. A gaunt expression was set on his face. “... And who the hell is that?” Judas raised an eyebrow at Clancy. [b]”Father Wolf killed her,”[/b] the boy answered sharply, beginning his approach, [b]”And there's only one [i]asshole[/i] here calling himself [i]Daddy Wolf[/i]..”[/b] It prompted Judas to level his shotgun at Clancy’s head. “Kid,” he started, “If you don’t get off this rooftop and stop distracting me.” [b]”Won’t work-”[/b] Clancy growled, only to be cut off mid-sentence as the man kept his word and squeezed off a shell. He staggered, then tumbled - before he hit the ground, a flock of birds swept over and under him, talons gripping through what remained of his shredded clothes and pulling his body away and towards where the PRA had stationed their armored van. [hr] Jetlag was a bitch. He got off the plane, checked into his hotel, and dropped off all his bags… [url=https://i.imgur.com/25kR0vP.jpg] A man[/url] got out of a taxi cab. He was wearing a grey hoodie, sweat pants, and some white Air Force 1s, with a backpack over his shoulder. Before he pressed on, he looked up at the towering building before him. What building, you ask? The St. Portwell PRA Office. [i]I’ll see this place often, I take it?[/i] He thought to himself as he walked forward until he walked up the stairs. “... Maxi!” The man came to a stop and turned his head to the right to see somebody [url=https://i.imgur.com/jYofrlc.jpg]even taller than himself,[/url] wearing a suit and tie with his arms crossed, grinning at Maximilian while leaning against the wall. He pushed himself off the wall as he approached the man and asked a simple question, “... Don’t you know how to take a break for a [i]second?[/i]” The man cracked a smirk. “... No, sorry, I don’t, Leon,” He said as he walked up to the man, gave him a nice, firm handshake, and wrapped his other hand around him. He returned and said, “It’s great to see you again, Leon. Know the last time we met was…” The man visibly cringed. Leon raised his hands and chuckled, “I know, I know… I’m surprised Director Alcott didn’t bring you here sooner, Maxi....” There was a dramatic pause as Leon looked at the skyline. He couldn’t see Samson anymore, so maybe that counted for something. “.. St. Portwell is in chaos,” He chuckled, “We might be the only people who can help it.” “Can?” The man raised an eyebrow. “We [i]will[/i] help it.” “Heh,” Leon crossed his arms, “You really [i]are[/i] Superman.” “Do you know where Senior Agent Phillips is?” The man started. “I was meaning to have a word or two with her.” Leon shrugged. “One of her agents - you probably never met her - got attacked at a strip club, and Agent Phillips grabbed some agents and went there.” “... And why didn’t you go?” “Because it’s my day off, and unlike Trevor, I know how to stay out of sight, not to get dragged into a bullshit mission,” Leon chuckled. “Besides, I wanted to be the first person you see… I don’t need magic to tell what you will do next.” “I’m going to call her to make sure things are okay,” The man said. “Loooooooooooook…” Leon rolled his eyes from behind his sunglasses. “Just take it easy for a little bit. I know your whole deal is… you know, being a workaholic… but relax for a bit. It’s a Monday night in St. Portwell, I mean, it’s not Hawaii. It’s not Vegas. Not LA. Not Miami. Not even Tokyo…. But it’s a Monday night in St. Portwell, and instead of going to the clubs to talk to girls, you come to work.” The man ignored him as he scrolled through his near-endless contacts until he found Senior Agent Phillips and hit the call button… after ringing, she answered. “... Agent Cornell?” Nakala said with a strained voice. “We’re kind of in the middle of something here!” “Wait, what’s going on?” The man (well, Agent Cornell) asked. “We’re dealing with a high-level Paranormal. I think his PTA might be three! Agent Brown, Agent Mayfield, and Agent Page are engaging him, but they’re having trouble.” There was a pause before Agent Cornell responded. “... Do you need my help?” “It would be much apprecia- [i]AH FUCK![/i]” Then Nakala dropped the phone and hung up. Agent Cornell looked up at Leon. “Vedi Veni Vedi,” Leon said, “That’s all I know.” “I’ll get suited up…” Agent Cornell trailed as he rushed into the building. “Heh,” Leon chuckled. “Me too.” She then followed after him. [hr] The building collapsed under Samson’s feet, and he could hear Agent Mayfield screaming… however, she quickly used her tongue to attach itself to a street light and used her momentum to swing forward. Meanwhile, Agent Page summoned ghostly birds that latched themselves to her, allowing her to levitate in midair. Samson himself just hit the ground with little to no damage to himself as he looked up at Judas… the bastard was distracted by that damn kid! He thought Agent Mayfield gave him the opening to get out, yet he was [i]still[/i] jawing to a crime boss. If Samson was in human form, the world could see him smirk. The only problem was that Samson didn’t want to rush in until that kid was safe, lest he got [i]killed[/i]. Samson turned towards “Agent Page! Get that kid out of there before he gets killed!” “On it!” Helena created several birds, sent them at Clancy, and extracted him from Judas’ presence, taking him to the vehicle with Nakala and the others… Samson flew in directly at Judas like a rocket. Judas waved his hand up, creating a wall of concrete and rebar, which Samson collided with, sending debris in all directions again. Samson kept the pressure up by spewing fire at Judas, who raised his hand and created rebar out of the ground. He took steps back as the Curs recoiled in fear. “You know what?!” Judas shouted, whistling and pointing at the PRA vehicle. “[i]Kill![/i]” He let the chain loose, and the two remaining Curs went on a [i]rampage…[/i] all going for the PRA vehicle. Samson looked over his (bird) shoulder and was about to turn around… … Only to get whacked with a wall of concrete that sent him skidding across the ground… and then Judas. Made rebar spears stab out of the ground to impale his Phoenix body more and more… however, Samson quickly shifted back into his human form, where there were [i]gaping[/i] holes in his body where he was stabbed - they ignited with flames as they quickly regenerated. However, his human form was more diminutive, and he was free from getting impaled by the rebar. Judas twisted his hand and made the rebar curve inwards, only for Samson to leap up and shift back into his phoenix form, and fired a blast of fire at Judas as he quickly flew upwards - at the apex of his leap, he flipped over. He examined the battlefield and had to choose between fighting Judas and helping the other Agents. However, Judas was a high-level Paranormal, and Samson was the most obvious target. [i]So… here we go again.