[center]Collab between [@Perse], [@IrishAngelQueen], [@The Man Emperor], [@Dezuel], and myself.[/center]

[center][h3][color=fff79a]Verge[/color], [color=f9ad81]Ruyn[/color], and [color=6ecff6]Cryopheonix[/color][/h3][/center]

There was all manner of scents in the air, but most of all there was the smell of smoke and fire. Along the path the young man had travelled along were burning cars, crashed alien ship remains and much more.

He felt somewhat pleased with the destructive power he had been able to dish out so far through the massive crystalline orb, though he needed to survey the area abit further. Surely his presence had no doubt drawn some attention. The young man lifted the crystalline orb abit further before softly dropping it at a somewhat decent area where it would fit before his attention turned elsewhere. Someone was coming.

Verge softly placed one of his hands at his waist and the other hung casually by the side, his legs standing closely together as if he was balancing on a wire midair. The light energy wings behind him flickering as he was waiting for whomever was approaching to come closer.

Were it some more invasive aliens or some humans bent on destruction? He was prepared to dispatch them if such was the case. But there was also the likelihood of some other metahuman having noticed him and his contribution.

[color=fff79a]"Who goes there? Come forth and make yourselves known!"[/color] He yelled out, his form still hovering approximately at the height of a third floor building from the ground below.


A flash of blue streaked past Verge, landing in a cloud of smoke and dust on a four story building in front of the metahuman. A pair of icy wings stretched out from the swirling dirt, before a pair of glowing red eyes flashed from behind the veil. The Cryophoenix's frosted form soon emerged, its sharp claws firmly planted on the satellite dish that jutted out of the rooftop. Everywhere around it was cold as a deathly winter.

The Cryophoenix spoke to Verge, seemingly suspecting him of wanton crimes against humanity. [color=6ecff6]"Ah, it's you."[/color] The Phoenix shook his head. [color=6ecff6]"I… have no idea who you are. Identify yourself."[/color]


The blonde young man tilted his head slightly to the side as the icy bird made it's presence known. [color=fff79a]"Oh?''[/color] Was this one a servant of the earth, or were it an enemy to the world? Time would tell.

[color=fff79a]"The world is at the verge of being revived... you may call me Verge. I am but one of the protectors of the earth."[/color] The young man said aloud, the wind blowing in his hair, his shiny golden yet crystalline armor shimmering.

[color=fff79a]"Who are you then, which brings winter on his wings? Surely you are not part of the extraterrestrial plague? For whom do you fight?"[/color] Verge asked, keeping his stance. Whatever this creature was, he wasn't worried. If it was an enemy it would be dealt with as everything else, if it was not then it was good fortune.


Ruyn flew after Cryo, massive wings of bones and shadow silent as an owl’s. The icy breeze from Cryo’s wings wafted over him, chilling his bones as he settled on the edge of the building’s roof next to him, serrated claws crumbling the brick as his weight settled. 

[color=f9ad81]“Verge, Protector of the Earth, huh,”[/color] Ruyn’s voice echoed and rang with the sound of death and darkness, demonic overtones rumbling the ears of anyone listening. [color=f9ad81]“I can get behind a title like that. No, My friend here is not part of the invasion attempt. Neither am I.”[/color] 

He tilted his head and looked up at the airship he’d punched a hole in, watching as it shrieked with the grating noises of the alien screams and tearing metal. It was satisfying to watch and he let out a rumbling, satisfied noise before turning back to look at the interesting male in front of him.


[color=6ecff6]"Protector of the Earth?..."[/color] Cryophoenix cocked his head to the side, seemingly a little skeptical. [color=6ecff6]"Such a lofty title… and maybe you do deserve it."[/color] The Phoenix paused. [color=6ecff6]"You should come with us. Crush the enemy together and drive them from Earth's holy soil. What say you?"[/color]


[color=fff79a]"It's more the choice of profession rather than a lofty title, like a gardener tending his garden. Your words are refreshing, what names do you go by, so that I may properly address you? Just looking upon you, it seems you've been given grand gifts indeed. To not use the power which one has been bestowed would be akin to a sin."[/color] Verge explained as he kept hovering midair, watching the strange duo before him. The wintery winged bird and the dark bony creature. He never got the impression that any of them were extraterrestrial, they didn't look that way anyhow. But if they later would turn out to be they would of course have to be dealt with.

