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[color=salmon]Word Count: 1245 (+3 exp)[/color]
[color=salmon][u]Level[/u]: [b]9[/b] - [u]Total EXP[/u]: 160/90
[b]Location:[/b] Edinburgh MagicaPolis[/color][/center]
Two hours, and then meet back at that little tavern. As the three men separated, the Ace Cadet gave them a warm send off and then took a few moments to memorize the area around the establishment so that he wouldn't get lost trying to find his way back to it. Although if he really did end up getting lost in the city, he could always rely on the scoutflies to sniff out a path back to Big Band and Wonder Red. 

He had set off in a random direction opposite the other two, content to take his time and explore. He didn't feel any particular way about leaving them to investigate while he pretty much just went shopping. Everyone had their own element after all, and he was not in his. Better to leave it to the people who actually were. Besides, having the proper gear was important. As he walked, the breezes that managed to weave themselves between the buildings carried the deep chill through him. Every now and then he had to duck into open establishments and out of the cold in order to warm up some before moving on. It was in doing this that he began to notice certain things about the city. 

He probably should have taken note of it earlier, but running around an unfamiliar place trying to transport an unconscious person to a clinic in the least suspicious way possible took some focus away from the metropolis itself. And maybe the modern looking aesthetic disguised it, in a way. It had been staring him in the face this whole time though - in fact it was in the name: [b]Magica[/b]polis.

There were glowing runes inscribed into lampposts, fueling ever-lasting light. Shop signage that floated and rearranged itself, twinkling playfully to attract the attention of passersby. Vehicles with intricate magic circles in place of wheels, rolling along by their own power. Little devices that traveled the sidewalks and glowed hot with inscribed spells, clearing the paths of ice until the next time they frosted over. While at first glance the city seemed technologically inclined, there was undercurrent of magic so prevalent that it must have been commonplace. No one batted an eye at the weird fusion of magic and machine, no one except the Ace Cadet.

[color=salmon]"Eegh..."[/color] He let out a little noise of discomfort once it really sunk in. [i]Hopefully the guys found some clues that lead out of the city,[/i] the Cadet thought to himself. He continued window shopping with his shoulders hunched, avoiding the more obvious magical influence. He passed up shops that he otherwise would have stopped in, like one clothing store advertising [url=https://i.ibb.co/sRX8xgY/Archmages-Robes.png]robes[/url] meant to withstand the cold, but also boasting enchantments woven into them, and another with a felyne-looking [url=https://i.ibb.co/5L3yz4z/Magic-Store.png]shopkeeper[/url] that drew him towards it until he realized what kinds of goods they actually sold.

After walking by many different types of places, from dining establishments to boutiques, he ended up pretty far from his starting point. This was taking longer than he'd expected it to. Should he suck it up and just buy something even if it was enchanted? He could tolerate only so much, and the thought of wearing magic clothes made his skin crawl. [i]I'll keep looking a little longer.[/i]

Finally, he ducked into what looked to be a general goods store that showcased a more [url=https://i.ibb.co/yPNBn4t/Mei-Skin-Yeti-Hunter.png]mundane[/url] looking winter outfit as part of it's window display. The inside was spacious, and though it's inventory seemed pretty random it was well organized into sections. The temperature inside was much better compared to the street, but it wasn't exactly warm. Perhaps that was because the proprietor was covered in fur. Behind the register was a [url=https://i.ibb.co/kc1wzZJ/Niccolo-Lo-M-Artwork.png]leporine person[/url], fiddling with something outside of the Cadet's field of vision and grumbling to himself. When the shopkeep noticed a customer he dropped what he was doing by shoving it under the counter.

"Well, come on in! Welcome to Niccolo's! Niccolo will bring smiles to all." The man cupped his hands together, fixing the hunter with a wide smile. "...I am Niccolo, if that wasn't clear."

[color=salmon]"Wouldn't have guessed,"[/color] the Cadet replied with a grin before cutting to the chase. [color=salmon]"I need some winter clothes and 'thaw' the coats in the window, figured I'd stop in to see what you have."[/color]

"I have whatever you need! My ability to procure items to sell amazes even myself," Niccolo preened. He gave the Ace Cadet a good once over though, his bluster dying down a little as he took in the hunter's get up of steel and scales. "Though... as painful as it would be to turn away a customer, are you sure you aren't needing something from down the street instead?"

The rabbit-like man pointed outside of the store, and curiously the Cadet turned to look. Squinting through the glass window into the shop about a block away, he could see a large suit of [url=https://i.ibb.co/pZ8Gz1r/Reinhardt-Skin-Festive.png]armor[/url] displayed at the storefront. The hunter swooned over the extravagant equipment, but knew it's price tag would be way too high. He had some money on him but not enough to afford something like that, as much as he would have loved to buy it. He shook his head to refocus on the task at hand.

[color=salmon]"Aha... nope, just regular clothes will do. Anything that's warm and not too restrictive."[/color]

Niccolo perked up at this, bouncing around the counter and onto the sales floor. He gestured toward a section of the shop that held attire as he spoke. "That's good to hear! Then Niccolo will take care of you. I've got plenty of options to choose from so don't be shy!"

