Cross Effects 3.0 - April 13, 2015—June 23, 2016

[Knick]

Suiren

"How about you keep me company for the night?"

Suiren stopped stretching. And suddenly there was silence. Suiren just stood there, unmoving. And then, with a slightly shaky voice she called out.

“What… Did you say?” Suiren asked, her eyes hidden by the shadow of her hair. “Did… did you just say what I think you did.” Her voice still seemed slightly hesitant as it shook slightly, almost as if she was embarrassed or something.

And then golden lightning began to dance along her arms and legs. Her hair beginning to flow in the wind that began to pick up, almost as if it was commanded to.

“You… think you can say something like that?” She said once again, her voice still shaking. And then her was raised slightly, allowing the surrounding people to see her eyes.

“YOU THINK YOU HAVE THAT RIGHT HUMAN!?” She screamed, her voice commanding attention from everyone that could hear it, any person thinking of using their weapons against her dropping them in pure fear.

The shaking of her voice, it was not from embarrassment, it was not from nervousness. It is inconceivable that the Empress would even feel such things.

No. It was nothing but complete and utter rage.  And it was a rage that brought the weight of everything against you.

[YOLF]

Tar

Henry decided to ignore whatever shenanigans were happening behind him. There were more important things to focus on. Like the manhole just in front of him. He crouched, setting down the flashlight and settling the mask around his neck, before grabbing and pulling. It was heavy in his hands as he slid it to the side. The smell hit him immediately, and only by virtue of his perfect reactionary control did he not cringe from it. Memories coursed back through him, but he shut them off for the moment.

He grabbed the flashlight and turned it on the depths of the manhole. It was moldy and water-filled and full of unrecognizable shapes wading lonesomely under the surface of stained dark colors where he shone the light.

The detective attached the mask and made sure it was working, and then started to descend through the rusty, uncertain stairs into the sewer, flashlight lighting his feet. He reached the last step, and then carefully plopped down. There was a dense splash as his boots sunk into the sewer water. He turned around, slowly moving his feet in it. As he faced the wall opposite to the stairs, he felt himself stepping on something mushy, and promptly ignored it.

The demon mentally drew on the occult pathways of reality, piggybacking on a shortcut between action and reaction. His attention expanded, now aware of every sliver of hostility in his proximity that targeted him, and able to act first in response. There was actually nothing to be found yet. That was good. Henry nodded to himself, drew his gun from its holster, and shone over the opposite wall where he entered with his flashlight, beggining to look for tracks as he awaited the descent of the others.


Sarse

Sarse was even less sure how to respond to Gintoki's questions, words stumbling in his throat before he spoke. "Galactic... No, not exactly. I was certainly assigned to Earth, but then, I don't think that's quite where we are."

He could just tell them everything now instead of drawing out his responses and only effectively giving flowery yeses or nos for the questions. But he still stubbornly resisted the idea - perhaps because he would have liked to keep at least part of his usual MO intact as something familiar to cling on to.

[Umbra of Chaos]

Urthemiel

The Old God sped after the fiery entity for a while before it saw the creature home in on an armored man suspended by wires before the it was extinguished by some water. Urthemiel was a bit surprised to see the albino and the purple haired girl again so soon but it was fine. They were not the focus of the dragon's attention this time.

He circled the castle once before landing in front of the unconscious armored man. If he was the source of the being of flame it might be worthwhile to question him to understand what it was. The Dragon of Beauty may not have been Dumat but his own curiosity concerning the supernatural things of the world was still powerful.

Urthemiel reached out and grasped the man with one of his talons and immediately flew back into the air with a mighty beat of his wings.


Aisha

The tanned woman smiled at the younger girl's request and ruffled her hair affectionately. "We can meet again any time you want, Child. But perhaps you should return to your protector now? I doubt you were walking through this city just to see me."

[Kotomine_Rin]

Lorenzo Remei

He had done it; he had really done it this time. As soon as he spoke those words, he felt just how wrong it was. He got carried away, and the look on Medaka’s face told him far enough. But it was too late, too late to take it back and undo it. He messed up, and before he knew it Surien reacted with ire far greater than what a man could witness in a lifetime.

Gulping, he suddenly felt heavy and weak; his throat ached and dried up like a desert. Then, after a moment that felt far too painfully long, the pirate looked down with a sorrowful face, one filled with rage directed at himself, shame for what he had just done, sadness and regret. Pure and utter regret.

It was not unlike a child's, a scolded child who realized he had done.

