[hr][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/5WCjcc2.jpeg[/img][h1]The 8th Street Coven.[/h1][/center][right][b]Interactions:[/b] None.[/right][right][b][code]The 8th Street Manor[/code][/b][/right][hr][hr]

Back in the 8th Street Manor, business returned to usual sometime after Agent Liao left, and Emily remained sitting on her throne, watching her minions do their thing. There was that thought about [i]where[/i] those two sluts, Maya and Phoebe, went, but Emily hardly cared as they were presently not needed. She crossed her arms, leaned back on the far too big throne for her, and narrowed her eyes...

... Then the door burst open, and two men walked through. Emily immediately recognized them as two members of her Coven: [url=https://i.imgur.com/oOTkbBA.jpg]Malik Jakane[/url] and [url=https://i.imgur.com/cARQivC.jpg]Aaron Sawyer[/url], the latter of whom came in with a cigarette in his mouth.

Emily stood straight up and said,

"... Where the hell were you two last night?" Emily asked with a raised eyebrow. "We had a mission last night."

Aaron calmly took a drag of his cigarette, walked over to Emily, pointed a finger at her, and said, 

"In case you forgot,[i] I'm[/i] not a part of your little social club for lonely and degenerate women. I'm only working with you," he said, narrowing his eyes at Emily and saying, "Meaning... I'm not at your beck and call."

"Keep that same energy, Aaron," Emily hissed, narrowing her eyes. [i]"Keep that same energy."[/i]

"That said, Judas Bennet got iced last night," Aaron said, "Word on the streets say that the PRA was responsible."

Emily sighed. 

"I presume someone else took over the Wolfpack,"

"Heh," Aaron chuckled, taking a puff of his cigarette, "[i]Word on the street[/i] says that Dean Walker took over."

Emily sighed again.

"I have no clue who that is, but, [i]eventually[/i], we're going have to deal with the Wolfpack," Emily said as she closed her eyes. "Now is not the time, we sti-" [i][h1]"... [u][b]EVERYONE[/b] [/u]RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!"[/h1][/i]
Phoebe screamed as she damn near kicked the door down, and Emily whipped her head around to the front hall entrance and saw Phoebe and Maya standing there, completely [i]naked[/i]. She raised an eyebrow as her mouth went agape.

However, there was a bubbling down the hallway behind them, and two liquid tentacles burst out from the hall and grabbed the two, raising them into the air as they screamed. As the [i]monstrosity[/i] those two unintentionally created [url=https://i.imgur.com/QqFTfA2.jpeg]came through the door.[/url] A massive blob monster took up the entire end of 8th Street's main hall. Tentacles launched out at everyone (except Carol, everyone but Carol) and snatched them up.

[i]"... What the fuck did you two fucking sluts [b]DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO?![/b]"[/i] Emily shouted as the tentacle wrapped itself around her and dragged her closer to the monster. 

"Hoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooly [i][b]shit![/b][/i]" Jacqueline shouted, grabbing onto a table before her grip slipped and she was dragged towards it.

Emily's head turned towards Miranda, who was smiling like a fool as she was being carried away.

"... You are [i]waaaaaaaaaay[/i] too excited for this!" Emily shouted.

"I got th-" George tried to punch the tentacle, only to get caught in it and yanked off.

Nadine attempted to use the Baron's undead minions to anchor her to the ground but was pulled away.

"Ah, this is like a bad [i]hentaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaai[/i]-" Greta tried to run as she was yoinked herself.

Cynthia transformed into her Abyssal Hunter form and desperately scratched the ground to get some grip, but she was pulled away, much like the rest of 8th Street.

Lee slammed both of his Valiant Blades into the ground and held on for [i]dear life[/i], but he was eventually snatched away.

[b][i]"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"[/i][/b] Malik shouted as he was dragged away.

Flora fired off a few arrows with the Aegis Piercer but got snatched.

Brianna opened a portal just a [i]second[/i] too late and found herself dragged off to be gayed.

"[i][b]THIS[/b][/i] is why I don't hang around you [i]diiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiickheads![/i]" Aaron shouted as he was helplessly dragged off. 

Carol just stood there with her arms crossed. Pouting.

"... Guess I'm not fucking good enough for you, fucking Mr. Tentacle Monster?!" Carol started, chucking a chair at the oozing beast, "Fuck you! Fucking bitch ass motherfucker!"

The chair went into the blob, and seemingly in response, it outstretched a tentacle…

… Which gently patted Carol on the head before it turned its attention back to gaying the 8th Street Coven. 

Which made Carol ball her fists and [i]scream[/i] as she charged it head-on...

[hr][center][h1]...[/h1][/center][hr][hr]

Rainfall poured down. 

It was a few nights after the whole debacle at Veni Vedi Veni... a strange girl wearing black jeans, a grey rain jacket, black combat boots, and large headphones sauntered down the streets with her head down. The rain did little to interrupt the girl's march, as the cars passing by were simply just ambiance to her. The girl was unbothered by the chaos left behind by the fight between Judas and the PRA... she stepped over a piece of debris left on the ground before she continued her march through the streets of St. Portwell. One would consider her bold to be going through Wolfpack territory by herself, but after their recent skirmish with the Coven and the Feds, they have been laying low, which returned order to the streets of Northeastern St. Portwell.

Not that she cared.

Strangely, her destination was not the Veni Vedi Veni strip club, which was effectively closed down... for good. There was another strip club in Wolfpack territory that was nowhere near as popular as the Veni Vedi Veni. Still, with the chaos that took place there, it was the only alternative for gentlemen to get their trashy strippers. 

That club was the Daily Grind.

The girl walked inside and walked up to the front counter, and the lady said,

"ID, please."

The girl gave up her ID, and the lady behind it gave it a little look and said, "Cover is twenty dollars."

The girl gave up twenty dollars and proceeded inside. After turning the corner, on her left was the stage where a pretty little girl was already naked, dancing to some rap music she hadn't listened to. Then... to her right, there was the bar and plenty of different girls. But, they were all irrelevant to her as her targets were in clear and plain view, as she was told. The two pink-haired black girls... Pink and Violet were their stage names. They were sitting at the bar, typing away endlessly on their phones, with Pink wearing fishnet stockings and a shiny pink bra and panty - Violet was wearing a black fishnet and a blue dress that stopped right before her groin area. There was that urge to go over and approach them, but she had to "break the ice". 

The girl dug into her pocket until she found that wad of cash she had stuffed in there earlier... it was painful to part from the money she worked hard for, but it was all for the greater good. She took a deep breath, holding the wad of her well-earned money.[b][i][h3]"....WHERE THE TITTIES AT!?"[/h3][/i][/b]
She shouted as she threw the money in the air, letting it fall to the ground, and the strippers fought over it. Afterward, she walked over to the bar like she owned the place, sat on the stool, and looked up at the bartender. "Could I get some whiskey? Like a shot."

"... Doing shots by yourself, sugar?"

Pink flanked the strange girl's right, touching her thigh gently.

"C'mon, baby!" Violet flanked her left, placing a gentle hand on her other thigh. "Let's all get shots together!"

The girl finally opened her mouth and said, "Yeah... what would you like?" In a gruff tone.

"Tequila, baby!"

The girl raised a hand to get the bartender's attention and said, "Two shots of tequila... any kind."

The bartender nodded as she poured two little tequila glasses that matched her whiskey shot. The two strippers grabbed their glasses as the mysterious girl almost threw back the shot. 

"... Slow down, sweetie," Violet said with a wide smile. "Toast first."

The girl smiled.

"Where are my manners?"

The three girls put their glasses together.

"Before we do our lil' toast, how about we introduce ourselves," Pink said as she put a free hand on her chest and continued. "I'm Pink."

"I'm Violet!" 

"Together we make..." They said at the same time.

"... Some fuckin' color, I know," The strange girl said with a roll of her eyes, "I thought you two wanted [i]shots[/i]." She grinned.

"Oh, I guess our reputation preceded us," Violet laughed.

The three downed their shots. 

"So, sugar," Violet said, caressing the stranger's back. "You come here all by yourself, make a [i]grand[/i] entrance, grab a drink, then just sit here to sulk?" Violet chuckled.

"... Are you always this touchy?" The girl replied with a question of her own. "I'm just enjoying the vibe."

"C'mon, girl, you and I both know [i]that's[/i] bullshit," Pink grabbed the girl by her arm with a wide smile on her face, "You came here to see some bitches; well, guess what?"

Both Violet and Pink smiled before Pink answered.

"[i]We're [/i]bitches."

The girl raised an eyebrow.

"A fifteen-minute dance is a hundred," Violet insinuated what she wanted with a wag of her eyebrow.

"Sure," The girl said.

"For both of us, it's two hundred!" Pink said.

"How about..." Before grabbing Violet's hand, the girl said, "... Just a nice one-on-one dance. You and me."

Violet grinned before she said,

"Come now," Violet started, "Me and Pink are a package deal." 

That was when Pink walked over to Violet and wrapped her arms around her torso, getting on her tippy-toes to put her chin on Violet's shoulder. Then grinned as she said,

"You won't regret it, sweetie," 

The girl stared Pink dead on before she pulled Violet's hand away. 

"I just like her more," The girl said as she produced a hundred.

Violet shrugged.

"Well, you like what you like, sweetie!" Violet laughed. "Let's get this party started!"
 
It was a short affair to give the girl's donation to her boss and lead her to one of the private VIP Rooms. Violet held her hand the entire time as she walked through the halls of the strip club until she ended up in the VIP booth, hidden behind a curtain. It was a room illuminated with red lights and had a fancy red leather sofa. The girl turned around; her face was somewhat red as she looked off to the side, and Violet grinned as she gently pushed her on the sofa. 

Violet grinned as she sat on the much smaller girl's lap, grinding her hips back and forth and caressing her face. "You're cute," Violet said as she undid the straps on her dress and lifted it off her shoulders. She revealed that she wasn't wearing anything underneath it [i]and[/i] her [i]extra bits[/i], which flopped and dangled.

"Look," The girl said, "I have a favor to ask for you."

"... If you wanna fuck, that's extra and..." Violet trailed off as she threw her dress in the corner.

"Don't get ahead of yourself, Marcia," The girl said before she narrowed her eyes. "... You're in the 8th Street Coven, right?"

Suddenly, the girl came to a stop as she looked the girl dead in the eye with furrowed brows as she stood up, "... Have you been stalking me, bitch?" 

"No, no, no," The girl said as she stood up, "Come here, let me tell you something..."

The girl leaned forward and whispered [i]something[/i] into Violet's ear that turned that look of anger and frustration into [i]surprise.[/i] She stood there with her jaw agape as she said,

"Oh, oh, [i]oh,[/i]" She chuckled, "... Why didn't you start with [i]that?[/i] Don't you know some bitch was plottin' to kidnap me!?"

"Too many eyes and ears out there," The girl said. "Needed somewhere... private."

"So, what business do you have with 8th Street, sweetie?" Violet started, "Hope you're not looking to take Emily out [i]too soon.[/i]" She stuck her tongue out.

"I want to join 8th Street," The girl answered.

"I can arrange something," Violet answered as she bent forward to grab her dress, "Just to let you know, Emily and her homegirl Vashti are [i]bitches[/i]"

"I'm aware," The girl said, "I used to roll with them."

"8th Street?" 

"No, Sycamore," 

"Oooooooooh," Violet said as she slid her dress back on, "Those bitches?" 

"Yeah... you heard of them?"

Violet took a step towards the girl, placed a hand on her chest, and said,

"The streets talk, sweetie."

The girl was silent before Violet turned around and prepared to walk out,

"I'll arrange that meeting for you; it was great-"

The girl grabbed her arm and said,

"... I paid for a dance, sweetheart."

"Oooooh, why so forceful?" Violet laughed as she led her back to the sofa, took off her dress, and said, "I'll throw in a little extra - on me this time..."

