[center][h1][i][b]To the North: Run for the Hills[/b][/i][/h1] [h3](part 1)[/h3][/center] [quote] It's not often the coin broker of New York comes out of hiding, but she always has time to punish defectors. And not only is Nuncio former Mint, but he's traveling with two people of interest. That's just too irresistible for the "Beast of the north" to ignore. Slay the Beast and her vanguard or drive them out of New York. She will go back into hiding if she captures/kills all of her prey. Challenge Rating: SS Notes: The Beast can use her Killing Blow with near impunity, but is vulnerable for a brief time after using it. Be careful. This hunt can only be undertaken by a party that contains Connie and/or Mia. [/quote] … … … [url=https://images2.imgbox.com/fb/17/cpZcrrpQ_o.jpg]Bionic Bonnie[/url] was on the CAPRICORN. She always was. If someone saw her outside the CAPRICORN, she wouldn’t be Bonnie. She was sitting in a lobby reading a newspaper. Her surroundings were mundane even by non-magical standards. It looked like an american dinner, only smaller and devoid of people. The windows also looked out at different areas. Some showed bustling cities while others arid countrysides. Perhaps this place wasn’t as normal as one might think at first glance. But Bonnie wasn’t here to read the paper or enjoy the view. She had invited some [i]mercenaries[/i] to come aboard for one of her jobs. Any moment now, they should have followed her instructions and located a portal to board her “ship.” … … … [color=SpringGreen][i]This is bad…[/i][/color] Mia thought to herself as she looked over the glimmer post displayed on her phone, a nervous Connie peeking over her shoulder. It was the details of a new hunt, one personally addressed to the two of them. That alone would be concerning enough, but then there were the details themselves… [color=DarkOrchid]“N-Nuncio’s o-one of F-Faith’s friends!”[/color] Connie gasped in horrified realization. [color=DarkOrchid]“T-T-That m-means F-Faith’s in d-danger, t-too!”[/color] [color=SpringGreen]“It sure does sound that way,”[/color] Mia agreed. [color=SpringGreen]“But it also sounds pretty fucking suspicious. I mean, it mentions both of us [i]by name.[/i] Plus, even if it [i]isn’t[/i] some kinda trap, look at the challenge rating. This is the first time I’ve ever seen anything as high as SS, and you’ve never been on anything higher than B rank,”[/color] she added, turning to Connie with a concerned frown. [color=DarkOrchid]“I-I k-know…”[/color] her timid friend replied, while tightly hugging a frog plush that was almost as large as she was. [color=DarkOrchid]“B-B-But i-if s-she’s in t-trouble, t-then we h-have to h-help her!”[/color] the kind-hearted girl added, tears beginning to well up. [color=DarkOrchid]“A-And m-maybe t-that’s why she d-didn’t c-come to the C-Christmas P-Party, b-because she was h-hiding f-from this B-B-Beast p-person!”[/color] [color=SpringGreen]“Y’know, when you put it like that, it [i]does[/i] kinda make sense,”[/color] Mia conceded with a sigh. [color=SpringGreen]“Still, are ya sure you’re up for this, little sis?”[/color] she asked. [color=SpringGreen]“I mean, I know we’ve done some crazy stuff before, but we did those missions with a group. This’ll just be the two of us.”[/color] Connie swallowed and hugged her plush even tighter, clearly doing her best to keep from having a panic attack. [color=DarkOrchid]“I-I’m n-not j-just g-gonna a-abandon them!”[/color] she said after a moment and with as much conviction as she could muster. [color=DarkOrchid]“B-Besides, F-Faith's a m-magical g-girl, t-too, a-and I-I’m s-sure her f-friends c-can f-fight as w-well, s-so, we w-won’t b-be [i]c-completely[/i] alone!”[/color] Although she considered herself fairly tough, Mia could feel her heart breaking more and more with each passing second she looked at her closest friend. Connie was obviously terrified by what this mission entailed, but the meek girl cared so much for her friends that she was willing to take any risk if that meant she could help them in some way. Still, even though Mia hated seeing her friend in so much pain, the tomboy couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride at Connie’s efforts to overcome her many weaknesses. It was really quite inspiring. [color=SpringGreen]“Okay, if you’re set on doing this, I’m not gonna try an’ talk ya out if it,”[/color] Mia replied. [color=SpringGreen]“But this sounds like it’s gonna be the hardest thing we’ve ever done, so just promise me you’ll be careful,”[/color] she added. [color=DarkOrchid]“I-I p-promise,”[/color] Connie whispered. [color=SpringGreen]“Now, let’s save our friend.”[/color] … … … Twenty minutes later, and the pair found themselves standing in what looked like a diner. [color=SpringGreen]“I take it you are the one who posted the bounty?”[/color] Gaia inquired of the room’s only other occupant. If Bonnie were to look up from her paper, which she did, she would see a nymph-like young woman with green skin and verdant hair, which cascaded down to her feet. From behind her peeked out a masked girl, who, in stark contrast to her serene and focused companion, was nervously looking in every direction, as if she expected a jump scare at any moment. [b]”Yes, that was me.”[/b] Bonnie folded her paper in half, stood up, and cast it on one of the counters. [b]”In a way, at least. I’m just a bounty broker. The request itself was put through by Nuncio. Though most people who get in touch with me aren’t able to request help themselves. That is why they make use of my services.”[/b] Bonnie looked out one of the windows, one that showed a bustling intersection. It was mid day, but the skies were overcast enough that the street lamps had turned on. [b]”No threats yet. Seems you still have time.”[/b] She folded her arms behind her back. Her weapon swung like a pendulum behind her back. [b]”Anything you’d like to know?”[/b] [color=SpringGreen]“If it was Nuncio that made the request, then am I to assume you will be depositing us at his current location?”[/color] Gaia inquired, while taking note of the unique properties of the establishment’s windows. [color=SpringGreen]“Or are we being sent directly into battle against this so-called ‘Beast’?”[/color] [b]”The Beast of the North has yet to make an appearance, at least, not near her mark.”[/b] Bonnie pointed at the window. [b]”You will be deployed here, at this intersection. Nuncio, Faith, and Sammy are hiding out at Susana Inn right on the street corner.”[/b] She retracted her hand. [b]”I believe that the mint has caught wind of my interference, and likely expect me to bring reinforcements. I suspect after the mission commences, the Beast will reveal herself. I suppose what I’m saying is that I wouldn’t plan on a long reunion with your friends.”[/b] [color=SpringGreen]“I see…”[/color] Gaia noted, frowning thoughtfully. [color=SpringGreen]“Would it not be more advantageous to simply transport us directly into their hotel room? Not only would it serve to conceal our arrival, but it would provide additional time to compose a battle plan.”