[hr][hr][center][img]https://i.postimg.cc/SR52k84p/54b4e63d635603b22d80f72a4ba2be54.png[/img][hr][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/019a36d3-4be9-7616-9783-4fa7574f5e95.webp[/img][hr][@Morose][@Achronum][@Blizz][@Forsythe][@Kirah][@PatientBean][@Trainerblue192][hr][h3][color=AC3EFF][b]Morning - Thr. December 16th, 2038 - New Orleans, Louisiana[/b][/color][/h3][/center][hr]	It all came down to this. 

	The Young Avengers, reigning victors of the Contest of Champions, had taken the field. They were joined by their opponents, the underdog team of Excelsior. Neither team had their usual coach for the final conflict. The Vision had recused himself, as he found himself loyal to both teams. The eyes of the world were upon them - of worlds, potentially, as the match was streamed in this universe and the next. And as much as victory would bring glory - the potential to be recruited for the Avengers, commercial deals, a unique Fortnite skin - those more material accolades were the furthest thing from the Young Avengers’ minds as they faced their challengers. 

	They didn’t compete in the Contest of Champions for the promise of a prize. 

	They did it to get stronger - to face the very best and walk away all the better for it. 

	(Well, maybe [i]Tommy[/i] did it for the glory). 

	And with the blow of a whistle, the match commenced. 

	“Come on, we got this!” Patriot cheered, swinging his shield up in the air - the dazzling lights of the arena reflecting off of its polished surface. “Plan Hotel, Omega, Tango! And Speed, Cassie, America, Hulkling? You all look sick as hell today.” The confidence oozed off of him like a sponge - an aura that was absorbed by his teammates, as they rallied behind him and the Patriot charged forward, forming an offensive front line, shield at the ready for anything Excelsior could try to hit him with.

	“Fuck yeah, we do!” America cheered, kicking off from the ground and flying forward, a maniac’s grin on her face. With that flying leap, she swung at Leah, connecting with the younger girl’s jaw. The sheer momentum sent Leah falling backwards, prone on the ground, her jaw aching, throbbing - not broken, but [i]definitely[/i] bruised as hell. America shook her hand out, the smile not leaving her. 

	And she was not the only one to go for Excelsior’s bruiser. Hulkling flew forward as well, his green wings carrying him as he cleared the gap between himself and Leah. With Leah on the ground, he took two swings at her, the second hurting more than the last, as he landed two blows. Even if Leah managed to get back on her feet, there would be no running - not with two members of the vanguard upon her. 

	“You feeling flirty today, Patriot?” Speed teased, his movements a blur as he rushed back and forth across the field - pausing for a brief second to wink at Sabine. And then he moved his arms faster than the eye could see, before bringing them together in a thunderous [i]crack[/i] - a pure wave of force emanating outwards, colliding with Excelsior’s telepath. The attack was meant to stun, to disorient and disarm - but Sabine was no stranger to stress and pressure, allowing her to retain her focus. This didn’t deter Tommy, however, as he continued to run, subtly moving folks and such out of the way, clearing a path.

	A path for Kate Bishop. 

	In the back line, next to her wizard, the archer had an arrow knocked. She couldn’t use actual arrows per the rules of the contest - so the tips were either dulled or had plungers attached to them, preventing lethal damage. “Damn, what we are, chopped liver?” Kate commiserated with Wiccan, before spotting the opening Tommy had created for her. 

	She let an arrow loose, and it whizzed past Sabine’s ear. A second arrow had the same result. She was going for headshots. Difficult to do, but oh so satisfying to land. 

	“Mm, I think they’re just jealous,” Wiccan countered. “Ithinkyou’recoolashell,” he cast, a flash of blue emanating from him, before the same color shone on Kate’s bow. 

	She grinned at him, before letting the shot fly - and with that magical boost, this time it hit its mark, a plunger arrow connecting squarely with Sabine’s forehead, sending the telepath stumbling backwards, dazed. 

	“Iwantoprotectmyself Iwanttoprotectmyself Iwanttoprotectmyself,” Wiccan chanted, repeating the spell for a second time before he felt the enchantment take hold. He knew enough D&D and had enough experience to know that a squishy vulnerable wizard was a [i]dead[/i] squishy vulnerable wizard. 

	And he wasn’t the only one thinking of things in D&D terms. The last member of the Young Avengers was currently showing off their expertise in stealth, so tiny as to go unnoticed - until at the last second, Cassie Lang grew rapidly in size, her fist connecting with Dorian’s stomach, taking the other mage by surprise. The punch was more stunning than it was painful, as Cassie gave him somewhat of an apologetic smile. 

[hider=Conditions]Leah was knocked prone - she cannot use movement in her post.

Sabine was stunned by Kate’s headshot - her next action will have disadvantage.[/hider]