The Raven's Basilisk

Dark Squire rolled under another stomping foot, forcing himself to not get distracted by the little bits of asphalt the metal sole was breaking off. Paying attention to the tiny flecks of white on that marred oil slicked stone would make him miss his targets, the joints in the knee of the unit; they were definitely a weak spot on these new suits.

Dark Squire not smiling but at least taking a bit of satisfaction as the exo-skeleton powered and gang-pressed goon toppled. The Dark-a-Rang locking the joint and sending them tumbling away just as Steven found his feet, trying to target another suited goon in the fray.

These new goons had quickly become the top priority, FearForm had introduced them as Nightmares even though it wasn't the best description as their opponent. Dark Squire knew that the twisted man had named them such because their operators were in a living nightmare. The classic blend of FearForm's rusty yellow toxin wasn't the only thing pumping into those poor people, they had a tiny second feed of synth-roid. Tamping up every aspect of their combat ability as The Quiz's programming kept their insane operators locked on the heroes, ensuring the terrorized civilians did the villain's bidding.

Jumping with a twist to throw a few more Dark-a-Rangs, the bark of a sub-machine gun came from his side. Dark Squire turned to see the air full of slightly glowing purple dots, all the rounds being caught by the person he was supposed to be backing up. Giving a nod towards Miss Psyis who was floating a little ways away, her arms dropping along with the rounds. On the other side of that caught copper rain were a group of the Students, decked in combat gear and wielding fully automatic weapons. The goons realizing they'd been exposed made the smart choice and made a tactical retreat behind the Nightmares looking to reposition once more.

Dark Squire not bothering to voice any thanks, the two were already breathing heavily from the battle and it'd only give the goons more time to encircle them. The air was better used fueling his tiring muscles with oxygen anyway. Dark Squire turning instead to once again trust his back to the alien as a fresh batch of goons coming out of the alley drew his attention away from the group who had escaped in-front of him.

The sane ones reloading their weapons while the fear driven suits spun, re-targeting before mindlessly charging towards him. The Nightmares were a terrifying weapon, but those guns were no joke either, Dark Squire suit not being completely impervious to such overwhelmingly concentrated small arms fire. Dark Squire leaping over the charging ones with another round of flying Dark-a-Rangs before attempting to engage the goons armed with sub-machine guns.

Scoring just a few hits before he was forced to try and leap away again, expending another grapple on a streetlight. The move not needed as an explosion sent both him and the goons tumbling, knocking the wind from Steven as he flew over into the windshield of a car.

Psyis' felt Steven's mind-chatter flicker for a moment, though there were a lot of sounds drowned out by the near primal roar she was letting out as she held her shields. The explosion triggered by a synced attack from Crusher and FearForm, Psyis just glad that the car's detonating had at least burned away the cloud of toxin that would have been released in that combo. The toxin grenade wasting its load, detonating on the entire vehicle Crusher had thrown at her head causing an explosion that had torched the volatile gas.

Psyis deciding now was the time to cut lose a bit, the situation was getting bad for Steven and by affect her as well. Their plan slowly slipping from a controlled appearance of losing, now an open street battle where losing was a very real possibility. The heroine knowing she needed to make the decision to continue the dangerous ruse or call it off. Dark Night had lost communication a little while ago because of Sorzaro and The Quiz, Crusher and FearForm both taking delight in taunting them with that fact.

That the villains had brought their own magician seeing as there had been an unknown helper the other night with an enchanted bird wielding magic of their own. Only they hadn't, Sorzaro ambushing Dark Night was definitely something that hadn't been a part of the hero's plan. The whole thing had worked against the heroes unintentionally well, cutting off Psyis and Dark Squires back-up. The Villains having free reign to call in their most up armored and overly armed squads for a full-on confrontation.

