Scene #2755: PRT: Crackdown

Owner	Pose
Defiant	The sound of a chanted mantra from hundreds of voices fills the air throughout one of the largest intersections in Brockton Bay's central business district, practically right on the doorstep of the Protectorate headquarters in the city. It looks like a protest and, by glancing at the signs and chants, the men and women there aren't happy with recent events. Or the Protectorate in general. The mood is electric and while there doesn't appear to have been any violence yet, it might not take much to push the edgy, frightened, anxious crowd into a doing something stupid. There are a few capes in attendance, their bright uniforms and stylish costumes making them easy to spot. While most of them appear to be watching the crowd alongside a team of armored PRT officers (body armor, hand-held weaponry), there are a handful of them amongst the protesters, holding signs, chanting, and seemingly acting as symbols for the nascent movement. They don't appear to be any of the 'big names' - small-scale local heroes, certainly, but they're still powerful symbols. There's no sign of Defiant or Dragon. The Union responders might know that they have eyes on the situation, but it's not something to worry about just yet. The crowd might need to move on, before someone takes advantage of the situation for their own ends.
Tesla Armadia	A villain would have to be pretty ballsy to walk into such a turmoilous situation, considering the frevor of the protesting crowd might not be inclined to distinguish between the two sides at this point. Yet there is the potential of that happening, should the appropriate circumstances arrise. For now though, it was only protestors. And capes, on both sides of the lines. And possibly a lesser civilian insurgent or two, paid off to help stir the proverbial pot into boiling over. At the back edges of the mob a lone figure stood. No one paid them much mind... Or even seemed to notice their presence, thanks to a special device that psychosomatically rendered them little more than another face in the crowd, uninteresting compared to the hectic state of affairs demanding their attention instead. It made observing such hotbeds of activity a lot less stressful when no one else paid you much mind. So for now, they only watched. And waited. If the optimal circumstances were to occur, this would be the most likely time for such to pass...
Xiaomu	Xiaomu isn't generally a big fan of public protests, although they're generally preferable as opposed to, say, out-and-out riots, or even more flagrant specimens of mob justice - which she's very nearly been on the receiving end of, a handful of times over her lengthy lifespan, when masses were up in arms over youkai running amok and didn't realize that the particular youkai they were laying hands on was actually friendly. So she's of mixed feelings about being within earshot of the chanting - and that's probably at least a block or two further away than it would be for humans. Still, if she can help stop the protest from moving out of 'peaceful' territory, all the better. So she's lingering near the corner of the Protectorate headquarters building, leaning lightly on her monk staff, studiously maintaining a relaxed expression on her face while she watches the crowd for signs of trouble - particularly anything that can be quickly but gently defused.
Toph Beifong	She feels kinda obligated to help now, Toph supposes. Defiant is still an ass, but hey... it seems the earthbender is used to hanging around with assholes. Besides, they will need somebody diplomatic at this event. And Toph Beifong is as diplomatic as they come. A special kind of diplomatic that is. As she arrives the blind girl sighs at how people are here, waving their signs and whatever is written on them. This might not be easy. It might not be easy to pass as a normal person with the way she's dressed, but she might as well try to get some idea of what's going on. So she steps up to some of the people gathered and speaks up. "Hey, excuse me!" At least she can be loud enough to be heard. "What are you guys all here for?" Surely about what's written on their signs, but then again... it's kind of hard for her to tell without asking somebody.
Eryl Fairfax	Eryl stands among the crowd, listening to the chants, trying to capture the general mood of the protest. People are scared, angry that the Protectorate has failed them again and again. They want /something/ to change, they're not sure what. But anything, as long as it gives them peace of mind, a sense of security. Well, Eryl can offer that. Pushing through the crowd (with many a muttered apology), he makes for higher ground, climbing up onto an outdoor table for a cafe. It doesn't make him stand out that much, but he can make up for that with tone of voice and charisma. He starts breathing in, inflating his lungs to maximum capacity before letting out a booming voice. "FRIENDS! " He pauses for a few seconds, to allow people to locate him among the crowd. "You are here to voice your concerns! In the face of the Multiverse, the Protectorate has not been living up to its duties! The Confederacy destroyed the Birdcage, Endbringers run rampant! They are doing their best, no doubt. But it has become abundantly clear that their best is no longer good enough!" Eryl inserts as much artifical passion into his little speech as possible, hands gesturing, eyes seemingly full of emotion. He looks out to the crowd, Original Face splitting it into sections and timing how long he looks at each one. Suggestions on pitch, tone and expression fill his mind as he continues. "In the face of Multiversal threat, we need Multiveral allies! And yet, the Protectorate limits Union involvement here! The logic was sound at first; they were an unknown factor. But, look back! When the Endbringers came, the Union helped to repulse them! When the Birdcage was torn open, the Union stepped in to try and stop it! I think it has become clear that their intentions are good! They will help us, if we were to ask." He pauses again, to let that suggestion sink in. "And yet, the Protectorate's decision still stands: Union involvement is still minimal, even at such a dangerous time! You come here with your anger and your fear, but such things must be tempered by suggestions to calm them! Here today, I offer one, the first step! Demand that the Protectorate undo their decision! Demand for increased Union involvement in this world! Should the Confederacy strike again, the Protectorate and Union combined will no doubt repel them! But you, the people, must demand it! Without your support, the Protectorate is nothing! If your voices are heard in a nonviolent fashion, they will have no choice but to bow to your whims!" A chant, he decides. Something nice and simple, a call for more Union involvement. "Unite with the Union! UNITE WITH THE UNION!"
Hisoka	On a nearby rooftop: Masterblaster sets his sights. Not literal sights... he just watches the crowd, the capes, and the Parahuman Response troopers. They're not going to take HIM back to the birdcage, no. He's here for some real payback. When your power is to make explosions at a distance, local law enforcement has little mercy for you. He had been taken alive however, beaten by the Protectorate. The Protectorate is on the ropes though, and Masterblaster intends to be there to finish them off. He's got sight from the rooftop, aiming down. He's got range to target. He's just waiting, waiting... for the best possible shot. To take a cape unawares along with a few PRT. Mayhem done easy. No one has seen him, most likely. No one WILL see him before he strikes. He has time to be patient. Rooftop, moments later: "What the..." Masterblaster spins around at a sound. He's not alone on the rooftop. "Who the fuck are you? Never seen you around before, and you stand out. You one of those freaks from outside?" "I see no reason to give my name to a dead man." says the Jester, smirking, as he fans out an even dozen cards in one hand. "Dead man? Yeah well fuck you too!" shouts Masterblaster as he brings up his hands. Range to target is trivial. On the ground, among the crowd: Twin detonations go off, explosions that from the ground look like a pair of concussion grenades up on a nearby roof. A few screams go up. Brockton Bay has reason to fear bombs. But other than the edge of the blasts, there's nothing to be seen. At least, not for a few seconds. Suddenly more explosions. More explosions. From a measured pace to a frantic staccato of panicked burst fire. And then... a shriek of mortal agony. The explosions stop, the screams stop, and a man plummets from the rooftops. Those really good at seeing fast-moving things would note the blood streaming from apparently mortal wounds all across the villain's costume. Those not quite so good at vision but quick of thought will realize the lack of screaming from the man means he was dead before he went over the edge. And those who aren't so quick or perceptive... well, they'll almost certainly notice the disgusting splat as Masterblaster craters into the road. Possibly near them. And THEN the screaming from the ordinary protestors really starts. On the roof: Hisoka peers over the edge, looking down at his fallen victim. There's not a scratch on him, apparently. The clown-painted 'magician' that is, not Masterblaster. Even his slicked-up hair seems no more out of place than normal. And his grin, well, it's more than a little satisfied and sadistic.
