[center][h3]Tora & Poppi[/h3]
[b]Level 8[/b] Tora (35/80) and [b]Level 8[/b] Poppi (13/80)
[b]Location:[/b] Sandswept Sky – Lakeside
Primrose's [@Yankee], Fox's [@Dawnrider], Sectonia's [@Archmage MC] Midna's [@DracoLunaris], Heavy's [@ONL], Medic's [@Dr Lovecraft]
[b]Word Count:[/b] 721[/center]

Tora quickly learned that the new arrivals made for a lively bunch. No sooner did his new friends get a chance to relax and the opportunity to introduce themselves than they span out into multiple tangents. The spectacle-wearing man who Tora thought sounded funny made the most sense, speaking of compensation as well as what he hoped to personally get out of the adventure, but the heavy began singing the praises of his sandwich. Braum seemed to take this line of conversation earnestly. “That sounds mighty fine, my friend!” He boomed. “I would be overjoyed for a bite to eat, seeing as we missed lunch and all, ohoho!” He accepted his comrade's offering and ate with relish. “Simple, yet hearty. Splendid! But ah, what I wouldn't give for a side of honey-roasted boar in a Freljord longhouse. You haven't lived until you've spent an evening feasting on the best meat and mead the North can offer!”

The subject of mead seemed to resonate with the dwarf, who by now had yet to identify himself as anything other than Scout. With longing in his eyes he declared, “Aye brother, I hear that. When I worked with Deep Rock me 'n the boys'd treat ourselves in the Space Rig after every mission. Oily Oaf, Arkenstout, Blackreach Blonde, drinkin' ourselves silly 'n snoozin' 'til mornin'...oh, by Karl, that was livin'!”

Tora flapped his wings. “Those sound very interesting! Tora would like to try someday!”

Scout narrowed his eyebrows, fuzzy slugs that they were. “...How old are ya, lad?”

Meanwhile, Poppi approached the Medic. In her third form she stood almost as tall as he, and bore none of the maid trappings that her second form did, but she gave a polite bow nonetheless. “Good to meet you, doctor. Poppi wanted to ask if healing beam works on artificial blade like Poppi, who is not alive. Also wanted to mention that Masterpon Tora currently take role of team's number-one tank, so fast healing both very effective and very appreciated. It seem like Mr. Medic and Mr. Heavy already good friends and teammates, but please not hesitate to look to Tora and Poppi for protection!”

As conversations continued, Midna kept Vah Naboris on the way to the pyramid. The Divine Beast would encounter no difficulty walking through the oasis lake separating it and the RED-BLU battleground, but the thought of hapless wildlife getting crushed beneath monolithic hooves presented itself. Regardless, it didn't take long for Yellow Team to reach the pyramid. As they waited, discussing their objects, Poppi's keen optics spotted a few shapes sliding down the pyramid's surface. “Oh, look! Friend Stealypons making stylish getaway!” Sure enough, the heroes could look and find the Phantom Thieves approaching, plus the welcome sight of Primrose and Midna's steadfast Wolfos. An unfamiliar redheaded girl brought up the rear. In no time at all the Thieves were climbing into the belly of the beast once more.

“We're back! Commence with the praise!” Mona called out cheerfully. His eyes roved over all the new additions to the team, as well as their unsightly scarlet eyes. Not even a majority of the people present stopped to take an interest in the Thieves, but Mona acted like all eyes were on him nonetheless. “I see we've found a few new allies! From that battlefield I presume. As for us, allow us to present the illustrious Alibaba!”

Shyly, the girl brushed at her hair before clasping her hands behind her back. The gaze of several strangers was an unwelcome burden on her. “H-hello! I'm...um...Alibaba.”

Given the group's scattered attention it was easy for her to slip away, and Joker slipped away with her, but the rest remained behind. Mona marched right over to Midna. “Hey boss! From the top of the pyramid, I could see a huge wall a ways to the north! More like a cliff, maybe. I think there was a bridge leading up to the top, but it seemed broken. It looked like ruins on the other side. We should probably head that way. I don't want to say we'll have to abandon this thing, but it can't hurt to start making peace with the idea, right?” He prepared to climb up toward Naboris' head, where he could lounge in the warmth with a good view of things to come.