The Cadet was ushered toward the racks of clothes without delay. He made one amendment to his preference to Niccolo, which was just "the most normal clothes you got." That earned him a strange look, but it was worth it to avoid any kind of magical garments. It didn't take him long to pick out a large and very warm [url=https://i.ibb.co/2gRQ341/fp.png]coat[/url] with an empty metal slot on the front of it. Niccolo informed his customer that it was empty on purpose, intended for anything the wearer wanted to put there - when in reality there was a missing heating component that was previously built into the coat. Naturally the Cadet paid full price, oblivious. It worked out anyway, as he found that the scoutfly cage fit pretty snugly in the slot and made for a dull green lantern at his chest. With a few more [url=https://i.ibb.co/rxyxt6j/bwe.png]pieces[/url] purchased his coin purse was much lighter but he didn't feel the cold at all anymore, so it was a fair trade.

[color=salmon]"Thanks again!"[/color] the Cadet said as he pushed the door open to leave. "Come back anytime!" Was Niccolo's reply.

With shopping finally out of the way the Cadet decided to head back toward the meeting place. By the time he made it there the two hours would probably be over anyway. He shuffled quickly through the street with his hands in his pockets. He'd stowed the ship rigging into the square backpack while he was trying things on, and there they stayed for now, giving the Cadet a much more local look. Despite the appearance he still couldn't navigate like a local though, and ended up relying on his scenting insects after all. The glowing bugs floated out from their new spot and led him back in the direction of his fellow Seekers.
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[sup]____________________________________________________[/sup]
[color=FFC6C6][u]Level[/u]: [b]7[/b] - [u]Total EXP[/u]: 160/70[/color] [color=2e2c2c]------[/color] [color=BC8DBF][u]Level[/u]: [b]5[/b] - [u]Total EXP[/u]: 35/50[/color]
[color=gray]𝙱𝙿[/color] [color=gold]●[/color][color=gray]●●●●[/color] [color=2e2c2c]----------------------------[/color] [color=gray]𝙱𝙿[/color] [color=gold]●[/color][color=gray]●●●●[/color]
[color=lightgray]Encounter Reward +11 exp
Word Count: 1010 (+2 exp)
[b]Location[/b]: The Under - the Chasm[/color][/center]
The Travelers didn't worry about dizy much longer, as Jesse came to their rescue using much the same tactic as they had earlier: using another monster against the bigger one. Jesse's version of this strategy was to hurl the entire body of ang at the dizy which resulted in a gory acid bath, but there was no complaint from Primrose nor Therion. If it worked, it worked. The corners of Primrose's mouth twitched up as she held back a laugh at the red head's deadpan humor.

After that, the group of Seekers handily dealt with the remaining monster and started the process of patching up anyone that needed it. The battle and the healing took a toll on Primrose's mana reserves, so once things quieted down she sat herself down on a small boulder to rest. She remained seated there even as the new group of monsters made their way into the area. These ones spoke, bemoaning the loss of their aggressive and frankly bloodthirsty friends. The Travelers did not feel any sympathy for them whatsoever - both were about to go back on the offensive despite how weak the new monsters had showed themselves to be, but Sectonia got to them first.

[color=D34C25]"That takes care of that,"[/color] Primrose murmured, dispelling the magic she'd been gathering in her hand. Therion stowed the throwing knives that had suddenly appeared in his hands. Had the alien queen mentioned a mind-controlling minion in her introduction earlier? He couldn't remember, but after seeing it in action he wouldn't forget. Wanting to steer clear of that whole business, the thief went on down the path after Ms. Fortune, Rubick, and Bowser.

While some of the group went on, Primrose stretched out and listened to Sectonia's very brief questioning of the small group of eye monsters. Simple motivations, and simple answers. The name 'Toriel' meant nothing to the dancer, and it seemed the same for the others too. More interesting was that there was another stranger with them now, one that seemed to have fallen in and only just woke up after the battle was over. He was lucky he hadn't been trampled in the chaos. She listened as the young Koopa explained everything to the 'Adventurer,' her chin propped on her palm. She had no notes, it had been thorough and to the point even if filtered through the kid's pointed way of speaking. 

With everything more or less wrapped up here, they'd better catch up to the ones that went ahead. 

Meanwhile Therion came up just after the action, having kept pace with everyone besides Ms. Fortune. He was tagging along, not racing. When they arrived, there were a few odd exchanges of words.

[i]Did he just say 'unbottled evil?'[/i] Therion thought, raising a brow. The man before them definitely looked the part, with his dark clothes and menacing smirk. The broken chains laying at his feet amidst scattered ash painted the rest of the picture for the thief. Still, Therion wasn't about to judge the guy for his morals - he made his living by stealing after all. Plus it seemed Bowser knew the guy even if that wasn't reciprocated. And the man, Ganondorf, was eager to help by repaying a debt to Ms. Fortune - which the Feral quickly cashed in. So if he really was "evil," wasn't it only to the same level that the two feuding royals down here were? 