The thessian's mind racing as she tried to think of something to buy some time. They needed a moment to gather themselves as the property damage and injuries were stacking. Still Psyis refused to glance towards the void she could feel above them on the roof of that skyscraper. Cradle wasn't even here so Izime shouldn't bother jumping in as there weren't any traps. Psyis bit her lip as she glanced at the new exo-skeletons; no, Izime wouldn't sell something so cruel. A small voice in her heart reminding her that he'd never get the chance if he wanted them anyway, it'd only serve him right trying to steal something so vile. Proof that Dark Night was right and that she'd taken the proper road, made the heroic choice even if it was a harder decision.

Psyis shook her head focusing instead on Crusher who was exhaling a thick orange smog. The green and yellow of synth-roid and a new toxin mixing together to full chemically charge the wrestler, completely unlocking his power. Psyis eyes widening as another entire car was thrown at her, barely managing to redirect both it and FearForm's simultaneous attack once again. Her shield shoving her away from the explosion, Psyis twisted her body through the air. Floating with the force of the explosion and extending her leg, taking the added momentum in to confront the Wrestler with a hard hit of her own. The thessian giving a not so small snarl as she drew blood, feeling the massive jawbone under her foot crack as the massive brute went flying.

"Throw one more thing at me Crusher." Psyis let her powers flare, sending the all the goons closest to her tumbling, cracking the asphalt below before she casually rolled her shoulder. Landing delicately on the same foot she'd just struck the wrestler with as all that remained of the vehicle flew past her. The thessian exerting a good portion of her powers to throw all she'd caught of the automobile right back at the wrestler's face. The force snapping her cape past her and extinguishing the small fires the detonation had caused.

"Gladly you psychic whore." Crusher spat the blood out of his mouth as bits of fiberglass and metal slammed into him, shaking his head free from the little damage the attack was causing. Glad that FearForm had given him the boost he needed to hold the alien hero's attention, the new toxin removing any instinctual fear and enhancing his endurance to absurd new heights.

The wrestler smiling through his broken jaw as he tanked the strikes; the new drugs somehow denying any wounds no matter how impossible it seemed. The fight was supposed to be drawn out, so they'd topped each and every goon off with the endurance enhancing chemical, it kept the situation was under control.

So far though, their prey hadn't appeared; the new sidekick, hero, or whatever it was that was controlling that crazy bird, stole their toxin and ruined his roid-pack was nowhere in sight. The Villains remained confident in their plan though seeing as Dark Night had been separated into Sorzaro's wacky magical dimension and couldn't be contacted. So as long as they kept pressing harder there was only one other person the two other heroes could bring to bear quickly in Voltham.

"Maybe you should call for help?" Crusher took a second longer, nodding towards FearForm who had slipped by the mind-reader who'd been so proudly dancing in the air. Her view blocked by that stupid white cape, Crusher reminding her she'd best lend some aid. "Your friend needs it."

The Villain's little scheme having succeeded as the alien whipped around just in time to see an armored leg drive into a soft Kevlar midsection. How could the much less capable Dark Squire handle both FearForm and three different gangs attacking him; that would have been a heavy task for Dark Night let alone his less capable understudy. The idea that Miss Psyis thought she could just fly here from Centropolis and protected her boyfriend from them. Letting him try his hands at being a bigtime hero had Crusher laughing madly; that brief moment of fear that beautified that purple bitches face utter perfection.

"Dark Squire!" Psyis watched as Dark Squire went flying, balling the air where he had been she detonated a selective shockwave. Quickly finding all the goons, those minds were rife with fear and absent of anger at the heroes. Those were the suits, satisfied in her choice she cried out with a roar of telekinetic force. "Get back!"

The emotionally targeted blast sending anyone that was wearing one of those strength enhancing suits flying, though she winched after she heard the impacts. Human bodies flying back into cars, walls and windows. The one she had tried to throw at FearForm had been caught and redirected even, slamming Steven into a wall. The suited goons down aside from FearForm and Dark Squire however it had been a decent trade-off.