[/i] Samson dove at Judas once more. [hr] The rest of the Wolfpack cut and run… it is evident that Judas stayed behind to ensure they got away. They’ll get them later. Nakala observed the battle from the safety of their armored vehicle… it is evident that Judas was too powerful for two supporting units, an inexperienced trainee Agent, and one Senior Agent to handle. So, Nakala remained in view, but she had kept Bianca nearby to boost Samson and, hopefully, two of the strongest PRA Agents and their top sniper could take care of Judas, but Nakala wanted him alive. Agent Liao would want him alive for questioning. Nakala threw open the barn doors of their van to let her flock deposit the child into the vehicle's safety. Clancy slumped against a seat, one hand covering his face, and murmured with an almost guttural pitch, [b]”Don’t have time, turn off-”[/b] There wasn’t much time for them to argue or deal with the kid; Judas’ pets had slipped into view, bounding for the vehicle. Nakala had no choice but to floor it, tires screeching against gravel and asphalt. One of the Curs quickly closed the gap and threw its weight into the side of the van, horns punching almost deep enough to tear through the exterior chassis. “Shit!” Nakala hissed to herself as she made a sharp right, almost overturning the vehicle. The boy, now upright despite the traumatic injury he’d suffered, fell sideways out the open doors and disappeared under a carpet of shadow that enveloped his form. “Oooooooh lord!” Trevor shouted, “I don’t want to die a virgin!” “Same!” Fiona shouted. "Fuck," Bianca slammed into the left wall of the van, managing to catch herself and sit down before she fell out too. Before turning to look at Trevor with a snort. "Don't spend your days off at work then…" “Agent Phillips!” She could hear Sonya’s voice in her headset, “We’re coming to help, but you’re too fast!” “Well, can’t help that, Sonya!” Nakala shouted, “If we slow down, we die! Help Samson, we can handle this!” “... Are you [i]sure[/i] about that?” Agent Page asked. “... Well, maybe use your birds to do [i]something![/i]” Nakala grits her teeth. “On it!” “Everyone else, weapons free!” Nakala shouted at the three in the back. "Got it!" Bianca had never holstered her gun and aimed it towards the open doors in case the Curs got close enough to shoot while gripping a handle to stop herself from falling out. One of the Curs approached from the right side, growling as it lowered its head to charge the PRA vehicle. It collided with the side, almost flipping it over. “Jesus, that thing’s strong as [i]fuck![/i]” Trevor shouted as he held onto a handle to prevent himself from falling out of the chair. “For fuck’s sake,” Bianca grunted, jerking forward and just barely managing to stay seated. “We’re all going to fall out or get crushed before we can handle these things!” “I have an idea!” Fiona shouted as she looked at the open door. “Everyone, cover your ears!” “Just don’t throw us out or anything!” Bianca swiftly holstered her gun and slammed her hands over her ears, hoping that they wouldn’t be hit again while she wasn’t holding onto anything else. “Or get yourself killed!” Nakala shouted, not taking her hands off the wheel, “Remember, you’re still a trainee!” “Trust me!” Fiona said as she got out of the chair and climbed towards the open door… out of unique vents in her specially made armor came four praying mantis wings. They began fluttering [i]loudly[/i] as she hopped out of the PRA vehicle and flew into the air. She cupped her hands together and then shouted, “Here, doggy!” She grabbed the attention of two of the Curs as it chased after her as she flew down the street… towards Sonya and Helena, who were in hot pursuit. That left one of the Curs… however that one began sprinting and collided with the PRA vehicle. It lowered its head until its horns were underneath the speeding military-like vehicle and whipped its head upwards, flipping it over. As the vehicle was laid on its side, Nakala screamed, and so did Trevor. It let out an unholy screech as the Cur attempted to rush inside to pull out one of the PRA Agents… only to be stopped by its horns preventing it from getting more than its nose inside the vehicle. “Shit!” Bianca screamed, falling forward and barely managing to avoid slamming her head into the wall. She rolled onto her back and backed away from the Cur’s nose (and thus the rest of it), was a [i]little[/i] too close for comfort. She pulled out her gun before unloading nearly half the ammunition, in panic, into its nose. Blowing away chunks of its face as it was forced to recoil. Trevor laughed and said, “Nice one!” However, the Cur quickly flipped the vehicle over [i]again[/i] until it was upside down. Nakala’s compound bow fell out of her lap, and she hissed as she reached for it… but the Cur rammed the flipped-over vehicle and sent it spinning! Bianca protected her head with one hand, trying to hold the gun securely with the other while bashing between the vehicle walls like a ping-pong ball. Being shot was way nicer than this! “Nice one, my ass, I just made it angry!” She just about managed to yell. When the vehicle stopped spinning, Nakala’s bow landed in arm’s reach of Bianca… The Cur was charging the vehicle again. “Chuck it my way!” Bianca twisted around, grabbed the bow, and threw it at Nakala - who caught it. Once the bow was out of her hand, she started boosting Nakala too. “Here!” Nakala pulled the arrow back, aiming it towards the broken front window, and created an arrow made of green energy…. Then she mused out loud. “Heh, pulled off stupider shots than this.” She let it fly a reasonable distance away; she created a portal… and right above their upside-down heads, she created another portal. Nakala quickly unlatched her seatbelt and fell in… ending up on the other side. She fell to the ground but quickly flipped over to face the Cur that roared. Trevor fell on his stomach, too, and Bianca fell right after him. “Nobody move! Trust me!” Nakala said, “Bianca! Keep boosting me!” “On it!” Bianca gritted her teeth, concentrating solely on boosting Nakala as much as possible. The Cur charged them head-on. “... What sort of crazy idea are you cooking up here!?” Trevor shouted as he crawled backward on his ass. He quickly grabbed his pistol and aimed it. “Just shut up and don’t move!” Nakala shouted as she aimed her bow and arrow at the raging beast. “... That’s not going to do anything to it!” Trevor shouted. [b]“Shut! [i]UP![/i]”[/b] Nakala shouted as it finally got close.... … a mountainous stone spike ruptured from the ground underneath the Cur, impaling it through the stomach. It was enough to lift the monster off the ground, thrashing around for a few moments… before it went limp. Nakala sighed in relief. “Oh, thank god,” Bianca said, rolling onto her back and dropping the boost. She was [i]exhausted[/i]. She still had some boosting juice left in her, but not much. “Realllly thought that was going to be the end. I can’t believe getting shot wasn’t the worst thing that happened to me tonight.” “What about the other tw-” Trevor spoke. They heard a mighty roar and various barking as Nakala and Trevor turned their heads upwards to see one of the Curs lifted high by glowing blue birds… before getting dropped to the ground. It yelped as it fell towards the earth and landed with a [i]thud[/i]. Several gunshots followed them. “We neutralized the other two doggies!” Sonya shouted over the intercom. “Are you okay?” “Yes, we neutralized the one pursuing us…” Nakala said. “Wait,” Nakala looked around, “... [i]Where the fuck did