KAIJU FIGHT #10

[synfluxmods]

KAIJU FIGHT #10

CONTENT WARNINGS: bugs, insects, wasps (prompts 3 and 4), insect stings, rift poisoning, medical testing (antidote to the sickness) and emotional side effects.

▶ 001. FIND THE HIVE.

Reports of mysterious drumming deep in the forest seem promising. With the assistance of local scouts, they also find a clear path of destruction marked by dead plants and fallen insect kaiju. After collecting enough data, LILITH Mexico calls back the Outsiders and their scouts to regroup and recover for what they believe to be the final battle.

Based on their understanding of the region, the clues they've found, and Rift readings, they suspect a human-threat level kaiju is at the location of a known ancient temple. The reason they called the Outsiders back, however, is because it seems like not just one but two of these kaiju might be there. They want the Outsiders to recoup their strength before they head out.

Additionally, they believe one of the kaiju is one they have records of. A long time ago, during the first kaiju attacks, a plant-like kaiju they called "Nephenthipula" appeared and destroyed many cities which resulted in them becoming swallowed up by the expanding jungle. Over time, it simply went dormant and the forest became what it is today. They don't know why it suddenly returned but they suspect it might have something to do with the forest.

Before the teams are sent out, Dr. Flores approaches. Thanks to the hard work and research the Outsiders have been able to do, a basic antidote has been created that should be effective in helping to deal with most of the symptoms that they’ve been experiencing. There’s a very limited amount, however, and he recommends that the Outsiders are cautious: once it’s gone, there won’t be any more until the kaiju is dealt with.

The other downside? It’s not completely refined, so some Outsiders might continue to face side effects. He has more good news to offset this, though: Based on toxicology reports and additional reports about abandoned hives and dead colonies, he suspects the second kaiju might be a wasp of some sort.

Both the wasp kaiju and the Nephenthipula are located deep within the jungle, further even than most outsiders have dared to travel. Interestingly, based on the coordinates they have received so far... they both seem to be in the same vicinity. Before being sent out they will be warned to prepare for a potential double battle.

▶ 002. OPERATION: NEPHENTHIPULA

The trip to the designated coordinate is fraught with danger. The forest seems to close in on itself, like it is protecting whatever it is that the Outsiders are trying to reach. The vines almost seem to take on a life of their own, the deeper into the jungle they travel. Forest creatures will attack outsiders, divebombing and trying to stop them when they take breaks from the trek deeper into the jungle. The deadly plants will become more aggressive, and the deeper Outsiders go… the quieter it gets.

The animals stop attacking. The vines almost seem half-hearted as they move deeper. They are thinner and weaker. Many are cut or rotted. They’ve been chewed through and though they still try to stop the outsiders, it is more like stopping the inevitable. As Outsiders breach the treeline, they’ll come into a clearing, where not only the Nephenthipula resides, rising from the forest like a raging colossus, but it is focused on a ruin. On trying to destroy it, its vines try to slap down stone towers, and strangle out parts of the ruin, but on the Outsiders' arrival, its focus is now fully shifted to focus on the new arrivals. Now is your chance, but Outsiders will find that they have to split up, and while some stay and fight the Nephenthipula; intel says that the Vescidae is inside the ruins but there is no clear way in.

Outsiders will quickly realize the Nephenthipula is not alone. In response to the plant kaiju, the entire forest seems to come to its aid. Vines will spread across the battlefield, attempting to tangle and strangle the Outsiders. Different vines manifest thorns, carnivorous flowers, and razor leaves to deter them even more.

Local kaiju also join in. Mutated jaguars, monkeys, snakes, and iguanas appear to further hinder their advances. From above, mutated butterflies, hummingbirds, and beetles rain pollen dosed with Rift energy. On top of the usual Rift sickness, this one seems to have an additional effect as well. The longer Outsiders are exposed to it, the more reluctant they are to attack the plant life and animal kaiju. They will feel a bond with the forest and become aggressive towards Outsiders causing harm.

The forest is their ally. They have to protect the forest at all costs. If that means turning against their friends then so be it. As long as Outsiders ally with the forest, they will find that they can call on it to assist them in limited capacity. They can use vines to block attacks and command some of the mutated kaiju to attack. Fortunately, Dr. Flores' antidote uses resources from the forest itself to counter some of these effects.

▶ 003. INTO THE HIVE.

Observant Outsiders may notice an entrance into the temple. They will have to find a way up the steps, over living and dead vines. Occasionally the vines cover the entrance so Outsiders will have to destroy them again and again to enter.

With this being the only entrance and the vines controlling how many can enter at a time, it is essentially a bottleneck. Those who enter first will have to be ready to respond quickly because sentry wasps the size of housecats will charge at them. They are small, fast, and aggressive but weak. Their stings are incredibly painful to victims but fatal to the wasps which die shortly after. However, after being stung, the Outsider may notice they are attacked more frequently, as if they have been specifically marked.

Eventually, the sentry drones die or retreat, granting them peace. The inside of the temple is covered in a paper-mache like material. Instead of the regular comb shaped pattern one might expect, the combs are shaped like stars. From deep inside the temple, they will hear a steady drumming sound. Following the drumming sound will lead them to even more sentry drones as well as larger soldier drones that are far more aggressive.

They will have to navigate the catacombs of the temple to find and kill the queen. Surprisingly, characters that have been stung will instinctively know which direction they need to go in and will feel drawn to its location. They will also be able to telepathically communicate with others who have been stung or significantly affected by the hive's rift energy.

They will encounter more sentry drones as well as larger solder drones that are far more aggressive. They will also find comb filled with a thick, sweet, milky colored substance and larvae in the center. Characters affected by the hivemind will know this is a precious, nutrient rich resource. Maybe it might be worth collecting?

▶ 004. OPERATION: VESCIDAE

The drumming sound becomes practically deafening and the Outsiders will find themselves in a great, open hall. The walls are carved with designs all the way up to the ceiling which is filled with stars. In the center of the hall they will see the Queen Vescidae. Her wings beat in a steady, drumming sound that echoes off the walls as she takes to the air and attacks.

As she attacks, drones will fly down from the ceiling to her aid. The venom from their stings is very potent and fast acting. At first, it clears the mind of their victims but some Outsiders react to this differently. Some Outsiders become incredibly calm and relaxed, as if all of their concerns– including the battle– are unimportant to them. Others will find that their new clarity makes it easier for them to focus, making them react to attacks faster and giving them an energy boost. For those who are particularly unlucky, however, the venom seems to wipe their minds completely, making them incredibly susceptible to the hypnotic beating of the Queen Vescidae's wings.

Certain Outsiders may suddenly find themselves turning on their friends as they become loyal to the hive. Their priority will become protecting the queen. By essentially becoming new drones, they become a part of the hive's hierarchy and can order lesser drones to assist them. Outsiders that still have Dr. Flores' antidote can protect themselves and potentially save some of their friends.

In a closed space, the battle is especially chaotic and it only gets worse when parts of the temple-hive begin to crumble and collapse. Vines pierce through the walls and outside attacks make the entire hive tremble. Letting in light and fresh air from outside which provides some relief. Shinn is able to land a critical attack on the Vescidae which stuns it. It staggers in the air disoriented and this allows the Outsiders to attack more easily. Shoto sets it on fire and it frantically begins to fly into the walls of the hive, causing more of it to collapse. Eventually, a reckless attack from Geto brings it down once and for all, putting an end to it.

The Vescidae smolders as parts of the hive and temple collapse around it. As parts of the ceiling collapse, they can see the traditional star designs up close. At the center of each star is a drawing of a striped insect.

▶ 005. AFTERMATH.

Outside the hive, the battlefield and temple are swallowed up by vines and plantlife. In all of the chaos, it is impossible to tell where the Nephenthipula stops and where the Nephenthipula begins. They finally get a break when Ereshkigal's spears do massive damage, severing many of the Nephenthipula's vines. This makes it easier for Outsiders to attack closer or allows them to focus on holding back the forest and lesser kaiju. Weakened by everyone's efforts, the Nephenthipula eventually grows tired which allows Raphael to find an opening. The kaiju falls to the ground and begins to wither. As it turns to dust, a voice whispers, "How could you all do this to us and this planet?"

With its most powerful fighter defeated, the forest has taken a major blow. It still tries to defend itself but all of its attacks are much weaker. It does not stop until the hive temple begins to crumble and the beating sound from within comes to a stop. Suddenly, everything goes silent as the vines still and the lesser kaiju stop to observe.

Finally, the forest breathes. The vines recede and the lesser kaiju return to the jungle, leaving the Outsiders alone.

With the kaiju dealt with, it’s like a heavy weight has been lifted from the city, and the air itself feels less oppressive. Many of the issues that Outsiders had been dealing with seem to settle, the way of nature restored. It’s not all perfect, and there are still some lingering effects of pollen and other issues, but things seem to be better, to say the least. The Rift energy that had plagued the landscape settles and, over time, begins to recede.

