Marauders #2: Mayhem in Madripoor

[Brenthon]

Amanda: "I....AM Jimaine Szardos, DAUGHTER of Gypsy Mother, and WITCH QUEEN, Margali Szardos, we...follow the WINDING WAY."

<< Beto felt a cacophany of emotions at her confirmation of his suspicion. He could feel her Roma blood pulsating, beating, CALLING to him, yet she presented herself as an anglo saxon fair hair, pale eyed beauty. It felt like a disconnect to him. He knew of the Szardos clan. Knew of the women and men who came BEFORE Margali. Perhaps it was his time away from the mortal coil, but to know that there was a clan of Roma who had seemingly seceded their culture for western beauty troubled him deeply. Still, her mana was something he could not deny and as she gripped his forearm as he tried to remember his name....it was something he could not deny. She seemed so FAMILIAR to him. >>

"BRENTHON!"

<< it was a complete and total shock to his system. It felt as if a part of him was suddenly resolved. His mind devolved into chaos as he began to experience memories that had previously been hidden from himself. >>

"What do you want, WRAITH!?"

<< He sensed himself very small, and the energy in front of him very big and feline like. Beto had just taken refuge with a fellow outcast on the outskirts of Budapest. For months Nightshade and Beto had made their money tricking tourists and outsiders into giving them money for their "sight". This cat like apparition had appeared to them both out of nowhere, both testing them and calling them forward. Never one to be taken advantage of, Beto had called the "cat's" bluff, biting her tail and prepared to die rather than be controlled. But things changed. The cat shifted into her true form, a beautiful fair haired woman with violet eyes, someone who made him an offer he could not refuse, impressed by his dedication to dark magick and his ability to cut through anything that didn't serve him. >>

Amanda: "Take from me, my dear Beto, any energy...any MANA you may need. I have plenty, as the daughter of Margali Szardos.."

<< Beto was older than Margali by many, many moons, but as her power flowed through his body, Amanda's touch on his body, it caused him to agree with her terms. He pulled her power with ease, with great speed and tenacity, to the point of which it felt like Amanda could be DRAINED completely! >>

<< Who was she? What was a Roma doing here of all places? He had entered an agreement with The Arena because he had no other options, he knew most of his kind to be dead. To feel somebody of his kind, for the first time in so long, it made him feel drunk. He wanted her power, and he wanted ALL of it. He continued to pull from him with reckless abandon. >>

Amanda: "I am here...to help someone in need, to rescue a lost soul, who was kidnapped and trafficked here. His name is...Simon Pratt. Do you know him, rom baro?"

<< Her dialect was different than his. She was not of his exact people. She was from "further" away. There was something about Simon that had made him stay, had made him give the man precedence. The desire to protect him, and now it was making sense. Simon was important to her...and meeting her...was the most important thing he had experienced in quite some time. And she had called him baro. She respected who he was. >>

"He is safe, szőke (blondie). Something told me to look out for him...and now I know why.... I do not need rescue..I need..."

<< Her blonde hair, and her magickal signature were setting off "bells" for Brenthon , reminding him of ANOTHER powerful sorceress, one that he was deeply bonded to many moons, and PLACES ago. What NEITHER of them knew yet, was just how significant that reminder really was. For Amanda, AND Margali had an ancestor in this timeline that connected them to THIS world's Sorceress Supreme, and she HERSELF was connect to....Brenthon's...beloved...>>

<< DARKCHILDE!>>

<< His heart ached for a woman he couldn't remember missing. His Darkchilde. His Queen. The woman who had changed everything. The cheshire cat who took him into her fold, removed him from time and space and gave him a life of legend and myth. He saw her body and image superimposed over Amanda's body. He wanted to cry but he controlled himself as even MORE memories came back to him. He loved her. He fought for her. He was her closest confidant. But she had left him...Limbo?! No...he HATED that place.>>

<< FLASH! >>

<< We see memories of Beto in Limbo, fighting for his life, killing demons and watching the flashes of stepping discs that fell and flowed all around the landscape, showing him images of the multiverse. He had watched Morgan Victoria fight for her life, he had seen Illyana Rapsutin wielding the blade with righteous FURY! He could see his beloved. The woman he had pledged his LIFE to. So much suddenly made sense. >>

<< The piece of crystal that seemed embedded into his chest began to glow with a bright white light as his hand became encased in dark eldritch energy. His hand became encased in a halo of power as a large and ornate dagger, composed of brilliant white energy, began to manifest as his forearm manifested a very familiar eldritch armor, the irony of which was LOST to those currently in witness. And when he felt the blade in his hand, he could feel her. He could sense her. In his hand, he held the killer of magick. The blade of negation. The soul dagger. >>

"I do not know what you are bringing out of me, gadje. But I cannot promise you will not meet this blade's SHARP edge..."

"Control yourself!"

Beto took himself within. The power brewing on his forearm was like nothing he had ever experienced. It was total. It was reality ending. It was...supreme. But he did not want to hurt Jimaine. In fact, he didn't want to be without her. She was like him, she had approached HIM. And she wanted to save Simon. His third eye, his evil eye, it showed him what was to transpire.

"Simon will win his battle on his own, Szardos. And it is important for him to do so. But this is not a place for a boy like him. Lucky as he may be...he has a greater purpose. Standing next to my own kin, I can feel it...I can feel YOU. We must let him fight...but THEN?! We must save him..."

 

[Discord]

Madripoor - The Arena

Thankfully, Maxine was too tired to argue with him, though he had it in him. He was The Red King now, and she needed to respect that. The nature of his powers had caused many to not trust him over the years, but he was no novice. He worked in tandem with Amanda's magick and once they were fully protect, Daniel found himself taking in all of the emotional energy of The Arena at once, which gave him quite a push of adrenaline, indicated by the fast that he took several shots off trays that were offered to him as he made his way through the writhing crowd. He had only one person on his mind - the familiar woman with the fat blue man up in the sky box. He flexed out with his power, attempting to assess the emotional ties of the people around him but felt them immediately chaotic. Taking a deep breath, he pulled in his focus and placed it squarely on the woman who lingered behind Voge, and he was surprised as to what he felt.

"What the hell?!"

This woman, whoever she was, was not Amanda Soto, and yet, she was her biological double. She had deep emotional ties to both Voge and many others in Madripoor but there was something about these ties that put Daniel on edge. They didn't seem real. Most emotional ties had spots where they bled. No relationship was perfect, and The Red King was able to read those blind spots with ease. With this woman? There was nothing. Her connections were decidedly..."perfect". As perfect as something that Daniel could craft himself. And that gave him pause. He decided that there was no other option but to pull her to him and to investigate her, so he went to work. Their eyes locked for a second and it was all that Daniel needed as he began to weave his power around her. She may have been a pheremone manipulator, but the way that Daniel was able to work his mutant powers, it left her no choice but to meet with him. Increasing her seritonin, manipulating her mental faculties to the point of which she would find herself infatuated, it was clear that Daniel had the upper hand. And as he watched her move from Voge and head down the stairs, he met her at the bottom of the stairwell, ready to scoop her up at a moment's notice as he fed back the other emotional ties in the area to Maxine's backup data feed.

"Well hello there, sweetheart. I'm The Red King...and you are?"

Bombshell: "Something tells me to not tell you my name..."

"Ignore that, love. I'm not here to fight...I'm just here to get to know you....You look like a friend of mine..."

Bombshell: "I get that a lot..."

"With good reason?"

Bombshell: "Fuck if I know..."

Daniel smirked. She was a lot more fun than he remembered Cobra being.

"I've definitely met you before. Why don't you tell me where...?"

 

[Magik]

Madripoor- The Arena

"He is safe, szőke (blondie). Something told me to look out for him...and now I know why.... I do not need rescue..I need..."

<< Beto...BRENTHON took sustenance from Amanda. It was clear he was in need, LONGING even, and something about her registered with him on a deeply emotional, almost psychic level. Even SHE was not aware of the flickering image of the powerful CRONE (Darkchilde) that superimposed herself on Amanda's physical form, calling out to Beto's very SOUL.>>

<< All of this was part of the astral RIPTIDE they experienced between them. Amanda Sefton, born Jimaine Szarods, daughter of Gypsy Mother, & world class WITCH QUEEN Margali, more than JUST a glamorous jet setting socialite or adventurer, more than JUST a powerful sorceress, she descended from a line of special roma, a line that was actually a genetic "tributary" to the ULTIMATE bloodline of all magick >>

<< Beto, BRENTHON had the sense that Amanda didn't QUITE know who SHE really was...and he was RIGHT, in a sense, but not even HE could understand it, exactly. But the allure, the mystery of Amanda was instantly rivalved by his OWN existential DISCONNECTION, one that she seemed to exacerbate, but ALSO seemed to possibly be a KEY to better understanding.>>

<< He held on to her, but she was far stronger than she looked.>>

<< The piece of crystal that seemed embedded into his chest began to glow with a bright white light as his hand became encased in dark eldritch energy. His hand became encased in a halo of power as a large and ornate dagger, composed of brilliant white energy, began to manifest as his forearm manifested a very familiar eldritch armor, the irony of which was LOST to those currently in witness. And when he felt the blade in his hand, he could feel her. He could sense her. In his hand, he held the killer of magick. The blade of negation. The soul dagger. >>

<< Amanda's sky blue eyes fixed on him, noting the sudden and curious change, and her own sense of self preservation kicked in as she pulled away, breaking the physical link between them, and ENDING the sharing/transfer of sustenance/energy.>>

"I do not know what you are bringing out of me, gadje. But I cannot promise you will not meet this blade's SHARP edge..."

<< How fortunate, for him. She didn't QUITE know what was happening between them. On an instinctual level, it felt....RIGHT. it was more than mere attraction, or even LUST. It was something that her mother had described to her during one of her many lessons, but no one, NOT EVEN a fellow Roma would take ADVANTAGE of Amanda, or come close to harming her, WITHOUT her defending herself.>>

<< It seemed that HE was stabilizing, and the brief moment of uncertainty that SHE felt just now, was passing. she steadied herself. To anyone who MIGHT have bared witness to their interaction, Amanda's spells made her APPEAR to be beautiful and battle ready AMAZON. But She'd just gone through something that made HER think about the dreams, the VISIONS she'd experienced when no one was watching. Harkening back to the prophecy her own mother had cast over her about a connection, a DESTINY that tied her to the "SOURCE OF MAGICK"- even that of the Szardos clan! Amanda had regarded her mother, as any dutiful daughter would, but secretly, she did not TRULY believe THIS...but just Brenthon had felt something deep, so too had AMANDA. >>

Mother...always wise, always looking FAR AHEAD...and now...i find her words echoing in my mind once more. This man is MORE than what he seems, and he SPOKE to something within me...SOMEONE that I....have a connection to...and het I don't know them....know HER!?

<< The BOTH composed themselves. he was stabilized, and she was centering herself once more.>>

Beto took himself within. The power brewing on his forearm was like nothing he had ever experienced. It was total. It was reality ending. It was...supreme. But he did not want to hurt Jimaine. In fact, he didn't want to be without her. She was like him, she had approached HIM. And she wanted to save Simon. His third eye, his evil eye, it showed him what was to transpire.