the kid go?![/i]” [hr] Judas looked up at Samson as he charged him head-on; Judas willed several hands made out of concrete into existence. They all went for Samson to grab Samson, but Samson dodged them, soaring left and right. He opened his mouth and spewed a fireball at Judas; Judas prepped to block it like before… he thought it would hit him head-on, but it went to the side and exploded on contact with the ground. It burned Judas’ arm, and he loudly yelped and then hissed as he recoiled, dropping his shotgun in the process. Then Samson did a flip mid-air and dive-kicked Judas, letting out an eagle-like screech as he collided with Judas’ concrete barrier, forcing Judas to dive out of the way. He hit the ground with a skid, flipped over, and swung his hand in the process, sending a wave of concrete that hit Samson head-on and launched him backward. Samson dropped his weight, and his talons carved apart the rooftop as he spewed fire like an oversized flamethrower. He forced Judas to throw up more concrete and rebar walls to block as he hopped to his feet. However, Samson lept over it with his wings stretched outwards and dove Judas again, forcing him to haul ass to dodge. The sheer impact launched Samson through the rooftop into the building… and Judas raised his fist in the air and brought it down. With that motion, the building caved in on Samson. Then Judas raised his fist into the air, creating massive pillars around Samson and bringing them down on the Phoenix. Samson screeched, stretching his wings outwards, sending fire in all directions - making Judas raise his already burned hand and step back. Samson came out spinning - but Judas didn’t let up as he tore chunks of the rooftop and launched them at Samson in a ball that hit him head-on and slammed him into one of the adjacent buildings. Judas summoned rebar out of the ground without letting up for a second and quickly impaled Samson with as much as possible. Until his phoenix form was mainly impaled by the rebar and rendered unable to move… he shattered, and Samson reverted to his human form. He had a gaping hole in his chest, one that was oozing blood until fire came out as his abstraction attempted to heal him. Judas summoned one final tendril of rebar, wrapped it around Samson’s neck, and kept [i]squeezing[/i] until Samson’s head entirely came off. Samson let out his death cry as he faded away into ash. “Hmph,” Judas said as he turned around… … He heard a helicopter approaching. [hr] The plan went successfully… Fiona had lured two of the Curs away with her loud-ass flying. The issue was that, while she was above them, they were still [i]way[/i] faster than she could fly. One of them lept up with its jaws open, and Fiona flew to the side to dodge… only for them to keep lunging at her. Damn, those things were insatiable. However, one lunged and got a Taser dart right in the neck. It went limp and hit the ground with a thud before it recovered. “Nailed it!” Fiona turned her head towards Sonya and knelt on the roof, aiming her sniper rifle at the street. Helena had knelt at her side, “We got you, Agent Barrett!” She shouted at Fiona, then loudly whistled. “Here, boy!” The other Cur turned its head towards the rooftop and, from the street, managed to jump and land on it with enough force to dislocate some bricks. The two agents dipped backward as Sonya aimed her sniper at the Cur and fired a taser dart, which stunned it. However, Helena summoned the Flock, and they quickly swarmed the Cur. They approached the Cur, surrounding it from all directions as they dove the beast randomly; it snapped at a bird but couldn’t quite get there. One of the birds ripped one of its eyeballs out as the birds attacked its genitals all the while. Helena cocked her glock, walked up to the Cur, and her Flock made an opening as she pressed the pistol against its head and magdumped it. It reduced The Cur’s head to nothing more than a red mush. It dropped dead, which left the other Cur… which was still chasing after Fiona. “Agent Barrett! Come here!” Helena shouted, and Fiona diverted course. The Cur lunged after Fiona…. Sonya shot the Cur with a taser dart, and while it was stunned, Helena’s flock floated towards it, and they latched their talons into its skin. They floated up into the sky with the beast as it thrashed around… high enough for the fall to be as fatal as possible. Then they let go… and it fell, hitting the ground with a thud and leaving cracks in the street. Before Helena floated over to the downed street, [i]reloaded[/i], then emptied her clip into its head. She sighed as she shouted up at Sonya and Fiona, “Kill confirmed!” Then Sonya chatted with Nakala for a moment before she shouted back, “The other one is dead, too!” [hr] “... Why are we taking a helicopter? I can fly there!” Maximilian asked as he stood at the helicopter's open door, looking at the streets of St. Portwell from above. They approached the Veni Vedi Veni club, where all hell had broken loose, and Leon just chuckled, “Easy there, Maxi,” Leon stated, “[i]Somebody[/i] will notice you flying around.” “Maximilian, are you there?” He heard Agent Phillips's voice on his earpiece. “Here,” “Agent Brown is currently battling Judas, but Sonya claims he’s losing,” Nakala started, “Hopefully, you can get there fast enough to support Agent Brown,” “Don’t worry, Agent Brown is strong,” Maximilian narrowed his eyes as he saw Samson fight Judas in the distance. Then he smiled as he said, “I’d hate to fight him.” “The area is evacuated - but, look, we need Judas Bennet [i]alive[/i] so we can grill him on how in the [i]world[/i] the Wolfpack got abstraction, so please-” “... Hold back, I know the drill,” Maximilian rolled his eyes. “Yes,” Nakala answered, “I know Agent Liao is going to throw a fit tomorrow morning, but maybe if we deliver Judas-fucking-Bennet on a silver platter, we can get her to chill… maybe.” “... Maybe?” Maximilian chuckled… until his smile flattened as he saw Judas execute Samson, and he was tempted to jump out. Afterward, Judas stared up at the helicopter and snapped his fingers. A rebar spear came out of the ground, stabbed the tail rotor, and sent the aircraft spiraling; then Maximilian did the unthinkable. He jumped out. While he did jump out, he floated in midair, quickly flew under the spiraling copter, and caught it. He turned with it, and it eventually came to a graceful landing, and he gently placed it on the ground. Then Maximilian looked over his shoulder up at Judas, and Judas looked down at him. “... You know, I didn’t like that,” Maximilian said. “I don’t give a fuck what you like!” Judas shouted, then gestured for Maximilian to come closer, “Come up here and fight me, pussy!” He didn’t flinch… “If that’s what you want…” Maximilian shrugged. [h3][i]“... THEN HERE I COME!”