[center][h3]Edge of the Blue – Open Ocean[/h3]
Ace Cadet's [@Yankee], Sakura's [@Zoey Boey], Junior and Kamek's [@DracoLunaris], Hat Kid's [@Dawnrider], Geralt's [@MULTI_MEDIA_MAN][/center]

With the battle brought to a sudden and violent end, and neither rogue abyssals nor skirmishing shipgirls in proximity, a certain peace washed over the sea. Fish and seabirds alike shunned the battlegrounds, and the ashes of the dead littered the water, but still that peace reigned as Sakura and the Water Princess slowly rose and fell atop the waves. Though she was terribly wounded, peace reigned in Sakura's soul as well. She looked at the still form of her enemy without hatred for the pain and death she inflicted, only a touch of pity. If the broken monster heard her Witcher-confounding declaration, she gave no sign, but continued to drift away bit by bit. Yet Sakura did not intend to let her go. Slowly, with careful consideration given to her pummeled organs and cracked bones, the street fighter skated to her enemy's side. In her hand she held a warm essence, a heart-shaped coagulation of goodwill that shone all the brighter for being undeserved.

She implanted the friend heart with gusto, not knowing that the sprite need only make contact to be effective, then took hold of Seaplane Tender to prevent her going under. Galeem's influence evaporated like the morning dew, and as the power of the Friend Heart surged through the Water Princess, it also scrubbed away her wounds. Before Sakura's eyes her arm grew back, the glowing outline of the missing limb giving way to ivory flesh. A moment later, the abyssal's eyes blinked open, pale but with a fiery glow, and took in the sky anew.

“...Warm...”

Immediately she jerked upward as if shocked, inhaling sharply. Her chest heaved as she sat on the surface of the water, her wide eyes trained on Sakura. Things were muddy in her mind, but she could see the wounded girl before her, holding together an amicable smile despite all the punishment clearly visible across her frame. Although she couldn't explain why, or what happened until a moment ago, Seaplane Tender knew one thing looking at this young woman: that she was a friend. “Oh, you're hurt,” she said with a start. Without a second thought she pushed herself up with her tail and scooted over. She laid one snow-white hand on Sakura's shoulder, the other holding her face. “Poor dear, you're bleeding. Concussed? Oh, nevermind that. Please keep calm, mon amie. I will find help.” As she held Sakura close, a number of bombers deployed and immediately scrambled, fanning out in eight directions. One returned to her only a moment later with the 'news'. “A ship? In...the sky?” Sure enough, a glance in the indicated direction confirmed the presence of a floating craft. Seaplane Tender raised her hand and her voice, waving as much as her composure would allow. “Excusez-moi! Hello! Hello? Can you help us?”

Ranger approached warily, her eyes tracking the bombers when they weren't focused on her for. Sure enough, whatever the crazy girl did a moment ago seemed to make the abyssal non-hostile, but she wasn't taking any risks. Some abyssals were clever enough to employ cunning tricks, and to date she'd never seen nor heard of a friendly one. Yet nothing about Seaplane Tender suggested violence. Even her horrible tail lay limply on the waters surface, its tongue lolling from its jaw. Ranger's face, meanwhile, held nothing but hatred. Even putting aside all the other times she'd appeared, this Water Princess had claimed multiple lives today. “Let her go,” she demanded, leveling her launcher at the abyssal's head.

Seaplane Tender blinked, confused, and gingerly released Sakura. She backpedaled a touch with her hands up. Her planes continued to mill about, unresponsive, most of them not even close. “Sorry, I didn't realize I was causing harm.”

The shipgirl laughed bitterly. “You must be pretty oblivious then. Move away. I don't want to catch her in the crossfire.”

The eyes of the abyssal widened. “Q-quoi? Are you...going to kill me?”