Tomoe	Tomoe has come to help where others, she wasn't here for too much trouble she was here to help but she might be needed as riot control. However she's not even in armour she's in something far more casual the only real odd thing about this woman is she's over six foot, purple hair and the ears. She's got her hands in her pockets as she look out over the angry crowd she thinks of how best to do this. She's not the best speaker, right. Then everything seem to be going to hell oh dear god this is going to be going hot and going hot fast she's got a menu up and shortly is equipping her gear starts to form over her body and.
Tesla Armadia	The 'ominous presence' in the crowd merely tilts head a bit at the explosions going off, and eyes behind reflected shades following the dead body's descent to the ground only to stop with a viscerous splat. That was not their doing, but all the same is likely the spark to the powderkeg they were waiting for....
Valentha Summers	With so many strange and odd auras around, Valentha Summer's having a hard time figuring out who's really worth worrying about becoming a problem down there and who isn't. But she's watching nonetheless, using the hard way of just seeing what people are doing. With a pair of binoculars. From the edge of a skyscraper, her legs dangling. That's not worrisome at all, nope.
Defiant	In the crowd, Toph finds a small group of civilians. Teenagers, mostly, a few years older than Toph. "Woah, sweet outfit. We're just here because, like, if you look at the numbers, there's more and more Endbringer attacks and more and more villains out there. You heard about the Birdcage, right? Well, what's the PRT doing? Nothing, that's what! We want Tagg to come out here and tell us what they're planning!" The crowd mills about with uncertain energy. Eryl's soapbox table allows him to get above much of the crowd. Once they're aware he's talking, they're all listening. They nod along with his points, murmuring their approval. Yeah, the Birdcage /was/ destroyed, yeah, they're best isn't good enough! A few people shout our words to that effect. A few more chant: "U-NION! U-NION!" It seems that Eryl has managed to snare that energy and begin redirecting it. Only for a corpse to land amongst the crowd. People flow backwards like water, screaming and gasping. Some of them point up towards the sadistic clown on the roof. The Protectorate Response Officers begin to move, some heading for the roof access, others beginning to give the crowd no uncertain orders to disperse. Some do, but the bulk do not. Some people shove back against the armored officers. The officers respond with blasts of containment foam, sticking those they manage to tag to the ground with thick white foam. One cape begins trying to cut a person out with some sort of finger-laser, only for three officers to redirect their sprays and bury her entirely. Xiaomu, being closest to the PRT HQ, is the first to see the arrival of a grey and black armored woman. Tall and obviously muscular beneath the tight costume, her long black hair flows out from under a helmet. She wears a cape, too, and she flies from the PRT HQ to land by Eryl in the crowd. It's Alexandria. The second-in-command of the entire Protectorate. "Under Article 12, subsection D, this crowd is immediately required to disperse!" Her voice carries easily, "Otherwise, we will ensure that the appropriate force is brought to bear to protect the public interest!"
Xiaomu	The sound of explosions is enough for Xiaomu's attention to snap up to rooftop level; she spots one of the explosions in full and the tail end of the one before it, before the fight apparently moves away from the edge of the rooftop. She's got a two-handed fighting grip on her staff as she moves away from the wall she was next to, watching for further signs of trouble above; if anyone were paying attention enough to pick her out as not-human, this is an excellent moment for it with her ears pricked up for further clues. And then Masterblaster's body comes plummeting into the thick of the crowd, which proceeds to go wild in EXACTLY the wrong way. Xiaomu ducks clear of a wad of containment foam, and wonders what she's doing here in the first place ... Then brings the butt of her staff down HARD on the pavement, eliciting a loud jangle from the rings attached to the staff's headpiece - and making a mound of ice 'grow' on the pavement under her feet. "HEY! PEOPLE, SETTLE DOWN A BIT!" she yells, trying to get civilian attention. "The bad guys are taking advantage to wreak havoc again; the Protectorate and the cops are trying to keep everyone safe, and they can't do that if you're fighting against them! For your own safety, leave calmly and quietly and head back to your respective homes; I don't want anyone getting hurt, and neither does the Protectorate, but you've gotta help us on that!" She's still wondering, as she addresses the crowd, whether the face peeking out over the roof's edge was as familiar as she thought it was ...
Toph Beifong	So it's like Dragon said on the radio. Toph adapts a curious look on her face, playing along. "Uh huh? So you think he can explain things?" Not that she knows Tagg at all, but from what Defiant has said, the PTR can be a bit annoying to work with at times. Surely it must be frustrating for the people living here at times if the guy is a complete midbrain. It's a bit curious that Eryl steps up and begins talking, especially when he's not defending The Protectorate. At first Toph frowns, though as he goes on and twists it into something beneficial, then the blind girl finds herself nodding. Hopefully the protesters will buy this and see that it would indeed be for the best if the Union got to assist this world more, not just on unofficial terms. And by the sound of it... yeah, this is going their way. The two blasts can be felt and heard easily enough, and Toph winces as she turns slightly. What the hell, are the protestors going crazy? Or is this something else? The scream too is impossible to miss, and when the body hits the ground... Toph's eyes go wide. Still, judging from where he fell from... thanks to her seismic sense it's easy enough to tell that there is somebody up there, and Toph frowns. "The crud..." Suddenly it all got a lot worse. Let the PTR handle the crowds, because this requires Union interference. Toph kicks into the street, and in response the concrete shifts into a pillar underneath her, launching her up to rooftop level as she crashes into a crouched landing the roof behind Hisoka. Index finger extended she points towards him with a disapproving look on her face. "What the CRUD do you think you're doing?!"
Tesla Armadia	Piece by piece was set into place, regardless of whom was moving them across the board. Why or by whom mattered little, the situation was spiraling in the desired direction all the same. The explosions and bloody death cracks open the storm brewing in the crowd. Enforces try to put order back in place, only to be resisted by civilian and cape alike. The use of nonlethal measures is cute, if pretty much ineffective with such a sizable gathering. Un surprisingly there are Union members about, attempting to assist despite the leashes this world tries to keep on them. Sure enough though the fecal matter striking the occolating air motivators is enough to bring out one of the 'big' names of the Protectorate. And it's no more than a beat after Alexandria's reciting of regulations to demand coherence that a slow yet audible over the din (partially due to metal gloves) clapping can be heard. "While your response time is certainly impressive... It is always amusing to watch those trying to empress order upon others, when they can barely keep it together for themselves." Metallic heels clunk against the pavement as Tesla Armadia proves to be just the villain ballsy enough to make that walk into such volatile situations, composure ever unwavering as the little field of disinterest is dispersed with her 'arrival'. Not the one she was waiting for, but it would tide her over until the others arrive. So Tesla just shakes her head ever so slightly in disapproval at Alexandria. "Don't you have mor important things to be worried about? Yet here you are, trying to quell petty squabbling in the streets." Then holds out her hands briefly. "And before you ask, no, the explosions were not my doing, as convenient as they were. I have at least played by most of your little cape rules, as silly as I may think they are, when it comes to keeping my machinations upon you so called guardians than the masses."