[color=fff79a]"Those which serve the earth, shall be rewarded with a world far greater than what currently is. If that good deed is not enough on its own, tell me... what do you desire? Wealth? Power? Wisdom? I can offer you all."[/color] The young man explained, with a slight upturn at the corner of his lips. This duo showed initial promise, perhaps they would be of use in taking down those which served humankind. He had in the past seen them on the TV's, as he passed by the various shops.

[color=fff79a][i]'Icon. An Icon of a time which is no longer relevant. A remnant and nothing more that a tool made to give humankind artificial breathing aid.'[/i][/color] He thought of the eventual showdown with the warrior of mankind, and how he would cast him down from the heavens. This man did not deserve to roam the skies, If he could not be turned to serve the earthmother he would have to be taken down. Even wiping out the man's memories somehow, no matter how wretched such an idea may have seemed, would still be a better use of him than killing him. To attain such immense powers were a rarity and ought to be cared for in either way. But was he on par with Verge? Not a chance. The young man was fully convinced that he held both the advantage in power, morals and knowing deep inside that his path would bring about a new better future for all.


The Cryophoenix didn't seem to be very interested in Verge's monologue; all he wanted was backup against the aliens at the moment, and… well, it seemed that the flying man was straight up offering them positions of power. He even dissed Icon for… something. [color=6ecff6]"I'm just the avatar of winter and cold, enduring cycles of death and rebirth to always be there when humanity's hours of need arrive."[/color] A pause. [color=6ecff6]"Just call me Cryophoenix."[/color], the winter bird continued. [color=6ecff6]"This lovely dragon right here is Ruyn. Am I riiiiiiight?"[/color]


[color=fff79a]"Cryo... phoenix? I see... The four seasons however do not serve humankind, but mother nature, winter is a vital part in the circle of things. Yet all things which brace for the winter do not make it through. Like the dinosaurs long ago, which ruled this world they perished because they could not adapt to the world changing. Unless you count the various birds afoot as their remnants, which is then evolution going forwards. Like how we, who possess the power, have advanced ourselves beyond humankind."[/color] Verge said in a pleased tone, his eyes wandering over the two figures in front of him.

[color=fff79a]"...and your friend is a dragon? How very intriguing, for in the old tales humankind often cherished the memory of killing such beings. Like Siegfried which slew Fafnir and stole his belongings, what would they think if instead Siegfried was eaten by said dragon? Would the tale still be a favorite of theirs? I highly doubt it. Humankind fears that which they cannot understand nor control, have you not noticed their glances in your direction? How they seem fully convinced that you do not belong, that you are some kind of monster sprung from some fairytale or nightmare of theirs. Forced to wear some form of mask or veil to shamefully cover yourself, to hide... when it is the humans that are the shameful ones...."[/color] Verge said in a softer tone, his wings flickering as he hovered in the air, the smoke of the ruin left in his wake trailing up into the sky.

[color=fff79a]"Like my own human parents shamefully threw me away like a piece of trash, discarded and left at the doorstep of some place for the unwanted."[/color] The young man said it in a very matter of fact type of tone, that it was indeed an undeniable truth.


[color=f9ad81]“Yes, I am Ruyn Grimm, and I am only [i]sometimes[/i] a dragon,”[/color] Ruyn replied, a bit of woe in his voice. [color=f9ad81]“What is ironic is that most humans actually prefer the dragon over the mask-wearing demon. I do not hide what I am, only the part of my face that scares others, and it is partially for my own mental wellbeing. As for humans being the only ones who cause pain?”[/color] The tank-sized bony dragon shook his massive, horned head. [color=f9ad81]“I suffered more at the hands of other supernatural creatures than I ever have at the hands of humans. Humans are not wholly to blame. But we can focus on this talk later, there are people who need saving and aliens who are scheduled to meet their death under my claws and teeth.”[/color]

Ruyn laughed and his orange and red eyes glowed from within their dark sockets like eerie lights. 

[color=f9ad81]“Joke is on them,”[/color] he growled. [color=f9ad81]“I know I’m a monster.”[/color]


[color=fff79a]"A demon? What do you mean? Are you possessed? Or are you saying you are a demon?"[/color] Did he just say that? Verge's eyes narrowed shortly after hearing that word. 