[/i][/h3] He flew forward with his fists outstretched. Judas threw up a circular barrier of concrete… which did as much as diddly squad as Maximilian just punched through it like it was nothing and continued flying towards Judas… whose eyes shot open in shock; he made a circle appear in the floor underneath him, so he dropped and dodged Maximilian. Who cracked a cocky grin as he [i]followed[/i] Judas by flying through the concrete. He then decked Judas… not with the same concrete pounding force as before, but enough to send him stumbling backward. Judas wiped the blood from his face, then coated his arm in spiky, sharp concrete and used it as a mace as he wildly swung it at Maximilian. It shattered against his body as Maximilian swung again and punched Judas… who stumbled backward again but made the ground underneath him collapse. He rode a concrete block through the streets of St. Portwell as he turned around to see Maximilian floating in the air. Judas grits his teeth as he raises both hands into the air, and [i]massive[/i] chunks of St. Portwell come out of the ground. Buildings, streets, etc, all floating in the air… then he shot them at Maximilian; they all came at him in all directions and collided simultaneously. Trapping him in a concrete ball, Judas willed it to [i]grind[/i] him into nothing… … A golden beam pierced outwards to the right, then traveled horizontally and cleaved the orb of concrete in half. Then Maximilian burst out, flying directly at Judas, who had to launch himself upwards with a pillar of concrete and rebar, then attempted to drop it on Maximilian while he fell to the ground. Maximilian flew upwards and caught it, then dropped it on the ground as he flew as Judas. “Fuck!” Judas shouted as he created more concrete from the ground to catch him and floated away from Maximilian… who was in hot pursuit. As Judas flew towards the ground himself, he could tell that Maximilian was faster than him. He awkwardly glanced at the street as he said, “Fuck this, I’m out of here!” Judas lept from the floating platform he had created for himself… only for Maximilian to fire a golden beam of energy from his hand that hit Judas directly in the back and sent him rolling. He couldn’t pick himself up… he couldn’t feel his fucking legs! They were limp, and as much as he commanded them to move, they wouldn’t. Judas dragged himself away as Maximilian floated towards him with his arms crossed. “... I didn’t want to do that,” Maximilian shook his head. “... What the fuck? Who… who the hell are you? Why isn’t anything [i]working[/i] on you?!” Judas asked as he fell on his ass… his ordinarily gruff voice shifted a bit; it ended up being more feminine. Maximilian tilted his head. “I’m Maximilian Cornell,” He jammed a thumb into his chest, then said, “And I [i]win.[/i]” Judas gritted his teeth, but Maximilian raised his hand at him and said, “Surrender, Judas,” He started, “It’s over; we have a lot of questions to ask you,” He looked at all the chaos that was around him, then shook his head, “Primarily; how could a two-bit crimelord like yourself get an Abstraction this powerful?” [b][i][h3]“FUCK YOU!”[/h3][/i][/b] Judas swung his hands out at Maximilian and sent [i]everything[/i] he had at Maximilian… which was enough to launch the midair PRA agent away, and then Judas began sinking into the ground slowly… [i]Something[/i] clamped around his face from behind, arresting his descent and almost wholly obscuring his vision. A humanoid shape formed of what could only be described as a third-dimensional representation of a black, smoky shadow, no smaller than five feet, with sharp, angular features, emerged from a nearby hollow in the ruins. The shadow was cold, almost [i]freezing[/i] to the touch, and its ‘head’ was a near-featureless black oval, with a vague representation of a toothy maw bored into the center. It warned the observing PRA, dragging a flailing Judas back toward a nearby alleyway like a ragdoll. [h3][b]”Only want [i]him[/i]. Stay out.”[/b][/h3] “What the hell?!” Maximilian shouted as he flew towards the alleyway… only to find a dead end. The voice was a growl, an inhuman resonance mingled with [i]the[/i] child’s pitch; two voices merged as one. [b]” Ashley Stone. Father Wolf. Dollhouse. [I]Want answers.[/i]”[/b] Judas was thrown against a nearby wall, and long black fingers dug into his wrist, tight enough to crunch bone and tissue like cardboard. Accentuating its point, the shadow’s other hand interlocked its fingers around Judas’ other bicep and [i]strained[/i] it back as far as a regular human’s bones and connective tissues could take, threatening to pull him apart like a wishbone [b]”Talk, or [i]suffer[/i] like the others.”[/b] The shadowy ‘head’ partially receded, revealing the face of a boy that was halfway to ruin, one half-pockmarked where the buckshot had stripped away part of his scalp, an eye, and the right-hand segment of his jaw. Where hair and skin were missing, a hollow black emptiness sat beneath, staring back at Judas - the only blood was the spatter on the untouched half of the boy’s face. “I… I don’t fucking know who the fuck Ashley is! You’re after the wrong one, freak!” Judas shouted in response. [b]”Someone is killing people who were with her ‘coven’. Killed her. [I]You-[/i]”[/b] Clancy pulled back a little harder, close to dislocating his shoulder. [i][b]“... WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT!?”[/b][/i] Judas screamed. “I don’t know this bitch! I don’t know anything about a Coven! Only those retards in 8th Street and those bitches that fuck around in the woods call themselves a Coven!” [I]Change tack.[/i] [b]”Dollhouse. Know you talk to them. Were [I]they[/i] in on it?”[/b] “Look, I’m not saying a [i]damn[/i] thing about Dollhouse,” Judas started, “Don’t you know who they are? Or what they do to rats!?” [b]”What [i]I'll[/i]do-”[/b] Clancy interjected. This time, he pulled hard enough to dislocate the arm from the shoulder. Judas shrieked, clenching his teeth with his eyes closed. “Do your worst, you bastard!” Judas pushed out the words. [b]”-take you apart. Then finish your club of assholes.”[/b] “I’d like to see you try! Wolfpack, don’t surrender for anyone!” [b]”[i]Skinner[/i] said the same. I changed his mind.”[/b] Judas narrowed his eyes, fighting through the pain. “I’m not SkinnEAARGH-” Clancy didn't wait for him to finish, black digits twisting until the wrist was reduced to a strip of meat, tendon, and loose bone fragments. [b]”She was [i]family.[/i] Took that from me. I'll take [i]everything[/i] that matters and break the rest. Dollhouse, what did they do? Where are they?!”[/b] The shadow-child pressed the man further into the brickwork. “I’m not telling…” Judas trailed off, “... You know what? Fuck them! Leave us alone and I’ll tell you [i]everything[/i] They gave us these damn… ‘abstractions’, or whatever the fuck they’re called so we can work for them. Be their muscle. They don’t like getting their hands dirty. If you want those fuckers, they’re at the-” A gust of wind came by… in the blink of an eye, there was a massive gaping hole in Judas’ chest that was oozing blood and viscera. There was a brief moment in which the man's expression contorted in recognition of what was happening before his head drooped as everything slipped away. … and off to the side was Shayton, with his hands behind his back. He turned over his shoulder at Clancy and then said, “Hmph,” Shayton began, “... And you’re [i]just a kid[/i], right?” [B][i]”Just a kid.”