FearForm and Crusher now cackling, tasting an easy victory as they attacked. They knew they were close, so close to breaking them that Crusher could smell it over the synth-roids and blood. He'd crush that cocky little throat that had talked shit the other night and ruined his roid-pack. So very very close and crush their damned skull, and if not then they'd at least end one of these two right here and now. The hero's tactics falling apart allowing his partner to score a free hit on Dark Squire all thanks to the psychics too quick response.

"Look, she cares about that chivalrous little shit!" Crusher taunted the hero, not wanting to let all of her attention get diverted. The moment was all he needed to get full charged with both toxins, now leaping at the silver garbed woman in the air, "HOW SWEET!"

Red eyes whipping back around as a she heard a taunting voice growling out beside her, Crusher obviously only wanting to give her that second of watching Steven suffer. Psyis snorted as Crusher decided to launch himself at her instead of another vehicle, waiting until he was just about to return the broken jaw she had delivered. The Thessian gave a little smile and waved her hand, that was all it took to blast the wrestler back down the street hoping that Crusher understood just how wrong he was.

She would take a look at why she felt so detached from the pain Steven was feeling after the battle was over but she certainly wasn't worried about Dark Squire like that. Oddly enough for once, her mind was much more occupied with making sure someone else stayed safely outside of the fight. Steven getting hit and the situation falling outside her control was what she was worried about. Because then... Psyis blinking for a moment watching as the wrestler flew away, something else had come skidding along the street underneath Crusher.

Her eyes tracking its path underneath her as her heart dropped, it was a someone; backup was here, Izime had unfortunately fallen for their trap. Psyis mind slowing as she watched Izime pass underneath Crusher completely, all while frowning at her accusingly. That yellow coat somehow denying any resistance to the road beneath, nearly a blur keeping his momentum skidding down the street. Reaching out and taking a few goons off their feet before slamming into FearForm's legs. Izime frown turned back into a smile.

Izime tried to be quick as his double shot had wound up missing one of his targets already. Though the path had managed to bring more than a few goons down, that stop had knocking the wind out of him completely. Giving FearForm no time to react Izime wrapped his arms around the Villains legs and snapped them both away unaware of the situation he'd left on the ground.

"Dark Squire! NOW!" Psyis yelled, watching as her partner came leaping over the side of car. Finally recovered from the accidental friendly fire, at least somewhat. Psyis frowning as she watched Steven wince, chest heaving from the adrenaline of the fight.

"On it!" Dark Squire nodded hitting button on his belt, the signal going out for Radiation Man to fly down from Savior Orbital. Dark Night having already contacted Ret-Borg as soon as Cradle had appeared within Sorzaro's alternative dimension.

Psyis not bothering to hold back now, the damage already done she found every goon in the area and with her hands raising, slammed them into the ground. Hard enough that they wouldn't be moving without a few months in a hospital. Turning back towards the last place she had seen Izime, she instead heard FearForm's enraged cry from somewhere far above.

"YOU! FearForm was at first shocked when something had slammed into him, now though as he swatted those flimsy arms away and ripped the mask off. The icy air already blocking the joints of his suit and freezing the liquid toxin in the syringes that were left FearForm didn't waste further asking and attacked. "Wh-No, it doesn't matter!"

FearForm knew, there was no question, that this was the person they had been waiting for. The hack of a magician that had ruined his plans with their stupidly simple trickery. Arms that had half the strength of Dark Night's and none of the hero's skill were swatted away, that useless mask ripped away. Revealing a bright cocky smile unbothered by the wind passing them as they fell. Teal eyes shining as the wind pulled long hair away from that irritating face.

"If you wanted it so badly there's no need steal," FearForm spat, disgusted by the confidence that filled those eyes. Finally managing to get a grip on that damned slippery jacket the villain drew his arm back and threatened the hero with glee, "Have all the toxin you want!"

FearForm struck punching him in the chest glad that the plate inside that vest would activate the pneumatic drivers. The impact shoving a fistful of needles through the armored plate into the man's chest with a harsh clunk. The tanks hissing with yellow cloud of toxin trailing them, the pressure building back up. The vest offering as much resistance as the rest of the cheap civilian equipment had so far.