[color=BC8DBF]"..."[/color] Even so, he'd keep an eye on the man. The same as he did on everyone really, as even though they were working together now one never knew when that might change. 

Therion wandered around the area, taking in the sealed door as the remainder of the group arrived in time to hear Ganondorf's thoughts on the location of the next Guardian. It took Primrose by surprise that the Guardian would be sealed up in a similar way to Red Eye. It was less that these beings were guarding something, and more that they were keys being guarded. If the Under's final obstacle was here in front of them though, then it had ended up being quite the lucky fall to end up so close to it. Of course, the hard part was still to come.

[color=D34C25]"Hmm~"[/color] Primrose peered at the temple, the carved faces, and then at the Gerudo King. He offered to be a guide for them, not even bothering to hide the fact that he had an ulterior motive. [i]Oh, this one is trouble,[/i] the dancer thought to herself as she appraised the group's newest addition. After years of dealing with all kinds of unsavory, powerful men she could sense that his malice was not directed at the Seekers - not yet, at least. So whatever plan he had in mind, it was not to lead the group into a trap. For now she thought it worthwhile to accept his offer; it was as Bowser Jr. said earlier, they could use help on the team. 

[color=D34C25]"How fortunate we would find not just one guide, but two,"[/color] she said, giving the little Knight a nod of her head. [color=D34C25]"It seems like a fine plan."[/color]

[color=BC8DBF]"Speaking of Fortune, she mentioned a map-maker was down here,"[/color] he reminded the group. [color=BC8DBF]"We should find him first. If we're going to be running around underground tunnels fetching masks, it'd be a good idea to have a one to go off of."[/color]

It was a subtle dig at their proposed guides, given that one was mute and small enough that it would be easy to lose in the dark, and the other was some kind of arrogant warlock that had just been imprisoned - so it was obvious that guy wasn't up and about memorizing the routes around this place. Even putting aside Therion's skepticism about being led by those two, a map or two would just be handy to have in general.

[color=BC8DBF]"I really doubt they'll be [i]that [/i]easy to find,"[/color] he finished, replying to Jesse. His tone implied that he had experience with this sort of thing. [i]Wish it would be that easy for once though.[/i]
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Word Count: 502 (+1 exp)
[u]Level[/u]: [b]3[/b] - [u]Total EXP[/u]: 45/30
[b]Location[/b]: Dystopiascape - Kunad Highway[/center]
Agathion may have been the smallest and presumably weakest threat out of the bunch the Seekers currently faced, but a win was a win. It was especially nice after his volley of arrows had been sent back at him earlier courtesy of the skull-faced flyer, putting an early end to Pit's first plan. After successfully sending the little demon soaring Pit giddily whirled around to clap his palm against Raz's. The Arm had faded by then, bringing the Palutena Bow back into existence in his other hand. [color=lightgoldenrodyellow]"Woo teamwork!"[/color]

Just after that exchange, Princess Peach alighted beside them. [color=lightgoldenrodyellow]"We're fine!"[/color] Pit reported first. Second, he considered her strategic proposal. It was a good idea. Most of the Seekers were limited to in their angle of attack, so changing it up would be effective. Raz even had an idea about which angle to strike from already, though the brainstorming was quickly interrupted. 

The nuclear light of Mafreidyne blossomed around the chaotic battlefield. The pillar of light that preceded them was all the warning the fighters had to get clear. Pit's protective instinct as an angel kicked in, and he pulled Peach out of epicenter of the attack in order to fling her and give her a boost in escaping. He was relived to see that Raz had managed to dive out of the sphere's range, and as for himself? He quick summoned the Guardian Orbitars in an attempt to reflect the attack. The shields stood rigid in the air in front of him, but Mafreidyne was on another level. It spread fast and bypassed the Orbitars as it was neither a physical attack nor a projectile, searing the angel. Pit jumped when he realized that his plan was once again ineffective against the Trumpeter, throwing himself backward towards the front edge of the truck he was on. He landed on his side, curled up in pain. That had [i]hurt[/i], it was a powerful attack. If there was one saving grace though, it was that facing the nuclear force head on had saved his wings from any harm. He didn't want to think about what would have happened if they had been caught in the sphere. 

[color=lightgoldenrodyellow]"I'm g-good, just... give me a sec...!"[/color] He wheezed, mostly to himself. Pit was made of sturdier stuff than most, so he knew this wouldn't debilitate him. He took a deep breath and then pushed himself up, steadily recovering enough to stand again. Once he was up he let out the breath. 

[i]Okay. Let's get back to it![/i] All of the remaining demons were engaged with the Seekers, so it was a fine time to try offering some supporting fire once again. He avoided the Trumpeter this time just in case, but the winged demon was already swarmed anyway. Pit shot a few arrows at the other enemies, the light constructs zipping through the air to avoid friendly fire. As he did he kept an eye out for openings where he could jump in and get up close.