He hadn’t been serious about these twisted words of his, truth be told it was just a comment he slipped up to rile her up for the fight, a way to raise the stakes a bit. He wouldn't have done that ever, not to her nor to anyone. But he was now aware of how he had hurt her pride, all because of a selfish inconsiderate whim. He had done something unforgivable. There was no need to even answer that question of her's. He did not have the right to speak in such a way to her.

But what else was there to do, after hurting her so, but to ask for forgiveness?

He had to, not because he wished to redeem himself or because he wished to save face, but because she deserved an apology. Whether she would accept it or not, it wouldn’t matter. The harm had been done, and frankly he was unsure if he was capable of doing so himself.

“I’m sorry, being such a dog to you was unfair; what I said was out of line, stupid and insulted you. I’ve committed a stupid action worthy of a stupid man and it was wrong. Disgustingly wrong and inconsiderate. I… I should have thought better. I shouldn’t have been a cur to you.” Said the pirate, eyes hidden by the shadow of his hair despite the gusting wind. She was angry, Medaka was angry and it was all because of him.

As he spoke, he let out choked whimpers. Lorenzo was really trying, he was really trying not to do it. He wasn’t going to cry dammit, he wasn’t going to. It would make him look-
No use, he couldn’t hold it in.

Speaking, a few sobs managed to slip through, and the tears he was desesperatedly trying to hold back were now rolling down his cheeks. “Please forgive me; if there is anything I can do to earn your pardon I’ll do it.”

[Kat]

Roxas

He expected her to come at him once again, delivering a more devastating blow as a follow up attack.  Instead, several tentacles sprouted from her body.  Perhaps she had gotten more dangerous now but perhaps now she had given him the opening he was looking for this entire time.  She underestimated him and now she was going to pay the price.  He re-summoned his second keyblade, oblivion and attempted to slash the tentacles, breaking through her assault.  If this worked he planned to charge oathkeeper with a gravitaga spell, throw it at Rikuyo, causing a small field of intense gravity to crush her.

Rikuyo

She didn't expect the keyblade that the boy left behind back then to appear in his hand. He injured her tentacles as they were rather vulnerable to blades, they resisted blunt damage far better. But now that she transformed, she didn't feel like going back to her 'base' form as she wanted to try out on a whim how long he would fare against her serious self now that he proved he wasn't too shabby.

Then he threw his weapom at Rikuyo who reflexively formed a shield with her tentacles to protect herself from the attack. She figured out she could have tanked it with her body, but didn't feel like risking needlessly. While she sweeped away the blade, it's increased weight threw her off balance and the blow staggered her a bit. 

[yinsukin]

Roxas

His counter attack worked.  He fought off the attacking testicles and managed to stun Rikuyo long enough for him to close in and deliver what could be his final attack.  It was clear to him now that she had been holding back.  When she transformed she got stronger somehow, otherwise she would have taken much more damage from the gravitaga spell.  For all he knew she could get even stronger after the attack was finished.  Furthermore, it was clear ti him now that he could go all out against her.  He was going to take a gamble that she didn't have a very high level of magic resistance.

"Get ready Rikuyo! This is the end!"  He shouted. Roxas re-spawned oathkeeper in his hands.  Now within blades range of Rikuyo, he raised oathkeeper in the air and cast stopaga.  The tip of his blade glowed green and using this spell he attempted to stop time for her up to 8 seconds.  In the 8 seconds he would use his light magic to rain down powerful large pillars of light to strike his opponent.  He would do this by firing a continuous stream of light into the air.  About 20 pillars of light would strike the immediate space around them during the duration of the spell.  Considering how much space she takes up with the tentacles, a good amount should hit.  This attack worked well on Vanguard, perhaps it will work on her as well.

[YOLF]

Butler

The boisterous boy sure had his feelings on a very precarious scale, Butler noted. Yes, boy, for such seemed to be indicative of the maturity he put in his words, in boasting about his way of life one moment and weeping in regret the next. Perhaps he was too sensitive... Nay, he was assuredly too sensitive for the persona he wanted to project. It was most unfortunate. The servant himself had no fondness for the sort of crass behavior the pirate nonchalantly endorsed (at least on the surface), and evidently neither did his master.

Butler knew anger when he saw it. True anger didn't just cause people to lash out. It was a feeling of consternation, of assault to the very self that shook one's composure to its foundations, that wounded the strength a person needed to react with their whole faculties. Until they turned all that inwards, lighting a flame deep inside that consumed the mind and overcharged the body for the purpose of responding.