One of the more lingering effects is the sickness affecting the civilians. Dr. Flores, using the research materials that Outsiders had returned to base, has begun to create a cure for the strain. There’s a catch: there’s no one to test it on except the Outsiders, so he reluctantly asks for their aid in seeing how effective it is. At first, it doesn’t seem to work too successfully, so Dr. Flores requests the venom of the Vescidae and the royal honey-like substance in order to supplement the cure, and tasks Outsiders with bringing samples of the venom back to base. Once this is added, it works far better.

There are various side effects as the cure is tested. The happier of Outsiders might find themselves prone to bursts of anger and irritation, while the more bitter team members could find themselves experiencing bouts of ecstasy and euphoria. As night falls, some might find themselves irrationally afraid of the dark and struggling with a chronic case of insomnia, which nothing seems to relieve. Thanks to the kaiju venom, there are still lingering effects from previous ventures into the jungle… The same violence and extreme emotions from before (yes, those too).

In addition, in the city there is another kind of testing, the kaiju left more than just venom behind, after all. Some vendors, perfumers, and even bars and smoke shops are making use of the remaining pollen, and Outsiders might find themselves asked to try a free sample, or get sprayed with a random perfume without their asking. Surely it’s fine! You might find yourself subjected to some of the pollen effects, like the increased hunger (of any kind) so you might want to go satiate those munchies, pronto!

Once the cure has been tested appropriately, Dr. Flores begins to make the rounds on the locals, dealing with the most sick first. The cure is also handed out to the Outsiders, so they can do their part. Dr. Flores congratulates the Outsiders on their success, and seems genuinely pleased - and proud? - of the work they’ve put in. What’s that about blood sacrifices…? He doesn’t want to hear about any of that. Just hand over any remaining insects, please, and get ready for a return to home.

▶ 005. AFTERWORD.

This is Kaiju Fight #10! All comments in this event count for 2 points towards August AC. If you have any further questions, feel free to ask them below.

EVENT BREAKDOWN/RECAP (CLICK TO EXPAND)

1. FIND THE HIVE: Outsiders receive coordinates and useful information for their upcoming battle. Dr. Flores provides a basic antidote to protect them.


2. OPERATION: NEPHENTHIAPULA: The Nephenthipula is found outside a temple. The forest and native kaiju assist the Nephenthipula. Some Outsiders might feel a bond with the forest and turn on them. Dr. Flores's antidote can protect and cure some of them.


3. INTO THE HIVE: The temple has been converted into a hive. They fight drones while searching for the queen. They also find a royal honey-like in some of the combs.


4. OPERATION: VESCIDAE: The Queen Vescidae can induct Outsiders into the hivemind. Dr. Flores's antidote can protect and cure some of them.


5. AFTERMATH: The Nephenthipula is defeated and whispers an ominous question to the Outsiders as the forest retreats. Dr. Flores asks the Outsiders to collect venom and royal jelly from the battlefield to create a better cure. Outsiders can opt in to test the new antidote.

code

Comments

EVENT QUESTIONS

[synfluxmods]

Ask here!

[harboredfeelings]

if someone where to say, try to ingest the substance located in the hive combs, what would happen to them?

[the_fourteenth]

Raidou would like to work with the LILITH team here to find plants they can bring back with them to the base greenhouse and Okinawa. Anything they deem safe and would thrive in their climate, so Neo Tokyo can start path to be like Mexico City! He'll have to leave the more technological things to LILITH Neo Tokyo scientists, he's just here for the plants.

Also OOCly as an excuse to have some of that pollen hang around in places. Maybe. If people are into that sort of thing. >_>

[wwtd]

pretty belated oof but how possible is it to collect components of the antidote while on the field and create a primitive version as needed? and could/would dr. flores take outsiders to not only do testing but help develop said cure?

Kaga | Azur Lane | Brimstone

[harboredfeelings]

▶ 003: Into the Hive

[ As someone who's been trying to pin down the drumming since the investigations in Mexico began Kaga is more than eager to lead the charge into the temple. She gets stung pretty early on, which leaves her somewhat concerned when she realizes she's... not too bad at navigating this place?

Coming across one of the combs Kaga takes pause in her till now relentless advance, holding up a hand to stall anyone accompanying her. She proceeds to dip the fingers of her metallic hand into the substance and lick it off without a moment of hesitation or better thinking. Her ears twitch as she tastes it, then she's nodding to herself. ]

We need to bring this back with us, as much as we can manage. It'd be good for emergency food supplies.

[ The way she gives you a Look, it's like she expects you to figure out the logistics of that. She can't exactly make use of full sized aircraft inside these halls you know! ]

▶ 004: Operation Vescidade. OR: How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love The Bug (CW: Drug use, Insects)

A) [ The battle with the Vescidae starts out normally enough. Except Kaga is more blood thirsty than ever and her usually blue fire is purple. The tips of her tails, the carrier deck of her rigging, and her glowing aflame eye are all blazing in a sickly unhealthy glow. A glass container finds itself tossed over her shoulder shortly after the fight starts. Thanks, Silco!

Kaga's RC-toy sized helicopters add to the droning sound of wings in the room, the craft sticking close to the queen in an effort to confuse it with the force of their rotor vibration. Laser fire blasts from the turrets towards the drones in an effort to keep other Outsiders clear. Kaga herself is trying to tear into the queen hands on, literally, the claws on her metal prosthetic hand are lit up with the same purple flame as thee rest of her as she tears madly to the front lines.

Getting in her way is ill-advised but as of now not immediately dangerous. Anyone that does finds themselves grabbed by the back of their plugsuit or the arm and yanked to the side, an angry Kaga snarling near their face. ]

Stay the hell out of the way!

[ Positive CR gets shoved aside. Negative or Complex CR finds themselves headbutted for their trouble before being shoved aside. Somebody stop that crazy fox??? ]

B) [ Midway through the fight there's a change in Kaga. She backs away from the battle clutching her head and grimacing, her aircraft and Rigging vanish, and all her fires go out. One thought echoes through her head over and over; "protect the hive".

Just as suddenly as she stopped she leaps into action again, the purple fire flares up on her tails and from her eye and she produces her paper shikigami in her left hand. The little plane like figures catch on fire (purple of course) and are flung towards the Outsiders, the weaponized summons exploding once they make physical contact with anything.

Anyone unlucky enough to be close by has to deal with the follow up attack as Kaga charges them, drawing the LILITH poison dagger she has on her hip into her left hand, the claws on her right still deployed. She leaps towards her target, slashing her claws downwards, following up quickly with a low stab from the dagger. Her teeth are bared in a menacing grimace, if her eye wasn't literally blazing right now she'd probably be glaring pure hatred from it. ]

Die.

[ A pivot on her heel in an attempt to kick center mass. At least she's being up front about her intentions? ]

▶ 005: AFTERMATH (cw: alcohol, smoking, drug mentions)

[ You'd think Kaga would be used to having her mind messed with and wouldn't crash out from it nearly as hard lately. You'd think that but she's still very, very unhappy about being turned against the others by an overgrown bug. She is coping with this and the fall out of her newest bout of experimentation (THAKS SILCO) in the way Kaga tends to cope when violence isn't an option. Drinking.

On the plus side she's keeping herself to the base for the time being. On the downside as she sits in the eating area of the Mexico base, there's about ten empty bottles around her and at least three more unopened ready to go. KAN-SEN don't exactly get drunk like humans, normally, but that's still... a lot. To make matters worse she's sat there smoking the kiseru pipe she's picked up in recent months, staring off into space and muttering to herself under her breath. It almost sounds like she's having a conversation though? That's probably fine.

Kiko is nearby of course. The loyal nine-tails is at her wolfhound size, sat on the floor with her head resting on her paws, watching her master with a mixture of Concern and Judgemental Disapproval. Approaching gains Kiko's attention first, her ears perking up and a questionable huff being let out as she stands to greet you. Kaga doesn't even turn to look, just waves a hand dismissively. ]

Go away before I rip your arm off.

[ Well that's... nice. Kiko looks betweeen Kaga and the visiting Outsider, lets out a dog-sigh, and lays back down. She's not paid enough to deal with this. ]

▶ 006: WILDCARD

[ Open to anything if you want to spring your own prompt! Or hit my dms if you'd like a custom starter! ]

5

[asagami]

[It's been a time, for sure. Maybe a little less so compared to Egypt, but between the pollen and whatever else screwing with everyone and having to fight two kaijus? It was still a rough time, overall.

So Fujino can only flinch as her shoulders jolt a bit at being told off.]

I-I'm sorry, Miss Kaga. I just wanted to see how you were doing, and if you might need something...

[Evident with the variety of local snacks and sweets in her arms. And that's on top of having to do a balancing act with the couple of fruit drinks, too.]

5

[queenofkur]

[ Those kaijus, whatever awaits beyond the rift... They can't fight their own battles without trying to turn them all against one another, can they? Ereshkigal had been busy during the fight and very careful not to fall under control again, but she's heard about the predicament Kaga faced.

