Matthew looked into the car, grabbing his own carrier and sticking a finger into one of the small holes. "Hey buddy, how're you feeling about all this huh? Hopefully all these new scents and sounds aren't going to be too overwhelming." Carroll nuzzled against his finger, purring as if he didn't have a care in the world. Matthew opened up the carrier and snapped his fingers above his shoulder, allowing Carroll to run along his arm and up his shoulder, nuzzling against his neck until he finally curled around it and laid down. One of the best things to come from Colbys friendship was his aptitude to train cats to listen and do things Matthew had never thought they could do. If they were going to continue this venture then he wouldn't want for Carroll to be trapped in a carrier the whole way.
"Best thing you've ever taught him. Honestly it should make this whole ordeal a lot easier." Matthew sighed as he leaned against the door of the car, teetering back and forth fort a moment as he scratched his cats head. [Color=99CC00]"What a mess this all is. Do you think it'll be like this all the time now? Chased by a dragon and constantly escaping death? Or will we be able to slow down and have a cuppa with some lovely sweets to eat?">/color] His eyes didn't meet Colbys gaze. Not wanting to have him see the worry in his eyes while simultaneously wishing Colby would gently lift his chin to have them meet eyes. But he wasn't the type, not usually.
As the final roots had dislodged from inside of him, it appeared the challenge had ended. The flower in Victors hand glowing brighter and brighter until it blinded them both. Once the light had settled and the forest returned, Salem noticed the flower sitting atop the pedestal as a ruby figurine. Before he could say anything, Victor had picked it up and placed it with the other token, lifting Salem into his arms as his sight presumably left him once more. Salem looked upon the pedestal and read the new riddle before them.
“Behind you now are paths laid bare where nothing but life once stood. Take your left and find your home without a backwards glance. Keep your eyes ahead now lest wandering thoughts drag you down.”
Up until this point Salem had been wrong on every riddle. Having no real talent for such things. He looked to Victor and thought about what the saying could mean and how badly they may get lost if he got it wrong. "We are headed out of this exam. I don't believe we have enough time for the challenges ahead, and the last one was taxing enough as is. From the looks of it this riddle is saying we should head left of the pedestal, making sure tk keep our eyes straight, and our minds focused on thr task at hand. No matter what we hear, we shouldn't turn our heads or look back." He wasn't sure how easy it would be to keep his thoughts from wavering, but the very least he would be able to focus on leaving this forsaken forest and meet up with the other examinees.
"Agent Moss, its as if you read my mind. The paralytic can be placed within an ICER. I was actually hoping that it would be capable of slowing Captain America down enough to allow you a window to use your powers. I don't have such abilities like you or the others aboard this mission. My weapon is my mind and my power is years of intensive training. I do look ever so forward to seeing you in action Agent Moss. Well all of you really." Kwassi boarded onto the quinjet and took the first available seat, being in the back near Flynn where he could keep an eye on most all thr agents. His gave turned to follow Bonnie, and then further towards the restroom where Agent Bautista was. The file on her didn't state if she had some form of OCD that forced her to tell others of her bowel movements but if that's the worst of it then they should be able to manage.
Kwassi had noticed as another Agent opted to stay behind. It appeared they were looking for another Agent, one missing in the field. He would be lying to say he wasnt the least bit interested in this mystery. Wishing he could be in more places then one as he sat back and buckled in. He closed his eyes and took in a deep breath. "So how do these missions typically go? I assume we will be following Agent Reeds point but beyond that is there some semblance of a plan?" Kwassi opened his eyes and looked about the quinjet as he awaited a response.
Max was expecting some kind of negative response towards him opening the portal. Ready to hear the team ask him why he hadnt tried this sooner, gotten them out quicker, as if using his powers were any kind of simple. He braced himself to hear the backlash but it hadnt come. Everyone was too tired and too sick it appeared. James, Casper, and Glimpse making it through the portal. What he hadn't considered was Sunshine telling him he should've died in place of Magik. His face was now downcast and he became more solidified in wanting to bargain with the Demon Casper kept muttering about. Perhaps his transition into the Mutant Underground would be easier if he was able to save Magik and please Sunshine. That all went out the window as soon as he heard her blame him for her death. Telling Colossus that he was the cause for her murder. He expected vitriol from her, but never to this level.