"Simon will win his battle on his own, Szardos. And it is important for him to do so. But this is not a place for a boy like him. Lucky as he may be...he has a greater purpose. Standing next to my own kin, I can feel it...I can feel YOU. We must let him fight...but THEN?! We must save him..."

but even the fortunate, the LUCKY, such as Simon, can sometimes STUMBLE. And should he lose his footing tonight, I will be there to keep him from falling into oblivion.

<< She thought to herself as she ran her hand through her blonde hair>>

Then we will do so, together, bărbat chipeș (handsome one). Not just him, but ALL of these trafficked mutants.

<< It seemed that the evening's "attraction" was about to begin soon. >>

Lead me to the "dug out", my spells will keep me from being recognized by anyone, even Simon.

<< Her voice, tone and inflection returned to it's "normal" state under her guise of Amanda Sefton, but NOW altered by her glamor spells, it shifted ONCE AGAIN, making her appear and sound as though she were an amazon>>

<< This way, should he need a subtle magickal assist, she'd be close at hand to deliver it.>>

 

[Wallflower]

The Arena - Madripoor

Who was he? What was he doing here? She had to know. Voge was preoccupied with the festivities, but even if he wasn’t, she felt like she had no other choice but to seek out this man she had noticed in the crowd. She quickly bridged the gap between them, walking down the stairs until she was face to face with him.

Daniel: "Well hello there, sweetheart. I'm The Red King...and you are?"

She could feel her own power activate around her like it was trying to fight something. She felt like she was being manipulated, but she couldn’t for some reason get full control of herself. Why would The Red King be requesting an audience with her? And why was she allowing this? Voge was very jealous of his possessions, he would not approve of this. Perhaps he wanted revenge for taking his Bishop. To that end, Jun felt more comfortable. If he pulled anything on her here, it would be a mistake. She was well protected in The Arena.

“Something tells me me not to tell you my name…”

She felt her resolve slowly begin to fade away yet again as he maintained his gaze with her, never breaking.

Daniel: "Ignore that, love. I'm not here to fight...I'm just here to get to know you....You look like a friend of mine..."

“I get that a lot.”

Daniel: “With good reason?”

“Fuck if I know…”

Daniel: "I've definitely met you before. Why don't you tell me where...?"

Her power began to subconsciously give her calm and presence of mind. Whatever game this was, she didn’t want to play.

“Look, bro. I don’t know what kind of shit you’re trying to pull here, but I’ve got work to do. If you’re salty about me scooping up your Bishop, be a better leader. Also, not for nothing but in the outside world, you may be a King, here? Your fresh meat. So tread lightly or I’ll have you collared faster than you can say “yes, mistress!” Got it?”

She stepped closer to him, attempting to work her own power on HIM this time.

“I’m Jun, but you can call me Bombshell….and if you’re a good boy I’ll show you WHY.”

 

[Domino]

Madripoor - The Arena

Kristin: “Simon has never been a fan of my smothering, Maxine. He wanted this life..he's got it. I'm merely here to support, my dear. In fact I've got 50 large on him tonight. If he wins, I'll be the first to pop champagne. If he loses...well, I don't think either of us will let that happen, will we?”

One thing about Kristin Pratt, she certainly seemed to possess a set of steel balls. Maxine had been intrigued by Kristin when she had arrived in America. Plenty of queens and kings had consorts and confidants, but Kristin Pratt seemed to have an incredible level of protection surrounding her. One look at The White Court’s security details showed that. Maxine only knew of Kristin peripherally and that was because of her agreement with Diana, which Maxine viewed as null and void as soon as she saw the woman’s body blasted into a million pieces.

“You underestimate my love of murder and proving a point, Mockingbird. If and when he needs to be taken out, I will not hesitate. I’ve killed closer people to me for less.”

Kristin: “He restarted your heart, and got into it, didn't he? I'm not surprised. Simon has a way of ending up on the right side of things. But I know my son will be fine, so excuse me for changing the subject, but inquiring minds want to know. How close are you to finding Talisman and ripping her heart out? Knowing the timeline would certainly make my job a lot easier.”

Maxine smirked. While she was unaware of the true nature of her alliance with Diana, having such a prominent social figure out in the field meant that even in death, Diana was playing a long game. And it brought her comfort that so many people wanted Kelly dead.

“It’s a matter of space and opportunity at this point, “Krissy”. And I don’t expect a flat scan such as yourself to know this, but making anyone’s job easier has never been my strong suit….”

She was hesitant to speak any further. Jessica Marcus was one of Hellfire’s greatest weapons. Surely, Diana’s interests would include claiming that weapon as her own. Not only that, she was still on the hunt for Alek. She didn’t want either of them to end up as collateral in some kind of last ditch effort from the embers of what remained at Hellfire America.

Kristin: “Fair enough, Domino. Trust me, my work now is separate from Hellfire. I merely wish to protect the interests and holdings of a dear friend, a friend who kept YOU safe as you waltzed around the halls of the mansion offering advice to those you shouldn’t have been speaking to in the first place…”

“Nobody tells me who I can speak to, bitch.”

Kristin: “And nobody gets in MY way. Remember dear, you approached ME. So unless you feel like letting out more hot air, do me a favor, and go AWAY. My son is about to hit the stage, and he always got so mad when I missed his recitals.”

Maxine wanted to gut her right then and there. And why shouldn’t she? Domino had no allegiance to this woman, and it wasn’t as if killing her wouldn’t remove a few obstacles..but she held back. She promised herself to do things differently this time. Kristin was pissed at Talisman along with the rest of the world, but she could prove valuable later on, and with Simon at Maxine’s side, she knew Kristin would be watching. So she grabbed Mockingbird’s champagne flute from her hand and downed it completely, wiping her lips on her sleeve.

“Do YOURSELF a favor and leave..because shit is about to hit the fan here. And don’t worry about Simon…I’ll look after him…but he probably DOES deserve a phone call at the very least about his FATHER… au revoir…”

Maxine spun on her heels as she made her way through the crowd, looking for an opening and waiting on Daniel and Amanda’s command to watch this place go up in flames. Her gaze caught Simon, who was doing his best to keep a brave face, as she exhaled deeply.

“Good luck, kid….gooood fucking luck.”

 

[Discord]

Madripoor - The Arena

"Ooh, she's fighting back...."

Daniel smirked to himself as began to feel himself being affected by Bombshell's power. However, as somebody who had complete control over his emotions, he was able to shoulder much of her attack by way of his own power, though he was surprised to see he was having to fight for it.

Jun: "Look, bro. I don't know what kind of shit you're trying to pull here, but I've got work to do. If you're salty about me scooping up your Bishop, be a better leader. Also, not for nothing, but in the outside world, you may be King, here? You're fresh meat. So tread lightly or I'll have you collared faster than you can say 'yes, mistress!" Got it?"

The Red King was no longer enamored by her spice. He paid her words little to no mind as she attempted to bridge the gap between them, once again flexing out with her power. He still could not shake just how much she looked like Amanda Soto, and just how "perfect" her emotional ties seemed to be, so he decided to pull out an aspect of his power he didn't use often. In tandem with his empathy, he was able to use his illusory powers to psionically pull things from people's brains, more specifically their greatest desires and their greatest fears. While he was no telepath, people's fears were usually attached to their traumas, and if Daniel could figure out her trauma, he might be able to get a better picture of what exactly he was dealing with.

Jun: "I'm Jun, but you can call me Bombshell...and if you're a good boy I'll show you WHY."

He smirked as his power locked onto exactly what he was looking for.

"You're barking up the wrong tree, Jun. You're power is strong...but nobody tells me how to feel. Now let's see what this tough girl act is all about, shall we. What scares you the most?"

His power branched out from around his head as it connected and hovered over Jun's and he began to pull exactly what made her not sleep at n ight.

<< FLASH! >>

<< We see an image playing in front of Jun and Daniel, something only the both of them could see, almost as if it were a flat screen television that faded from black to a run down and broken room in some Lowtown Hotel. >>

<< Jun is chained to the bed in only her bra, her body covered with bruises as a number of shadowy figures hover over her, their faces enshrouded and obscured from view. They don't even seem human. >>

Man: "We paid good money for this one! She's feisty!!!"

Man #2: "I like a woman who fights BACK!"

<< Jun screams out in pain as the men seem to SWARM her like locusts. >>

Jun: "Nooo!! NOO!!!!!"

Daniel stopped himself immediately. It was not often he was left speechless, but now...he was. He felt awful. So often, the nature of his power had caused him to sometimes forget that people were human, that they weren't simply things for him to manipulate to his whim. But there was something EQUALLY horrifying to him as their eyes became deadlocked on each other, tears streaming down Jun's face.

"It's...it's not REAL. SHE...isn't real?"

Whatever he had just pulled from her...it wasn't HER memory. It wasn't HER fear...as someone who was able to analyze the deepest of emotional ties and connections, he could sense it's artificial nature almost immediately. And then it clicked - Talisman.

Kelly had saved Amanda Soto from prison, nearly completely rebuilding her and altering her genetics in The Body Shoppe to give her the powers he remembered that she had. There had been rumblings in Hellfire America when Amanda had first arrived on the scene, that she was somehow connected to the past of Cameron King, that she was basically only who she was by biological nature. This weapon that Meridian Industries sold to Madripoor - it was Jun. She was...a clone. Not only that but Talisman had gone so far as to craft and create an entire history for the woman up to and including sexual abuse and trauma to the level he had just seen. His power had shown him that most people were monsters, slave to their emotions, but Kelly Shaw was something else altogether. To create something like this...to GIVE somebody memories like this...trauma like this? For as morally duplicitious as Daniel Reed believed himself to be, he could never....WOULD never do something like this.

"My god..."

He needed to fix this. What he had just done to her was WRONG. She was a victim here just like anybody else, possibly even more so than the others. The Red King made up his mind in this moment. When they started their attack on The Arena, he was going to get Jun out of here..for NOW? He used his power to jolt her brain into forgetting about anything she had just seen and focus on the abject euphoria coursing through her body, as he layered in pride and used his illusory powers to make her belief that her initial threat to him had been received.

"I'm so sorry...."

Daniel watched the anguish drain from her face as it filled with pride and accomplishment as she spun on her heels, turning around and heading back up the stairs. After taking a few moments to compose himself, he reached out to the others via the hearing thoughts spell that Amanda had cast upon their arrival.

[via thought call]

"The woman who captured Simon...she's the weapon that got sold to Madripoor...she's a clone...a clone of Cobra. And she doesn't know it. And it's so much worse than I thought it could be. We're adding her to the extraction list...this place is giving me creeps I didn't believe myself capable of having...let's get Simon and get the bloody hell out of here..."