Eryl Fairfax	Eryl offers a winning smile as the crowd responds to his speech. He starts pumping his fist into the air in time with the chant, spurring them on more and more. And then the body hits the floor. The atmosphere changes instantly, the sense of unity replaced with 'every man for himself' as the crowd begins lashing out in fear, the PRT responding in kind with containment foam. Their actions could sour everything... Glancing at Alexandria as she lands, he can't help but nod. A crime has been committed, with the potential for more deaths if this was only the beginning. Though it chews him up inside that his efforts may have been wasted, other things come first. Another deep lungful of air, and he bellows out at the crowd. "EVERYONE! A crime has just been committed! There is a time and a place for civil action, and this is no longer it! Please, return to your homes and loved ones! Keep yourselves safe, and allow the Protectorate to do their duty! You may disagree with how they are doing it, but they will still do it! So please, do not make it harder for them to bring the perpetrator to justice!" And with that, he leaps off the table and charges into the crowd. No doubt there are others who will try to capture the murderer, so he concerns himself with protecting individuals in the crush. Getting to anyone who has tripped and saving them from being trampled, as well as trying to prevent any further clashes between civilians and PRT, even if it means grabbing the former and pulling them away from the lines of the latter.
Hisoka	On the rooftop: Hisoka has plenty of experience with the PRT now, having seen plenty when he helped assault the Birdcage. Their containment foam is a respectable weapon, even for someone like Hisoka. Designed to contain even superstrength capes, it's something the magician wouldn't want to pit his own strength against once it hardens. Fortunately for a suitably skilled and suitably prepared individual it's easy enough to deal with... and Hisoka is suitably skilled and suitably prepared. Toph beats the PRT to the roof however, considering she has an express route and they're stuck taking several doors and an elevator. The colorful jester faces her, not particularly surprised nor distressed by her sudden arrival. "I'm helping out." he claims with a broad shit-eating grin, not even trying to lie convincingly. He indicates the fallen foe with a dismissive wave of one hand, not even bothering to look to see if he's waving in the right direction. He's aiming down. His intentions are fairly clear. "He was planning to attack. I decided to see if he had any real skill, and what his intentions were. He made both..." here Hisoka pauses, shrugs, and puts a hand behind his back, arching his shoulder in a bizarre sort of stretch. "Adequately obvious." Whether his words are at all convincing to Toph or not, another party entering the scene has no interest in words. Busting through the rooftop access, the PRT members fan out. "Down on the ground!" one yells, while the others are already firing their containment foam. They don't NEED to discuss, don't need to talk. Their target is clearly a murderer, and they don't get paid to banter. Wielding purely nonlethal weaponry, the PRT are able to shoot first and let someone else ask questions later, particularly when the person they're shooting at is an obvious villain. Hisoka is, of course, ready for this. He's set his trap up. One of the PRT is jerked forward into the line of fire of one of his comrades, crying out in surprise at being yanked invisibly off his feet before the cry is muffled by rapidly-spreading foam. Other foam strikes bare air before the shooter, hardening almost instantly into walls. One PRT soldier has his gun jerked out of alignment by a mysterious invisible force, and ends up 'accidentally' shooting a stream of rapid-hardening foam straight at Toph. Hisoka doesn't even need to sidestep to avoid the attacks of a half dozen of the PRT.
Tomoe	Tomoe has been here to act as help if needed, she was quite happy to do that but when things are going bad with the corpse she look for a moment up at the clown. However she's certain others are going after the crowd the Salamander looks at the people. "We can't deal with this situation if you do not remain calm please disperse so we can stop this from happening again." She knows others are going after but she's at the ready to go /after/ Hisoka if it's needef for now she's just trying to calm the crowds.
Defiant	Try as Xiaomu, Tomoe and Eryl might, there's metaphorical blood in the air and the crowd, for the most part, doesn't seem particularly inclined to reason. Many people disperse, but those that remain? They're the ones who want things to change and they want things to change now. "They're just telling us what to do! Well, maybe we know how to deal with this! Down with the Protectorate!" Eryl might find himself side-by-side with a metal man - Weld, one of the local Protectorate Wards - in trying to keep violence between PRT officers and civilians from escalating. "Good words," he says. As Hisoka knows, the containment foam weapons are as non-lethal as they come. They're Dragon-made, so, it's not too surprising. But this means they're getting used with abandon and, really, the crowd probably doesn't know just how non-lethal they are. Violence erupts as civilians try to free their friends from foam that's designed to hold someone like Lung. Alexandria's eyes are hidden behind a visor on her helmet, but her lips twist in a smirk at Tesla's approach. "I hope that you understand what it means when I speak to you. When I say I do something, I make it happen," Alexandria responds. "You're going to leave or I'll break each bone in your body until your self-righteous nature changes for the better. I remember everything that crosses my path, Tesla Armadia, and I can guarentee that you don't have anything that can overcome my powers. I will not ask again."
Valentha Summers	The huge NOISE attracts Valentha's attention quickly enough. Her binoculars focus on the joker even as she somehow backflips further onto the roof and starts gesturing with one hand and chanting up a few spells. Flight and protection! DOWN goes a corpse. Valentha gets a full view of it. And winces. So much for a peaceful protest. But her eyes are on the distant Jester. And it's not a very happy gaze as she lowers the binoculars... and instead snaps her goggles in place over her eyes with the resolve one might show slapping a new magazine into a gun and chambering a round. She spends a bit observing Hisoka, but it doesn't take long until she's seen enough. "PEACE, killer. And if you will not calm down... then explain yourself." Her arms move up and down and all around, shaping a sudden flare of bluish light. With a gesture and a few whispered power words, she forges the power into MYSTICAL CHAINS. They glow brightly and snake around under their power, aiming to encircle Hisoka and snap closed, binding. The mystical element makes it a bit harder to deal with than the foam!
Toph Beifong	It's clear that the earthbender is not approving of this development. Especially not when Hisoka begins speaking. Her eyes narrow in an obvious frown. "You are NOT the authority in this place, so you don't get to go around killing people anyway! And what's the big idea, knocking him off the roof and causing chaos down there?!" she demands in her high pitched voice. Heck, he's not even waving in the right direction! "Like it or not, you've made your intention very clear here..." He is trouble, this Magician. When the PTR forces arrive Toph stands still. The PTR should know her well enough considering she's helped out in Brockton before on several occasions, even if she isn't a cape. he moment the one of the PTR is yanked forward however her eyes widen in surprise. "What the...?!" What did that?! He didn't move himself, nothing obvious caused that movement! All in all it's rather difficult for Toph to figure out what's going on ontop of the roof with PTR guys yanked here and there, their weapons moving seemingly by themselves. Sure, she can feel something going on here. And it's better to be safe than sorry. Throwing her arms up just in time, Toph erects a wall between herself and the PTR soldiers, and not a moment too soon! The foam hits the wall just as it rises, and Toph frowns. Whatever is going on, it's not good! Immediately she lashes out with her left hand, and a large rock shoots out of the wall straight towards Hisoka.
