Operation Azure - The Collision of Thunderstorms

[shockingblue]

Who: Gunvolt, Desidera, Vivi, Lia, Rex, Jailbreak, Ky Kiske
What: Putting a stop to Asimov and rescuing Monarch one last time.
When: December 16
Where: A mountainous region of Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany
Warnings: Fighting, violence, revenge, imprisonment of an AI, and foul language. Probably death too.



Briefing:

Gunvolt had taken the time to put together the materials he had, and procured one of the smaller rooms for it. Unlike Asimov, his briefing wasn't going to more professionally in depth, as he didn't have the time or resources to craft it. All he really has is a map of Germany, and a few printed out pictures taped to a whiteboard behind him. Normally this probably wouldn't be a job given to a student, but GV had insisted on being allowed to present this, seeing as he was the one who gathered the intel. And was the... well, former, now, QUILL agent. He pulled a mundane metal pointer out from behind the lectern and circled a location in the southwestern portion of Germany, in the mountains.

"So, what I got from my contact is that Asimov and a handful of QUILL agents from the German branch of our group have procured an old broadcast tower that's been mothballed for several years. Apparently, their activity there has spiked since Operation Icarus, with agents and small quantities of materiel being moved there every day since. It looks like Asimov is taking his time, probably not looking to draw too much attention to it until he's ready. My contact believes that he may be trying to reactivate the broadcast tower, though he didn't know why. I didn't tell him about Monarch's AI Core, though. The fewer people that know about her at this point, the better."

Frankly, he was sick and tired of people wanting to use her, so keeping her presence on the down-low off of campus was probably a good idea, unless Monarch herself wanted it. Either way, he then pointed to an old black and white photo of the broadcast tower, probably taken when it was still relatively new.

"But I don't think it takes a genius to figure out what he's up to. Most of you will probably remember that Monarch's AI Core has a limited broadcast range for her ability to detect Candles, and that Sumeragi are trying to keep that sort of thing quiet themselves. We at QUILL thought that Sumeragi didn't try to broadcast Monarch's sonar over long range because it could be detected by outside forces, including possibly mundane ones. It'd draw a lot of attention. ...But given how far off the deep end Asimov seems to have gone, I think he's all but stopped caring about that. Or maybe he's got some kind of explanation ready. Hell if I know right now. All I know is that he's probably going to use Monarch's sonar to locate every Candle within a few thousand miles of here. Given Asimov's goals, he'll probably try to indoctrinate as many of them as he can before Nightfall."

Gunvolt's expression darkened at the thought, though he did his best to keep that much hidden. Even just thinking about Asimov was angrying up his blood, and he had to keep it under control for the sake of the mission.

"Speaking of, he's one of our targets for this mission." GV pointed at a series of pictures taken of him while he was at Daybreak Academy. "You already know who he is, but I'm here to tell you what I know about him. Which, as it turns out... wasn't much." There's only a little bitterness in his voice as he says it. Just a little. "What I do know about how he fights is that he's a master-class marksman. He's the one who taught me how to shoot. He can shoot just about anything, from a pistol to an anti-materiel rifle and everything in between, and hit his target with ease. Honestly, he's so good, it's... almost scary. Remember when I mentioned that he shot out the leg of a Mantis tank with one shot? That wasn't an exaggeration.

Also, I found out the hard way that he's also a Candle. And apparently has been as long as I've known him. He never once told me about or used his powers in combat. The only thing I know he can do with his powers is channel some lightning. ...Looked a lot like what I can do. But I don't know how much he can really do. So we're going to be finding that out the hard way. Expect him to at least try to zap you. And if he's not zapping you, he'll probably shoot you.

His normal combat loadout is his personally modified anti-materiel rifle, which can fire normal rounds, as well as custom-tooled magical ones. I've only seen him use lightning rounds to disable machines and overload power grids from a distance, but I'm sure he's got more than just that. He's also at least got his personal revolver, which... it's chambered in .357 Magnum. It's no joke. Don't get shot by it. It hurts. A lot. And he probably has orichalcum bullets."

He grimaces as he says it, and while he tried to keep it in a sense of dark humor, it still rubs a mental wound that's still raw.