[/color] [b]”I could, but they are not held up there at the moment.”[/b] The window changed. Now they could see their friends walking up a flight of stairs. Likely located in the inn. [b]”The issue is that the Mint will likely know where I teleport you in. If I put you some distance away, they could follow you, sure. But if I place a portal right in front of them, I may give away their location.”[/b] Bonnie leaned against the counter. [b]”But it’s your call in the end. The mint are a hard organization to hide anything from.”[/b] [color=SpringGreen]“You make a good point,”[/color] Gaia conceded. [color=SpringGreen]“If they haven’t been discovered yet, we don’t want to give away their location. Of course, that’s all meaningless if the Mint already knows where they are and is preparing an ambush as we speak,”[/color] she added, even as Connie’s grip on her shoulders tightened. [color=SpringGreen]“Did Nuncio give you any additional instructions to impart?”[/color] [b]”He did not.“[/b] [color=SpringGreen]“In that case, perhaps it would be best to arrive in the alleyway next to that restaurant on the corner opposite the inn,”[/color] Gaia observed, pointing to the location in question. [color=SpringGreen]“If we revert to our mundane forms, we can enter the restaurant, blend in with the patrons, and observe the situation from there.”[/color] [b]”Very well, let me lock in the coordinates...“[/b] … … … The CAPRICORN, with freakish speed, fell out of the clouds and descended to the city streets. It was there just long enough to boot Connie and Mia out the front portal before flying into the clouds. If you blinked or looked away, you’d have assumed two girls just appeared out of thin air. If you didn’t, you’d look at the sky and assume you had too much to drink. They knew where Nuncio and the crew was, but there was no sign of any mint agents. At least, no obvious ones. The swaying crowds could hide anyone, even a powerful coin broker. On the upside, the food from the restaurant smelled really good. Connie held Mia’s arm in an almost vice-like grip as the pair emerged from the alley and into the crowded street. [color=SpringGreen]“So, this is New York, huh?”[/color] Mia noted as she took a look around, not sounding particularly impressed. [color=DarkOrchid]“T-There’s s-so m-many p-people…”[/color] Connie added. [color=DarkOrchid]“W-Way m-more t-than in P-Penrose…”[/color] [color=SpringGreen]“Yeah…”[/color] Mia agreed. She could see that being either a benefit or a hindrance, depending on how things played out. [color=SpringGreen]“Definitely makes hiding a hell of a lot easier.”[/color] Thankfully for Connie’s sake, they soon left the bustling streets and entered the restaurant, a medium-sized pizzeria. [color=SpringGreen]“Let’s order a couple of slices while we wait,”[/color] Mia suggested as she headed for the front counter. [color=DarkOrchid]“O-Okay,”[/color] Connie whispered back, while giving a small nod. As it happened there were already cheese and veggie slices warming in the counter display, and the two friends were soon seated at a window table with a slice apiece. [color=DarkOrchid]“H-How l-long do y-you t-think i-it’ll be b-before s-something h-happens?”[/color] Connie asked in a quiet voice after taking a few nervous gulps of her lemonade. [color=SpringGreen]“Hard to say,”[/color] Mia replied in an equally low tone, before taking a bite of her veggie pizza. [color=SpringGreen]“Still, at least we get to try some genuine New York pizza while we wait,”[/color] she added with a grin. [color=DarkOrchid]“Yeah,”[/color] Connie agreed, trying to muster a smile of her own. [color=DarkOrchid]“T-This p-pizza is r-really delicious!”[/color] The duo would have a few minutes to converse and enjoy their pizza when their ears were assaulted by a scraping sound. Something akin to a teacher dragging their nails across a chalkboard. A teenage girl was dragging a cast iron chair down the narrow walkways of the pizzeria. It was hard to tell if it was the chair that weighed so much, or the woman’s hand. Her delicate fingers were lined with rings, and the bulge in her sleeve suggested she might be wearing a bangle as well. Her silver pendant swung with every tug. It was impossible to see the girl’s face. Her head was downcast, and the beret on her head hid everything above her nose. Once she got to their table, she pointed the back of the chair towards the window. She sat down and rested both of her hands on the back of the chair. [b]”You know.“[/b] She started. [b]”’Vegetables are kind of inexpensive. It’s not like you’re saving that many calories by skipping out on meat.“[/b] Just when Connie was starting to feel a little more relaxed, her ears were assaulted by a cacophonous screeching sound, which steadily increased in volume with each passing second as if it were the harbinger of approaching doom. Looking up in an attempt to find its source, she stifled a gasp when she noticed that it was a girl dragging a chair their way. Sure enough, the girl stopped next to their table and promptly took a seat. Who was this girl? Was she a Mint agent? Was she The Beast?! Or was she just a normal girl? All these questions raced through Connie’s frantic mind, even as the mystery girl began talking. [color=SpringGreen]“Well, I don’t really like meat on my pizza,”[/color] Mia casually replied to the girl’s comment, while Connie tried her best to keep from hyperventilating. [color=SpringGreen]“So it isn’t a weight-loss thing, just a personal preference.”[/color] [b]”Really now?“[/b] Two more girls in similar outfits stepped out from booths on either end of the isle. [b]”You know, it really bothers me how ‘on brand’ you are. Of course someone who fancied themselves as ‘Gaia’ would be a vegetarian. Your favorite video game is plants versus zombies too, isn’t it? You see what I mean?“[/b] A fourth one sat up from a bench just outside the pizzeria. They all looked directly at Connie, which likely made her feel even more insecure. With a huff, the girl seated before them folded one leg over the other. Despite wearing a sweatshirt that was a size too big, she wasn’t wearing much for pants. Her shorts didn’t really have legs. [b]”That was a pretty flashy landing though. Not at all the sort of transport I’d expect you to use.“[/b] She raised the brim of her hat and peeked at Connie with her sapphire eyes. [b]”Are you waiting for Nuncio to show up?“[/b] ​​As the strange girl gave her increasingly alarming reply, Connie felt her eyes going wider with each syllable spoken. Her pulse was also starting to race, and her breathing was now coming in a rapid string of short, sharp gasps. The poor girl’s condition only worsened a moment later, when several more young women stood up and began staring [i]directly at her.