Things were going as planned. He had discussed the details with the others a couple times before making the final arrangements. Helena made certain that things would be ready on her end. No one in the shelter would know about the new arrivals. As requested he received the files on the ones who were to be the hope for the future of the nation. He couldn’t help, but to smile when he seen a couple of the files. It would be nice to see old friends, one of which he couldn’t wait to see again. Helena would be happy as well.

“Now, now you’re getting ahead of yourself. There is no guarantee that these people will even make it to this point. If they do it will be nice to see Kit (Vex) and Reino again. I wonder if Kit will be the same as back then.”

The woman beside him poked him with her elbow, glancing at the files in his hand. “Kita will always be Kita. Even though she may not have appeared to be back then she is a strong woman. Besides you didn’t have a chance with her back then and you most certainly won’t have one with her now. She probably won’t even remember you, goofball,” Helena laughed at she teased her older brother. She knew that the male regretted not going after the young woman, whom they had helped, when she found her resolve to no longer hide and face her fate.

Darius poked his sister back. “You’re right. Kit will be Kit even if she’s trying to hide it.” He let out a long heavy sigh. “Do you have to be so negative? I know I didn’t have a chance, but a guy can hope. Also I doubt greatly that she would forget us. We were like family for almost a year.”

The older male grinned leaning down to stare into his sister’s eyes. “Though I won’t be the only one happy about this reunion. I’m sure you can’t wait to see Reino again.”

Helena’s cheeks flushed bright pink for a moment. “I...I won’t say that it wouldn’t be nice to see him again…but things change over time. Besides, I have Leon.”

She quickly changed the subject back to him. “Anyway, please be careful around these people as well Dar. We don’t even know if all of them can be trusted.” She warned him. The woman couldn’t help, but to worry. This was a major risk her brother, no they were both taking. Her brother could handle things for the most part. That she was sure of, though she still felt uneasy about everything.

The blonde shook his head. “You act like I don’t already know these things. I understand your concern Helena. Precautions have been taken. This is a risk I’m willing to take. The hope for the future of the country rests with this Sycom and his team.” When he spoke Sycom’s name there was a hint of resentment and disgust in his tone.

Helena chuckled at her brother. “Now, now you don’t need to say his name that way. We don’t even know if he’s the same Simon. Plus it doesn’t really matter if he is does it?” Before she could say more a knock came at the door. “Who is it?”

“It’s Leon,” a man said as he entered the room. “Everything is ready. The living quarters are prepared. The area to be used as the main office has been set up. Do we know when to expect our guests?”

“Assuming things are going as scheduled on Shiro’s end they should arrive sometime this morning or by early afternoon. We should make sure they are all kept together when they arrive. Well most of them anyway. I think I want this Sycom person separated so I can have a private talk with him.” Darius gave his orders to the man while receiving a stern look from his younger sister.

“Dar, I don’t think that is wise. They should all be together. You can have your talk with him afterwards.” She frowned, knowing her brother was not thinking clearly at the moment.

The male sighed. “Fine, since you’re so worried we will keep them all together to start out with. That will be all Leon.” Darius moved and put an arm around Helena. “Let’s go double check everything and get started on the finishing touches.”

With a smile she nodded, “Yes. Everything needs to be perfect so it all goes well.” Helena gave Leon a smile before he left the room ahead of her and Darius. The siblings went about doing their part of the final checks around the secret underground bunker. Everything that their parents and them had done up until now has led to this. They were bound and determined to see it succeed.

She didn't like Okami, not even a little bit. He had a pretentious air about him, assuming he was better and knew better than everyone else. If Artemis had to take orders from him, she most certainly would not, unless they were orders that she would have done anyways. His body language screamed at his judgement of them, and all Artemis could think was 'How dare you?'. Her actions were protecting Shadow from Vlad's insatiable hunger. Clearly both herself and Vlad were not finding pleasure in this- it was a necessity, but the way he shook his head seemed to Artemis that he believed them to be doing something far different than what they were. What did he think he saw? Granted, how had he seen anything in the first place, with the giant stag blocking the view? A disdainful glare remained on Artemis's face, making her look quite more like Vlad than she likely intended.

Shortly thereafter, there were footsteps and everything changed. It was time to go it seemed. This seemed so organized in it's chaos, had it been planned? Now wasn't the time to think about that. It was time to GO. Looking over at Vlad, Artemis's eyes seemed to beg him to retain control, just in case he was still hungry. She would check on him later, far from Okami's judging gaze. Who did he think he was anyways? Senior agent or not, no one had the right to decide Artemis's intentions in her kindnesses.

Picking up her bow and quiver, Artemis put them on her back. She mounted Ajax and stormed out of the room quickly. Though she was largely okay, she needed time to replenish the energy she had given to Vlad. Riding Ajax was far more logical in this instance than her running and wasting precious energy. Something told her she'd need it later. It was easy enough to get to the plane, nothing seemed interested in stopping them anymore. After all, how smart would it really be to try and stop a stag running at full tilt?

Alarms were blaring, and in her flight mode it took until Artemis saw the monsters to recognize that the alarms were not for everything else that had transpired. Shit. Couldn't the monsters have waited until they left the SFA? Did they REALLY need to fight one more battle for them? She already knew the answer- of course they did. Even if no one else from her team wanted to fight them, she knew she'd have too. Of course, Artemis was hardly a force to be reckoned with at this point. But were any of them?

Looking around, it was abundantly clear that this wasn't going to be an easy battle. Honestly, she was certain they would not win it. Perhaps they would be able to get to the plane and escape, but there would be no defeating these monsters tonight. Their lives had little hope of lasting through this battle, but perhaps they still could. Artemis doubted it in her heart, and there was certainly a moment of mourning for the years she would likely never get. Twenty-five was too young to die, but she was too compassionate to let someone else do the dying for her. And so, Artemis took her place next to her companions, bow at the ready.

Sai could sense the others moving, but he couldn't move. When Okami approached him and placed a hand on his head, the blind agent hummed quietly. It was supposed to be words that left his lips, but he would have to settle for a quiet sound to prove he was still alive. Skies, his head hurt. His head throbbed, and his mind felt sluggish. Just how much did I drink?

The agent felt his body begin to respond in small ways - he could move his fingers now! Just as he'd been about to try moving his arm, the sound of alarms blared their way through the room. Sai flinched, proving once again that he was indeed alive. The silver-haired male grit his teeth as the repulsive sound forced its way into his skull and reverberated through his very being. He would have covered his ears, but he couldn't.

Just as the others started moving, Sai was able to slowly sit up. He sent a weak smile in Okami's direction as though trying to prove he was alright, and attempted to stand. It was a mistake. The worst one he could have made. Luckily Okami was close enough to aid him. Sai's legs gave out from under him, and he gasped with the attempt to keep himself from merely collapsing. It was such an effort, that he found himself relying on Okami more than his own footing.

They moved. Sai couldn't figure out where they were, as his sense of direction was completely lost. He had no idea where they were - Vlad's room - and couldn't judge where they were headed. Not, of course, until the helicopter blades drowned out the alarms.

Sai was set in a seat, and he muttered his thanks as best he could. It went unheard, as the surrounding noises drowned him out completely. The agent took the time to focus on keeping his stomach from churning, and his head from pounding. The rush of air as they lifted off felt pleasant, and brought more color to Sai's face. He was truly waking up now, and things were coming together.

It was many minutes later when Sai heard Sycom's voice going on about fighting the good fight. The blindfolded male frowned slightly, but realized that the team was in no shape to be doing fighting of any kind. None of them could stand on their own two feet....

Sai glanced in Okami's direction briefly, wondering where the male had come from. His glow was odd - it was mostly white, but tinged with a pale blue. So ... strange. He must be different. Sai's attention snapped back to their current surroundings, and he listened as best he could.
-

Vlad said nothing when Artemis looked up at him. He didn't so much as register the pleading look she gave him, which was obviously supposed to keep him from taking the energy of others. The criminal stood silently as his new ally slipped onto her stag's back and charged ahead of them.

Teal eyes lingered on the wounded Shadow briefly. He stepped past her without offering help, though refrained from taking her energy. That was the only kindness he gave her - Vlad didn't indulge in his selfish manner.

The tall male sent a look to Okami and Sai before stepping out into the hallway. It was odd that they received no resistance as they passed through the agency's halls. The chaos was thorough, it seemed. Vlad was docile as he boarded the helicopter with the others, his watchful gaze taking in the absence of various members of the team.

Vlad drew a deep breath, then looked to Discord curiously. The scent of his power was strong, as always. He found it odd that the boy was with them despite his antics in the SFA building....

He raised an eyebrow curiously, then let his teal eyes linger on the others. He said nothing, staying as silent and brooding as ever ... until the mention of a fight. Who was Sycom kidding? Vlad looked directly at their leader, noting the emotional energy that flowed about him like a storm. There was more than he was saying, but this wasn't the time. If monsters had appeared, it was their job to destroy them ... or die trying. From the looks of it, most of them would be dead in the next couple hours.

Vlad wasn't thrilled about the dying part, but he supposed he'd rather die to a monster than to the agency's hand.

Watching Sycom, Vlad felt a slight smile tugging at his lips. A fight? He was more than ready for one.

The three monsters roar in anger. They prepare for their victory and immediately start to scope out the weakest of the crew - Shadow, Sai, and Volkov.


{ Longest post ever. You're all jelly. }

Volkov was shocked as she turned around to see a monster blossom before her. Sycom was something she hated deep within her core, a monster who would kill her. She screamed in fear, flashes of her past from the man that killed her family flashed before her eyes, making the moment all the more terrifying. Her fear had her locked in place, unable to think or move. Ashes took the first hit for her, and she watched as he took a pounding, trying to fight her terror as memories and realities clashed before her eyes. It was like watching her brother get killed all over again. "STOP IT!!" she screamed, and finally moved from fear's grasp. Suddenly, she was thrown, and glass shattered everywhere. It was embedded into her skin and wings taring at her. Struggling to get up, Scar jumped into the way, and tried to fend off the monster that was Sycom, and was shocked into submission where his body was barely able to move. Then that's when he was on her.

Volkov met those wild eyes, and the scream died in her throat. As she had done as a child, she wouldn't give him the pleasure of her pain filled screams. She did her best to protect herself, but nothing could stop the male as he ripped into her body, taring open any flesh, and sparks flying when he hit her metal stomach. Her blood loss was substantial, and she felt that her life was truly going to be extinguished at this point. Her trust was once again broke. Why had she trusted this man? He was proving that he was a monster, just like the one that took her family from her.

Pressure lifted from her body as Sycom rose from the sounds of the alarms. Hearing him, disgust ran through her. How dare he give her orders after nearly killing her. Looking to Discord, tears still flowing down her cheeks, she found hatred growing inside her heart. How could a human being stand and watch as someone was being killed? It was more disgusting that a murderer, standing and doing nothing. Anger fueling her movements, she was more then pissed that Ashes acted like an obedient pet to Sycom, who nearly killed them both. How she wanted to blow a bullet in that man's head and end him. It was so tempting that she nearly pulled the gun from Scar and ended him. But then she would be no different from that bastard.

Turning away from them, she hissed angrily and grabbed all the tools that she believed she would need for this fight, and healing things for her team. She recharged Scar in the lab, causing a power surge to take out the power in half of the building. Knowing that it was now or never to try out the gift from the military for leaving she grabbed the package from her room and looked at the silver metal box. Pressing the button, the box jumped out and latched onto her body, and grew. Silver scales moved out and covered her body, blue light coming out from behind them. The Helmet showed her face still and her bangs peaked through a bit. Even though she was hurt and dying she would fight, for only herself, Scar, and Ashes. She had lost all trust in the others.

Meeting them in the air craft, she said nothing, just kept herself close to Ashes. She worked on him silently, healing his bruises and cuts with the skin regenerator. Her anger was obvious, so much so that if someone came close to Ashes she would his and her eyes glowed an angry blue that was so bright it was almost white. Her wings were protected only in the areas that attached to her back so her feathers were visible and her bleeding cuts were apparent against the white. Arriving, she knew she couldn't do much, but she wasn't going to help Sycom unless it benefitted Ashes. He and Scar were her priorities, and in her anger, she wouldn't help the others unless they proved themselves decent human beings in this fight. Her four guns attached to her suit of light weight armor, she waited for Ashes's move. She would make sure he lived, at all costs.