"There will also be at least a few QUILL field agents deployed with him. ...Most of them won't be a threat. Zeno and I were the top-tier agents beyond Asimov himself, and most of the regular guys are probably just there to work on the tower. They might try to stop us. Maybe. If they do, try not to kill them. I don't think they're anymore in the know about Asimov's true nature as I was. Just... try to disable them nonlethally. I'd rather not hurt anyone unnecessarily." ...Except Asimov. He wants to hurt him quite badly.

"Anyway... the most important thing is that we free Monarch again, and get her out of Asimov's hands. That takes priority over everything else. Free Monarch so Asimov can't use her, and then we can deal with him at any time." That's the plan, anyway. But... Gunvolt knows very well there's probably no way to get to Monarch without going through Asimov. "We're moving out as soon as all of you are ready. Let's get this over with."

Arrival

Touchdown near the broadcast tower was actually fairly easy, thanks to one of the stealthier Rune Wings in Daybreak's employ. Though it wouldn't be a surprise attack, as it happened. Even if Gunvolt was one of QUILL's best agents, that didn't mean the rest of them were stupid either. Once the team got close, a few of the QUILL agents would approach them, weapons out but not raised, and motioning them to halt. ...Most of these people looked like kids. Except the shifty looking woman in the gas mask, which brought a lot of curiosity.

The lead of the three agents stepped forward and spoke in German. "Excuse me. This is a restricted area. We're going to have to ask you to leave."

"Stand aside, Hartmut." Gunvolt replied, stepping forward out of the group. All three of the guards turned white as a sheet, all of the blood rushing from their faces at once. They looked like they just saw a ghost. "...I've got an appointment with Asimov. Right now."

"GV?! You're alive?! My God, we all thought you were dead! Asimov said you were killed in action by a Glaive Soldier!"

"Yeah, well. I'm in front of you, aren't I?"

"Aw, man! Asimov's going to be thrilled to see you okay. He's been out of sorts since Operation Icarus. We figured it was because he was taking what happened really hard. ...To say nothing of Moniqa and Zeno. Moniqa's been putting on a tough face, but we know she's not been doing well. And Zeno? Man, I don't think I've ever seen him so serious. Do they know you're okay yet?"

"No. I'll tell them once I'm done with the boss."

"GV... are... are you okay? You seem pretty upset. You've usually been reserved, but not this short. ...What even happened to you, anyway?"

"...It's a long story. I'll tell you later. For now, I need to see Asimov. Take me to him."

The agent looked between the two others and nodded, an actual sense of relief building between them. They legitimately seemed relieved to have their comrade back, alive and well. "Yeah, sure. Come on, you and your friends are welcome to see him. Man, he's going to be psyched that you're alive. I really can't wait to see his face."

"Yeah. Me too." Gunvolt did his best to conceal the bitterness and anger in his chest in that statement, but the sentiment was genuine; just not in the way Hartmut had intended it. Either way, the three soldiers led the group past a couple of more agents who quickly folded into the group once they saw Gunvolt was alive and well. They too, wanted to see Asimov's reaction.
Asimov, for his part, was standing in a paved area just outside the broadcast tower; there looked like a large console had been hauled in, with several, long thick wires running from it to the base of the broadcast tower. At the moment, it looked like Asimov was speaking to someone over the console on a video call, a small hologram broadcast in front of him. On the call were a young man and young woman, both wearing QUILL uniforms.

"Yes, the operation is almost complete. Looking forward to it being finished. If it works, it will give us better communications coverage. I know you've been looking forward to that, Moniqa."

"...Yeah."

"Boss! Boss! I know you're on a call and all, but we've got a surprise for you! You gotta see this! It's GV! He's alive!"

Both figures on the hologram practically jump out of their seats in shock when they overhear Hartmut talking. "What?!"

"...Hartmut, April Fools' Day isn't for another four months, and it still wouldn't be funny." Asimov bitterly replied, without turning around.

"I'm serious boss, look!" The agent motioned to Gunvolt, and his group of friends.

"...You greatly exaggerated the rumors of my death, Boss."