[/i] Indeed, before the mystery girl had even finished speaking, Connie’s heart was pounding like a jackhammer, and she was beginning to hyperventilate. However, in stark contrast to her own panic attack, she saw that Mia remained surprisingly at ease. [color=SpringGreen]“Okay, first, my choice of pizza is just coincidence,”[/color] the tomboy told their uninvited guest. [color=SpringGreen]“Second, I’m [i]not[/i] a vegetarian. Third, PvZ [i]isn’t[/i] my favorite game. Fourth, I didn’t choose that name, my Patron did. And finally, I couldn’t care less about Nuncio. My friend and I just took the stupid job so we could get a free trip to New York. Sorry to burst your bubble, but we’re only here because I heard this place had some good pizza.”[/color] [b]”Really now?“[/b] She fished a pack of cigarettes out of her pocket and stuck one of them in her mouth. None of the other patrons or waiting staff seemed to care. She tucked it into her mouth before pushing her hands into her pocket. [b]”The CAPRICORN selects the most diligent people for a job. You’re not here just to eat pizza.“[/b] the cigarette lit up without her doing anything, and she furrowed her brow. [b]”I don’t know how the Mint is back in Penrose, but we’re not stupid. We’re well informed, efficient, and don’t like to waste time.“[/b] Then she gave a signal. A simple snap of her fingers. One of the girls transformed almost instantly and rushed up behind Mia. Were Mia transformed she might have been able to stop the agent. But no human could react as swiftly as a magical girl,. She slid a knife out of her sleeve and held it to the girl’s throat, drawing just a bit of blood.The girl who had been talking did not look at Mia. She almost seemed more concerned with keeping her cigarette lit. [b]”We haven’t been able to find Nuncio. No doubt Sammy’s clairvoyance is keeping him one step ahead of us. But I think I know how to lure him out.“[/b] She looked at Connie. [b]”If Nuncio is headed here, we can all sit tight and wait for him. If he’s not coming, I want you to bring him here. We’ll hold onto your friend for collateral.“[/b] [color=DarkOrchid]“Mia…!”[/color] Connie cried, a look of pure horror on her face. [color=DarkOrchid]“P-P-Please!”[/color] she pleaded, tears streaming down her cheeks. [color=DarkOrchid]“P-Please d-don’t h-hurt her!”[/color] [color=SpringGreen]“I-It’s okay, little sis,”[/color] Mia reassured her hysterical friend through gritted teeth. [color=SpringGreen]“If these assholes want Nuncio so fuckin’ bad, then they can [i]have[/i] him.”[/color] [color=DarkOrchid]“B-B-B-But…!”[/color] Connie whimpered. [color=SpringGreen]“You can do this, Connie,”[/color] the tomboy told her with a warm smile, even though a blade was pressed against her throat. [color=SpringGreen]“Just try to calm down,”[/color] she instructed. [color=SpringGreen]“Deep breaths, like we practiced, alright?”[/color] The panicking girl swallowed and gave a nod of acknowledgment. Her body was shaking so violently that it was causing her chair to rattle and she felt as if she might pass out at any moment, but with all her remaining strength, she forced herself to close her eyes and take a single deep breath. In… And then out. In… And then out. This continued for several seconds as, slowly but surely, Connie began to feel her anxiety drain away. She wasn't anywhere close to being as relaxed as Mia seemed to be, but at least she was no longer in danger of having a heart attack. [color=SpringGreen]“There, feeling better?”[/color] Mia asked. Connie gave another nod, although her trembling hands were still pressed tight against her chest. [color=SpringGreen]“Now, go find that dumbass Nuncio and bring ‘em back here, okay?”[/color] [color=DarkOrchid]“O-O-Okay…”[/color] Connie acknowledged, her voice a meek whisper. While Connie struggled to stand up on trembling legs, Mia’s eyes shifted to glare at their table guest. [color=SpringGreen]“So, are you the infamous ‘Beast’?”[/color] she asked with a mocking sneer. [color=SpringGreen]“Gotta say, I’m not all that impressed. Ya look more like a cheap hooker than a great and powerful coin broker.”[/color] [b]”Really now?“[/b] She raised an eyebrow as her gaze shifted back to Mia. [b]”As amusing as it would be to continue sparring words with you, I think I know a better way to pass the time.“[/b] She pressed her lit cigarette into the back of Mia’s palm. To her credit, the tomboy barely flinched when the hot cigaret was pressed against her skin, but she couldn’t keep a hiss of pain from escaping through her grit teeth. She was just thankful that Connie had her back turned by that point. [color=SpringGreen]“I once fought a flame behemoth inside a fuckin’ volcano,”[/color] Mia informed her would-be tormentor with a fierce grin once Connie was safely out of earshot. [color=SpringGreen]“This shit’s just plain [i]pathetic.[/i]”[/color] [color=SpringGreen][i]That’s it jackass, just keep tryin’ to torture me. You’re gonna [b]seriously[/b] fuckin’ regret it when Connie gets back here…[/i][/color] [hr] Connie didn’t have a lot to go off of, but she did remember seeing Nuncio, Faith, and Sammy walking up a flight of stairs inside the Inn. The only issue was that she had to get inside. That wouldn’t be an issue for most, but this meant that Connie had to speak with people. The marble walls and red carpet funneled down a massive corridor to the reception desk. The main lobby may have been empty, but the walls were filled to the brim with portraits. Lords and ladies of millenia past watched Connie. But at the end of the lobby was the receptionist. In the sea of old, thin, white faces, the younger, rotund, black man with half an afro stood out. But there was no mistaking it. His name tag was a gold plate that read “Irvine, Receptionist” After all. [b]”Oh hey there!“[/b] He waved his hand like it was made of jello. [b]”What’s happenin’ girl?“[/b] After a staggeringly stressful trip across the street, Connie finally found herself within the hotel’s lobby, yet even that accomplishment granted precious little reprieve. She could feel dozens of eyes boring into her, even if only from portraits rather than actual people, but still she pressed on. After all, Mia was counting on her. [i]Everyone[/i] was counting on her. So she would do this. She [i]had[/i] to. [color=DarkOrchid]“O-Oh!”[/color] Connie gasped when the receptionist greeted her. He seemed an amiable sort, but then, looks could be deceiving, as Connie knew only too well. [color=DarkOrchid]“U-Ummm… H-H-Hello…”[/color] she replied between nervous inhalations, her voice barely rising above a faint whisper. [color=DarkOrchid]“I-I-I’m… h-here to m-meet… m-my f-friend,”[/color] she explained. [color=DarkOrchid]“S-She’s… s-staying h-here w-with… s-someone n-named N-N-Nuncio. D-Do y-you… h-happen t-to k-know w-what… r-r-room t-they’re s-staying in?”[/color] [b]”Nuncio? Don’t think we have too many of those here“[/b] He turned to a computer and started typing. His pace was quite relaxed. It wasn’t like he understood the gravity of the situation. [b]”He’s staying in room fourteen-o-eight. Should be right by the staircase on the fourteenth floor.“[/b] [color=DarkOrchid]“O-Okay,”[/color] Connie acknowledged, while nervously gripping the strap of her handbag. [color=DarkOrchid]“T-Thank you v-very m-much!”