[center][h1][b][color=6ecff6]B L U E  B E E T L E[/color][/b][/h1][/center][hr]
Unbeknownst to those in the closed-off arena, the roar of the crowd dies down, settling into an apprehensive silence as the warriors grudgingly take their places on the battleground. The gladiators' frames, however large they might appear up close, are dwarfed by the sheer scope of their surroundings. Lifeless monoliths reaching high and statues of spectres long since past jut throughout the landscape. Yet life still finds a form in which to subsist here; withered, ruddy grass sprouts in the gaps afforded to them by the cracked floor and strewn tile. One can not divorce the feeling that those plants had collectively seen more death and borne witness to more suffering than the most prolific of serial killers. And yet the silence drones on. That wouldn't do. As Cassie Lang takes her first steps into the absurd, she moves to keep her spirits high.

[b][color=0076a3]"What do you think, Bug-Suit? I don't see anyone coming to us. Time for us to get this show on the road?"[/color][/b] The Scarab is momentarily silent. 

[color=6ecff6][i]The action is not entirely unviable. Proceed.[/i][/color]

Cassie shrugs at her companion's glowing approval.

[b][color=0076a3]“That's the spirit.”[/color][/b] She looks forward to a particularly large chunk of debris, not more than fifty feet away from her at present, sizing it up in her head. Outstretching her arms rigidly as she hunkers down for stability, the armor surrounding her livens up some in response to some telepathic command. Her arms transform with a metallic whirr, her human appendages contorting and expanding mechanically, joining together with a click as they assume the shape of a large, clunky cannon. Wider than her form, the weapon boast considerable heft in contrast to the supported but slight form its wielder; Cassie takes a few seconds to retake her footing as a low-humming blue glow fills the the barrel. It's ready.

[b][color=0076a3]“Let's make some noi--”[/color][/b]

Cassie's cold-cut quip is starkly interrupted as a barrage of energy hurtles through their stupefied vessel . The bolts, temerarious in the face of her order, almost miss their intended target, blindsiding the column but causing a raucous noise regardless. At this second, her mind turns to the spectators that must be crammed in to watch every detail of fights like this. Cassie wonders what the appeal for watching such a sport could be. Hell, she wanted to know how you got tickets. Somehow, she didn't see it being something advertised in a kind of inter-dimensional Craigslist.

[b][color=0076a3]“I'd say that should have drawn someone's attention. Are you reading anything?”[/color][/b]

[color=6ecff6][i]I'm reading everything. Host should be more specific.[/i][/color]

[b][color=0076a3]"I don't know. Anything new on the half-dozen or so metahumans we're trapped in here with? Something useful like that?"[/color][/b]

[color=6ecff6][i]Nothing to report.[/i][/color]

[b][color=0076a3]“God... It's like pulling teeth talking to you sometimes."[/color][/b] She retorts, aloof. 

[color=6ecff6][i]Fail to see how...[/i][/color]

[b][color=0076a3]"I'm sure you'll keep me in the loop when it becomes necessary.”[/color][/b] She cuts off. Breaking into a walk, the cannon dissolves in a fashion, her arms regrowing in record fashion. She shakes her right hand, wincing.

[b][color=0076a3]“Arm's fallen asleep.”[/color][/b] She grimaces, chuckling slightly as the sensation returns. As they make it to the newly fashioned rubble, she breaks into a run, her right foot connecting with a loose chunk with a kick.

[b][color=0076a3]“Yeah, you better run...”[/color][/b] Her head turns almost automatically a few degrees south.

[b][color=0076a3]“Hey, what gives?--”[/color][/b]

[color=6ecff6][i]Assailant at flank. Immediate response required. Superseding host. Preparing countermeasures.[/i][/color]

[b][color=0076a3]“Bugsuit, I can't see a--”[/color][/b]

The air seemingly ripples as a figure moving at great speed turns towards them. He would be on them in an instant. In a flash, a jetpack, wings and two arm-mounted cannons materialize, with some screeching of armored plates. The figure comes into view as Cassie is involuntarily flung into the air as the thrusters at her back push off and force flight. As this happens, an arsenal of blue energy is deployed towards the ground and this hostile actor. A scatter-shot, a handful of bolts make nest in the target before fizzling out, causing apparent physical stress. The streak's body visually pauses. This leaves a small window for the Scarab.

[color=6ecff6][i]Preparing trajectile response.[/i][/color]

[b][color=0076a3]“Trajectuh... No, no! Stop! He's down!”[/color][/b] She shouts aloud as control of her body floods back. She stops, looking at the silver-topped, still moving figure. [b][color=0076a3]"Uh, he [i]was[/i] down?..."[/color][/b] A noticeably more nervous smile takes her face by surprise. [b][color=0076a3]"Talk to me..."[/color][/b]

[color=6ecff6][i]Barrage was not intended to be lasting solution. Open to suggestions.[/i][/color]

[b][color=0076a3]“For the speedy guy? You want me to--”[/color][/b] 

[color=6ecff6][i]Host takes offence to lethal approach; Host can take control. Will be watching intently.[/i][/color]

[b][color=0076a3]"Right... Okay..."[/color][/b] Cassie jumps into a defensive stance. [b][color=0076a3]"Okay..."[/color][/b]

A spark of confidence lights in her chest.

[b][color=0076a3]"Yeah, alright..."[/color][/b] She turns her attention to the decidedly more vertical mutant, meeting his apparent glare with a cocked eyebrow.

[b][color=0076a3]“Bring it, Just-For-Men.”[/color][/b]

Fists clenched, she readies herself, fixing in place in the air. 

[b][color=0076a3][i]Peaceful thoughts.[/i][/color][/b]