Eryl Fairfax	Eryl's augmented olfactory receptors can almost smell the adrenaline in the air. Fight-or-flight is fully engaged in the throng of people, and their anger is driving them towards 'fight.' Coupled with the fear, and the people are now little more than panicked, maltreated animals, lashing out at whomever comes within range. This will not do, not at all. As he finds himself back-to-back with a cape, he can't help but smile apologetically as he looks over his shoulder at Meld. "I apologize for the accusatory tone of them. I am sure you are pushing yourselves to keep people safe." With pleasantries out of the way, time to wrangle the crowd once more. In their current frenzy, he needs to be even louder still so that his voice will pierce the red fog that envelops their mind. CAUTION: SPEAKING AT THIS LEVEL OF VOLUME MAY RESULT IN THROAT DAMAGE 'Then I'll pick up some lozenges afterwards,' Eryl thinks. Another deep breath, and his voice booms once more, even louder than before. "EVERYONE, STOP! To lash out is to give them lisence to ignore your words! To dismiss your wants as the ramblings of an angry mob! Do not throw away your chance to make things better because of fear and anger! Breathe deeply and reconsider! Please, GO HOME!" Eryl's voice started to crack a little towards the end there, but he takes advantage of it, twisting it into a vaguely sobbing noise, like the violence is driving him to the verge of tears. At their basic level, people are primed to listen to that tone of voice, so he's hoping it might give his words a little more gravitas.
Xiaomu	Xiaomu grumbles as the situation continues to worsen. If rebellious civilians weren't bad enough, a known Confederate is getting up in Alexandria's grill as if Tesla is somehow on the side of the angels, there's another known hostile on that roof now tangling with Toph and a bunch of PRT regulars .... Fortunately, Eryl seems far more accustomed to public speaking than Xiaomu; UNfortunately, he does so at a volume that makes the sage fox yelp, drop her staff, and cover her ears until he's done. She directs a maybe-halfhearted glare at him after he's done, then uncovers her ears, grabs her staff, and strides towards Tesla Armadia, holding her staff by its headpiece. That helps keep the rings from making any noise, for one thing. For another thing, it means she's holding Suiren's hilt - and if she can get into melee range of Tesla (without getting spotted, ideally), she draws the cane-sword and 'slashes' at the ground under Tesla's feet, creating another big mound of ice and trying to trap Armadia's legs within it. Preferably to the knees ... well, preferably deeper than knee-height, but that's a little more ice than she can generate in a hurry without REALLY pouring mana into the elemental cane-sword.
Tesla Armadia	The response from Alexandria only brings a curl smirk of her own to Tesla's lips. "And if you truely are as smart as they say you are, Miss Alexandria, you know I would have to be quite the fool to play all my cards on the table so early in the game." She folds her arms, her own confident composure hardly wavering. "Besides, you presume just because I'm here it's for a fight." The pause that follows is brief, but does nothing to waver Tesla's demeanor, or the expression she bears. "Or is that your only means of dealing with a problem as your world descends into broken loss around you? I would of hoped the Birdcage would of gotten it through your masked heads that the 'rules'," oh yeah, she even unfolded her arms to make the air quoting gesture, "you make yourselves play by to try and cultivate this image of noble defenders of yours are entirely unsuited to dealing with the issues you have yet to face." After which arms are returned to their almost casual previous position. "But if you think wasting your time inflicting bodily harm at me will actually make you feel better in the face of a situation you already know you are rapidly losing control of, if you had it all, by all means." Is there a point? Of course there is a point, there is never not a point in the long run when it comes to this evil genius. Even having a spell of ice cast at her lower legs doesn't seem to phase her, despite not having any particular fondness for the cold in the first place. She as is looks down, and shrugs a little. "Tch. How quaint. Even now, while it may appear to be at your aid, the 'outsiders' are precariously tipping your precious balance."
Hisoka	There's a lot to juggle in this fight. Hisoka has a half dozen PRT suits to worry about and, while they're not particularly effective against a well-prepared fighter, they still need to be accounted for. Toph is another matter entirely. She's a Bracket C fighter, and cocky besides. Hisoka'd be entirely happy taking her on solo here. Not to the death... no, this isn't the sort of fight he could allow himself to go all-out in, even if he had a reason to kill. But if he were to have a chance to fight her solo, he'd have a better chance of properly gauging her power. Hisoka twists at the last moment out of the way of the rock flying at him, bending his upper torso weirdly without his feet leaving the ground. The rock sails past him, crunching heavily into a barrier of containment foam, cracking it somewhat before falling to the rooftop. The jester looks at Toph and GRINS hungrily, eagerly. It's just a shame there's not just the two of them. The PRT, angling for shots past their own foam-discharge barriers, simply aren't a threat. Hisoka doesn't have to look at them to know where they are, or to know where their weapons are pointing. Two more PRT go down, shooting each other unintentionally with their containment foam when their arms jerk spasmodically. The rest can't get a clean shot. But they serve their purpose, distracting Hisoka from another attack. By the time Hisoka senses the nen energy stretching around him, it's too late. He has no defenses, and he's already off-balance from Toph's attack. The web of binding chains latch around him, pinning his arms in place. It doesn't stop his defenses... even after getting pinned, he's still jerking the PRT around with those invisible strings. "I'm the only authority that matters here. I'm the... tester." Hisoka leers at Toph, completely unworried despite being bound by the magic chain. "He failed. We gave him a chance to be free from that prison and what did he do? Foolishly came here to attack the people who locked him away." Hisoka says nonchalantly. "You can't tell me you think he deserved to get away with that? Why... I'm just making up for letting him go in the first place." he lies. Again, the lie is flagrantly offhand, totally transparent, and Hisoka clearly gives no fucks about his believability. "You could even say the only reason he was released... was to die here." he adds. And this time, he seems QUITE sincere. Gleeful, even. Almost as if he weren't at all helpless before a handful of people seemingly bent on his capture.
Tomoe	Tomoe iusn't able to do what she can to calm them down. She is trying to keep things feom escalte things here. She really is but Early seems to be far better with words. She's really just someone in the crowd dragged into the spot light by a mad man with a god complex. She's not the best public speaker she's just a tank when you get down to it. She has some spells tht could work as riot control if it's needed but for now she's going to try to deal with this. She knows someone comitted Murder to rile things up and make it worse so they are dealing with scum that pretends to be people like the Laughing Coffin more or less. So she's really on edge as she glances about looking for more trouble. There have to be more aginators if she could pick them out of the crowd...
Toph Beifong	Damnit, miss! The earthbending master frowns when she feels the rock go sailing past Hisoka as he contorts in a way that seems almost inhuman. What the crud is up with that guy's spine?! And what's more, the PTR guys seem to be either grossly incompetent at what they're doing, or something fishy is going on here. While her opinion of the PTR isn't exactly stellar, she does suspect they wouldn't just pick /the/ worst guys they could find, so it seems to be the latter. Definitively something stinks here. Help arrives from above, and Valentha helps subdue Hisoka. With a brief thank delivered across the radio the blind girl sighs, then punches the wall so part of it crumbles, rocks and dust falling around her. "Too bad for you that I was never good with anybody's authority than my own," Toph claims with a stern look on her face. "And right now you're testing my patience." Still, this guy babbles on and on, revealing things that makes her eyes widen. "... you were part of the attack on the Birdcage." Somehow the other things he says doesn't sit right with Toph either, and she steps forward. "We're bringing you in."