[/color] she added, before making her way to the elevator. However, once inside, she didn’t press the button for the fourteenth floor, but rather, the floor [i]above[/i] it, and when the elevator finally arrived there, it would not be the visibly nervous Connie Williams that emerged, but the still visibly nervous Empress of Nightmares. After cautiously looking both ways, the masked girl hurried out of the elevator and over to the stairway door. Slipping inside the stairwell, she crouched down with her back to the wall, waited ten seconds, and then sent out a localized nightmare pulse. It was only big enough to affect the immediate area, but it would hopefully deal with any invisible Mint agents that might have been trailing her. [b]”SAMMY!“[/b] Nuncio cried out. [b]”What?!”[/b] [b]”Oh!“[/b] Nuncio cleared his throat. [b]”Thought somethin’ happened to ya.”[/b] The tiny detective pouted. [b]”As if anything could happen to me! I assure you that if there were any mint in the area, I would deduce their location immediately. But that was strange, wasn’t it? If I had to make a deduction…”[/b] Sammy hummed [b]”Yes! You were affected by a spell originating from the fifteenth floor! Maybe the Mint is onto us.”[/b] Then a third voice spoke up, this one more familiar to Connie. [b]”I’m not so sure. That magic seemed awfully specific, didn’t it? I don’t think one of those dreadful agents would give themselves away like that.”[/b] At the sound of familiar voices, Connie gave a startled gasp and leapt to her feet. [color=DarkOrchid]“I-I’msorryI’msorryI’msorryI’msorry!”[/color] she cried as she hurried down the stairs. [color=DarkOrchid]“I-I j-just w-wanted to m-make s-sure t-there w-weren’t a-any M-M-Mint agents f-following me! I-I’m s-sorry!”[/color] she added again when she finally reached the trio, clasping her hands together and bowing her head. Connie didn’t have to go far before seeing all of her old acquaintances, as they were all on the stairs. Sammy moved ahead of everyone and folded her arms. [b]”Those dullards will have to try a lot harder than that if they think I can’t deduce their every move!”[/b] Before Sammy could get anything else in, Faith raced past her allies and gave Connie a big bear hug. She lifted the girl off of her feet and spun on her heels. [b]”Connie! It’s been so long since we sa-aaah!”[/b] She lost her footing on the narrow steps, but Nuncio’s hand prevented the duo from falling down the stairs. [b]”Whatcha doin’ here anyway? Where’s Gaia?”[/b] [color=DarkOrchid]“I-I’m s-so g-glad to s-see you, t-too, F-Faith!”[/color] Connie replied in happy relief as she returned her friend’s hug with equal force, black tears streaming down the cheeks of her mask. [color=DarkOrchid]“M-Mia’s in t-trouble!”[/color] she added, before further explaining the situation in a rapid flow of words. [color=DarkOrchid]“W-We c-came h-here to h-help you, b-b-but w-we d-didn’t want to s-show the M-M-Mint w-where you w-were, s-so w-we d-decided to w-wait in the r-restaurant across t-the street until s-something h-happened, b-but t-then this M-M-Mint girl who m-might be the B-B-Beast s-showed up at our t-table and t-then another girl h-held a k-k-knife to Mia’s t-t-throat and t-then the f-first girl t-threatened to d-do something t-t-terrible to her unless I b-brought N-Nuncio b-back with me, s-so I c-came over h-here, a-and I t-tried to be c-careful, b-but they s-still might know w-where you are now a-and I’m s-so sorry!”[/color] It took Connie’s friends a moment to process what she was trying to say. [b]”You need to stutter less.”[/b] Sammy put her hands on her hips. [color=DarkOrchid]“I-I’m s-sorry!”[/color] Connie apologized again, this time sounding even more distraught. [b]”They found a way to get to us.”[/b] Nuncio rubbed the back of his neck. [b]”Guess we ain’t got a choice. We back out now, Mia’s dead.”[/b] Sammy was waving her magnifying glass around in the air. Her eyes were squeezed shut, but they opened soon enough. [b]”It’s that chav, Lexi. The one with the shape changing duplicates. I don’t sense the beast, but according to my deductions, she can’t be far away.”[/b] [b]”It’s a shame we couldn’t have met again under better circumstances.”[/b] Faith sighed. [b]”Do you have any way of communicating with Mia?”[/b] [color=DarkOrchid]“U-Um, y-yes,”[/color] Connie confirmed, retrieving her incongruously cute phone from the dark folds of her voluminous robe and holding it in her badly shaking hands. [color=DarkOrchid]“I-I can c-call or t-text her, b-but I d-don’t know i-if she’ll a-answer, s-since…”[/color] Her voice trailed off and the eyes of her mask drooped downward, before suddenly opening wide as something occurred to her. [color=DarkOrchid]“U-Ummm, N-Nuncio…?”[/color] the timid girl inquired hesitantly. [color=DarkOrchid]“W-We were t-told that [i]y-you[/i] were the p-person who r-requested our h-help. I-Is t-that not t-true?”[/color] All eyes fell on Nuncio. He looked at each of them before correcting his posture. [b]”I did make use of an old connection ta ask for help. Wasn’t expecting to fight a coin broker myself. Certainly not with you two.”[/b] [b]”This is why I was against contacting Bonnie!”[/b] Sammy shook her head. [b]”She targeted these two for your job exclusively! Now we’re really in a pickle!”[/b] [b]”Well, they [i]did[/i] come to help us. All we can do is make the best of it.”[/b] Faith kneeled in front of Connie so that she was eye level. [b]”It doesn’t sound like we can contact her discreetly then. We do need to rescue her, but in such a way no harm comes to us or you. What do you remember seeing? Is there anything we could use to our advantage?”[/b] Connie frowned and took a moment to think. The memory was far from a pleasant one, but if she was going to help Mia, then she knew she had to push through her discomfort. [color=DarkOrchid]“U-Um, w-well, t-the f-first girl was w-wearing a l-lot of j-jewelry, a-and a b-beret,”[/color] Connie began. [color=DarkOrchid]“I-I d-don’t t-think she w-was t-transformed… O-Oh, b-but she had a c-cigaret that s-she lit w-without a l-lighter o-or a m-match, s-so m-maybe she [i]w-was[/i] transformed… A-Anyway, I t-think t-there were f-four other g-girls w-who looked s-similar to the f-first one. T-Three of t-them were i-inside the r-restaurant, and o-one was s-sitting on a b-bench j-just outside it. O-One of the f-first three t-transformed really f-fast a-and h-held a k-k-knife t-to M-Mia’s t-throat b-before I even k-knew what was h-happening! T-That’s when s-she said I n-needed to b-bring N-Nuncio to her, o-or else s-she’d h-hurt Mia… I-I d-don’t know i-if any of t-that h-helps,”[/color] she added. [color=DarkOrchid]“B-But b-before we a-arrived, Mia s-said that if a-anything h-happened to her, I-I should g-get away, t-transform, a-and t-then use my n-nightmare m-magic, s-so, u-um, m-maybe I c-could just b-blast the r-restaurant f-from up h-here,”[/color] she suggested. [color=DarkOrchid]“T-That would t-take c-care of all t-those h-horrible M-Mint girls, a-and I-I’ve been w-working o-on b-better c-controlling my m-magic, s-so I t-think I s-should be able to k-keep it f-from affecting M-Mia.”