She traced a hand across the girl's cheeks and said,

"Just relax, close your eyes, and let the magic happen." 

Violet kissed the girl on the cheek.[right][b][code]The 8th Street Manor.[/code][/b][/right][hr]That same girl pushed the gates to the 8th Street Manor open, holding a metal club over her shoulder as she walked up the pathway. She approached, but at the very base of the stairs, she saw Emily standing with her hands on her hips, Babylon floating at her side as if she were sitting. To her right was Vashti Nour, and to her left was her two twin sisters. The girl looked up at them as Emily spoke.

"... [i]Amy Nakamura[/i]," Emily started, "It's a [i]pleasure[/i] to see you again."

Amy dropped her hood as she took a step forward.

"Let's cut the bullshit," Amy said, "I want into your Coven."

Emily grinned.

"... Well, I can't say no to you," She started, "... Old friend."

[center][hr][hr][img]https://i.imgur.com/HlDoyzM.png[/img][hr][hider=Little Thoughts - Bloc Party][youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsaMhERBBH8[/youtube][/hider][hr][img]https://i.imgur.com/XqGq7V0.png[/img][hr][hr][img]https://i.imgur.com/4teSuW6.png[/img][h1]Maximilian Cornell's Interlude.[/h1][/center][hr][hr]

Two shots rang out… and a younger Maximilian Cornell charged out of a greenhouse. He ran into a brick wall covered in ivy… with a five-year-old girl with brown hair underneath his arm. He pushed himself off the wall and kept running… he heard an inhuman screech behind him as he kept running. He knew better than to look back, and Maximilian kept running towards the metal gate - and he practically ran through it shoulder first. Adrenaline numbed the rush of pain he could have felt by hitting the gate with such an impact. He saw the woods and ran for it with the little girl underneath his arm. He didn't know what was dripping down his head: sweat or blood. It didn't matter as his pursuer was still hot on their tail, and he thought fast and ran right for the woodline in front of him. The only thing helping him see was the bright moonlight; grabbing his flashlight was not feasible, as he kept running-

He tripped over something; he didn't have time to process what as he slammed onto the forest floor, and the little girl in his arms screamed... Maximilian could hear the creature's heavy footsteps as he grabbed his pistol, hopped to his feet, and grabbed his flashlight. He pointed the two at the creature approaching and saw [url=https://i.imgur.com/RHvnHn4.jpeg]its horrifying visage.[/url] The creature growled at them as Maximilian took slow steps back; he could feel the little girl cowering behind him. For every one step back they took back, it [i]two[/i] forward... 

... Until it launched itself at Maximilian, and with his quick thinking, he shoved the girl out of the way. Which had the side effect of giving the monster a great opening to tear its freakish jaws into his shoulders; he grunted as he thrashed. No amount of adrenaline would allow him to shrug off this pain as he jammed the pistol into the creature as hard as he could. He squeezed the trigger again, and again, and again, and again, each trigger pull caused a bullet to fly out. He kept squeezing even after he had emptied the mag, and the creature let out a surprisingly human yell of pain. Maximilian took this as a sign to shove the monstrosity back finally and stumbled backward.

He could hear the blood flowing as he felt woozy; he didn't let up for a second as he quickly reloaded- but the creature lunged at him again and knocked Maximilian to the ground with a swipe of its claw. He grits his teeth as the pistol is launched away from him... The creature was on top of him, and Maximilian did the only thing that could come to mind: Fight.

He beat the creature back as it bit down on his shoulder, sinking its death into his flesh, as he saw the girl cowering in the corner of his eye... and his pistol just feet away from her. He stuck his hand out and shouted, [i][b]"GIVE ME THE GUN!"[/b][/i] He shouted as he was getting knawed on!

The girl was shivering in fear; she looked down at the gun.

Then up to Maximilian.

Then, back to the gun.

She screamed as she kicked the gun, and it was, fortunately, close enough for Maximilian to grab it, and he immediately jammed it into the creature's skull. Letting off one decisive round that blew the monster's brains out. Maximilian threw it over with little strength and sighed as he reached inside to push himself up. He stumbled over to the girl, his armor being drenched in his blood.

And extended his hand.

"Let's get out of here," Maximilian started. "Before more of them show up."[right][b][code]The PRA Main Headquarters. Prince George County, Virginia.[/code][/b][/right][hr]

Today was the big day. 

Maximilian was led through the halls of the building by an entourage of different agents... the PRA's Main Headquarters was a labyrinth. Endless halls full of mystery and adventure, and Maximilian, even though he was here before, was no closer to solving it than he was the first time he arrived here and was inducted into the organization. He was led through halls and halls, and halls until he was led through doors and...

... He ended up out back.

There was an elevated area with a fancy stone railing and several flags flying (The Virginia State Flag, Flags for each military branch, and the PRA logo). Leaning over the railing was a [url=https://i.imgur.com/XmaoP93.jpeg]tall older man wearing a suit[/url]. What was notable about him was that he had a [url=https://imgur.com/MsfgbnA]strange belt around his waist[/url]. Maximilian walked over to his and nodded his head, saying,

"Agent Verde,"

"Max, Max... [i]Max...[/i]" Agent Verde chuckled, "It's Richard. I consider myself [i]retired.[/i] I just gotta do this one last thing for Director Alcott, and I'm outta here." Agent Verde - 

"Okay, Richard," Maximilian extended a hand. "It is a pleasure to meet you."

The two shook hands, and Richard nodded.

"Heard a lot from you," Richard said, "I think you're the [i]perfect[/i] fit."

Maximilian smiled.

"Thank you."

Richard took off the weird belt and held it out for Maximilian. "Make sure you give this a good scrubbing. I never took the damn thing off!" He laughed.

"The Champion's Belt..." Maximilian started, 

"Strongest artifact in the All-Verse," Richard explained. "Got no clue how the PRA got it, but we've been using it to handle all the Godzillas and other super monsters out there."

Maximilian grabbed it. 

"Put it to good use, squirt," Richard said... as Director Alcott approached with their entourage.

"Any last words for the group, Ag- Richard?" Director Alcott asked, smiling. 

Richard was silent.

[i]"... Bye."[/i]

He said before darting off, walking off into the sunset, and everyone couldn't help but laugh. Then Director Alcot turned towards Maximilian, placing their fingertips together, before saying, "Put it on; see how it feels."

Maximilian, as instructed, put on the belt and... didn't quite realize what it did. So far, he felt nothing, but he looked at Director Alcott and saw the aura around them. He tilted his head. 

"... You can see my aura, right?" Director Alcott said with a smile. "You're going to do great things with the Belt, Maximilian. You'll see."

Maximilian nodded at them.

[hr][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/hfAXGHT.png[/img][h1][s]Judas[/s] Bennet's Interlude.[/h1][/center][right][b][code]Decades before the events of the story. The St. Portwell Docks.[/code][/b][/right][hr][hr]

A younger Judas spit off into the water.

A man fixed his belt and turned to leave.

"... Hey dickhead," A young Judas seethed in his general direction. "Where's my money?"

"I'll get you next time..." The older brown-haired man barely said before Judas bum-rushed and grabbed him by his collar. Cocking a fist back. "Hey, easy now..."

The next words would probably change everything.

[i]"... Roxxane."[/i]

Judas - [i]Roxanne[/i] - stared at the man head-on, ready to clobber him, as she said, "I'm not doing this for fun, asshole. I ain't doing this for shits and giggles. I'm doing this to[i] build[/i] myself."

"And I'm telling you that I don't got your-"

He didn't get a chance to finish before Roxanne punched him as hard as she could in the nose, breaking it on impact and sending him stumbling backward over some garbage bags. She walked over to him, and knelt, and gave him a very stern warning, 

"Listen, asshole," She started. "Tomorrow, you're gonna have my money, or else your little wife finds out about our deals, got it?"

He was silent.

[i]"... Got it."[/i]

Then Roxanne stormed away, back into the streets of St. Portwell. He was a fisherman... and in this town, the fishermen were respected, revered even. Hopefully, he had the sense not to go around and tell everyone that he got beaten up by a girl. She grinned as she stuck her hands into her hoodie and continued marching down northeast St. Portwell's streets. The junkies and homeless men lined the streets, but they were both too high to pick a fight with lil' old Roxanne and they probably already knew she had nothing to steal. So, they ended up just being deadweight. Eventually, Roxanne returned to the dingy old apartment she shared with her mother, walked through the doors, and went to her room. She hopped on her beanbag chair, but her cell phone rang, and she dug it out of her pocket.

[b][code]Val.[/code][/b]

Roxanne immediately answered and said, "Yeah?"

"Roxy, what's uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuup!?" Valjean excitedly said.

"Nothing," Roxanne answered. "Just..."

"You know bossman wants an update on your profits," Valjean said. 

"I'm working on it," Roxanne said.

"Don't worry!" Valjean said. "I'll get him off your back."

Roxanne smiled.

"Thanks, Val,"

"But, I wanted to talk to you about something..." Valjean started, and Roxanne could feel him scratch the back of his neck as his tone lowered: "I was thinking about what you were talking about the other day... that little biker gang you wanted to start."

"The Wolfpack."

"Yeah! The Wolfpack!" Valjean said, "Look, I was trying to find the best way to break this to you... but I ain't gonna sugarcoat it: that ain't a place for a woman."

Roxanne narrowed her eyes.

"... And what do you mean by [i]that?[/i]"

"Hey now," Valjean chuckled. "What I [i]mean[/i] is that this whole business... it ain't for gals like you. Whether it's pushing drugs or being a biker, women are second-class citizens! Heh."

Roxanne was silent, not out of offense, but this was one of the rare moments where Valjean was [i]right.[/i] He typically was a dumbass, nothing but muscle, but there were moments when he used more than two brain cells. 

This was one of them.

Ever since she became a dealer, Roxanne was hardly respected by anyone in the business. Everyone wanted to have sex with her most of the time, and she was not the type of gal to give everyone a piece of herself. 

Then it hit her.

"Valjean, where are you at?"

"I'm at my apartment, what's up?"

"I'm com-"

Someone knocked on the door; it had to be Roxanne's mom. She whispered,

"... Hey, baby, the police are here again."

"Fuck, I'll see you soon," Roxanne whispered before she hung up, and opened the window and climbed out.

Having an apartment on the first floor had its perks.[right][b][code]Valjean's Apartment.[/code][/b][/right][hr]"... How's this look?"

Roxanne said as she stepped out of the bathroom, having cut her hair completely off. She was bald!

"You still look like a girl!" Valjean laughed. "Just like one of those cancer patients."

She groaned.

"Hey now!" Valjean said, putting a hand on her shoulder, "One thing about the criminal underworld is that it's [i]all[/i] about respect and reputation!"

Roxanne shook her head. 

"So, have you come up with a name yet?" Valjean said.

[i]"... Judas," [/i]Roxanne said.

"Heeeeeeeeeey, it sounds like a kingpin in the making!" Valjean laughed.

Roxanne shook her head. This wasn't a good idea to her, but it was the only way to gain respect in the criminal underworld. While she knew she was cunning, smart, and an amazing leader, it didn't matter much when the head honchos in charge only saw her as a piece of meat.

But what other options did she have?

Go back to the Temple? 

Roxanne looked up at Valjean.

[i]Never in a million years.[/i][right][b][code]Years later. The Rusty Spoke.[/code][/b][/right][hr]A motorcycle rolled into the parking lot of a dingy bar with the glowing neon sign of[b] [code]The Rusty Spoke[/code][/b]. It was on the outskirts of town on the edge of the surrounding woods. Getting off the motorcycle was Roxanne... or Judas as he had been known. He wore a leather jacket that said [b][code]WOLFPACK[/code][/b] on the back with their logo underneath it. He approached the club...

I only saw a short Caribbean lady wearing an [url=https://i.imgur.com/4R0G90r.png]African-print dress.[/url] Which was weird in [i]this[/i] part of St. Portwell of all places, but Judas wasn't going to judge. It was none of his business; he just pushed past her...