At this point, the anger felt by the other could be felt. Kanra knew she was angry with him, but at this point, he was used to it all. He kept an eye on the monsters before him instead, his attention off of her and the others. He could not afford to stop at the moment and let worry that yet another now hated him cause him to faulter. Berserker actually seemed to be finding it humorous and hypocritical in a way. Would she have been simply so quick to jump in?

Probably if she had, it would be out of pity or own self rightious beliefs. Hush Kanra said, the other was far to agressive at the moment, but Kanra could not blame him really. A lot had happened, a lot that would have drivin anyone to their breaking point at the moment. So right then, the whole world could have been angry with him, and he would not have cared. The priority was to survive, to live and not get their asses killed here at this time. The monsters moved, and he reacted. The others seemed a little less than ready to move forward at this point, so he made the first.

Shoviper bared large fangs, striking out at the weakest three in question. He moved himself in the way, using the flat side of his sword to block the attack. The feeling of the giant creature slamming into his blade sent a ripple through his body, pushing him back a bit. He could feel his body protesting, as his muscles seemed to get heavier. It pulled back, giving a hiss that he had gotten in the way. Great, this was not going to end well at all either way. It seemed to be more of a testing of the water move, which made him wonder if these were smarter than others they had faced. If the three of them ended up working more as a team than individually, it was safe to say the small band was practically worse than screwed at this point in time.

Let me take over Berserker spoke up. No...after all that has happened, switching right now might be a worse idea he said, the others probably even less likely to trust Berserker at this point after the little rampage. He sighed, how were they going to explain that one? And even if they did, the reactions would most likely be the same. He shook his head, focusing on the battle at hand once more. He had placed himself in front of the others within his little position with taking that attack, but he could not handle this on his own. Not in his state as well.

---------------

Emotions. They were little help in a battle often, since they led one to be reckless and foolish. He could practically feel the emotional tension around him, the way people moved, their expressions. They were certainly not very good at hiding it indeed. He glanced to Sycom once more, noting the feelings his eyes betrayed him with. He felt like he was watching it, but at the same time it was not him. Similar to how one might watch a movie or an out of body experience. It was how it worked, detatching himself from the situation. He noticed things around him, taking in the information and stimuli and reacting, though he felt nothing from it.

He niether thought nor cared really in this state. He had his orders, the priority was to follow them through. He watched the snake like creature make a move, and the one code named as Discord move in the way. Upon impact, his mind already scanned the situation. The angle of impact, the reaction from both sides bodies. The snake seemed to lengthen itself a bit, taking the impact and distributing the force out through its body, so it was not concentrated all in one place and caused more damage to its being.

That was a smart defence, he noted that Kanra, though taking the attack, seemed to be feeling the weights of exhaustion as well. He tightened his hands upon the handles of his guns that were within his hands. The logical advantage would be Oblivion here. He took a mental note, but kept himself still for the moment as well. The beasts had not made a solid move, but he noted who they were watching. His eyes went to that woman, the one Reese seemed to have been taken with. He had given her his word that he would watch her back, and protect her with his life. So that might cross with his orders to take on the one on his side. Then again, he was also to keep an eye on Sycom.

Following orders at this moment would be difficult, he had the ones just given, and the order to keep an eye on and protect Sycom. Either way, he would most likely have to end up choosing which priorities were best within this situation, so that loss would be minimized, while the rate of succession and survival would be optimized. He was running through possible senarios and outcomes, but few of them seemed to have plesant outcomes with the rest of the people here being nearly useless except for about two or three.

With Volkov as his spotter, Ashes stepped forward to engage the monster he was assigned. He was a bit upset that he was assigned the the unit as a whole, but who was he to argue with the leader. Besides, his battle with Sycom left him wounded and feeling a bit queasy. It wasn't every day Sycom lost his cool and nearly killed someone. Some pent up anger surged through him and inspired the flame within his heart. Keen eyes fell on Discord and he watched the kid. He was smart, testing the water and getting a reading on the snake. However, the snake was Okami's target. Brow quirked, he wondered if Discord was just helping the other male out, after all, Okami was without a partner.

Regardless, he set his sites on Scorpiocat. It's razor-sharp, curved claws dug into the ground and it's massive fangs easily measured the length of his torso, if not entire body. Its tail twitched around the air and sought out its victim, whoever that may be. A hard exoskeleton would make the monster even harder to bring down.

Would fire even work? If this thing was more rock-like, then his fire would do nothing. Oh well, he couldn't just sit back and guess.

"Artemis, Sai, I hope you don't mind that I call the shots." Sizing the monster up, he snorted. "Mozilla, I need you to get your wires out and try to keep that tail in check. Loli, let's light the bastard up with lightning. Shadow, if you can conjure up your lightning too, direct it at the tail. The tail is our main concern as it's poisonous. One touch from that tail and we're dead." His head turned to Vlad and the others. "Vlad, while the girls are heating the tail up, you cool it down. Best way to render something useless is to overheat it and then drain it of its energy. Shadow, add your ice to the mix and we might have ourselves a fighting chance."

There were still others who needed commands. "Sai, I want you to stand back and watch the monsters and use. You can see auras, right? If you notice we're getting weak or the monster is getting strong, tell us. We'll need your eyes to keep us safe." The cat-man turned to Artemis. "I need you to keep the cat busy in the front. With us all going to the rear, someone needs to keep those claws and fangs off us. Take Cias with you. He can give you a speed boost as well as an accuracy boast. Try to take an eye out or something. Discord, work with Artemis and make sure you keep that thing off her. Also keep it distracted. The two of you should be enough for the rest of us."

Was there anyone left to command? He looked again and felt a grimace on his face. Hime, Reino, and Vex were missing. Three players who were all ranged attackers and ideal for this type of fight.

"Let's make-do with what we've got, folks. And if you're feeling tired, Volkov can cast a charm to give you the stamina to get out. She'll also serve as our medic so if you're wary, come back to her." His hands fell on the woman's shoulders. "You stay out of the fight, too. Keep with Sai. If things go south, we'll need you two to pull us out of this mess."

Planting a dry kiss on her cheek, Ashes morphed from man to cat. "Let's move out and try to roast this fucker before giving it the cool down!" And just like that, he raced toward the scorpiocat that stood before him.

---------- Post added 07-31-2014 at 10:02 AM ----------

Maybe picking the middle monster was a bad idea. Staring up at the massive mantis, he felt awfully small. Insignificant, too. How was it that he got here? How was it that this became his fight? Oh what he would give to be back at his office patching over data. Too bad those days were long gone. Henceforth, he was a wanted criminal just like the rest. He broke protocol when he decided to steal SFA property and run away with a pack of criminals. And still, despite it all, he was happy with this decision. For far too long he watched Artemis struggle with the SFA's way of handling things. He watched as Volkov changed her morals and beliefs upon discovering that not all criminals are as bad as their label states. Why, even Sai was beginning to understand the broken ways of the SFA upon discovering Ashes, his long-lost friend.

And then there's Hime. She was a die-hard SFA fan. Always was. Then her world crumbled when she saw the truth about Ashes. Her eyes were opened and reality finally entered her mind. For so long, Sycom wanted to share with the woman the wicked new ways of the SFA. He wanted to explain that Reino, although labeled a criminal, had passed all the agent tests and should have been pardoned. He served his years of probation and he did a hell of a job. He should have been put on trial again and, if the people agreed, he should have been reinstated as an agent. But the government? Ha! They wouldn't allow it. No, he, Hime's father, wouldn't allow it. He knew Reino was his daughter's Achilles' heel and he refused to have his daughter screw, play, love -- whatever, a criminal.

Looking over those at his side, he found himself smiling. Even though his heart wept and his mind sought vengeance, he could honestly state that he was proud of all of them.

Discord was learning how to control Berserker. He was beginning to understand humans and his naive ways were slowly peeling away. He was becoming strong, bright young man. Worthy of a second chance. Worthy of living his own life. Shadow had become strong and independent. Although her love for Reino sometimes feels misguided, she would make a lovely partner. Heh, his eyes moved to Okami for a second. Why he wouldn't be surprised of Okami and Shadow became a thing. Okami, a near carbon-copy of Reion, had one thing Reino did not. He wasn't a flirt and he didn't hurt women. Okami was a solid structure and a trustworthy confidant. Reino was still a loose cannon.

Reino... where was he? The reinstated agent was gone. Nowhere to be found. Hime was gone too. Who was that man from the lab incident? Was it her father? Had he swooped in to pull his daughter from the chaos he saw coming. It was likely, oh so likely.

Artemis and Vlad. There was something about them. They were picturesque. They could have had a Hallmark movie written about them. Opposites and yet fierce friends. Even if neither could admit it, Sycom could sense a deeper connection between then. Vlad was Artemis' enlightenment and she was his savior.

Hand falling on his heart, Sycom peeled the glasses from his face and cast them in the grass beside his feet. Brows caving in over his eyes, his lip rolled up in a growl.

Vex. His Vex. His long-lost love interest. The one woman he always wanted long before Daliah became his obsession. Ugh, what he would to see her face again.

With her face branded into his skull, Sycom found the fury he needed to control the demons within. He would take down this monster, this mantibat, and he would bring his girl back. Vex was his beginning, his middle, and his end. He refused to die before finding her and bringing her one last smile.

Screaming, grunting, running, Sycom zigzagged toward the monster with the long, cleaving arms of death. He didn't care how suicidal he looked. He had a plan of attack all laid out.

As the scythe moved down to take off his head, Sycom dodged right, somersaulted, and then kicked from the ground. Two rockets affixed to his boots propelled him into the air, much like a suit-less Iron Man. As he fly up, the mantis whirled around to swing again. With another dodge and a tuck left, he pulled forth his baton. A rather odd weapon, but one of unknown strength and power. Giving it a good smack across the monster's left scythe, a surge of electricity shot out from the creature's arm. Howling, yelping, and hissing in pain, the mantis reared his hinds and turned off its B-game for its A-game.

Landing on the ground, Sycom rolled away. Mud hiked up on his cheek and took that once youthful, innocent face and turned it into the face of a feral man with nothing to lose. Crazed eyes and a wicked grin, he waited his turn.

The cat. Of course it was the damn cat. The most massive monster she'd ever seen, utterly terrifying from whisker (did scorpioncats have whiskers? She wasn't going to be the one the find out!) to tail. God her head hurt, she was certain she was slightly dizzy, and her hands felt like they could barely open a door much less hold and draw a bow. Unlike some companions, it wasn't from alcohol- she'd only had a drink or two before she'd ended up in a freezer. And THAT was what was causing her headache. How many concussions did she get in there? One when she hit the wall after being thrown in and another with a box of frozen... meat or something had fallen on her head after her desperate banging. Well shit. Who knew food was so dangerous?

The dizziness and weakness, however, were another story. Those were Vlad's fault, well, her fault really. She'd made the offer. No, it couldn't be blamed on Vlad at all- she'd practically forced him to feed from her instead of Shadow. Sure at the time, it made sense but now, she found that she should have thought that decision through better. She was paying for it. Shit his usual draws from the air around him couldn't hold a candle to a direct-feeding. Well this was a fine mess they were all in. Few of them could stand, much less fight. The most capable was Okami, and Artemis had to admit she felt a very large pang of guilt for her thoughts about him earlier. He hadn't deserved that, he really had been only trying to help. And now here he was, faced with three huge monsters and a VERY motley crew. Regardless of how powerful he was, and judging by his ranking he was probably quite strong, he couldn't be expected to handle this alone.

In the end there was only one thing Artemis could realistically hope for- and that was that she'd have time to make peace with God before her soul was ripped from her body. Because clearly, there was no walking away from this. Few were in any state to fight, and the ones that were could not realistically defeat monsters of this caliber alone. Honestly, even if they were all running on full, she had her doubts. God they'd been so close to escaping- but then again, close only counted in horseshoes and hand-grenades. It would do no good to spend her last moments on earth thinking of how close she'd been to having more. It was time to face the beast, or beasts, as it were.