[/color] The escapees took turns exchanging glances before Faith smiled. [b]”Your magic did a number on Lotus! That sounds like just the distraction we need to rescue Mia~! Just, you know, watch the poor pedestrians too. I wouldn’t want to drag them into this.”[/b] [color=DarkOrchid]“O-Oh! U-Um, of c-course!”[/color] Connie agreed. [color=DarkOrchid]“I-I’ll do m-my b-best t-to m-make s-sure o-only the M-Mint girls g-get hit, b-but, um, h-how will w-we know for s-sure w-who isn’t s-secretly an e-enemy?”[/color] she asked with a frown. [b]”I have no idea.”[/b] Faith placed a hand on Connie’s shoulder. [b]”But if you think it’s a good idea to use your nightmare magic, I think you should go for it!”[/b] [color=DarkOrchid]“O-Okay!”[/color] Connie declared, raising a clenched (but still badly shaking) fist with all the determination she could muster. [color=DarkOrchid]“T-Then l-let’s do it! L-Let’s go s-save Mia!”[/color] Normally the magical girls would make their way over to the roof of the adjacent pizza joint before commencing their operation. However, few of the buildings in the heart of the big apple made that viable. The pizza joint was a proverbial wall of steel and concrete. Standing on the roof of such a building would put them too far away from the ground floor. They were able to look out of the inn however. Connie could see the mint “guard” was still standing in front of a window, but it looked like the other girls had taken Mia deeper inside. [color=DarkOrchid]“I-I, um, I-I t-think I m-might h-have a w-way to t-tell w-who the M-Mint a-agents are,”[/color] Connie told her friends, although she seemed hesitant. [color=DarkOrchid]“M-My m-mystic a-artifact l-let’s me s-see what p-people are a-afraid of, s-so m-maybe that will w-work?”[/color] She knew it was far from ideal, and she hated using it, but she also knew it was the best option they had. Retrieving a dark crystal pendant from the folds of her robe, Connie gripped the eye of fear, her mystic artifact, in her hand. It seemed that the agent standing out front had a fear of drowning. They had attempted to commit suicide by driving into the harbor. In the cold depths of the sea, they discovered how horrible the water could be and realized they wanted to live. An observing Puchuu offered them salvation as a magical girl. Connie gasped as she watched the shocking scene play out on a mystic window above her pendent. Seeing someone try to drown themselves would be traumatic for [i]most[/i] people, but for someone like Connie, it was a thousand times worse. Yet, the timid girl resolved herself to press on. Charging the artifact with more power, she attempted to probe deeper into the building, looking for any other fears of a supernatural nature, and, of course, any that dealt specifically with the Ebon Mint. It seemed like everyone in the building had a deep fear of drowning. It wasn’t an uncommon fear, but for it to be shared with nearly everyone inside was unusual. But Connie's probing would prove a few smaller fears that she could work with. The disguised magical girl out front was also afraid of being “discovered.” Likely a fear that most mint agents possessed, though no one possessed a fear of supernatural entities specifically. Could the Empress of Nightmares do anything? Well, if the Empress of Nightmares was a cruel and heartless being befitting such a title, then she would simply envelop the entire restaurant and the sidewalk outside it in a bubble of nightmare energy, uncaring of guilt or innocence. As it was, however, the Empress was a gentle and kind-hearted girl who hated the thought of causing harm to anyone, and although she knew it was preferable to strike fully and indiscriminately, she simply couldn’t bring herself to do so. Instead, she decided to work with what she knew for certain. The Mint agent out front was also scared of discovery, so she crafted a focused nightmare that would prey upon that fear. With any luck, it would cause the disguised girl to call her partners for help, and maybe even get them to vacate the building completely, making them easy targets for a followup attack. [color=DarkOrchid]“O-Okay,”[/color] Connie said after taking a deep breath. [color=DarkOrchid]“H-Here g-goes…”[/color] It did not take long for the nightmare to manifest. Spectral magical girls that only Connie and the agent could see approached the pizzaria. The pointed at the mint agent as they drew closer. [b]”That’s her! It’s Lexi!”[/b] [b]”She’s the one who tried to kill herself, right?”[/b] [b]”And now she’s part of the mint!”[/b] [b]”How low can you go?”[/b] Even though the girls comments would feel right at home in some B grade TV show, “Lexi” was visibly agitated by the heckling. She was holding her breath. Her heart was racing. But she didn’t move from her spot. She looked at the ground and pulled out her phone. [b]”Boss? I think we’ve been discovered. Some girls-”[/b] She flinched as someone on the other end yelled at her. [b]”That makes sense, yea. You’re right. Do you know her number?”[/b] She wiped some sweat off of her head while her boss continued to speak with her. [b]”I’d rather do it myself actually, can I- Okay, yea, thank you. It won’t happen again. Bye.”[/b] As soon as she hung up, she dialed another number and held the phone to her head. Connie’s phone rang. [b]”Do you think this is a game?”[/b] Her voice was cold. [b]”Well while you’re out there having fun, so are we. We’ve decided to start [i]eating Mia’s fingers[/i] while you fuck around out there!”[/b] Not only could Connie hear her growl into the phone, Lexi was starting to lose her composure. [b]”If you still want your friend to have a few opposing digits, you’ll bring that god damn traitor and his friends right now!”[/b] She cocked back her arm and launched the phone through the spectral magical girls. Connie jumped when she heard her phone ring. Pulling it out of her robe with trembling hands, she almost dropped the device when she heard the voice on the other end. [color=DarkOrchid]“M-M-Mia’s h-h-hands…?”[/color] she whimpered incredulously, the dark eyes of her mask going wide. They thought that was [i]having fun?[/i] They thought [i]any[/i] of this was [i]fun?[/i] Her breaths were once again coming in short, sharp gasps, but this time, it wasn’t due to steadily growing fear, but [i]anger…[/i] In that moment, she realized with soul-crushing certainty that she couldn’t hold back. For Mia’s sake, for her friends’ sake, she had to end this [i]now…[/i] [color=DarkOrchid]“I-I’m s-sorry,”[/color] she whispered, the eyes of her mask closing as mystic power began to build. A moment later, and the entire restaurant, along with the sidewalk around it, was encapsulated in a crackling nightmare bubble. Significantly stronger than the small pulse Connie had employed against the agent on the sidewalk, everyone within its confines (except for Mia) would feel as though they were being plunged deeper and deeper into a watery abyss from which there was no escape. [color=DarkOrchid]“O-Okay!”