"Oi, GV! Wha--"

"...I'll call you both back." Asimov unceremoniously hung up on Zeno and Moniqa, and glanced back over his shoulder at Gunvolt, as well as the crew he brought with him. And his other agents. "...What sorcery is this, GV?"

The QUILL guards all looked instantly confused by Asimov's reaction; they surely hadn't expected him to sound so... cold. So... hostile. What was even going on here? Hartmut, for his part, could feel the hairs standing up on the back of his neck.

"Boss... uh... what's. What's going on here?"

"Detain them. Now."

"Boss? Why...?"

"What's the matter, Asimov? You not going to tell them how you shot me, left me for dead, and took Monarch for yourself? Or are you just gonna keep up this horsejitt forever?"

Asimov turned around fully to stare down at Gunvolt, his expression hardened, his body tightened and tense. The five QUILL soldiers all looked agog at the accusation Gunvolt just leveled against Asimov... and more to the point, that Asimov didn't immediately deny it, but instead, kept silent for a number of unpleasant, heavy seconds.

"Well?!"

Comments

[heromedal]

"I tire of this."

Rex doesn't sound bored, exactly. He sounds exactly as he says- tired of dealing with this. He drops the spell he was casting, throwing his cape back with his left arm and grabbing hold of a chain with the gauntlet on his right hand. Rex actually has no idea Blue Moon can absorb magic, which is exactly why the shield is impressed with him for his plan. Asimov provided ample material for scanning throughout the fight and Rex has been planning countermeasures. It's not perfect, of course, being untested. But Rex is familiar enough to force almost all of the energy that should be lashing equally between the chains to come right to him instead.

It's not a sacrificial leap in front of a bullet, though. It flows into him, through him, building in his opposite hand as a rapidly growing sphere that soon exceeds his palm and floats above his hand instead, crackling and squirming until Rex closes his hand into a fist, where it fizzles out in a pitiful 'zzt.' If it weren't for Blue Moon deciding the sheer amount of guts this required was commendable enough for her to assist directly, Rex would be sporting some new scars. He was expecting them. As it is? He comes out of it merely gently smoking and numb all over, as she easily absorbs what exceeded Rex's limits. There's enough power he couldn't catch to be dangerous- but it's hardly the ultimate attack it was mere moments ago.

"Shall we end this?"

It takes everything he has to stay standing. The way he scoffs and crosses his arms is just to help his balance, but a part of him hopes he's recovered that juggernaut image- there's no hint of wobble.

[bejustorbedead]

Ky smiles faintly, looking a little fiendish due to red cast given off by his right eye. "He's a sensible boy." With that, he pushes off the sudden surge in the air alerting him to the attack.

Even with Rex's interference, and swift movements, he still was struck - letting off a howl of pain as he staggers. The man staggers, shaking - nearly falling to his knees.

"Yes... let's end this." Ky hisses in response to Rex's question, as he grabs for Asimov's shirt, pulling him close. "Time to face judgment."

Then he tosses the man up with inhuman strength, before launching a bolt of lightning after him.

[nor_iron_bars]

First- [And Jail launches herself off the tower at a running sprint, moving with the timing of a born show-woman as she pulls out her sledgehammer.] -you're gonna have to face me!

[Compared to most inhuman beings, Jail isn't very physically strong. This is likely less of a comfort to Asimov than it could be, because by human standards she's fucking ripped and swinging her hammer down on him with all the force she can muster and the aid of gravity besides, spiking him back into the ground like a volleyball.]

[She uses one of her smaller smokebombs to cover her retreat, pulling one of her usual absurd midair acrobatic maneuvers to get herself back behind the front lines of her own team, touching down with a wink.]

So, who's having fun?

[alreadyhuman]

Vivi has nothing to say in response but a wordless cry of pure anger. It sounds, for a moment, more birdlike than anything approaching human.

It's part fury and part pain; even with Rex diverting energy and Vivi throwing himself out of the way in a desperate attempt to dodge, even a light scrape is enough to send far more of a shock than he's even remotely used to through his entire body. Only the fact that his powered up state absorbs and diverts some of the energy stops him from just passing out entirely from the shock.