Thus why she visits her b-but... That's one heck of a welcome, is it? ]

I would rather keep my arm. [A pause.] But I will not go away.

[ She picks up an empty box and starts neatly ordering the emptied bottles inside. And the not emptied ones. Kaga has drank more than enough, she thinks. ]

It's dangerous to drink that much, you'll hurt yourself.

[ And those around her, as evidenced by the threat to rip her arm off. Honestly, she's unsure how Kaga is standing at all. Half a glass and she'd be a menace trying to dance with people! ]

4B

[makesascene]

[Leonardo doesn't really have a lot of time to react. Whatever he was hit with left the teenager feeling less surefooted than he would like mid-fight. The call of the hivemind is making his skin itch. It gives Kaga an opening to come at him. Claws make contact with the fabric of the plug-suit all of them wear.

He narrowly avoids her next blow. It forces Leo to focus for the moment.]

Could you pull it together for ten seconds at least!? [Even with what happened last time he used his portals, he still falls into his usual habits. Opening up a portal so Kaga's kick connects with nothing as he swings around back to try and shove her through it.]

Hikaru | The Summer Hikaru Died | Revelation

[marinatedchicken]

FIND THE HIVE

The drumming had been there since they entered the jungle, but it was stronger now. It sat under every other sound, a steady beat that seemed to run through the ground. Hikaru slowed near a break in the undergrowth where the damage ahead was clear. The trail was lined with trampled plants, snapped branches, and the husks of insect kaiju already tangled in fresh vine growth.

He stepped forward, testing the ground before pushing through a wall of ferns. "Looks like it's been busy," he said, glancing toward whoever was closest. "If it's tryin' ta hide where it's going, it's not doin' a great job."

The air was heavy with heat and the smell of wet soil. Somewhere ahead, the drumming picked up for a few beats, like it had noticed something. Hikaru adjusted the grip on his knife and looked down the trail. "We could follow this straight in, or cut around n' see if it's guarding anything. Yer call."

OPERATION: NEPHENTHIPULA

The deeper they went, the heavier the air became. Sunlight was cut into thin lines by the canopy, and the ground was littered with roots slick from the damp. Hikaru moved along the edge of the group, stepping over a collapsed log as vines shifted in the branches overhead. The pollen was thicker here, clinging to his skin and leaving a bitter taste in his mouth.

The clearing opened ahead and the Nephenthipula came into view, tearing at the ruins with long, twisting vines. Hikaru stayed back from the front line, scanning the edges of the fight. Mutated animals moved in the undergrowth, their shapes flickering between the leaves before darting closer.

He angled toward a half-broken wall, keeping low as he worked his way around to where the vines were thinner. "Can use this t'cut across without drawing too much attention," he said to anyone following his route. "If we stay low, we can watch its reach without it lockin' onto us."

One of the mutated jaguars broke from cover ahead, pacing just beyond the rubble. Hikaru stayed still, watching its ears twitch toward the sounds of the battle. "If it looks like we're found out, we pull it away. If not, we let it pass." He glanced toward the other, waiting to see if they agreed before moving again. If he was going to get them close, they had to avoid combat after all.

AFTERMATH

The med bay was crowded, warm with too many people packed into one space. The side effects of the cure had taken hold in different ways. Some could not sit still, others looked ready to lash out, and a few stared off like they were somewhere far away. Hikaru moved through it with slow, careful steps, carrying a cup of water or a blanket when he thought someone might need it.

It felt strange in a way that went deeper than the day's exhaustion. Back home, there had been no med bays, no rows of strangers in metal chairs, no fluorescent lights humming overhead. If someone got sick, you left it to the family or the one doctor who made the trip up the mountain. You didn't move between beds checking on people you had only met a few weeks ago.

"Drink a little. Not all at once," he said, echoing the words he had heard others saying as he began setting a cup down for someone gripping the arm of their chair hard enough to make their knuckles pale. The words felt clumsy, like they belonged to someone else.

He stopped beside another bed where the blanket rose and fell in shallow breaths. "If ya need t'get up, I'll give ya a hand." he said, not sure if the person was awake enough to hear. They didn't answer, but he stayed for a few moments anyway, unsure what else he was supposed to do.

By the time he reached the far wall, his shoulders were tight and his thoughts kept drifting to the quiet of home. This was not a place he knew how to fit into, yet he stayed. Leaving them to manage it on their own felt worse.

OOC Notes

Wildcards welcome. If I've written something and you're not keen on it but you wanna do that one? Remix it how you'd like. If you're concerned, DMs are open any time. For those who are spiritually aware, or spirits themselves, you're welcome to know there is something off about Hikaru. For more information on that, please see here.

If his accent bothers you, please let me know and I'll gladly type dialogue without it.

FIND THE HIVE

[blastedass]

A sturdy swat takes the umbrellaing leaf out of view as Bakugo plants a foot on the log and leans forward. An obvious path leading further into the jungle, promising something very large lay ahead or a lot of smaller somethings stampeded through here a while ago. Dead insects were already being dragged into the underbrush by the vines, something Bakugo noted with a scowl. Are both kaiju enemies? On the one hand, nice! They can take each other out! On the other hand, trying to fight an already-ongoing battle is risky.

"Why the hell would it be trying to hide its path? It's a fucking animal." And dealing with insect capable of flight, invalidating most attempts at hiding a path being successful. Those damn bugs could take to the sky and follow movement alone.

"Don't make more trouble for yourself," he barks at Hikaru as he steps over the log and onto matted ground. Hacking through the underbrush towards a creature already ahead of them isn't gonna be any less surprising than walking its own beaten road. Less shit to break through and make noise as well. "Move."

Bakugō Katsuki 💥 Boku no Hero Academia 💥 Everlight

[blastedass]

[*click on the headers to open prompts*]

▶ 002. OPERATION: NEPHENTHIPULA

💥 ➊ NEPHENTHIPULA. - Jungle Trek

1) [Fucking disgusting! He's no fan of cold weather, a fact he makes loudly obvious whenever it gets chilly. But skulking around in a sloppy jungle is a wreck all its own! Even his interest in powering himself up to the max can't convince him to don his winter costume; he'd die of dehydration before they got to this sack of mulch! Normal version it is. With a wet sucking noise, he drags his boot free from the muck. Only instep-deep and it still tries a quicksand imitation! His quick jerk and pivot ends up slamming a sweat-soaked bare shoulder into another Outsider, resulting in a pinball rebound forward.] OY! Watch it!

2) [To hell with this! Another explosion overhead blasts him through the air like some rocket-powered monkey. He catches another tree branch and momentum swings to the next, moss squishing between his gloved fingers as he clamps down. BOOM! Feet first through a gaggle of vines, twisting on himself in a arch before dropping to a large root below. BOOM! KA-BOOM! Explosions belch to the left and right respectively, blowing back a pouncing jungle cat and vaporizing a very aggressive fern monster. He's in excellent form today despite his anger (or because of it) and takes his aggravation out on jungle foes.] GET DOWN!!

[Duck or that beam-like blast is coming right for your head.]

💥 ➋ NEPHENTHIPULA. - Weed Fight

LETS GO YOU OVERGROWN ROT FEST!! [KA-BOOM!! Hate on first sight! Bakugo breaks any ranks the other Outsiders have formed and meteors a screaming path straight towards their mutated foliage foe! Boom! Over a lashing vine! Boom! Avoiding its lancing stab! KA-BOOM! Right in the fucking face! He blasts backwards on his own recoil, a black and orange streak through the air before flipping once and landing feet-first in the loamy ground. Moss and peat bunch at his heels as he leaves two trenches in front of him before skidding to a stop. Tch!

Anyone around Bakugo might notice his right arm is no longer in its protective body binding, but the arm sleeve's noticeably stiff to keep him from throwing it around much. Still unwise to use his explosions from his right hand, but he can crack off a few small ones between breaks without threatening himself. He swipes a green oval item off his belt, then pulls back and-]

Hey! Catch! [-is he seriously throwing a grenade your way? ... YEP!]

💥 ➌ NEPHENTHIPULA. - Ewww

[*splat!* Sticky, splattering, sappy... sap! Bakugo snarls as he slams a fist into mushy ground, muscles hardening with his rise. One leg under, foot bracing on the soggy soil, then the next before he straightens. Golden sap drips down his body like vulgar honey, clinging to his shoulders and arms, and he slings a few globs off via aggressive hand flaps. His hair's mussed in a wet jut to one side, standing out in faint silhouette against the green gold walls surrounding him. What the hell did he think he'd find inside the Nephenthipula's gourd-like body? Bakugo's eyes narrow in his mask's black swath, then stalks forward.]

Hey asshole! Get over here! [Is it better or worse he's not alone in the plant's gullet? At least you've got some explosive company now. Figure a way to make the plant regurgitate or force their way out through the body. Cause he's not waiting around for option number 3: digestion. NOTE: Any Outsider who saw Bakugo get eaten is free to try hacking their way in to get him and any others trapped out. He's sending a text just in case-]

great Explosion Murder God Dynamight

It's fucking disgusting in here! Gut this plant bitch!