[/color] Connie told her friends, her voice filled with urgency. [color=DarkOrchid]“L-Let’s get d-down there and s-save Mia!”[/color] Faith strummed her harp, causing musical note to make an impromptu slide. The escapees and Connie slid down and ran into the pizzeria. All of the occupants were trying to “swim” above the “water” that filled the establishment. Everyone was gasping and crying for help, but they just had to tune that out and venture further inside. They wouldn’t spot Mia until they pushed into the back of the restaurant. In the kitchen, all of the chefs were behaving much like the patrons in the lobby. But Lexi was seated towards the back of the room with Mia. The mint agent was clutching the side of her head while shooting dagger eyes at Connie, and Mia… Mia didn’t look so good. She was still in human form and covered head to toe in bruises. They must have started beating her shortly after Connie left to get the others. It was hard to tell how she was doing as she was curled up in the fetal position with her back to connie. But the table Lexi was seated at had its white tablecloth stained with blood. Among the plastic cutlery before her was a blood soaked cleaver, which Lexi grabbed before standing up from the table. As the quartet made their way through the restaurant, Connie hugged herself tightly and tried her best to block out the sounds of suffering around her, suffering [i]she[/i] had caused. [color=DarkOrchid]“I-I’m s-sorry,”[/color] she whispered, unable to bring herself to look at any of the frantic patrons. Instead, she focused on the floor, on simply putting one foot in front of the other, at least until she reached the kitchen… [color=DarkOrchid]“M-M-Mia…?”[/color] Connie asked in a quivering voice, the sight of her best friend’s bruised and battered body causing her to freeze in her tracks. [color=DarkOrchid]“W-W-What… W-WHAT DID YOU DO TO HER?!!”[/color] she screamed, her voice filled with fury and pain as she sent several midnight-black tentacles darting out to coil around Lexi’s wrists and throat. Even as they began rapidly constricting, an enraged Connie sent a massive blast of nightmare energy surging into the Mint agent, like a spike being driven into her brain. The girl would feel her fears of drowning amplified a hundredfold, with water filling her lungs as thorny tendrils pulled her deeper even as they dug their spines into her flesh. The Mint agent suffering serious injuries, or even a heart attack, as a result of this was a very real possibility, but Connie was far too infuriated to care. This piece of trash had hurt her dearest friend, and now, she would make them [i]pay…[/i] Before any of Connie’s allies could even respond, Lexi collapsed into the tentacles. The cleaver skid across the floor as the agent struggled to remain conscious. Without so much as a whisper, she went limp. [b]”Yeeesh!”[/b] Nuncio looked between Mia and Lexi. [b]”No idea who got it worse. Can’t imagine the beast is gunna take this sitting down though, let's grab Mia and scram!”[/b] He was about to go pick her up, but he took one look at Connie and hesitated. Sammy was at a loss for words. She was frozen in place, still processing what was happening in front of her. But it was Faith that set a hand on Connie and Sammy’s shoulders. She looked to the empress of nightmares. [b]”Connie, I couldn’t possibly understand how you feel right now. But you need to set your emotions aside for a moment.”[/b] She gave her a light squeeze. [b]”As much pain as Mia must be in, she’s a magical girl. All of her wounds will heal so long as she draws breath~!”[/b] At first, Connie was so fixated on making Lexi suffer that she didn’t even notice her friends’ reactions. It was only at the touch of Faith’s hand upon her shoulder that the enraged Empress of Nightmares snapped out of her frenzied trance, the aura of dark energy which surrounded her now swiftly dissipating. Releasing her tentacles’ grip on the passed out Mint agent, Connie gave a tired exhale. [color=DarkOrchid]“Y-You’re right…”[/color] she conceded softly. [color=DarkOrchid]“I-I’m s-sorry I l-lost c-control,”[/color] she added in a sullen voice as she knelt down to check on Mia’s unconscious form. [color=DarkOrchid]“I-It’s j-just… s-seeing M-Mia like t-this… i-it just… h-hurts s-so much…”[/color] Thankfully, Mia was still breathing and, holding the injured tomboy close, Connie gently lifted her up off the floor. [color=DarkOrchid]“W-We need to g-get Mia s-someplace safe, b-before a-any of t-these M-Mint agents r-recover!”[/color] Connie declared, even as black tears continued to stream down her cheeks. As soon as Connie felt the warmth of Mia in her hands, something was off. She felt [i]heavier[/i] than she should have. Not only that, but her unconscious form seemed to move in Connie’s arms. When Mia turned to look at Connie, she could taste it. The copper flavor of blood in her mouth. She winced as [i]something[/i] heavy struck the side of her face. The world spun, and she collapsed onto her back. “Mia” stood up, now holding an iron pipe in her hand. Connie was on the verge of consciousness. She could feel Faith’s magic coil around her shoulders and drag her back to them. [b]”Connie!”[/b] She reached for her fix-it-bandaids and started placing them along the side of her head. Nuncio had summoned his tiger Rosa to stand between Mia and Connie. [b]”You ain’t Mia.”[/b] Nuncio folded his arms. [b]”That’s obvious now, isn’t it?”[/b] The illusion magic faded away, and Lexi stood in Mia’s place. [url=https://i.imgur.com/PxDkfhq.jpg]The true Lexi[/url] one might assume. She was wearing gym clothes and held a silver pipe. Though her outfit was noticeably more over the top than her disguise. Not only had she retained all of her jewelry, but now she had a hoodie that was spiked like some goth accessory, and her fingernails appeared to be made out of silver. [b]”We were expecting you to retaliate, so of course I set things up to prepare for it.”[/b] The false Lexi that was laying on the floor also had her illusion dispelled. It had been Mia the entire time. Her wrists and ankles had been bound together. Aside from a few missing fingers, most of the damage that had been done to her was a result of Connie’s nightmare magic. [b]”You’re losing your edge, ‘Vermin Killer.’ Was it Penrose or finding Sammy that made you so soft?”[/b] Before Nuncio could respond, Sammy’s eyes shot open. [b]”A-according to my deductions, everyone in the building is one of her duplicates!”[/b] While Connie still had a bit of vertigo, Faith had just enough time to place a bandage on Connie’s head. This was enough to close the wound on her head just as hemorrhagic shock set in. She only had three more bandages that size, so hopefully this wouldn’t happen again. [b]”If we can rescue Mia, maybe I can get her in fighting condition.”