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𝚂𝚢𝚗𝚏𝚕𝚞𝚡 𝙼𝚘𝚍𝚜 ([personal profile] synfluxmods) wrote in [community profile] synflux2025-08-11 10:49 am

KAIJU FIGHT #10

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.



blastedass: by cytes @ dw (gift ~ Don't Take) (💥 This is shit.)

[personal profile] blastedass 2025-08-25 09:50 pm (UTC)(link)
He can't claim to know what his future self was thinking, his future classmates, or the world ahead of them. Doesn't mean he isn't bristling in irritation over how long it took. What Izuku had to deal with, or not deal with, while they moved on without him. He knew the embers were dying out, that One for All would vanish... but... part of him stupidly hoped.

"As if! You're a fucking turtle!" Katsuki drops beside him and another explosion bounds him forward, keeping up with Izuku's powered leaps and blackwhip-esque snags. They can't run easily over this waving ground made of wasp paper and covered in potholes he doesn't wanna know what exists within. Gross. More Outsiders continue their fight around them, slowly clearing the swarm.

"That stupid pile of mulch outsider's gonna knock holes in the temple."
muttering_and_mumbling: Pixiv ID: 19570346 (I feel coming on an upset stomach)

[personal profile] muttering_and_mumbling 2025-08-25 11:34 pm (UTC)(link)
"We'll have to be careful in case they bring it down."

He knows not everyone is trained in how to keep damage to a minimum. But still. It should be common sense not to knock down a whole building if you could help it...

"Let's see if we can catch a glimpse of her from outside before we head in to fight. Get our bearings."
blastedass: by blastedass @ dreamwidth (Default)

[personal profile] blastedass 2025-08-26 02:36 am (UTC)(link)
"Thanks for pointing out the obvious." Katsuki flicks his eyes aside as another rumble crawls across the temple walls. Stones spurt dusty outlines, raining down in rays of light streaming from holes already knocked open even this deep inside.

It's not the Outsiders he's concerned about knocking the temple down; it's the plant kaiju which seemed eager to crash into stone walls. As if it and the wasps have unfinished business... "She'll be in the center of the nest. Where the hell "outside" are you thinking about?"
muttering_and_mumbling: Art Credit: Lapin (Thundering storm outside)

I totally missed where they went INTO the temple. My bad. LOL I'll roll with it.

[personal profile] muttering_and_mumbling 2025-08-28 04:34 am (UTC)(link)
Izuku watches the way the walls shake when something hits them from outside. Then turns his eyes to Katsuki. "Outside the nest? I don't think we should rush in blind. We'll probably have more drones to take down too. They'll be protecting here, don't you think?"

He wants to get an idea what they're up against.
blastedass: by bokunoicons @ tumblr (💥 *crack*)

*yeets the deets*

[personal profile] blastedass 2025-08-29 02:37 am (UTC)(link)
"Tch!" Katsuki glances up at the temple interior. A lot of outcroppings and jagged edges run perimeters and jut into open air. They have some vantage points up there if they want to jump for them. This entire temple is a damn next at this point, but he figures Izuku's referring more to the inner chambers where the Queen would be.

"Move up. We're gonna be spotted if we stick to the ground." Already a droning sound permeates the air. Closer to their target.
muttering_and_mumbling: Pixiv ID: 19570346 (Nothing really matters like we did)

[personal profile] muttering_and_mumbling 2025-08-30 01:27 pm (UTC)(link)
Izuku nods at the choice and hurriedly moves to one of outcroppings. He settles there, crouched and still as he listens for a moment. Then he begins slowly heading towards the sound. He's focused now on the task ahead of them. Keeping quiet as he can so as not to alert the drones as he creeps forward to see if he can find a good spot to get a peek from.
blastedass: by blastedass @ dreamwidth (Default)

[personal profile] blastedass 2025-08-30 02:23 pm (UTC)(link)
Can they real sneak through a fucking wasp nest? Katsuki drops onto the out cropping beside Izuku. A sonorous drone carries through the air, thousands of wings beating without ending. Only one of them can get around the corner enough for a peek, so Izuku's the one who gets to spy into the next room and witness all the drones buzzing and crawling around as they go about their duties. Nothing of the queen. Further in likely.
muttering_and_mumbling: Pixiv ID: 19570346 (Nothing really matters like we did)

[personal profile] muttering_and_mumbling 2025-08-30 02:37 pm (UTC)(link)
Can they? They're going to find out. Izuku leans for a peek, worrying his lip a little. Then turns his head to give it a shake.

"She's not in there." He relays quietly. "But there's a lot of drones. I could try smoking the hive like I did with the drones outside. But we may end up having to fight our way through."
blastedass: by bokunoicons @ tumblr (💥 Ready the grenades.)