Defiant	Weld shrugs, the perfect picture of heroic humility. He's a handsome young man, although like a living metal sculpture. "It's okay, some of us aren't too happy with what we've heard. For now, we've got to make sure we're saving lives." He's directing people to leave, to head away from the fighting. Someone throws a metal drink can at him and it /sticks/ to his metal body like it's, well, welded to him. Between that and Eryl's frantic demagoguery, it seems that the crowd is beginning to see reason. Some people linger on the edge of it, watching the fight that's building around the mad jester murderer and others gape at Alexandria like they're seeing their personal hero. And Alexandria strides towards Tesla, fists balled. She doesn't say anything further as she leaps at Tesla, throwing a right hook! If it connects, and Tesla hasn't thought to bring protection, it's going to /hurt/. But then Alexandria turns to Xiaomu, moving to grab her by her staff and just... hurl her aside like a rag doll. "Don't interfere, this area is now under Triumvirate jurisdiction." So when there's a flash of light and Defiant, in full green and gold regalia, barrels into Alexandria and sends her skidding across the street, everything suddenly gets far more... fluid. Defiant draws his spear, spinning it in a lazy arc. "This must end," he declares, voice distorted by his helmet.
Defiant	Tomoe glances through the remaining crowd. She might not be the best public speaker, but her eyes pick out a small group of young teenagers in the gaudy clothes of something that screams 'NEW VILLAIN GROUP', looking like they're setting up to take a shot at a PRT Armored Van. Maybe she could talk them down - or maybe convince them to leave by other means?
Valentha Summers	Hrmmmmm. Tricky! When Hisoka shows little sign of CARING about being bound, Valentha immediately concludes that the chains will simply NOT be enough to keep this criminal bound. "I don't pretend to agree with this particular interpretation of justice. While you might be speaking the truth about the victim, you also DROPPED HIM right into a street of protesters. Don't even TRY to pretend otherwise.... troll." The word fits. Even though deep down, she feels weird every time she uses it that way. The bane of coming from a fantasy world.
Tesla Armadia	Likely few people would be able to stand unflinching at the fist of Alexandria hurtling towards them. Tesla Armadia would be one of those few. If anything she looks almost... disappointed that such a predictable action was chosen. It helps that said fist never reachs said face. Certainly Alexandria would feel her blow connect with something, but it was not her intended target, or even something visible. Yet despite her effort the punch comes up just short due to the resistance. "Kinetic dispersal field. Inhuman strength or superpowers means little when the very kinetic force of movement is being repelled. As I was saying about all the cards, my dear. I've countered the Granzon, deterred hulks and displaced thundergods. You are little more than a passing frivilty in comparison." Then her sly smirk only widens. "I do not need to play by your rules, miss. I have only done so because the challenge amused me." Unfortunately for Xiaomu, the dispersal does nothing against attacks not directed at Tesla herself. "And so you resort to marial law in such adversity? How droll." But then there's a sudden intervention, by none other than Defiant himself. "About time you arrived, Defiant. Worried you wouldn't get a piece of me for yourself?"
Hisoka	"You can't take me in." Hisoka claims, grinning tauntingly at Toph. "I haven't fought in the tournament yet~" he states, as if that makes a difference when it comes to murder. Maybe, to him, it does. "If you interfere with a fighter outside the ring, you'll get disqualified, won't you?" Hisoka asks Toph. He's not sure if this is a rule or not. He doesn't much care about the rules though. This is just a ploy, a trick, to make the earthbender flinch. To make her wonder, later, if she really WOULD have let a murderer go just to spare herself the chance of being disqualified from a public tournament. He's simply playing mind games, and has every intention of freeing himself. Taking in a breath of air, Hisoka shifts his nen. It doesn't take even a moment. Already far stronger than he looks, by shifting his aura to his arms he becomes literally superhuman. His arms flex and the chain stretches, it's strength pushed right to the limit in an instant. At the same moment, the sagging portion of the chain is yanked away and Hisoka collapses to the rooftop under it, pulling cleanly free of the bonds. He'll have to add it, and the somewhat-distant warrior, to the things to pay attention to. This area's getting a bit crowded... and he's had some fun. Perhaps Hisoka should consider his exit now. Hisoka rises to his feet, grinning now at Valentha. "You call me a troll?" he says, sounding more amused than upset. "I gave him every chance. He was already dead before he hit the ground, I'm quite sure. Why should I care where he happens to land?" he asks. Thinking of the ordinary people running around below is... well... beneath him. "Afraid I can't let either of you capture me." Hisoka states negligently, twisting one way and then the other, looking from Valentha to Toph. The PRT, he completely ignores even as they continue their scene from Keystone Cops. "I'm afraid... it is time for me to leave." he says. With that, he's abruptly in motion. Moving in a blur, he reaches the edge of the rooftop and then simply... steps off. For those who can see him, who move to look over, or who otherwise have a line of sight, he seems to have his feet just cling to the side of the building and he's running DOWN it. Like, literally as if gravity were sideways for him. Either that or he's falling and his feet are just happening to keep pace with the building as he accelerates downward in a date with the ground.
Tomoe	Tomoe is airbotn for a moment an she does spot the kids nd she'll just drop on in them, not in a hostile manner but she's clearly with the PRT from the looks of thing. "So you sure you want to walk down a path like that? Lot of hardasses dealing with worse things, you looking to make a point? Or are all of you after something else." She doesn't seem to be afraid of them but she's not apprently armed, she is however towering and wearing what looks like plate armour of some sort, well partial plate.
Eryl Fairfax	After his little speech, Eryl smiles to Meld, nodding his head. "Good attitude," he croaks, rubbing his throat with a frown. Original Face was not lying, but at least the worst of the violence had stopped. That last can at Meld draws a frown, but the cape seems unconcerned, so Eryl lets it slide. But, there are other things that need dealing with. Like the rubberneckers around Toph's fight with the murderer, and Alexandria's altercation with this other fellow. The fact that her swing stops short causes a twinge of pain as Original Face rejects that particular reality... but Xiaomu is there, she can deal with it. For now, it seems that the murderer is making his escape! Another twinge, as he does so by running down a wall, feet sticking to it somehow. Mentally, Eryl tries to play it off as some kind of advanced tech, presumably based on flying insect legs, even as he begins lining up firing patterns with Original Face. 'FLOWERING HEDGE' RECOMMENDED. CONE BURSTS, 10FT FROM WALL, 4FT BELOW TARGET'S POSITION. Eryl raises his arms, as if he was taking a boxing stance. Forearms raised in front of his face, elbows pointed towards the wall Hisoka is running down. Suddenly, the sleeves of his suit shred apart, heavy slugs erupting from his elbows! He moves his arms down in time with Hisoka's descent, keeping his shots ahead of him. As the slugs fly out, they suddenly break up into clusters of ball bearings 10 feet from the wall, spreading into wide cones to try and interrupt his descent!
Toph Beifong	Is that a laugh coming from Toph? Either way the girl arches an eyebrow. "Are you /dense/ or something? This has nothing to do with the WMAT, and even if it did, then boo freaking hoo. The WMAT is fun. THIS is business." No, she doesn't flinch the slightest. Who the heck lets a murderer go loose anyway? When he breaks his chains though it makes sense why he didn't struggle against them before. Though the blind girl does looks surprised at how he does it. Just what is going on here?! Toph frowns as she steps forward, pointing an accusatory finger straight at him. "You don't get a say in this, Trolly!" she states defiantly. And she's just about to do something about it when he... steps off of the roof. But doesn't fall. Okay, this guy is seriously messed up! Rather than run towards the edge of the roof Toph quickly assumes a wide legged stance, and she summons up as much willpower as she can as she reaches out to the side of the building... which all /shakes and moves/, peeling upwards with the aim of knocking Hisoka up into the air!