[center][h3]Dead Zone – Library Ruins[/h3]
Blazermate's [@Archmage MC], Banjo & Kazooie's [@Dawnrider], Bowser's [@DracoLunaris], Sephiroth's [@ZAVAZggg]
Plus Nero, Dante, V, Ms. Fortune, Sans, Mr. Bones, Linkle, Jak and Daxter[/center]

[hider=Results!]
[b]Party:[/b] Blazermate, Banjo & Kazooie, Bowser
[b]Encounter Reward:[/b] 18 EXP
[b]Additional Rewards:[/b] Marie Spirit, Mr. Bones aggro reset, Skelly aggro reset, Sans aggro reset, undead depopulation in the Dead Zone, region boss accessible[/hider]

Despite his rage, the would-be villain Bowser kept a hold on himself. Even though it would be the work of seconds to finish Sephiroth off in this state, he thought better of it, and presented his assailant with a Friend Heart instead. Nero could only shake his head and sigh. The whole situation was a little too much stimulus for his liking. With so many personalities present it was easy to get lost in the mix, although if it came down to it the devil hunter had planned to step in and stop Bowser from offing someone who ultimately did little more than bad-mouth the departed. Nero couldn't say he was wrong, either; no matter how good her intentions were, the girl had chosen a self-destructive (and in all likelihood purely destructive) path. [i]Foolishness, Linkle. Foolishness.[/i] But scornful wasn't how he truly felt. He knew that whenever he pictured that girl's face again, twisted by the pain of transformation, he would see someone else he failed to save. Another noble soul slipped through his fingers. There [i]was[/i], after all, something noble about a spirit not so naive to believe her actions would be without consequences, but determined enough to accept them so long as some good came of them. Nero thought of Marie and her skeletal army, wondering what she was like before. He wondered where Linkle was now. Looking out at the city, he muttered, “Wherever you end up, I hope you'll be able to see your wish fulfilled.”

Nadia's cat-ears perked up at his words. She looked at the devil hunter sideways with a slight smile, feeling a little like she was intruding on his private thoughts. Perennial night partially masked his expression, but her feline eyes could see the sorrow casting deeper shadows across his features. He'd run alongside Banjo and Kazooie after all, trying in vain to Wire Snatch the Skull Heart away. Maybe he blamed himself for what happened. [i]Stern, sarcastic, and a little intense, but...altogether, a nice guy.[/i] Although it felt a little weird, she padded over to his side and placed a hand on his shoulder. Nero almost jerked away on instinct, but instead he paused long enough to give the feral a thin smile before turning back to the group.

At about the same time, Bowser tried connecting to Marie's spirit. Curiously, the image of the girl within the prismatic orb maintained her appearance as a Skullgirl, even though that mantle had already been passed. What that meant the King Koopa could only guess, if he had a mind to. At the moment, however, he wanted only to give the tragic figure a second chance at justice. Having already accepted the power of a far more monstrous entity, of course, Marie did not balk at this chance. The sound of an ethereal heartbeat heralded the forging of a new bond.

[center][hider=For Bowser]New Striker connected:
[b][url=https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/deathbattlefanon/images/8/87/Marie_Korbel.jpg]Marie Korbel[/url][/b]
The essence of a poor girl unafraid to use any means to expunge the ruthless criminal underworld spreading suffering in New Meridian. As a Striker, she is not at all agile, but she is completely flinch-free and will not be interrupted by any attack. She floats and can summon a variety skulls and a number of skeletal soldiers and criminals, either as projectiles, attackers, or walls to block incoming attacks[/hider][/center]

After putting aside their medic's rambling about 'anime', it didn't take much deliberation for the heroes of Red Team to conclude on a plan of action. Nobody, after all, wanted to be atomized in a giant explosion. Without enough information to use to put a plan together, making a break for it was the next best thing. Blazermate presented her Striker's teleporter as if she was showing it off, and one by one the party began to depart. At its current refinement level the teleporter could put people through at a reasonable rate, but it still bottlenecked them something fierce. At least Mr. Bones' tunes commemorating Linkle -workshopped as the line move forward- helped with the tension, if not the general mood.

Sans quietly slipped into the line as well, shrugging when a few of the heroes gave him a look. “ey, I know you have a bone to pick with me, but i wasn't myself back there, ya know? sorry 'bout the beatdown, really i am, i ain't normally one to fight, ever. but if i get blown up i can't make amends, right?”