▶ 004. OPERATION: VESCIDAE

💥 ➊ VESCIDAE. - Hive Breach

[Covered in dry cracking sap, splattered with blood and burning foliage, Bakugo swats a dead vine off one shoulder as he stalks up the temple side. His left arm's a veritable cannon, swinging side to side in a vicious punctual volley of explosions with an almost machine-gun like speed. Vines blast and fly, trailing smoke down either side of the stairs like party streamers. Fucking had enough of this bullshit. Why the hell big-lipped plant face was trying to break into the temple is beyond him. Unless it was some kind of plant-infested bear going after shitty wasp honey. Neither of which make any sense, but who the hell does when Rift energy's involved?

Bakugo quickly activates his plugsuit's shield, refusing to go unprotected around the rift's temple poisoning. Hell if he needs a reminder of that nightmare...] I'm going in, you follow.

[He ducks inside, shadows swallowing him for two seconds, before orange light blasts outward as if excavation's begin. Probably has, given his shouts inside.] DIE!! DIE YOU SHITTY BUGS!! DON'T FUCK WITH ME!! [Door's open. Come on in.]

💥 ➋ VESCIDAE. - Extermination

[FUCKING BUGS!! Heat slicks between his fingers, fist crashing around a lancing stinger as he skids backwards beneath a warrior's attempted impaling. Bakugo bares his teeth in a snarl, gripping hand crackling and glowing before- BOOM! Smoke and light blast backwards, taking the bug's life in a massive burst. Enjoy a punch of hot, wind, smoke, all the joys of backdraft straight into the swarm. He shoves forward with a roar, leaving a path of explosion clouds in his wake. Like a damn carpetbomb through air. Nest paper and smoking wasp bodies plummet in burning patterns, some streaking towards the ground in arches, others floating back and forth in the air as they burn up.]

PISS OFF!! [Bakugo crashes his kneepad into a wasp's chest, chitinous armor splitting against its point, and squashes the entire thing into the ground next to his fellow Outsider. He pushes up with a feral focus, then twists and slams another blast upward.] Don't stop moving! You wanna get stung?

💥 ➌ VESCIDAE. - Not Again

[This again. Didn't take more than a second for his mind's eager contributions. Stalking figures in a desert whirlwind before a giant worm. Bloody shadows lurching in a cultists' castle. How many times are the Outsiders going to be forced to face each other in battle? Feels like the kaiju are starting to realize their enemies' strength and go for divide and conquer approach. Bakugo straightens up in the mess of burning insects and buzzing drones, red eyes narrowed as he faces an approaching figure. Of course, if anyone was gonna get sucked under and sicced on him, it had to be this one.]

Fucking pathetic. That's all it takes to make you switch sides? Lame. [An explosion bursts from his hand, threatening and promising all the same.] Bring it on, asshole! I'll kill you!

[And he's the good guy here. NOTE: This is a tag in for any Outsider who's been hypnotized by the queen and wants to tangle with Bakugo.]

▶ 005. AFTERMATH.

💥 ➊ AFTERMATH. - Darkness Doubts

["How could you all do this to us and this planet?" Drifting through his mind like a silver fish in dark water, always ready to return a few seconds after he thinks it's gone away. Fucking hates it. Niggling doubts he's carried all this time make good feeding grounds for anything suggesting they're true. Kaiju are monsters, rampaging beasts causing destruction for people and places alike. They invade from another world. Outsiders put a stop to their threat. It's how the process goes. Simple cut. Black and white. Unless... A fucking "unless" dangles and he can't make it go away.

Bakugo sits outside on a porch rim, face illuminated in flickering firelight of a nearby burn. Darkness licks outside its perimeter, holding unseen horrors and fears he isn't going to address right now. Someone said it was a side effect of the medicine, only pissing him off more he has to deal with a shitty childish "fear" of the dark. He slept with the lights off when he was fucking four! Doesn't give a crap about the dark. Light lives within his hands, heat and flame, destructive force at his beck and call! Why the hell should he feel his heart pick up and race when he thinks of stepping outside the firelight's protective sphere...]

💥 ➋ AFTERMATH. - Devour Flower

[It's way too humid out here, even with the kaiju's death lifting some of its oppressive swelter. Sweat droplets go sliding down various paths from his temple to his jaw, queuing up in a glistening line on his chin to bead drop. Bakugo angrily wipes at it with his forearm, chuffing in annoyance. One more stop in another bar to pass out the cure and he feels like he's gonna be the one to pass out! Japan's nowhere near this fucking humid!

Light reflects off a glass of water as it's snatched into the air and downed several hard gulps. Throat visible and audible with his chugging. Then slams it back down (no breaks) on the counter and glares aside at his companion.] How many more of these fucking things do we have?

[Cures.]

[ooc: feel free to mix and match or edit these prompts as much as you like! or tag in with something completely wildcard. pm me with any questions or if you want to discuss any unique starters, and i'll be happy to write one up for us!]

Devour Flower

[eyescar]

Are you complaining?

[ Yuji seems equally sweaty at the moment, rubbing his forehead and breathing out sharply. It is a lot of work, but it doesn't bother him as much as it might other people; a mixture of his speed and ability to teleport makes this easier for him to deal with.

It doesn't stop him from leaning on Bakugo and grinning, though, knowing he's poking at him. ]

Are you gonna give up, hero?

Raidou Kuzunoha XIV | Devil Summoner | Everlight

[the_fourteenth]

🞂 001. OPERATION: NEPHENTHIPULA

[Poor Raidou. Perhaps he's just a little weak to the pollen? Perhaps it's an allergy? Or maybe for all his resistance against corruption and rift effects in the past, this is the way it needed to sneak into his system?

When the Nephenthipula appears and the Outsiders start their attacks, Raidou wastes no time and goes in with his fire sword at the ready. Before he can get too far, vines reach for an ankle and snare him, catching him off guard. He's dragged back towards some of the carnivorous plants, and is able to free himself with his weapon before they can drag him in again this time. Between the insects above, and getting into the flower's proximity, that's enough to give him another dose of pollen.

As the battle continues on, Raidou will start to step in the way of anyone attacking the local wildlife. When cornered by a kaiju jaguar, suddenly Raidou is there blocking your attack with his sword, or even his body. His nanotech will keep him from getting too hurt, hopefully. But you might want to get a dose of that antidote Dr. Flores handed out, because that steely, determined look is back in his eyes, and it's pointed at you. Better act fast, because vines are coming your way to drag you out of battle.]

🞂 002. AFTERMATH

[Raidou is one of the first in line to be a LILITH guinea pig for the pollen cure. He's really had enough of this stuff. The intense emotions it's been causing in him are, frankly, scaring him. Not that he'd ever admit it. But for a guy who's well practiced at keeping a stony facade and holding everything back, being unable to control his feelings and desires feels like a moral failing and a shameful weakness.

Unfortunately, he's only in for some confusing emotional flareups. While he can't seem to sleep no matter how hard he tries, he still feels... really good? Maybe that's the relief of knowing they defeated both kaiju with no harm to the city or civilians. Maybe it's the effect of experiencing such a beautiful city. Or maybe it's just the quietly building of side effects from the antidote.

If you happen to be out late around the city, you might encounter Raidou out for a walk. Is that a bright smile on his face? Is... is he humming to himself as he saunters lightly down the street, wrists folded behind his back and eyes on the stars?]

🞂 003. WILDCARD

[Anything else you might need!]

002

[harboredfeelings]

[ Kaga being Kaga, of course she's out late in the city. Walking back to base from some bar or excursion or another, Kiko loyally walking at her side (wolf-hound sized today). Both foxes stop dead in their tracks as they realize the humming they've been hearing is coming from Raidou of all people.

Kaga's seen him in a good mood before, but this is a little weird. ]

Kuzunoha-kun? Are you alright...?

hunter | owl house | everlight

[newphew]

i. into the hive;

[ well, hunter's luck is abysmal as always! he's full of wasp stings, and already more are descending upon him, stingers at the ready. he's not doing well. ]

Go--- [ he says valiantly, swatting one aside. it stings his wrist and he yelps pathetically, then: ] I'll be fine!

[ if anyone else has been stung, however, will hear a telepathic message that was not meant to be transmitted: ]

[ Oh my Titan this hurts so bad.... be cool, Hunter! You're not alone! Give them a sign so they know you can handle this! ]

[ he gives a shaky thumbs up.... flapjack side eyes him then looks at you with an exasperated look]

ii. aftermath;

[ well, of course hunter volunteered to test the cure! he cares about people, after all. and this doesn't involve taking his blood or examining him in any way, so he's happy to help ]

[ one thing, though, are those pesky side effects. so the normally grumpy hunter looks ecstatic, as he taps you on the shoulder, with a big grin ]

Hey, man, you wanna hang out? I love hanging out.