"... Hey, sweetie!" The lady said, speaking so fast and with such a thick accent it was hard to understand her, "I'm Tanya, Judas, I presume?"

Judas raised an eyebrow.

"I gotta letta' for ya'! Some people wan' meet ya!" Tanya said, handing Judas the letter. Who immediately opened it to read, and Tanya walked off as he was reading it. "Have a good one."

Her footsteps disappeared the second she turned the corner.

Judas placed the letter in his pocket as he walked into the bar, and everyone cheered! He saw everyone here, Valjean, Elodie, and Dean...

... But that letter was still on his mind.[right][b][code]Christiansands.[/code][/b][/right][hr]Judas' motorcycle ended up in the parking lot of the club they told him to meet. He was slightly suspicious of all this, but that glock he had tucked into his waistband. He walked over to the line... sticking out to the crowds of partygoers who just looked at him, stepping aside as he walked into the VIP line. The bouncer in charge looked at him and then waved for him to come closer, and he bypassed the rest of the line and made it to the front desk of the Christiansands. The little lady behind it looked at him through her glasses and said...

"Judas?"

"Yeah," Judas answered.

"You're expected,"

"Yeah," Judas shrugged. "Figured."

"Right this way," The lady led Judas to the Christiansands VIP section, where Luis and Natalie sat on the sofa, and Luis waved Judas down.

"Hello, our esteemed guest!" Luis shouted, "Have a seat!"

Judas sat down, leaning forward, putting his hands together, fingers interlocked. "So, what's this all about? You wanted to make a deal?"

Luis smiled.

"We did," Luis said, "An offer you couldn't refuse..."

"Let's talk, bossman," Judas leaned back in his chair. "Why does the Dollhouse organization, of all groups, want to do with a gang of about a dozen bikers?"

Both Luis and Natalie smiled before they looked at Judas.

Then Luis said.

[i]"... How would you like to become the city's kingpin?"[/i]


[hr][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/GjFxKZh.png[/img][h1]James Carmicheal's Interlude.[/h1][/center][hr][hr]


Saint-Fucking-Portwell.

It was a hell of a culture shock from the streets of the Altlanta, to say the least! James held a football in his hands as he grinned, taking a few steps back as he threw the football to his buddy. His friend caught it, and passed it back. James wore a black sweater, a grey scarf around his neck, blue jeans, and some red Jordan 21's. It was just fall as the leaves changed colors, and James couldn't help but admire the beauty of St. Portwell. At least it seemed nicer than Atlanta! James caught it one last time before his eyes caught a girl glancing at him as if he couldn't notice! It was a short black girl with dreads on, wearing a cyan hoodie, Nike leggings, and some Puma sneakers. She was leaning against a short brick wall, playing on her phone, but James noticed her looking at him! It was high time to make a move; seeing another black person out here was great! James grinned as he held the football and walked over to her.

"... Hey, what's up?" James greeted, shoulders up and a warm smile on his face. "Saw you just chillin' here by yourself and thought you could use a little company."

The girl half-smiled as she said, "Look at you comin' up here like you cute." She laughed.

"Hey, there ain't nothing cute about me!" James said. "I'm James! Yours?"

The girl couldn't fight it back any longer, and [i]fully[/i] smiled as she said,

[i]"... Naomi,"[/i]

[hr]

A few months after the two were official, Naomi introduced him to her friend group.

[i]Finally.[/i]

They decided to meet at one of the national parks, and the two walked over to the meeting spot - a campsite with a long extinguished campfire surrounded by benches made of logs. The Greenwood Coven sans Kashmira and Sully's current lineup was there... including two other girls. James had looked to the left and the right and noticed the bitch with the big ass stick! There was also a short little Asian gal who held something in her lap covered in cloth.

"Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeey!" James said as he had a seat, and Naomi took his side, "Wassup! It's great to meet all of you."

The one girl with the stick took a deep puff of her blunt, and James smiled, "Great to meet you too, sweetie. Naomi told me a lot about you."

"Hey now," James said, "Stop hoggin the blunt!"

Everyone's eyes shot open as they looked at James. Ruby extended the blunt to him, and he was about to grab it...

[i]"... Don't do it, she eats [b]ass![/b]"[/i] Naomi shouted.

James retracted his hand and said, "... I'm good."

"So..." Ruby said. "Introduce yourself?"

James waved at everyone and said,

"I'm James, I'm from Atlanta... I play football," He shrugged, as there was an awkward silence. Before this redhead spoke,

"Atlanta?" Jess started, "Like the TV show?!"

"Like the TV show."

"I'm Jessica!" Jess said.

"I'm Autumn,"

"I'm Amelia..."

"Pearl,"

"Lyric Brown!" An average-height [url=https://i.imgur.com/0eqUcba.jpeg]African-American girl[/url] with short hair and a wide smile introduced herself as she fiddled with a weird pair of headphones.

"Girl, no one gives their full name," Naomi laughed.

"Felica, "Then there was another [url=https://i.imgur.com/mQlplFY.jpeg]black girl[/url] with slightly longer hair, but she was much taller.

"I'm Ruby," The bitch with the stick and blunt said before she asked Naomi. "... Did you tell him?"

Then James turned towards Naomi, who had begun chewing her fingernails. She looked to the left and to the right awkwardly as James asked,

"Tell him [i]what?[/i]"

"... I forgot," Naomi said, "That was my bad."

"Aw!" Jess said.

"I had this cool ass ceremony in mind and everything!" Ruby rolled her eyes.

"Well," Pearl started, "No time like the present, I say."

"I'm still kinda lost here!" James laughed, awkwardly scratching the back of his neck. "What was I supposed to be told."

"Well..." Jess crossed her arms and chuckled. "How fucking crazy do you think you are?"

"Zero, zero percent crazy," James said.

"Sounds like something a crazy person would say!" Jess shouted.

"Look, look, look," Naomi raised her hands. "I'll do it now,"

She looked James in the eye, grabbed his face, and said...

[i]"... Magic's real."[/i]

"The fuck?!" James started laughing. "Okay, I think you need to lay off the fuckin' TV because that shit's fuckin' with you now." He spun a finger around his temple as he looked at her.

Naomi put her hands together, and when she parted them, she created glowing white spider webs between her hands, and James' jaw dropped. 

"... That's bullshit," James said as he slowly extended a finger towards it, "Just some magic trick, ya'll gotta' stop fuckin' with me because-"

His hand got stuck in the web, and he looked confused.

He started screaming.

"And [b]this[/b] is why we let them beforehand..." Pearl sank her face into her hands as everyone approached James - Naomi dispelling the webs.

"Wait, wait, wait!" Jessica put her hands on his shoulders.

"Good grief," Lyric said as she pulled a microphone out of her pocket and began humming a song. Somehow, the singing stopped James screaming and put his soul at ease. He took in a deep breath and then sighed. However, Lyric kept humming her song as the rest of Greenwood talked to him.

"Thanks, Lyric, you're the best," Ruby said before she turned to James. "Yeah, magic's real."

"Well," James said, "This ain't how I expected to find out, heh."

"And we had magic ready for you," Pearl said, holding the object wrapped in cloth for him to see.

"What is that? A magic dildo or something?" He chuckled.

Everyone was silent.

"... God, I wish," Ruby said, and it elected a facepalm from Naomi and the others.

"No, it's..." Pearl trailed as she unwrapped the cloth and revealed an [url=https://i.imgur.com/GRoYRQO.jpg]axe[/url].

"Oh ho, an axe!" James excitedly said. "What does it shoot lightning or something?"

"Yes, in fact," Naomi said. "It's [i]Shango's Axe.[/i] It lets you shoot lightning and fire."

"Lit," James said, "... And where the fuck did ya'll get this from?" 

"Oh," Naomi started, "We stole it from some rich guy." She waved her hand as she laughed.

"Do you want it?!" Jessica asked.

"Sure!" James asked.

"Hold up," Ruby said, blowing out a puff of weed smoke. "We're not giving out powerful ass artifacts so you can just fuck off with 'im..." 

She put the blunt back in her mouth and said, "If we give you this, you must become one of us."

"And the fuck is that?" James asked.

Everyone awkwardly shuffled in their seats as Ruby gave her answer.

"... [i]The Greenwood Coven.[/i]"[right][b][code]Kaiser Draeger's Sanctuary.[/code][/b][/right][hr]The mansion was in chaos; sounds of magic being tossed around could be heard from all over. There were explosions and roars, and the building was engulfed in flames. Das Sonnenrad was being wiped out.

And it came down to this final battle.

The doors to Kaiser Draeger's inner chamber were blown open by a blast of fire, creating a cloud of smoke. With the axe slung over his shoulder, James stepped through the smoke as if it were nothing. He walked through the smoke... and she entered the dark room that was Kaiser Draeger's inner chambers. A massive, dark hall with a long rug led to [url=https://i.imgur.com/1WFms2Q.jpg]Kaiser Draeger's throne[/url]. Leaning forward, with his helmet off, was Kaiser Draeger, his [url=https://i.imgur.com/du9ijD2.jpeg]face[/url] being revealed to them. In front of him, the [url=https://i.imgur.com/OdBtlGk.jpg]blade[/url] of the Dragon Slayer was dug into the ground. He looked up at them and said,

"Shouldn't you be joining your friends in ruining everything I built up?"

"... Kaiser Draeger," James said as he aimed the axe at him, it illuminated by electricity. "You do [i]not[/i] look like what I was expectin' ya' to look like, to be honest with ya'!" He chuckled.

"Don't matter," James started, narrowing his eyes, "It ends [i]today.[/i]"

"I agree," Kaiser Draeger said as he put his helmet on, completing the [url=https://i.imgur.com/uaE1CHC.jpg]Dragon Slayer.[/url] He stood up and grabbed the sword embedded in the ground. "Let's get this over with. I'm going to take care of your friends after this."

James grinned from underneath his ski mask. [hr][center][hider=Cursed Be Iron - Turias][youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdhuEAl-PtQ[/youtube][/hider][/center][hr]Kaiser Draeger gave them little time to react as he charged them with the sword primed to cleave them in half, he let out a scream as he slammed the sword downwards. However, James and Naomi lept off in different directions, and the blade was embedded in the ground. James stuck his hand out in mid-air and unleashed a bolt of lightning that hit Kaiser Draeger head-on... when the light faded, he was still standing there, staring at him from underneath the Dragon Slayer.

"... That's not going to work," Kaiser Draeger yanked his sword from the ground. "The Dragon Slayer is impervious to your magic."

James grinned.

"We'll see about that," James said as he primed his hand backward, created a massive fireball, and launched it at Kaiser Draeger, which collided against him and faded away. Kaiser Draeger charged James and brought the blade down on him, and James held Shango's axe up with both hands to block. The two artifacts clashed as James felt the impact nearly break his arm. He grits his teeth as Kaiser Draeger pushes him back. James grinned as he created a massive pillar of fire around him - not to hurt Kaiser Draeger but to distract him. It was enough for him to charge forward, underneath Kaiser Draeger's sword, and shoulder rushed him, assisted by the flight of Shango's Axe. It made Kaiser Draeger stumble backward, and James snapped his fingers and created an explosion that sent Kaiser Draeger flying.

It launched him through the doors of his chambers and out into the halls of his mansion, and he landed on his back. James flew after him with his axe high in the air. However, Kaiser Draeger used his sword to block, and the two artifacts clashed again... then he kicked James upwards and sent him flying into the ceiling. He had the wind knocked out of him, but he quickly flew away before Kaiser Draeger could attack. He ended up opposite the hallway, and Kaiser Draeger was already on his feet and rushing him.