If hell existed, then did that mean heaven did as well? What of god? Or gods? Where was the order? Had something terrible befallen the world and that there was none left to watch over it? Was this meant to be his purpose? His destiny?

[color=fff79a][i]'I know what I must do...'[/i][/color] He thought as if struck by the realization, as if he had just woken up from a long sleep and now was finally awake.

[color=fff79a]"Define people. What people? There are different kinds."[/color] He asked, his face looking far more serious than before, as if the very answer given would be a matter of life and death.


[color=f9ad81]“By people, I mean the ones running in terror from the aliens,”[/color] Ruyn replied. [color=f9ad81]“The ones who can’t protect themselves from such threats as extraterrestrials. And no, I am literally a demon. I’m not evil, though, if that’s what you are wondering. As to whether I’m actually from Hell, it depends on your spiritual beliefs and what you call Heaven.”[/color]

He’d been asked a few times if his lived in Hell, and he’d contemplated responding with a quip about slavery and if that wasn’t Hell he didn’t know what was. But usually went with the answer he just gave. It was a true statement as far as he was concerned, though. As Gods from every pantheon and belief existed, his friends Menkaura and Ahmose were proof of that, as well as his sisters Mori and Vita. 

[color=f9ad81]“Do you need proof of my demonic state?”[/color] Ruyn asked idly. [color=f9ad81]“I’m not going to change forms unless I know you’re not going to kill me simply because I’m a demon.”[/color] He had a feeling that’s how his mother had been killed. He had a feeling she’d been betrayed and slaughtered. 


Verge's body began to slightly tremble as he suppressed laughter for as long as he could. But the words uttered made it impossible.

[color=fff79a]"Hnn hnn... hahahah... There are only two kinds of people in this world, guilty and not guilty! And when it comes to these humans... they deserve to be undone, not by these invaders however, but by their own greed and endless desires. "[/color]   

[color=fff79a]"The invaders will be destroyed and after that... it's the humans that will be vanquished. At long last. As for you demon, you claim you are not evil, yet you might as well claim to be a fish on the moon. It won't change what you are. And it won't change what I am. You don't belong in this world. That said... when a rusted spring keeps a clock from ticking, it must be removed immediately or it will display time wrongly. For the restoration of this world that is on the verge of revival. Stand aside... Cryo Phoenix, I shall pluck this demonic weed from the garden."[/color] Verge said as his angelic looking wings of light intensified in it's glow, while it wasn't enough to be blinding it clearly showed that the young man was preparing for battle. Not wasting any time, the young man held out his right arm as various orbs of light gathered around him. Then one of the orbs shot away from him turning into a beam of light. It's intended target being Ruyn.


[color=f9ad81]“Fish on the moon?”[/color] Ruyn’s eye sockets moved impossibly and curved down in a bony frown. [color=f9ad81]“Interesting insult. Weed? Oh, I’m the fucking weed, huh?”[/color] His tail lashed, sharp bone flashing light. He growled and pulled himself into his own shadow to avoid the beam of light, reappearing from the shadows behind Verge to swat the other male, sending him careening through the air. 

[color=f9ad81]“I’m a Venus flytrap, asshole,”[/color] he hissed. [color=f9ad81]“And I eat the bugs who bother me.”[/color] Ruyn hadn’t chosen to get stuck in the mortal realm as a child. He hadn’t chosen for his mother be slain and the last of his kin to die. He hadn’t chosen to go through any of the pain he’d endured just for this little shit to call him a fucking weed.


[color=6ecff6]"Here we go again."[/color] Cryophoenix watched as the fight ensued, shaking his icy head. This Verge person seemed to have a… very interesting view of the world, namely being an homicidal maniac. That was the last thing that they needed at the moment, what with the invasion and such. [color=6ecff6]"You,"[/color] he pointed a claw at Verge. [color=6ecff6]"Stand down, and apologize. Or else you will have two of us bearing down upon you."[/color]

[center][h3][color=39b54a]Muerte[/color][/h3][/center]

Back in the Square Muerte waited and kept watch on the skies as well as the ground. The sounds of screaming had lessened but there was still no word from Ruyn or Cryo on what was going on over there. He tried to stay focused on taking out any aliens that came into the area but soon they seemed to have cleared out for the moment. He suddenly got a flash of a weird crystalline-armored figure shooting a beam of light at him...no Ruyn...and the figure being swatted away. Then he saw Cryo step in and try to break them up.