[/i][/b] Clancy echoed, the child's pitch overlapping the inhuman resonance. For a moment, he remained frozen, comprehending the situation. [i]No. No. No![/i] His shadowy digits relinquished their hold over the now-lifeless corpse that had been Judas Bennet, dropping it to the ground like a slab of meat. [b]”I [i]needed[/i] him,”[/b] he bristled, the boy's face disappearing behind an oval, toothy maw, guttural pitch taking precedent, [b]”Do you know what you've [i]taken[/i] from me?”[/b] “No,” Shayton softly said, “But I’m certain you can come and tell me another time. I have to go. I need to report some things to my bosses…” Shayton narrowed his eyes at Clancy. “... I would suggest you keep your head down. Whoever- whatever you are. These days, everyone is a target. They don’t know it yet.” Shayton disappeared in another burst of speed before the shadow-child could lash out, leaving the alleyway behind. As the PRA spread out into the area, searching for their missing suspect, they caught a glimpse of the shadow creature scaling the brickwork of the alley and disappearing into the night, leaving behind the ruined corpse of their wanted man. [hr] Maximilian had taken up to the sky… he knew that finding Judas was easier said than done in this urban jungle. He tapped his earpiece, noticing Helena’s flock [i]covering[/i] the area. They would have better luck than him in finding Judas… “Maximilian!” Helena shouted over his earpiece, “Come here!” The birds took the shape of an arrow that pointed downwards, and Maximilian flew over that way. Then floated downwards… only to find Helena knelt next to Judas’ dead body. She nodded her head at Maximilian before she said, “Judas is dead,” Helena said. “Wait!?” Nakala shouted over the comms. “Who killed him?!” “Got a glimpse of an Apparition fleeing; my birds couldn’t keep track of it.” “Fuck my life!” Nakala shouted, “Apologies… alright, get ready because we have to clean this mess up…” She trailed. “... Agent Liao is [i]not[/i] going to be happy about this.”[center][hr][hr][hr][hr][img]https://i.imgur.com/QdIbH1N.png[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/Tq1wkov.png[/img][hr][hr][hr][/center][hr][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/cCZ6KjE.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/4teSuW6.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/Vhha8Vi.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/x8slyeV.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/f9M4emQ.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/Cduq3Ee.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/H0PZlqQ.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/CoRfSte.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/gnXxYCo.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/CTw50k0.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/SQ9vdLo.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/l2hYxKL.png[/img][h1]The PRA.[/h1][/center][right][b]Interactions:[/b] None. [/right][right][b][code]The PRA Headquarters.[/code][/b][/right][hr][hr] It was going to be a looooooong day. Fortunately, a cup of coffee helped with that. [url=https://i.imgur.com/FehFaEe.jpg]A pear-shaped African-American woman,[/url], walked through the door with a cup of coffee and a clipboard in the other. She sipped her coffee as she walked through the frantic halls of the PRA office; she had one destination. Her office. She walked up to the door, and on the side in brass, it said [code]CINDY G. KEAGAN. SENIOR AGENT.[/code] She quickly put her key in, opened the door, and closed it behind her - not turning on the light because she didn't want anyone to bother her. She placed her clipboard on her desk, sat in her computer chair, logged in, and checked her email. She got together the morning brief... and noticed the door opened, standing in the doorframe as Agent Phillips crossed her arms. Cindy leaned forward, putting her fingertips together as she said, "Good morning, Agent Phillips," she started. "I heard you had a [i]real[/i] fun night last night without me." "Hmph," Nakala shrugged. "Didn't have a choice in that one." Nakala then got off the wall, slapped a hand on her hip, walked over to Cindy's desk, and said, "I take it Meifeng has already started her warpath." She rolled her eyes. "She's already having a word with the leader of the 8th Street Coven," "I thought if... if we could get her Judas, we could get her to chill," Cindy laughed. "You thought you could calm her down?" She said, barely holding back laughter. "I mean, I'm not trying to talk down to you-" "Sounds like you're trying to talk down to me," Nakala rolled her eyes. "I've known Agent Liao - Meifeng - since grade school, and lemme tell you something," She started. "Twenty years, a marriage, two kids, becoming a bigshot government agent later, and she's still the same Meifeng I met in middle school." She chuckled. Nakala smiled, then it turned into a frown as she slapped her hand on her hip. "I'm hoping Meifeng doesn't one-eighty on 8th Street after all that bullshit we let them slide on..." Then, she rolled her eyes. "I told her we should have taken care of them from the jump," Cindy said as she typed away at her computer. "She wanted eyes in St. Portwell... and didn't think they were "that big of a deal."" She finger quoted. "Hopefully, with Maximilian, we can just go there and flatten them and be back for lunch break..." Cindy kept typing. "But, let me finish this email. I'll see you at the morning brief." Nakala nodded her head as she went to head to the meeting room.[hr]A short while later, Cindy walked into [url=https://i.imgur.com/3kf0DZu.jpg]the PRA's meeting room.[/url] It was a large room that had a [i]beautiful[/i] view of the city on the side opposite of her. Every PRA Agent was there... except for Meifeng. She smiled as she chipperly said, "Good morning, everybody!" She walked up to the table, set her cup of coffee down, and smiled. “We have a new Agent here at the St. Portwell office. Would you stand up, Agent Cornell?” Cindy asked, and he obliged as he stood up. “Good morning, everyone,” Maximilian said, “I’m certain you all heard a lot about me… a lot of familiar faces in here, heh.” “I’m certain you met everyone here except for Agent Beaulieu…” Cindy gestured towards a [url=https://i.pinimg.com/564x/19/15/17/191517e74dc1bd115eabd22876368502.jpg]Skinny, average-height black lady with a curly afro.[/url] Agent Beaulieu smiled and waved and said, “Hi!” “Agent Manalo…” Cindy gestured towards Bianca. “Hey,” Bianca smiled, barely visible behind the coffee mug she refused to put down. “Nice to meet you.” “... And Akira Shinjo,” Cindy gestured towards a [url=https://i.imgur.com/nrpsZEw.jpg]short Japanese woman with a bobcut[/url] that had an Ōdachi hanging off her hip. “It is great to meet you, Maximilian Cornell. I’ve heard much about you,” Akira softly said. Cindy added, “She’s one of our guests from the PRA’s little foreign exchange program.” Maximilian smiled as he loudly clapped his hands together and spoke, “It is great to meet you three and to everyone else… I’m glad to see you all are doing well, especially after… [i]you know,[/i]” Various agents awkwardly chuckled. Samson pulled at his collar as he looked to his side. “... The Lighthouse Incident?” Trevor said with a cocky smile on his face. “Trevor, no!” Samson said, “Shut up! I still have nightmares about that!” Sonya grabbed onto her head. “Trevor [i], I swear to God[/i], stop talking about that!” Nakala pointed at him. “Shut up, you’re just asking for a beating!” Bianca leaned over and made out to smack Trevor on the back of the head but ended it with barely more than a tap. “Bring it up again; I’m shoving my katana up your ass,” Leon said with a roll of his eyes. Trevor kept grinning. “... Don’t threaten me with a good time!” “... Lighthouse Incident?” Akira said, raising an eyebrow. “Trust me, Shinjo,” Samson said as he leaned back in his chair with his hands behind his head. “[i]You don’t want to know.