Artemis had been about to race over to Shadow and pull her onto Ajax to try and protect her a little longer when she'd received the instructions to fight Scorpioncat. Looking back once at the woman she'd been running to help, Artemis turned to Ashes and gave a very clear nod. It was time to follow orders. Racing Ajax towards Scorpioncat, she could feel the stag's fear in the way his muscles tensed. There was a difference in how Ajax ran when terrified, but at least he never stopped running. Could she say the same for herself? Perhaps now she could. There was a beauty to it she supposed, bravely charging towards her likely end, but it would have been much more enjoyable if her head hadn't been spinning and her hands hadn't been trembling while trying to hold onto her bow.

Regardless, there were battles to be fought and monsters to distract. The first thing she needed to do was get the monsters attention. Riding straight towards it, Artemis yelled up to it "Hey! Why don't you come over here? I always wanted a kitten. I suppose, given the circumstances, you'll have to do!" What in the hell was she doing? God it sounded stupid even to her, but yelling at something was a great way to get it to look at you. Feeling the promised boosts on speed and agility from Cias, Artemis said a prayer, drew an arrow, and leveled her bow.

Her thighs tightened around Ajax, making sure she wouldn't lose her balance in the recoil as she aimed towards the area between the beast's eyes. It wouldn't do any sort of decent damage, but that wasn't the point. She just needed to make it really really angry at her in particular. The young brunette's fingers trembled as she drew the bow- at this point it didn't matter if it came from fear or weakness (likely both), all that mattered was focusing so that the constant trembling didn't cause her to drop her arrow. Finally catching an acceptable spot in her sights, Artemis loosed the arrow. It flew true, much to her surprise, and made it's target. Once that happened, Artemis rode in a zig-zag pattern, trying to both keep Scorpioncat's attention as well as keep from getting swiped clean in half. Artemis drew another area, preparing for a similar pattern of behavior for a while. Focus set, she would keep this up as long as need be to help her team.

She was so tired. Everything hurt, even thinking hurt. The only thing she wanted was to crawl into her bed and sleep for a few days. Her throat burned, her head was pounding and she was wobbly on her feet. Not the best for a fight and this fight was going to be the hardest one yet. The fact that Reino was nowhere to be found..well she couldn’t think about that right now.

Shadow used her sword to lean her weight on as she sized up the beasts in front of her. For just a moment she looked at the people around her. They were all likely to die today and she was going to make sure that Sycom did not. She had no idea where her friend was. But she had a bad feeling about Vex and she would make sure the man she loved stayed alive, even if that meant she died.

Steeling herself she grabbed her sword with both hands and split it in two. She had her orders, use her lightning and ice to attack the tail. Unlike the other times she fought, she didn’t move. Instead she stood with her arms outstretched, swords pointed straight out. Calling to her powers she grimaced as she felt the pull on her energy. Lightning cracked around her and ice swirled. She stood completely still gathering up her two storms until she finally slammed her swords together and everything she had built up shot directly at the beast’s tail.

A small scream escaped her lips as pain overcame her entire body. But there was no way she was going to stop now. She kept her stream of lightning and ice directed at the tail, even if it moved. Shadow kept aware of her surroundings, making she nothing else attacked her while she was focused on the scorpiocat.

The time for battle couldn't come soon enough. Vlad drew on the energy that flickered around him. It stemmed from emotion, so his cool aura didn't alter anyone - he was taking the cream from the top, really.

The tall male looked down at the beasts as the plane neared, a slight smile forming on his lips. Good. A fight would be ... lovely. This time, he wasn't going to avoid the drama for the sake of forming alliances. His work with Artemis was finished.

Teal eyes lingered on the scorpion-like beast, sizing it up with an eager look to his gaze. He hardly heard Ashes voice until he heard his own name. The battle plan became suddenly apparent, and the dark-haired male neither confirmed nor disapproved of the man's plan. In fact, Vlad was more than eager to engage - if he was being told to focus the tail, he would do so. Hell, it meant he was going to be on one heck of a high for the rest of the evening.

Vlad nodded once when Ashes finished his speech. It was time to start a fight. This time, he'd pay attention to his orders. Why? Well, his own life depended on it - and even then, it was a slim chance of survival. Vlad would do nearly anything to survive. The male flexed his armored hand, looking down at the monster once again.

Once he felt a shift in energy - a dip - coming from beside him. Glowing eyes flickered to Artemis, and Vlad frowned slightly as though irritated. The woman didn't look ... well. She was tired, perhaps. And she was in pain. That was clear. She was focused on keeping her concentration and mind about her. Instead of letting his attention linger on the woman, Vlad's gaze returned to the upcoming battle. There was nothing he would do for her. It didn't matter. His own attention locked onto the Scorpiocat, and a quiet chuckle left his lips. Kneeling, he prepared to launch himself into the fight. It was time. Oh, it was time.
-

From where he was sitting Sai could hear Ashes' voice easily. It was so strange thinking that this commanding tone was coming from his old friend. The blind male watched Ashes as long as he could before looking away to observe the others. Colored auras tinted the air about him, leaving only Artemis with a white glow. Everyone was a criminal....

Sai's "gaze" moved up to Ashes as he heard his part. The plan seemed fairly solid. He was glad to have direction ... his head was still spinning. Luckily, he could function alright now. He shouldn't have had so much to drink....

"Understood," he said with a nod, confirming that he could see auras and knew his part of the plan. Sai would be their "seer." He would point out where the auras were weak, and where they were strengthening.

Briefly the agent's mind went to how they were likely to fail this mission. They hardly handled their training sessions together, let alone a real fight. He could only pray that the bulk of the team would make it through the night. Sai's blindfolded gaze turned to Volkov as she was ordered to stay with him. He offered a slight smile, hoping it looked as friendly as he'd intended. He tried not to think about how sick he was feeling, and how his head was throbbing.

Suddenly things were moving. Artemis was in action, and Sai marked her pattern as she ran. Shadow's storm launched in the creature's direction. The blind male immediately forced himself into an attentive state, pushing all pain and distraction aside. This was not the time to fail. This was not the day to lose another team.

"Target closer to the body, Shadow," Sai stepped close enough to be heard, but knew better than to try and step into battle. He grunted as a large form suddenly brushed past him, nearly knocking him over in a wave of dizziness. It was sheer luck that he managed to realize what was happening. "No. Not yet." The silver-haired male caught Vlad's shoulder, and he could feel the cold immediately bite at him.

"Not. Yet."

Vlad was tense, and ready to fight. Sending a potent glare back at the agent, he knocked Sai's hand from his shoulder and hissed. He knew that this fight was not one to screw up. This fight might not work out in the end, anyway. The air around him pulsed with cold as Vlad continued to soak in energy. His glowing eyes locked on Shadow, waiting for the right moment to head into the fight. He hated waiting. He hated it so badly, he nearly stepped in anyway.

Sai was slightly surprised when Vlad obeyed and stayed still, nearly trembling with his desire to battle. At least they'd learned something in their training sessions....

Looking to Ashes as he gave orders to the others, her purple fire crackled around her hands. When he finished, she touched the male, giving him the strength boost he would need. Stepping back with regret in her gut, she turned her gaze to Sai. Seeing his smile, she smiled back, knowing he was an innocent in this mess. He was just doing what he thought was right, and he hadn't seen the true monster Sycom was. Her blue eyes glowed as they locked onto Artemis. The agent was brave as she road into battle, and knowing she looked to be tired and in pain, the woman put her hands on the ground and the fire from her shot out. The purple flames raced across the battle field and dove straight into the woman's chest. It would give her the energy and strength she would need. Letting out a heavy breath, Volkov turned and shot off another burst of the fiery energy and this one hit Shadow giving her the energy and strength she would need. Anything to give Ashes better odds of coming out of this loosing battle alive.

Hissing softly seeing Vlad nearly jump into action, her pupils turned more cat like, and she nearly attacked the idiot, but Sai stopped him. Surprised, she straightened and turned her gaze to the man who nearly killed her just moments ago. Anger and hatred ran through her, and she stood up, and clasped her hands together. She would not give him any energy and strength unless in dire need to see her and Ashes through. He didn't deserve it. He may have funded her transformation, but he would have taken her life away faster, and without a blink of thought. She couldn't trust someone like that. It was wrong.

Okami was focused upon the snake before him. It hissed at him, before it moved in to strike once more this time at him. He turned his body, pushing himself back out of the way of it. His mind was working as a computer now, analyzing the angle and speed of its movements in order to avoid its' movements. It began to burrow itself underground, his eyes following it for a moment. Great, just what he needed. He sighed a bit, moving to the hole in question. Placing Oblivion at the opening. The two barrels of the gun would push up, exposing the red cross within the gun.

Pulling the trigger, fire would be brought forth from the gun into the hole in question. The objective was to hopefully force the creature to the surface, by filling its' tunnel with flame. The ground shook a bit, and moments later the creature bursted from the ground with a roar. It sent chunks of the ground flying in a flurry of dust and debrie. The gun returned to normal, and he would look up at the opponent once more. Slight black marks trailed upon its body, looking as if the fire had done some damage. However, the scales seemed to be quite sturdy. That would be a problem indeed. He would have to find a way to pierce them, while avoiding both the tail and the head.

Simple enough. He was already running through simulations and possible outcomes. Some had the high probability of him being damaged badly, while others left an opening for a counter attack from the snake. He sighed, before he reached a hand up to adjust his glasses a bit. The most logical path would be making use of both of his guns, but the point was once more getting close to the creature. It then lifted its head back once more, before the tail swept forward towards him. He made use of his agility, pushing himself back. It seemed faster than he had been calculating on, the end of the tail managing to catch the end of his coat.

He glanced down on it sighing, a small tear had appeared within the fabric. He would need to replace it later, but then he should not worry about it now. He moved forward himself, more on instinct without really thinking. His body going through the motions as he was taught. It twisted its body to dive its head down at him once more, and he moved to the side, before he once more used Oblivion to cause a shot of fire to its eyes. It hissed, waving its head as it pulled back from the attack. Even though he had managed to hit the eye, he doubted it would do much really.

At the same time, there was still the ability of reptiles like snakes to distinguish heat and smells within the air through their tongues. So even though it might not be able to see well, it was not out of the game. He sighed, placing his guns away, moving through possible other scenarios. He could attempt to drive a kunai through a section between the scales. Using it near the neck would cause the most damage, but that would once more cause him to need to get close to the head. It was leaving an opening or the moment, which would give him time to formulate a plan.


_____


The snake moved its attention off of him, and to Okami. However, it now meant that the rest of them were going to have to deal with the cat. Moments later however, people were moving as well. Ashes and then Artamis was moving. He followed them with his eyes, before his attention turned to Shadow. She seemed a bit hurt by the summon of her powers. He turned his attention back to the cat creature with a sigh. His body was protesting, as the creature moved around the other two. He was given the order by Ashes to taking care of keeping the opponent off of them. He took a breath, moving forward himself. He moved in the way of the tail as it came around to attack Artamis.

He blocked it, the curved end twitching at him, as it tried to reach him. He pulled his sword, slicing into the joint between the tail plates. The creature roared, and he smiled a bit. So far things were going well, they were managing to keep the creature at bay. He noted Okami's movements, and he was impressed with it. He certainly knew his things, and he was skilled on his feet. Those gons were impressive to, he had never seen ones like them before. He then turned his attention back to the opponent at hand. Sai was keeping Vlad back on hold for now, but it would not be much longer before they were all on their ends.

Thus far everyone was acting as instructed. No one was acting out or lashing out. Everyone moved as one team with one fluid moment. Perhaps, just maybe, they could defeat these monsters. Too bad it was a fleeting bout of optimism for seconds later, the cat-like monster was lashing at Artemis all while trying to go after Shadow. The two of them seemed to be doing the most provoking. Thankfully, Artemis had her partner, Discord, step in right in the nick of time. His handiwork with the sword kept that tail from doing any real damage. Still, it was a bit too close to Discord's face for comfort.