It was truly unfortunate. That Lorenzo's callous choice of words had triggered this anger in Suiren, and that his own feelings were so unsorted. If he were certain to his speeches and actions, true to a heart that would accept all objections and stand firm in the critique of all that he did, perhaps Suiren could clear her wrath on him and they would leave nothing to be forgiven or lingered on afterwards. But if so little sufficed to make him collapse and withdraw his stance, then he failed to show that integrity of spirit.

It was unfortunate, but right now he appeared nothing more than a pretender, hiding his instability behind a veil of romanticized lies. And Butler had his doubts that Suiren would appreciate that.

Sighing, he carefully scooped the officer he had knocked out in his arms, and stepped through space. He appeared just by the side of the other policemen, who were alarmed to the point of drawing guns, and carefully set her down on the ground. Rising up to look at them, the one in the front flinched as Butler offered him the handgun he had appropriated grip first, before blinking in confusion. He looked to the others, peered carefully up at Butler's unchanging skull, and then took the weapon from his outstretched hand, training it back on him.

Butler paid it no mind, and simply looked on to sinde the ring of fire.

[Panda]

Laivatain

The Fire Elemental had hardly any time to settle before a torrential flood promptly appeared from seemingly nowhere. The Elemental couldn't quite move out of the way fast enough and summarily found itself with its fire put out. Its attempt to manage its best impression of a frown is interrupted when that dragon from earlier snatches up Adjutor, flying off with the Elemental's current Contractor.

...Well. That happened.

Regardless, the Elemental would need to get to regain the ability to manifest before it could bother following after. With this in mind, the Elemental makes its way back, no longer bound by the trappings of its element. Soon, Laivatain happens upon that smoker from earlier. Stealing the fire in the cigarette, the Elemental dissipates, sneaking in through a manhole into the sewers where it travels along, just waiting fo-

Finally, the sewer gas grows dense enough that the spark that Laivatain carries can trigger the awaited reaction. The gas ignites in a massive explosion, leaving a significant area around the main explosion a blasted mess. Strangely, there isn't much scorching despite the the apparent size of the explosion. A few moments later, Laivatain bursts from the sewers anew, a blazing presence for all of a few moments before it dissipates, heading for the teen in as straight a path as possible.


Adjutor

The first thing the teen registers is a strange feeling of weightlessness and the muffled rushing of wind. Then the pain strikes, a fresh stab of pain slicing through the haze left behind by sleep and forcing a groan from the teen. With a thought, the teen reaches out, Tyrfing materializing in his hand before, the crimson designs on the blade glowing briefly as a small quantity of blood was consumed to fuel healing magic powerful enough to repair the broken bones completely, seemingly reversing the damage until there was no trace of it having ever happened.

This completed, Adjutor takes a moment to take his current situation into consideration. Considering that he seems to be trapped in a dragon's talon as it was flying off to some unknown destination, said evaluation doesn't take very long at all.

Panic seizes the teen's mind for a few moments before reason asserts quickly asserts itself. If the dragon had wanted him dead, the teen reasoned, then it likely would have done so already. All that aside, the healing magic hadn't done much for the soreness that permeated the teen's body. Whatever had hit him hard enough to leave those injuries, it would seem that he'd taken that hit without Reinforcement. Whatever the cause was, Adjutor quickly decided that he wasn't in much shape to try breaking free of this being's grasp.

So, in summary, I've been kidnapped by dragon.

This is like one of those fairy tales, except with the details all out of order. Then again, considering the insanity of this place, I suppose that's to be expected.

...We're just stuck here, aren't we?

Look on the bright side, no reason we won't get a chance to escape at some point.

[Knick]

Suiren

“Shut. Up.” Suiren ordered. Anger, twice in one day she has felt anger. This man… did not respect his opponent. He did not respect the art of combat.  And more than anything he said something like that to HER. To someone who pursues combat, to someone who searches for the mastery of the self.

To do something like that, it was the greatest insult not only to her, but to all those who came before her who sought the same. It pissed her off.

In fact, it was even worse that he was groveling and begging. No pride, no will, no strength. So worthless, all his words were completely pointless. They carried no strength, they carried no purpose.

So worthless!

“Enough.” She glared at Lorenzo, the golden lightning dancing off her form viciously showing her aggravation, “Stand and accept your punishment. Don’t you dare grovel and beg to me.”

Then she began to walk towards him, “Stand and show me you are deserving of my mercy!”

Rebeca

Rebeca heard her thoughts. She heard her reasons, her motivations for wanting to give her this gift. It was simple, so incredibly simple. But it was its simplicity is what made it pure.