[ this is freaky ]

iii. wildcard;

[ comment here for a custom prompt or hit me with your own scenario! ]

II

[zauneyete]

Hang out?

[ Hunter might have good reason for approaching Silco, but the man is still his usual, cantankerous self.

Of course he is. Why would he volunteer? ]

What are you going on about? We don't hang out.

[ Sure they interact, and Hunter has helped Silco sometimes but.

Well. Normally neither of them are the type to "hang". ]

shinn asuka | gundam seed | everlight

[lostdestiny]

003a.

[ This is one of those really awful fights, where the kaiju seems to be getting into Outsiders’ heads and turning them against each other, and where swarms of enemies seem to just keep coming. Once again, no matter how much power Shinn acquires, it’s not enough to protect the people he cares about, and – something snaps inside him that hasn’t snapped since the Imugi took out the hatchlings. He focuses, particularly on the sound of those drum beats, in light of all the reports about a second kaiju....

Right now, he’s absolutely certain.

(Because he’s not really thinking, but that’s for 003b.)

Over the network, there’s a sharp transmission burst – the most painful squawking alarm Shinn can project, and a three-dimensional map showing a line from Destiny’s current location to the center of the ruins. Then a short verbal transmission:

Outta the way!

[ The big gun unfolds over Destiny’s shoulder, and Shinn takes a minute both to let anyone who’s already penetrated the temple get out of the way and to unfold the big gun over Destiny’s shoulder and aim. A moment later, there’s a fierce, bright blast of red light, a plasma beam incinerating the various pollinators between the robot and the temple. With Destiny scaled down, it doesn’t penetrate all the way into the ruins, and both flying attackers and vines move immediately to seal the breach – but Shinn barrels after the blast, palm-laser out-stretched, and barrels recklessly into the initial gap, the robot leaving confusing pink sparkles (yeah, take that, pollinators, see how you like weird particles flying everywhere) in the air behind it.

Destiny's follow-up attack takes the machine through another few layers of stone, and the mobile suit makes it just into the center chamber before its wings tangle in the collapsing stone and surging vines. Shinn unleashes another barrage of plasma and anti-aircraft rounds smack into the queen and her great hall right before the combined efforts of the stone and vines stop Destiny’s advance, sealing it firmly in place for now.

Anyway that’s how Shinn got heavy hitter in a close-quarters fight with a giant robot. ]


003b.

[ With the big robot stuck, Shinn is out doing hand-to-hand, which promptly leaves him vulnerable to wasp stings. Soon he’s part of the hivemind, laying into Outsiders with a pair of knives. (Finally there’s an upside to him somehow not having a gun as an activity reward.)

The notable thing for anyone else who may be part of the hivemind at the moment is that… there are zero thoughts to hear from Shinn. None. At this point in a fight, Shinn isn’t actually thinking, just fighting on berserker instinct, and his mind is a noticeable empty blank spot in the hivemind – or, er, lack of mind.

Please, give him grief about it later. Or jab him with an antidote now. ]


005.

I still don’t get it.

[ Back in Mexico City, Shinn is muttering to himself as he sits at Destiny’s feet, running diagnostics on the damage the machine took having a chunk of temple collapse on it. ]

How did the forest help that long, and then get mad? What did the black sun have to do with anything? And the bees in the stars – ?

003a, sorry shinn

[harboredfeelings]

[ Shinn's display of sheer force and skill is impressive. So impressive it's hard not to admire even with the hivemind steadily taking control of Kaga's thoughts and actions. As she approaches the stricken mobile suit she can't help but think that it's a shame she's going to have to kill the young pilot for attacking the queen. But it can't be helped.

Kaga lazily floats herself over to the Destiny and up to its head, where she's pretty sure the visual sensors are. She looks... fine. Except for the fact her eye is glowing purple, and the fire on her tails is purple. Totally fine. She's holding a dagger, that's fine too, she uses the flat of the blade to lightly knock on the Destiny's head. ]

Very impressive, Asuka-kun. Now why don't you step outside your machine and join in the fun personally?

[ She's Fine. This is Not a Trap. It's Fine. ]

geto suguru ( jujutsu kaisen / brimstone )

[gorb]

oo1. find the hive.

Isn't it a little funny that we're always the one they like to use potentially unstable cures on?

( Geto's dry voice comes from a semi-hidden little alcove. He's sitting on the ground, one knee tucked up under his chin, eyelids at half-mast with a particular bruised looking shadow underneath them. Sleeplessness, maybe, or some other kind of exhaustion. At least his sword remains sheathed at his side this time, though maybe that's because there's a cigarette between his fingertips, unlit for now. )

Ah, but then, aren't we expendable? We're not their people. Unless you believe the nice little tale that they're helping us out. ( An ugly smile, toothy. ) Oh well. Are you going to take it?

oo2. operation: vescidae.

( He didn't exactly expect that to work, but down the kaiju goes and something unloosens in Geto's chest, a breathless laugh knocked from it as the temple ceiling starts to fall in. Well, that's one way to deal with the endless looping grief inside of his system, even if he got a little fucked up in the process of it. The adrenaline will keep him moving for a while, terrible black mood shifting for a brief moment.

Fuck this place, honestly. )

Haha. ( Okay, up he gets. He'll even start collecting stragglers, because they don't have much time. ) Stand. I'm not getting into trouble if you get squashed. On your feet. Let's go.

oo3. aftermath.

( Back on their current homestead Geto isn't exactly looking where he's going, he's too busy using his sleeve to constantly wipe his face, irritated. He does at least halt any Outsider that seems to be making their way passed, throwing them a word of caution. )

Hey, be careful out there. They really don't take no for an answer. Fuck, I should have bought shrimp chips. What's the Mexico equivalent?

oo4. wildcard

( Anything goes! Find me at qingya or on discord at sadgaydna if you want to plot something, otherwise just hit me up with whatever. )

oo1.

[shadowban]

Is it that much different from home? That's the job, Geto-san. Here or there doesn't really matter.

[ megumi's sitting on the floor nursing a few bruises of his own, some running bone-deep. he's coming to realise that fighting is perhaps his least favored part of being a sorcerer, never mind that he finds some enjoyment in the thrill of a fight.

he's a shikigami user first before he's a cursed energy manipulator; gojo satoru taught him to fight with his shikigami, perhaps thinking he'll have time to teach megumi about controlling the shadows. gojo satoru also taught megumi to fight the way he himself does, to ryomen-sukuna's horrific delight. if he fought typical of his technique, would that have helped save him?

probably not.

does it matter, in the end?

like with most things, also probably not. ]

If you think of it as a binding vow, we're not getting equal terms, right? So I'm not taking it. I'm not giving permission.

You're not taking it either, right?

vash the stampede ( trigun: stampede / everlight )

[photosympathies]

oo1. operation nephenthipula i.

( A startled yell rings out as one of the vines snags Vash around the foot, lifts him fully in the air. Upside down and increasingly pink in the face, the man known as the Humanoid Typhoon does his best to start swinging, using the momentum to try and lift his body, free his boot. It doesn't exactly work though, and he has to pause in his endeavour to bring his gun out of the holster, fire off a bullet at an approaching shape, looking apologetically at whoever he's just startled. )

Sorry, these things are quiet.

( Still upside down, he laughs. )

Feel like giving me a hand? Actually, hold that thought. Monkey incoming.

oo2. operation nephenthipula ii.

( Pollen settles, and unbeknownst to Vash, as it does a part of him starts to thrum bright in response. He sneezes, shaking his head like a dog, gaze swivelling around the battleground as though he could possibly keep track of all of the bodies. Maybe he can. Maybe he does. He picks off another jaguar, remorse flashing across his marked face, and another bird, but then --.

A voice.

Vash makes a noise, goes down on one knee, hand pressed to his head. The panic comes first. Not again, not this time. His gun he tosses firmly into the undergrowth, skin glowing sharply in time to his fastly beating heart. ) Fuck, fuck, fuck. ( Both hands now, covering both ears. ) No. I'm not -.

( The forest is his friend. The forest is his family. He knows this. Vash stands, eerily still for his earlier panic. The gun, lost, will probably have to be found later. At least he had the forefront of mind to get rid of it. Because now Vash is once again everyone else's problem, and he's going to prove that by taking the next Outsider he sees down at the knees. )

oo3. aftermath

( He can't sleep.

This is not new. Vash has had bouts of insomnia his entire one hundred and fifty years plus of living. He is a creature prone to sleeplessness. But there's something about this kind of wakefulness that has him antsy, frustrated, frantic. He makes loops of Mexico's base with jittering limbs, always the same circuit, always a little too fast. When he pauses, he bounces on his heels, overwhelmed.

Half the nails on his flesh hand are ragged, he keeps chewing them. He might even snap at anyone who tries talking to him, but then the immediate teary apology that happens, eyes wet. )

Sorry, sorry. Antidote. I hate this. I want to go home.

oo4. wildcard

( Anything goes! Find me at qingya or on discord at sadgaydna if you want to plot something, otherwise just hit me up with whatever. )

oo2.