 

[Seer]

<< Madripoor was like The Wild West - it was a place with no laws and ample opportunity. But when left to the machinations of those who sought power and money above all else, it had become a cesspool of crime and suffering, while it's laws protected the extradition of it's most unseemly inhabitants. The Arena was essentially a slave trade decorated as a gladiator sphere. The winners were rewarded but they were never set free. They would fight until they died, and as The Marauders went deep into it's belly, they began to realize just how deep and depraved a place like Madripoor could be. >>

<< Domino had encountered Kristin Pratt AKA Mockingbird, who made it clear that she had every intention of watching over her son, ensuring she kept a promise to a friend, though not at all primed to act in defense of her son, Simon Pratt. While Domino was enraged at how easily Kristin was able to sit there and watch her son fight for her life, she was not surprised. Her own father had gleefully watched her endure far worse. For now, Maxine Dupont was trying to go down a different path, but should she decide to backtrack, she made a promise to herself that Simon would get the opportunity to clear the head of his mother the way she had done her father. Sometimes the only way to break the bonds of trauma was to cut through them. >>

<< Amanda Sefton, the Marauders newest addition had found herself immediately drawn into the mysterious and dark Beto, a man who appeared to have been known by many different names across many different times. Beto himself found himself enraptured by the woman himself. For the first time in a long time, he found himself remembering pieces of who he was, though they did not last. Being near her was almost like a drug to him, and he decided that he wanted a hit. Beto had been in The Arena for quite some time and though he had made a pretty penny, he felt he was without purpose. He was a dying breed, a king with no kingdom, and something about Amanda, a fellow Romani, made him feel like it was a sign from The Shadowed Path, that there was a new branch of shadow to walk. >>

<< The Red King, Daniel Reed had set his sights on the mysterious Jun Zhao AKA Bombshell. She was like a living ghost, an exact replica of Amanda Soto AKA Cobra, the now deceased Black Knight of Hellfire America. A peak into her emotional ties told him that they were artificial and when he pressed into the woman further, pulling out her greatest fear, he was assaulted on multiple levels by what it revealed. Jun was not human - but a CLONE. Her memories, her relationships, they weren't REAL. Even her TRAUMA had been implanted by the only woman capable of creating something like her - Dr. Kelly Shaw AKA Talisman. The weapon that Meridian Industries had sold months prior had been Jun herself, which only made him that much more desperate to free these gladiators from their servitude and topple The Arena entirely. Even if Hellfire London had interests in the place, Daniel simply didn't care. Hellfire would not be associated with actual slavery under his reign. He wanted a new Hellfire, and bringing this place to the ground was a good start. >>

<< And then was the reason they were all here, Simon Pratt AKA Longshot, the newly crowned Red Bishop of Hellfire London, and damsel in distress. Simon wanted to believe that the marauders were here, that they would rescue him should he need it. But there was also the very real possibility that he was in this alone. That he would have to fight and win if he wanted to have any chance of getting himself out of this place. >>

<< Trumpets began to blare, heralding the arrival of tonight's events. >>

<< And as The Marauders move into place, we so WATCH! >>

 

[Magik]

Madripoor- The Arena

<< Amanda Sefton, the Marauders newest addition had found herself immediately drawn into the mysterious and dark Beto, a man who appeared to have been known by many different names across many different times. Beto himself found himself enraptured by the woman himself. For the first time in a long time, he found himself remembering pieces of who he was, though they did not last. Being near her was almost like a drug to him, and he decided that he wanted a hit. Beto had been in The Arena for quite some time and though he had made a pretty penny, he felt he was without purpose. He was a dying breed, a king with no kingdom, and something about Amanda, a fellow Romani, made him feel like it was a sign from The Shadowed Path, that there was a new branch of shadow to walk. >>

<< And then was the reason they were all here, Simon Pratt AKA Longshot, the newly crowned Red Bishop of Hellfire London, and damsel in distress. Simon wanted to believe that the marauders were here, that they would rescue him should he need it. But there was also the very real possibility that he was in this alone. That he would have to fight and win if he wanted to have any chance of getting himself out of this place. >>

<< Amanda Sefton was seated in the dug out area with Beto and Simon Pratt. Simon would not recognize Amanda in her current guise due to her spells.>>

After taking a few moments to compose himself, he reached out to the others via the hearing thoughts spell that Amanda had cast upon their arrival.

[via thought call]

"The woman who captured Simon...she's the weapon that got sold to Madripoor...she's a clone...a clone of Cobra. And she doesn't know it. And it's so much worse than I thought it could be. We're adding her to the extraction list...this place is giving me creeps I didn't believe myself capable of having...let's get Simon and get the bloody hell out of here..."

<< Amanda registered Daniel's thought call.>>

I have Simon right in my sight. I'm seated in the dug out alongside him and another warrior who also needs to be liberated from this awful place. He will be called into the Arena to do battle at any moment. If something goes wrong, I'll be ready to assist.

<< Of course one of the goals of this group, the "Marauders" as Domino called them, was to free ALL the trafficked mutants in this place, but apparently Daniel had someone BESIDE Simon he wanted to carry with them after they brought the Arena down. That was fine with Amanda, for she knew in her heart of hearts that she and Beto would not see the last of each other when this operation was busted and this Arena was brought down around the ears of its overseer.>>

<< But for Amanda, the most pressing PERSONAL goal was to find and PUNISH THE INTERLOPER, Talisman! If any of them, including Domino, interfered with her forcing Kelly Shaw to settle the BLOOD DEBT she owed the Szardos family, Amanda would make sure they REGRETTED it, and she would end her association with these "Marauders" almost as quickly as she started it.>>

<< Everyone was in position, all eyes were now facing the battle area of the Arena, and things were about to get very interesting.>>

<< Trumpets began to blare, heralding the arrival of tonight's events. >>

<< And as The Marauders move into place, we so WATCH! >>

 

[Longshot]

Madripoor - The Arena

Announcer: "Welcome To The Arena! It's time for tonight's first match! We have a new contender in Madripoor facing another new face from The Other Realm! Give a cheer for the four armed amazon MONSTRESS of MIGHT, Sheeva!"

Simon swallowed hard in his mouth as the biggest female type creature he had ever seen in his life began to pound through to the main, dirt like starting area of the main arena battlefield. She gestured wildly to the crowd with her many limbs and gave a righteous roar that sent the crowd into a tizzy. This was not looking good for him.

Announcer: "And NOW, representing the home arena, our newest contender, the blonde BOYSHELL himself, the Luck of Lowtown - give it up for Lucky Strike!!!!"

He gulped again as the crowd did NOT seem as emphatic for him, to which he couldn't blame them. Sheeva had about two hundred pounds on him, and again she had four arms. This was going to be bad. His eyes searched through the crowd, looking for Daniel or Maxine, but there was so many people and the bright stadium lights above him made all those in the crowd look like a blur. He attempted to make a gesture of some kind.

Audience: "BOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!! Go HOME PRETTY BOY! GET HIM SHEEVA! FLOSS YOUR TEETH WITH HIS BONES!"

It was in times like this, that he thought of his father. Growing up, he was definitely his father's son. General Thornton Ulysses Pratt was an inspiring man. The recipient of four purple hearts, Thorn had a decorated record of service and a charisma and poise that would later get him elected into The Senate. As a boy, Simon was completely enamored. Looking back, it was probably because he was around far less than his mother, but there was never a time that Simon refused to listen to his stories. Thorn was also a very disciplined man and father who expected the same kind of greatness from his son. Despite being the damsel in distress thus far in his Hellfire career, Simon had always been a student as well as an athlete. Much of his adolescence had been spent in military academies, and while it had always been a point of contention between Simon and his father that he had not later gone to West Point, Thorn never pressed it. Because he was so often absent because of his career, Thorn spent the time he had with Simon adventuring, exploring and training. They had gone mountain climbing in Nepal, done Fox hunts across the pond, white water rafting. So many good times. He was a strict man and father, but he always let Simon be himself. His mother was another story. So it was his father's words that he heard in his ears as he faced a woman a good three feet taller and had two more arms than him.

"Giants are not what we think they are. The same qualities that appear to give them strength are often the sources of great weakness."

Well, his father and Malcom Gladwell. If they were going to stack the odds so far against his favor, he was grateful that they had at least given him a sword. Gripping the broadsword tightly in his hand, Simon took a deep breath.

Announcer: "As you in The Arena may know, the rules are there ARE no rules. The match is over when ONE of you has been irrecovably SLAIN! THE WINNER?! Will be SHOWERED with riches. The LOSER?! DIES. IN. SHAME! Welcome to The Arena contenders...and as they say in the states.... Let's get ready to RUMMMMMBBBBLLLLLLEE!"

Sheeva: "Come and get it, big boy."

She gestured with two of her arms and made some kind of iconic "come hither" gesture that made his blood run cold. This was it. It was kill or be killed. He couldn't wait for The Marauders to save him. He had to save himself, something he hadn't been good of as of late. He had been so unsure of himself, of his identity, his path. But if he didn't get through this, he'd never find it. And he didn't want to die. So he decided, he wouldn't. He lifted his sword high in the air with both hands as he CHARGED.

"With pleasure."

There was so much about his power that he never understood, so much that caused him to question so much in his life. Was he ever actually good at anything? Or was he just lucky. In his physical pursuits he had always been rewarded, yet in his personal life, his charm had an expiration date. His personal relationships never seemed to work out, the deep parts of his soul that yearned for connection. His desire to help others. All of it seemed to crumble so easily. He was scared that the only person his luck extended to was himself, but right now? That gave him comfort, because he had no other choice but to fully throw himself into battle and hope that the luck he had been born with did what it had always done.

"The odds of her thinking quickly enough to know I'm about to counter..."

He LEAPED into the air as he brought the sword above his head with both hands. Though he was a fencer by passion, he was no novice when it came to wielding any number of weapons. And his practical working knowledge of swordsmanship and fluffier pursuits on fencing made him deadly with ANY blade.

Sheeva laughed with an incredible roar that sent ACTUAL ripples through the air as he charged further, slowing his descent as he bridged the gap between them. Her many arms began to twist and shift, READY, anticipating his descent.

"The odds of making the perfect landing despite her attack..."

Simon gestured as if his blade was about to bare down right at Sheeva's head, knowing her arms would block such an attempt as he extended his foot, LANDING with his right foot SQUARELY into her chest, knocking her BACK several feet, though definitely not as far as it would have a mere human, as he used the momentum.

"The odds of executing the perfect backflip, something i've never done..."

But boy did he. Using the momentum of his foot landing on an inconceivably hard surface, he backflipped in the air, using his left and dominant hand to perform a SWEEPING movement in a half circle in front of him and he CONNECTED, and in one RIP, his sword SLICED through both of her arms on her left side, removing them completely from her body as his face was SPRAYED with a hiss of her crimson red blood. When he landed on the ground, he took the opportunity to grab her own sword, which was gripped tightly in one of her now severed hands. Sheeva seemed to recover sooner than he would have liked from the attack as she languishly rose to her feet, her eyes glaring at him with contempt. Simon smirked, his pale green eyes flickering with charisma as he THREW that sword at her and watched her catch it in her hand.

<< ROARRRR!!!!! >>

Once again she screamed, and this time, caught off guard, the ripples of which barrell into his knocking him back and off his feet.

"The odds of hitting something soft and landing off my feet..."

He was knocked back with greet speed as he hit the center of the belly of the biggest ogre like looking man he had ever seen before ricocheting off of him, and sliding back to his feet, never losing grasp of his sword. He smiled once more as he charged forward. Simon couldn't allow himself think. He had the skill, he had the ability and his power would fill in the gaps that he didn't had. If he stopped and thought it through, it could change things. One of his favorite fencing instructors said something to him that suddenly he just recalled.

"There is great thought behind your movements, Simon. But where is the emotion? Where is the passion? If you want to be a legend, you have to have heart. You have to trust what you believe and respond with emotion. That's your power..."

It was cheesy, but it was needed in this moment. It was a hard task for him. It seemed like whenever he let his emotions run the show, things ended in disaster. So often, he engaged in dissassociation. Sometimes he just ran his physical body into the ground at the risk of his mental and emotional health. He lept in the air once more.

Sheeva: I'm not gonna fall that for that twice, twinkleberry! You're gonna PAY for the arms you took from me!"