When the leader of Das Sonnenrad got close, he swung the sword, and James had to retreat, barely dodging the blade. However, Kaiser Draeger swung the blade and cleaved through the hallway walls. Then James got an idea... He created a massive inferno in his hands and sent it towards the wooden walls of the mansion. Not intending to hurt Kaiser Draeger but to burn his mansion to the ground. He flew backward, creating more and more fire, which was accompanied by his plan: Smoke. The smoke filled the mansion's hall, and James darted towards one of the windows as fast as he could, then put the axe in front of himself as a shield.

It broke the window, and he was cut to shreds by the glass, but he managed to get out. He sighed as he landed in the garden by the pool; he was dripping blood. He could see the smoke flow out of the broken window, but hopefully, Kaiser Draeger just choked-

Kaiser Draeger lept out of the window, and James eyes shot open as he just barely rolled out of the way of the oversized blade being brought down on him again. Kaiser Draeger stood tall, facing James as he said, "Why don't you give up? Your magic can't do anything to me."

"Fuck that," James said, "I'll die before I do that."

"I'll oblige," Kaiser Draeger swung the sword again; James flew out of the way, but Kaiser Draeger had thrown himself off balance. 

He was just feet away from the pool.

James had an idea.

Using all the speed this stupid axe allowed, James flew directly at Kaiser Draeger and tackled him into the pool, assisted by his flight. There was a loud splash of water as James felt the cool water hit him like a brick, but he had one plan. He flew upwards, raised the axe into the air, and summoned a monstrous bolt of lightning that came with an earsplitting thunderclap. It landed directly on him and electrified the pool, and he put [i]everything[/i] he had into it. He sighed as he saw the steam come out of the water, and he looked down.

Kaiser Draeger wasn't moving. If that didn't kill him, he was going to drown any second now.

James swam to the pool's edge, climbed, axe in hand, and sighed. The chaos in the distance had died down, and James sighed. 

"... James! [i]Damn,[/i] you're so hardheaded," Naomi swung in on an ethereal web and landed directly before him. "Where were you?! We were worried sick."

James grinned and put the axe on his shoulder.

"... I finished things,"

Naomi looked over his shoulder and saw that Kaiser Draeger was completely still at the bottom of the pool. She shook her head.

"... Good job- but you [i]need[/i] to let us know before you run off on your own," Naomi started, sighing. "But, we need to get out of here; the Feds are boutta do a sweep!"

James stuck his hand out and smiled.

"Want a ride out of here?"

Naomi returned the smile. 

[i]"... Sure."[/i]

She jumped into his arms and wrapped them around him, and then the two flew into the distance.

Kaiser Draeger and his cult were no more.

[i]It was for the best.[/i]

[center][hr][hr][hr][hr][img]https://i.imgur.com/5iFp9ux.png[/img]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/yiOFROS.png[/img]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/BUiJMsO.png[/img]

[hr][hr][hr][img]https://i.imgur.com/PFadOba.png[/img][hr][hr][hr][hr][/center]
[center][i]What?

What's going on?

What am I doing here?

What am I seeing?

Why am I seeing this?

...

...

...

"I need to show you something."

"I need you to see where it starts."

"So you can figure out."

"Where it ends."[/i][/center][hr]Last night, when everyone went to bed, every member of the Old Coven shared a dream. Not just any dream, but a [b][i]Recollection.[/i][/b]

A Recollection that begins... with a group of robed individuals walking up a tall flight of stairs that led to a [url=https://i.imgur.com/SL28Goh.jpeg]stone castle.[/url] However, each of them was holding a chain, chains that connected to a person in the center of the group... [url=https://i.imgur.com/HnZo1QB.jpg]a somewhat tall Albino-woman[/url] that wore a tattered robe, and was chained so heavily she could hardly take a step forward. Her hands were restained in snubbed gauntlets, and her feet were chained with a ball, with a collar with several chains connecting to it, which the robed men held. What was notable about the woman, however, was the huge bulge on her stomach... she was at least eight months pregnant.

The men led the woman into the building, and it wasn't long until she made it to a large circular room, which was surrounded by rafters that had robed men and women... she was walked to the middle of it and was pushed to her knees as [url=https://i.imgur.com/PmrBqyy.jpg]one man[/url] lowered his hood and spoke to her in a deep voice as he looked down at her,

"[i]Sunshine Jones,[/i] leader of the [i]Inner Circle,[/i] there are [i]thousands[/i] of crimes linked to your name," He narrowed his eyes at the woman. "Mass murder, human sacrifice, human experimentation, cannibalism, genocide, torture, assassination, human trafficking, [i]attempted[/i] genocide, abduction, political corruption, child homicide, arms trafficking, and [i]more[/i]..."

The man let the words hang in the air. 

"You face the harshest punishment that the [i]Accordance[/i] can offer," He started as he put his fingertips together and leaned forward, "Do you have [i]anything[/i] to say for yourself?"

Sunshine grinned.

"I do..." She trailed off before she looked around at the men that were restraining her and said, "... [i]Could one of you scratch my ass?[/i] I'm a little bit... [i]tied up.[/i] At the moment, hahahahahaha!" She raised her arm restraints, laughed, and continued.

"And robes? Really? [i]Really?[/i]" She tilted her head. "How [i]corny[/i] can your so-called "Accordance" get?"

"You will show respect to me, Sunshine."

"Why?" Sunshine laughed. "You're going to kill me anyway. So why should I show you any form of respect? Why should I do [i]anything[/i] other than make it clear how I feel about your little cult, Mr Dacious?"

Dacious rolled his eyes as he leaned backward in his chair and said, 

"Enough!" He shouted, "You will no longer mock this courtroom or organization."

"Then get it over with then," Sunshine tilted her head. "You're mocking [i]yourself[/i] by pretending this is something more than a slow execution."

"Hmmm... very well then," Dacious said, "Sunshine Jones, by the order of the Accordance, we banish you to the Pit."

Sunshine grinned as the men who had her chained went to pull her out of the room. She rose to her feet as she faced Dacious.

"That's [i]all?[/i]" She laughed. "You think [i]I[/i] fear the Pit."

The men pulled Sunshine Jones through the halls of the Accordance Headquarters before heading through the dark labyrinth that led to the basement. Illuminated by only torches, Sunshine Jones was not afraid, not even in the slightest, and had that monstrous grin on her face the entire time. She could hear the eldritch screeching and yelling on the other side until the group approached two massive wooden doors. The doors were pushed open by what could only be magic, and a bright, shining red light assaulted Sunshine Jones' eyes as she saw the massive circular room... with a massive pit in the ground. This wasn't any pit; it had a glowing red light that shone brightly out of it, and all that could be heard was [i]screaming[/i].

She approached the pit's edge and grinned as she turned her head to the side, and [url=https://i.imgur.com/f3GUacx.jpg]saw a man in a suit.[/url] Leaning against the wall with his hands in his pockets, Sunshine gave him a warm smile.

"Oh, James," She started, "Come to see me off?"

James shook his head.

"Well, it's the least you can do after you [i]betrayed[/i] me," Sunshine laughed, "Do you [i]really[/i] think someone like me won't [i]thrive[/i] in The Pit? Do you really think that place will be the end of [i]me?[/i]" 

James was silent.

"I'll come back, more powerful than before, and I'll flay you alive," Sunshine started, "And I'll kill everyone in the Accordance."

James waved his hand, and the men placed a jeweled amulet around her neck... pushing her toward the edge of the Pit. Sunshine made a kissy noise towards James and said,

"Let Isabelle know I'm coming for her, [i]byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee![/i]"

She shouted as she was launched off the edge of the Pit, and she laughed as she fell for seemingly an eternity...[hr][center][i]...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

"That's not where it ends."

"I still have much to show you."

"This isn't Sunshine's story."

"But [b]Raven's.[/b]"[/i][/center][right][b][code]The Pit.[/code][/b][/right][hr]A beaten-up door creaked as it was pushed open, and two robed figures - one much taller than the other (this one was holding a Mossberg 500 and had a backpack on) - pushed through the doors wearing [url=https://i.imgur.com/0Rzr0yn.jpeg]masks[/url] carved out of bones—the red light of the Pit shined through as the two figures entered a living room... it had a rug, two sofas, a TV, and a flight of stairs. The taller, robed figure looked to the left and the right before she spoke.

"This place looks safe," She started, "We should make sure, however."

The two nodded at each other as they quickly searched the house up and down and saw that it was empty. The two returned to the living room. They entered, and the taller figure placed her shotgun on the table, and then she placed her backpack down. She sat down in the chair as she leaned back, taking off her mask carved out of bones. 

Revealing herself to be Sunshine Jones.

She yawned as she said,

"Raven," She started, "This place looks safe; however, it won't be for long."

The smaller girl, Raven, took off her mask, placed it on the table, and revealed herself to be a [url=https://i.imgur.com/U3WF6JJ.jpg]fairly young African-American girl[/url] with dark skin, poofy hair, and sat down on the chair opposite to Sunshine. She had to be around fourteen years old and had a dirty, scarred face with bandages all over it. 

"... Mama, will we have time to talk about the Blood of Magic? Maybe practice some magic," Raven asked.

"After we secured the house and ate," Sunshine said.

Raven nodded, and the two secured the house by barricading all the entrances, setting up noise makers, and whatnot. Eventually, the two returned to the kitchen, and Sunshine walked over to the refrigerator... and could only smell one of the most horrid things of all time, and there was no doubt there was [i]something[/i] in here that she didn't want to see. So, she returned to her backpack and opened it up, digging through it for a moment before pulling out various canned foods: beans, some tuna, etc. The cans were rusted and beaten, but in the Pit, the two had little to no luxuries. With a knife, Sunshine pried open the top, slid some across to Raven... then slid a spoon. The young girl wasted no time eating and raised her head at Sunshine.

"So, can you tell me more about the Blood of Magic, mama?" Raven asked. 

"Sure, baby!" Sunshine chipperly answered, "There is a place out there where Gods meet and have dinner together! A place that is the most wonderous and beautiful scene you'll ever see!"

Raven listened, tilting her head somewhat.

"It's known as [i]Luminescence[/i], and it's not just a place. It's... a force. A force that runs and flows through [i]everything[/i], not just people, and powers it like blood..." Sunshine answered. "It's believed that there is a pool of a glowing white liquid there... if you drink it, you will achieve [i]enlightenment![/i]" She quietly laughed, keeping that smile on her face as she continued.

"It was my life's goal to drink it... and achieve enlightenment?"

"How did you find out about this?" Raven asked. 

Sunshine sighed.

"There is a man out there... the so-called "Hero of the All-Verse"..." She closed her eyes briefly, and when she opened them, she said, "... James Vanburen."

Raven intently listened.

"He was my friend, closest ally, and he not only told me about this but [i]showed[/i] me," Sunshine began, then sighed, "However, he was jealous of my dreams and betrayed me, and had me thrown down here..."

"... Do you think we can still find the Blood of Magic?" Raven asked.

"Of course!" Sunshine said, "We just have to get out of here!"

"... How do we do that?" Raven started, "You said there's a way to get out of here? Why haven't we found it yet?"

Sunshine sighed, then shook her head as she answered.

"I unfortunately do not know," Sunshine said, "But there [i]is[/i] a way out... there[i] has[/i] to be one."

That frown turned into a smile.

"And we'll find it, baby." 

It infected Raven, as Sunshine said, 

"Finish your food, and we'll head to bed! We're going to head out in the morning... "

"Let's!" Raven chipperly said.[hr]Raven was awoken... it was difficult to tell day from night in the Pit as there was no sun. Just an ever-present red light in the sky that unnerved Raven, but Raven was born here, unlike her mother. She had no clue what the sun even [i]looked like[/i]. The girl rubbed her eyes as she looked to the left and the right; she was asleep on this bed. She could see the faint red burn through the curtains into the bedroom that had been ripped to shreds more than once. There was one obvious problem.

Sunshine was not here. 