"Artemis, Discord, keep further away. Wouldn't want you two to get tripped up in the mess we're creating."

Mozilla's wires started to litter the ground and Loli was doing her best to keep a low-level shock on the monster. It was just enough to keep the monster from rushing forward and ripping the wires lose, but it wasn't overly strong that it would cause alarm. If anything, it was merely a tickle that caused it to keep still. After all, who in their right mind enjoys being tickled to death?

Ears flickering back to take in the sounds around him, Ashes felt Vlad's presence on high alert. He was itching to get into the battle but Sai was holding him back. Clearly he knew something and that made Ashes smirk. If he's holding back the cold, that means it's not hot enough to break. With that mental note in mind, Ashes let the flames begin.

"Back," he ordered (er, barked). In mere seconds, the roar of fire spat from his form and consumed the already mangled ground. The mighty cat moaned in pain as the flames licked away at its tough scaly fur. With each moment it played in the flames, the thing became more rampant. More angry. In no time, it would try to bolt forward or swing that nasty tail around. If all went well, Vlad would annex the tail and then the crew could stand a fighting chance. Only one issue... what were the odds that this monster wouldn't take its hateful scorn off he and Vlad. They would be the two to do the most damage and be the two to royally piss the beast off. There really would be no clean-shot winning with this thing. No matter what they did, someone would get the brunt of the attack. Was it better it be he and Vlad? Or someone else?

With a sigh, he let the flames grow and burn brighter. He didn't have a choice. It had to be him. He had to push himself to take the scornful wrath of the beast to ensure the others might live to fight another day. Or rather, live to fight another monster, Okami or Sycom's monster.

Not needing to say a word, Ashes trusted his lifelong friend. Sai would release Vlad now and Vlad would do his worst. He would someone will away all the strength of that tail. Would it work? Who the hell knew, but it was worth a shot!

---

GM NOTES: Vlad will successfully help sever the tail but in doing so will cause the monster to reach a new level of feral. It will actively seek out Vlad and do everything it can to kill the man. In doing so, it's fur will shift and the scaly plates that cover its body will make it all the harder to kill it.

In this next scene, the following things are possible --

Vlad loses himself to the high of unlimited freedom and power and attacks a fellow teammate
Ashes will end up electrocuted in an attempt to conduct electricity directly into the beast; this fails
Someone is going to get trapped under the thing's claws (preferably Shadow, Sai, or Volkov)
Someone else is going to be removed from battle due to severe injuries (possibly Ashes, Artemis, Molliza, Lolipop, or Cias)

Fire burst from Ashes in a flood. Sai kept his gaze locked on the Scorpiocat, despite how difficult it was to keep from looking away. If he'd had his blindfold off, it would have been obvious that tears fell from his eyes. Even Vlad turned his gaze aside momentarily to adjust to the light.

Sai ignored the heat that swelled about them, watching closely as the fire gnawed at the beast's fur and scales. The time would come soon. The male slowly stepped back a step, toward Volkov as he prepared to give the order. As Ashes strained with his level of expenditure, Sai tensed. It needed to be ... now.

All of the monster's power was gathered about it, making it the perfect time to drain it. "Go." Sai wasn't loud, but Vlad's sudden burst of speed showed how closely he'd been listening. The criminal was gone, his eagerness to fight boosting his rage as he ran directly for the beast. "Ashes, cease fire!" In a lighter moment, he might have chuckled at the pun.

Purium-imbued, Vlad bore his fangs and raced forward, ignoring the heat of Ashes' fire. Nothing would stop him - nothing could. This was a moment of freedom - this was a time where nothing was keeping watch on his threat level, nor his energy intake. This was what it felt like to live again.

Vlad dodged past the attacks of others, and the movements of the beast were readily avoided. The criminal was at the tail within seconds of being released, his Purium glowing brightly as he became a living siphon. He took in everything. Strengthened by every passing moment, the tall male lashed at the beast's tail, using the moment to step aside and let it slam down before him. The beast didn't realize that its tail was in danger - not until Vlad was upon it.

There was a cry, and Vlad's clawed hand embedded itself within the scaled armor where the tail met body. He would tear it free. As Vlad consumed energy in mass, the criminal felt his breathing pattern shift. Everything felt so ... light. Vlad's glowing eyes were trailing energy now, and he was unstoppable. The agency never gave him this power. The SFA never allowed it - not even when he'd been on missions with Discord, who was an unending supply of energy.

Vladdy, stop!

There was an echo of voice; familiar and young it rang through his ears. Vlad's concentration threatened to shift, but he relentlessly clenched his teeth and buried his second hand into the monster. The tail would be free within moments if he kept draining the power here. Crystals of ice shattered about him, crystallizing as quickly as they broke away. Irritation flew through him as he heard the voice, but Vlad was far too focused to notice further.

A spark of pain radiated out from his chest as he drew in another vicious draw of power. Cold was everywhere now - Vlad was consuming energy at such an alarming rate that he could hardly keep up the intake. It felt ... good.

With a laugh, Vlad bore down and did his job - the scorpion tail was wrenched from the Scorpiocat's body with a single motion that looked ... effortless.

He didn't hear Sai yelling at him to back away until he felt jaws latch about his form, sinking their fangs into him. The grinding of tooth on bone was aggravating, but Vlad siphoned more power to heal as soon as he was thrown free. The broad-shouldered criminal hit the ground with an audible thump that should have shattered him.

He was glowing. The light from the crystal embedded in his chest lit the world about him, and his rage made it difficult to think - he could hardly see. Everything was teal and crimson. Something shattered. Was it bone? Vlad moved, slowly standing. His gaze was unwaveringly locked on the beast. Everything shifted at the corner of his vision. Then ... another sharp stab of pain in his chest.

Vlad cringed, a strange heat beginning to burn from within him. He'd taken in power - a lot of power. Was it too much? Vlad caught movement out of the corner of his eye, and when he looked in that direction he realized that it was a familiar form. Hannah? His little sister? No. Shadow. Vlad blinked the vision away only to have a sudden scream fill his ears. It built to such volume that the criminal grit his teeth and shook his head to clear it. It wasn't working. His hand shot up to his head, and Vlad lashed out at something that was too close - something that wasn't really there.

Sai, though blindfolded, seemed to know what had happened. He called out to Vlad again, wishing that the criminal had ears to freaking hear. "Get up! Move!" The youth hesitated, knowing he would only get in the way if they went anywhere near Ashes or Vlad. Vlad ... was off. Something about his aura was odd. "There's something wrong."

(Note: Vlad is ready and willing to leap back into the battle - he's just a bit cray at the moment. ;) Waiting for Scorpiocat's next move!)

Artemis had been so focused on lobbing arrows into Scorpioncat that she'd hardly noticed the tail coming around to strike. Too late, she heard it move and turned her head to face the oncoming blow. The young brunette began to brace herself for impact, but surprisingly enough, none came. Discord moved in the way of the strike, just in time to block the tail from causing any harm to her. "Thank you!"She called out breathlessly to the criminal. She would have said more, but the battle wasn't done raging and they had no time for niceties at this point.

Ashes newest orders rang out in her mind, and Artemis immediately began to pull Ajax into a retreat. The stag dashed as quickly as it could, dodging any sort of debris that might threaten to trip them up. Eventually, they were far enough away to stop and take a breather. The moment they stopped, Artemis found herself rather wishing they hadn't. Another wave of exhaustion hit her and it was nearly entirely without her control that she found herself leaning forward and resting her head in the soft hair on Ajax's neck. Her bow hung rather limply from her hand while it waited to be used. Right now she was not set to attack, and she certainly wasn't going to do more than she was ordered- not because she didn't care (she quite did), but because she trusted Ashes orders and she knew her body had a very low limit on it abilities this night.

Instead, crystal blue eyes watched the next events unfold. At this point, arrows would do little but keep the beasts attention where it didn't need to be. They would need them again, but presently, she was to wait. Artemis was quite thankful they'd cleared the area before Ashes had begun his attacks on the beast. She'd never seen such power. It was hidden behind the sweet, friendly man she'd only recently met. Really, she'd only recently met all of them. It had been a very busy two months at the agency- two months and she was staring her death in the face.

They'd always warned her agents died young and fast- but she hadn't expected it to be quite this young or this fast. Artemis was drawn out of her thoughts when her eyes began to tear up from the brightness that leapt from Ashes. Heat surrounded her and she had to admit in her half-conscious state she found it rather comforting. Perhaps she hadn't recovered as fully from the freezer's, or Vlad's, chill as quickly as she'd thought. It was a beautiful display really, the strength that came from Ashes. Suddenly his codename began to make sense to her.

The flames licked larger and more powerfully than before, and Artemis finally had to turn away. As her eyes moved, they fell upon Sai and Vlad, who was just being released into the fight. His face was anger and rage, ice and fury. She had little interest in getting in the way of whatever was going to come next from the criminal. Surprisingly, he did exactly what he had meant to do and latched onto the tail. Too soon, the heat from the air dissipated and was replaced with a familiar cold. It had to be cold, didn't it? God Artemis hated the cold.

With impressive strength and frightening cruelty, the tail was separated from it's owner. Sai was crying out, trying to pull Vlad back. It failed, of course, and Vlad took a massive hit from the beast. An audible gasp fell out of Artemis's lips- any injuries in this battle could spell the end for them all. Vlad hardly seemed to mind the hit, but the sound he made when he hit the ground caused Artemis's own bones to ache. That should have killed him- it would have killed anyone. Had he really taken in that much power?

Artemis received her answer as he began to glow and slowly stand back up. His speed had greatly fallen, but that didn't change the fact that he was able to move. No one should be. His mannerisms were off, the way he held himself, everything just seemed wrong. He held his head and attacked the air, attacked space that was filled with nothing. Artemis reached the same conclusion Sai did as his words reached her ears- yes, something was very wrong. And someone might get hurt- someone that wasn't the monster.

Looking to her companions, the half-injured and half-dead crew about them, Artemis knew she had to act. No one was going to be able to get through to him when he was like this, but of all the others, perhaps she had the best chance. After all, they had an arrangement, didn't they? It would be stupid of him to kill an ally like Artemis. Though she knew it was all a business deal, he needed her alive. Of course, Artemis had no expectations of him thinking clearly enough to remember that, but someone had to try and calm him. She couldn't ask anyone else to do it. Force would only make him worse.

Trying to swallow the crippling fear that gripped her heart, Artemis urged Ajax forward towards the criminal. He moved, but grudgingly. It was no surprise to the brunette agent when Ajax got to a certain distance and flat out refused to move forward. He looked at her apologetically as she dismounted. "It's alright Ajax, I understand." She said weakly to the stag as she patted him once on the head before moving away and towards the criminal. There was a slight limp to her walk, and she moved with little of the grace she normally possessed. She had to be careful where she stepped- too close would spell disaster for her, but too far and she doubted he'd hear her.

Knowing how vulnerable she was making herself, Artemis slung the bow over her back. She didn't want him to think she was a threat. Having a purium blaster would have been a comfort, but Artemis had lost hers somewhere in the confusion of the evening. Granted, it would only make him feel more threatened, but it would've been nice. As she was, there was little Artemis could do should he decide he didn't want her near him. But better it be her, whom he seemed to at least somewhat trust, than someone else. As she moved towards him, a wretched cold dread filled her heart- and she wasn't certain if it was from his energy or her own fear. Artemis stopped a few feet away, wanting to give him at least some space before she spoke.

"Vlad..." her voice did not hold the strength she wished it had, it had a slight tremble to its sound, perhaps it came from the shivering that had begun to set into her body "I know you're hungry, and I know you need this- but please, you have to snap out of it. You'll hurt someone- you don't want them to have that ammo against you, do you? Don't give them a reason to think you're a monster...." Did she even believe the words she was saying? She did, Artemis knew she did. It was a different approach, she had to spell it to him in a way that would serve him and no one else.