The idea of the brutally powerful skeleton not being much of a fighter, and especially that of him tagging along as a friend, made Nero's head spin, but he couldn't just turn him away in good conscience. He did his best to think of Sans as just another Dead Zone civilian lost and in need of rescue. A freakishly strong one, but still. And speaking of civilians...

“Ya can't be serious,” Nico was saying. “Leave mah van behind to get blown t'smithereens? My life's work's in there, dammit!”

Nero groaned. “Look, I know it's important, but we don't know how long until this bomb thing goes off. No guarantee you'll be able to make it out of the city before it disappears. Plus, Blazermate said this thing lets out in Alcamoth. You'd need to take that thing across the wasteland, the entire Land of Adventure, some mountains, and who knows what else.”

“Hmph!” Nico slumped against the van. “Ain't a challenge for the likes of us. We're in the southeast part of the dang city anyways. Tell ya what, let's make a deal. I do it, and if I die, ya can tell the crater 'I toldja so.' If I don't, you gotta fuse with somethin' with a brain. Sound good?”

Nero looked highly unamused. “Not even a little. But I guess there's no stopping you, huh?”

“Nope! Not when I got tracks to make.” Nico climbed in the Minotaurus and started the engine. Over its roar she shouted, “See ya 'round! If ya need me, just gimme a call!” In a spray of dust, ash, and rubble, the van disappeared. Nero shook his head once more and joined the diminishing line.

Meanwhile, V had elected to go through with his plan. In the manner explained to him previously he absorbed the spirit of the fallen demon summoner, triggering a resplendent lightshow for all to enjoy, yet when it died down the result wasn't all that spectacular.

[center][hider=For V]Notable Spirit Consumed:
[b][url=https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/megamitensei/images/8/8f/SH_Raidou_Render.png]Raidou Kuzonoha[/url][/b]
The host's hair has shorted to about half its length, and he's gained prominent sideburns and eyebrows. His clothes are a little more proper-looking, and he has a black cape with purple lining. His vitality has been improved, and his disintegration slowed. He's a bit quieter and more introverted. This spirit confers the Power [b]Devil Summoner[/b], granting him three magic confinement tubes that hold the trapped spirits of demons. Only one is usable to begin with: [url=https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/megamitensei/images/0/08/Mokoi.png/revision/latest?cb=20190328215338]Mokoi[/url]. This demon is a sturdy, smooth golem wielding an undodgeable boomerang, capable of inflicting decent damage at range as well as Panic. This spirit also confers the Weakness [b]Easy[/b], making him easier to manipulate psychologically.[/hider][/center]

Gradually the group collected on the other side of the teleporter, in the grand Alcamoth atrium. Their arrival was noted by Isabelle, returned to her duties as secretary after a brief but enjoyable visit to Limsa Lominscuttle Town with Blue Team, and the little dog wasted no time ringing up the proper authorities. Sans looked around, taking in the sights. “this place is pretty tight. got a burger joint anywheres?”

In short order the genial giant [url=https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/characterprofile/images/b/b2/XC2-Vandham-Artwork.png]Vandham[/url] appeared, spreading wide his enormous, muscly arms in bewilderment. “What 'appened? Mission failed?” He looked over those assembled, noting a few new faces. When his eyes met Dante's, however, they lit up like firecrackers. “'Scuse me, I stand corrected! Any mission that turns up such a lovely lady couldn't possibly be called a failure. Welcome to Alcamoth, Miss...?”

The legendary devil hunter laughed nervously. “Ahaha...ha. Um. No need to stand on ceremony. Name's Dante, but uh, let's stick to business, eh?”

“Couldn't've said it better meself,” Vandham nodded. He crossed his arms and faced the trio of Bowser, Nero, and Blazermate. “So what's the sitch?”

“Some serious fights. Linkle is gone. A few wounds not healing right,” Nero explained succinctly. He motioned to the Doom Slayer, Jak and Daxter, and Donnie. “There's also some kind of explosive in the city somewhere strong enough to wipe the whole place out. Figured we shouldn't chance it.”

Vandham mulled the news over. “Infirmary for those guys, then. As fer the rest of ya, what'sa plan? Might be tough to find the other teams. Maybe ya 'ead fer a new, less dangerous region. We got the map ya brought us in at HQ.”