[img=http://i.imgur.com/bUTbEOv.png]

[b]BASH!![/b]

Abram's moment of weakness for little Baltimore provided Crispin with the single window of opportunity he needed. The brawler launched a flaming uppercut on Abram's jaw, sending the heavy man flying into the air - then slamming back down as Crispin finished him off with - [b]BAM!![/b] - a secondary jab to the stomach. A couple of teeth landed right beside him submerged in blood. Despite the unbearable pain coursing throughout his head and body, Abram was still left alive and breathing.

He waited a moment to see if Abram had anything left in his power to rise back to his feet, but it became apparent that he was not. Not with the punch wounds, not with the burns. "You sound like a good guy, Abram." Crispin spat beside his own foot, a speck of blood splattering like a raindrop. "It's a shame you're part of this BS."

The brawler turned his attention next to the girls offstage; Xandra had fallen, and Estelle was coming his way, towards Vance. Crispin gave her a quick nod and turned his attention to the ringmaster as well, preparing to take on the unarmed man with everything he had left. The ringmaster looked back to the two of them, his expression hollow.

[img=http://i.imgur.com/QabPhf2.png]

Abram had fallen. His right-hand man, his favorite among men - brought down by a scrawny broken-handed [i]boy.[/i]

Vance's lips twitched. Ire. Fury.

He allowed Xandra to fall to the ground as both pyro-users charged after him. And in doing so, Crispin himself suddenly whirled around - "What the!?" - and faced Estelle instead, his left fist blazing with fire. Before Estelle too could realize just what was going on, Crispin leapt towards the swordswoman and punched the ground as he had before. This time, his fiery blast was focused in a single region; rather than a ring, a wall of fire erected between the two combatants.

Smoke clouded the area, shielding the brawler from Estelle's sight. His voice however gave away his position. "Get... your filthy mitts... off of me!!"

He then dashed through the firewall, aiming his punch for Estelle's head. Of course, his swing had missed and he skidded behind her, but the brawler quickly pounced after her again. "Watch out!!"

---

[img=http://i.imgur.com/Ujon08s.png]
[img=http://i.imgur.com/t9SKBzc.png]

Vance let a deep breath through his nose as he returned his attention to Amy. Baltimore had placed herself between Amy and Marcus, her arms held out to their sides. She bit her lip, shaking her head wildly at this.

Though Vance's words were tender, his hollow expression displayed otherwise. "Now my sweet, why have you returned?"

"..."

"Is it revenge?" The puppeteer shrugged, his lips curling into a smile. "Surely you did not miss my company."

"..."

"A woman of 'hope,' wasn't that your depiction? Ah, but yet - this is rage, is it not?" Baltimore gasped as she turned around, now facing the stage. Her hands extended before her, palms open, as she spread her arms apart - creating another invisible wall between Amy and herself, Marcus, Eric, and Cammie. Then she gasped and turned back to the wall, banging on it futilely. Vance rambled on. "Oh, dearest Amaranth. Requital is such a... powerful sentiment. But for it to consume even you?"

Amy twitched. She stepped forward, out from the fallen teddy bear's stuffing and broken sword bits. "You know precisely why we're here." She shook her head solemnly. "We're here... to stop you. To put an end to all this bullshit."

"Tell me, my flower. Who is it this time?"

"We're..." Amy stuttered. She raised her staff in Vance's direction with suddenness, the gem tipping it glowing a brilliant red. "We're setting all your captives free. You will pay for--"

Vance held up a palm and shook his head. Chuckling. "No, no, do not spoil it. I love surprises." His eyes reopened to scan the room. "Allow me to guess - is it... this man?"

[img=http://i.imgur.com/J8VStXo.png]

Lucien cried aloud as he felt something invade his body. While his mind was free from the puppeting, his actions were not of his own. Like a plaything, Vance moved him around, eager to see what it was this man was doing; he must have been the source of this bear, but Vance couldn't figure out exactly how they were connected. Still, the suddenness and unrestrained movements were too much for him to focus his control on the bear he had summoned to help Trixie.

As such, the bear lost control a second time. It barreled through the surrounding chairs and charged after whoever was nearest - in this case, Marcus and Eric. Amy watched this in silence, her expression hiding all emotion.

Vance licked his lips. "Ah... that must be a no. Could it be... that man?"

[img=http://i.imgur.com/8mPMSWF.png]

From the entrance, more smaller carnival prizes rushed in. Marcus was surrounded not only by harmless fluffies, but more of those flying foam swords with sharpened edges. They threatened to knock him around, to burrow straight into him. Though the hand-sized fluffs were feeble, they were still cumbersome working together like a hive of bees. Similar to Guinevere's shredded mouse plush, they possessed quite some weight if they were to throw themselves into somebody.

The bear still hurtled right after them, as Lucien still lost his control.

Amy hadn't even looked back to see what Vance was doing to her friend. Her expression changed not, but she jerked her staff sharply, procuring her light-whip.

Vance's grin widened further, revealing his teeth. He was [i]so[/i] amused. "Neither of them! What a predicament you leave me in, dearest."

[center][url=http://youtu.be/lXlF-ykn3ZA?t=56s]Vance Boss Theme:
Opheliac[/url][/center]