"You can direct every ounce of rage and hatred that you have at that monster, but you have to have enough control over yourself to do that. Whatever you think you see or think you hear, the only thing you need to focus on is my voice and that beast over there." Artemis had made a decision, a rather stupid one, but perhaps it could do something to remind him that she was real. Reaching her hand out hesitantly, she placed it on his arm for a second "See? I'm real, and the growls and snarls you hear? Those are real too- from that monster. " Artemis pulled her hand away and went to move from his side- she'd already taken too large of a risk.

Everything moved around him. Every time Vlad tried to focus on one thing his vision seemed to splinter - like a shattered filter of red had been momentarily flipped over his sight. The pain in his chest continued to burn, though it wasn't nearly as bad as everything that followed it.

As Artemis made her way to him on foot, the criminal shifted back a step. It brought him closer to her, but not willingly. He didn't notice her approach. Teal energy continued to well up in his eyes and brightly shining Purium crystal. Vlad's gaze flickered from one thing to the next, some of his visions real and others from memory. How many memories were forcing their way through?

Hannah, his younger sister, was there. But ... she wasn't. She'd run toward Vlad, smiling like she used to ... then she'd be gone. A flash of pain and reddened vision and Vlad was left staring at the battlefield again. A laugh. A cry. A scream. The dark-haired male fell deathly still, as though there was too much sensory information flowing into him.

He'd flipped the switch - he couldn't shut it down. Energy continued to flood into him, and the air began to burn with cold. As he struggled with the ache behind his eyes, stubbornly fighting the uncontrollable rage within himself, Vlad bore his fangs and turned his attention to the first thing that caught his attention. It was intense energy and emotion, something strong enough to show itself to him through the chaos of static memories and the constant flickering of lights.

Artemis approached slowly, as one would a wounded beast. Disgust flashed over his face as he realized it was an agent that came to him now. Vlad's expression was the perfect mixture of contempt and hatred as she neared, and he blinked away another shock of shattered vision. Then, he seemed to shift his demeanor toward her. ... Hannah?

The agent was speaking. Artemis' words slowly filtered past the static.

"Don't give them a reason to think you're a monster."

For a moment, Vlad seemed to have regained a semblance of control. In reality, it was a brief respite from insanity. Recognition filled his gaze, and the tall male stared at the hand she placed on his arm. He lost the meaning of her next statement as soon as her hand pulled away. Something ... slipped. Not Hannah. This ... being wasn't his sister.

A piercing scream that Vlad alone could hear filled his ears, and a dark expression was the only precursor to the agony Artemis suddenly felt. Hannah's death flashed before his eyes the moment Artemis had touched him. Her fear pierced him just as Hannah's had - and this time, he could taste it.

If one could have their soul torn from their body violently, that was exactly what happened. Vlad seemingly stole Artemis' life essence in one moment, turning on her as one would an enemy.

Sai, from his place a ways off, yelled for someone to interfere. With the Scorpiocat on its rampage, no one could afford to turn their attention to Vlad. They hadn't planned to fight one of their own. "Someone stop him!" Sai had already drawn his Purium blaster, immediately sighting the suddenly feral criminal. His concentration heightened briefly, and he pulled the trigger - just as a cloud of dust and debris showered him as the Scorpiocat's lashing got too close. Sai missed his target.

That was when Vlad's clawed hand rammed into Artemis' midsection. Embedded would have been a better word. He intended to kill her. Frost formed on her features as Vlad hissed down at her. Angrily, he shook off the non-existent ghost of a child that clung to his arm, screaming at him above the battle.

Sai coughed through the dust, moving away as swiftly as possible. When he sought his target once again, the blind man's heart sank. Vlad had already gotten to Artemis. "Oh my God," he muttered, pausing. They couldn't afford this. And ... Artemis....

Sai called out to the nearest Enhancer, praying beyond hope that someone could at least do something to save Artemis. Her aura was weak. She might already be dead. Sai involuntarily grabbed Volkov's arm as though to keep her there beside him. She was a doctor ... but they couldn't risk losing her to Vlad.

Panting with exhaustion, Ashes' sweaty brows dripped as he tried to shake off the heat that burned away at his body. He had used too much of his energy too fast and those actions caused him to suffer from heat exhaustion. Stepping back, he found himself kneeling on the ground as he tried to regain his composure. He needed to pop a pill. He needed to get that high of strength back. Only, when his eyes looked right, he saw something that made him wish he hadn't turned his head.

Vlad's arm was forcing its way through Artemis' body and he was unable to do anything, save for sit there and stare. To make matters worse, he was so wrapped up in what was happening that he paid no attention to what moved toward him. He never caught a whiff of the hellish Scorpiocat that was fixated on killing him. And when that monster was finally upon him, its large, curved claws immediately pulled into Ashes' flesh. In mere seconds, his body was littered with seeping red cuts. His body ached and his head throbbed. Hand cryptically crawling up his torso, he fingered his face until he confirmed what he feared -- his face was a mess. Again.

The eyepatch that once kept his stained eye at bay was now fully exposed. It was ghostly, taunting, and downright eerie. Glazed over with a milky-white color, that eye took in the world. Although he was blind in that eye, he could see things. Not in the same regard as Sai, but in a manner far more practical for a man that could breathe fire. He saw not auras but heat-syncs. He could see where the heart of the monster was and, what was worse, he could see the fading color of his own heart. He could see all his precious blood slipping from his body and becoming one with the ground.

To see death was something Ashes feared. He always hated that his patched eye could see how weak a body was. He hated knowing that people were dying. He could see the colors shift from vibrant reds and oranges to dull, lifeless cool blues. The lighter the blue, the sooner your death.

Eyes now falling off his body, he gazed over at Artemis. She was slipping. She was losing blood. She would... die.

Blinking, he moaned before opening his eyes again to see that large, crunching jaw of the scorpiocat. Was this the end for him? He closed his eyes again. So much for being a hero, he mused. Eyes slowly pulling open, he felt a rush and his stomach turned. Why? No, how was he moving? Vision coming to, he stared up into Volkov's pretty face. Why was she here? What was she doing? Had she calculated the risks of saving him over Artemis? Eyes trailing to the downed agent, he caught a glimpse of Cias. No, she was with Cias, the enhancer. He could slow her down and keep her alive. Loli was there too, she could use her electricity to keep Artemis' heart beating.

Trying to smile, Ashes mouthed "thank you" to the woman who came to save him. Only it was ill-placed and poorly timed for the second he closed his lips, those long, curved claws snatched his savior out from underneath him. Body falling away from hers, he rolled across the grass and became a bloody mess of mud and his own oozing fluid.

"Vol-kov," he stammered before hopelessly trying to push himself up. Ashes tried to keep his eyes off her, fearing that she might be dying too, but he had to know.

Yellow. Yellow! She was safe. Trapped below the monster's claws but safe. She saved him from death and now she was facing the scorpiocat head-on below his paws. If only he could heal or take the GP. If only he had the strength to get up and save her.

Falling weak against the marred grass, he groaned. Had he really failed her? Was this how they were to end?

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TL;DR: Ashes got attacked by the scorpiocat and is severely wounded. In the process, his eye patch fell off. The eye that can now see the day of light can see the heat within people. He can see who's dying and who's alive. Just as he's about to die, Volkov comes to save him and pushes him out of harm's way. Now trapped beneath the monster's claws, Ashes feels as if he's failed her and gives up. Meanwhile, Artemis is having one hell of a p-art-ay. Cias and Loli are the first to come to her aid. We'll even say that Mozilla runs over with the hopes of tying up Vlad to keep him from killing the others. Sai, being the only one really on the monster, is trying to stop the monster.

Suggestions for posting? Since Shadow isn't really involved with anything, might be wise for her to engage the monster. Scar is somewhere in the area. He can certainly help Ashes out and give him the GP. Volkov should probably buff herself against the scorpiocat. Also, since she's under it's belly, she can always get a vantage point for where it's weak (aka, it's belly doesn't have any scales so it's the weakest point on the beast; it's also the hardest to reach).

Vlad can do that other thing we talked about since well, 'things' are in position. Artemis is free to do whatever (you can play Loli and Cias, so you can work on healing Artemis). Sai... well, I'm not sure what he can do. Maybe it's time to ask Sycom or Okami for help? Although, honestly, I think it would be neat if Sai started to lose himself and Siri had to appear in his "mind" to calm him down. Actually, if she did eventually appear, she could let Sai know that help will be on the way soon (aka: Reino and Hime).

Other: OH AND WE SHOULD PROBABLY BRING VEX BACK. Uh, let's have one of the monsters die (I'm think Okami should go help take out the scorpiocat since it's the weakest right now). Once that thing dies, then we'll have the government come in and mess everything up. xD

Vlad was insane, lost to the horrors and terrors of his own mind- he looked at everything yet saw nothing, looked at nothing yet saw everything. There was no hint of the man he normally was- was he ever really a man though? He’d always been one hit, one drain, one step away from this. Anyone who was surprised he had snapped had failed to realize how dangerous the criminal was.

Artemis had known- but she hadn’t wanted to believe it. She wanted to believe that there was a man beneath the monster, but the face that faced her made that belief hard to hold onto. He was livid, all rage and ice and terror. The young woman had never seen anything so horrifying in her short life- and in her heart, there was a strong suspicion that that short life was quickly coming to an end.

But there had been hope- someone had to try, they couldn’t just stand there and allow Vlad to rage and mull and hallucinate in the middle of the battle. Something had to snap him out of it. Artemis had stepped up under the misguided assumption that he would recognize her. But his eyes held no recognition as they looked down at her- they only held hate.

She was going to try and say something, but a sudden cold gripped her and tore at her. Her words died in her mouth and the only sound that left her lips was a piercing scream. All of the energy in her body left, seeking a new owner in Vlad. Her legs trembled and she began to fall to her knees. Artemis watched Vlad’s hand reach out to her- had she succeeded?

The sudden agonizing tearing in her torso told her that no, she had not- in fact, she’d quite completely, spectacularly failed. Crystal blue eyes looked down to see his hand buried deep within her, hot blood spreading from the injury. One last betrayed glance met Vlad’s eyes before the ice filled her vision.

Skin, nerves, and senses numbed as the ice covered her young features. Everything began to sound muffled and far away as her body hit the ground with a dull, limp thud. Blood dripped from the corners of her mouth, but Artemis was far too gone to notice. Even in the oppressive darkness that began to swallow her, there was a certain calm peace in the knowing.

So this was how it all ended- on the ground in the darkness, murdered by a man who couldn’t tell her from the enemy. Or perhaps he’d never considered her to be any different from the enemy in the first place. Her blind faith and youthful naivete- god, she’d expected it to be enough to pull a monster from the darkness. But perhaps nothing was. Vlad had been beyond saving, or maybe he’d never wanted to be saved at all. Perhaps she was the one that wanted him to be saved all along, and she’d never considered his opinion on the matter.

She coughed up blood, but Artemis’s mind was too far gone in the warm embrace of darkness to notice. How stupid she had been, all those wide eyed youthful dreams of protecting people, of saving the innocent and bringing justice to the guilty. But in the end, there had never been anything different about her. She’d been nothing special. Artemis was just another young woman, lost to the horrors of a war she had believed she could win. She had known war, and she would now know peace- or at least that’s what the darkness that was quietly settling on her mind felt like. 



Her thoughts trickled out as her blood did and the agonizingly slow darkness finally had mercy on her as everything went truly, deeply, beautifully black.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Though the young agent would not be aware of it, her heart had not stopped beating. Loli and Cias had been close enough to respond to the attack, and they were doing quite well. Loli had her hands over Artemis's heart, sending small rhythmic pulses to keep the organ beating. Cias was using his enhancement abilities to slow the rate of her body as it bled out. Together they were able to keep her in a sort of suspended animation- not quite dead, but certainly not conscious. Comatose would likely be the most accurate term for the state that she was presently in.

Ajax had moved to lay next to her, his head curled near hers. Cias was saying words that were keeping the great stag calm, though Ajax's eyes did occasionally move to Vlad and Mozilla, who was doing what he could to keep the man from finishing Artemis- or her saviors off. They could keep her like this for a while, but eventually their own exhaustion would catch up to them- if they didn't finish the battle quick enough to get some real medicine into her, Artemis would certainly become another casualty in this futile war.