Xiaomu	"If you were REALLY trying to help, Armadia," Xiaomu growls, "you wouldn't even be in this city." She attempts to imitate Tesla's voice, "'Oh, I'm so noble, I only attack their Elites and other heroes' -" She's pulling Suiren back for another stab into the ice, plus whatever else she was going to say, when Alexandria suddenly grabs hold of Suiren's sheath - that is to say, the part which makes up most of the staff's length - and uses that leverage to sling Xiaomu away from both her and the Confederate. Caught fully by surprise, the sage fox tumbles to an untidy halt, somehow hanging onto both sword and staff/sheath without cutting herself open along the way ... "ARE YOU COMPLETELY OUT OF YOUR MIND. YOU DUNG-BRAINED BITCH?!" Xiaomu climbs back to her feet, using the staff's butt end for leverage, then sheathing the blade as she regains a standing position, and utterly livid as she snaps at Alexandria. "In case you missed something, YOU NEED ALL THE HELP YOU CAN GET with the CONFEDERACY coming to play like this! BUT IF YOU DON'T WANT OUR HELP, JUST FREAKING TELL US!!!!" She spins on her heel and stalks off towards the warpgate. Any civilians who get in her way are at profound risk of getting clobbered in passing, but nothing too damaging. If any members of the Protectorate get in her way, on the other hand ... Well, Xiaomu is hardly a textbook Buddhist to begin with, but having remembered being on the wrong side of mob 'justice' earlier in the evening, getting tossed around by someone she was there to help DEFINITELY didn't do her mood any favors. Walking out on a crisis situation that hasn't been fully resolved is still probably overreacting - and she may even acknowledge that later - but it's all too clear that Xiaomu just ran out of fucks to give for now.
Valentha Summers	"Grrrr...!" Feigning serious childish anger instead of the actual minor frustration (she had a FEELING that was going to happen) she truly feels, Valentha gestures angrily at the fleeing Hisoka before DIVING after him, right off the roof. Of course, she's FLYING, so this is less dangerous than it sounds. Her flight's propelled by streams of white and blue, crackling swirls of magic energy. She begins HURLING spells at high speeds a novice mage couldn't hope to manage. Every few seconds she fires off another! But since she's trying to NOT wreck the building, they're not terribly destructive. A CARPET OF ADHESION's placed in Hisoka's path. It's at least easy to see because of a glowing discoloration - but stepping in it is bad. It binds instantly and with enough force to suspend a car there, presuming the wall can hold that weight. A wave of invisible (though it's not easy to pin down the source) psionic force generated through magic flies at him, hoping to disorient his thoughts and inflict debilitating agony for a few moments! A huge wall of ice forms past the CARPET OF ADHESION, extending ten feet from the wall...
Defiant	The young villains stare at Tomoe. "Uh, yeah," one of them says from behind a black mask, "Look at it - we can totally make a name for ourselves by lighting up that van!" In the midst of the growing furball, Alexandria smirks at Xiaomu's back as she stalks off. "That's the difference between a professional hero and an amateur," she says, her voice carrying over the crowd. "I can divorce my personal feelings from what needs to be done. Can these 'Union Elites' do the same? I have my orders and I will carry them out to the letter." She turns and begins to stalk around Tesla, her cape fluttering in the wind. "Now, Armadia, I wonder how effective that field is. It can withstand one punch - but how about two, or three?" She taps twice at the field with her fists. "Can it withstand four, five, six, ten? Because I do not tire and machines break." Defiant and Alexandria eyeball each other from behind their respsective helmets for a moment. "I'm here to ensure that this situation doesn't spiral out of control," Defiant intones. "These people have a right to assemble. Alexandria, this is over." "I don't take orders from you," she retorts, confident.
Tomoe	Tomoe says "Make a name for your selves by lighting up a van? It's a van? That's not a way to get fame if you want fame you could help try to guiude anyone trying to get out of this mess. Or think harder as all that van will do will lead you down a path were your at best recalled as a vandal who was opptertunistic during a criris there's no fame for you that way regardless of what you think." She folds her arms a bit looking the kids over for a moment. "So what got a beef with those in power? Just looking for fame? Trust me there's others ways to make a name for your self they might be hard but they pay off in the longer term."
Hisoka	Things are about to get exciting. Plummeting for the ground, or possibly wall-running down the side of the building, Hisoka is under serious fire. Valentha's attacks come at him fast if not exactly hard. Eryl's attacks are somewhat harder and still fast, but a bit more predictable. Toph's attack is only predictable to someone with Hisoka's speed and senses, even as it's quite a strong threat to his escape. Hisoka twists, throwing his body to one side as he arcs out around the carpet of adhesion. His dodge looks incredibly unorthodox. Not the adroit dodge of a martial artist and not the evasion of an acrobat. It's the weird weirdness of a guy who has weird as his middle name, that's what it is. He practically dances past it, evading it like he didn't actually NEED his feet to keep in contact with the building to keep his face from intimately greeting the ground a few seconds ahead of him. Eryl's flowering hedge is trouble. The bursting ball bearings knock into him, tearing into his clothing and sending up streaks of blood. Seems however that in addition to being freakishly fast and strong, he's tougher than he looks as well. While he protects his head, his body seems to treat the ball bearing bombs as nothing worse than hail. Bruising, but not crippling. Hisoka's not about to keep sustaining the damage however. He's got his limits, even if he doesn't really care about trivial things like pain or blood. When Toph's stomp sets off a building-quake, he gathers his strength. As the building's offshoot rises up to meet him, he hammers downwards with nen-enhanced legs and springboards off it. The move hurts to perform. He's travelling fast, and he can't transfer all his nen to his legs to absorb the shock. Not while under fire from Eryl, that is. Still, he uses enough to change his trajectory radically, bounding off across the street to the opposite building before continuing on down. Presumably Eryl still tracks him with fire, though for a moment or two he's free while the shots catch up to his new position. Enough time for him to fight off the disorientation of Valentha's next spell. It's hard to influence a Nen practitioner, and he's practically immune to agony. The disorientation makes him falter slightly, but not enough to slow his flight. It does, however, put him right in the path of the ice wall, jutting out in his trajectory. It's too big for him to dodge the weird way he evaded the carpet of adhesion, so instead he jacknifes and dives for it, punching his way through the ice and shattering it so a shroud of glittering shards heralds his arrival at street level. Rising up from the cloud of impact, Hisoka grins at Tesla and Xiaomu as he sees them. "How unexpected~!" he says inanely, before flicking something at each and taking off. The attack, such as it is, is pretty minor. In both cases, it's just a simple playing card and it's not even enhanced with the razor-sharpness he can put into such things. They're meant as reintroductions rather than threats. In case of fact, he's offering them both 'his card'. In both cases, should the two compare notes afterward, both are identical Jack of Clubs. Seems Hisoka cheats at cards as much as he trolls warriors.