Before he could even speak, his eyes snapped forward as he watched Colossus charge at him and knock him back and to the ground. His world turned upside down as his mind began to spin and he became extremely dizzy. His concentration was lost and the portal closed. Max blinked once, twice, as he saw that Callie and Jack were still on this side of the portal, trapped with sirens closing in on them and their sounds becoming extremely near. Max gasped for air to fill his lungs before immediately flipping over and vomiting on the ground beneath him. All he was able to hear was the sounds of his empty stomach spilling bile and then Callie and Jack coming to his defense. If he was being honest, he didn't expect that. He expected more physical approaches, or even allowing Colossus to kill him so that he wouldnt be their problem anymore. No one would know they stood back and did nothing. Max gathered his strength and pushed himself off the ground, now on his knees as he quickly conjured up another portal.
It was larger this time, now horizontal as it encompassed Jack, Max, Callie, and Colossus. Taking them all to the old mutant underground. He gasped once more, taking sharp breaths as he tried to get his lungs to feel full but the shortness was taking over. "I. Didn’t. Kill. Her." He spoke gasping between words. Max turned onto his back, laying down as his head spun more and more. His concentration broken from the portal as it closed. He wasnt sure if he could get them back to the new underground. But at the very least they were out of public eye and away from the cops.
Echo
Location: George Washington University Skills: SoundnWave Manipulation, Laser
Ok. Too much was happening too fast. How his sister didn't have any greys was beyond him. Echo watched at Polaris went haywire and focused only on Sapphire. Tossing a car her way only to have Waverly knock it out with a sonic wave. That was so fetch. He gave her the smile a proud father would have before skating past her. "See, I knew you could do it kid! Now then we need to wrap this up." He spun in place and faced Havok, having heard Veil yelling at him earlier and seeing his constant dilemma made this a much tougher situation than it needed to be. "Sorry blondie but we dont have time for this, Supergirl feel free to save her if you like but I'm done 0layong games." Echo turned to face Polaris and hit a high note, a blast of light forming just outside his mouth and careening straight for the mistress of magnetism. With one hit she was knocked out, giving them time to try and escape.
Echo skated away from the party towards the car, trying to start it up when he noticed it wasn't turning over. "Damn it!" He made his way back to the group, seeing the Sentinel was no longer dancing and their time kept getting shorter and shorter. Echo looked straight at Andy as he yelled "Hey sparky! Think you can use your powers to jump-start a car? There's something wrong with it." Echo shot a laser towards the newly arrived robot of doom. Seeing his laser take no effect as it appeared to have a sheild protecting it from his lasers. "Uh...I can't touch it. But I can provide some support. He looked at Waverly, unsure if she was still shaken up but hoping that her newest feat allowed her to gain some confidence in herself. Echo skated to her side and began to sing.
"🎵This is your fight song Take back your life song Prove you're alright song Your power's turned on Starting right now you'll be strong I'll play your fight song And you don't really care if nobody else believes 'Cause you've still got a lot of fight left in you🎵"
Providing a stream of music and soundwaves for Waverlys disposal if she so wishes. Bardic Inspiration
Matthew shrugged as Tink gave him a look. He wasn’t quite sure what was bothering her, seeing as how they were just in a high tense situation. He thought about it for a moment, deciding it wasn't worth the effort and that if she had an issue with him she could either keep it to herself or go back to Pixie Hollow. For once he felt fine, had some semblance of confidence, and he was getting to spend more time than ever with Colby. Sure there was an evil faerie that had the power to turn into a dragon after them, but that was an issue for the future and not the here and now. He felt as Colby let go of his hand, nodding towards him as he was asked if he wanted to help with their supplies.
Matthew followed him out of thr warehouse and towards the car, once out of earshot he opened with "Whats with Tink?" completely caught off guard as Colby both praised him and scolded him? Warned him? It was hard to read and definitely soured the mood a bit. Matthew looked down at his feet, kicking up some dirt as he pulled on his shirt. "I-I know. I-I need to be more careful b-but. I couldn't let her hurt you." He had always wanted to find his parents, talk to them, see them and spend some time with them but...the more time he was spending with Colby recently the more he was beginning to feel that he was finding himself in him. Maybe he didn't need his parents? But he knew he needed Colby. He grabbed his carrier as well as his fathers hat, placing it on his head as he watched Colby lovingly, allowing a smal smile to creep onto the corner of his lips.