Sai's "gaze" was locked on Artemis and Vlad until he heard the sound of claws meeting bone. Shocked back to the battle, he saw the fierce orange of Ashes' form locked in the monster's grasp. "NO!" There was a weakening essence in that man - Ashes, his best friend, was caught in the maw of death. And ... what could Sai do? He was human, hardly a threat to the Scorpiocat.

His Purium blaster was holstered immediately, and he drew the first set of blades he kept at his side. Sai moved toward the beast, despite his former desire to stay back. He couldn't let his team die. Not again. Not for the third time.

One of the dagger-like blades struck close enough to the Scorpiocat's eye that it moved ... but not as Sai had intended. Volkov was interfering, trying to save Ashes. Ashes was trapped. He was dying. He was too weak. The fiery essence that usually lingered within the criminal was dying down to an ember-like glow that brought Sai's heart to his throat. He couldn't lose Ashes. That boy was the last piece of the past that Sai had left.

Throwing his second blade with wavering accuracy, he struck the beast's face once again. Sai's hand flew to his earpiece, and despite the alcohol he'd consumed earlier, his mind moved swiftly. The last agent he'd "seen" came to mind immediately. "Okami," he lifted his voice over the sounds of battle, hoping the communicator would reach the other male. "We're being overwhelmed, and won't last much longer. We need help now if we're going to live."

The moment the communicator went dead, Sai's "gaze" returned to Ashes. He was so much weaker now. Sai loosed another few blades, finding his aim ... horrible. He wasn't helping. He was making it worse. He was second guessing everything: his movements, his shots, the outcome of this battle....

Ashes was dying. Paralyzed with a sudden fear, Sai froze. On the field of battle, this was a terrible idea. He was close enough so that the monster could reach him with the lashing of claws - which is just what happened. Sai hardly had time to brace for impact before a giant paw attempted to swat him away. Surprisingly, a lavender aura filled the air about him, buffering the agent and brushing the claw away.

Sai's breath caught as a familiar voice drifted through the air. "You won't lose them, Dez." The shifting form of an old friend, of Siri, his former teammate, seemed to stand between the agent and Scorpiocat. "It won't happen again."

The agent reached up and pulled the blindfold from his eyes, not quite sure if he was going insane or seeing reality. Siri was with his last team - she'd died in his arms. "Siri?" Just as he saw her without his blindfold, he knew it was her. He also dodged back the moment he saw a stray claw swipe headed his way. Again, a pale purple aura shifted about him - a force field to block incoming attacks.

Gentle hands rested over his cheeks, and her gaze met his. "Help them, Sai."

The agent tried to ignore the fading auras of Ashes and Artemis, his breath catching as he forced his gaze away from the ghost of his old friend. Help them, she'd said. Focusing on Scorpiocat, he let his gaze seek the next weak point. If they didn't kill this beast, they would all die.
-

Others came. Vlad growled and stepped back from Artemis as she fell to the ground. Like a wolf defending it's meal, Vlad crouched over Artemis' fallen body. That was when a wire wrapped about his throat and pulled. Hard.

Mozilla pulled Vlad back, doing what he could to get the others to Artemis. Vlad's feral gaze turned to the youth ... and he grasped the wire that tied them together and pulled with such a surge of strength that the boy stumbled ... and was thrown in the direction of Scorpiocat to fend off claws and fangs alike. Vlad's attention shot back to the next target.

By this time Loli and Cias were doing their best to keep Artemis alive. Judging by the state of the others, there would be no help for them. Loli's abilities were tempered and gentle, and she fought to stay calm. "You'll be alright," she said, though wished she meant it. "Just hold on."

Pulses of electricity were sent into Artemis as Cias worked the best he could. There was little hope for Artemis - she'd been torn wide open. Loli's hazel eyes flickered up at a cry from Cias. He'd been knocked aside by a clawed hand, and just as the woman looked up she met the gaze of a killer. Vlad's hand was at her throat before she could utter a sound.

Lifted from the ground, Loli dug her own clawed gauntlets into Vlad's arm, trying to tear her way free. Struggling, her power fought to save her. It only made Vlad stronger.

Vlad's glowing eyes were cold as he held the woman's gaze. Loli managed to lash out at the man's face, raking over his features. She was on the ground, gasping. The lolita fended off the next strike, but the brunt of one lash sent her back off balance. That was her mistake. Vlad tore her open without a second thought, his hardened gaze moving to Artemis once again.

Cias was still out cold. Mozilla had seen Loli's pain. His accusing, hate-filled eyes locked on Vlad. "You're just like them." Twin daggers shot forward, stopping Vlad. The wires shifted, wrapping about Vlad. The criminal snarled and jerked on the wires again. Mozilla had expected as much, and allowed his weapons to further tighten and wrap about the other male. For killing Loli, for killing Artemis, this man would pay.

Instead of pulling away, Vlad went toward him. He rammed into Mozilla with enough force to knock the boy senseless. A few lashes left the youth bleeding and weak. Vlad didn't care to finish him off. Instead, he shook the shattered image of his sister from his vision. Her screaming voice ... it wouldn't stop.

Make it STOP. Vlad's eyes closed as he lifted his hand to tear Mozilla's throat open.

A static red blur fell over everything. He could hardly hear. The only thing that came through the blur was the blood on his hands ... and a lifeless form from his memory. He'd killed Hannah himself, lost in a rage like this one. He'd fallen to the same level he had then. Nothing had changed. He was the monster.

Horrified, Vlad lowered his hand. Mozilla stared up at him with furious, fearful eyes. Vlad's expression grew cold once again. He stood, looking to the torn form that was Artemis. His steps were slow as he approached her, witnessing her life drift away. Perhaps they were right to take me. The agency had saved countless others by taking him in, hadn't they? He'd always hated the SFA, but ... Artemis was dying just as Hannah had. Loli had already fallen by his hand.

A strange expression filled his eyes as Vlad stared down at Artemis. He knelt suddenly, his hand moving to where he'd mutilated her. So much blood. Even now Vlad couldn't help but pull the energy from it whenever it touched him. Tastes ... good. His glowing eyes locked on her face. She was pale - deathly gray and white. She didn't have long.

"Don't give them a reason to think you're a monster."

... what have I become?

His expression darkened. Vlad hesitated. He lifted Artemis' limp form from the ground, eying her strangely. They should have killed me, not tried to tame me.

Suddenly his lips pressed to hers harshly, and Vlad used every ounce of rage and willpower to turn the tides. It wasn't easy. At first, he stole the remaining essence from her. Then, it changed. Instead of taking energy, as he'd always done, he reversed the flow - he poured power into Artemis with a vengeance. It was anything but soft and gentle, but it would bring her back. Vlad knew how to alter the flow of blood with his Purium, even if he refused to do so. Artemis' wounds would seal first - he'd bring her back.

As powered up as he was, it wouldn't take long.

With every ounce of strength left in her body she kept the stream going. Every time the beast moved her ice and lightning followed with deadly precision. Even though Shadow was using her ice, her attack was anything but cold. She knew what Sai wanted, to heat the tail up then shatter it with the cold. She had enough control over her powers to have the one she needed dominate over the other.

Then she heard Sai’s orders. Target closer to the body. So she did.

Her body was on fire from the pain of all of her injuries. Her head was swirling and it was still hard for her to breath normally. I can’t do this much longer..just as the thought came across her mind she was hit with fiery energy that coursed through her veins. Volkov had just given her the boost she needed.

Shadows brows scrunched together as she put more into her storm. The thing decided Artemis and herself were doing the most damage so it started to attack them, but Discord stepped in thankfully.

The only part on her body that moved was her arms as she tracked the beast, aiming at the center of it’s body. Her eyes were looking for the weakest point. Ashes barked at them to get back so she went back a few feet, still keeping storm directed at the beast.

Out of the corner of her eye she saw Ashes go inferno and attack the cat. She could feel the heat from where she was standing, very impressive. Then Vlad was launched into the fray and Shadow instantly switched to ice being the more dominant. They needed cold now so she would give them biting frost.

But then Vlad lost it, she could see that he was taking in too much power and that he wasn’t paying attention. She was running forward when the beast sunk its claws into him and then he was airborne. The impact should have killed him, but he had taken too much energy. Shadow stopped running when Vlad looked at her. She couldn’t quite describe the look he was giving her but it made her cautious. Her gut screamed at her to not get close to him.

So her attention turned back to the cat. Bringing her hands together again she created another storm and directed it at the beast. A lot of things went on around her but she focused on the cat, still looking for a weak point. She knew she was going to have to get up close and personal soon but she wasn’t afraid to admit she was a little scared.

The moment came, Ashes down and Volkov stuck under it’s claws. She should have moved faster. But she could berate herself later. Shooting off towards the cat Shadow was a blur of motion. She took a few bounding leaps before she pushed off with one foot and sailed into the air, landing on the back of the cat. The impact of hitting it’s hard back jarred her already pounding head and she stayed still for a moment.

But she knew she had to be fast so after a few seconds she got to her feet and ran up to the neck. “Volkov!” She shouted down to her. “Did you see a weakness?” As she shouted she hacked away and used her ice, looking for some type of weakness. Her head was throbbing so hard it was making it hard for her to see. The energy boost was starting to wear off and she could feel the pain all over her body again. The shouting hadn’t helped her throat at all and now it was once again on fire.

Things were getting trickier indeed. Everyone was on the move, one after another. It all melted together slightly, into one big mass of attacks. He could focus, but at the same time, it was as if his mind was a bit elsewhere. Kanra kept pulling his focus back to a here and now, blocking attacks that were sent towards him, or pushed towards those he could defend. He heard a bit of what was going on with other's, but for the most part, it kind of felt out of body...almost robotic in nature. He had been through such moves in training and other battles, but this was different as well. He registered Ashes' words, telling him and Artamis to keep further away, they did not want to get themselves killed after all. Life and death, that was what all of this was. What it always was. Life and death, he frowned, his eyes on the beast before them. Kill or be kill...the basic laws of the jungle...sometimes it was hard to say who were the beasts in the end.

Keep your head in this...or do you need me to step in? Berserker spoke up. Kanra shook his head, "no...it is better if you rest for now, if you have to come out...their going to need you." He could handle himself, being a separate side of the personality, did not mean Kanra was weak in any case. He could kick ass with the best of them even now, but...there were complications for them all. They were injured and tired, this could not go on much longer at all. As if on cue, Vlad moved forward, taking action of his own. Kanra's eyes on him, he knew better than possibly anyone there what was going on with the other as it happened. Their abilities similar, and oddly enough on some level, their understanding of one another. The tail ripped away, the flow of energy. He narrowed his eyes, watching as seconds later the beast set forth into its own defence.

Artamis foolishly moved, naturally rushing to the aid of the other. He could not blame her really, it was complicated, but he understood. He kept his eyes on things going on around them, though the more he stood still, the heavier his body felt. It was for a moment like time was slowing down. Everything going on around him, like it was out of body. He heard the sounds of something errupt with Vlad, something else in the background as well. It was odd, not natural at all for him in the mist of a battle like this. A hand moved to his head, as he felt a slight pain run through it. What was going on? He saw Artamis on the ground, once more people in motion. The scene felt surreal to the point where for a moment he did not react as something moved to his side. The large mosnter cat was down, but the result had left trouble around them still.

He shook his head, standing here was not going to help at all. Berserker had gone silent, which in itself was also odd. He knew the other was probably tired, but to have him quiet in the middle of a fight was surprising. Something was off, he could feel it. It was part of the reason why he seemed to be finding it harder to focus now. He had used up a lot of energy already, in both forms. His body was tired, divided in mind naturally and energy as well. Each side of him running on what they had, switching out when need be to use that energy. It was why he had told the other to rest. But the other was stubborn, to think he had slipped into slumber or something was not possible at the moment. He shook his head once more, before focusing fully on the fight at hand. He needed to indeed get his mind in this.