[color=39b54a][i]Ruyn?! Cryo?! What the hell is going on over there?! Is that an alien or another meta?[/i][/color]

[center][h3][color=fff79a]Verge[/color], [color=f9ad81]Ruyn[/color], and [color=6ecff6]Cryopheonix[/color][/h3][/center]

Verge's eyes had quickly darted to the side the moment Ruyn had seemingly popped out of existence, turning around just in time to block the hit but it hurled him backwards nonetheless, and the crystalline armoring at his wrists broke at the impact. The young man had gritted his teeth together, It was as if indeed it was going in slow motion, he had reached out with his left hand to telekinetically hurl the broken crystalline shards that formerly were his wrist armor            towards the demon, shortly followed by the remaining orbs of lights that was hovering around him.

[color=fff79a]"A venus flytrap?! Explains the foul smell! But I am the gardener not a bug!"[/color] He had cried out in reply to the man's previous words, whilst Cryo had addressed him urging him to stop. The young man stopped midair at the distance he had been flung back to reply to him, while still keeping his eyes at Ruyn. [color=fff79a]"Why should I?! This is a demon that should return to its home!"[/color] He said with his eyebrows furrowed and with a look of disgust on his face. It was after all this kind of creature that the world could do without, according to the young man.


[color=f9ad81]“This fucking dick thinks I’m a weed that should return home,”[/color] Ruyn sneered at Verge in his mental reply to Muerte. [color=f9ad81]“He’s got a problem with my being a demon.”[/color]

[color=f9ad81]“As far as I’m concerned,”[/color] Ruyn growled, jumping into the spiritual realm (physical body and all) reappearing behind verge to swat him harder, serrated claws screeching against the young male’s armor. [color=f9ad81]“This is my home. And I protect it from everyone, including people like you, mini-Hitler.”[/color] He jumped into the spirit realm again and stayed there, debating on whether to return to Muerte to show him where they were or if he should stay just in case this dude tried to go after Cryo next. 

[color=f9ad81]“Cryo I’m in the spirit realm but I’m still nearby, just in case,”[/color] Ruyn sent telepathically.


Verge had been better prepared for the second attack by the demon, this time not blocking but dodging out of the way, only the demon's claws scratched parts of his crystalline armor. Verge followed his dodge with a backhanded slap towards Ruyn's face, but missing him as he dove into the spirit realm. The blonde didn't know what manner of magic was at play, if the demon was teleporting in an uncommon manner or if he was hopping between worlds or even in and out of hell. Whichever it was, it didn't matter to him. If the demon would stay out of this world, that was enough. What happened in the hells or different worlds were none of his concern after all.

[color=fff79a]"Delusional unnatural creature! This isn't your home! And don't compare me to a lowly human! -I- am the protector of this world! This garden! I shall cast down all the fiends that threaten its purity! No matter who they are, no matter what they are!"[/color] Verge yelled out and teleported to the inside of his large crystalline orb, which had been neatly placed aside as the whole interaction had begun. The young man quickly reached out with both his hands to the side and shattered the crystal into hundreds of pieces, causing them to start flying away from him, before stopping and being hurled back towards him and circling around him. Crystalline shards would spin around his form like a miniature tornado, or a very angry flock of rabid wolverines. Would the demon appear before him, it would be crystal clear just how messy it could get if he would appear near him or into the thing itself as he began to fly towards Sherman Square. Aware that at any moment the demon could re-appear or Cryo joining the fray.


The Cryophoenix flew into the air, soaring high above the demon and the crystal fool that had engaged themselves sin a grueling brawl. [color=6ecff6]"Сука. We don't have time for this idiocy."[/color] Flying upwards, the Phoenix left a cold trail behind his tail, the summer heat melting off a bit of water vapor from his icy form. 