[blastedass]

[Hands slam into a drooling maw, teeth grit as his hair flutters wildly from a jaguars feral scream. Bastard's trying to take his damn face off! As if! Bakugo's hand sparks once, ready to- *bang!* Hot wet splashes his face, not saliva from before but blood. Its coppery scent slithers across his nose and he roughly shoves the felled beast to the side before sitting up. Marksman shot.

Red eyes narrow in his mask as he turns his head, sweeping the battlefield of beast vs human (mostly) until he lands on Vash not far away. As expected; he recognizes the shot and ammo. Leaves cling to his back and pants as he pushes to his feet, braced for a new impact, but pauses halfway there. The hell's wrong with Vash? Glowing under his skin, face flickering in panic. Metal flashes and Bakugo sneers in annoyance as the man throws his gun aside. The fuck?]

Oy! Undercut! [A second later, good old scarlet flashes towards him, barely hiding a swipe towards his knees. GOD DAMMIT, NOT THIS SHIT AGAIN! Is every fucking kaiju now gonna have some stupid brain control power?! This had to be their way of admitting the Outsiders are kicking their asses way too hard! He stomps his foot down in a brace, letting Vash slam into his knee, then promptly tries grabbing and throwing him overhead.]

WAKE UP, BASTARD!!

Izuku Midoriya | My Hero Academia | Redemption

[muttering_and_mumbling]

•001-INTO THE HIVE:

Izuku's attacks are not really ideal for multiple small enemies. His punches and kicks can only hit one at a time. His suit does provide some protection in places where the gear is sturdier at least. But they still find the softer parts to sting him through and then he finds even more coming his way. So... he releases his Smokescreen. Which he's hoping will work like it would on regular bees to mask their alarm pheromones and prevent swarming. If nothing else maybe it'll confuse them. Of course now anyone nearby is also going to find seeing harder. Sorry about that!

•OPERATION VESCIDAE:

Izuku comes in with his Black Whip cables, shooting them out to grab it by the nearest limb and use the strength enhancement of his suit to pull down, slamming it into the ground. Which is successful! But does require him to take a moment to retract the cables back in to recoup. Which means he's open to an attack for a while and could use some backup.

•AFTERMATH:

By the end of things, Izuku is exhausted and bruised up. He also has some welts where he got stung. But he pushes on and when they're called upon to test the cure, he's quick to volunteer. As a result... He's feeling really prickly and irritable today. Something he's not really used to at all, unless he's in a battle and finds himself really gunning for that win. As a result the smallest things seem to set him off, which in itself just... annoys him more. Why is he so cranky???

((ooc:I match rp style so go with whatever is comfortable for you! Feel free to PM if you want something else and wanna talk it out.))

Closed Prompts

[muttering_and_mumbling]

Raphael | Rise of the TMNT | Everlight

[redangelofpreventingharm]

01 - OPERATION: NEPHENTHIPULA

The fact that the groups have basically converged into the same deep area of the jungle makes sense, based on the team reports that the others have been sharing. He's in the thick of it though, not about to let anyone go into the jungle without him to help give back up. The humidity is rough, though he doesn't slow him down much.

What doesn't help matters is the fact that this jungle is so alive with kaiju and kaiju adjacent monsters - creatures that used to be the normal - natural to these areas of the world. Now changed - almost mutated to points of barest recognition. It makes the animal lover in him wince as these poor creatures are now on the hunt, driven insane by whatever is affecting the forested area. But it doesn't stop him from activating his ninpo when the fight begins - bringing his shielded avatar around him and splitting a few copies of it to mimic his fighting against the attacking animals to protect the nearest team member.

Especially since he ran into Ereshkigal in the forest and he isn't about to let anything happen to the girl or anyone else nearby him.

"I GOT YER BACK!!!" he bellows, before he goes toe to toe with a pouncing jaguar - grabbing it with one large ninpo'd hand to smash it into the ground. "And stay down!"

When the vines grow thicker and whip for him, he's wincing and attempting to block, keeping his eyes moving for more threats as he keeps looking for the potential controller of it all. "Any eyes on the boss critter?!" He SO needs to punch a kaiju in the face.

[02 - AFTERMATH]

*even after everything is said and done, he's thankful that his skills were able to take down Nephenthipula, but getting blasted with the various pollen that lingered during the fight has left him jittery and half wanting to just bolt into the forest and live in a tree*

*so much of it has made him twitchy and feeling sick - he half wonders if this is what the others have warned of: rift remnants that lingered. It makes him force his ninpo back, leaving just the big turtle with his fingers twitching, but a few of his clones don't seem to want to dissipate - the rest mimicking his jitters as if wanting to act out on it*

...what...the hell? *he makes a face, not liking the sensation - too familiar to losing his powers before he arrived here - and he stomps to go plunk down out of the way to try and calm the hell down*

[03 - WILDCARD]

[Want to do something with the big guy but it doesn't fit these prompts? Hit me up! Either PM or I have a plotting plurk here if you like!]

[OOC: I match tag styles so feel free to hit me up with anything you like and I'll follow your lead :)]

1

[asagami]

Bad bad bad, this is so bad. It's enough having to deal with all the mutated flora and fauna, but trying to survive without her Mystic Eyes and having someone else's power instead?? Ohhhh, Fujino may as well be a fish floundering about miles away from water!!

Still, it isn't like she's averse to giving some sort of effort. For a few, fleeting seconds, there'll be some razor-sharp wires bathed in a familiar glow as they wrap around the vines, slicing through before they disappear.

"Not yet, so far..." she says, taking a pause to exhale heavily. "Everywhere is so dense, it's hard to know just where to look!"

Taryon Darrington | Critical Role | Redemption

[likemybooks]

Into the Hive

[Taryon has the automaton Doty walk in front of him, clearing away the vines and being a support when Taryon trips or his legs grow weary from climbing stairs. It makes traversing the narrow pathways slow, but as they approach the first insect sentries, he's immediately grateful for the shield before him when a giant wasp clings onto Doty and stabs it in the chest.]

Shit! [He pulls out a sword, reaches into his pocket for a magic coin--

And remembers that he's lost his powers. He's a healer now.] Anyone in front of me! Who needs help?!

Aftermath

[Thankfully, before they fought that monstrous wasp, Taryon had regained his original powers, which unfortunately made him useless as a much-needed healer. As they vines retreat and their path to the city is cleared, he offers Doty to carry anyone seriously injured.

The return the city is another matter. Not all of the problems have been erased with the deaths of the largest monsters, and one of the only solutions relies on the Outsiders offering themselves as test subjects.

Which Taryon has set his heart on.] If I don't help them test it out, how can they help all these people? I think it's a good idea. Our responsibility

Wildcard

(Hit me with anything! If you want to plan something out, PM or reach me at mutanthairything

Into the Hive

[mace_pray_love]

[Jessica feels something different about Taryon when she encounters him on the way to the hive. Well, different from what she's used to him, but familiar in another way. Weird.]

Hey, wait up a second.

[She squints her eyes at him and demands an answer.]

What's going on with you?

Jessica | Lunar | Redemption

[mace_pray_love]

Into The Hive A. (cw: bugs)

[Jessica isn't looking like her usual, cheerful self on the trip into the ancient temple. Her eyes are red, and she's got dark circles beneath them. Someone had a bad time at the blood shrine.

She has her mace grasped in her hands. It's not going to help with getting through the vines, but it works against jungle creatures well enough. It's all she is aware she's got right now.

A sentry wasp is faster than she is, and manages to dive at her arm before she can smack it away. She gets a nasty sting on her forearm.]

Ow!

[She winds back and sends the wasp hurtling away with a swing of her weapon, not that it matters. The creature was fated to die the moment it stung her.]

Operation: VESCIDAE (cw: bugs)

[Thank the goddess her powers come back right in the nick of time! At the entrance of the Great Hall, Jessica feels her connection to Althena come back, and the harrowed look on her face finally disappears.]

Hey, wait a second! Don't go in yet. Give me one second.

[She begins a chant. Those Outsiders who don't believe in the power of prayer can stay back in be out of range, but anyone that comes close will experience her Saint Litany, which will heal them a small amount over time (it's basically a regen spell) for the next few minutes.]

There. Ok, that's as ready as we can be. May the Goddess smile upon you.

Into The Hive B. (cw: bugs)

[In the heat of battle, things have gotten chaotic. Friends are attacking friends, waves of wasps rise up to protect their queen, and some of the Outsiders are now connected via hive mind.

Jessica is keeping towards the back of the hallway, away from the fray at the front line. Her thoughts are a mixture of a healer's surprisingly tactical assessments of her allies- who can survive another hit before they'll be critically injured, whose rift-poison takes priority to heal and who can suffer through it until after the battle- and a teenage girl's notice of just how cool and cute Shoto is.