And she did not lie. The sheer verocity of her voice and pitch shifted Simon off of his game for a split second as she blasted him over the head with one fist before going in for an aggressive front strike.

"The odds of me avoiding that attack for no reason."

The hit to his head rocked his entire world as he fell to the ground, grabbing his head in his hands against the reverberation of her voice. It felt like jagged needles in his brain. Like he was hemorrhaging, and she was quickly closing the gap between them, her sword raised HIGH in the air. Simon winced through the pain, GRIPPED the hilt of his sword and exhaled deeply, using ALL of his focus to swing his sword upward at the very SECOND she was about to bring hers against his head, as SPARKS flew in the air at the moment of impact between their blades. Using his free hand, he gripped a small mound of dirt in between his fingers and brought it up BLOWING it in Sheeva's face, still marveling at the fact that the woman was easily fighting him while missing an entire side of arms. He was sure he did not have the same kind of stamina.

"Bingo."

While she was staggered back by the cloud of dirt blasted in her face, she had left her midsection vulnerable. He would have a small window. So he took it.

<< SHINK! >>

He flourished to his feet and jabbed forward with his sword, using every bit of strength, gritting his teeth.

"The odds of my blade hitting the exact right spot of weak flesh underneath her chest..."

He barreled forward, pushing every single inch of his sword THROUGH her chest as she charged through, her roars becoming louder and more pained, but as he pressed forward, he could FEEL her slowing down. It was working. He only hoped she didn't have as many hearts as she had arms.

Sheeva: "RRAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWRRRRRRR...."

The Arena was silent as Sheeva fell to her knees, causing the blade to slice UPWARD, pulling her apart further as once again Simon found her blood spraying across his face and chest. Using his foot, he pressed against her chest to get a better handle on his blade as he pulled it from her chest and did a sweeping motion, causing a splash of blood to spray against the crowd above them.

Crowd: "YEEAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!"

Silence turned into righteous cheer as people rose from their seat with approval. Simon's chest was heaving up and down, his body full of adrenaline, almost unable to focus on exactly what had just happened. He had just taken a life, and while it was not a human life. It was the first time Simon had ever killed. For now, his body's fight or flight was protecting him from thinking of the ramifications of his actions, but he knew it would change him.

Announcer: "Ladies & Gentleman, give it up for Lucky! The LUCKIEST man in Lowtown! Our GLADIATOR reigns SUPREME!"

 

[Brenthon]

Madripoor - The Arena

Amanda: "Then we will do so, together, bărbat chipeș. Not just him, but ALL of these trafficked mutants. Lead me to the "dug out", my spells will keep me from being recognized by anyone, even Simon."

<< Beto agreed as he led Amanda to the dugout. Simon eyed him up and down but he didn't press further, likely because of Amanda's magicks. Soon the three were seated as the evening's "fesitivities" began to take place and Beto nudged Simon out onto the main part of the arena. He had sensed within Simon, upon first meeting him, that this battle was something he would have to face. it was important to not only him but those close to him. Many did not take him seriously. They viewed him as fodder, as cocktail chatter, or an embarrassing story to tell somebody. Simon needed to prove himself, and that was something Beto understood intimately. As the stage was set, Beto and Amanda watched with protective eyes as Beto found himself thinking about his own life. >>

<< He remembered his mortal life yet he knew that he lived an entire existence outside of that, one he could only recall in flashes and nightmares. He remembered being a young boy outside of what is now Budapest, begging for coins, and secretly giving tarot and palm readings to provide for his family. He remembered being beaten by his father because he was not a boy that could spend all days in the fields. That he was a boy with emotions, and the sight. He remembered his mother wishing he had never been born despite how much he had provided. He remembered killing her when the power brewing inside of him became too much for him to bare. He remembered Almora, The Witch of The Wilds, the woman who took him in and taught him magick, of how to use his power as a gypsy in ways he had never imagined. He remembered the townsfolk murdering Almora, and burning her house down. He remembered finding Nightshade, and living with her as a thief in their wagon, travelling from town to town, marvelling the principalities where being a gypsy was not illegal with their gifts. And he remembered the woman who made him want to leave. The blonde haired, violet eyed beauty who promised him and Nightshade power and riches beyond any mortal comparison. He remembered the times. Hungary was taken hold by the benevolent Maria Theresa, who wanted to convert all the gypsy into Christians. She outlawed everything that made them who they were, and only those who were willing to walk her righteous path survived. He had been turned away from his people. He had been an outcast for so long. The fair haired sorceress offered him a chance to leave that, and he took it. After that, his memory went black. >>

<< His memory came back when he found himself once again in his body, six feet under ground, in a modern world where all of his people were dead or unaccounted for. His culture was fetishized and picked apart, to the point of which it was unrecognizable. Even this Amanda, the first fellow Romani he had met since becoming alive again was a blonde hair, blue eyed sorceress, who's magick was only vaguely familiar to what he was accustomed to. And then there was Simon Pratt. He watched the man in battle with intrigue and also anxiety. So much of Beto's magickal and personal practice was learning to bend the strands of luck and fate to one's benefit. This man did so without so much as a second thought. He hated it. To see so much of his culture gone, and what remained seemed to be held by beautiful white, blonde people. He knew there were other factors, and he knew that culture evolved with the times, he just hated that his culture had been left behind. But one thing remained true to him in this moment - he was no slave. Neither was Simon. Those who could do what he could do deserved to be respected, deserved to have better. And watching Simon tear through a seven foot tall woman with four arms with ease, it sent a wave of euphoria through him. One he first felt upon meeting Amanda. Fate was a cruel mistress. But she was never wrong. Beto had been going through the motions since coming back to life. He had come to the arena because he had no other options. The ones who found him did not kill him outright and he felt burdened by that. But to know, thanks to Amanda, that there were those around him who had other motives, other agendas, it empowered him. >>

Announcer: "Ladies & Gentleman, give it up for Lucky! The LUCKIEST man in Lowtown! Our GLADIATOR reigns SUPREME!"

<< Beto smiled, remembering his first win in the arena. And it was that very memory that caused him to notice the men who decided to start flanking Simon once he believed that he had won. The betters of The Arena were fickle and aggressive, myopic old men. They hated losing. And while Simon had won free and clear, he knew that people would be upset. Upset enough to make a move. Beto turned to Amanda, gripping her hand. >>

"They didn't want him to win. They're going to kill him. Move in...I will create a "diversion"...."

<< He smiled knowing he was not going to just create a diversion, but blow the lid off of the entire operation. Closing his eyes, the glowing crystalline piece in the center of his chest began to GLOW brightly with a hauntingly familiar eldritch energy as his eyes began to glow a haunting electric green, looking up at Voge with a sadistic smile. It had been a long time since Beto had killed merely for pleasure, and he was not about to waste that feeling. His body became enshrouded in shadow as he dissappeared onto the shadowed path, before shifting IMMEDIATELY back into the arena, finding himself RIGHT behind Tullamore Voge, watching as the fat blue man watched the scene below him, revelling in the fact that his champion would have to fight for his life once more. With a smirk, Beto manifested the SOUL DAGGER in his hand, brightly and truly as he wrapped his arm around the man's thick neck, and gave him a kiss on the back of the head. >>

"You had a good run, friend. Now? ......DIE!"

<< He PLUNGED the soul dagger into Voge's head and GRIPPED him in place with his inherent natural strength, tightening his arm's grip around Tullamore's throat, choking him in the process. Voge struggled of course, they always struggled, but nobody had yet been able to survive an attack from Beto and his blade, and before long, Voge became a huddled mess on the floor, his purple blood FLOWING from his body like a river, covering Beto in it as he threw Voge aside and took his place in the man's throne like seat. >>

"The Arena?! Is LIBERATED!"

[to Amanda via a thought call spell ]

"Get Simon and get us OUT of here, blondie! I'll give you a sweet treat as a thank you!"

 

[Magik]

Madripoor- The Arena

<< Beto agreed as he led Amanda to the dugout. Simon eyed him up and down but he didn't press further, likely because of Amanda's magicks. Soon the three were seated as the evening's "fesitivities" began to take place and Beto nudged Simon out onto the main part of the arena. He had sensed within Simon, upon first meeting him, that this battle was something he would have to face. it was important to not only him but those close to him. Many did not take him seriously. They viewed him as fodder, as cocktail chatter, or an embarrassing story to tell somebody. Simon needed to prove himself, and that was something Beto understood intimately. As the stage was set, Beto and Amanda watched with protective eyes as Beto found himself thinking about his own life. >>

<< to Discord and Domino via her "hearing thoughts" spell>> I am close enough that I could touch Simon. His moment of truth is at hand. Be ready for ANYTHING!

<< With with the BEST possible view of Simon, Amanda was more focused on the fight at hand, than her fellow romani next to her, otherwise she might have sensed Beto's own inner turmoil in this moment. Everything about this world, she learned from her mother, including where her fellow romani fit into it. She understood that not all of them were as fortunate as Margali or the Szardos clan, and the outcome in THIS timeline was far different than that in Brenthon's own native timeline, which he'd not been part of for sometime now.>>

<< The battle between Simon and Sheeva was as riveting as it was terrifying, and truth be told, Amanda did NOT expect Simon to survive on his OWN merit and skill. But....>>

While she was staggered back by the cloud of dirt blasted in her face, she had left her midsection vulnerable. He would have a small window. So he took it.

<< SHINK! >>

He flourished to his feet and jabbed forward with his sword, using every bit of strength, gritting his teeth.

"The odds of my blade hitting the exact right spot of weak flesh underneath her chest..."

He barreled forward, pushing every single inch of his sword THROUGH her chest as she charged through, her roars becoming louder and more pained, but as he pressed forward, he could FEEL her slowing down. It was working. He only hoped she didn't have as many hearts as she had arms.

Sheeva: "RRAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWRRRRRRR...."

The Arena was silent as Sheeva fell to her knees, causing the blade to slice UPWARD, pulling her apart further as once again Simon found her blood spraying across his face and chest. Using his foot, he pressed against her chest to get a better handle on his blade as he pulled it from her chest and did a sweeping motion, causing a splash of blood to spray against the crowd above them.

Crowd: "YEEAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!"

Silence turned into righteous cheer as people rose from their seat with approval. Simon's chest was heaving up and down, his body full of adrenaline, almost unable to focus on exactly what had just happened. He had just taken a life, and while it was not a human life. It was the first time Simon had ever killed. For now, his body's fight or flight was protecting him from thinking of the ramifications of his actions, but he knew it would change him.

Announcer: "Ladies & Gentleman, give it up for Lucky! The LUCKIEST man in Lowtown! Our GLADIATOR reigns SUPREME!"

<< Amanda's sky blue eyes widen with disbelief, AND relief!>>

by the dark moon, he DID IT!

<< But that moment of sweet, hard fought, stunning victory was to be SHORT LIVED...>>

Beto turned to Amanda, gripping her hand. >>

"They didn't want him to win. They're going to kill him. Move in...I will create a "diversion"...."