There would be nothing chasing Verge, at least for a few moments. That was, until an ear splitting screech reverberated through the air as the Cryophoenix dove in from the sky high above, lunging towards Verge like a peregrine falcon seeking its prey from hundreds of meters away. The Phoenix was in no mood for disruption; he intended to grab Verge with his icy claws. After that… he will breath a cone of frost upon the meddler's face, keeping him down. At least, that was the plan…

[center][h3][color=39b54a]Muerte[/color], [color=8dc73f]Cadence[/color], and [color=f7976a]Nathan[/color][/h3][/center]

Through Ruyn and Cryo’s eyes he could see the scene unfolding as well as the crystal figure coming this way. He himself was weak against energy attacks and he assumed that Nathan probably was too. Cadence was the only one who had any defenses against something like this new enemy, but she was drained as it was...wait that was it! He turned to look at her, saying quickly.

[color=39b54a]”Cadence, could you use your power to transfer energy from someone else into yourself? And if so, how much could you hold?”[/color]

If she could do it, they could kill two birds with one stone: revive her combat ability and take away his. He just needed to be sure that her body could handle something like that first. This guy seemed to have a lot of it.


Cadence had been fighting off the waves of aliens with what energy she had left and if she was honest with herself there wasn't much remaining. The waves seemed to lessen though and she ended up stopping her feline mount as she watched Cryo and Ruyn head off to whatever had attracted the attention of the invaders. She had no idea what was going on with them but whatever it was, it was starting to sound messy and like none of it was good news for them. 

As her eyes tried to get a glimpse of the approaching entity, she heard Muerte calling to her. She looked at him with curiosity before she started to understand what he was saying and a large grin crossed her face.

[color=8dc73f]"I don't know,"[/color] She said gleefully as she looked back to see the approaching man surrounded by shredding crystals. This idea was getting more fun by the moment, [color=8dc73f]", but I know a way to find out."[/color]

Not knowing what was going to happen she hopped off the large space cat and handed the reins to Nate. She didn't want others to be casualties in this experiment.

Amidst the rubble, she thought to herself that she really hoped this worked or she was probably going to end up regretting this, she then started to speak her spell.

[color=8dc73f]“Take all the energy and power from the man that shine
And make it one with my body and make it mine
No longer shall he have the strength to attack 
And let this help my power come back.” [/color]

The familiar neon green energy started to surround Cadence and far away, even if he had not noticed it, the same similar colour started to appear on Verge.


Muerte watched with bated breath, hoping that Cadence would be alright. Honestly there wasn’t really anything that he could do if it went wrong but he was hoping that if she got hurt that Ruyn would be able to do something.

[color=39b54a]”Nathan,”[/color] he said suddenly as he watched the green glow form around her, [color=39b54a]“If anything happens to her, get her out. Out of the city. Just run...Ok? We’ll handle things here.”[/color]


Nathan, who had been simultaneously hanging on for dear life as well as watching the spectacle from below with an aghast expression, didn't immediately respond to Muerte. He had been a little focused on what was happening… But after a short delay, he turned to Muerte and nodded. [color=f7976a]"Yes… I swear on my mother's grave."[/color]

[center][h3][color=fff79a]Verge[/color], [color=8dc73f]Cadence[/color], and [color=6ecff6]Cryopheonix[/color][/h3][/center]

Verge had seen the Cryo Phoenix coming, but not only that he heard him. The loud screeching sound was enough to make him lose focus of his crystals, causing them to fall as the young man grabbed his ears. The talons were reaching out for him, and Cryo was closing in fast. Verge wasn't sure just how powerful his other foe were, he just knew that if his movements were to be frozen it could prove disastrous depending on which shape it took.

Thus he quickly narrowed his eyes and dashed quickly midair out of the large talons that was a hair's breath away from snatching him, the cold birdlike creature was indeed quick. Thankfully for him, he was very fast himself. Having escaped the claws and the path of the creature, Verge removed his hands from his ears and readied to attack the Cryo Phoenix, but he stopped in his tracks as a green glow began to form on him and also at a point further away. There was a third attacker?

He felt how his body quickly began to feel weaker and he felt more weary, the glowing wings were quickly fading away. The young man quickly stared in disbelief at what was happening. Someone was absorbing -HIS- powers?! Someone had the audacity to steal his gift! He felt the urge to destroy, but he knew that right now there was an even more pressing matter than destroying the enemies. To survive. Without his empowered state, a single blow from any of these meta’s could kill him. He still did retain his ability to fly however and his speed was not affected to the degree of his durability and physical strength.