The thing was armored, that was a problem. The plates kept their attacks from doing much damage, sadly, the one under it had the worst and best vantage point to try something more. He glanced at Vlad for a moment, then back at the scene. His abilities in energy were better in healing than the other. Bluntly forcing energy into her was not going to do much at all. At the same time, possibly using him as a medium instead would allow him to recharge a bit as well. But bluntly leaving his position here left others in harms way. He ran a hand through his hair. "Dammit.." why the hell did all these people have to be such pains in the ass? He shook his head, better deal was to get his energy back, as well as stop the big idiot from killing the girl. Once that was done, he would be of better use overall to the main fight.

Not to mention all of the other people who were also injured and on their last legs. To bad for them as of for now...they were going to have to keep up their drive...he doubted any of them planned on dying for the moment. He sighed, moving over to Vlad. The other paying attention to the girl, he grabbed the front of his shirt and turned him to look at him, his eyes right on his. "Listen to me and listen good...you want to save her right? Pumping her full of energy like that is going to ensure it" he gave him a small shove backwards, glaring at him, "you want to save her...to fix this right? Then use your head...and use me..." He looked him in the eyes, hoping the other would not be as thick as he usually was, and understand what he meant. It was a better chance of not only saving her, but of saving Vlad and recharging Kanra a bit as well.

A win, win, win right? He just hoped the others could for now hold out on their own. The females could possibly handle the injured cat, with the help of the others. That idiot cat man was down as well. He sighed, the less time wasted on pointless conversation, the better. With one last look at Vlad, he kneeled by Artamis slowly. He placed a hand over her heart, using his own energy..or what was left of it, to begin a more gentle flow. This time, unlike with Vlad's, it was not all crashing down over the vital organ of her heart. It was flowing out over her muscles and her blood vessals, helping to stimulate them all. Unfortunately, it would do nothing if Kanra ran out of energy as well. Vlad needed to choose now, continue being a stubborn ass, or for once in his life, work with someone.

_______________

Fighting a monster, while keeping one's eye on the others was a pain. Not impossible for him, simply a pain. This was one of the reasons why he worked better on his own. Less of a distraction. He frowned, glancing out of the corner of his eye at what was going on with the others. Seemed they were having quite the time with the other monster. Several people, and they were having this much trouble? He could not fully blame them though, all of them were deffinely not at one hundered percent going into this battle. It was clear their odds were slipping...quickly. He sighed, raising Oblivion, releasing another blast of flame as the snake like monster he had been fighting came in with a mouth open wide. He turned to look at it, reaching a hand up to adjust his glasses. It reared back, shaking its head as smoke rose from its mouth.

"Clearly the manners of such beasts has not changed" he muttered, not that he was expecting the thing to wait patiently to die. Although, it was surprisingly durable. Dispite being wounded from the internal fire attacks, as well as various other wounds he had instilled upon it, the damn thing was still going. "Pure stupidity...or pure agression...perhaps both?" he was not speaking to it, or to anyone really. His mind even now was analyzing, taking in information as he worked. He placed both of his guns back within their holisters by his side, as he slipped out a chain instead, the edges like blades when the thing was opened up. The snake drove in, seeming to this time be planning to squash him with that nose of its. He sighed, waiting till it was close to move aside. His plan was to use a weakness of his own..to weaken this thing.

The eyes. The snake could see movements, could see things around it. He knew without its sight, the heat sensing organs and smell sensors with its tongue would be able to still direct it, but the attacks would be slowed and less likely to cause as much damage or presicion as it was now. The head lowered close enough to the ground, now or never it seemed. He moved the chain, similar to how a lasso or a whip might work, wrapping it like a muzzle over the head, and in turn, the eyes. The snake hissed, once more rearing its body. He clenched his jaw, planting his feet for a moment. It tugged, seeming to try to pull free and throw him at the same time. Unfortunately, that pulling gave him what he needed. He pulled back, the chain ripping across the top of its head, and the eyes.

A lour roar echoed from it, as for a moment it fell to the ground, the eyes oozing. Well...that was a sight he could have done with out. He was used to such gory things though, so he failed to even bat a lash. He took the pause to glance over at the others and frowned. They were a mess even more now than before. Some down, others trapped. The one seemed to have almost killed another. He frowned, watching the woman from before. Codenamed Shadow...who he had said he would protect. His eyes on her, he failed to notice the snake moving once more, till it was close. He stepped back, the tail only managing to catch his arm. It cut into the fabric of his sleeve, and he felt a slight sting upon his skin. He clenched his jaw, having Judgement out in the next moment, to send a current of electricity up its tail. It hissed, pulling away for now.

He glanced at his arm, the white shirt underneath already turning red with blood. It was not to deep, and he was already scratched a bit and filthy. He sighed, he was going to need a long shower after this indeed. New plan, the eyes were weakened, releasing some kind of liquid like substance. They were the point on the body he now needed to aim for. Using the electrical attributes of Judgement might be enough to literally fry the thing's brain...the eye cannals would provide passage to deeper within the skull. The trouble now...getting close to the head. It was keeping it out of reach, curling its tail up into the air lightly, as a sort of shield, as a long tongue flicked out to the air. He wondered if it would be foolish enough to try burrying underground with the damage to its head. It could only cause the thing more pain in the end.

Then again, that could be good for him. If it damaged itself, that lessened the work he had to do to it. However, he was distracted a bit now more than before. With the situation intense, his eyes kept flickering back to Shadow, and then over to Sycom. What a pain indeed. He knew the situation called for him to do his part, just like it did them. So for now, he was forced to stay here, he was forced to focus on the beast before him, as its tongue flickered in the direction of his form. He pulled out Oblivion as well, frowning slightly at the creature before him. "Verywell....shall we continue our dance then?" the snake began to move. He did as well, as a voice came over the link in his ear. That other agent, he frowned...did they really need to add more to his plate in the middle of all of this? He sighed, great, another issue to call his attention.

Volkov listened to Sai as he explained their plan of action. She agreed wholeheartedly with it honestly. Her boost of energy really seemed to help, and as the cold was ready to be unleashed, she saw something in Vlad's eyes that she knew all too well. The craze. The blood lust. "Wait!" she shouted, reaching out but he already took off from what Sai told him. Her eyes were wide with fear as she prayed that history wouldn't repeat itself for a second time this day. That innocents innocents innocents innocents have to die by the hand of another in their team. Her chest stabbed and throbbed as the heat from Ashes began to grow even more hot.

Scar was waiting in the wings, pacing back and forth, ready to jump in when needed, as well as his createress. This didn't seem to get any better. Clenching her hands into fists, Volkov bit her bottom lip. Her body was full of fatigue from Sycom nearly killing her, and the monsters knew it. They could sense the fear and weakness, and were drawn to it. Even with her suit of armor, it was made to help keep her alive, and protect her from basic things like bullets, not for fighting monsters that would scare the toughest of men.

Silver blue eyes shifted to Vlad once again as the cold bit one side of her body, and a cold wind rushed by the other side. Her heart was pounding in her chest, echoing the the thuds of the monster's movements that ran through her body. Like bass from a concert, her body throbbed with the beat of the monster's fight. The feeling made a knot form in her chest, for her metal stomach could no longer feel such things. Fingers tingling to send aid to the fighting teammates, things shifted so suddenly that she could barely comprehend.

The Scorpiocat screamed, a high pitched sound that made her shudder and instinctively put her hands up to her ears. Even though they were covered by her helmet it was that feeling of it being helpful that was natural to the body. Her eyes immediately moved to Vlad, as the tail was ripped away from the creature and he was thrown to the ground. It was like slow motion as he stood, which made her gasp. It shouldn't have been possible. His spine should have been fractured almost beyond repair. The energy he had absorbed literally saved him, and then began to drive him mad. Artemis was the first to react, besides Volkov herself.

Slamming the ground, Volkov's purple fire shot out to slow Vlad, as he lashed out at nothing, and got the monster's attention. Risking his life over the life of the other's drove her movements. But it seemed to have done nothing to the criminal, maybe drive him more crazy. Trying not to freak out, she looked to Sai, and then for Artemis. The girl was gone!

Whipping around to look for the other agent, Volkov only saw a riderless Ajax. Her heart stopped as she held her breath in the moment. Spotting the agent approaching Vlad, she gasped, finally taking in a breath. Ashes then spat out so much heat that Volkov threw up her hands to protect her face from the heat. It drove the Scorpiocat to turn it's attention to him. Her heart leapt into her throat as things slowly panned out.

Artemis's scream pierced through the air, and then Ashes's own echoed. Acting fast the healer, moved to take command of the situation. "Loli, Cias! Help Artemis! Modzilla! Keep Vlad off of them! I will get Ashes!" she snapped, her shout loud enough to spur them all into action. Scar ran up and she jumped onto his back. Screaming her battle cry she shot her arrows at the monster to draw his attention away from Ashes.

Please don't die! Please don't die!

She pleaded in her mind and heart. Flashes of her brother's bloody body came to her mind's eye as she focused on her goal. She had to save Ashes. She couldn't let him die. Shaking her head, she jumped off Scar and skidded to the hybrid's side. Her eyes met his, and she brushed his bangs out of his face, as she wrapped the brace to Scar around him. Leaning down she kissed his forehead, and as her lips touched his flesh she was ripped away by the monster's paw. Screaming in pain she hit the ground hard and rolled through the blood and mud. Panting she screamed again as the claw came down, and threw up a shield just fast enough to protect herself. But she couldn't move, or falter, or she would be dead.

Scar growled and pulled Ashes to safety, the healing brace around the agent transferring energy from Scar to Ashes. Licking the male's cheek to keep him conscious, the mecha tiger found himself constantly looking between Volkov and Ashes. He wanted to go aid his mistress, but Ashes's life was in the balance. This couldn't be the end.

Volkov grit her teeth, as she could feel the blood oozing out between the metal plates of her armor. Sycom had done his number on her, to the point where she would be dead soon if she didn't do anything. Screaming in pain again as the claw tried to crush her again, making her shield flicker. Her eyes noticed the underbelly, and knew that was where they needed to get to. To kill the beast. Hearing Loli's scream in her ears, tears of anger came from her eyes. She couldn't help them. She couldn't heal them. All because she was too weak to fight back against this monster, and the monster that was Sycom.

Hearing Shadow's words, an idea blossomed within her head and knew that one more sacrifice was worth the life of the team. She held the ace, even if it meant it was a suicide play. "Shadow, Jump and grab my hand! Stab it in the underbelly!" she called, and could feel the impact of Shadow's form coming onto the monster's neck. Coughing up some blood, the Russian woman shot out the energy and strength Shadowwould need. "Jump now!" she screamed as the beast turned its head. Pushing the shield so she was a enough out of the claw she reached out and grabbed Shadow's hand. Screaming with the strength she had, she let go of the shield and with the other female's momentum, she flung her under the beast.

Her cry died in her throat as the beast's claw came crashing down on her unprotected body, but she knew that Shadow had hit the mark. Scorpiocat's dying scream came crashing down on her, as well as its form. Trying to protect her face with her arms, she only got pinned, and claws ripped through her armor and limbs. Knocked out from the impact, the healer was barely saved, but by the very armor she had created. It regenerated just enough skin and sinue to close up enough wounds to sustain her, before being broken by the claw.

Fading into darkness, tears ran down her pale cheeks as the cold seeped through her. Seeing her brother's face, next to Ashes's in her mind, brought her pain. Both were covered in blood and looking at her with those eyes. Those eyes full of fear and bravery. "I'm sorry I failed. I wasn't the great agent you believed I was." Volkov choked and accepted the cold waters that she was sure was death.

The first thing she noticed was a firm, nearly painful pressure on her lips. Artemis could not recall any death mythologies that involved, well, kissing. How was she able to recall anything at this point? There was a terrible pain in her stomach, but she began to feel a strange… knitting sensation that started to overtake the ripping, searing pain. Artemis tried to open her eyes and see what was happening, but it seemed her body wasn’t ready to give her that power back yet.

