Binky's lair was something most magical girls would admire. It was a foreclosed office complex in the busy part of the city. It was a former business start up for a videogame company called “raptor guts.” Their backers decided to put their money elsewhere and the company was unable to keep making payments. The busy location kept squatters and thieves from moving in, and Veronica secretly owning it kept people from buying it up. Binky's duplicates were careful workers, and never did anything that might alert the outside world. They were forbidden from leaving, but that didn't mean they couldn't unwind. When it was time to have fun, they had Binky's indestructible laptop to play with, as well as various games set up in the basement, like a Foosball table, dart board, and even a game system. If only Binky herself got to enjoy any of that. While Binky's clones were enjoying some down time, Binky was still hard at work. She didn't mind the work, but there were some downsides to her current living conditions. Her body itched all over. The clothes she was wearing were almost a week old. She had turned her underwear inside out to try to make them last a few extra days. She was on her last roll of toilet paper, and she ran out of hand soap about a week ago. Shampoo was something she had been without for a month now, and she had no sheers to cut her hair with. The only thing Binky had to eat was the fast food she could make with her magic. Her duplicates were just magical constructs, so they only really needed to feed off of her mana, and didn't realty sweat or do any of that gross real people stuff. She could have tried to contact Veronica earlier, but Binky did not like to do so when she hadn't made any headway with her research. That was what made this breakthrough so advantageous to Binky. Binky was not able to keep working much longer though. She was struggling to stay away, but her only recourse was to fall forward onto her desk. [color=baddab]”I need to shower so bad!”[/color] she groaned to herself. And that was the last thing she said before drifting off to sleep. … [color=#bd71e8]“Excuse me?”[/color] [center][img]https://78.media.tumblr.com/d4d8255fcf9457daa412dd95768dcd0d/tumblr_pczx4qmC3p1w6599so1_r1_640.png[/img][/center] When Binky opened her eyes again, Veronica was standing over her. [color=baddab]”Hey Veronica.”[/color] Laying half asleep in front of the coin broker was typically something that would make Binky anxious, but putting up with her current living conditions made Binky surrender to the idea of death. [color=#bd71e8]“You now have laundry detergent, hand soap, shampoo, conditioner, toilet paper, paper towels, and some extra wash cloths and mop heads.”[/color] She waved her hand in front of her face.[color=#bd71e8]“I also picked up some antiperspirant and some disinfectant. You should use both of those.”[/color] [color=baddab]”Toilet paper?”[/color] A tear rolled down Binky's cheek. [color=baddab]”And what about the trash?”[/color] [color=#bd71e8]“It's all gone now. In the future, I would appreciate it if you called me before it starts flowing out of the garbage cans. I only willingly serve as your house maid because of how secret this operation is.”[/color] She turned her back to Binky. [color=#bd71e8]“So the coins worked?”[/color] [color=baddab]”Far better than expected!”[/color] Binky pushed herself upright. [color=baddab]”The red coins allow a magical girl to partially or completely reshuffle her magic! It rebuilds the magical girl. Everything from her weapon to her body is malleable.”[/color] She held up one of the coins for Veronica to see. [color=baddab]”With it, even I could become a powerful magical girl.”[/color] Binky blushed. [color=baddab]”...Or even a boy again.”[/color] [color=#bd71e8]“What about magical corruption?”[/color] Binky rubbed the back of her head. [color=baddab]”It seems like corruption can be shuffled by the coin, but not removed or added. Dark magical girls remain dark magical girls, and monster girls remain monster girls. The red coin does not remove the effects of a patron's magic, or the black coin.”[/color] Veronica looked over her shoulder at Binky. [color=#bd71e8]“You said something about mutations you 'had never seen before.' What was that about?”[/color] [color=baddab]”It's exactly what it sounds like!”[/color] Binky pushed herself away from the table. [color=baddab]”Some of the test subjects have developed powers unlike anything we've seen before!”[/color] [color=#bd71e8]“I'll need a demonstration later then.”[/color] Veronica turned around to face Binky. [color=#bd71e8]“Any side effects?”[/color] [color=baddab]”Well, I've only just recently been able to make the coins.”[/color] Binky folded her fingers together. [color=baddab]”There do not seem to be any adverse effects if you use just one coin, not in the short term. But if you use too many...”