In return for that electrocution, he lets that anger build, flowing through him. Rather than using his staff, he flings his hands out, eyes wide and burning brightly as fire explodes from them - hitting Asimov with enough power to push him away before he hits the ground.

[buddinghopes]

Lia hisses as Asimov's counter-shot grazes her, only to almost growl when she's addressed.

"I don't want any part of your future, Asimov! I'll forge on ahead with my friends and like hell are you going to take that away from me!" A pause, before she adds-- "And furthermore, that's 'Miss Brooks' to you!"

Fortunately, when the chains come out, Lia is not too drained to get the fuck out of dodge--thank god for teleportation powers. For a moment, she perches on top of the broadcast tower, taking a breath as she feels the familiar power surge thanks to Monarch's song. Her outfit glows white as she leaps off the tower and activates Overdrive. She lets go of her current pair of pistols in mid-air, splintering into the same white shards. She summons another pair when she hits the ground... before throwing those into the air too and willing them to shatter. They swirl around her briefly as she smiles, perhaps a bit too sharply. She calmly extends one hand.

"You really should've thought through messing with us, Asimov."

She snaps her fingers. The shards from all four pistols swirl into the air before falling onto Asimov as a sharp, glowing rain.

[unlogic]

Desidera was certainly not in the mood to try making her best watermelon impression today, and so every chain that shot out toward her, she leapt away from, her movements assisted by some presently-unseen force; she was launching herself with the same shadows that she had been collecting throughout the fight and pooling into a single greater whole. Her landings were a bit clumsy, but ducking into a roll when she hit the ground allowed her to quickly get back to her feet to avoid anything else that was coming her way, although any pressure that was put on her right shoulder in the process hurt.

Not enough to break her focus, fortunately.

That greater shadow stretched all around the area by now, covering a majority of the ground, and what that meant for Asimov was that there was no longer any real escape, as a number of tendrils lashed out after the others had all completed their assault, wrapping themselves around an arm, or a leg, or whatever part of him they could grab, then forced him onto to his knees. With the way they had been strengthened by Vivi and then again by Monarch granting the team's Candles the same increase to their power that she did one week ago, there was very likely no breaking those shadows unless Desi allowed it.

Between that, and the knowledge that at least two members of the team were capable of stopping him from trying anything else with his lightning, there wasn't too much more that Asimov could try to do at this point, if anything.

Following all of this, she walked up beside him, stopped next to him, didn't even bother to look at him. If he managed to take a look toward her while being held there like he was, he would see the underside of her bracelet glowing a bright and furious red. Though he could make any number of assumptions about it, he wouldn't actually know what that meant—only Desi herself and the person who made that bracelet really knew.

She let out a tired sigh.

"Speaking from one monster to another, Asimov? I honestly hope you burn." She spoke in the calmest tone she could manage, despite everything that happened recently, and then she simply turned and slapped him—just slapped him, without any real strength put into it, aiming to make the gesture as insulting as possible—and then she walked away from him, doing nothing else but continuing to hold him there with that shadow.

Whatever happened next wasn't her decision to make.

1/2

[shockingblue]

Asimov launched into the air from Ky's throw rather gracelessly, with him trying to flail about back into position and get his Flashfield re-upped. For all the good it did him when Ky's lightning bolt rent into him again, further prolonging his powerlessness. And you know what Asimov didn't think he'd be doing today?

Being hit squarely in the chest by a goddamn sledgehammer by a gremlin thief in a gas mask while pirouetting through the air out of control. That probably broke a few bones, and very definitely knocked the wind out of him as he was sent plummeting back to earth.

Though he was in time to watch a storm of magical shards slam into him, tearing at his armor and skin, hissing in pain from those boosted radiant shards. One of them even wedged into his shoulder pretty badly. So a bad day was steadily getting worse. And it wasn't really over yet, considering as Asimov still fell, he got to watch a wave of flame rise up to meet him. He crossed his arms over his face and neck to protect them in the instant before he made contact.