[/b] But the door they had come through was knocked off its hinges. A hoard of angry Lexi clones was spilling into the room. Connie’s lapse in consciousness was just enough to allow them to shake off the effects of her nightmares and start a counterattack. The escapees immediately turned towards the hoard and started fighting them back. Even with Rosa poised to strike, Lexi had her eyes set on Connie, and moved towards her with her pipe resting on her shoulder. Or at least, that was what it looked like she was doing. [b]”Go ahead.”[/b] Lexi’s voice reached Connie’s ears despite the sound of combat erupting behind her. [b]”Run amok.”[/b] It all happened so fast. Before Connie knew it, her head was swimming, her vision spinning. She was vaguely aware of Faith pulling her back, and then applying a bandage to the side of her head, but mostly, everything was just an incoherent, confused jumble of movements, sensations, and sounds. However, it wasn’t long before her vision cleared enough for her to see what had happened. What she had thought was Mia, was, in fact, [i]Lexi.[/i] And Mia… Mia was… [color=DarkOrchid]“N-No…”[/color] Connie whispered as full, dreadful understanding dawned. She had seen Mia get hurt before, while protecting her from bullies, and she had always blamed herself, had always felt that her friend’s injuries had been [i]her[/i] fault. But this time… This time, she was [i]directly[/i] responsible for Mia’s suffering. She had used her nightmare magic on her best friend… Seeing Mia in pain was bad enough, but knowing that [i]she[/i] had caused it? That was far too much for Connie to bear. Far, [i]far[/i] too much… [color=DarkOrchid]“[i]Y-You…[/i]”[/color] Connie hissed, her voice raw and ragged, the visage of her mask contorting into one of utter fury. [color=DarkOrchid]“Y-You m-made me…[/color] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/ttmoNIb.png[/img][/center] With a wordless scream of anguish and rage, a crackling aura of dark amethyst energy surged from Connie’s shuddering form to encapsulate the entire room in a terrifying nightmare barrier. Shadowy, twisted tendrils writhed at the edges of that horrific space, sprouting wicked, scythed spines, segmented insectoid legs, and monstrous, bulging eyes in a frenzy of chittering, churning movement. This was the dominion of the Empress of Nightmares, and all of its myriad aspects were focused on [i]one[/i] target… Descending upon Lexi in a hellish deluge, dozens of dark tendrils wrapped around the Mint agent to hold her in place, the fully unleashed power of Connie’s nightmare magic allowing them to supersede their normal limitations and spawn hundreds of secondary and tertiary needle-tipped tentacles, which swiftly wormed their way under Lexi’s fingernails and behind her eyeballs… Simultaneously, a much larger tendril forced it’s way down her throat, knocking out her teeth and shattering her jaw. No sooner had it done so, than it disgorged an ocean’s worth of water with the force of ten pressure washers, while additional tendrils that had worked their way up her nostrils and into her ears did the same… [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/K5mlARp.png[/img][/center] The Empress of Nightmares screeched, her voice warped and inhuman. [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/P8OE477.png[/img][/center] Lexi’s body twitched and shook as Connie’s magic tore into it. She didn’t scream or flinch, much like one would expect a doll to do. [b]”That looks like it hurt.”[/b] Again, Lexi’s voice seemed to come from right beside Connie. [b]”Almost what Mia had to put up with. She’s a strong one, but she couldn’t bear to watch as the meat was sucked off her fingers. All that fire and brimstone turned to ash pretty quick.”[/b] Rosa had just narrowly dodged the tendrils meant for Lexi and joined Nuncio in his fight. It was difficult for the escapees to focus, but fortunately the duplicates were equally unnerved. Sammy turned to look past Connie. [b]”According to my deduct-”[/b] Sammy’s body burst into flames. She ran past Connie screaming, trying to reach the water at all costs. But she was struck by an invisible force and fell beside Mia. There was nearly an inch of water on the floor now. [b]”Come on.”[/b] Lexi phased through the tentacles and barbs before stopping in front of Connie. [b]”You can do better.”[/b] The eyes of Connie’s mask widened when she heard Lexi’s condescending and all-too-calm voice coming from beside her. Then she saw the girl’s “body” effortlessly phase through her various tentacles. Clearly, she was dealing with yet [i]another[/i] illusion… Giving voice to an enraged snarl, the Empress of Nightmares swung her hand at the spot where the voice emanated, her fingers tipped with wicked claws of pure nightmare magic. However, they found only empty space, and now Sammy was [i]on fire?[/i] Almost on instinct, Connie directed her water-spewing tendrils to douse the diminutive detective, even as she frantically sought out the [i]real[/i] Lexi. And the smug bitch [i]still[/i] kept talking… Even in her frenzied state, Connie quickly realized that the only way to truly find the illusive agent was to suffuse [i]everyone[/i] and every[i]thing[/i] in the entire restaurant with nightmare magic. Only [i]then[/i] would the [i]true[/i] target of her ire be found… Giving voice to yet another agonized shriek, the Empress of Nightmares unleashed the full fury of her horrific power… Nuncio fell to one knee, Rosa whimpered, even Sammy and Mia seemed to twist and turn in torment. The clones ceased their advance, shrieking as the nightmares overtook their minds. [b]”Connie!”[/b] Faith shouted. Her eyes were squinted shut, and she had a hand on either side of her head. [b]”I can’t take it, we need to-”[/b] She suddenly combust into flames. Though unlike Sammy, she had the wherewithal to throw herself into the water. [b]”Connie! Connie-Con=”[/b] She inhaled. [b]”Mother! Mother!”[/b] The ground shook with thunderous applause, and dryad wasps began pouring in from every entrance. Minions of horrors were normally no match for a magical girl, but the unthinking, unfeeling wasps were impervious to Connie’s nightmare magic. They also didn’t discriminate between the escapees and the clones. Their champion was in trouble, and they had been dispatched to eradicate anything that might be a threat. Lexi groaned. [b]”How bothersome.”