<< He smiled knowing he was not going to just create a diversion, but blow the lid off of the entire operation. Closing his eyes, the glowing crystalline piece in the center of his chest began to GLOW brightly with a hauntingly familiar eldritch energy as his eyes began to glow a haunting electric green, looking up at Voge with a sadistic smile. It had been a long time since Beto had killed merely for pleasure, and he was not about to waste that feeling. His body became enshrouded in shadow as he dissappeared onto the shadowed path, before shifting IMMEDIATELY back into the arena, finding himself RIGHT behind Tullamore Voge, watching as the fat blue man watched the scene below him, revelling in the fact that his champion would have to fight for his life once more. With a smirk, Beto manifested the SOUL DAGGER in his hand, brightly and truly as he wrapped his arm around the man's thick neck, and gave him a kiss on the back of the head. >>

"You had a good run, friend. Now? ......DIE!"

<< He PLUNGED the soul dagger into Voge's head and GRIPPED him in place with his inherent natural strength, tightening his arm's grip around Tullamore's throat, choking him in the process. Voge struggled of course, they always struggled, but nobody had yet been able to survive an attack from Beto and his blade, and before long, Voge became a huddled mess on the floor, his purple blood FLOWING from his body like a river, covering Beto in it as he threw Voge aside and took his place in the man's throne like seat. >>

"The Arena?! Is LIBERATED!"

[to Amanda via a thought call spell ]

"Get Simon and get us OUT of here, blondie! I'll give you a sweet treat as a thank you!"

<< mysterious, melodic CHIMES sound off as Amanda Sefton rises to her feet, and leaps forward, DISAPPEARING from view one moment,>>

Stay RIGHT where you are, Simon!

<< Amanda commands. No doubt Simon would recognize the VOICE, but he still wouldn't SEE her, just yet.>>

<< The chimes continue to sound off as she REAPPEARS, now IN the battle zone of the Arena, and hovering in the air, she wastes no time casting a circle of PROTECTION of around Simon Pratt, a glowing BLUE mandala effect "snaps" open on the ground under Simon's feet and expends evenly in all directions, ensuring he will be protected and have space to breath. The mandala effect in the area under Simon's feet begins to spin in a clockwise motion, as it glows a bit more brightly. She called out to Simon down below her as she hovered in the air>>

DON'T move out of this circle for any reason!

<< With him secured now, Amanda could turn the tide of everything their way. FIRST, to suitably CRIPPLE their opposition. She gestures, as glowing mandala effects form around her hands, and she ignites a spell>>

Dark Illusions all around this night
Manifest now and destroy my enemy's might!

<< The effects EVERYONE involved in the Arena from the top down, crippling them with FEAR of impending DOOM as the tables have now turn, and as they once abused and enslaved, THEY will become the abused and enslaved. The spell renders them POWERLESS with fear, allowing Beto, and Domino to cut through their opposition.>>

<< To Domino and Discord via her "hearing thoughts" spell>>:

THERE'S your opening!

<< to Discord>>

Your red bishop is safe in my circle of protection! I am BREAKING the chains, both literal AND [any possible] magickal on the trafficked victims, and opening a portal for MASS evacuation! use your power to ensure their calm, ORDERLY, but EXPEDITIOUS exit! Once the spell is cast, Simon will be the FIRST one I send through it!

Your captivity I end
No longer will it bind
Out of time, out of space
Your bondage and chains I now erase!

<< another strange mystic tone sounds off, and all at once, EVERY trafficked mutant there is RELEASED from their holding cells, EVERY power neutralizing color is BROKEN and falls from their necks, fading away in a flurry of sky blue orbs as Amanda Sefton's bondage BREAKING spell activates.>>

You're FREE!

<< her voice now has a haunting resonance to it as it is heard by ALL the trafficked victims in the area. >>

You're FREE in EVERY WAY. Now FLEE this place, all of you, and don't look back!

<< She knew her mother would be PROUD of her in this moment, seeing her stand up for those who had been powerless to defend themselves before. But there was no time to think about that now. a LARGE glowing white portal SNAPS open at a vertical orientation, as Amanda flies forward and swoops down, landing before Simon.>>

Get out of here, Simon!

<< She pushes him toward the portal as he tries to process what's happening, he blinks, and FINALLY sees who his liberator is, he FINALLY sees Amanda Sefton!>>

Domino and Discord are here, and You're FREE now.

<< He wanted to ask questions, but she held up her hand for silence.>

There's NO TIME for questions right now, Pratt. You have to trust me! You'll be reunited with them soon enough! GO, these other victims need safe passage, and your luck bending power will ensure they have it!

<< And when the moment was right, Amanda had one final spell to ENSURE this ARENA itself would not survive tonight. But for NOW, it was time for the others to do their part(s)>>

<< For her part, Amanda fends off some of the non human/inorganic anti-personnel devices that are dispatched to defend Voge with her mystical force blasts, providing Simon and the other freed victims cover to escape through the portal>>

 

[Discord]

Madripoor - The Arena

His mind was still reeling from what he had just learned about Jun Zhao as climbed several flights of stairs to position himself with an eagle eye view of The Arena and what was about to happen. For the first time in a long time, Daniel felt..."feelings" that were not comfortable ones for him to process. Simon was as annoying as any American he had encountered, but there was something about his spirit and his heart that spoke to Daniel. HIs feelings and his desire to really do something good, to take who he was and to use it to help others, it was undeniable. Simon Pratt was someone looking for his place in the world, and it was something that Daniel identified with greatly, it was a lot of the reason he wanted him to be his Bishop. Daniel was sure that Simon would not stay in Hellfire long, but his earnest desire to face the dark things that he had ignored his whole life because of how it benefitted him made Daniel want to help. And The Red King was not somebody who went out of his way to help others. But Simon was a mutant, and Daniel believed in the original cause of Hellfire - to help and protect mutants, to give them power and influence outside of human culture. He also knew that Simon was stubborn. The lessons he needed to learn, needed to be won. It was the only reason Daniel and Maxine had decided not to interfere with Simon's battle unless it was absolutely necessary.

Announcer: "Welcome to The Arena! It's time for tonight's first match! We have a new contender in Madripoor facing another new face from The Other Realm! Give a cheer for the four armed amazon MONSTRESS of MIGHT, Sheeva!"

"Oh bloody fucking hell."

The Red King thought to himself as Sheeva made herself known. She was a good three feet taller than Simon and had over two hundred pounds on him as well as two extra arms. And she was from The Other Realm, a place that was basically the movie Bloodsport with demons. It didn't make sense. Was Simon supposed to be a sacrificial lamb? Somebody that Voge could throw out there and lose without caring, to pretend as if he didn't hold the sway that he did in a place like this? He watched as the crowd went wild for her.

[to Domino via hearing thoughts spell]

"This is insanity, Max. Should we pull him now? She's gonna crush him."

Maxine: "Give him a chance, Reed. He's stronger than he looks. And we need to know that he can fight and WIN. Relax, we can get him out of here the second there's any trouble. He's safe."

He felt his stomach turn. Not many were capable of making an impression on someone who was able to perfectly portray his emotions like Daniel, but Simon had gotten into his heart. He had sent him into Lowtown knowing it would be difficult, but if Longshot didn't survive this, he wouldn't be able to blame anybody else but himself for it. There had been enough blood on his hands.

Announcer: "And NOW, representing the arena, our newest contender, the blonde BOYSHELL himself, the Luck of Lowtown - give it up for Lucky Strike!"

And then came the boo's and hisses from the crowd. This was a set up. And it took everything in him not to intervene.

Announcer: "As you in The Arena may know, the rules are there ARE no rules. The match is over when ONE of you has been irrecovably SLAIN! THE WINNER?! Will be SHOWERED with riches. The LOSER?! DIES. IN. SHAME! Welcome to The Arena contenders...and as they say in the states.... Let's get ready to RUMMMMMBBBBLLLLLLEE!"

The battle began. Sheeva gestured to Simon wildly and he watched the battle begin to unfold intensely. Simon's power was so unique because it was very hard to measure. It was hard to figure out what he was affecting consciouscly, subconsciously or otherwise. Was he simply skillfull? Was it his power guiding him. Daniel didn't know. What soon became clear to him, was that despite his blue blood pedigree, Simon was a warrior. He had a refinement and skill with weapons that became clear was not solely attributed to his power. He was a student. And before long, that student PROVED just exactly what he was capable of.

While she was staggered back by the cloud of dirt blasted in her face, she had left her midsection vulnerable. He would have a small window. So he took it.

<< SHINK! >>

He flourished to his feet and jabbed forward with his sword, using every bit of strength, gritting his teeth.

"The odds of my blade hitting the exact right spot of weak flesh underneath her chest..."

He barreled forward, pushing every single inch of his sword THROUGH her chest as she charged through, her roars becoming louder and more pained, but as he pressed forward, he could FEEL her slowing down. It was working. He only hoped she didn't have as many hearts as she had arms.

Sheeva: "RRAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWRRRRRRR...."

The Arena was silent as Sheeva fell to her knees, causing the blade to slice UPWARD, pulling her apart further as once again Simon found her blood spraying across his face and chest. Using his foot, he pressed against her chest to get a better handle on his blade as he pulled it from her chest and did a sweeping motion, causing a splash of blood to spray against the crowd above them.

Crowd: "YEEAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!"

Silence turned into righteous cheer as people rose from their seat with approval. Simon's chest was heaving up and down, his body full of adrenaline, almost unable to focus on exactly what had just happened. He had just taken a life, and while it was not a human life. It was the first time Simon had ever killed. For now, his body's fight or flight was protecting him from thinking of the ramifications of his actions, but he knew it would change him.

Announcer: "Ladies & Gentleman, give it up for Lucky! The LUCKIEST man in Lowtown! Our GLADIATOR reigns SUPREME!"

"Attaboy, Pratt!!!"

Things went from celebratory to chaotic as Daniel noticed some outliers from the opposite "dugout" began to make themselves known. Simon was NOT supposed to win this battle, and the other side was going to make sure he PAID for what he had just done. Daniel gripped his fists against the barrister ready to step in, when all of a sudden...

Beto turned to Amanda, gripping her hand. >>

"They didn't want him to win. They're going to kill him. Move in...I will create a "diversion"...."

<< He smiled knowing he was not going to just create a diversion, but blow the lid off of the entire operation. Closing his eyes, the glowing crystalline piece in the center of his chest began to GLOW brightly with a hauntingly familiar eldritch energy as his eyes began to glow a haunting electric green, looking up at Voge with a sadistic smile. It had been a long time since Beto had killed merely for pleasure, and he was not about to waste that feeling. His body became enshrouded in shadow as he dissappeared onto the shadowed path, before shifting IMMEDIATELY back into the arena, finding himself RIGHT behind Tullamore Voge, watching as the fat blue man watched the scene below him, revelling in the fact that his champion would have to fight for his life once more. With a smirk, Beto manifested the SOUL DAGGER in his hand, brightly and truly as he wrapped his arm around the man's thick neck, and gave him a kiss on the back of the head. >>

"You had a good run, friend. Now? ......DIE!"

<< He PLUNGED the soul dagger into Voge's head and GRIPPED him in place with his inherent natural strength, tightening his arm's grip around Tullamore's throat, choking him in the process. Voge struggled of course, they always struggled, but nobody had yet been able to survive an attack from Beto and his blade, and before long, Voge became a huddled mess on the floor, his purple blood FLOWING from his body like a river, covering Beto in it as he threw Voge aside and took his place in the man's throne like seat. >>

"The Arena?! Is LIBERATED!"

[to Domino] "Who the fuck is that guy?!"