[/color] Binky trailed off. [color=baddab]”I can't say for sure if it is unsafe to use more than one, or if reshuffling your magic too often has side effects. I'll need more time to research it, but it's not something I'd suggest doing. Only one subject volunteered to try it, but she's not the same.”[/color] [color=#bd71e8]“Oh?”[/color] Veronica leaned closer to Binky. [color=#bd71e8]“Can I see her?”[/color] [color=baddab]”You did want a demonstration.”[/color] Binky swallowed. [color=baddab]”Just follow me.”[/color] It was a relatively short walk down to the holding cells. The office space might have had “cubicles,” but few of them were set up to hold test subjects. So large, stone cells with runes etched into them were erected for this purpose. All of the test subjects were willing magical girls who gave their consent to be part of this project. Few girls could pass up the opportunity to become stronger. None of them would remember being here, and most were released just a few days after they signed up for it. But other subjects were held a bit longer. Like the ones displaying these strange abilities. Binky approached one of the stone boxes and slid the peephole open. [color=baddab]”Ga!”[/color] Binky shut the peephole and spun around. [color=baddab]”She got out!”[/color] [color=#bd71e8]“Don't panic Binky, It's unsightly.”[/color] Veronica walked over to the stairs. [color=#bd71e8]“I can hear a commotion downstairs, she's still in the building.”[/color] She started to utter her incantation as she walked towards the sound. Binky wordlessly followed the coin broker down stairs, all the way to the basement. This wasn't a place where Binky liked to go, since her clones were usually in here. They didn't really like her for some reason. She was able to recall the time they locked her in a storage closet. It was only because Veronica happened to visit that day that she got out. But what Binky saw when she arrived in the basement shocked her. There standing in the middle of the room was the subject Binky wanted to show Veronica. A [url=https://78.media.tumblr.com/4d010ec6fb6504deda2891040d4c1af8/tumblr_pfa3wwaZzs1w6599so1_1280.jpg]girl in a neon colored school outfit, armed to the teeth[/url]. She had three sheathes on her back, all varying in length. The girl flicked a dagger over her shoulder and it impaled the last clone, causing it to vanish into dust. With that done, she turned towards Veronica and Binky. Everything about her body language said she was calm and ready. But not her face. Her face was that of a bewildered dog. The sort of face you'd expect to receive after they chew their favorite toy to pieces, or even your pillow. That look that says “I'm not sure how things turned out this way, but I'd understand if you're a little upset.” If the woman had a tail, Binky wondered if it would be wagging, or tucked between her legs. [color=baddab]”W-w-what are you doing!?”[/color] Binky was terrified, both of the girl and what Veronica would think of him. Letting a test subject like this walk free was quite a blunder. [color=ade81b]”I'm killing them.”[/color] The school girl lifted a finger to her lip. [color=ade81b]”Or removing them I guess? They're just duplicates, so it's not like they have souls or anything. ”[/color] [color=baddab]”B-but why!?”[/color] Binky was on the verge of crying. [color=baddab]”What did I do!?”[/color] The girl's brow flicked up [color=ade81b]”Wha?”[/color] She lowered her shoulders and looked between Veronica and Binky. [color=ade81b]”There seems to be a misunderstanding. I only destroyed these duplicates because they don't respect you. ”[/color] [color=baddab]”I don't understand why you- wait really?”[/color] The school girl nodded. [color=ade81b]”You've given me plenty of time to rest, you listen to me when I complain, when I'm scared you reassure me, you feed me, you smell funny, but you always make sure I can shower in piece.”[/color] She closed her eyes. [color=ade81b]”I couldn't listen to them talk about you like that, so I removed them.”[/color] Binky could only Blush in response, but Veronica had a much harder face. [color=#bd71e8]“What is your name?”[/color] [color=ade81b]”Betty Barton. But my magical girl name is Betty Biohazard!”[/color] She giggled and placed a hand over her mouth. [color=ade81b]”I kind of look radioactive don't I? And with all of these katanas, why not go with a nuclear motif for my name?”[/color] Veronica folded her arms.[color=#bd71e8]“You are aware a bio-hazard and radioactive contamination aren't the same thing, right?”[/color] Betty averted her eyes. [color=ade81b]”You're not wrong.”[/color] She looked back at Veronica. [color=ade81b]”But I guess I'm technically a bio-hazard, given that I'm a living, breathing thing. That and 'Betty radioactive contamination' doesn't have the same ring.”[/color] Veronica approached her. [color=#bd71e8]“How did you escape your prison?”