[/i] I still remember flying around just torching forests…” He shook his head. “Okay, let’s move on,” Cindy said, putting her hands up. “Regional Commander Liao is currently out and will be back later, but I heard you all had a very… busy night.” She then turned towards Bianca. “I’ll ensure you are compensated for last night, Agent Manalo,” “What about me?” Trevor asked. “... Depends on how much you keep your mouth shut, Agent Obott,” Cindy answered. "You [i]didn't[/i] get shot," Bianca pointed out. “But I almost got humped by a murder-doggo!” Trevor answered. “... And here I was thinking you were tired of seeing the HR guy,” Samson rolled his eyes. "That 'murder-doggo' was not interested in you," Bianca snorted before turning to Cindy, a voice filled with (probably false) hope. "Will I get another day off too?" “Tomorrow,” Cindy said, “Agent Liao wants all Agents here.” “Is that why I got called from [i]my[/i] day off?” Leon said with a raised eyebrow. “Yes…” Cindy said, “After we reviewed the after-action reports from… all the involved Agents, we may be taking action against either the 8th Street Coven or… the Sycamore Tree Coven.” “... The what Coven?” Samson asked with a raised eyebrow. Bianca almost spat out her coffee. "It wasn't so bad that we'd have to go after them, surely? The Sycamore Tree coven doesn't even really exist anymore." She then glanced at Samson. "It's a coven from 10 years ago that disbanded and is kindaaaa back. Barely." “You didn’t hear about what happened to Agent Mahendra just [i]two hours[/i] after he went to their reunion, right?” Leon asked with a raised eyebrow and crossed arms. "Oh shit," Bianca smacked her forehead. She had yet to put two and two together with that one. "Just find it hard to believe it was them… they're way too dysfunctional." “Look, this stays in this room,” Cindy shook her head as she rubbed her temple with her free hand. “That was a stupid idea off rip, but Agent Liao thought she could trust him. Thought that they wouldn’t sniff him out. And look what happened?” “Liao’s on the warpath,” Samson added with another roll of his eyes. “Exactly,” Cindy said before she turned back to Bianca, “And not just that; the woman that attacked you, Everleigh Thorn, was a member of that Coven, correct?” "She was," Bianca said reluctantly - reluctant to admit she'd ever been part of the same group as Everleigh, that was. "Hairpin trigger that one… her and a few others wouldn't like an agent being around, I suppose." “Well, I worked with Agent Liao plenty of times,” Samson chuckled. “She does [i]not[/i] like it when people hurt her agents.” “Isn’t she a part of the 8th Street Coven?” Helena asked with a raised eyebrow. “She probably doesn’t even know what she’s a part of,” Samson shrugged. “It’s probably why Agent Liao is talking to 8th Street’s leadership,” Cindy said with a roll of her eyes, and the room went silent. “... By [i]herself?[/i]” Fiona asked, tilting her head. “Yuuuup,” Cindy flatly said. “Oh, right,” Samson started, “You’re new… Agent Liao doesn’t play; she made [i]sure[/i] that 8th Street understands who’s in charge.” "8th Street's got nothing on Agent Liao," Bianca shrugged. She would've loved to see Emily getting her ass handed to her by Meifeng. “Wasn’t the Sycamore Tree Coven the ones that defeated the Stygian Snake…?” Akira Shinjo asked, her expression not changing slightly. “... As children?” Akira added. "Uh," Bianca awkwardly rubbed the back of her neck. Just hearing about it still sent a shiver down her spine. She tried not to make that too obvious. "They were, yeah. Ten years ago." “... Then [i]why[/i] did the Director call her best agents here to find the damned thing if a bunch of [i]children[/i] took care of it?!” Sonya said before laughing. “I can handle a little murder-noodle by myself.” “That is curious,” Akira said. "Because it destroyed half the city," Bianca replied bluntly. "And half of those children died… I really wouldn't underestimate it." “The Spirit Wardens want it contained-” Akira said before she was cut off. “... Isn’t it already contained?” Trevor asked. “Being sealed in a tree somewhere is [i]not[/i] contained, Obott,” Akira said. “And it’s why I was sent here,” Maximilian said. “Have we made any progress on locating the Stygian Snake?” Helena asked Cindy. “Regarding progress,“ Cindy stated, “We have made no progress.” “Typical,” Helena answered. “Regardless,” Cindy said, “At this very moment, we have some of the PRA’s most powerful and skilled agents in this office. Everything will work out in the end. I promise.” She nodded and had the utmost faith in everyone here. Even Trevor (just a [i]little[/i] less than everyone else). "Heh, yeah, we'll be faster checking every Sycamore tree," Bianca said. “That’s why I’m here, heh,” Helena chuckled. “Alright, everyone, don’t go too far. You can go grab breakfast or something, but once Agent Liao gets back, we’ll probably find out what we’ll be doing today,” Cindy said, raising her fist. “Meeting dismissed. We are…” Everyone raised their fist in the air as they shouted.[h1][i][b]“... THE TIP OF THE SPEAR!”[/b][/i][/h1][h3][b]“... JUST THE [i]TIP![/i]”[/b][/h3] “... [i]TREVOR![/i]” Cindy shouted at Trevor. [hr][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/6D400qM.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/O6LA4nR.png[/img] [/center][right][b]Interactions:[/b] None.[/right][right][b][code]The Phoenix-Prescott Household.