She finishes a chant of healing, then raises her mace to take a swing, not at the Queen, but at the lair itself. The queen may not care about the drones she's sacrificing, but the destruction of her hive might be the distraction her allies need.]

Aftermath A

Is it done? It's done, right? [Jessica sounds pretty exhausted, but at the confirmation that both kaiju have been defeated, she gives a weary smile.]

Good. Are you hurt? I can get you patched up.

Aftermath B

[Once she's made sure her allies are fixed up, Jessica is all too ready to return to the city. Too mana-drained to help with healing the locals, she'll instead volunteer to test the antidote Dr. Flores has come up with.]

Huh, it tastes a little like honey. Not bad.

[She sidles up next to another Outsider. Right up next to them. It's just...been a long day and suddenly, all she wants is a little physical contact. You can be a pillow, right fellow Outsider?]


[[OOC Note: If you would like Jessica to heal a rift effect on your character, feel free to ping me here, in discord (demonrubberducky), or on plurk demonrubberducky. I, Liisa the player, don't want to cut off anyone from playing out their rift effects if you're having fun with them.]]

Operation: VESCIDAE

[byoukyu]

Woah.

( The feeling reminds him a bit of the regenerative ether that can be found in the Hollows except... different. He cant' quite put his finger on it but it just feels different. )

Magic, huh? ( And he smiles a grateful sort of smile, ) You know, I'm still not really used to it... but thanks!

( Asaboo is also here but after Harumasa gives it a little pat on the head as it sort of... stretches? Is it also getting ready to go in??? )

tsurumaru kuninaga | touken ranbu | everlight

[cranekin]

❀ OPERATION: NEPHENTHIPULA I

( The vines twist and roam, creating a tangled and chaotic mess for everyone to navigate. All it takes is one wrong step to trip over a vine and end up swallowed by the plant life or jumped by one of the jungle's mutated beasts.

Tsurumaru, however, moves easily. He's light and quick on his feet, jumping away from vines that try to grab him by the ankles or sliding and dashing across thicker fines and branches that try to swallow up anything in the way. His sword makes clean work of the vines, flowers, and any leaves that might come his way.

As he swings at some razor sharp leaves, he lets out a loud, exasperated sigh, )

Aaah! I feel more like a weed whacker than a sword right now!

( Is he seriously complaining in the middle of a battle?)

❀ OPERATION: NEPHENTHIPULA II

( Or maybe you catch Tsurumaru a little later in the battle. Now that some of their own allies have turned against him, things are more interesting. He seems to really lock in now that he's fighting against the forest, the kaiju, the animals, and random outsiders.

His LILITH uniform is covered in sticky sap and flashes of bright and dark red dye from different animals and some of his allies stand out on the white fabric. In one hand, he carries a vial of Dr. Flores' antidote protectively, )

I'm running out…

( And when he hears someone approaching him, he turns back to smile. Don't mind the sap and blood that falls from his head, onto his face when he looks at you,)

Ah, what about you? Do you have anymore left?

❀ AFTERMATH

( Once they're back in Mexico City, Tsurumaru can be found at one of the markets. Some of the vendors are definitely trying to sell some of these fancy new perfumes and pollen snacks. )

What do you think? ( Maybe you catch him looking over a sweets stall or a stand selling local crafts. ) I want to get some souvenirs for home.

❀ WILDCARD

if you want to do something else other than the above then feel free!
if you want a custom starter, you can hit me up at yosakoi | discord: diejoubus

Aftermath

[mace_pray_love]

[Jessica is still feeling pretty drained from the big battle, and then not sleeping well from the experimental antidotes. So she deserves a little treat, darn it!

She looks at the pollen snacks, and then at the Outsider who spoke up.]

They look tasty. But do you think they're safe to eat?

[She's already raged out at one new person after sniffing the wrong flower in the jungle. But... it does look really yummy, and she worked extra hard yesterday....]

Hiyori Iki | Noragami | Redemption

[wwtd]

INTO THE HIVE.

[ giant bugs.

it just had to be giant bugs. when it's her turn to go through the bottleneck, she tries to do so quickly and looks uncomfortable at all the buzzing. when she thinks she's in the clear -

that's when one of those wasps comes at her. she doesn't even yell out her adopted signature move "jungle savate" (even if it's appropriate for where she is) when she winds up to roundhouse kick automatically. foot slamming into it, knocking it right out of the air so it crashes into the wall and drops to the ground. all crumpled up.

she can't take it. she whisper-yells, dragging her hands down her face, ]

AEUGGH WHY. Why bugs?!

AFTERMATH.

a)

[ the kaiju's last words stick with her. watching the hive crumble into itself. Hiyori had stopped to observe too, lips in a thin line. as humans, they have their right to fight for survival.

but is this really the only way?

all the same, she can't deny that the air doesn't stick to her skin or weigh down on her body as much as before. she can breathe; the world can breathe. the noises of nature are lighter, more natural, not like the pounding of the drums of war.

taking out kaiju... still doesn't feel good. they are living and breathing creatures likely fighting for their own survival. she doesn't know if she could ever land the finishing blow like everyone else has.

but she can help her fellow outsiders without question. ]

What are we doing to the planet...? [ she wonders aloud, more than once, pulling medical supplies and antidotes out of her pouch for whoever needs them. reminded of memories she saw that weren't hers. of plants suffering and withering away. ]

... How do we stop it...?

b)

[ hiyori's unhesitant about volunteering to be a test subject. not only eager to learn more about antidotes but just as eager to help.

so, of course, she suffers some side effects. depending on when someone runs into her, her mood ranges from cranky: ]

Not now.

[ which is extremely unusual for her? as she pretty much makes time for anyone that approaches her.

to, at a later point, perhaps a little too happy because she's standing there, staring into space with a dumb grin on her face. ]

Woooow. Isn't this wall sooooooooo interesting?

[ help ]

WILDCARD.

[ anything else! shoot me a pm. ]

Aftermath B

[intertwinedfates]

[In the wake of their success, Yato had decided to celebrate by doing something very rare and, in this case, very foolish: indulging in a flavored smoke. Normally he hates the stuff, but the promise of it not being nicotine and thus tasting like shit compelled him to try one. What they neglected to tell him was that it was made with crap from the forest instead, and thus subject to the strange effects they were experimenting with.

At first he doesn't notice anything amiss, only feeling slightly peckish, like anybody would be after a battle.

Though by the time he finally locates Hiyori, it's started turning into a craving. ...what for, he's not sure. He just knows that he's hungry for something... So when his spots his wife scowling like nobody's business, he heads her way.]

Hiyori--! You alright?

[Last he saw of her, she was bashing bugs to pulp before the forest separated them. Thus as he comes up to her, he starts running his eyes over her, searching for injuries, though she'd be forgiven for thinking he's sizing her up with a cigarette hanging from his mouth....]

Power | Chainsaw Man | Revelation

[thefinalpower]

1) Jaguars and Monkeys and Snakes, Oh My! (CW for bloody violence against jungle animals)

Once the forest begins to turn into a battlefield, Power grins like a serrated knife and lets a pair of blood swords shoot from her palms. These reaching vines? Basically overgrown vegetables. The mutated animals rushing towards her? She used to live in the woods, slicing the heads off of bears whenever she needed a meal. She is in her element.

Before long, Power is tangled in some vines and hanging upside-down from a tree, the base of which which is surrounded by decapitated jungle creatures. She's absolutely covered in blood (especially around the mouth, nobody said she couldn't snack while she worked!), and cackling like a hyena. Being tangled up like this doesn't seem to have affected her spirits, at least!

"You see? No vegetation can hold me! No creature may fell me! Do your worst, jungle!"

2) Aftermath: Insomnia

Power isn't scared of the dark, exactly. She just... she just prefers having the lights on, especially when it's late at night and she can't sleep. If asked why she's awake at fuck o'clock in the morning, Power would make up some bullshit about how she's patrolling the area and you should be thanking her for being so considerate, but... the truth is that when it's just her, alone with her thoughts and the dark, those thoughts start drifting towards the Darkness Devil. The absolute last thing that Power ever wants to think about is the Darkness Devil, so when the insomnia hits her for the third time that week, she goes wandering around the base, looking for distractions.

Luckily - or unluckily, as the case may be - she finds someone to bother!

"... You! Have you any of those foul energy drinks from a few missions ago? Or coffee? I require foul human coffee, although it tastes like dirt-water!"

She's as blunt and direct as ever, but there's an anxious edge to Power's voice, and her weird crosshair-eyes keep darting around the area, as if she's on the lookout for something.

Wildcard!
[ anything goes! PM me or hit me at sonopants if you'd like to plot something specific. ]

1…!