There was that urge to call out to Sunshine, but Raven knew better than to make noise. Scanning the room further, Sunshine's backpack with supplies was still there. Raven climbed out of bed, walked over to the backpack, and dug into it for Sunshine's knife... but she found the jewel amulet that her mother always wore, and her mouth went agape. She heard something crash on the floor level, and Raven quickly dug out Sunshine's knife... before she put the amulet around her neck and slung the backpack over her shoulder. Gently pushing the door open, she peeked out to make sure it was safe before she stepped out, having the knife raised as high in preparation for an attack. 

Raven proceeded towards the stairs - but froze like a statue when she heard some growling. There was another crash as she could hear [i]some[/i] creature move about. That presented a huge issue as she was on the second floor and was unaware of her mother's whereabouts... the girl wanted to go down, but Sunshine always told her to save herself. She turned around as fast as she could - and the young girl was unaware of her surroundings and knocked over a table with a vase. It loudly shattered, and the growling picked up as [i]whatever[/i] downstairs tore through the house and quickly reached the top of the stairs, and she saw it in all its terrifying glory.

An [url=https://i.imgur.com/RO5UXix.jpg]Abyssal Hunter.[/url]

A massive beast with leathery skin, a mouth full of horrifying teeth, and massive talons, in terms of appearance, it was likely the most [i]tame[/i] of the Pit's denizens. However, it was the one beast Sunshine explicitly made clear that she would [i]not[/i] engage. Growling, it sauntered its way over to Raven... Who just turned and ran down the hallways. The Abyssal Hunter roared, chasing after Raven, who had a clear escape plan.

The window.

The girl ran and lept through the window and got [i]shredded[/i] by the glass, and she was oozing blood as she kept her eyes closed and her feet down. Right before she hit the ground, that amulet around her neck illuminated a green color for just a [i]moment[/i], and when she hit the ground, she did not so much as feel an ounce of pain. She hit [i]snow[/i], and what was before Raven was a forest of dead trees, and despite the eldritch red sky above her, she could see no escape. However, the girl kept running, but the Abyssal Hunter loudly roared, which was [i]not[/i] a good sign.

As she ran through the woods, her blood dripping down and leaving a trail, she heard more of those [i]creatures[/i] join the pursuit. She turned her head to the right and saw one running parallel to her a good distance away... and to her left, there was [i]another[/i] one. She kept running straight, but they were getting [i]closer[/i]. Raven, while running, stuck her hand into her stomach, her hand digging into her midriff as if it were water, and she pulled out a sickening mass of flesh, twitching eyes, and spiky bones. She chucked it over her shoulder, and she could hear the loud pop that sent bone shrapnel in all directions. She could hear the shrieks of the Abyssal Hunters, but a bone shard hit her in the back... and with magic, she could ignore it. It wasn't enough to stop them...

... And one lunged at her before she could react, sinking its teeth into Raven's midsection. She loudly screamed as she was thrashed around, but she was launched when a chunk of her flesh [i]departed[/i] from the rest of her body. She went rolling until she came to a stop, and she could feel the warmth of her blood dripping all over her body and clothes. She looked down and saw the oozing wound that was ripped out of her torso. She could see the lowermost [i]ribs[/i] exposed, and she shrieked in pain as she began crying. The Abyssal Hunters were approaching.

"Please, no!" Raven tried to drag herself away, but she could feel the spell she cast on herself wearing off, and the pain was seeping in.

Her pleas were ignored as the creatures were approaching her...

... Then they all stopped, looking off in one direction. There was a moment of chattering among the Abyssal Hunters before they all took off running in the opposite direction.

Raven raised her head and looked in the direction that they were [i]so[/i] afraid of.[hr][center][hider=Busta Rhymes - Bad Dreams (Instrumental)][youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxosHaW-t4c[/youtube][/hider][/center][hr]Marching through the shadows of the dead trees was a sight so strange and unnerving but familiar to Raven. She was tall, seemingly wearing a cloak that hid all of her features, but at the same time, it seemed as if the cloak was a part of her body. 

That [url=https://i.imgur.com/bCCDOn2.jpg][b][i]smile[/i][/b][/url] told it all.

[i]It was the Mother Will.[/i]

Raven forced herself to her feet as she tried to cover the gaping wound left by the Abyssal Hunters... and looked up at The Mother Will as she approached. 

"... Hello," The Mother Will said, and just [i]stared[/i] at Raven.

Raven hissed as she stumbled, catching herself, before looking up at The Mother Will and saying, "Mother Will, why have you come here?"

"To offer my hand," The Mother Will answered as she extended a hand wrapped in the cloak or simply jet black. Raven was hesitant to take it but almost fell to her feet. It wasn't long before The Mother Will retracted her hand and continued to speak. "Why do you resent the Pit and its gifts?"

She asked, 

"Your mother seeks enlightenment but is unaware that the Pit [i]provides,[/i]" The Mother Will started, seemingly gliding alongside the ground until she was behind Raven, "Whatever you desire... friendship, love, power, and something [i]beyond[/i] the mere enlightenment your mother seeks."

"... Where is my mother?" Raven asked.

"As one of the Pit's favored, she sought enlightenment, and I gave her [i]exactly[/i] what she was looking for," The Mother Will said, "As the Pit loves you as much as it loves Sunshine... I can send you to the same place I sent her."

Raven nodded.

"Please... send me... there..." She said as she started feeling woozy... it was probably the blood loss finally getting to her, but Raven tried to remain strong. She just heard her blood (what little she had left) rushing through her ears.

The Mother Will stared at her as a glowing red crack formed underneath Raven's feet, with that [i]smile[/i] on her face as Raven finally collapsed. Everything began darkening as she fell; the only thing she saw...

... Was that smile.

Then.

Nothing.[hr]Raven rose and awoke yet again, but she was gracing the uncomfortable and hard cold of stone underneath her. She rubbed her eyes as she looked around and noticed that she was in a hallway made out of stone blocks, illuminated by torches that should have logically gone out a long time ago. 

Unfortunately, the Pit didn't operate by any form of logic.

Raven pushed herself to her feet... and quickly looked down and noticed the gaping wound in her side was closed. All of her injuries were strangely mended, all healed, as if [i]nothing[/i] had happened. Raven looked around and noticed that she didn't have her backpack, which she may have lost during her chase with the Abyssal Hunters, but looking in front of her, there was that familiar mask made out of bones. She bent forward, grabbed the mask, and then got on her tippy toes to grab one of the torches and... just picked a direction. Raven's ears were attuned to every sound, and it appeared as if she was the only person in there, but she was born fighting for her life in the Pit.

Letting your guard down meant death.

She went straight ahead, hoping to find Sunshine or an exit, but it seemed she found neither as she went deeper and deeper into the Pit. Even after turning around, she still went deeper, like the Pit was trying to lead her somewhere. She hoped it was somewhere satisfying as she approached two massive doors... they were already ajar, and Raven hoped it was the exit. But she pressed open the door and found a massive chamber before her. It was a massive platform made of stone with pillars raised out of the ground and a ceiling to raise the platform above a mysterious liquid. Raven stepped inside, looking down over the platform's edge to get a good look at what she was floating above, and it was not just any regular liquid. It was a jet-black liquid that bubbled and popped... and occasionally, a screaming [i]face[/i] could be seen. She looked at what was on the opposite end of the platform and resumed her march towards it.

[i]The Chalice.[/i]

On a stone slab. Raven walked over to it and grabbed it... there was something about this, and she would hold onto it. Now, she had her mask in one hand, and in the other, she had the Chalice. However, she looked at the strange [i]mural[/i] sprawled on the opposite side of the wall, a series of images.

The first one that caught Raven's eyes was a massive black snake with red eyes standing straight up, casting a shadow on a group of people who stood on their hands and knees, hands raised in the air. Then, there was another depiction of a group of people standing around a person crucified and a smaller snake bursting out of their abdomen, flying into the massive black snake that loomed over them.

To say the least, Raven did not understand it at [i]all.[/i] However, her eyes quickly scanned the rest of the images, and she saw a white snake with blue eyes intertwined with a black snake with red eyes. She raised an eyebrow. But she looked to the left and saw some mammal-

The door burst open, and all she could hear was [i]breathing.[/i]

Raven's face shot over her shoulder.... then the Recollection ended.[hr][center][i]"This is just the start."

"Raven is not innocent."

"Raven Jones is a monster."

...

...

...

...

...

...

"Raven Jones caused [b]all[/b] your problems."[/i][hr][hr][hr][hr][img]https://i.imgur.com/j46FduP.png[/img][hr][hr][hr][h1]...[/h1][/center][right][b]Interactions:[/b] None[/right][right][b][code]Streets of St. Portwell...[/code][/b][/right][hr][hr]

The sunset and St. Portwell changed as costumed individuals took the streets. A girl walked through it all, her attire that would normally turn heads (for all the wrong reasons) seeming normal. Just for the night of Halloween. Not that this girl cared. She had a destination... she held a flower basket with both hands as she marched through the streets of St. Portwell. Not paying the world a mind as she had one destination.

Flowers and Canvases. 

The strange girl walked inside, and the first thing she saw when she turned inside was Auri Auclair behind the counter. The tall blonde smiled as she walked around the counter towards the girl.

"... [i]Odessa![/i]" Auri shouted as she hugged the girl; stepping back, she said, "How have you been, friend? Got any flowers for me?"

[url=https://i.pinimg.com/564x/8b/40/96/8b4096da3d8d5012f172c2bc8f2d4c12.jpg]Odessa[/url] presented her flower basket to Auri, and Auri smiled at the variety of colorful flowers that was presented before her, "Oooooooooooh..." Auri said, astonished. "Thank you."

"Auri," Odessa said,

"... I have a question for you."

[hr][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/6P8qTaC.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/32sPLv7.png[/img]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/fDwfx5e.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/CCFW7gp.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/5GEuuHz.png[/img][h1]Nikki Watanabe, Amanda, & Victoria Blackmore[/h1][/center][right][b]Interactions:[/b] Sully ([@Atrophy])[/right][right][b][code]The Blackmore Manor.[/code][/b][/right][hr][center][hider= South Side Life - Minus The Bear][youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfV8HFJn_YQ[/youtube][/hider][hr][hr][/center]

Drake was suddenly risen awake... he shot up, eyes wide open as he looked to the left and right. He was in the same room that he grew up in... except it was less lively as it was converted into a guest room by Victoria and Amanda when he left. Of course, he got it back, but it lacked that same charm. It was just four blue-painted walls, an empty desk with a computer chair, a dresser, and a few nightstands. Drake shook his head, pressing the palm of his hand into his face. He shook his head as he climbed out of bed, walked over to the door, and poked his head out. He was only wearing pajama pants, as usual, but Drake was a bit more respectful than walking around half-naked. He could hear Victoria and the others downstairs but wasn't prepared to encounter them yet.

He walked over to the bathroom, splashed some water on his face, and sighed as he looked at himself in the mirror. Drake was going to be okay. He sighed. First, he lost Jade, and now he's having weird ass dreams, but to be fair, he did a fair bit of drinking last night. Thankfully, not enough to cause a headache, but maybe mixing vodka with energy drinks was [b][i]not[/i][/b] the move. Drake was no supernatural expert, but it felt like some type of [i]sign[/i] from above. Whatever the hell was above. Drake cupped more water in his hands and then splashed it onto his face as he inhaled deeply.

Drake returned to his room. He put on a tank top and then walked downstairs into the kitchen. Victoria was washing dishes, with the triplets in their high chair eating food... he could, again, hear Amanda and Nikki playing video games in the other room. Drake yawned as he stretched his arms, and Victoria turned to him and smiled,

"Drake, you're up," Victoria said, "Do you want breakfast?"

[color=3874f4]"Yeah,"[/color] Drake started as he grabbed a seat and sat down, [color=3874f4]"... And maybe some antipsychotics?"[/color] Drake laughed.

Victoria whipped her head around and gave Drake a concerned look.

"You had that dream last night, didn't you? About the girl? In the Pit?" Victoria asked.