"AHHAHA HA HA!"FearForm knew he didn't need a second strike, the villain cackling madly in victory as those eyes went wide in terror. Waiting for the screams he so loved; however all that escaped was deep gutty retch. Fear forms maniacal laughter dying out at the man's response.

"Huuuuurrk" Izime felt his stomach cramp instantly as the vials emptied, his chest nearly seizing from the near frozen toxin; thick nausea and pain filling him immediately told him that this was all the time he had for talking. Instead of wasting more of it he reached into his pocket, ready to avenge his lost lunch. "For m-my noodles, jackass."

"Ha ha ha.. ah huh?" The Villains mouth snapping closed as his mask caught a splatter of something horrid mid-fall, the horrid colors blending in with something chunky. FearForm at first wiping at the substance until instinct hit him with an emotion outside of fear: disgust.

Passing over his favored catchphrase Izime simply slammed the power brick into face piece of FearForm's armored mask. Taking advantage of the villain's shock at their supposed prey's immunity to their weapon Izime struck. It was either that or FearForm had just been so disgusted by catching a facefull of hiss lunch that he couldn't react, either way Izime was glad for the opening.

Still tumbling in free-fall Izime made sure to drive the teeth of the power brick into one of the camera lenses to give the psycho the best effect on the way down. Quickly kicking away the incapacitated villain Izime tried to get some kind of quickly snapping back down to street level where could help further or just finish heaving with solid footing.

"Wh..What did you?!" FearForm watched as the two mouths of hell began to operate in front of his eyes, digging through the wet and swirling the colors as they brought that stuff into his mask. The villain screaming out in panic, the limbs he'd been struggling against vanishing as that horrid stuff seeping inside his helmet. "AHHH!"

Precious toxin draining away as those razor mouths finally bit down through the visor, physical pain briefly joining as he clawed at his mask. The villain glancing at his ruined helmet, the face of terror twisting in an indescribable emotion as he realized his helmet was swamped in vomit. Looking down only to find himself in free-fall miles above the city of Voltham, mind reeling. FearForm having no answer as to which hero he'd just tangled with, only knowing this was the second time he'd been thoroughly bested.

A bit surprised at who'd arrived to secure him, FearForm decided the man had likely left him to return to the fight below against Crusher. It was pretty safe to conclude FearForm was powerless against Radiation Man once his suit was ruined, just like any other human would be.

Psyis stopped disarming the goons and turned as she heard the sounds of magical sparks hitting the ground. Finding Izime she wanted to hurry over after seeing his pale face and the vials still in his chest, stopping as he waved her away. Watching as he doubled over, a single retch reaching her ears before he disappeared from view once again. Not magically this time though as Izime was slammed from the side by a goon thrown so hard they'd nearly folded across Izime.

Psyis watched as both were sent tumbling, though the goon stopped quite quickly Izime's yellow coat once again sending him much further. Turning as her blue faded out completely, looking for who'd sprung the sneak attack only to realize she'd been the one who'd left the assailant standing.

"Finally arrived?!" Crusher bellowed at the yellow coated bastard, inquiring about his partner in villainy. Reaching for another downed goon to hurl at the unknown magician before he could finish ripping the vials from his chest. "What did you do to FearForm?"

Sorzaro had already told them, if he arrived there it was probably best to subdue the magician with ranged physical attacks. The magic they had seen was focused on transport, so chasing him pointlessly in game of tag wasn't going to work. That goon however seemed to work almost flawlessly, even if it didn't damage him.

The brain that had been reduced to roid-sludge recalled something else the sorcerer had told him; it was near impossible to use magic if you didn't have time to cast. Quick as he could another goon was soon sent through the air, Crushers hopes of watching the impact dashed as a silver figure appeared in front of him.