Vivi's spell was like hitting a launchpad made of searing pain, smoke, and burning. The force of the magic finally brought down what little remained of his runic armor's strength, and again launched him back upwards before falling right into Desidera's trap when he get the ground. What strength he had left, he struggled against it, and his Radiance refused to cooperate... and certainly long enough for Desidera to give him that blistering retort followed by an insulting slap across the face.

But you know, his day wasn't over yet. He was left facing down his apprentice, hovering back down on his Flashfield and landing right in front of him, body wreathed in both his own power and what was gifted to him freely by Monarch, lightning sword flickering resolutely in face of his old master.

Asimov could feel searing pain in a lot of his body at this point... and in some places, barely could feel anything at all. The Candle coughed, spitting up some foul smelling blood. He all but knew...

"I was right... to believe in you. I still believe... with all your power and strength, you would make a great leader in the world after."

"I don't want any part of that. Never did. All I wanted was an actually free world. One where all of us could live together in peace. That's what I thought you believed in, all these years." Gunvolt balled his empty fist at his side, lightning crackling viscerally around it. "Was everything you did for me just like moving a piece on a board?! Is that all I ever was to you!?"

2/2

[shockingblue]

Asimov laughed, albeit weakly, though it was devoid of emotion, even bitterness. "...Take a closer look at the files... stored deep within Monarch.... sometime. You might.... find them interesting. But know this... GV. ...You will... never be able to stop... Candles from rising up. With your power... you'll be caught up in the struggle. Sooner... or later."

Gunvolt stared at him, intently. Fury was in his former apprentice's eyes. That scorned look of betrayal, anger, and cynicism. Surely, he would do something. An angry, vengeful god of lightning, standing there, gleaming sword in hand. Yes. That was a vision of what Gunvolt easily could become, the kind of person that Candles would need. But... if he were to do that, he could not hesitate like this.

He could feel it. Just enough. The one last thing he could do, and the one last thing he could teach his protege.

"This is farewell... GV. The future of our kind... in your hands."

Asimov's Flashfield suddenly flickered back to life, and in that instant Gunvolt acted both on instinct to protect himself and his friends and on that ball of rage he'd been carrying in his heart, silently, since he awoke.

"Grand Strizer!!"

And as the giant, gleaming, winged blade erupted from his hand and pierced through Asimov, the leader of QUILL fell limp, the glow in his cursed eyes fading away.

Gunvolt stood there, hand outstretched, for several more seconds, before finally lowering it in joyless, dead silence.

[unlogic]

The moment it was done was when Desidera finally let go of her combined shadow, allowing it to release Asimov and sink back into the ground, where it split into the smaller shadows that had created it, and all returned to where they would have been if she hadn't taken control over them.

She'd spent the past days hating the man when she learned that he was the one who had tried to kill Gunvolt, but she also knew that as much of an ordeal the past week had felt like to her, it was so many times worse for him, between the betrayal by Asimov, the feelings of just being used, and then coming here to stop him, and now this.

After looking on for another moment, she walked over toward GV and stopped right there next to him, on his right side. She reached an arm around his back to his opposite shoulder, then pulled him in a bit, saying nothing herself but making sure he knew she was there.

[bejustorbedead]

The man stares, almost blankly at the sight, before he starts walking towards GV, a hand reaching to touch his shoulder with a shocking amount of delicacy - especially in comparison with how brutally he's been fighting not that long before.

He could almost feel his adrenaline dropping as his breath came in and out in bursts. Slowly, the red glow from his red eye starts to retreat into a sea of blue.

[buddinghopes]

Lia's expression is solemn as her transformation falls with white sparkles of magic. She stares briefly at Asimov's body before she makes her way over to Vivi, expression unreadable.

[alreadyhuman]

Now that all the fighting has died down, Vivi was intending to hobble over to Gunvolt and give him a hug or something, using his staff as a support.

But he doesn't really get to do that, because as soon as his new form dissipates, everything he'd been able to ignore up until now - both his magic drain and the damage he'd taken in the fight - catches up with him all at once, and he collapses.

The only noise he makes is the sound of his staff dropping to the ground with a clatter, now that he's not conscious enough to hold it.