And so Rebeca was unable to refuse it. Slowly she held out her hands and let Caedia drop the sphere into her hands. Then Rebeca clenched it between her hands and held it to her chest.

And then she muttered a silent “Thank you.” As her face became slightly flushed.

Grenth

Grenth stood before the entrance of the sewers. He has had his minions create a personal connection from them to come and go. Filled with freezing curses embedded into the walls, anything unpermitted froze into a statue.

There Grenth stood, garbed in his magical armor wearing his mask. He was surrounded by some of his small Bone Horrors, resembling a cross between human children and rats. And behind him stood a singular Flesh Golem, with more sitting dormant within the chamber, waiting for his summoning.

With that he was prepared, and so he took his steps into the sewers, prepared to explore the depths below.

[yinsukin]

Medaka Kurokami

The conversation with the bird was cut short by the voice of the woman talking to Lorenzo.  “Stand and show me you are deserving of my mercy!”  Is what she heard.  Lorenzo had been defeated in the short time that she left to evacuate the cops.  She had to save him before he was killed.  There was not too much time to think.  Medaka jumped off the roof of the cop car.  She ruffled through the pockets of the uniform that she was now wearing.  Thankfully, the cop whose uniform she took had the key in one of her pockets.  She opened the door of the car, sat down and turned on the engine.  There was only one thing to do.  Seeing how most of the cops had already left, it was a straight shot to the ring of fire.

Medaka changed the gear to drive and floored the engine.  The car accelerated extremely quickly, reaching 30 miles per hour by the time it reached the edge of the fire ring.  The engine, being already heated up caught on fire as it passed through the ring.   Now at 35 miles per hour, Medaka could see her target.  She aimed the car at the woman, kicked open the car door and jumped out.  She did a perfect forward roll to break her fall.  She transitioned perfectly from the forward roll to a walk, as the car made its course towards the woman.

[Kotomine_Rin]

Lorenzo Remei

Looking at her with the sorriest look a man could muster, he nodded and stood silently with watery eyes.  It was only natural for this to happen, for her to be angered to such a degree. In a way, perhaps this was what some would call karma.

He wronged her; Lorenzo now realized fully just how grave his action had been. Because of that, he had no right to ask her anything at all. Forget forgiveness, he was an unforgiveable man to begin with.

Yes, he stood silently as she asked and looked forward, his eyes unwavering. He cared not if she was to insult and berate him of the worst insults, or if she was to spite him and leave his pathetic self to regret. He cared not if she was to beat him to an inch of his life, nor did he care if she would break every bone in his body.

For he had not learned anything at all, and he knew deep down that life was unkind to those who cannot learn.

And if she was to kill him for it, then it just wouldn’t matter any longer.

Yes, looking right at Surien he showed a stern acceptance of his fate. He was guilty, and he had enough to run away from his problems, from his consequences.

But then, the pirate saw something. It was fast, and large, and moving with incredible speed towards Surien. For a second, the pirate stopped thinking entirely, as if he blanked out.  But it didn’t last for long, and as soon as he regained consciousness, he realized what just happened.

He was in front of her, he had instinctively moved at her with the intention to push her out of the way. But if he did that... he would get hit instead.

[Knick]

Suiren

Suiren heard something against the wind, something skidding against the ground, creating a horrible sound that drowned out the sounds of the flames around her. And in response she turned her head an saw one of those metal vehicles speeding at her.

But it was slow. She didn’t even register as Lorenzo tried to push her out of the way, for him it was probably like pushing against a solid wall. With a simple movement she flicked him away, like she did in the cell. And finally, as the car reached her, one work came from her mouth.

“No.” And then, against a stretched out arm, the car impacted.  The sound of breaking metal, of twisting steal and shattering glass blasted though the area.

And there Suiren stood, the entire front of the car caved in where it met her waiting palm, her eyes burning with fury.

[yinsukin]

Medaka

Medaka watched as Lorenzo tried to push the woman out of the way.  Perhaps she was wrong.  Maybe something else happened while she was here.  It was clearly apparent that win or lose, Lorenzo cared for his opponent.  After all, he did just try to sacrifice his life to save her.  If so, then Medaka would fight the woman herself. She couldn't let Lorenzo go through anymore of this. This woman was not as clearly dangerous as the dark man but she was still very strong.  The car busting woman was likely far stronger than Medaka.  However, it didn't matter to her either way.  This was personal.