Looking down slowly as the pain slowly registered through all the drugs to see a purple face twisted in rage he hadn't seen once tonight looking up at him, their arm buried in his midsection. The nerves in Crusher's body telling him that the next time his eyes would open it would be in a cell, if he was lucky. The med ward at Snarkum's Asylum the more likely option though; legs turning to liquid as he felt a warmth seep down his front. Even as he buckled to one knee, the villain smiling through his cracked jaw.

He'd finally gotten the psychic to show her real power for him at least once. Even with their goons, the added synth-roids and the new toxin, they had lost, and he hadn't gotten a single glimpse until just now. In some way Crusher felt like he had won, her beautifully twisted face was one he knew he'd seen it on a great many of his victims. This purple whore had a line, one he had just discovered; Crusher held on to that information tightly as the darkness swept in.

Psyis blinking for a moment ashamed to admit she had forgotten about Crusher while she'd been collecting the goon's firearms. At first turning to blame Dark Squire for going off script and attacking Izime instead of securing him. Thankfully the villain was down now and Izime was, he was going to be OK. Psyis finally landed, jogging towards Izime before he could recover and leave. Before things could get out of hand and he could suspect her. Before the blame filled his eyes, she could explain that they wanted to help him, explain things to him as a friend one last time.

Izime looked over at the goon that had just dented the car he had slammed into a bit thankful; the near miss of that attack had taken the nausea right out of him. Blinking dumbly for a moment longer, Izime waited on his body to get back to him on how badly it was hurt; a bit surprised to find he wasn't that sore.

The coat had taken a good deal of the force, still that impact was the second time he'd had the wind knocked out of him in a matter of minutes. Trying to hold back his groan, Izime started to get to his knees watching as Psyis jogged over glad to have the hand to help him to his feet. Izime already wondering what he'd been thinking jumping in, this hero shit was for the birds.

"Izime I-" Psyis started to explain, stopping as a cold chill filled her, red eyes watching as Steven came up. That chill only serving to highlight the warmth of Izime's hand filling hers; voice faltering she weakly offered, "Izime we're here to help."

Izime glanced up further, no longer just to see the hand that was there to help him to his feet. Blinking a bit, not sure if he had been rocked harder than he thought by that goon. Izime was almost sure he had heard the stupid purple alien right but surely not; they were here to help him. It almost made him laugh out loud. Really now? Who had just downed a few goons and one big league villain in a few seconds, him that's who. A slight smile forming as Izime recalled the sass, he'd given Psyis over Crusher when they'd first met. Maybe she was just thumbing her nose was all; it'd be best to remind her that the show wasn't exactly over.

"FearForm's still falling," Izime gestured upwards while he knelt, a bit surprised Psyis didn't immediately let go of him to catch the still tumbling Villain. Teal eyes narrowing as the psychic was looking towards her actual partner instead, Izime sensing something passing between the two. All the snarky comments he'd prepared about the two abandoning the villain to his fate disappearing as those red eyes finally looked down at him.

Izime's smile vanishing as quickly as his foolish notion that Psyis had been here to help him up, that pull to his feet was never coming. Her other hand gripping his bicep and keeping him on his knee's so easily with her Thessian strength, holding his hand so he couldn't even snap away without her tagging along. The two heroes were already securing the person they were after tonight, at least he'd been given the chance to go peacefully unlike Crusher.

"NO!" Izime cried out painfully as Psyis restrained him, keeping him from defending himself. That moment of appreciation lasting half as long as the wrestler had against the thessian's full power, Izime's face twisting in agony as his hand exploded in pain. Dark Squire using the fact he'd been distracted and far too trusting to bring his metal heel down on Izime's hand with all the force his tech-enchanced suit could bring to bear.

Izime trying to twist himself free using his coats properties, only managing to wrap himself painfully around Psyis leg. His shoulder socket rolling over and nearly wrenching it out of place. The movement and the weight of Dark Squires body on it pulling at the shattered bones in his hand, Izime feeling them twist around as he tried to brace himself on it. Izime glad all that pain was worth it; he was at least in a position to kick at Dark Squire who had just stomped on that hand in his armored boot.