The next feeling that came was something supporting her, holding her up. And still, the pressure on her lips persisted. The knitting sensation stopped, and the searing pain had been replaced with a dull ache in her abdomen. Ice remained on her features, but Artemis noticed that inside, the cold was slowly retreating from her heart. It was a long process and god did it hurt, but with every second that passed, feeling began to return to her limbs.

It was then that she felt as if she was moving, landing on the ground and hands were over her heart as the pressure was removed from her lips. Was that what hands felt like? She was fairly certain it was. The pain seemed to lessen the longer the hands rested on her. Perhaps she hadn’t died after all. And now that her mind was returning to her, she was certain no death mythologies involved very long kisses. That was a mystery she had yet to solve.

The ice from her slender form had disappeared. Slender fingers twitched ever so slightly as control began to return. Warmth was radiated again from her heart, but this felt gentle, sustainable. Finally, she willed her eyes to open and they did. Immediately they were faced with two faces she hadn’t seen this close but knew instantly- Vlad and Discord.


The man that had torn her body nearly in half had kissed her back to life, and the man that had thrown her in a freezer had melted the ice from her heart. Well. This was confusing.

Self-preservation kicked in and Artemis scrambled to get away from them. She tried to stand, but the moment her feet were meant to start supporting her, her knees buckled and she fell backwards. Instead of hitting the ground, though, her back ended up resting against the strong form of Ajax, who had stood behind her. Artemis’s hands gripped the stag’s white hair tightly as she fought to gain her balance.



Artemis stared at Vlad and Discord with wide doe-eyes as her fingers raised to touch her sore lips. How had he done that? Why had he done that? None of it made any sense. And Discord… she never expected someone so fierce to be capable of such gentleness. Her eyes flitted between the two men that had worked together to save her. None of this make any sense at all- both had tried to kill her in the recent hours and yet they’d saved her. Neither of them were particularly team players- but they had worked together. The normally eloquent agent could only stand there, lips parted as if she was about to speak but unable to- she simply had no words.

“Discord…. Vlad…. I” She tried to get more words out, but her voice caught in her throat. After taking a few moments to steady her breathing, she spoke again “Thank you.” It was a simple phrase, but the inflections in her voice were complex and deep- largely because she wouldn’t have been in the situation in the first place if Vlad hadn’t attacked her, but both he and Discord had done something they were not known to do to save her.



Somehow, even through violence, they had come out as heroes and the agent would never be able to thank them enough.

Hearing Volkov’s yell Shadow’s head snapped around. The underbelly was the key. Creeping her way closer to the side of the beast she looked down at her teammate and could see that it was bad. Then a second later she was hit with more energy. There wasn’t time for her to question the agent.

So when she screamed for her to jump she did. Shadow tucked herself into a ball as she fell and let her swords become one, freeing up a hand. The whole way down she watched Volkov and knew what she was about to do, sacrifice herself. Her hand grasped the other womans and her balled up form was flinged under the cat.

She hit the ground with a heavy thud and she quickly rolled to her feet. All she had was seconds. Her sword came up and she stabbed the beast. Her swords separated and her ice and lightning ran through it’s body. Shadow ran, her swords gutting the beast as she went.

It let out a death scream and she knew she wasn’t going to make it. The cat started to collapse on top of her and with the last of her energy she dove out of the way. But she wasn’t quite quick enough, it pinned one of her legs and she let out a scream.

Turning her face to the right Shadow’s eyes widened when she saw where she landed. “Volkov?” She had landed next to the other women, just barely close enough to grip her hand. “Volkov!” She shouted. “Hey! You did it! Volkov you did it.” Tears ran down her face from emotion and from the immense pain she was in. She was hoping her leg wasn’t broken.

“Someone?!” She screamed out. “Volkov you Russian bitch wake up!” It came out as a croak for her throat was just about done for. Shadow tried to pull her leg out but it was good and wedged in there.

PART THREE


**FINAL COUNTDOWN**
Death. It's all around them. Despite all the hardships they've faced and what's to come, they still fight on. Are they stubborn, stupid... what? What pushes them on. What makes them fight for tomorrow.

As we enter the final stages of our story, we watch as regimes fall and heroes rise. Together, these agents and criminals can bring about the change that humanity needs. With their stubborn hearts, courage, and belief in each other, they will succeed. Even if it means losing friends along the way....

---

Everything around him started to crumble. Lives were lost and reality was put to the ultimate test. They were mere mortals fighting a war for gods. They held fast to their strengths, but their wits frayed with each passing second. Memories, torments of lives past, flickered in the minds as the end drew near. Was that a part of the charm of being human? To see life flash before your eyes as the white light absorbs you to the next life?

Sycom found himself crying on the battlefield. This was the end. Their final stance. The last stance for those who fought to protect the weak. The last battle to keep darkness from corrupting the pure and innocent.

And they failed.

The large monster before him shifted, glancing its massive head from side to side. It scoped out the situation and seemed to assess that its mates were failing. Was he really to be the last one standing? Was this is fate? To be alone?

Looking up at the monster, Sycom's frown swept into a bittersweet smile. "I know your pain all too well. To think, if only we knew you more, we might not fight to the death. What if all this were to naught. What if you could have been a friend, rather than a foe?"

The monster merely glazed soullessly at Sycom and yet, it didn't raise a bladed arm. It just stood there and stared.

The redhead's attention shifted to Vlad. He was a monster, but he was facing his demons. He would conquer them. He had to. He needed to, for Artemis' sake.

Artemis. She was so young and naive. Her heart yearned for adventure and a chance at greatness. To be struck down by the man she wanted to save had to be ironic for her. She wanted to be his hero and instead, she fueled his rage.

Eyes moving to Loli's hallow corpse, he grimaced. She was a victim of humanity's cruel fate. Had her life been better, she might not have succumbed to the darkness that brought her to kill. And yet, in her murdering, she found peace. Self-dense from a wicked soul that tormented her.

Mozilla. He too was dealt a bad hand in life. Had he not be abused and tortured, he would have been a happy, kind man. No, he was a kind man even in his broken state. He fought to protect women and children. He fought for Loli, for Artemis.

Cias, so young and fresh, never should have snapped. He never should have been forced to endure what he had. And yet, even as he did, his soul never split. He always remained sweet and sincere, just like the boy he wanted to be.

Eyes pulling to Sai, he smirked. To be tormented by death time and time again, how did he find the will to stand? He lost the love his life and now he was losing his best friend. How could he stand? How could he fight?

Shadow came into view. She was still as strong. She didn't need Reino. She never did. She was so strong, so wise, so skilled. A man like Reino would just weigh her down. Her strength came from her ability to care.

Reino. Where was he? Where was Hime? Were they... together? No, Hime swore to him. She promised she wouldn't pursue that path. And yet, both were missing.

"Do you even live, my should-be sister?" His tealish orbs glanced at the dark sky above. "Reino, do you protect her? Keep her safe? And promise to fight for her?"

His hand gripped at his heart as his teary gaze shifted to Kanra. So confused, so torn, and forever split, the boy was starting to lose his grip on reality. Was this too much? Should he have brought Kanra into this world of madness? Was this unfair for a kid to endure?

Volkov blurred his vision and drew his eyes on her moments. She was selfless and in love. She deserved to see a world of peace and happiness. She deserved to kiss that man she fell for and yet, she was weeping over-- scratch that, being torn from him. Was life really this cruel? Was Volkov to watch her love die alone?

Ashes. "Get up," he rasped. Why wasn't his best criminal rising. Why wasn't he fighting. What stopped him? What caused him to give up and admit defeat? Was it too much pain? Too much war? Too much loss?

The sounds of fighting on his left pulled his attention to Okami as he fought the snake-beast. Sycom's monster even seemed to watch his fight. In their silence, they wondered what drove both to continue fighting.

"Stubbornness? Or belief?"

The mantis looked at him.

"Why do creatures, man or not, fight to the death? Why do we keep getting up, keep pushing, and keep trying? We'll die in the end, so why do we try?"

The mantis clicked at him, but Sycom couldn't understand. "If only we spent more time researching you rather than fighting. Perhaps I would know what you say."

Both hung their heads in shame before squaring off before the other. "I guess this is our final spare, friend." The mantis bowed its head. Was it... understanding him?

Eyes wide, his features softened. "You were never our enemy... were you?" Hand reaching out, he blinked back his tears before touching the monster. "You were painted red because we feared you."

Movement on his right caused him to freeze and watch. Ashes was... he was...

"Save them," he pleaded with a murmur. "Protect those who are without a partner."

Although Ashes was still relatively weak, Scar's pulse and energy seemed to jump-start his will again. It wasn't enough to really make him a fiery force to recon with. No, he would save the GP inject for later. For now, he needed to use his sheer willpower and the Adrenalin boost to rescue Volkov and Shadow.

Rushing forward, his body, molded to ensure such feats, found its strength. Grit teeth and wounds reopening, Ashes used his muscle to move the scorpiocat's corpse off the two women. It was slow, and his growling, no screaming, made it seem almost surreal. It was like a movie played before their eyes. He, even in his weakest state, still had the determination to rescue those who needed him.

Once the monster was off their bodies enough, Scar pulled out the girls. With a sigh, he dropped the monster and collapsed on the ground beside Shadow and Volkov. "Pretty sure my six-pack has a six-pack," he joked before coughing up blood.

Seeing the three of them smile caused Sycom to smile. This was how they were to die. Together. With friends. With people who cared. They weren't alone. They had each other.

As he watched the ragtag renegades of the SFA come together, he didn't hear the dull, thud droning that came from the horizon. Nor did he see the white light and the crackling sparks that flew with uncanny speed. At least, not until it was too late.

Head turning to look at the mantis, Sycom's eyes looked beyond the creature at the black rocket that bore down on his location. Eyes wide with fear, he found his heart in his throat. This, this was the end.

Vex. He didn't even get to save her. He didn't get to say goodbye. Hell, he didn't even get his sex. What type of crap was that!

Smiling while crying, he spread his arms out to embrace death. This was finally the end. Eyes zooming out to see the face of the one who would kill them, he found--

"Vex," his face flushed of color. Her form, her beautiful, graceful form hung from the chopper and held the over-sized missile launcher. She. She... she was to be their reaper? The one that would bring about their end?

With seconds left, Sycom frowned and found his hand ripping at his heart. This was not how he wanted to die....

+++

A white, milky light exploded around them. There was no warning. There was no way to avoid it. They just took the full-brunt of the attack.

The world was ablaze with the flames from the rocket. Everything was down. Some more had left them. Cias, already nearing the end of his rope, willed away his strength and cast his dying energy into those who needed it -- Volkov, Shadow, and Ashes. With his tears fading into nothing, he kissed his life away with the hopes of giving those three a fighting chance.

Mozilla, much like Cias, knew he didn't have what it took to continue on in this world. Although he was no enhancer, he knew what he had to do. Forcing the wires into his heart, he shoved the other ends into Vlad, Discord, and Artemis. He would cast out one last jolt of energy and force their hearts to beat again when the rain of ash came.

Sai, being the best off, dove below the scorpiocat's paws, praying that its scaly paws would keep him safe. Okami, taking to the snake's hole, hoped that the snake's hole would keep him safe.

And Sycom?

Moaning, his bright eyes blinked in the world around him. There was so much heat. So much smoke. It was hard to do anything. He coughed and found blood all around him.

Am I... dead, he asked himself.

No. No, he wasn't. He could feel his toes. He could move his hands. But how? How was he al--

"You...."

Sycom's gaze met that of the mantis. Its body, laced with scars wrapped around his small, human form. It clenched him in its curved, scythe-like claws. It, the monster they swore to kill, saved him.

The moment was fleeting though, for a cackle rang out across the sky. One all too familiar. One of pure malice. The one that ruined everything.

"Three dead. What a shame. I wanted more to die. Oh well, I suppose we'll just have to finish you all off. Can't have you rebels ruining what we've begun. We'll force the world to rally behind us. We'll rise up as gods. But we need to rid of you pesky, ex-SFA mutts."

Remy swooped down from the chopper with Vex at his side. "Vex, darling, fulfill your duty. Kill Sycom."