[color=3874f4]"Ooooh, shit?"[/color] Drake tilted his head as he looked at Victoria. [color=3874f4]"Y-yeah,"[/color] He awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck.

"Amanda and Nikki had the same dream,"

[color=3874f4]"What the fuck?"[/color] Drake said.

"Language!" 

[color=3874f4]"Oops, sorry,"[/color] Drake laughed as he looked at the triplets. [color=3874f4]"But that's more than just a little weird, Toria."[/color]

[i]"You think?"[/i] Victoria laughed, "Is it just us or the others?"

Drake crossed his arms and rolled his eyes, [color=3874f4]"Others as in...?"[/color]

"Members of the Old Coven," Victoria answered. "I mean, there is [i]something[/i] to do with the Stygian Snake in that Recollection, but I'm no supernatural expert."

What came to Drake's mind in terms of supernatural expert was Britney... and he was not going to say one word to the woman as long as people like Luca suffered. [color=3874f4]"I could ask the others but..."[/color] Drake said, shaking his head.

"I understand you may be hesitant to see them after..." Victoria trailed, awkwardly chuckling, "... [i]that incident.[/i]"
[i][h3]"You should punch that bitch in the face again! Form a whole line for her ass![b] WHOOOOO![/b]"[/h3][/i]
Amanda shouted from the other room.

"... [b][i]AMANDA![/i][/b]" Victora shouted back. "The triplets!"

"Oops, sorry!" Amanda shouted before going back to playing video games with Nikki. 

Victoria awkwardly coughed before continuing her thought, "Look, there might be more to this... it could be linked to the murders. I know you made a mistake, but I'm counting on you to help end this."

She looked at Drake before she said, "Even though I know many of us don't want anything to do with each other after the failure of the Old Coven, we have to pull together. Whether we want to or not, we are a part of this."

[color=3874f4]"The Beer Chalice was in the dream, right?"[/color] Drake asked, and Victoria nodded. [color=3874f4]"Maybe I could ask Sully?"[/color]

"I doubt this has anything to do with Sully," Victoria stated. "That cup probably changed hands more times than you can count; didn't it wash up on a beach?" She raised an eyebrow. 

[color=3874f4]"Yeah, but... I don't know,"[/color] Drake shrugged. [color=3874f4]"Maybe having a chat with Sully would be nice. Or maybe I should make sure that nobody dogpiles him."[/color]
 
Victoria nodded, "Maybe you can find out if he's going to be at the Halloween Festival, and we can all talk to him."

[color=3874f4]"Sounds like a plan..."[/color] Drake trailed off before he pulled out his cell phone and prepared to text... before he looked up at Victoria.[color=3874f4]"... You know I ain't been to that festival since I was a teenager."[/color]

"Oh, Amanda and I always go," Victoria chuckled. "We got a costume for you and everything!"

[color=3874f4]"Really?"[/color]

"Yup, you'll [i]love it[/i]," Victoria said, and Drake sent out the text to Sully...

[hr][center][hider][img]https://i.imgur.com/DxcoOgk.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/wlLIFGv.png[/img][/hider][/center][hr]
Drake put the phone on the table dramatically.

[color=3874f4]"Well, Sully's going,"[/color] Drake said. 

"Good," Victoria said. "Hopefully, we can all catch up."

[i][h3]"... And [b][u]not[/u][/b] punch bitches in the face!"[/h3][/i]

[i][b][color=3874f4]"Amanda!"[/color]

"Amanda!"[/b][/i]

Drake and Victoria shouted at the same time.

[hr][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/6D400qM.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/O6LA4nR.png[/img]
[/center][right][b]Interactions:[/b] None[/right][right][b][code]The Phan Office [or whatever tf its called].[/code][/b][/right][hr][hr]

[color=fd8a6c]“... I just… every time I see them, I just think of her… I just can’t help but see [i]her[/i] face and just get reminded of how [i]she[/i] went out.”[/color]

Adora sighed as she stared at the ceiling, lying on this Chaise longue in Lihn Phan’s office. It was time for her weekly session, which she usually took after she was done with work. She took in a deep breath as she continued.

[color=fd8a6c]“I feel like I’m the only person there that gives a damn about [i]any[/i] of this,”[/color] Adora started, [color=fd8a6c]“I’m trying to [i]help[/i] them because everyone it is important to someone like Lisa was to me… but it seems everyone else just… I don’t fucking know. They’re floundering about! When people are [i]dying![/i]”[/color] She expressed her frustration by pounding her fist on the side of the lounge, then sighed.

"Of course." Lihn sat in a comfortable armchair just to the side, looking at Adora with a gaze filled with sympathy. She had a notebook in her lap, with carefully made and sparse notes across the page she had open. "Does it feel like they aren't taking the threat seriously?"

They were in the room she used for therapy sessions - a small, cozy place with simply decorated walls. There was a small table between them, with a glass of water, should Adora want it. A small bookcase sat against a wall, decorated with books varying from those about psychology to romance novels to children's books. A potted succulent sat on the large window spread across the wall to the right of Lihn, with cream linen curtains pulled across them. It meant the room was comfortably lit but private. 

[color=fd8a6c]“Of course not,”[/color] Adora rolled her eyes. [color=fd8a6c]“Fifteen people are dead, and it feels like a popularity contest!”[/color]

"I'm sure that seeing them again was difficult for you. Pushing through those memories without fleeing is brave and shows that you're taking steps forward - slow as they may feel." Lihn smiled softly. "You told me in a previous session that there was always infighting, but everyone came together. I assume it's different now? There's no cohesion at all?"

[color=fd8a6c]“None whatsoever, and I don’t know [i]who[/i] to blame,”[/color] Adora sighed. [color=fd8a6c]“Our esteemed [i]leader[/i], or the lemmings who are more obsessed with everything [i]except[/i] the bigger picture.”[/color]

Adora rolled her eyes.

[color=fd8a6c]“I kinda think striking out on my own would be better, but [i]someone[/i] has to care...”[/color] Adora shrugged. [color=fd8a6c]“Well, it seems my Coven mate Mich - um, sorry, - [i]Lila[/i] cares.”[/color]

“Focusing on blame will only make things more difficult,” Lihn offered. “Is it possible for you to reach out to Lila on her own? It might make it easier for you to attend future meetings and give you someone to work with. While doing something alone may seem easier, it will only further your isolation. Forming a connection with at least one coven mate will be more beneficial for your mental health and safer.”

[color=fd8a6c]“Yeah, I can do that,”[/color] Adora sighed. [color=fd8a6c]“But, there was a dream  I wanted to talk with you about…”[/color]

She looked at Lihn, trying to find the right words for this.

[color=fd8a6c]“It was about this girl I never met - Raven - and she was in this place… the Pit, I think it was called? But, there was this voice talking to me, saying that she was a [i]monster[/i] or something.”[/color]

She looked Lihn dead on as she said,

[color=fd8a6c]“... I guess you’re trying to decide if I need the straight jacket now or later?”[/color] Then she chuckled.

“I wouldn’t put you in a straight jacket,” Lihn smiled reassuringly, though her concern was clear in her eyes. “A dream like that isn’t so strange in a world with magic. It could have been triggered by seeing everyone in your old coven… But if that were the case, the dream would involve people you knew. We can’t disregard the possibility of it being the influence of some kind of magic, like a pink lux user.”

She thoughtfully tapped her fingers on her notebook. “Did this dream feel any different from a normal one? Perhaps it was a warning… Was there more to the dream than this girl, Raven, and the voice talking to you?”

[color=fd8a6c]“I can’t recognize that voice that was talking to me… but if they’re calling the gal, Raven, a monster, it can’t help but feel like a warning,”[/color] Adora started, putting her hands together as she stared at that damn ceiling. [color=fd8a6c]“I honestly dunno where to start… but at the end of the dream, she found a weird ass temple with some… murals? Like what had to be of the Stygian Snake. Like some fucked up shit of people worshipping it… and… fuck… I..”[/color]

She was a little lost on how to phrase what the fuck she saw.

“Take your time. Was there more to these murals than the Stygian Snake and its worshippers?” Lihn prompted Adora, trying to help her express what she wanted to. “Anything that stood out to you. You don’t need to describe the whole thing; just try to concentrate on the main details.”

[color=fd8a6c]“It was like… Fuck, the murals were of crucified people and mini Stygian Snakes? They were coming out of them.”[/color] Adora explained.

Lihn visibly paused, eyes widening slightly. That was a disturbing image. “Coming out of them like in the movie Alien?” Lihn shook her head. “Sorry, an example was unnecessary. That certainly sounds disturbing. Perhaps your dream is showing you a possible future or even an image from the past to both warn and inform you. It’s clear to me that, either way, it’s not a normal dream."

Adora craned her head over towards Lihn and asked, [color=fd8a6c]”... Warning me of [i]what[/i] that’s what my question is?”[/color] Adora said. [color=fd8a6c]”And why [i]now?[/i]”[/color]

That took a lot of work for Lihn to figure out. As a therapist, she could interpret natural dreams for a person’s mental state. As a magical therapist, she understood mental magic better than most. But is it interpreting a dream like this? It wasn’t easy. “It’s difficult to say. It could be a warning of a few things - the girl, Raven, or the risk of the Stygian Snake escaping again. Perhaps the creation of more like it? I’m afraid I can’t give you a definitive answer to that.” She smiled ruefully. “It’s a bit outside of my area of expertise. As for why now? Perhaps its because your coven has reconvened.”

Adora raised her hands in the air, and her finger quoted. 

[color=fd8a6c]”[i]’Reconvened,’[/i]”[/color] Adora flatly said. [color=fd8a6c]”You already know how I feel about [i]that,[/i] doc.”[/color] For once, Adora [i]laughed.[/i]

“Not quite the right choice of words,” Lihn laughed lightly. “Most of you are back in the same city, at least. That could be the trigger.”

Adora sighed.

[color=fd8a6c]”Who knows,”[/color] Adora trailed off, [color=fd8a6c]”Maybe I had a little too much to drink last night, and that’s the last of it!”[/color]

“Perhaps. Drinking can lead to strange dreams.” Lihn then raised an eyebrow. “And why did you drink ‘a little too much’ last night? Was it because of the feelings the ‘meeting’ brought up?”

Adora was silent.

[color=fd8a6c]”I just… yes,”[/color] Adora sighed. [color=fd8a6c]”It’s been a whole ass week, and yet, it didn’t get any better!”[/color] Adora shouted before taking a deep breath and then exhaling.

“Of course, having to face something linked with your trauma will bring up a lot of difficult feelings. It didn’t give you any closure and brought up more problems, right? If you feel up to it, talk me through the exact feelings you’ve been having for the last week.”

[color=fd8a6c]”I don’t know…”[/color] Adora somehow found a way to slump further into the lounge than she was already lying in. [color=fd8a6c]”Just by hanging around them, I just get reminded of [i]her[/i]. I get reminded of [i]that[/i] day.”[/color]

She sighed.

[color=fd8a6c]”Then I just get that creeping feeling again, my heart starts fluttering and I start to feel weak...”[/color]

Lihn nodded. “Because when you were last around them, she was there. You associate the group with her, and that leads to memories of that day. But you recognize that feeling, that’s good. When you start feeling that way, you generally have two options. You remove yourself from the situation, or you learn to handle your emotions and calm down. Do you remember the breathing exercises we did before?”

Lihn smiled, continuing even without an answer. “When you start feeling like that - panicked - start taking deep breaths in and out. Remind yourself that you’re not there if you’re able to; focus on the good memories. You have to remember the good without it leading to the bad to move on. I understand it’s not easy. Just take it step by step.”

Adora nodded her head.

[color=fd8a6c]”Got it, doc.”[/color]

Lihn leaned back, glancing at the time. “That’s the end of our session. Assuming you feel fine to end it here, I’ll see you next week… Ah. Are you going to the Halloween Festival?”

Adora shrugged.