He reached out with his power. He had strong immediate connections to Amanda, but he couldn't ascertain if this was something real or if this was someone that Amanda had enchanted in order to reach her goal. Whatever the case was, he was thankful for it, because he was ready to grab both Simon AND Jun and get the HELL out of here. And Tullimore Voge's dead body seemed like a good place to start. He watched as Amanda weaved her power, as Daniel cemented it with his empathy as her mandala effect swarmed Simon. And then Amanda moved on to bigger things.

<< The effects EVERYONE involved in the Arena from the top down, crippling them with FEAR of impending DOOM as the tables have now turn, and as they once abused and enslaved, THEY will become the abused and enslaved. The spell renders them POWERLESS with fear, allowing Beto, and Domino to cut through their opposition.>>

<< To Domino and Discord via her "hearing thoughts" spell>>:

THERE'S your opening!

<< to Discord>>

Your red bishop is safe in my circle of protection! I am BREAKING the chains, both literal AND [any possible] magickal on the trafficked victims, and opening a portal for MASS evacuation! use your power to ensure their calm, ORDERLY, but EXPEDITIOUS exit! Once the spell is cast, Simon will be the FIRST one I send through it!

Daniel smirked as the slavers began to cry and scream out with FEAR and RECKLESS emotion. He felt like he was at a gas station filling up on premium petrol.

"Nice work, Amanda. I'm ON it..."

Crowd control was Daniel's specialty. A cacophony of emotion fed him and made him stronger, and while Amanda unleashed chaos on the disgusting slavers, Daniel made sure cooler heads prevailed for those enslaved as he weaved his power, taking note of the ambient emotions in the room as the collars dropped and people were freed. He followed Amanda's cue as she ignited her spell, creating a giant portal in the middle of the arena. As soon as he could tell that Simon was safe, his gaze IMMEDIATELY sought out Jun, and in several moments, they found each other face to face. He gripped her in his arms.

"You don't belong here, Jun. I don't have time to explain. But you know it. Deep down, you KNOW this doesn't feel right. I also don't have time to convince you, so...I can only ask for forgiveness later.."

<< BAM! >>

Daniel KNOCKED her in the head with his right fist, knocking her out cold as he THREW her body into the portal, turning his attention back onto the crowd. He didn't know WHERE exactly he was sending them, but he knew that it was infinitely better than where they were.

"Ignore their fear. Go to the portal. The portal is JOY. The portal is FREEDOM. Keep ORGANIZED. Do not falter. Follow it's light, follow the light to freedom."

He commanded them with his power, weaving a pattern of power so strong that the formerly enslaved seemed to be avoiding the trampling fear of those who used to own them, with every step they moved calmly, expressions of pure joy and happiness on their faces, tears welling up in their eyes, and while Daniel was the coldest of fish, even he could not deny the gravity of this moment. THIS was what Hellfire could do. Help mutantkind, save them from the trappings of humans and all their machinations. Give them purpose. Give them POWER. It was exhilirating. He began to dodge and weave the remnants of the security detail Voge had that Maxine was ignoring for bigger prey. This was a big moment for all of them, but it meant a lot to each of them. They were The Marauders - raiders. And in a world with so much at stake, so much up in the air, right now they were a FORCE to be reckoned with.

 

[Domino]

Daniel: [via thought call] "The woman who captured Simon...she's the weapon that got sold to Madripoor...she's a clone...a clone of Cobra. And she doesn't know it. And it's much worse than I thought it could be. We're adding her to the extraction list...this place is giving me the creeps I didn't believe myself capable of having...let's get Simon and get the bloody hell out of here..."

:: Domino gritted her teeth with rage. There was truly no depth that Talisman would not sink to in her effort to whatever it was that she was trying to be in this world. She almost reminded Maxine of her father, Jean Luc Dupont. But her father was insane. He had been blinded by his lust for power without consequence. Talisman was different. She had spent a good amount of time watching the technomancer during her tenure at Hellfire America. Kelly Shaw was not insane. In fact, she was one of the more level headed leaders The Inner Circle had. She was precise and severe, and she didn't make a single move until she had planned several steps ahead. She was simply a woman with no morality, or empathy. She was guided only by her desire to create a world in the image she saw fit. And that was why she had to die. If Daniel was taken back by Jun, it meant her origin was uniquely horrific. Maxine would always help the true victims of Hellfire, and she would welcome Jun into the fold without question. ::

[to the group] "Our opening will come soon enough. Right now, all we can do is wait. I've got eyes and an understanding of all security detail in the area. Amanda, how are things on your end?"

Amanda: [via hearing thoughts] "I have Simon right in my sight. I'm seated in the dug out alongside him and another warrior who also needs to be liberated from this awful place. He will be called into the Arena to do battle at any moment. If something goes wrong, I'll be ready to assist."

"Copy that."

:: Her initial instinct was to grown and to muse about how they were not The Red Cross, but she stopped herself. This was the first time she had been on a mission in over a decade where the people she was surrounded with were not only going after their prime directive, but also thinking of those around them. And despite how cold she liked to keep her heart, she could not deny that for a mere moment, she felt an ember of warmth ignite within her. She felt like something click into place deep inside of her, but mostly it made her miss her sister, Jessica. ::

"I will save you, Jess...I PROMISE."

:: There was also a tinge of regret as she did not pick up Alek in her visual scanning of the crowd. Whatever Helena had in store for him, it was worse than even slavery. Her mind jolted back into the present with the sounds of the trumpets heralding the start of the nights events. ::

Announcer: "Welcome To The Arena! It's time for tonight's first match! We have a new contender in Madripoor facing another new face from The Other Realm! Give a cheer for the four armed amazon MONSTRESS of MIGHT, Sheeva!"

:: Maxine's eyes widened with surprise and also arousal as Sheeva pounded her many arms against her chest and roared out to the crowd. For a moment, Maxine wondered how a woman with four arms might be able to please her, before she began to assess the situation. She was tall, and despite her limbs and almost centaur like feet and arms, she clearly had a durability that Simon lacked. He would need to test her, find out where her weak points were. Creatures like that had glaring weaknesses despite their imposing appearance if one looked hard enough. ::

:: Several moments later. ::

While she was staggered back by the cloud of dirt blasted in her face, she had left her midsection vulnerable. He would have a small window. So he took it.

<< SHINK! >>

He flourished to his feet and jabbed forward with his sword, using every bit of strength, gritting his teeth.

"The odds of my blade hitting the exact right spot of weak flesh underneath her chest..."

He barreled forward, pushing every single inch of his sword THROUGH her chest as she charged through, her roars becoming louder and more pained, but as he pressed forward, he could FEEL her slowing down. It was working. He only hoped she didn't have as many hearts as she had arms.

Sheeva: "RRAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWRRRRRRR...."

The Arena was silent as Sheeva fell to her knees, causing the blade to slice UPWARD, pulling her apart further as once again Simon found her blood spraying across his face and chest. Using his foot, he pressed against her chest to get a better handle on his blade as he pulled it from her chest and did a sweeping motion, causing a splash of blood to spray against the crowd above them.

Crowd: "YEEAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!"

Silence turned into righteous cheer as people rose from their seat with approval. Simon's chest was heaving up and down, his body full of adrenaline, almost unable to focus on exactly what had just happened. He had just taken a life, and while it was not a human life. It was the first time Simon had ever killed. For now, his body's fight or flight was protecting him from thinking of the ramifications of his actions, but he knew it would change him.

Announcer: "Ladies & Gentleman, give it up for Lucky! The LUCKIEST man in Lowtown! Our GLADIATOR reigns SUPREME!"

:: Maxine found even herself cracking a smile. Simon's biggest strength would never be his physicality, though it was impressive. It would never even be just his power. It was his tenacity, it was his passion, and surprisingly..his bravery. He was not as refined with his power like the others, he had no way of knowing if his movements would be protected or guided by luck, but he went for it. Because he had no other choice. She would make note to buy him the biggest beer she could find in the city after all of this. And then her sense perked up. ::

[to the group] "Trouble at ten and two--"

:: While her senses and reflexes had been in fact, enhanced, Maxine was a natural in battle, able to perceive multiple angles of battle and scenery at once as her eyes jetted up towards the top of The Arena where Voge looked as if he was sharpening a knife and fork for a meal when a man swirled into view from the shadows. ::

<< He smiled knowing he was not going to just create a diversion, but blow the lid off of the entire operation. Closing his eyes, the glowing crystalline piece in the center of his chest began to GLOW brightly with a hauntingly familiar eldritch energy as his eyes began to glow a haunting electric green, looking up at Voge with a sadistic smile. It had been a long time since Beto had killed merely for pleasure, and he was not about to waste that feeling. His body became enshrouded in shadow as he dissappeared onto the shadowed path, before shifting IMMEDIATELY back into the arena, finding himself RIGHT behind Tullamore Voge, watching as the fat blue man watched the scene below him, revelling in the fact that his champion would have to fight for his life once more. With a smirk, Beto manifested the SOUL DAGGER in his hand, brightly and truly as he wrapped his arm around the man's thick neck, and gave him a kiss on the back of the head. >>

"You had a good run, friend. Now? ......DIE!"

<< He PLUNGED the soul dagger into Voge's head and GRIPPED him in place with his inherent natural strength, tightening his arm's grip around Tullamore's throat, choking him in the process. Voge struggled of course, they always struggled, but nobody had yet been able to survive an attack from Beto and his blade, and before long, Voge became a huddled mess on the floor, his purple blood FLOWING from his body like a river, covering Beto in it as he threw Voge aside and took his place in the man's throne like seat. >>

"The Arena?! Is LIBERATED!"

"Who the fuck is that guy?!"

:: She did not wait to find out, considering it divine intervention. ::

:: And Domino IMMEDIATELY sprung into action instinctively. She had placed herself closest to where she had felt the most heat, CHARGING forward like a cannonball with her fists straight out, using her strength to barrel through a group blocking the southern entrances. It felt really good to hurt something right now. It had been too long. ::

:: In a sweeping motion she LEPT from one level of the arena to the other, making her way east to the men who seemed to be charged in protecting VIP clients, and as she made her descent she GRINNED mischeviously as she found her foot come down HARD on top of a head of mousy, impeccably managed blonde hair with enough strength to leave one HELL of a mark. ::

"Oh! Sorry Kristen!!"

:: She used the moment to leap up and to throw herself into a horde of armed men in a self propelled "fastball special", barrelling into them like a bowling ball! She could feel a warping of ambient energies all around her as she looked up to see Amanda weaving her power. ::

<< To Domino and Discord via her "hearing thoughts" spell>>:

THERE'S your opening!

<< to Discord>>

"Your red bishop is safe in my circle of protection! I am BREAKING the chains, both literal AND [any possible] magickal on the trafficked victims, and opening a portal for MASS evacuation! use your power to ensure their calm, ORDERLY, but EXPEDITIOUS exit! Once the spell is cast, Simon will be the FIRST one I send through it!!"

[to the group] "Good Girl! When we mass evacuate, remember the location I shared with you earlier. I have a girl on the outside that has a triage center set up, away from anyone with Hightown power or connection!"

:: It was Daniel's job to play crowd control, right now? Maxine was going to get her pound of flesh before she had to leave herself. And damn it felt good. Blood sprayed against her face as broke noses, arms and used her native mutant power to decay organic matter to cut a path through the security that was now panicking and RUNNING from the nightmare they had created. ::

"Today is a good day."