[/code][/b][/right][hr][hr][center][hider=Past, Present Future - Oliver Tank][youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUeZ5-jnBQg[/youtube][/hider][/center][hr][hr] It doesn't get easier. Therapy helped her out, but there was that underlying guilt and that inability to get across just how [i]bad[/i] things got. Telling a diluted version of events was not the therapy that Adora Phoenix-Prescott needed, nor was it what she wanted. Between working her Remote Job, Adora rarely left the household she had inherited but still shared with her mother... occasionally, her mother left and went out with friends or on dates, leaving the house empty. It was one of those nights. While the members of the old Coven had assembled, Adora had spent it at her residence, as she was not ready to do so. She wanted to go, but just [i]thinking[/i] about it was... not ideal. So the gal just did the usual coping mechanisms her therapist had set forth. Mainly, painting was a hobby that would shock even her closest friends and family. On the lanai of her house, she had a lovely little stool as she painted a [url=https://i.imgur.com/hJ2cUxU.jpg]beach[/url] from memory (She's basic, yes). She had the peaceful, gentle sounds of the St. Portwell forest that surrounded her house to accompany her and soothe her mind a little bit easier. Though there was that feeling that she should face the problem head-on instead of dodging around it... which wasn't accessible at all, she admitted. While afterward, she would beat herself up, when the moment came, it was... terrifying. Adora heard a knock outside her field of view, turned her head towards it, and saw a complete spider web that had formed in the corner of the lanai... ... She could feel a flip-flop sensation in her chest as her breath accelerated. Her hands started shivering [i]so[/i] intensely that she dropped the paintbrush that was in her hand. They keep appearing. A fully formed spiderweb would appear in her house, gym, or grocery store. No matter how hard Adora would clean it up, it would appear again later. She quickly ran to the other side of the lanai where her trusty broom was resting and whacked it down. She sighed in relief as she traced her fingertip alongside the back of her hand, the sleeve of her shirt, and then her upper arm.... and then she sat down and went back to finishing this fucking painting... There was another knock. Adora whipped her head. [i]The web was back.[/i] Adora just dropped the paintbrush and went inside for the night.[hr]It was the following day... Adora was lying in her bed wearing nothing but a T-shirt... the sunrise violently assaulted Adora as she was at [i]just[/i] the right angle for the sun to bypass the blinds and hit her directly in the eyes. One eye shot open, and another one was squinted as the girl lay in the bed. In agonizing pain... She managed to motivate herself to get out of this predicament she was in... by moving slightly to the side so the sun wouldn't annihilate her eyeballs. But she knew it was time to get ready; she wouldn't pass on another Coven meeting nor let Sloane spend one more day with her Grandfather's rings. There was something that she had to do first, something that she had meant to do for a long time but just was unable to bring herself to do. It wouldn't be easy, but Adora fought herself out of bed. Her heart started racing just thinking about it, and she had to pause to calm herself down by breathing deeply and focusing on the wool blankets her grandmother had made. She gently rubbed her hands against them as she walked across the hall to the bathroom, threw her shirt on the ground, and got in the shower. After a long hot shower, Adora poked her head out to see if her mother (or grandmother) was out and about, and it was dead silence. However, Grandma was very quiet for a sixty-two-year-old woman, and something got the drop on Adora. Not today, though; she lept from the bathroom back to her room, hopefully before she had another awkward encounter with her "roommates." Adora quickly threw on some grey sweatpants, white tennis shoes, and a red hoodie... before she swiftly vanished.[right][b][code]Lair of the Old Coven.[/code][/b][/right][hr]A red Nissan Altima stopped at a gate... a metal fence surrounded a particular sight: [url=https://i.imgur.com/UkE8zhh.jpg]a razed mansion.[/url] Adora got out of her car and slowly approached the gates... her heart started fluttering again as she forced herself to breathe slower to calm herself down. There was a lock and chain on the ground, long and rusted... Adora pushed the metal gates open as she approached the mansion. She sighed as she slowly forced herself to move forward, as this wasn't just any place. It was the lair of the Old Coven. She wondered what the hell happened to the place... it was an abandoned mansion for sale that the Coven had just "moved into" after scaring everyone off. After a while, rumors formed that there was a coven of witches and that the place was cursed. She wondered when the place was burnt down, but she desperately hoped that her objective was still there. She grabbed onto her bicep with her free hand and sauntered her way around the destroyed mansion as walking through a burnt-down building was... unwise. Once she made it around the corner, her eyes lit up as she saw it. [url=https://i.imgur.com/Ujry0PM.jpg][i]That tree.[/i][/url] It wasn't the tree that the Stygian Snake was sealed in... it was something more poignant to Adora and the others that lost people. Strangely enough, it was surrounded by beautiful flowers that looked well-maintained. She had meant to do it for a long time but couldn't do it... triggering or not, she needed to do this for her [i]soul[/i]. She walked over to it; at some point, she dragged her feet out of sheer force of will... Carved into the side were the names of the members of the Old Coven who were lost fighting the Stygian Snake, written in code... Adora traced her hands across the mural, examining each name until her fingers traced the one name that was most essential to her.[quote][b][code]LT GGA - F. Green Tiger Beetle of the Cherry.[/code][/b][/quote]It was enough to trigger her as she lost all control of herself; her heart started racing, and her breath just absolutely accelerated. She tried to focus on something, [i]anything[/i], to keep her grounded as she felt weak in the legs and grabbed. However, she couldn't hold on as she had just given out...[right][b][code]Ten years ago... after the defeat of the Stygian Snake.[/code][/b][/right][hr][i]Adora was brought back to that day... the same day they finally defeated the Stygian Snake, and they erased their memories of the damned thing's location. Adora saw the Coven formed behind their old lair, with Ashley, Auri, and Daisy standing in front of a tree with a drape on top of it... Adora looked down and saw that she was transparent, like a ghost. She turned and saw herself on the edge of the group, not looking happy. The night had fallen, and candles illuminated the three leaders... and the eclipse had already passed. Auri and Daisy nodded at Ashley as she stepped forward and made [/i]another[i] speech. "Just [/i]hours[i] ago, we faced the stuff of nightmares, the Stygian Snake. But guess what? We didn't cower in fear. We didn't give up. We didn't run. We didn't let it stop us. No, sir! We stood tall, united, and we took the snake down!" "Whoooooooooo!" Auri cheered as everyone clapped. "We fought through the shadows, faced our fears, and did it! It wasn't just about magic anymore but the bond we shared as a Coven. We're not just a group anymore; we're a family. But, my friends, our journey doesn't end there. No, it's time for something extraordinary. I've gathered you all here today to reminisce about our battles and honor those we lost along the way..." She paused dramatically as Auri commanded her butterflies to lift the drape they had over the tree and revealed it... the mural with the names inscribed in code. "... I present all the culmination of our victory, the symbol of our strength and resilience! Our official [/i]mural![i] of everyone we lost fighting the Stygian Snake!" Ashley took a step forward and pointed backward, shouting, "This is proof they were there here. Proof they fought and gave their [/i]lives[i] for the good of the city. They loved something - the city, their families and friends, whatever that may be - [/i]so much[i] that they were willing to die to defeat the Stygian Snake. So, let's celebrate our victory and never forget all the friends we've lost to get here!" Everyone began cheering.