[/b] Her form waved and vanished just as a dryad wasp drove its stinger into Connie’s shoulder. Despite Connie’s greatest efforts, despite all her sacrifices, which even now were tearing a gaping hole in her aching heart, things [i]still[/i] hadn’t improved. Her friends were still in pain, Faith had still erupted into flames, and Lexi was [i]still[/i] talking in that calm, almost disinterested voice that made Connie want to rip the girl’s tongue out and shove it down her throat. Yet, that wasn’t the [i]only[/i] voice Connie heard. Faith was calling out, calling for her… [color=DarkOrchid][i]Mother…?![/i][/color] The next thing Connie knew, a swarm of monstrous wasps had poured into the room, one of them even managing to drive a stinger into her shoulder. Crying out in a mixture of frustration and pain, she lashed out at the creature with a spiked tendril, pinning it to the wall like some twisted insect display case. But there were dozens of additional creatures remaining, making the entire situation more untenable by the second. [color=DarkOrchid][i]Faith…[/i][/color] Connie realized. [color=DarkOrchid][i]Faith called them because she was in danger, which means…[/i][/color] She had made yet [i]another[/i] mistake. Indeed, that seemed all she was truly good at… Roaring with fury, the Empress of Nightmares sent several tentacles shooting out with lightning speed to wrap around Mia, Faith, Sammy, Nuncio, and Rosa. Then, with a mighty heave, she flung them all through a just-opened door in the dimensional fabric, before slamming said door shut with great force. [color=DarkOrchid]“O-Okay…”[/color] Connie seethed, her spiked tentacles spinning around her like a buzzsaw as her nightmare energy built to even greater levels. [color=DarkOrchid]“Now it’s just you…[/color] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/ChGwaLw.png[/img][/center] Perhaps if Connie was fighting a group of [i]normal[/i] mint agents, things may have played out like that. Opening the gate to an interdimensional home had always been a time consuming and risky endeavor, one that few would attempt in live combat. But there was no reason to think things wouldn’t play out differently. Lexi obviously wasn’t here. Between the dryad wasps and her nightmare magic, there were no clones to oppose her. She was winding up for her friend toss, the gate was opening… A throne phased through the wall. The golden comet was adorned with plush red pillows and a gaudy amount of gemstones. It crashed into Connie before the portal could open all the way up. She had been saved by her barbed tentacles, but their sudden rending flung her friends everywhere. They slammed into the walls and fell about the floor. When Connie turned her hate filled gaze towards the throne, she could see the one holding it. A regal looking magical girl with fur shoulders. This had to be the beast. Who else would dress like a [url=https://i.imgur.com/Bl5EQEE.jpg]literal english king[/url]? [b]”Afraid I can’t let you run off with my prey.”[/b] She grinned. The entire wall of the kitchen waved out of existence. Just beyond was an empty street that had been sectioned off. There in the distance was Lexi, and another girl. One who [url=https://i.imgur.com/Z8xDWLB.jpg] was dressed similarly to the Djinn twins[/url]. Unlike Lexi, her emotions were plain on her face. She was enjoying this far too much. The fires in her hands were bright enough to cast shadows all the way down the street. [b]”I’d let you and your other leave.”[/b] The beast hoisted her throne over her shoulder. [b]”But you’re going to continue this fruitless pursuit, aren’t you?”[/b] Connie was momentarily stunned when a [i]gilded throne[/i], of all things, slammed into her, just as she was about to fling her friends to safety. If there was a bright side to this unexpected turn of events, at least now she could clearly see Lexi’s accomplice, as well as what had to be the infamous Beast of the North herself. Yet, where once the sight of this foe would have brought Connie to her knees in terror, [i]now[/i] it only augmented the Empress of Nightmare’s seemingly unquenchable [i]rage…[/i] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/hJqG2wm.png[/img][/center] The Empress screeched, her tortured voice like sounding like a thousand nails scraping across a chalkboard. [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/suMpe5y.png[/img][/center] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/Q5kCJo9.png[/img][/center] She ranted, even as she unleashed an unrestrained torrent of raw, roiling nightmare magic upon the three Mint agents, the dark energy surging from her hands, as well as from the mouth, eyes, and glowing amethyst diadem of her mask. [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/I3J6wT1.png[/img][/center] She declared, her voice suffused with unbridled hatred and malice as she sent wave upon wave of her tormentors’ greatest fears made manifest crashing against them over and over again in an unrelenting tide. [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/Zd3G3uK.png[/img][/center] An ocean filled with school boys surged towards the mint agents on the street. Lexi grit her teeth as the tidalwave threatened to wash over them. But her companion’s grin didn’t drop for a second. She raised her hands and the pavement cracked open. A red glow shined out before a roaring fire reached out towards the heavens. Such volume of water should have extinguished the flames, but instead it slammed up against it. The water, and the boys floating inside it, flowed off to either side. [b]”Keep tryin’!”[/b] The pyromancer taunted. But this did nothing for the beast, who was right beside Connie as she shrieked and threw her magic around. She had been totally submerged in the nightmare sea. The undertow was especially strong given her proximity to connie. The beast gripped her throne tight and sneered. Without such a heavy anchor, she might have been blown away. But as it were, she had little difficulty lifting her knee up to her chest. [center][img]https://images2.imgbox.com/b5/10/hnYVnQSF_o.png[/img][/center] The water did nothing to slow the beast’s kick, nor did it slow Connie as she soared backwards through the kitchen. She flew through a pair of double doors and fell onto her back. Something inside her chest had broken, and she couldn’t breathe. [b]”Fear magic? really?”[/b] The beast scoffed. [b]”I am untethered by such things. Fear belongs to prey, [i]not[/i] the predator.”[/b] She cracked a smile. [b]”I long for the day I can feel something so exhilarating! I had thought today might be that day, but what are the lot of you but weaklings and cowards?”[/b] By this point, Sammy, Nuncio, Rosa, and Faith all had ample time to get to their feet. Faith had finished bandaging up Mia and helped her to a sitting position before rushing off to help Connie. But she was cut off when the Beast stepped in front of her. [b]”I run a tight ship, and we’re all on the clock. And when something needs to get done fast, well, I need to do it myself.”[/b] The beast didn’t flinch when the ground shook. Somewhere, three pillar druids had just descended into New York. [b]”But if you insist on calling for reinforcements, maybe I’ll call some of my own.”[/b] With a snap of her fingers, several giant chess pieces fell from the sky. Eight pawns, followed by a pair of rooks, knights, and bishops. There was even a queen that stood just a bit taller than the beast did. But there was no king piece. [b]”Now, let’s get this started properly…”[/b] [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwPWGUhEtP0][img]https://images2.imgbox.com/b2/fc/d6SB6pQI_o.png[/img][/url]