[heromedal]

Rex barely glances at Vivi as he catches him by the back of his coat. He leaves the lad dangling in his hand, at arm's length. Normally he would tuck him up into Rex's armpit, but right now Rex has more magic than stamina.

I didn't know eyeballs could get pins and needles, he thinks to himself as he looks the scene over very slowly to prevent said eye needles from making his head spin right off.

"You know," he says specifically to Jail, turning his head as his helmet rescinds itself into the collar form. His skin is a little red, but with how pale he started he just looks like he's worked up a sweat. His hair, on the other hand, has obtained a great deal of volume in a short period of time. He smoothes it down with his free hand, quiet static crackles going off as he does. "I don't think he actually knew who I am."

It's a strange observation, certainly, but it was something that just occurred to him and Jail seemed to be the only one who doesn't have some sort of emotional thing going on at the moment. And he doubts he's wanted in the consolation queue. Besides, Rex has work to do, now the world isn't revolving quite as fast. Vivi is getting his immediate attention, scanning him to identify the damage done so he can start patching it up. Everyone else is conscious, so they can wait.

[nor_iron_bars]

[Jail reaches over to scoop up Vivi, so Rex can focus more on magic and less on trying not to drop him. With her free hand, she pats him companionably on the shoulder.]

If it helps, I'm like ninety percent sure he just thought of me as "that bitch". [Admittedly, he'd be far from the only one, but still.]

1/2

[shockingblue]

Still clipped to Jail's belt, the AI Core finally stopped singing, though Monarch shifted the projector lens to put her image next to Jail, Rex, and Vivi for the moment. Her eyes turned to the now unconscious black mage in Jail's arms, before looking back to Rex.

"It's for the best that he didn't know much more than that. ...Trust me. He... he was every bit as bad as he sounded."

Based on the tone of her voice, she sounded very much like she'd been put through some bad times in the week or so she'd been held. Still, the hologram managed to give a smile that was at best melancholy, but still as sincere as a machine could manage. She reaches a hand down, phantasmal and insubstantial, to gently pat Vivi along the brim of his hat.

"...He really gave it everything he had. He's such a good kid."

A quiet sigh followed.

"Thank you, Jailbreak. And thank you, Rex. ...It doesn't feel like it's enough, still. I haven't even paid my debt from the train, but... with all that I am, I won't forget the kindness you both showed me today. That... everyone here, did." She pauses, and looks over at Rex, appearing to scan him, and the hologram's brow furrowed. "Rex... are you sure you're okay? Whatever you did to that attack put you through the wringer. Once you're done looking over Vivi... please look after yourself too."

By that point, Lia had made her way over to them, and Monarch turned toward her, and nodded, slowly.

"Lia... thank you. Thank you so much for everything. ...And for being a friend in all this."

2/2

[shockingblue]

Meanwhile, Gunvolt remained motionless, even with two hands resting on his shoulder. The two hands of people he knew he'd need. But yet, everything around him felt distant, like a hundred miles separated him from everything else. It scarcely felt like he was even here anymore. He could see Asimov there, slumped on the ground, body going cold in the frigid December air.

Staring into the half-crazed eyes of his father figure in those final moments... those eyes seared into his memory. He could see them even now, staring back at him from the recesses of his mind.

He meted out his revenge. Got his vengeance. Helped saved Monarch. Averted potential catastrophe. But those eyes, and those haunting last words, loomed over all of it like an ominous thunderhead in the distance. It probably wasn't over. It would probably never be over. He had a very, very bad feeling that Asimov might be right about a few things. But even if he was, Gunvolt was positive about one thing: he wouldn't handle it the same way.

Unaware he'd been silent and distant for several long moments, he blinked slowly, the far-off look in his eyes slowly fading into exhaustion and deep fatigue. He couldn't manage any real change in expression; his face felt numb. Both from the cold, and from everything that happened.

He glanced between Desidera and Ky, and the two of them both there made some of that autopilot feeling fade, if only a bit. For now, he had to push forward... his instincts told him... remember his team. Everyone else here who came with. ...He could sort himself out later.