Demetri breathed through clenched teeth as the pain coursed through him. He was kind of hoping that being the child of Zeus meant that he was immune to or at keast resistant to the damage that lightning could do. His breathing began to slow down, the pace steadying from three quick sharp exhales and a large inhale to a nice and even inhale ans exhale. He mustered just enough energy to be able to speak out to and correct Jason. "Lightning yes. These storms no. That's Poseidons domain. Besides... He took another deep breath "I don't think he likes me all that much." Demetri removed his hand, a slight stickiness to it all as some singed blood left strings behind and he inspected his wound. It didn't look great, but he wasnt dead.
Demetri tilted his head back as he heard footsteps approaching. Alannah seemed to be offering him a bottle. He looks at it funny until she mentioned it would help heal him. Eager to rid himself of the pain he took the bottle and drank from it. Its taste was sweet, and smooth, almost creamy as he removed the lip from his lips and looked at the concoction once more. "Is this actually ambrosia? or is itsome other honeyed drink?" As he spoke he felt his breathing regulate and the wound began to close. "Either way thank you, can't say that was pleasant" With that he made his way back up towards the Upper Deck of the Argo III
Kwassi smiled at Agent Reed as she addressed him. Nodding along in affirmation that he was in fact here now and that that was what truly mattered. There was a slight jerk to his walk as he heard that Baptiste had opted to leave the mission via window. Her file wasn't as extensive as the others had been, however he was fairly sure there was flight somewhere involved. Not only as the pilot but as a power in and of itself. It was a bold, and otherwise stupid move, however it showed her feelings and intentions as she symbolically left out of the same window Director Hill had mentioned Captain America did. It appeared Flynns numbers were already increasing. "No questions thus far Agent Reed. I have a few paralytic's on me that may help to slow him down if need be. They haven’t been tested on super soldiers but im sure they'll come in handy."
Theresa Sparks seemed to join the pair, letting Reed know that she was staying behind. Was her emotions leaning towards defecting too? Or did she just not feel right for the mission? Kwassi would have to see how it played out. However, their leaders message about how they could choose to stay behind or follow through with a less than ideal mission allowed for him to speak freely and hope that Flynn and others may understand his position. "I will do what ever is right Agent Reed. I will follow you onto this mission." He hoped the hot headed jock was bright enough to realise those were two separate statements. One stating he would do what he felt was correct in regards to Captain America, and another stating he would follow Reed into this excursion.
Salem sighed in relief as he watched the vines fall lifeless onto the ground and the mages body toppled over. He was breathing hard, an adverse effect from what ever that mage had done. He took a few deep breathes as he witnessed Victor grab something from the cabin, noticing a glow in one hand and a sword in the other. He sat down on the ground, taking whatever solace he could in knowing his life was no longer in any immediate danger. He listened to Victor explain how Edmond used his magic, taking a mental note to research further applications for this technique if at all possible. A sharp pain now jabbing at his chest as his hearing slolwy gave out and all his senses dulled to give way to the excruciating sensation now presenting itself in his lungs. Before Salem could grab the sword he doubled over, falling to his side as his body forced him into the fetal position and all that could be heard were sharp gasps of air.
Salem could feel tiny legs crawling up his esophagus, mustering any strength he had left to help flip himself over onto all fours. He began hacking and coughing as saliva began to dribble out and all he could do was dry heave for a moment. After a few sharp breathes he finally pushed hard enough, his stomach retracting and his diaphragm helping to expell whatever was lodged within him. Small root systems came flying out of his mouth and landed on the ground. Each having Salem heavy breathing between spews as his eyes remained wide open in horror at what was coming out from within him. His eyes slowly and shakily turned to see the pile of ashes with roots bursting through, wondering how much longer until he would've ended up in a similar situation. With a final heave he dislodged the rest of the plants within him, letting out a feral scream of pain.
There was a brief moment of satisfaction as Matthew looked on at the wounds he had left Maleficent. Heck even the words he had spoken filled him with a sense of pride and bravery as he saw what he was capable of when defending the guy he loved. Erm liked? Loved? It all washed away however as he noticed the sheild still dissipating and her flames growing larger as he began to wonder what the heck it is he had just done. He put a massive target on his back and he wasn't sure how well he would be able to hold it. His eyes dashed around seeing as everyone was doing their part, even Wednesday Adams seemed to be going toe to toe with the draconic witch. Matthew had thought about stealing another round of knives when suddenly he felt a tug at his arm.