Not wasting any time he began to channel some of his remaining power to empower himself anew, and his wings of energy appeared yet again and he felt the power return to him, yet he felt weaker. More weary. And the damage had already been done, someone here had the power to mortally wound him. The mere thought of it irked him, it took all of his restraint to not press the attack. Instead he gritted his teeth, giving Cryo Phoenix a glare and then to the one which had stripped him of his most prominent defense. A woman? It was a woman? Was she with them? Such answers would have to be found later, for now survival was more important. Because without him, who would guide the earth to it's new dawn? It was then Verge teleported away, his form blinking away in a flash of light. He had teleported himself far away from where they had been fighting, back where he first arrived to Lost Haven. It was then he exhaled deeply, breathing heavily. How was it that these troublesome kids had gotten in his way? How did they dare raise a hand against a god?


Cadence had not truly realised it but she had been holding her breath as she waited to see if her spell managed to work. Suddenly, she found herself taking in a large breath as her body filled with an electrical intensity. Her blood pumped furiously through her ears and standing there the largest grin started to grow across her face. She felt great, she felt better than great, she felt fucking amazing. Standing tall, she no longer had worries about what was about to come next, whatever it was she would be ready. 

Looking back at the figure who had been approaching, she could see them faltering and only to add to her confidence, he seemed to be running. She couldn’t help herself as she watched what she had expected to be the big baddy flee, laughter from deep within her chest started to escape from her. After all who knew she could have done this, who knew she was able to feel this god damn powerful. Bending over with laughter, she didn’t even notice as a pair of glowing angel wings appeared behind her back.
 
[center][h3][color=39b54a]Muerte[/color] and [color=8dc73f]Cadence[/color][/h3][/center]

Muerte also breathed a sigh of relief when the crystal armor figure departed and Cadence seemed unharmed. Immediately though his concern shifted as Cadence began laughing. Was the power itself maddening? Or did simply having all that power cause problems in those not used to it? The saying ‘power corrupts’ must be true after all, at least in some part. They needed to find a target for her and fast before her flighty nature took over. At the same time, they needed to make sure that she didn’t try to do anything too strenuous or they’d be back at square one. He slipped into his mental calculation state; recalling everything he’d seen her do and how tired it had made her, how many enemies he assumed could be in the city at the moment. There were too many variables, too many gaps in his knowledge, to do something extreme. It would have to be gradual, controllable, until they could see… See! His brain exploded with excitement as the solution came to him suddenly, it would just have to be worded [i]very[/i] carefully.

[color=39b54a]”Cadence!”[/color] he called out to her, [color=39b54a]”Cast a spell that makes all the hostile, invading aliens that you look at die! The spell must be activated by your eyesight!”[/color]


Cadence was holding herself up with her hand on her knee as she laughed heartily as she couldn’t believe what she had managed to pull off. Hearing her name being yelled at her, she turned around to look at Muerte. Hearing him tell her to cast a very specific and deadly spell, she just stared at him in confusion. [color=8dc73f] “What? I mean I can try but why so suddenly?”[/color] She said as she stood back up straight and looked at him in bewilderment. Why was he suddenly asking her to cast something so powerful? Was this his plan from the beginning? She knew she was in the middle of the largest battle she had ever been in but at the same time, she wasn’t so sure about using such a spell. Muerte had never steered her in the wrong direction so far but there was something about it that just felt sudden and more destructive than any spell she had ever done before

Then something caught her eye, and she found herself staring at the wings that had appeared on her back. A curious smile crossed her face as she tried to touch them but only ended up with her hands passing through them.[color=8dc73f]  “Oooohhh,” [/color] She said to herself as she let the bright light distract herself from all the confusing questions she had. 


And there it was...she’s been distracted by her own wings. Still, her questions were valid and deserved answers. He stepped up to her and gently put his hands on her shoulder so that she would focus on him as he spoke.

[color=39b54a]”We do not know how much time we have Cadence. The longer this takes, the more innocent people die. Or perhaps they will simply send more asteroids. We also don’t know how long this power will last in you or how quickly it will drain away. If the spell is tied to your sight, then you can always stop by closing your eyes and saying a different spell. If you don’t want to kill them, then make them run. I know this is a lot to ask, but the world is counting on you. I am counting on you...to save Jacque, Jesus, and...my sister. Will you do this Cadence?”[/color]