"How's your arm, Desi?" His voice though, came out flat, and almost emotionless, and with the same fatigue that sat heavily in his eyes. Looking over to Ky, studying his professor for a moment. "Professor.... are you all right? You... you took the chains almost head on... and..."

His gaze shot over to Vivi and Rex, seeing the former unconscious, and Rex working on treating him.

"Vivi?... Oh no." Gunvolt then practically stumbled toward them, clumsily trying to get at a run to check on the other two. Everything felt like it didn't want to cooperate, a burning numbness and heaviness to all of his limbs. "Rex.... how is he?" He first asked, reflexively, before getting a moment to actually look at him. "And how are you? You look like hell."

More than usual, he means. But he can't muster the joke. Or the serious statement about it.

[unlogic]

"It still hurts, but I'll be fine." Rolling over it a few times while avoiding the chains had agitated the wound a fair bit, so her arm would probably be sore until it was properly dealt with. The thought of finally using that potion pod didn't occur to her.

"The tattoo's ruined, though."

She'd been starting to consider having that marking removed, anyway. Gunvolt knew why, thanks to a past incident that had involved a number of Daybreak's students and faculty, but she didn't yet know that he knew.

When Gunvolt started toward Rex and Vivi, she followed.

[buddinghopes]

"You're welcome, Monarch." She sincerely hoped she didn't sound as drained as she felt.

After a few moments, she finally dug out the potion pod she'd received from Rex before they'd departed on this mission and used it to start treating where she'd been grazed by Asimov's counter-shot.

[bejustorbedead]

"I'll live - Arany's shield helped considerably..." He took a step back, moving to sheathe his weapon when it suddenly clatters to the ground as Ky drops to his knee, gasping with a sharp pitch.

"Ngh...! It'll pass!" He practically snaps out to head off concerns.

[alreadyhuman]

Vivi's condition is mostly due to overexertion; he has taken some damage, and was just too charged up to acknowledge it, but it's not as bad as it could be given that he's not exactly made of conventional materials. He has scorch patterns where he took Asimov's attacks, but with Rex's magic that can be easily patched up - more easily than it would be with a creature made of flesh of any composition. Under all those layers, he's quite literally a doll.

The fog that was surrounding him has been trickling back into his body. With Rex's healing, that process accelerates as his body instinctively recovers all the Mist that it was producing and stores it back inside him, where it's supposed to be.

He doesn't wake up, but by the slight movements he makes, he's certainly still kicking.

He's just out of energy, that's all.

[heromedal]

"Well, I do that too, but in an affectionate manner," he replies to Jail in his usual dry style, while giving a nod of thanks for taking Vivi off his hands. He didn't do that much heavy lifting on the casting front, if you ask him, but boy are his arms tingly. Everyone was simple one-handed stuff, except the finale. He needs to think of a cool name for that, he thinks to himself. Electronic Crash? Lightning Darkener? Voltic Crush? Hmm. Later.

Either way, he responds to all concern for his well being with a single comment. "It was barely 15 gigajoules, I'm fine. I have a good shield."

Although he does appreciate the thought to ask and takes the time to give Blue Moon some praise. He's not sure he can take her off at the moment, she might be fused to the muscle-suit, which isn't making things any easier on the whole exhaustion font because she weighs as much as a newborn horse. "As for our little friend here, he's largely out of energy. Now I've patched the damage, he'll be on his feet after a long rest, I should think."

Lia will find the pod to be quite effective. The liquid soaks right into her skin and rapidly does the work of weeks of healing. It's horrendously ticklish.

Rex has enough time to reach into one of his pouches and retrieve a handful of bottles of water, squirting some on his face and then taking a long drink before Ky goes down too. Urgh. He plops the other bottles down for the others to help themselves, unintentionally looming over Ky (he can't help it, that's just the shape he is). "Literally all injuries pass, the question is if you do at the same time. So we'll do the sensible thing and tend to it. Also, it's Rex."

Really, he finds the faculty's tendency to call him Arany to be incredibly rude, but his tone is the same monotone, borderline bored he's said everything today. He knows it's not personal. And has nothing to do with the fact he gives Ky a good scanning anyway. He's already getting the Big Medic Energy, defy him and regret it.