[gimu]

[ he’d been following the noise at first, see, curious about the ruckus all these animals seemed to be homing in on, but at some point it became less about the racket and more about the stink of blood that began to permeate everything in a specific radius. even if the undergrowth hadn’t been trampled to hell and back, Choso would still have been able to find his way by smell alone.

eventually, his tracking leads him to the bloody eye of this particular hurricane. look at it. a mess. it’s all a mess, stinking of blood and viscera and squishing underfoot even where there aren’t any visible fleshy bits. and up there, the undoubted cause of it all, strung up like a cat in the blinds. ]

Did you have a good time?

[ because, really, what else is there to say…? ]

Astarion Ancunin | Baldur's Gate 3 | Brimstone

[sanguivorous]

001. Into the Hive
[Astarion's quickness with his Lilith-made crossbow has kept him safe from the hornet stings, but once he reaches the rooms with the strange comb he grows a little more cautious despite how rushed he was until then trying to find his dumb boyfriend that had managed to get separated from him.

As he hides an tries to survey the much larger insects and their patterns, someone walks past him and in a fit of kindness, he grabs them--by the arm, by the tail of their shirt, whatever--and yanks them back. Perhaps a little too hard, but even if he knocks them to the ground they should be grateful: he just saved them, after all. He hisses lowly:]

What in the nine hells do you think you're doing, traipsing around willy-nilly like that?

---

002. Vesidae
[Astarion's good luck in avoiding being stung comes to an end once he's in the lair of the queen, and all that was needed was one sting from a drone for the venom to warp his mind. It seems the elven resistance to charm doesn't extend to insectoid venom and the drumming of wings.

Now a drone to Vesidae, he tries to protect her and the hive by attacking anyone he can. Fortunately, he lost his crossbow while trying to fight off the drone that stung him, but he still has both his daggers, and he was as skilled with them as he was a bow.

He spots the nearest Outsider, and with a predator, red glint in his eyes he lunges at them.]

Die.

---

003. Wildcard
[If you'd like a unique thread lmk and I can make a starter, or you can make your own, either way! If you'd like to plot anything, you can PM me, discord me @ liarboo or hmu at mundofine]

2

[likemybooks]

Astarion—

[Tary had run towards Astarion when the wasp attacked him, not thinking that of what properties their sting could have, and he's close enough to see the murderous intent in the elf's eyes when he raises his daggers.

He stops in his tracks and activates his ring shield just as Astarion swipes at him with a blade.] Astarion, what are you doing?!

Godzilla | Legendary Monsterverse | Everlight

[30storieshigh]

▶ 001. AFTERMATH

A)

[ Godzilla is troubled. More than a little troubled, in fact. So much so that shortly upon returning from the jungle he made a bit of a scene in Dr. Flores' lab. A simple request to know what the plant kaiju meant with its dying words. Okay it may have been more of a demand with a thinly veiled threat that resulted in his implants issuing him a warning shock and recommending he leave the lab before his anger got out of control, but still.

He's entirely unsatisfied with the situation and more than a little heated still. "Luckily" effects from the cure and lingering pollen influence render him a lot more sedated than he might usually be. Anyone coming across his path as he meanders around the base gets treated to a dower, lazy lizard in the form of a 7ft tall guy who just kinda... ends up putting an arm on their shoulder and leaning on them once they get close enough. ]

One begins to tire of the constant variation in what the appearance of the situation is, yes? Frontward positioned unwavering point would be a preferred happenstance.

[ He... he probably means it'd be nice if things were straight forward??? ]

B) Network: @ Gojir;Text

😮‍💨

One has given thought to our most recent combat ⚔️. With the heated blood of battle past there is much that remains to question.

A statement of preemptive intention for Outsider and LILITH alike ℹ️. I hold neither hostility nor dissent towards the organizationalized group ❌🦖😡❌. There is not a presence of doubtfulness within myself's mind that they hold no dishonest dealing in their stated mission to protect this world and its people from the Invaders. Yet one must begin to question if their perspective has been one of limited scale, perhaps even small in stature on insightfulness 😕.

Consider, the "kaiju" may not be of a united goal 👨‍🏫. As a factoid consisting of solid matter, there may be those we dub as such whom hold a similar goal of protection of the territory. The plantoid held appearance as being in conflict with the insectoid 🌹⚔️🐝, a thing upon initial thought one would take as simple territorial dispute between two invaders, yes.

Yet the other beings of the jungle made for its defense 🐆🐒🐍🦎. Creatures that until the plantoid was under threat proved to be of a passive baring. A thing that the localized civil denizens confirmed as being the norm, coupled with the health of the nature which the plantoid seemed to hold sway over. When taken into the consideration alongside the words it chose to impart, one is troubled 🙁. There is possibility the pollen the plantoid spread was of effect to the humans by happenstance, with the intent being the weakening of the insectoid and her hive. Indeed it may have even held intent to drive the civil denizens to action in mutual defense 🌹🤝🚻 ⚔️🐝.

💭
⏳
⏳
⏳
⌛

The teal colored ruminant, as they say 🦌. Reasoning to suspect LILITH has been missed the steak in their desperation of survival has been provided 🥩❓👀. To continue to treat each "kaiju" implicitly as foe is a thing of unwise reactionary mindset. It has been suggested before, communication is of requirement to attempt 💬.

A confession of personal nature, such a thing was of myself's intent many lunar cycles previous, however anger provided a blockage to that path 😣. The Female Imugi's evil action proved a thing of disruption in many manners. I do not state this to excuse the failing, simply to explain 👨‍🏫. Amendment and atonement are required, for this and many other missed steaks. As such I hold intent to establish dialogue with the next kaiju that is encountered 🦖💬👾. One would make request that the rest of the packs make allotment for the attempt before battle is initiated.

My appreciation for your time spent considering these thoughts 🙏.

▶ 002. WILDCARD

[ Hit the big guy up with anything or shoot me a dm if you'd like a custom starter or something! ]

network...i'm sorry. un: red_gaze

[immortalpoet]

tl;dr

Leonardo Hamato | ROTTMNT | Revelation

[makesascene]

Into The Hive cw: insects, gore, descriptions of gore

[The prevailing mantra in Leo's mind the entire time they are charged is a consistent; ew, ew, ew, ew, i hate this, this sucks, omggggg it suuucks! He has been stung already, so anyone else with the misfortune to be as well can hear his internal dialogue. He tries to cover his disgust with his usual preference for banter.]

Being the exterminator was not on my plans for today, but here we are! Guess I can add it to my resume at this rate. Blech.

[He swings his katanas down at the wasps, cutting them cleanly in half, or occasionally thirds when he's not exactly focused. Thick goopy bug viscera spatters against his plug suit and blades.

He swings his katana's wide, forming a quick circle in the air. The motion opens a shimmering blue portal. The wasps unlucky enough to go through are sent splattering against a nearby wall with a wet crunch. Those who redirect are flying in the air, but at least not stinging anyone yet. Leo keeps angling to open portals between himself and any wasps, sending bugs colliding into one another or walls.

The only solace Leonardo can take from being alone is the fact he's functional and himself at the moment. No sickness, no rift effects, he's not going to endanger anyone else.

Any Outsiders nearby will get an assist from the giant turtle. Leo stepping in to portal them away from the wasps. The outside likely will end up next to Leo. The turtle manages a flash of a grin back at them.]

How about you and I stick together, huh?

Operation: VESCIDAE cw: insects, gore, descriptions of gore

[The bug battle gets no less buggy or battle-y. Leonardo isn't wholly surprised the queen is a giant bug that wants them dead. He would like to just have her gone at this rate.

Leonardo is maneuvering around the battlefield, trying to offer help where he can. Amplifying people's attacks by opening portals or giving them a boost. He knew if Donnie or Raph were in this fight, he could probably send both of them in for a clean kill. Surrounded by near strangers-? Its a lot iffier. The temple is cramped, hot and sticky.

He isn't sure when it happens, or how. One minute he's clear headed and moving between combatants.

The next an uncomfortable inkling curls under his skin. A desperate need to protect the hive. His expression goes slack for a moment, before something angry bubbles to the surface. His eyes are unfocused, hazy in a way that isn't particularly normal looking.

He turns on the nearest fellow Outside. His teeth barred and blade drawn.]
Get out. Get out! Leave!

Aftermath

[After texting both his brothers a very helpful 'I lived, bitch' with a picture of his own reflection doing a peace sign. Leo makes a point to just sit down in a quiet part of the base. The turtle looks tired, but he isn't sick. He'll take that much in the grand scheme of things.

He should probably be helping with the whole cure thing, but he needs just... time to not think. He's been on his feet fighting all day, and he's over it. Done.

He's covered in goopy bug gunk, dirt and blood, but he does not care. It is nap time. Wouldn't hurt to poke him a little. Maybe tell him to take a damn shower?]

Into the Hive

[mace_pray_love]

[Jessica gasps in surprise as she gets pulled through a portal and out of stinger-range just as a wave of wasps go to swoop on her.

She looks at her rescuer, who she assumes to be a varient of beastman.]

Thanks. But, ugh, if things keep up like this, we might literally stick together.

[So...much...goop. She's in the hive mind as well, and in complete agreement re: how gross this all is.]