[color=fd8a6c]”The plan is to go.”[/color]

“I think that will be good for you,” Lihn smiled. “I’ll be there too. If you need to at any point during the festival, call me. I can come and help.”

[color=fd8a6c]”Heh,”[/color] Adora chuckled. [color=fd8a6c]”... Hopefully, it won’t come to that, Doc.”[/color]
Adora finally got up, placed her feet on the floor, and stood straight up. She then walked over to Lihn and extended a hand. [color=fd8a6c]”Thank you, Doc, you’re the best.”[/color]

“Of course,” Lihn reached out for Adora’s hand and gave it a warm squeeze rather than a shake. “I hope you enjoy the festival.”

Adora smiled. 

[color=fd8a6c]”Will do, doc.”[/color]

Before she left for her house.[right][b][code]The Phoenix-Prescott Household.[/code][/b][/right][hr][center][hider=Cocaine Model - ZHU][youtube]https://youtu.be/Rr46cDUtPKc?si=qYbpOhvikBOitcEo[/youtube][/hider][/center][hr]Adora pushed the door to her room, and was quick to throw off her clothes - a black hoodie and leggings combo - and turned her attention to her costume that was neatly laid out on her bed. It was a corny costume, one that she thought would be… [i]cute[/i] if one could believe it. It was a retro-style carhop attire, a cyan blue dress with white stripes that ended midthigh, some roller skates, and some short bicycle shorts so she didn’t show any booty if an unfortunate wind came by. She was quick to put it on, sans the roller skates as it was impossible to drive with those damn things on…[right][b][code]The Ferry to Cracker Island.[/code][/b][/right][hr]After a long line, Adora finally got a seat on the ferry to Cracker Island… it wasn’t a place that Adora found herself going to a lot, but it was where they hosted the Halloween Festival. An event she also didn’t typically attend. She sat by the window and played on her phone with her cute little costume on….

… She heard a cane clacking against the ground, and then she looked up to see a tall, older gentleman wearing a dark-grey suit and a black cane. He had to be in his late fifties but looked [i]amazing[/i] for his age… he looked a little bit hot, but Adora had to temper those feelings as she looked up at him.

“... Mind if I have a seat?” He asked.

[color=fd8a6c]“Free country,”[/color] Adora answered, and the man had a seat.

“Your costume looks nice,” He said.

[color=fd8a6c]“So does yours,”[/color] Adora responded. 

“I’m not wearing a costume,” The man flatly.

[color=fd8a6c]“Tryna flirt with me?”[/color] Adora blew him a little kiss.

“You look like you’re the same age as my son,” The man answered.

[color=fd8a6c]“And age is just a number,”[/color] Adora chuckled.

The man rolled his eyes before he extended a hand, “[i]Shayton,[/i]”

[color=fd8a6c]“...That’s a weird name,”[/color] Adora chuckled as she took his hand and shook it.

“It’s not my name,” Shayton answered, “[i]Malik,[/i] but I prefer if I’m called Shayton.”

[color=fd8a6c]“I prefer if you called me,”[/color] Adora smiled, [color=fd8a6c]“What are you doing here? This don’t look like your scene, Shayton.”[/color]

“It isn’t,” Shayton said, “But I just like to go places, you know. Just relax.”

[color=fd8a6c]“... You’re not from around here, are you?”[/color] Adora asked.

Shayton raised an eyebrow at her, “... And [i]what[/i] gave that away?“ He near-sarcastically asked. 

[color=fd8a6c]“Just a hunch,”[/color] Adora turned towards him. 

“I think you look more out of place here,” Shayton said, “Going by yourself?”

[color=fd8a6c]“Yep, I’m a one-woman party,”[/color] Adora said.

“You should be careful,”

Adora narrowed her eyes as she asked,

[color=fd8a6c]“... What does that mean, Shayton?”[/color]

“It’s dangerous in St. Portwell, especially now,”

[color=fd8a6c]“Yeah, I lived here all my life,”[/color] Adora rolled her eyes. [color=fd8a6c]“[i]I[/i] know, but I appreciate the concern… Shayton. That feels weird to say, you know. I’ll just call you [i]Malik[/i].”[/color]

There was a silence as Adora stared daggers into Shayton. He shrugged as he got up and said, “I’ll leave you to it, then.”

Adora didn’t respond as Shayton got up, walked to the ferry's exterior, and stood there. Watching the scenery. She rolled her eyes as she figured that she was almost to Cracker Island. She saw the other ferries that were loaded with people.

Yet she couldn’t help but think about Shayton.

[i]There was more to the old bastard.[/i]


[hr][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/lr2aPKL.jpeg[/img][h1]The PRA.[/h1][/center][right][b]Interactions:[/b] None.[/right][right][b][code]The PRA Headquarters.[/code][/b][/right][hr][hr]

It was time for the morning PRA brief, as they practiced every morning... everyone was gathered in their meeting room. Meifeng is standing with a pulldown projector screen behind her, holding a clipboard. Cindy Keagan was sitting down at the laptop that operated the slides. Meifeng loudly coughed as she addressed the group.

"Alright," Meifeng started as she aimed a pen at everyone, "Director Alcott is going to have a nice little teleconference with us all on our progress. Remember, remain on your shit. That Raid the other day [i]never[/i] happened. And Trevor..." Meifeng stared knives through Trevor.

Trevor awkwardly laughed as the sweat beads trickled down his head.

[i]"... Just don't say anything, Trevor!"[/i]

"See no evil, Agent Liao," Samson chuckled.

Leon Vahan made a gesture as if he had zipped his lips closed. 

"Another coverup?!" Sonya feigned shock, "We already did twenty this week! And it's [i]Tuesday.[/i]"

"Alright, the Director is patching through,"

The room dimmed as Director Alcott was patched through, and the Director appeared on the projector screen… as a shadowy figure with poofy black hair. None of the Director’s features could be made out, but many of the Agents in the room had seen the Director in person. The enigmatic Director made a finger tent as they said,

“Good morning,”

“Good morning, Director!” The Agents said in return.

“How have you all been?” Director Alcott asked.

“I’ve been good,” Samson shrugged.

“I [i]finally[/i] grew back my arms and legs!” Sonya excitedly said.

“I’ve been great, Director,” Nakala said.

“Holding on,” Cindy said.
“I think all the Agents have been doing fine under my watch.”

“How is St. Portwell treating you, Maximilian?” Director Alcott addressed Maximilian directly.

Maximilian shrugged.

“It’s nice,” Maximilian started, “It’s [i]much[/i] better than I originally thought it’d be.”

“Now, to get down to business…” The Director stated, “This is my monthly update on your progress in securing the Stygian Snake.”

The Director let their words hang in the air as they asked,

“... So, what have you done to secure the Snake?”

 Meifeng looked off to the side, grimacing as she said, “In terms of progress… we have made no progress.” 

“So…” Director Alcott let their words hang in the air, “... Why exactly are you wasting time and resources brutalizing peaceful gatherings?“

Meifeng froze like a deer in the headlights; she turned around and faced Trevor, who smiled and shrugged before facing the projector screen.

“Director,” Meifeng said, “I was just-”

“Agent Liao, behavior like [i]that[/i] gives the PRA a bad name… we are not tyrants that bully the city,” The Director was very calm with their words, “We are supposed to be [i]helping[/i] St. Portwell. We are supposed to be quelling the chaos in the city.”

Meifeng was silent.

“I appreciate your work during the Lighthouse incident-” Everyone except Akira and Claudette winced. “-and I recommended you for this position, but if we have any more little [i]hiccups[/i] like that… then I’ll be reconsidering your position, clear?”

Meifeng sighed.

“... Clear, Director.”

“Now, I anticipated that you wouldn’t have made progress on locating the Stygian Snake,” Director Alcott said, “So, I’m going to give this order straight from the top…”

The words made Meifeng grimace. 

“... Everyone is released to head to the Halloween Festival, or home,” One could not make out Director Alcott’s features with sight alone, but Meifeng could just [i]feel[/i] the warm smile they put on. “It seems like fun.”

Meifeng sighed out of relief before she turned to the PRA,

“... You are all on call; however, if something [i]does[/i] happens,” Meifeng adds the caveat, and everyone nods.

“Now, I have nothing more to say,” Director Alcott said, “What’s your motto again?”

Meifeng opened her mouth, but Trevor beat her to it,

“... [i]Just the tip![/i]” Trevor shouted with a hand raised in the air. 

“... Tre-[b][i]TREVOR![/i][/b]” Meifeng screamed, her voice cracking.

“Okay,” Director Alcott said, chuckling as they shouted, raising their fist.
[h3][i]”JUST THE TIP!”[/i][/h3]
Everyone stood up, with a fist in the air, and shouted,
[h1][i]”JUST THE TIP!”[/i][/h1] 

Meifeng’s face was [i]beet red[/i] as she stomped over to Trevor, grabbed him by his collar, and said, “I’m going to [i]kill you[/i]…” She paused. “... [i]And then I’m going to kill you [b]again.[/b][/i]”

“Hey now,” Cindy chuckled as she looked at the group. “How about we meet here in our costumes in a few hours before we go?”

Meifeng craned towards Cindy, letting go of Trevor as she said, “[i]Wonderful idea![/i] We meet here at four?”

Maximilian raised an eyebrow, shrugging, “I didn’t pack a costume.”

Samson chuckled, “Me neither.”

“Don’t worry,” Trevor said, “I got you [i]covered.[/i]”

[right][b][code]Later on….[/code][/b][/right][hr]

The PRA Agents had reformed in their meeting room… except they were all dressed up in costume. Nakala was dressed as Morticia Addams. Sonya was dressed as a “sexy cop” with booty shorts (despite not having much of one) and stockings. Claudette was dressed as a Librarian with a scarf around her neck. Bianca was dressed as a werewolf, with cute wolf ears and over-the-top makeup. Akira and Helena were not dressed up at all and were wearing regular ahh clothes. While Trevor, Maximilian, Fiona, Leon, and Samson were dressed as the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. They were the Red, Blue, Pink, Yellow, and Black Power Rangers, respectively, and Samson loudly sighed as he said,

[i]"... Real fucking funny, Trevor." [/i]

“... Wasn’t the Yellow Power Ranger a [i]girl?[/i]” Leon Vahan said.

“Don’t be sexist,” Trevor said, “Today she’s a boy!”

“That has nothing to do with… never mind,”

Then, the two top Agents, Meifeng Liao and Cindy, came in… wearing matching cutesy French maid outfits, both holding feather dusters.

Immediately, everyone broke out laughing.

“What?” Meifeng said as she smiled. “Aren’t we [i]adorable?[/i]”

Cindy wrapped her arms around Meifeng’s torso, smiling like a fool.

“Ohmygod- Yeah, totally adorable,” Bianca covered her mouth to stifle her laughter. She then looked around at everyone with a grin. “Oh man, I haven’t been to the Halloween festival since I was a teen- it’s great. As the resident St Portwell local, I can give anyone who wants it a tour… Show you all the best spots and the like.”

“I think you’re the only one here from St. Portwell!” Leon Vahan said. 

“If you don’t mind,” Meifeng said. “It’s not fair to make you play tour guide if you don’t want to.”

“I don’t mind,” Bianca replied. “It’s an opportunity to show off the place!”

“Alright, unless anyone has [i]anything[/i] to say,” Cindy put both her hands together and then pushed them outwards. “Let’s get out of here. I, for one, am [i]sick[/i] of looking at this room!”

“Agreed,” Maximilian said as he stood up.

Everyone funneled out of the room, but as they were leaving, Meifeng said, “Remember, we’re on call!” She started. 

“... And have fun!”

