Re: Paradigm Shift: Monolith of the Rebellion

[Flagmauth]

The expected strike failed to materialize after his second step. Also his third. By the fourth it was unclear if it was still coming. Maybe whatever it was had some ongoing procrastination issues.

Monolith stepped into the fog and a moment later it abruptly increased in density to completely block out his vision. His lungs reported they were no longer functioning correctly. Specifically, he couldn't breath at all, as though his respiratory tract had suddenly been filled in with so much containment foam. This was followed by him being struck by something that, as near as he could tell, was large, sharp and carried the approximate weight of a semi truck behind it. Whatever it was didn't break his armor or particularly hurt, but it did catch one of the heavy plates and knock him flat on his back.

Levitate, Wargame and Sonorous saw the cloud of fog contract around Monolith, obscuring him and the area around him from view. This was followed by a pair of armored, slightly translucent spear-wielding men charging through a nearby wall at the group, passing through it like ghosts. A third figure, this one possessing skin, eyes and hair that were completely a blank white emerged from an alleyway behind them and swung a tire iron at Sonorous.

[Helsing]

Breathing, was an issue. Wanting to get whatever this thing was off of him, was also an issue. Being able to see, was another thing that he would like to do.

But he knew what he was dealing with, given how much time he spent on the PHO researching people before heading out. Grue, a man who could make darkness. Clearly, with him not being able to breath, the information he got was bullshit. He threw his arms wild, knocking whatever was holding him down away before jumping to his feet and launching into the air.

It was desperation that caused him to go overboard. Monolith jumped straight above the buildings, and saw the entire area. The small bit covered in darkness, and the people that were attacking his friends. This, did not sit well with Monolith. He landed on the building, and then immediately jumped off again, this time aiming for the three men who were attacking his friends. And when he landed, he didn't land softly.  His density wasn't enough to cause an earthquake, but it sure as shit felt like it to those around him.

With as much control as he could manage, he rushed forward to the one with the tire iron.

[A Blind Guy]

Sonorous ducked out of the way of the tire iron, while sending a blast of sound at the attacker,  hard enough to send them off their feet.

[Helsing]

Given how that Monolith was going to grab the man, the sound shot him towards the leader. But, Monolith wasn't going to let that stop the man. So he lowered his density, allowing the man to pass harmlessly through him.

And when he did that, his lungs felt free again. He blinked and then mentally chided himself. So, this was Kaiser's response? Fog, Night, Alabaster, and the shadows are Crusador. Annoying, but still threats. Monolith was going to have to apologize to Grue should the two ever meet. Very rude of him to mistake Fog for him.

"Sonorus, disperse the Fog. Levitate, keep people pinned. Wargame, shut this guy's powers off." He said pointing at Alabaster.

Then, like Brute of his rating, he charged right back into the Fog. He took his sweet ass time while he did it, just so Sonorus had the chance to disperse it with his sound. If he did, then well, he could have a nice chat with the Night for hitting him.

[BerrySayRoar]

Levitate groans as this was becoming rather annoying. He decided to take on the guy behind the walls. He placed an A.O.E on a light pole with twice earth's gravity, causing it to be pulled out of the ground and shoot for the wall where he last saw the one releasing the ghost dopplegangers.

[Flagmauth]

Alabaster landed hard on his back, but managed to turn it into a roll that brought him up in a crouch. The tire iron was gone, falling out of his grip - he remedied that particular issue by pulling a knife from the inside of his jacket and advancing warily on Sonorous. At the same time, Crusader's ghosts split up to flank Levitate, one of them darting in to stab at him with the spear it held.

Monolith felt Fog flood his lungs with his mist again, choking off his breath. Wrapped in a suffocating cloud, he took another hit from Night, this one a pair of strikes aimed at the back of his knees followed by one hell of a blow to the back if his head, sending him to the ground. This time he wasn't given enough space to get up, feeling....something, whatever it was Night became when not observed, pin him down and strike again at the gap in his armor between his back plate and shoulder.

[BerrySayRoar]

Levitate used the AOE to propel him in the air to avoid the two charging at him, then changed the aoe to increase the gravity on the ghost dopplegangers into the ground.

[Helsing]

For the first time tonight, London was going to have a real serious talking to to these people.