Tesla Armadia	"Do you wish to try and find out?", Tesla replies calmly to the question with one of her own, even as Alexandria 'pokes' at the field. "In the end it would be irrelivant if you beat me or not, anyways. I've already cracked your precious grip on this world and it's 'need' for the likes of you to protect it, and I haven't even lifted a finger tonight." In between she catchs the card thrown at her without missing a beat. Almost like she was expecting the 'reaquainting' at some point after realizing it was behind the explosive murder of Masterblaster. "You know, it's rather sad." The conversation continues as she tucks the card away into a pocket. "I am suppose to be the villain here... Yet of all the things unscruprelous and indifferent I am, -not- being -honest- about who and what I am is not one of them. You may be trying to portray yourselves as these great protectors of the good of all, like some band of superhero knights," She shifts a moment, asiding to Defiant and his 'style', "No offense." Then back to Alexandria. "But your shining armor is looking a fair bit rusted these days." And there is the arm fold again. "Your world has no hope without help from the outside, but you can't grasp, or accept, that change. Because it throws a flying fuck to the status quo you've strove so hard to build up." Then back to Defiant again, smirking a little. "Funny thing, you were the one I came hoping to piss off... But it seems I've found a much more interesting fallen grace to pick apart."
Toph Beifong	No, this is just too crazy! He got through /all/ of their attacks?! Toph remains on the top of the building, focused on her bending as Hisoka races down the side of the building. When he kicks off after evading the projectiles, slippery surfaces and the wall itself, the blind girl looks majorly annoyed, eyebrow twitching. There's the temptation to run off after him, but... if these last few seconds are an indicator, then chasing him would do more harm than good to the city itself. So with a huff Toph takes a deep breath... then focuses on bending the wall back the way it was. "I don't wanna write the report for this," she mutters to Valentha.
Defiant	"None taken," Defiant growls at at Tesla and while he might not have taken any offense at the comment, the subtle sound of metal on metal as he tightens his grip on his spear is enough of an indicator that he's got enough muscle tension built up, ready to move at a moment's notice. "I'm not in any particular rush, Armadia," Alexandria replies. "I'm willing to hear you out. This idea that my armor might be rusted. Go on, I'll give you some time to negotiate. To try and convince me. Otherwise, I'll put all of my strength into one final blow - and then we'll see who will be picked apart. Go, speak." Elsewhere, the conversation that is smaller in scope but no less tense is still taking place. The young villains look at each other. "I don't know," one of them says, a girl with a bright pink mohawk, "Maybe she's right. Like, look at all those other guys. Those Union people. They seem kinda switched on, y'know? Maybe we should go home, play some video games or something..." "Yeah..." the leader in the black mask seems to agree. "Yeah, maybe you're right. Let's bounce."
Xiaomu	It's probably a good thing for Hisoka that Xiaomu isn't hanging around for the conclusion of anything, and isn't even deigning to linger where he can offer his card. All things considered, if the sage fox WERE sticking around close enough to be handed a card, she'd change her mind about walking away and letting Alexandria cope with the situation that the Protectorate's big girl can allegedly handle on her own ... although it would only be for the purposes of a good-faith effort to bury Hisoka's face in the pavement. Heck, Xiaomu isn't even latching onto a could-be-villain, could-be-civilian talking about video games. Then again, she's got her own backlog of those to deal with, so ...
Valentha Summers	Those are some slick moves! Slick enough that Valentha finds herself impressed. She WHISTLES in appreciation of the insane talent and ability on display before her... then sprouts a predatory grin. yes, quite predatory. THE HUNT IS ON! She just keeps going down until she's still hovering above him at street level. "Those are some EXCELLENT moves. Sure you want to waste them on being a nuisance?" This time when she spreads her arms to cast grandly, the power swirls between her fingers far more ominously. It sizzles, crackles. Black mixes with blue and it gnashes and thrashes HUNGRILY. This spell's several orders of magnitude more complicated than the things she was hurling earlier... "But I'm on to some of your tricks. That's a form of qi you're using, and I know how to deal with that!" Once she gestures, the wave of dark power flies out. Should it strike, it will remain, a tether between Valentha and Hisoka. It seems to draw on the surrounding energy and anyone a bit too close to Hisoka will feel something COLD running through their veins. Cold and definitely uncomfortable. If it gets a foothold, this 'tether' then starts to drain away Hisoka's abundant supply of life energy and disperse it into the surroundings. Probably alarmingly quickly.
Eryl Fairfax	Eryl's eyes widen as Hisoka just manages to weave past the attacks of not just his own shots, but Toph's bending and Valentha's magic (both of which he does his best to not look at). Though he doesn't let it show on his face, the arrogance the man with the painted face shows afterwards, like it was no big deal... well, it irks the diplomat a little. Just a little. Honest. But, no time to think about that, there's still a tense situation to defuse! Walking over to the Tesla/Alexandria situation, Eryl pays close attention. The whole thing is ridiculous, to be honest. Armadia is acting as if being honest about her debauchery makes her better than a legit superhero, all while said superhero is flailing her pride around like a magic fix-everything wand. But, this clash of pride makes for a tense situation, and no doubt any interjection he could offer would be ignored. This is between them, so he hangs back, preparing to leap in if violence does break out. If Armadia is guilty of a crime, Alexandria should arrest her. If not, she is a non-combatant and should be ignored. Law enforcement has always had to deal with verbal barbs, and anyone who can't ignore them shouldn't be enforcing the law.
Tomoe	Tomoe seems to have talked the kids down, which is honestly one less problem for them and everyone else. "If your looking for something new try a VRMORPG like AlfHiem Online, GunGale online, or City of Capes." Maybe it won't do much but those sorts og games tend to help people who do crave adventure and in those worlds fame can be found at least in it's community right?
Tesla Armadia	Tesla lifts one hand to rub her chin thoughtfully. "I could point out every little speck of disllusionment, but really, that this protest even started should be enough. Which is why it's entirely pointless if you try to beat me into a pulp or not. You might get some satisfaction out of it, but is it going to solve your problems? How can you even protect your world if you and your precious little organization can't even being honest with themselves or the ones they are supposedly protecting? Or is this really just about control under that alturistic surface? That I potentially -threaten- this precariously little world view of yours?" Then she shakes a finger in Defiant's direction. "Not that you've been much better at times. But at least you seem to realize how serious this shit is. Normally I wouldn't endorse the enemy, but as much as I enjoy twigging you heroes off, I don't really care to see an entire world destroyed because of a few arrogant pricks." By this point she's managed to pull her boots from the ice. "The Birdcage, an Endbringer DYING, the members of the Slaughterhouse and others that have been captured or killed; all done by the outsiders even WITH you trying to cockblock their efforts to dick up your state of affairs." And in one great big flipoff to Alexandria's supposed authority she calmly turns around and starts to walk away. "If you don't get off your high horses to pull the almighty sticks out of your asses, your world is going to face much worse than I could ever do to it or to you."