 

[Wallflower]

Madripoor - The Arena

< Jun was a bit confused as she stood behind Voge, her eyes every now and then jetting down to look at The Red King, Daniel Reed who was now leaning against a railing, waiting for the night's festivities to began. Why had she gone to meet him? And why had she left so suddenly. There was a gap in her memory, and she knew he had something to do with it. She didn't like having her mind messed with. Enough people had messed with her body. She did not suffer mental assault lightly. >

"Forget that asshole, Jun. You got Voge in enough heat with the red court as it is.."

< Her mind wandered over to her most recent bounty, Simon Pratt, who was sitting next to Beto and a woman she didn't recognize, which was not unusual in The Arena. Turnover rates were high. Beto had been a fan favorite in The Arena ever since he was found outside Budapest about a year ago. He had fought all through Eastern Europe before he had come to Madripoor. He was a brawler and a showboater, and his first night in Madripoor became known as 'The Reaping' - Beto had defeated seven gladiators in one night. The amount of money and blood Tullamore had spent in acquiring Beto was astronomical. Despite all that, he was never much trouble. He was hot, dark and broody and kept to himself. So it was a bit surprising to see him engaging with Simon, but perhaps that was all a part of Simon's luck. >

"We'll see how lucky he is tonight, won't we?"

< Soon it was time to test Simon, and it was also a test for her. Jun couldn't just find people with powers. The better they did, the more she was paid. She had to find people she knew could survive for awhile. Simon seemed to be random, but he had a weird charm about him and his powerset, while unimpressive at first glance, made her believe he would be a popular character for spectators, especially if he survived Sheeva, who was an obnoxious bitch who's brain was a small as her biceps were large. >

Announcer: "As you in The Arena may know, the rules are there ARE no rules. The match is over when ONE of you has been irrecovably SLAIN! THE WINNER?! Will be SHOWERED with riches. The LOSER?! DIES. IN. SHAME! Welcome to The Arena contenders...and as they say in the states.... Let's get ready to RUMMMMMBBBBLLLLLLEE!"

Sheeva: "Come and get it, big boy."

< Jun groaned. Watching the encounter, she could sense Simon's hesitation. But he seemed to recover quickly. Plus, Jun was not above using her power to subtly influence the night's events. She had done so before. Her pheremone powers were incredibly hard to detect - unfortunately for her, there were creatures in The Arena tonight with VERY good noses. THANKFULLY... >

<< SHINK! >>

He flourished to his feet and jabbed forward with his sword, using every bit of strength, gritting his teeth.

"The odds of my blade hitting the exact right spot of weak flesh underneath her chest..."

He barreled forward, pushing every single inch of his sword THROUGH her chest as she charged through, her roars becoming louder and more pained, but as he pressed forward, he could FEEL her slowing down. It was working. He only hoped she didn't have as many hearts as she had arms.

Sheeva: "RRAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWRRRRRRR...."

The Arena was silent as Sheeva fell to her knees, causing the blade to slice UPWARD, pulling her apart further as once again Simon found her blood spraying across his face and chest. Using his foot, he pressed against her chest to get a better handle on his blade as he pulled it from her chest and did a sweeping motion, causing a splash of blood to spray against the crowd above them.

Crowd: "YEEAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!"

Silence turned into righteous cheer as people rose from their seat with approval. Simon's chest was heaving up and down, his body full of adrenaline, almost unable to focus on exactly what had just happened. He had just taken a life, and while it was not a human life. It was the first time Simon had ever killed. For now, his body's fight or flight was protecting him from thinking of the ramifications of his actions, but he knew it would change him.

Announcer: "Ladies & Gentleman, give it up for Lucky! The LUCKIEST man in Lowtown! Our GLADIATOR reigns SUPREME!"

< Her eyes widened as she herself joined in the cheers of The Arena. >

"Yeaaaahhhhh Lucky!!!"

< His success was her own as Tullamore turned his giant blue head towards her, gave a wink, and nodded. He was a disgusting alien like conundrum of a man, but he had treated her well for the most part. She knew a big cash tip was in store for her tonight, and she had been eyeing a pair of Gucci boots she was more than willing to spend the money on. And then her entire life turned on it's head. >

<< He smiled knowing he was not going to just create a diversion, but blow the lid off of the entire operation. Closing his eyes, the glowing crystalline piece in the center of his chest began to GLOW brightly with a hauntingly familiar eldritch energy as his eyes began to glow a haunting electric green, looking up at Voge with a sadistic smile. It had been a long time since Beto had killed merely for pleasure, and he was not about to waste that feeling. His body became enshrouded in shadow as he dissappeared onto the shadowed path, before shifting IMMEDIATELY back into the arena, finding himself RIGHT behind Tullamore Voge, watching as the fat blue man watched the scene below him, revelling in the fact that his champion would have to fight for his life once more. With a smirk, Beto manifested the SOUL DAGGER in his hand, brightly and truly as he wrapped his arm around the man's thick neck, and gave him a kiss on the back of the head. >>

"You had a good run, friend. Now? ......DIE!"

<< He PLUNGED the soul dagger into Voge's head and GRIPPED him in place with his inherent natural strength, tightening his arm's grip around Tullamore's throat, choking him in the process. Voge struggled of course, they always struggled, but nobody had yet been able to survive an attack from Beto and his blade, and before long, Voge became a huddled mess on the floor, his purple blood FLOWING from his body like a river, covering Beto in it as he threw Voge aside and took his place in the man's throne like seat. >>

"The Arena?! Is LIBERATED!"

"WHAAT!?"

< She was frozen with fear. Beto had just murdered her employer, her LIFELINE! Her eyes were pulled to the center of the arena where a sky blue intricate SHAPE had appeared enveloping Simon Pratt and a stereophonic voice could be heard throughout The Arena. >

Your captivity I end
No longer will it bind
Out of time, out of space
Your bondage and chains I now erase!

<< another strange mystic tone sounds off, and all at once, EVERY trafficked mutant there is RELEASED from their holding cells, EVERY power neutralizing color is BROKEN and falls from their necks, fading away in a flurry of sky blue orbs as Amanda Sefton's bondage BREAKING spell activates.>>

You're FREE!

<< her voice now has a haunting resonance to it as it is heard by ALL the trafficked victims in the area. >>

You're FREE in EVERY WAY. Now FLEE this place, all of you, and don't look back!

<< She knew her mother would be PROUD of her in this moment, seeing her stand up for those who had been powerless to defend themselves before. But there was no time to think about that now. a LARGE glowing white portal SNAPS open at a vertical orientation, as Amanda flies forward and swoops down, landing before Simon.>>

"No...no no no no no no no!!!"

< Her eyes began to well up with tears as she still found herself unable to move. Jun had always worried about those in The Arena uprising. But Voge had assured her, that it's victors were as well paid as she was. That they knew what they were getting into. Now...it was over. What was she going to do. She had brought Simon in, and it was clear whoever was responsible was protecting him. Voge had been murdered in front of her, even if this uprising was squashed..She would be punished. Likely killed. It wasn't fair. She had done what she was supposed to do. She just wanted to make something of herself. She didn't want to be whore anymore. This was supposed to be her way out. Her world. Her life was over. >

< Jun was lost in thought, thinking of everything that had led her here. Growing up in the orphanage. Being forced into sex work. The subsequent breaking down of her physical shell at the hands of men and women who had used her as a toy. How she had somehow found herself doing the same thing to other people to survive. >

"No... no no no no no no no no no. Jun, you gotta move. You gotta think. You have to get out of here. Move...dammit Jun, MOVE! Plea....please.. Jun move your feet...move your FUCKING feet!"

< But her body wouldn't listen. She couldn't see anything around her. She couldn't HEAR. All she could do was feel a wave of pain and despair rush over her freezing her in place, until she felt a grip on her arms, jolting her into reality as she came face to face, yet again with The Red King himself. >

Daniel: "You don't belong here, Jun. I don't have time to explain. But you know it. Deep down, you KNOW this doesn't feel right. I also don't have time to convince you, so...I can only ask for forgiveness later.."

"Whaaat?"

<< BAM! >>

< Everything went black. What did Daniel mean? What did tonight's uprising mean for her. She didn't know, but there was a large part of her that secretly hoped she never woke up. >

 

[Longshot]

Madripoor - The Arena

Simon was absorbing the praise of the crowd like oxygen, his body reeling with adrenaline as he pounded his chest, looking up into the bright lights, taking it all in. He had done it. He had lived to fight another day, and more importantly, he had time to try and craft an escape from this place. This matchup had given him confidence, such as though he felt like he might have been able to affect his neutralization collar before it was put back on him. It was really his only hope at this point or so he thought. He heard the hiss of approval from the crowd turn to abject horror as screams and cries and absolutely hysteria began to break out around him.

"Huh?"

And then he turned around to see what all the commotion was about.

<< He smiled knowing he was not going to just create a diversion, but blow the lid off of the entire operation. Closing his eyes, the glowing crystalline piece in the center of his chest began to GLOW brightly with a hauntingly familiar eldritch energy as his eyes began to glow a haunting electric green, looking up at Voge with a sadistic smile. It had been a long time since Beto had killed merely for pleasure, and he was not about to waste that feeling. His body became enshrouded in shadow as he dissappeared onto the shadowed path, before shifting IMMEDIATELY back into the arena, finding himself RIGHT behind Tullamore Voge, watching as the fat blue man watched the scene below him, revelling in the fact that his champion would have to fight for his life once more. With a smirk, Beto manifested the SOUL DAGGER in his hand, brightly and truly as he wrapped his arm around the man's thick neck, and gave him a kiss on the back of the head. >>

"You had a good run, friend. Now? ......DIE!"

<< He PLUNGED the soul dagger into Voge's head and GRIPPED him in place with his inherent natural strength, tightening his arm's grip around Tullamore's throat, choking him in the process. Voge struggled of course, they always struggled, but nobody had yet been able to survive an attack from Beto and his blade, and before long, Voge became a huddled mess on the floor, his purple blood FLOWING from his body like a river, covering Beto in it as he threw Voge aside and took his place in the man's throne like seat. >>

"The Arena?! Is LIBERATED!"

"Holy fucking SHIT."

Beto had just killed the fat blue alien man, who Simon had assumed to be the kingpin of a place like this. But why? Beto was a mysterious man, but he seemed to be resolved to whatever the hell this world was. In fact, he seemed to like the reputation he had built here. His thoughts were interrupted.

Stay RIGHT where you are, Simon!

<< Amanda commands. No doubt Simon would recognize the VOICE, but he still wouldn't SEE her, just yet.>>

<< The chimes continue to sound off as she REAPPEARS, now IN the battle zone of the Arena, and hovering in the air, she wastes no time casting a circle of PROTECTION of around Simon Pratt, a glowing BLUE mandala effect "snaps" open on the ground under Simon's feet and expends evenly in all directions, ensuring he will be protected and have space to breath. The mandala effect in the area under Simon's feet begins to spin in a clockwise motion, as it glows a bit more brightly. She called out to Simon down below her as she hovered in the air>>

DON'T move out of this circle for any reason!

<< With him secured now, Amanda could turn the tide of everything their way. FIRST, to suitably CRIPPLE their opposition. She gestures, as glowing mandala effects form around her hands, and she ignites a spell>>

"That voice..."

He couldn't place it, but he was grateful as a hauntingly beautiful sky blue energy began to envelop him as an intricate pattern appeared below his feet. Magick. He had not really had much of a taste of magick, only from his time in New York with The Six, and even then most of the magick users were something the group hauntingly called "off world".

