Vlad had Artemis in his arms. He'd pulled her to him, and was shoving energy into her body. Discord was right - there was no way a human form could handle such brutal treatment. Vlad could alter the flow of blood, but he wasn't delicate enough to mend her. Her wounds had begun to seal, but Artemis would have burned before her wounds healed in Vlad's care.

As soon as Kanra's hand grasped the front of his shirt, Vlad's glowing eyes lifted. The moment he realized it was Discord, the criminal's outpouring of energy halted. Already cold was creeping of Discord's arm as he began to pull the energy in. Artemis was slowly lowered to the ground, and Vlad hissed as he was shoved backwards. It took everything in him not to strike back. Vlad trembled with the desire to tear into the boy ... but he did't.

They held gazes, Vlad's own expression cold and promising pain. "I'm listening." He hissed between clenched teeth as he attempted to focus on what Discord was saying. Anger clouded everything he was hearing. Flashes of memory still threatened the corners of his vision, and Vlad reached up to grasp Discord's wrist with a painful grip.

There was a moment in which it seemed Vlad would fight the boy. He slowly released Discord, his expression hardening as the youth knelt beside Artemis. Vlad could sense Kanra's ebbing power, realizing that it wasn't as potent as usual. That was when it clicked. In another brief moment of sanity, Vlad gripped Discord's shoulder roughly.

Power poured from Vlad like an open source. It was palpable - and visible - all around them. Teal wisps of energy flickered about Vlad's hand and arm as he transferred much of what he'd consumed. It was far too much for his Purium crystal to contain. And, as the energy level lowered, Vlad felt the red fog fading from his vision. His anger and rage remained, but ... somehow, he was more in control.

By the time Artemis opened her eyes, Vlad no longer felt the ache in his chest. Hannah's ghost no longer taunted him, and he could only hear one thing: reality. The tall male pulled back his armored hand, dimly glowing eyes locked on the agent as she scrambled back and away from them. Strangely, Vlad felt fine with standing this close to Discord. Usually, he hated the boy enough to back away.

As Artemis thanked them, Vlad merely raised an eyebrow and flexed his bloody gauntlet. He said nothing in return. There was nothing he needed to say.

The Scorpiocat's death cry drew Vlad's attention. Cold pulsed from him in anticipation. That was when he saw the others fall. Shadow was trying to wake Volkov. Ashes ... he was in horrible shape.

His gaze flickered to Mozilla, who was standing a few feet away. The youth's accusing glare was piercing, but Vlad met it in silence. His fierce expression darkened when he moved toward the boy. He held the youth's eyes until the sound of a chopper's blade caught their attention. Vlad's gaze slowly moved upward. And that was when the light struck.

Pain radiated out from the blade Mozilla had thrown - it struck him straight in the chest. Vlad grasped the wire, his growl feral ... until he realized what was happening. Mozilla was saving them. That final shock that the boy sent them was enough to keep them going. The light faded, and the ash was suffocating ... but they were alive. He jerked the blade free and kept it from bleeding.

Vlad reached out to the nearest person - Discord - and pulled the male's shoulder until they were closer together. Comfort? Perhaps, but it was unlikely. Perhaps it was the only amount of thanks that Kanra would receive. The tall criminal reached out to Artemis, offering his hand palm up. They were only a few feet from one another. "Come." They needed to get to the others. Especially ... with Vex's return.

Vlad's gaze was locked on the woman as she went full out on Sycom. She intended to kill him, didn't she?

((Note: Love how Vlad is just sorta ... watching that. Great observation, genius.))
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Sai felt a rush of energy just as he realized what the sound was. The final surge of adrenaline allowed him to reach the Scorpiocat's scaled claws, though hardly in time. He felt his skin burn, and tried not to think about it. The heat took his breath away, and the shelter he'd found wasn't enough to save him completely. Sai cried out, but a strange lavender glow surrounded him like a comforting embrace. Clasping his seared arm, the male grit his teeth through the sudden pain. The glow ... Siri, he supposed, the woman who'd loved him ... she'd protected him from death. He should be dead.

Sai caught sight of Vex's twisted aura as she descended. She was fire and death, darkness and pain. The agent's heart hurt just seeing her from afar. He reached up to brush his blindfold, though suddenly recalled it was no longer in place. His pale eyes moved like one who could see - he certainly could. Scars surrounded his eyes and marred his features - it made him uncomfortable under normal circumstances, but here ... it didn't matter. Was this the end? To be brought down by their own? First Vlad, now Vex?

Sai reached for his Purium blaster, wondering if that was even an option now that Vex was so ... twisted. She had her Purium still, didn't she? The silver-haired male cringed at the thought, but drew the weapon and sighted Vex as she began to beat Sycom. He couldn't let her do this.

In silence, he felt the gun shaking in his hand. It was a calm purple aura that steadied his aim. Sai let his breath settle, then he pulled the trigger. He'd missed Vlad. Perhaps this time he'd hit his mark.

((Note: Do with this scene what you please, but I figured little baby Sai had to step up and actually do SOMETHING FOR ONCE.))

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