[/color] [color=ade81b]”That was sort of luck.”[/color] Betty showed no sign of fear as Veronica approached. [color=ade81b]”I was yelling at Binkie's clones, and one of them opened the peephole to yell back, but slammed it shut hard enough that it popped open again. ”[/color] Veronica stopped in her tracks. [color=#bd71e8]“You were able to escape through such a small opening?”[/color] [color=ade81b]”Oh yea, it wasn't really that hard once I could see the other side.”[/color] [color=#bd71e8]“I see.”[/color] The coin broker folded her arms behind her back. [color=#bd71e8]“And what did you plan on doing after slaying all of Binky's duplicates?”[/color] [color=ade81b]”Uh, wow, that's sort of embarrassing, but okay.”[/color] She sighed, but made sure to keep eye contact with Veronica the whole time. [color=ade81b]”Binky said they missed being able to play videogames, so I was going to grab her and play something after we ate some pizza.”[/color] [color=#bd71e8]“Really now?”[/color] Veronica raised an eyebrow. [color=#bd71e8]“Interesting, because your contract with us states that your mind will be wiped of this experiment once we're done with you. You won't remember any of this in a few days.”[/color] [color=ade81b]”I-”[/color] She bit her lip. [color=ade81b]”I forgot about that.”[/color] She placed her hands over her chest. [color=ade81b]”I guess I was so powerless when this all started I didn't care at first. I'd have been okay throwing some of my memories away. But I didn't expect you to be such a wonderful person, Binky.”[/color] [color=baddab]”Wha!?”[/color] Betty seemed to teleport up to Binky before grabbing her shoulders. [color=#bd71e8]“I don't want to forget you!”[/color] her voice was cracking. [color=#bd71e8]“I have my new identity because of you! I have my name because of you! I'm strong because of you! Why do I need to forget you Binky!?”[/color] Binky could barely handle the shaking, but all it took was Veronica' touch to make the girl stop. Betty wiped her eyes on her sleeve. [color=#bd71e8]“I am willing to write up a new contract for you.”[/color] Veronica smiled. [color=#bd71e8]“You wouldn't be a test subject anymore. You'd be part of our organization. There would be some other conditions, but you'd get to keep your memories. You might want to take a look too, Binky.”[/color] Veronica presented Betty with a rolled up parchment. [color=#bd71e8]“Give it a look over, those are my terms. You can ask me about anything but I won't alter a single letter.”[/color] Betty and Binky looked over the contract together. [color=baddab]”Veronica, are you serious?”[/color] Binky hopped backwards. [color=baddab]”I know some patrons are pretty nosy, but this-”[/color] [color=#bd71e8]“I'll do it!”[/color] Betty looked at Veronica with determined eyes. [color=#bd71e8]“If I get to keep my memories, I'll do it!”[/color] [color=baddab]”I mean...”[/color] Binky folded her hands behind her head. [color=baddab]”I guess it beats a lot of other alternatives, even if the implications are kind of creepy.”[/color] [color=#bd71e8]“I expected my top researcher to join, but I'm glad our test subject has agreed to becoming my bodyguard. ”[/color] Veronica continued to grin. Binky sighed. [color=baddab]”This is going to put a target on us though.”[/color] Veronica's grin only widened. [color=#bd71e8]“We were always going to be discovered, Binky. When it finally happens, I'd like to have our organization established. In chess, it is unwise to just let your opponent expand to your side of the board.”[/color] She extended a hand towards Betty. [color=#bd71e8]“You've proven that your project is more than you can handle. You can barely comprehend what your subjects are capable of, and you need assistance that I can no longer provide you. Recruiting more people to our side will help with all of that. You should be humbled by my generosity.”[/color] She folded her arms behind her back. [color=#bd71e8]“Tonight, Crimson Cradle has become a real organization. I will begin recruiting tomorrow. I already know who I'm going to ask to join.”[/color] [hr] [center][img]https://78.media.tumblr.com/692421960649b5e9ac137bbf4192ade2/tumblr_pczx4qmC3p1w6599so10_r1_400.png[/img][img]https://78.media.tumblr.com/4bea0f5298c687f13222714ecfd3dad3/tumblr_pczx4qmC3p1w6599so5_r2_400.png[/img] [@Shifter_Master][/center] It was difficult to find the surveillance system on the hotel's network. There was a network, and nearly every computer in the hotel was hooked up to it, from the hotel's own business computers to that of guests. It would take some time to explore all of these networks and sub networks. A possibility that Penny would be forced to consider is that all of the surveillance was [i]analog[/i]. That is to say it was an older system that recorded to tapes. That, or the surveillance system was digital, but otherwise didn't interact with the internet. But she had all night to search, provided Mika didn't do anything weird. [color=gold][i]”Squire! Thou art before thy mark, whom hath bewitched thy home! I doth recognize the terrible one's magic. Rend thee bed biter of sleeping men to tasty trips!”