[personal profile] blastedass 2025-08-31 02:02 am (UTC)(link)
"Shit. Move." Katsuki shoves forward and squishes Izuku-- armor and all --against the wall as he squeezes around and past him. Half-past him, since his legs are on the other side of his friend's body. Some things never change. Red eyes narrow in his mask as he maps out the room. Way too many drones. "I'm gonna blow a hole on the wall. That'll send them swarming outside." Thinking the attack's coming from the exterior.
muttering_and_mumbling: Pixiv ID: 789050 (Believe me there was truth)

[personal profile] muttering_and_mumbling 2025-08-31 03:44 am (UTC)(link)
Izuku makes a sound as he's squished up against the wall. Some things never change indeed. There isn't much room for one person, let alone for Katsuki to be trying to lean around him up here.

"Kacchan..." Honestly...

His hands find a grip on Katsuki's top, to hold on just in case he loses his balance up here. It's not like either of them are really at risk of getting hurt from a fall. They both have the capabilities to land comfortably. But he can't rule out a fall drawing attention.

"That could work. We'll have to work fast once they leave. It's possible they'll return to the queen once they realize she's in danger."
blastedass: by blastedass @ dreamwidth (💥 My own support department.)

[personal profile] blastedass 2025-08-31 04:45 am (UTC)(link)
"Get your knee out of my spleen!" Maybe he should've thought about that before squashing a metal man into the wall and half curl around him to get a better look into the other room! No? Then move your damn knee! At least he manages to keep his balance without falling despite the two-cars-in-a-one-lane-road issue. Ironically Izuku's grip on his top keeps him the most secure, his own hand gripping the rock wall over his friend's shoulder.

Once he's got the place mapped out, Katsuki retreats without raking himself on Izuku's armor. It's mostly fitted anyways so he's not some jagged ball spiking out everywhere.

"She's gonna have her guards and workers regardless." He un-clips one of his grenades from his belt and hands it to Izuku. "Shove this against the wall over there with blackwhip. It'll go off a two seconds after you pull the pin."

He'd need an explosion to make it that far. Not good when he's throwing a grenade.
muttering_and_mumbling: Pixiv ID: 39178799 (It comes with a price)

[personal profile] muttering_and_mumbling 2025-08-31 12:49 pm (UTC)(link)
"You're the one squishing me..."

And Izuku is the one more worried about Katsuki falling then being smooshed against the wall. He lets go when Katsuki moves back, sighing and checking his balance before accepting the grenade. He considers the distance to the furthest wall, worrying his lip a little.

"Tossing it with Gearshift might work better. Blackwhip as it is with my suit isn't really as flexible as it was..." With his quirk, he means. He pulls back his arm, takes aim, pulls the pin and yeets the grenade fast and hard at the far wall. It makes it before the grenade goes off thanks to Gearshift's acceleration. But the blowback from it does nearly send Izuku tumbling off the ledge they're hiding on. He windmills his arms frantically as his body leans back over the edge and he tries to remain upright.
blastedass: by blastedass @ dreamwidth (💥 Game on.)

[personal profile] blastedass 2025-08-31 04:28 pm (UTC)(link)
"Then make yourself flatter!" As if he can. Katsuki shifts somewhat to avoid putting more pressure on Izuku, though makes both of them hold onto the wall and him in exchange. Until he's done looking, then sinks back around the corner to enact his plan. He could have traversed the distance himself, but unless he wanted to drop and climb like a monkey, he'd have to use his Quirk, no doubt alerting the swarm around the corner.

"I see." Tch, he knew the suit couldn't replicate Izuku's lost Quirks to their utmost zenith, so accepts the limitations with little comment. Though how the suit's going to recreate Gearshift instantly piques his curiosity. Pin's pulled and Katsuki braces himself as the item sails forward. Something Izuku fails to do despite being bombarded with explosions for all those years. "Baka." Grumbled under his breath. Katsuki snags his friend by the chest and hauls him back onto the ledge, ending up squished against the wall himself this time.

Wasps instantly flood the hole, fluttering the light rays with their passing bodies as they swarm out to attack the intruder. It doesn't clear the room, but notably lessens their numbers.
muttering_and_mumbling: Pixiv ID: 19570346 (The tears were so violent)

[personal profile] muttering_and_mumbling 2025-09-03 02:51 am (UTC)(link)
Izuku grabs onto the wall, watching as Katsuki's plan works. Not clear by any means but definitely more manageable than it was. His eyes flicker over the remaining drones and he carefully moves himself along the wall to un-squish Katsuki from it.

"Alright. Let's go."

They can't waste time or the swarm may start to return when they figure out there's no threat out there. So he launches himself forward, ready to start clearing a path to the queen.
blastedass: by bokunoicons @ tumblr (💥 Ready the grenades.)

[personal profile] blastedass 2025-09-03 05:57 pm (UTC)(link)
"Don't tell me what to do! Follow my lead!" Even though he's the one following Izuku. They only have one element of surprise, if you can even surprise a bug, and he shatters it with a massive explosion slammed into the middle of their largest grouping. Other Outsiders are already breaking in from other chambers. Katsuki sticks with Izuku, not getting in the way but also working around his attacks. Explosions send more flaming wasps flying, smoke flaring up from their charring bodies as he plows through the tunnels on route to the royal chambers.