His weight was being pulled and his feet moving backwards rapidly as he finally turned around to see Colby was pulling them through the portal. Matthews heart began to pump louder and louder in his chest. A mixture of adrenaline, fear, and hormones that had him looking at the back of Colbys strong shoulders and thinking 'Damn'. He quickly held the boy close to him from behind, giving him a tight squeeze before letting go and seeing Tink along with some fresh faces. "Tink! Merlin can't hold the portal open much longer he needs help! Maleficent is on the other side attacking us." His cheeks were flushed and pink as he thought about how she may of seen him holding Colby just moments before.
Max felt himself lose a bit of hope as they walked out and Callie let them know of the slashed tired. Ofcourse the only other option that was laid out for them was literally stealing from the elderly. This wasn't a good look on mutants and it wasn't a good look in general. Max looked about nervously hoping there weren't anymore purifiers as he watched Glimpse make her way to the van and just smash in the windows. This wasnt right, they needed to find another way. [Ai]He[/i] needed to find another way. His attention was grabbed by Casper repeatedly shouting Holy Shit over and over again as Max turned to see the life draining out of Magik. James rushed to her side and tried to do his best to heal her, but nothing seemed to be working. Even Sunshine began to pray to Greek gods in a futile attempt to save her life. Max knew she meant something to the little disease bag, and his heart broke to see her lose something more.
Max immediately began to study the Pentagram for any strange markings, runes, letters, or symbols. Anything to give a hint of who it was that Casper was rambling on about. What Max would give to see what Casper could. He let out a sharp breath at his frustration. Finding nothing but a basic shape and no real lead besides what information Casper had given them. "We need to go. Now. Te itrepa latrop ni silucinuc sienarretbus." Max closed his ring and pinky fingers on each hand, keeping his pointer, middle, and thumb straight out as he crossed his hands over his chest, slowly pulling them apart before one swung over his head and the other swung down by his waist to form a circle. There were trails of energy that followed the motion, opening a portal that led into the Mutant Underground. "Go now. I dont know how long i can maintain this and I'd rather not find out." He would see to summoning the creature later in an attempt to bargain for Magiks soul.
Echo
Location: George Washington University Skills: SoundnWave Manipulation, Laser
As Echo went hurdling down towards the ground, he did all he could to slow his descent. Suddenly there was a tug on his shirt and he looked up to see one of the new girls was flying and saving his skin. Or at least thats what any normal person would have seen. All Echo could focus on was how much his fabric was being stretched and hoping her nails weren't about to rip holes in it. Ehos mind raced with how he would be able to get the fabric back to its normal state, seeing as he doubted there was any fabric softener back at the Underground. He would have to add that to the list. His mind was quickly pulled back as his saviour was so rude as to call him fat. Fat of all things! She dropped him off and flew back up before he could even say a word. Watching as Waverly now plummeted and seeing his Kristina barely missed her.
His heart was pumping in his chest as she kept falling, all he could do was try to coach her and hope she understood. "Feedback I'm gonna need you to try and scream!" Ofcourse she did just that, screaming but with no actual power behind it as he realised he wasn't as specific as he had hoped. Luckily Sapphire was there to catch her and let her down gently via slide. Today was clearly a day for a rollercoaster of emotions and it was doing some serious aging to the mutant singer. Echo bent forward, hands on his knees as he exhaled and tried to get his heart rate down. Ofcourse the fates weren't kind and Sapphire was the next in a line of people to fall from the sky, seriously they should never do this again. "Hey super girl! I am not fat youre just weak! I'll have you know I eat a very healthy diet! Now does anyone else have secret powers they'd like to share?"
Echo made his way over to Waverly, laying a gentle hand on her shoulder as he used his thumb to massage and console her. "That was real brave kid. Stupid. But brave. We should work together, I think you've got the lungs to be a great addition to the band. But first, let's take down Magneto Jr over there." The sentinels that arrived were surely going to be some form of an issue, that is until one exploded and the other began to dance. He was fully sure as to what exactly the green child was doing but it seemed to do something. Enough to keep them out of combat for now. Echo held his finger to his ear and let out a quick belt. Using the soundwaves to create a flash of light that was non existent. He gave a nervous chuckle before he sent out a long note and was able to catch them and create two beams. One missing horribly and the other hitting her but barely making a difference. "Ok. Bad example. But Feedback, your voice is your greatest weapon. Dig deep inside of you and let your heart out. Just as I used my lasers to slow my fall you can use your voice to try and block incoming attacks like how you blasted the Pyromaniac and Magneto Jr earlier."
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