He went intangible, the gas leaving his lungs and stopping Night from smashing him into the concrete. The blows faded through him, and Monolith allowed gravity to put him through the ground. He couldn't see when underground, but he didn't need to. He kept his hand tangible, and used it to swing himself up through the air and back on the ground away from the fog cloud. He took a step back, and sighed. This, was annoying, but, they weren't playing for keeps. If they were, Monolith would be dead already.

So, again, a message.

Better make his own.

He sprinted as fast as he could, and grabbed Alabaster. It must have been a surprise, getting grabbed by a Brute, but Monolith only kept his arms pinned, he didn't do anything else.

"I must say, this is quite the welcome mat. Let's all calm down for a second, shall we? Levitate, Sonorus, stand down!"

[A Blind Guy]

Sonorous puts his hands behind his head in a casual manner. "Fine by me."

[BerrySayRoar]

Levitate frowns but doesn't argue otherwise, he still kept his eyes out for any sign that they might attack again.

[Flagmauth]

Fog was in the process of sweeping towards them when he stopped. All was quiet for a moment before a door opened. Crusader stepped through, clad in armor themed after a medieval knight and carrying a spear. He was flanked by another pair of his ghosts, that passed through the wall on either side of the door partially. He looked straight at Monolith. "Alright. Let's talk."

[Helsing]

Inwardly, Monolith thanked Scion that that had worked. He didn't move outwardly, but he did tighten his grip on Alabaster just so he stopped squirming.

"Apologies for intruding on your territory, but there wasn't much other way to get your attention, and by extension Kaiser's. We don't mean to intrude, only to seek audience. I have an offer for Kaiser."

[Flagmauth]

"Let's hear it, then," Crusader replied, setting the base of his spear against the ground.

[Helsing]

"Hey can you le-" Alabaster started, but Monolith hit him in the head and shut him up.

"We have a common enemy. The ABB are a nuisance. I can take Lung, and I I have a friend that can deal with Oni-Lee. I'm willing to negotiate an alliance with the Empire to this end. But, I'm going to be speaking the finer details to the one in charge. And that's not you."

[Flagmauth]

"Oh but that's where you're wrong. Kaiser's a busy man, you see. Got a lot on his plate, trying to clean up the city and all. So basically, you talk to me. Or you go home." Crusader shrugged. "Pick one, big man."

Alabaster was rather concerned by the fact he actually felt pain from that and started wiggling again.

[Helsing]

"Stop it." Monolith ordered Alabaster "It's annoying."

Back to Crusador "Fine then, what do you offer?"

[Flagmauth]

Alabaster stopped.

"If you haven't noticed," Crusader gestured at the area around them, "this happens to be Empire territory. Meaning you don't get to come in and ask us for an offer. Sure, we don't like the slants any more than you do. Doesn't mean we trust you at all." His gaze lingered on Sonorous as he said that last bit.

[Helsing]

It took a great deal of control not to beat Alabaster's head into a bloody smire just to show what he thought of that comment.

Outwardly, Monolith shrugs, or as well as he could given the position he's in "Fair enough. But another question, I do have to ask, where is Purity?"

[Flagmauth]

A pause, then a shrug. "Wasn't my day to watch her."

[Helsing]

Monolith tilted his head "Really? I'm looking at a collection of capes who are the most able to control me, a brute who fight's Lung on even ground. Why wouldn't, say, a flying Blaster that can shoot light, not be part of this little ensemble? Either she's fighting against some other team right now, unlikely, but a possibility. Or, she's not a part of the Empire anymore. Am I far off?"

[Flagmauth]

"What, did Kaiser decide to appoint you head of HR or something? If you're still after that alliance you've got a funny way of trying to get it."

[Helsing]

"You don't treat my team with respect, I don't see the reason to do the same for you."

[Flagmauth]

"Whatever. Does that mean you're done with the alliance business and going home?"

[Helsing]

"And what would that accomplish? You say that Kaiser is cleaning up the city, but with me and Lung fighting this city will be in chaos before long. When both of us go all out, the damned Endbringer sirens will start blaring. Tell me, does Kaiser want that? Half his city destroyed a hundreds dead? Not much of an Emperor when all you have is a kingdom of dirt."

[Flagmauth]

Crusader didn't seem all that concerned. "There are plenty of ways to keep that from happening. Besides, I don't buy for a second you'd go that far. Not after your little speech on the news."

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