[/i][/color] Mika giggled. [color=tomato][i]”I've got her in my sights. Don't worry Boteg!”[/i][/color] At the mention of the beast girl, Mika's eyes brightened. [color=tomato]”Oh yea, she was a feisty one. Nearly killed me. Had more tails than were necessary right? ”[/color] Mika put her arms behind her back. [color=tomato]”She didn't seem too interested in talking about stuff though. Chased me into a few buildings. She gave up when I came across another group of magical girls.”[/color] Mika started to walk towards Penny's left. [color=tomato]”Someone from the independent contacted me about her too. I think her name was Olympia? Apparently she's been trying to track her down. She said I was one of the few people who survived. It's funny though.”[/color] When Mika was confident she was “mostly” in Penny's blind spot, she whipped around and pounced on her. All of Mika's limbs turned into snakes, which attempted to coil around the cyborg's various limbs and bite into her wrists and ankles. [color=tomato]”'Cus Someone's hunting you too!”[/color] When Mika opened her mouth, the inside was white like that of a cottonmouth snake. In the next moment, she would attempt to bite down on Penny's neck. None of Mika's venom was designed to kill, and she'd be hard pressed to bring down the mighty cyborg. But Mika had five heads, and all of them were trying to bite into her prey. [hr] [center] [img]https://78.media.tumblr.com/8926851b8ec458a49aa78b5ed202dcff/tumblr_pczx4qmC3p1w6599so3_640.png[/img] [/center] [color=gold][i]”Sky scare! Thy squire has initiated a fight with the terrible one's champion!”[/i][/color] [color=peachpuff][i]”I'm getting reinforcements! I'll be right there!”[/i][/color] This was starting to turn into an even less fortunate circumstance. Su never knew how much of what Boteg said should be taken seriously, but the fact that Mika was in a fight presented some real dangers. Her cover could get blown, and Mika was likely well out of her element picking a fight like that. Su noticed Helga introducing her to “Charlie's angels” just as she was finishing up with Boteg. So she looked visibly annoyed. With a cough, Su attempted to explain it away. [color=peachpuff]”Y-yes. It is as she says, I was attacked. I can't believe with everything going on that people still try to jump unsuspecting young girls like myself in the dark! Isn't Penrose dangerous enough without all that?”[/color] Su placed a hand on her hip. [color=peachpuff]”At least we have superheroes running around. I'm assuming that's why you guys dress up like that.”[/color] Su stepped around to the other side of Helga. [color=peachpuff]”I'm not sure what you guys plan on doing for the rest of the night, but I manage a hotel not far from here. If you guys wanted, I could treat you all to something out of the vending machine. I'm sure the night crew wouldn't mind seeing you either.”[/color] If Su's plan worked, she could lure them over to the hotel. Then Mika would have some extra reinforcements. [hr] [center][img]https://78.media.tumblr.com/74a4dbc1a92b61b102d27c67251f3aef/tumblr_pczx4qmC3p1w6599so6_640.png[/img] [@Vocab][@Majoras End] [/center] Elroy was not especially swift, not when it came to his reflexes. He couldn't keep up with near instantaneous movement. But Katelyn had done half of Elroy's job by moving in so close. The Chains on the shield coiled around her body, and the two flew out the window together. This was where Katelyn fared a bit better. Elroy never kept his arm in his shield strap. There was a lot more versatility in having your shield held in front of you via magic. In situations like this, it was useful to allow the electrified shield float away from his exposed arm. Even though Katelyn had a chain wrapped around her leg, she could still float around with her wings. Elroy, as he mentioned earlier, did not have any wings to fly with. Elroy was not doomed to fall to his death however. He had two gauntlets, each with a length of chain holding them together. He could simply force them to wrap around each other and use one gauntlet as a grappling hook. He would slam painfully into the side of the building, but he'd live, and the fight would go on. But not everyone could read Elroy's mind, and they felt it was time to take action. [b]”He need us!”[/b] The converted beacon girls said in unison before taking off. Regina yelled at them as they ran from her side. [color=f200f2]"Hey! He has it all under controll! Stop, sto-"[/color] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/t3qiRmZ.png[/img][/center] [url=https://78.media.tumblr.com/d8da1ac633a02950f107b4eb74a43ac9/tumblr_nrlg2edLJx1rl8894o1_1280.jpg]A girl in a white dress and raven wings[/url] decended from the heavens. As fast as Elroy was falling, she was able to dive even faster. [b]"Don't worry Elroy, I'll never leave you!"