Hisoka	Hisoka continues to run. His flat-out running speed isn't as phenomenal as his inhuman agility, but it's still not bad. For someone to keep up with him is impressive on its own. Then again... flying. Hard to ignore that sort of thing as unusual. Flattery doesn't move Hisoka, but he does have to do something to this flying girl if he's going to get away. Again he'd have few qualms about sticking around to fight, but there's no amusement to be had fighting three impressively strong foes. Certainly not while he's relatively unprepared. No, funtime should be between one man and one woman. Or one man and one man. Or ... you know, whatever floats your boat. Just not in public where anyone can jump in and start pounding away at any time. Hisoka grins at Valentha, only to find his nen energy being leeched away into the air around him. That could be troubling, though he has plenty to spare. One does not simply screw around with a nen drainer though. "I appreciate your futile efforts." he says with a grin, preparing a counter strike even as he runs. "You might be quite interesting... some other time." he adds, before building up Ten. The average person has a certain amount of nen energy. Call it qi, call it aura, call it nen, call it life energy. They're constantly emitting it, letting it fade into the environment, and replenishing it. Now take a master at working with Nen. They can control it, circulate it. It's like a shield of force surrounding them, making them stronger, tougher. In short, it keeps them from having their nen escape them. To those with the senses to see such a thing, Hisoka's aura sharpens, becomes a barrier. One that could easily repel an ordinary attack, and one that makes Valentha's drain all but ignorable. That is, however, only the first part of Hisoka's action. Ten is a shield, but it's not one that disallows attacks. With a simple hidden flick of his finger, Hisoka attempts to bind Valentha's arm to a building beside her, using invisible energy-based bungee gum. Should it succeed, she'll find herself stretching the intangible rubbery substance. She won't be able to see it or feel it itself, but she'll feel the pull on her. It ought to jerk her off-course at first, pulling her to one side. Should she compensate and attempt to continue pacing Hisoka the pull will get stronger and stronger until she either snaps back or can somehow break free of the powerful pull. The bungee gum won't last long, not once Hisoka gets ahead, but then it doesn't have to. If Valentha springs back like a slingshot stone, it will have served its purpose admirably.
Defiant	"I think it's clear that you underestimate me, Armadia," Alexandria replies. "Most do. Strength, durability, flight - that doesn't lend itself to feeling like I'm comparable to some of those other powers you see amongst the Multiverse, does it? There have been fifty-seven Endbringer attacks in the last nineteen years and I have personally participated in fifty of them. In each fight I've attended, I've been in the thick of the fighting. They know me and I know them." She takes a few steps back from Tesla then, like she's readying herself for a charge. "See, unlike everyone else here, I would say that I am one of the three or four people in this world who /truly/ understands what is going on. I do not have all the answers, and there are some last riddles that we are desperately seeking to unravel." "But this, Armadia, isn't a riddle," Alexandria continues. "It's time." And, like that, the asphalt of the road /cracks/ under her feet as Alexandria puts all of her Endbringer-wrestling strength into a leap, hands clasped together so she can aim to deliver a devastating hammer blow to Tesla Armadia!
Valentha Summers	As a being of immense power herself, Valentha was ready for SOMETHING to happen. What she wasn't expecting was some telekinetic-like assault with enough strength to send her FLYING BACKWARDS into a wall. She lets out a genuinely startled yelp and is slammed HARD into the concrete. All without apparently more than having the wind knocked out of her. Still, she flops around like a rubber-band, bamboozled by this development. "What's... this...?!" It STRETCHES. She's never heard of telekinetics stretching. In either case, the spell's broken! It fizzles out before she even strikes the building. "Hrrrrmngh..." unable to cast with one hand bound, she instead tries BRUTE FORCE. A myriad of options fly through her head. Shapeshift? that would shred her clothes. Teleport? Without knowing the nature of this force binding her, she's not confident in that. Destroy the building part she's stuck to? Practical. Probably doable if she struggled hard enough, but might get her in trouble with the locals... "... Isn't THIS a pickle?" Taking a few moments to ponder further, she decides that this ability is far too dangerous and unknown to press Hisoka further. Which gets her GROWLING in frustration.
Tesla Armadia	"On the contrary." Foolishly turning her back to an angered enemy? No. Her turning to walk away was very deliberatly tempting. When Alexandria lunges to attack as expected despite her departure, instead of doing the stupid thing to turn around and retort Tesla collapsed into the armored ball formed by her power suit beneath her jacket and rolls out of the way. Did anyone really think she was going to come without that protection at hand? The pavement SHATTERED beneath the force of the blow, and just the vibrations of the vicinity of the shockwave is enough to pitch the armordillo ball off the ground. The sphere lands with a staggering wobble, but as it unrolls into a now fully armored Armadia, other than the stagger she is none the worse for wear. "Those similarities is exactly -WHAT- I've been counting on the entire time." She does make a show of straightening herself off and dusting off one arm, still in as much control of her situation as ever. "So do you feel better after your little tantrum? Because in that list of certainly stellar qualities you seem to have forgotten, I don't know, super-arrogance?"
Defiant	"Keep showing me your tricks, villain, so I might learn all of them," Alexandria retorts, drawing her fist from the broken asphalt, none the worse for wear. In the aftermath of the shockwave, car alarms are ringing and people are - quite wisely - getting out of dodge. It doesn't look like she's going to let Tesla go that easily! She launches herself into the air again, an elbow raised to piston into Tesla. This time, though, if Tesla goes to roll low, Alexandria's leg slashes outwards with an asphalt-tearing kick. Defiant just watches. While he has no qualm with apparently intervening to save civilians or Union members, he won't jump into save Tesla, apparently. Although, behind his helmet, some part of him wonders if it's better to save Tesla, someone who acknowledges that his world needs to be saved, than it is to stand by and do nothing.
Tesla Armadia	"You say that. Yet has it not occured to you why I have not tried to strike you back?" Tesla actually holds up her armored arms in front of herself to block the elbow blow. Granted Alexandria's super-strength slams into it with enough force to make the armored mutant skid backwards with the recoil, armored heels tearing ruts in the pavement, but clearing her of the range of the follow-up that had been intended with that kicked. Chunks of allow do break off the armor as she lowers her arms again, but in the end it was a matter of taking one blow to tactically avoid what she suspected would be another one. "You may be invulnerable. But that does -not- equate to infallible." The audible thrum of energy can be heard building up in her gauntlets afterwards. "Yes, you can remember everything you see. Every ability someone has..." Then instead of firing back, drops her 'aim' to the ground and shoots, using the double kinetic blasts as a sudden 'rocket jump' type maneuver to blast herself away instead of giving Alexandria the satisfaction in trying to pummel her farther. Alas she couldn't stick around to finish the 'but not how they intend to use them' because that would of just been a terrible opening.
Eryl Fairfax	Eryl pinches the bridge of his nose and sighs. Tesla was mirroring a lot of his own opinions... but /wow/ what an ass she is being about it. She dodges the first swing easily, almost insultingly. And yet, Alexandria persists, going again. Tearing up the ground, causing property damage in her little tantrum. Given the power behind Alexandria's swings, he decides to interject over radio. "That cracked pavement you caused will have to be totally removed and replaced. All those cars with smashed windows, and not to mention the potential looting that could follow... Alexandria. Right now, you are the villain. Armadia has done nothing except insult you, and now you are the one causing damage. For goodness sake, swallow your pride and walk away."
Hisoka	With Valentha slingshotted away, Hisoka takes the first opportunity to slip around a corner and perform a little magic. Nothing special, just hiding his aura and making himself disappear. Not actual invisibility, just quick misdirection and a bag of tricks mastered by someone who can be hiding or can be twenty feet up a wall in mere moments. He needn't really worry, but you don't make as many enemies as Hisoka has over the years and still be alive by taking foolish risks. As he vanishes, Valentha will be freed from the bungee gum. And yes, the properties of it are incredibly bizarre. Stretchy telepathy is honestly pretty accurate... though Hisoka likes to refer to it as elastic love when he's feeling particularly annoying. Even in a world where people can do incredible things with their auras, bungee gum is one of the more flexible powers. So to speak. Interesting flying magic girl though. He'll have to get to know her a little better... if only to decide if she's unripe fruit or the really tasty kind.