Medaka walked up to Surien and looked her straight in the eye.  "Step away from this man right this second!" She demanded.

[SINIB]

Irisviel

Irisviel felt a great magical presence incoming straight for her, it was completely overwhelming in every way. She grabbed Sakura and pushed her to the ground before she swept around just in time to see a majestic dragon swoop down and artfully grab the armored man in its talons before it swept off once more. Irisviel felt helpless, she couldn’t hope to match such a powerful monster. She glared angrily at its fading figure as it receded into the overcast sky.

Irisviel sighed and turned around to help Sakura back up. “Let’s get inside right now.” She told Sakura before she gently, but quickly, inside the great doors.

[Kat]

Sarse

Sarse was even less sure how to respond to Gintoki's questions, words stumbling in his throat before he spoke. "Galactic... No, not exactly. I was certainly assigned to Earth, but then, I don't think that's quite where we are."

He could just tell them everything now instead of drawing out his responses and only effectively giving flowery yeses or nos for the questions. But he still stubbornly resisted the idea - perhaps because he would have liked to keep at least part of his usual MO intact as something familiar to cling on to.

Gintoki

"It's not New Namek either, and there are so many humans here that it must be something connected to Earth." he said, scratching the back of his head Whatever, pal, just know you should feel free welcome here even if you're not Earthling. I fought aliens once upon a time, but I don't bear any grudge from the past."

Then he set his eyes on Aisha, looking at her disapprovingly: "You know, I should remind the old-timer to throw away that vial if he doesn't already think about it. PTA would savage her like the wild gorillas they are"

Emily

Emily's relief at Mordred's safe, if unorthodox, arrival, quickly turned to minor outrage at Abby's comment. Pushing that aside, Emily quickly approached Mordred, feeling her over for any injuries.

"Thank goodness you're okay, let's see if you've got any-" Emily cuts herself off part way through checking for broken ribs, "Oh dear...Well, you're safe now, and I can fix this easily enough."

That other Changeling's already told the others, so it can't really hurt...

Pressing lightly against the Mordred's injuries, Emily lets the Glamour flow for the Contract, paying the price without a second thought. The power of the Eternal Spring flowing from her body into Mordred's, healing whatever injuries remained on the Summer Courtier and leaving her invigorated.

After a few moments, the rush of power fades, leaving Emily feeling somewhat drained. The changeling's shoulders fell as she slumped forward a bit, letting out a slow breath as she calmed down.

Mordred

She was so focused on glaring on Abigail and trying to calm her down that she was caught off guard by Emily "feeling" up. Her soft fingers touched her body under her armor (or clothes for those unable to see through her Mask), her glare swiftly shifting to blushing as she was unable to spit out a word in such embarassing situation. What others would think of her now? She didn't mind Emily doing that or even more, but she preferred to do that in private rather than with the audience. Then, she her weariness and injuries started dissipate as Emily used her Contract.

Roxas

His counter attack worked.  He fought off the attacking tentacles and managed to stun Rikuyo long enough for him to close in and deliver what could be his final attack.  It was clear to him now that she had been holding back.  When she transformed she got stronger somehow, otherwise she would have taken much more damage from the gravitaga spell.  For all he knew she could get even stronger after the attack was finished.  Furthermore, it was clear ti him now that he could go all out against her.  He was going to take a gamble that she didn't have a very high level of magic resistance.

"Get ready Rikuyo! This is the end!"  He shouted. Roxas re-spawned oathkeeper in his hands.  Now within blades range of Rikuyo, he raised oathkeeper in the air and cast stopaga.  The tip of his blade glowed green and using this spell he attempted to stop time for her up to 8 seconds.  In the 8 seconds he would use his light magic to rain down powerful large pillars of light to strike his opponent.  He would do this by firing a continuous stream of light into the air.  About 20 pillars of light would strike the immediate space around them during the duration of the spell.  Considering how much space she takes up with the tentacles, a good amount should hit.  This attack worked well on Vanguard, perhaps it will work on her as well.

Rikuyo

The time continued moving and the dust settled.  Rikuyo still stood there, her clothes damaged even further and her body covered in nasty third degree burns that were healing themselves over time as if she possessed some sort of uncanny regeneration. Her tentacles were gone, presumably blasted away by the attack. "Man, that really startled me. I would have been in dire straits if it weren't for how my body is. Oh well, I won't play around anymore. " she smiled, extending her arm and opening her palm, releasing a shockwave towards Roxas. She still held back enough as she didn't intend to kill the boy, but was pretty adamant on settling the fight through knock-out.