[/i] The Recollection ended. [hr][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/6D400qM.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/O6LA4nR.png[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/MzIHaGw.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/JgL3zQi.png[/img] [/center][right][b]Interactions:[/b] None.[/right][right][b][code]Lair of the Old Coven.[/code][/b][/right][hr][hr][center][hider=I'm Ready - Tricky][youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Honbyo3kKpY[/youtube][/hider][/center][hr][hr] The light ray hit her eyes again as she fully opened one eye and squinted the other. It felt like she was back at home again... she was comfortable under the flowers that she was probably crushing with her body. However, someone was standing over her... someone familiar. Adora tried to force her eyes open only to feel excruciating pain. She clutched her eyes and yelped as she sat up. [color=f4eb93]"Easy there!"[/color] She heard a familiar voice as her eyes adjusted to the light. She looked and saw Britney. It was [i]years[/i] since she had even seen her. She was wearing a white sundress, with a white sunhat and... black combat boots. She bent forward and offered her a hand, which Adora took; she was helped to her feet, but Adora couldn't make eye contact with Britney as she had just turned away. She sighed but felt Britney hug her from behind, and Adora could barely contain her yelp. [color=f4eb93]"Adora! It has been years!"[/color] Adora sighed. [color=fd8a6c]"... Yeah, it has been,"[/color] Britney released her and stepped away. [color=f4eb93]"It's great to see that you are doing well,"[/color] [color=fd8a6c][i]She thinks I'm "Doing well,"... so I must be doing something right.[/i][/color] Adora mused in her head as she continued to face away from Britney. [color=fd8a6c]"You too, Brit..."[/color] [color=f4eb93]"You know, you shouldn't wander around here by yourself,"[/color] Britney started, [color=f4eb93]"You realize how dangerous St. Portwell has gotten... and you're standing on my flowers, so... would you kindly?"[/color] She then chuckled afterward. Adora quickly hopped into the grass. [color=fd8a6c]"Oh, I'm sorry!"[/color] Then she looked up at the burned mansion. [color=fd8a6c]"What happened here? Was it destroyed in an attack?"[/color] [color=f4eb93]"I was gone by the time it happened, but either... well, you weren't there, but the Coven got a little... chaotic after you left. Either someone screwed up and burned it down by accident, Daisy threw a temper tantrum on the way out and burned it down, or when the Old Coven finally dissolved, they burned it down."[/color] [color=fd8a6c]"A lotta memories here..."[/color] [color=f4eb93]"Hopefully good ones?"[/color] She grabbed her arm and turned to the side, [color=fd8a6c]"... I wouldn't go that far,"[/color] [color=f4eb93]"Then why did you come here? I thought..., nevermind,"[/color] [color=fd8a6c]"I finally worked up the strength to come here; I've been trying to do it for [i]years[/i] now,"[/color] Adora smiled, [color=fd8a6c]"I'm... proud of myself."[/color] Adora only heard Britney walk up, put a hand on her shoulder, and say, [color=f4eb93]"You should be... will you attend Auri's next meeting?"[/color] There was a silence. [color=fd8a6c]"... Will Sloane be there?"[/color] [color=f4eb93]"You can ask her."[/color] [color=fd8a6c]"I'm not in contact with her, and I'm not on speaking terms with her..."[/color] There was another awkward silence. [color=f4eb93][i]"... Then why do you want to know if she will be there or not?"[/i][/color] [color=fd8a6c]"I need to get something from her,"[/color] Adora said as she put her hands in her pockets. [color=f4eb93]"... She has the Trinity-Rings, doesn't she?"[/color] Britney asked, and Adora slowly nodded. [color=f4eb93]"Well... just ask her for it. I mean, Sloane's a piece of work, but she's not [i]that[/i] bad."[/color] [color=fd8a6c]"I will,"[/color] Adora started, [color=fd8a6c]"Can I get some alone time...? I'll be at the meeting, just... I need some time to work up the courage to go there."[/color] Britney put a hand on her shoulder again. [color=f4eb93]"Take all the time you need... I'm here for you, friend,"[/color] Britney started, [color=f4eb93]"You got my number, right? [i]Everyone[/i] does."[/color] Adora slowly nodded her head. [color=f4eb93]"Well, I'll be off. Take care, see you at the meeting, Adora!"[/color] Adora could hear Britney stepping away... and then she sighed again. Now that she said that she was going to go... ... She just [i]had[/i] to go. [hr][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/FcbtMmB.png[/img][h1]Auri Auclair.[/h1][/center][right][b]Interactions:[/b] The entire Coven.[/right][right][b][code]Tranquil Haven Park.[/code][/b][/right][hr][hr] Auri ground her teeth... and then took a nice sip of the tea she had prepared for herself. After the fiasco that took place at her Flower Shop, the "New Coven" (as Auri was going to refer to themselves) made it abundantly clear that they can't behave like adults and should have zero respect for Auri's business that she [i]worked hard[/i] to get off the ground. Thus, Auri decided that the New Coven would assemble somewhere open, in the public... so she chose the Tranquil Haven Park. It was a relatively cool day, not super cold, but it was windy today, so it felt colder than it was. It was a simple park, and she set up at the nearest [url=https://i.imgur.com/3HRXPNW.jpg]gazebo[/url] and made [i]sure[/i] to bring snacks. It wasn't long until everyone trickled in, and Auri coughed. There was that urge to flip her shit because she heard about everything that had happened... the Coven fighting the Wolfpack, Drake decking Sloane, and Alizee's [i]death.[/i] However, Auri had to keep her cool and try to at least [i]fake[/i] some motivation. She knew no one liked each other or wanted to be here, but she would make the best of it! "Hello, everybody! You are all looking wonderful today!" Auri's eyes glanced at Sloane for a moment before she reached into a red and blue cooler at her feet and raised a bottle of water. "Does anyone need water? I have plenty to spare!" Auri started. "We have much to talk about... I have some new leads, but I would [i]love[/i] to get us to our lair [sup][i]so you all don't trash my darn Flower Shop again[/i][/sup] before some[i]thing[/i] crazy happens and settle some business!" She sighed as she was forcing the chipper attitude at this point. She decided to stop faking it and went with her more neutral and lowly tone as she said, "I have something to tell you all, however..." Auri started, sighing again, "... Yesterday, [i]Eksa Thresh, Simone Le Lay, and Finn Reid[/i] were found murdered. All of them stabbed to death..." She sighed. Hopefully, this would get the Coven to get their act together.