[/b] She was able to swoop through the air and catch him. [b]"Please say my name Elroy, just once!"[/b] She continued to carry him bridal style. Elroy folded his arms.[color=c9272c]"Fine, I'll call you Divina, but just this once. Then it's back to horny bird."[/color] Divina appeared to be looping around to join the fight again. At the same time, [url=https://78.media.tumblr.com/a7a480a330fb71b0b25c17d905e45ede/tumblr_nqyanf4R1H1rl8894o1_1280.png]a well endowed girl with a large hair tie[/url] floated into the air. [b]"Hey Salamander!"[/b] The girl called to katelyn. [b]"Pick on someone who can fly your own altitude, ahahaHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!"[/b] The girl closed her hand into a fist, and gravity seemed to condense around Katelyn. It almost felt like the air around her was solidifying and trying to crush her from every angle. And that wasn't the last of it. The windows on the side of the building were shattering, and the shards were flying straight for Katelyn. [b]"My name's Abigail by the way. I hope you could hear that with all the blood running to your head, ghahahahAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"[/b] Tonya immediately flew into the hole in the side of the building. [b]"Well!"[/b] said [url=https://78.media.tumblr.com/8ff9c7c0ecf4829f99001bd4066ed12e/tumblr_p78avbT0S91w6599so1_1280.png]the festive looking girl.[/url] [b]"Are we even really Beacon if we don't try to exterminate [i]all[/i] the monsters?"[/b] She pointed her palm at Eliza. [b]"And apple a day keeps the monsters at bay!"[/b] She said before a barrage of apples flew out of her hammer space and towards the angelic woman. The last of the beacon girls stepped out. [url=https://78.media.tumblr.com/feb83b26e6988d64edc99a8ccddae501/tumblr_p3p5rnTfzO1wt7ek9o1_1280.jpg]A nightly woman with silver hair[/url] made her presence known. Unlike the other three, she did not seem to have the ability to fly, nor did she seem as eager to throw herself at her opponents. [b]"It would be dishonorable to gang up on a single monster."[/b] She raised a hand to her chin. [b]"Yet monsters by their very nature are despicable, cowardly creatures."[/b] With a nod, she turned to look towards the sky. [b]"The code of chivalry was designed to protect honor. Creatures like this who have relinquished their humanity have also relinquished their right to fair combat."[/b] Her eyes wandered over Katelyn for a bit, and stopped on her spear. This caused the knight to place a hand over her chest and look away. [b]"No."[/b] She told herself with a sigh. [b]"She died a long time ago."[/b] The knight drew her sword. [b]"Shona moffett, Reborn as a knight of Beacon, champion of the pure, lives on!"[/b] She looked over her shoulder at Regina. [b]"I will remain to protect you, my queen."[/b] Regina grit her teeth. [color=f200f2]"Fine."[/color] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/NgWhiMr.png[/img] [hider=Tonya “Mac” Murphy] [b]Age: 24/11 | Gender: Female/Female | Illusion, Gravity Body | Power of Friendship, Regeneration, Third Eye | Moirai Coercion, Soul Jar, Martial Training, True Sight, Parasite, Gifted, Awareness, Mystic Artifact Magical Overload, Paragon, Blessing, Gifted Item | Monster Form, Big Brother, Arrogance, Vendetta Redirected Magic, Second Specialization | Non-Standard Limbs, Destroyer[/b] STR: 05 | AGI: 04 | VIT: 05 | MAG: 03 | LCK: 03 STR: 10 | AGI: 08 | VIT: 11 | MAG: 17 | LCK: 05 Earnings this post: Zilch Total: 2 Gold, 85 Silver, 82 Bronze [/hider][/center] [i]Another[/i] girl named Tonya? It was fortunate that [i]this[/i] Tonya, wolf-cop Tonya, was known as Mac. But she did always dislike it when other people shared her name. "Tonya" was part of her identity, and since she shared her name with someone else in her immidiate vicinity, it felt like they were stealing part of her identity. But that was more the fault of their parents and the fact that it was hard to give everyone on earth a unique name. Still, what were the odds? It didn't matter, really. She was former Beacon and also not part of fate's larger plans. "Mac" decided that she would continue to reffer to herself as her monicere untill this Beacon twerp was dealt with. And if her spool said anything, it was that she would be dealt with [i]soon[/i]. For the time being, she would do everything in her power to keep Eliza safe. This would net her more good will with Veronica, and she'd get to feel like a hero in the proccess. Mac wasn't a romantic or anything like that, but you had to be crazy to deny Eliza's inherant cuteness. Even now she just wanted to pinch the little witch's cheak.