[hr][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/5WCjcc2.jpeg[/img][h1]The 8th Street Coven.[/h1][/center][right][b]Interactions:[/b] None.[/right][right][b][code]Earlier in the day... The 8th Street Manor: Greta's Lab.[/code][/b][/right][hr][hr]


Gretchen (Or Greta) Faust's [url=https://i.imgur.com/CXgzuUg.jpeg]Lab [/url]was a sanctuary for the girl. It was her little slice of the 8th Street Mansion, which [i]everyone[/i] got, but Greta made it clear that it was hers and no one was allowed in there without her permission. For a good reason, as there have been incidents in the past where people used the wrong potion or ended up setting off her explosive potions. As she typically was, Greta was completely knocked out at her desk, and the room was pitch black except for the glow her potions created. Taking naps was just typical for the overworking Greta, but what was not typical was the fact she had on only a white bra and panties. She snored [i]incredibly[/i] loud.

... The door was pushed open, and the light came on; Greta raised her head towards the door, feeling that strand of drool come down from her face. She saw Jacqueline and Miranda inside, and their eyes shot open, and their faces went red.

"Oh my God, sorry!" Miranda raised her hands, turning her head off to the side, not to see any more of Greta.

"... This is why you knock," Greta shook her head as she walked towards the coat rack and put on a long white lab coat, buttoning it up. Then wiped the drool she had left.

"Again, we're sorry," Jacqueline ran a hand through her hair.

"Now, what can I help you with?" Greta asked, leaning against her desk.

The two girls nodded at each other.

"Annabelle," Miranda started, "We need you to start working on some kind of cure for her."

Greta shook her head.

"Good grief," Greta started as she walked over to her glowing wall of green potions (the healing ones), "First your sister wants me to make all these damn potions all the time, and now you want me to take on [i]another[/i] problem?" She narrowed her eyes at the two.

"It's important... we don't know what's wrong with her..." Miranda said.

"That's rich coming from the girl with the Omnicient book," Greta rolled her eyes.

"Look," Jacqueline said as she pulled the Expert's Book from her armpit, walked over to Greta's desk, and placed it on it, opening it up. It was currently full of information on The Hunger... which was primarily useless information on the Curse's origins (a dimension she had never heard of) and all the people currently infected with it... but what was most essential was that the curse grew [i]stronger[/i] the more people the infected consumed. 

The Book gave [i]zero[/i] information on how to cure it.

Greta leaned over and scanned the book before she turned to Jacqueline and said, "I'm going to need some time to examine the contents of this." She pushed her glasses up her nose. "However, I have something more pressing I'm working on."

The two twins raised their eyebrows with open mouths as Greta walked over to a large glowing vat with her hands behind her back. When she approached the vat, she pivoted around on her heel and kept her face turned upwards as if looking down on [i]them...[/i] even though she was one of 8th Street's shortest members. She began her speech,

"As you two are aware, members of the Old Coven are being dropped like flies," Greta started, "That is not what I am working on... but I am under the impression that this may have something to do with the Stygian Snake, or someone might be working to release the Stygian Snake."

She placed a hand against the large metal vat and continued, "I am going to assume that the worst possible outcome [i]will[/i] take place, and the Stygian Snake [i]will[/i] escape. Which is why I am developing a [i]special[/i] potion in case [i]that[/i] occurs."

She adjusted her glasses.

"Don't you have a little bit of ti-" Miranda tried to say before Greta shot her down.

"No, I do [i]not,[/i]" Greta said. "We are preparing for [i]war,[/i] aren't we?"

The Reed twins were silent.

[i]"... Aren't we?"[/i]

Jacqueline and Miranda sighed simultaneously as they spoke in a strange unison.

[i]"... Yes,"[/i]

Greta walked to the side of the two, then gave them the side eye as she said,

"We can figure out how to fix Annabelle after this blows over," Greta said before she sighed. [i]"Deal?"[/i]

They were quiet before they said,

"... [i]Deal,[/i]" The Reed Twins said at the same time.

"Very well," Greta started, "Now, if you're not going to help me create potions, I have business to attend to."

"What? Sleeping naked on your desk?" Jacqueline snorted.

"Yes, in fact," Greta adjusted her glasses, "I am."

The two Reed twins rolled their eyes as they walked out, and Greta sat back down on her desk... and braced her face into her arms.[right][b][code]Current time. The 8th Street Manor: Main Hall.[/code][/b][/right][hr]It was finally time for the Halloween Festival! 

The two Reed sisters skipped into the main hall, holding hands, wearing light-pink princess dresses and pink shoes, and having silvery tiaras. They were both wearing identical costumes that made it [i]very[/i] hard to tell them apart... and they looked around at the other members of the 8th Street Coven and their costumes. The first person that caught their eye was George, who had dressed as a Spartan with a red cape slung over his shoulder, a brown kilt and belt, wrist cuffs, and a helmet. He exposed his muscular body as he sat down in the chair. The next person who caught their eye was Nadine, who had painted a skeleton on her face and hands; everything else was concealed by a blue sweater with a long red skirt and high heels, making her [i]even taller[/i]. Aaron dressed up like an astronaut, and Malik dressed like a Pirate. Brianna was dressed as a Safari Guide with a Khaki dress shirt, shorts, and a guide hat. Lee and Flora were matching, dressed as knights, while Flora had the Aegis Piercer in hand. Greta was dressed up as Nina Cortex with blue body paint, a black shirt, and a skirt with a red tie… Maya was dressed up as an angel, with a white lace tube top, a puffy skirt that barely covered her ass, a halo, and small, feathered wings she’d spent the last week meticulously making.

Vashti entered from a side room, yanking the tail of her costume free from the door as it closed on it. She was dressed in an alligator onesie that was one size too large, the mouth that doubled as the costume hood drooped over her face. She pushed up the rows of felt teeth and grinned at Maya as she said, “Wow, bro, great costume as always. I’ve never seen someone do slutty chicken before!”

There were the difficult-to-ignore sounds of someone roller skating into the room, and presenting herself was Phoebe Carmicheal. She was wearing a bright red leather leotard with devil horns, holding a trident. She had on black roller skates as she passed Vashti, blowing some bubblegum.

“Sis, don’t do my girl like that!” Phoebe shouted as she skated over to Maya and hugged her. “That said…. You forgot the roller skates!” 

“Yeah, I’m an angel, Vashti; you need to get your eyes checked,” Maya sneered, leaning into the hug and wrapping an arm around Phoebe’s waist. “Wait, shit, I knew there was something else I had to buy last week! Fuck, does anyone have a spare pair of roller skates… Where’s Carol?”

“... Right here!” Carol shouted, dressed up for a Roller Derby with roller skates herself, elbow and knee pads, and a pink helmet. She had on pink shorts and a lime green shirt. “I only got like two fucking pairs… I don't know why everyone acts like I gotta billion fucking pairs of roller skates! Your shoe size better be a six!”

“Well, you’re always wearing them, so,” Maya shrugged. Damn. Someone eternally a kid had a bigger shoe size than her. But she wasn’t going to admit that! She could grab some socks to stuff them with if she had to. “I am, so let me borrow your other pair.”

“You know the deal, Maya,” Carol put her fists on her hips as she said, “You gotta help me buy some booze first!”

“Carol, calm down!” Phoebe laughed. “You’re like fourteen!”

“I don’t give a fuck!”

“Mm, I dunno, dude. We’re all a little too mature to be giving liquor to kids,” said Vashti, her face squinching as she took a swig from an open bottle of bottom-shelf schnapps that had fished out from somewhere inside her gator costume. She gagged and offered it to Phoebe. “Shit, I mean, soooo good. Shot?”

“You don’t have to tell me twice,” Phoebe downed the shot.

Carol crossed her arms, 

“Motherfucker… I’m twenty-[i][b]FUCKING[/b][/i]-four!” Carol rolled her eyes. “You know that… you know what? Fuck it!” Carol waved her hand away.

“Hey, don’t worry,” Maya lowered her voice, covering the side of her mouth towards Vashti as if she couldn’t hear her. She pointed to a small, white handbag at her feet. “I got some in my bag; you can have it.”

Carol grinned like a goblin and whispered, “Thank you, Vashti is a motherfucker.”

“You know, Vashti, that costume is hilarious,” Jacqueline giggled as the two went over to Emily, sitting at her throne, wearing her favorite green dress with her arms crossed, watching this unfold. The two Reed sisters walked over to Emily, and the girl raised her eyebrow as the twins smiled at her. 

“... Yes?” Emily asked.

Miranda wiggled her hips as she said, “... Where’s your costume?” 

“I don’t have one,” Emily rolled her eyes as she spoke, “I’m going as [i]myself.[/i]” She turned her nose upwards and touched her chest as she spoke.

“That’s boring!” Jacqueline shouted.

“Hold on!” Miranda raised a finger before the two disappeared into the halls of the 8th Street Manor. A few minutes later, they returned, and Emily’s eyes shot open as they both held a ridiculous green dragon onesie. It was enormous, with a hole in the mouth where her face would be. Emily twisted her face at the sight as the two presented it before her.

“I. Am. [i]Not.[/i] Wearing-” [right][b][code]Cracker Island. The Halloween Festival.[/code][/b][/right][hr]Emily was at the Halloween Festival wearing the costume.

Emily was hunched forward, with her eyes closed and an expression on her face implying that she wanted to [i]die.[/i] She was being dragged forward through the crowds of people… and as far as the eye could see, there were stands selling food, drinks, or some product. However, Emily could only groan as her two little sisters skipped alongside her. The 8th Street Coven was one giant, hard-to-ignore group… led by the Reed Twins. Who came to a stop as they asked,

“What do you guys want to do first?!” Jacqueline excitedly said.

“... [i]Kill myself,[/i]” Emily rolled her eyes.

"Go on then," Maya sneered. It wasn't as snide as her comments towards Emily normally would be - because she was trying her hardest not to fucking fall over. As normal, she held Phoebe's hand… but it was more like a death grip than a cutesie handhold. "Let's get drinks first!"

“Eat a dick, Maya…” Emily let go of her sisters and put her face in her hands.

“Yaaaaaaas!” Phoebe said, “So you can fall on your ass because you [i]really[/i] aren’t good at roller skating, are you?”

"I'm going to fall on my ass anyway!" Maya half-wailed, grabbing Phoebe's arm when she nearly slipped. "I said I wasn't good at it."

“You better not fuckin’ break those! Those were expensive!” Carol chided.

“It’s cool; just ask Emily for an advance on your allowance, dude,” said Vashti. She agreed with Maya for once—drinks were a must, but the lines were too long. “I’m not missing the haunted mansion again this year.”

“George!” Vashti yelled and spun on her feet, not realizing the large Spartan was behind her. Vashti grabbed the tail of her crocodile costume and wrung it in her hands as she twisted side to side with a flirtatious smile. “Oh, George. Hey, we’re all gonna get in line for the haunted mansion. Could you grab us all drinks? I’ll save you a spot. I wouldn’t feel safe going in without being protected by a big, strong Trojan.” 

George smiled as he flexed his muscles and said, “... Sure th-”

“Are you [i]seriously[/i] expecting this big motherfucker not to break all our drinks?!” Carol shouted, laughing as she jammed an elbow into his side. “Lemme go with you, George! You’ll fuck it up if you don’t.”

“Looks like we’re splitting up?” Miranda turned on her heel. “We’ll hit up the haunted house later; I’m kinda hungry.”

“I’ll stick with you two,” Emily said.

“Where are we going?” Maya looked at Phoebe, who she was planning to stick with because what was the point of a matching costume if you weren’t together? Plus, she needed the physical support. “Can we go into the haunted house with roller skates?”

“I don’t know, but honestly,” Phoebe said as she roller-skated. “Getting drunk would make this lame-ass festival [i]so[/i] much better. So, let’s get fuuuuuuucked up! [i][b]WHOOOOOOOO![/b][/i]” Phoebe screamed. 

“Heh, that I can agree with,” Maya grinned. “Let’s get drunk, then hit the haunted house! It’ll be way better then.”

“Let’s then steal candy from the kiddos!” Phoebe shouted. 

That was when the 8th Street Coven went their separate ways.