Dark Illusions all around this night
Manifest now and destroy my enemy's might!

<< The effects EVERYONE involved in the Arena from the top down, crippling them with FEAR of impending DOOM as the tables have now turn, and as they once abused and enslaved, THEY will become the abused and enslaved. The spell renders them POWERLESS with fear, allowing Beto, and Domino to cut through their opposition.>>

Whoever this mysterious magick woman was had considerable power. Simon was on edge. She was freeing these people, and that was great. But what was her angle? And what did she want from him? He had not been in the mutant world for long, but it had shown him one thing - trust was a luxury that seemed only to be afforded to oneself. Despite how much he wanted to trust those around them. He wanted The Marauders. Where were they?

Your captivity I end
No longer will it bind
Out of time, out of space
Your bondage and chains I now erase!

<< another strange mystic tone sounds off, and all at once, EVERY trafficked mutant there is RELEASED from their holding cells, EVERY power neutralizing color is BROKEN and falls from their necks, fading away in a flurry of sky blue orbs as Amanda Sefton's bondage BREAKING spell activates.>>

You're FREE!

<< her voice now has a haunting resonance to it as it is heard by ALL the trafficked victims in the area. >>

You're FREE in EVERY WAY. Now FLEE this place, all of you, and don't look back!

<< She knew her mother would be PROUD of her in this moment, seeing her stand up for those who had been powerless to defend themselves before. But there was no time to think about that now. a LARGE glowing white portal SNAPS open at a vertical orientation, as Amanda flies forward and swoops down, landing before Simon.>>

Get out of here, Simon!

<< She pushes him toward the portal as he tries to process what's happening, he blinks, and FINALLY sees who his liberator is, he FINALLY sees Amanda Sefton!>>

"Amanda f@#king Sefton?!"

He had known Amanda Sefton for years socially. They had never been close, but they had on more than one occassion shut down a few places from London to Tokyo. She was a lot of fun, and he had heard rumblings about her "ways" in the past, but he just assumed she was like him - a mutant who didn't want to talk about it. To know she was...a witch, and a very powerful one at that? Well...it wasn't that shocking to him anymore. It seemed like everyone in his life growing up had not been what he thought they were. From Cameron to Vivica, to Ava...and now...Amanda Sefton.

"Domino and Discord are here, and You're FREE now."

<< He wanted to ask questions, but she held up her hand for silence.>

There's NO TIME for questions right now, Pratt. You have to trust me! You'll be reunited with them soon enough! GO, these other victims need safe passage, and your luck bending power will ensure they have it!"

The Marauders! They were here. They hadn't left him out to dry. Perhaps he HAD made an impact on Maxine and Daniel, and that...kind of made his heart soar. He had learned to never argue or question a woman who had the power to throttle his ass into oblivion, so he turned to the task at hand. He nodded in understanding, turning around to face the chaotic crowd. Now, he wasn't scared to face things. These people needed HELP, so he RAN towards the portal, casting his hands out. Earlier, in his fight with Sheeva, he could FEEL it coursing through his body, crackling at his fingertips, flowing through him, almost like an energy, so he did his best to cast it out. After The Purifier Event, he along with many of the others in The Six's orbit had gone through telepathic training at the hands of Cameron King. He had taught them ways to use their own light psionic abilities to protect themselves and others.

As he ran he found himself outlined in an electric green that matched his pale green eyes, rippling slightly behind him as he ran with the others, and things FLEW out of his way. Hurdles moved, obstacles missed him and those around him. He had no time to consciously process what he was experiencing, he RAN.

 

[Magik]

Madripoor- From the Arena to Freedom

[to the group] "Good Girl! When we mass evacuate, remember the location I shared with you earlier. I have a girl on the outside that has a triage center set up, away from anyone with Hightown power or connection!"

<< climbing up in the air, Amanda drew the attention of a few drones & "army eyes", drawing them away from Discord, Simon, & newly freed, now fleeing mutants. As she climbed further up, she maneuvered with style, and when the timing was right, she dispatched the drones and the "army eyes" with well placed mystical force blasts of destructive concussive power. Her shields kept any falling debris from hitting anyone bellow as Discord continued to handle crowd control, and Simon used his luck bending ability.>>

<< Hovering in the air, Amanda spotted Beto. Beto was still sitting in the throne that once belonged to the slaver creature, Vogem & he was looking rather triumphant, but even he couldn't stay here. AMANDA knew that, even if BETO didnt.>>

A ruler without a kingdom. A king with no subjects

<< she thought to herself as she flew threw the air.>>

<< This Arena was part of something larger, not just in structure, but in POWER, power that according to Domino, could be traced back to...>>

The INTERLOPER

<< Well. Amanda was not going to let this stand. This Arena, and everything IN it, even thing that made it OPERATE, would be BURNED to the ground! >>

<<but FIRST...>>

<< CHIMES ring out again, as Amanda stretches her hands, now encased in glowing blue halos of magick,>>

The path to safety and FREEDOM may seem long, scary, even twisted and WINDING, but every step you take, every move you make, I'll see you REACH that safety and freedom!

<< and thus, glowing blue enchantments flow from those halos around her hands, and they twist and spiral down to the ground , spreading out with such speed under the moving feet of everyone still remaining, and every person who's feet touched the glowing PATHS would find themselves immediately transported via the portal, even if they hadn't reached it yet.>>

<< the OTHER "end" of the large escape portal opened to the deck of of a LARGE vessel [with "air craft carrier" dimensions] sitting on the waters that flowed, linking the shores of madripoor to the endless seas, and ultimately the OCEAN itself. And, as fate would have it, MOTHER NATURE even seemed to lend a hand, as a FOG had rolled in, ensuring that no one on the docks could see far enough out into the sea to actually spot this mysterious vessel that belonged to Domino's contact.>>

<< soon, the only ppl left in the arena [that would be spared] were Domino, Discord, Simon, Amanda Sefton, & Beto>>

<< No doubt, Kristen Pratt, the emissary of Diana, the White Queen, and MOTHER of Simon Pratt, had managed to escape relatively unscathed.>>

It's OVER, and there will be NO encore.

<< Amanda declared with coldness as the the destruction of the arena itself was now at hand.>>

<< Hovering high in the air, at the center most point of the arena, the sorceress closes her eyes, as her blonde hair flows upward>>

Golden Dragon
Form now before me
Fire of WRATH
CONSUME this arena with your VENGEANCE!

<< CHIMES sound off, quickly giving way to a CRASHING/BLAST of golden energy>>

<< Amanda's powerful spell ACTIVATES, as a massive GOLDEN glowing DRAGON forms and begins to unleash its unholy, vengeful FLAMES OF WRATH that not only burn, but pack IMMENSE concussive power, it's essentially a MAGICKAL equivalent of a precision tactical nuclear device, and its designed to DESTROY the arena, ALL it's inner workings, its very FOUNDATION.>>

<< For the Marauders, it was the first time they'd seen Amanda cut loose, indeed, they may not have known she was capable of such a feat, but she WAS her Margali Szardos' daughter, and for BETO, this all seemed...FELT so...FAMILIAR, almost like...an INFERNO>>

<< the heat was was the next best thing to HELL itself, and now, the whole place coming down around them, while other aspects of it were being completely consumed and VAPORIZED. The time for Domino, Discord, and Simon to escape through the portalwas NOW.>>

<< Amanda herself turned, and zoomed toward Beto. She seemed to be coming out FROM the golden flames. Her blonde hair flowing, and her hands outstretched, she was coming for HIM, just as another blonde witch had come for him many moons ago >>

<< Her HEARD her voice, but the resonance and accent now sounded like it did earlier when they shared their "astral riptide" moment. It was an effect ONLY he would hear.

JIMAINE SZARDOS: No time for words, or hesitation, BRENTHON, we're OUT of here!

<< She was instantly upon him, and as she took hold of him, they were BOTH transformed into her will o' wisp ORB , and she evacuates them BOTH through the escape portal, as the Arena itself seems to have one last "Gasp" before it EXPLODES of ball of golden FLAME, and the mystical golden dragon itself, seemingly satisfied, disappears in a crashing blast of light!>>

 

[Seer]

"The world breaks everyone or nearly everyone, of their childish illusions, assumptions and wishes, often painfully and afterwards due to the personal growth in practical experience, insight and the resulting wisdom many are strong at the broken places just like mended broken bones often are, and some people even have the great insight to be grateful for the purifying fire."

- Ernest Hemingway

<< Amanda Sefton's immense power burned through The Arena with a strength and intensity that was shocking to even those who knew her best, a testament to the tenets she had been raised upon - a covenant to help the helpless. It was more than just a flashy show of power, it was a message. There were people in this world that could not recognize the beauty of evolution. Of those born with gifts, both useful and horrifying. There were people in this world that could not see the forest for the trees. The Marauders made it clear in Madripoor - mutants and otherwordly creatures were not possessions. They were not TOOLS to be used for profit, pleasure, or personal gain. And those who refused to acknowledge that? They would pay. >>

<< The destruction of The Arena was total. Not a single part of it remained under the power of the winding way sorceress. The death of Malice had started an ideological war in their world, and The Marauders were staking their claims and their righteous belief very vocally and PUBLICALLY. The ramifications of such a move were not yet able to be perceived, but tonight? They were victorious. Trusting in the universe, these five people, of varying degrees of pedigree and prestige, had come together with one common goal - freedom. For themselves, and for those like them. It was momentous and important, and yet - it had put a target on each of their backs. >>

<< Upon leaving the portal and the destruction behind them, they found themselves on a ship outside the docks of Lowtown that had been comandeered by Maxine's former lover and contact, Dr. Monica Goldsmith aka Freelancer. They had spent a brief period together as lovers and thieves, but Monica had found her calling as a doctor and a surgeon, on a path of redemption, charged to help those and care for those who needed her (and also those who could pay her whatever she wanted under the table). Assembling a team, Monica had ensured that those rescued from The Arena had the medical and social resources they needed to be protected. Working with her contacts, she was able to find placement and safety for ALL former prisoners of The Arena as well as VITAL intel as to The Marauders next step. >>

Monica: "I finally got confirmation about those missing kids, Max. And it's not good. They were sold by Voge..it was payment for his weapon, for this GIRL that your ally wants to protect. Taken to some place in South Africa. My contacts have the coordinates. You want Talisman? Word on the street, that's where she is...and she is setting up shop."

<< The Marauders stayed on Monica's ship for quite some time, only leaving when they were sure that the very last patients of it's facility had safe passage to wherever it was they needed to go, with Amanda Sefton and Brenthon acting as teleporters, safely heralding people to where they needed to go. At dawn, they took a dingy back to the docks of Madripoor, boarding The Marauder and setting their sights on South Africa, opting not to use magick to travel as it was very likely that after their destruction of The Arena, Talisman would be able to easily plan and track for them. Still, boat travel was not the safest option as they were up against a woman who had PERFECT 20/20 vision. >>

<< The trip would take days despite the great speeds The Marauder could make. It would give Maxine, Daniel, Simon, Jun, Brenthon and Amanda a bit of a reprieve as they prepared to fight and face the woman who had unknowingly brought them all together in united purpose - Kelly Shaw. Would they storm her castle? Were they following a loose thread with no end? Only time would tell. But as The Marauder jaunted forth, cutting beautifully against the water, so we WATCH! >>