"What the fuck!" Izime screamed blaming the violent sidekick as he'd been willing to go peacefully at least until they'd attacked him for no reason. Tucking the broken hand underneath away, Izime tried to kick at Psyis' knee while a purple hand pulled at him. The attack useless against the super-human thessian, Izime about to curse at her as well in his frustration.

"Energia aequatur currenti in multiplici resiste-" Instead Izime kept focusing on the math behind his magic chanting as purple arm wrapping around his elbow pulling him up by his good arm; the Thessian looking at him pleadingly as if that meant shit.

Izime's mouth opening to finish the incantation, only catching an armored knuckled fist to his face for his quiet efforts. Taking the hit as best he could, Izime kept the focus on maintaining the power of the spell; it was the only thing that kept him conscious from the blindsiding strike. Deciding to skip the solution for ohms law when running a current in series Izime activated the spell with Psyis as a resistor in parallel, kicking at her leg a second time to complete the circuit.

"Dark Squire stoP-P-p!" Psyis tried to reign in Dark Squire, finally forced to release Izime as his hand turned into a bolt of lightning. Psyis crying out as she seized, Izime's foot finally seemed to complete some form of spell circuit for the attack that was arching through her. The electricity flaring though her alien body taking away all of her breath as her gills seized along the sides of her abdomen.

"CRADLE!" Izime called out rolling away and kicking to the side as he did s. Actual panic setting in as he finally realized his bond was gone not just silent, the line severed at some point during the battle. Using his coats properties once again to propel himself away quickly Izime threw himself into a fast slide.

Still focused on trying to contact Cradle, despite his efforts at dodging he wasn't nearly as fast as Dark Squire's grappling empowered swing. The stronger and much more physically trained hero latching onto a steel light and using that all too powerful retracting cable to come in too fast to dodge. Izime taking a downward gut-shot that hit him right over his hip, briefly but solidly connecting. Izime curling as he felt his gut clench, his abdomen screaming on one side as Dark Squire returned the strike he'd given Psyis.

"We still need to subdue the target." Steven shook his head at the miss while he called out to Psyis angrily taking his frustrations out on her. Steven pissed the man's body had still somehow slipped away before he could really dig into that kidney shot as hard as he'd have liked. Still, Steven was smirking a bit as the blow had finally convinced Izime that putting his broken hand up as a guard was a better option just on pure instinct; he'd at least hurt it.

"You agreed this needed to happen." Dark Squire growled at Psyis as he walked towards Izime who was stumbling to his feet, trying to wave the heroes away uselessly. Catching that arm, Dark Squire drove a knee into Izime's gut again trying to finish all he'd intended to do to the bastard's kidney. Steven smiling now under his mask, let the black-market salesman sell the blood he'd be pissing for the next week; it'd teach him to take Psyis out for drinks.

It was time to ensure that his target wasn't just subdued but neutralized, Steven's smile falling as he relished in each tiny action that came with ending a criminal. Reaching out to grab the already broken hand, Dark Squire felt for any working joints, giving each not only a snap but also a hard twist to destroy any ligaments as well.

"I said he needed to answer some questions not..." Psyis floated over, her powers clamping that other slippery arm so hard she was afraid she'd soon join Dark Squire in breaking bones. Izime had to stop struggling or else Dark Squire was just going to hurt him more and she just couldn't step over there. Steven's mind racked with jealousy while Izime just twisted away from her further with each snapping crackle.

Psyis hearing only silence from Izime's mind, but she knew he had to be in pain; he had to be feeling so many things. Now his voice just as quiet as his mind Psyis terrified as she considered each, the pained silence that refused and the violent chorus that now demanded an answer. The thessian feeling her cape tangling around her legs as she stood frozen, literally tangled in being a hero at this moment.

"You're the Leader, do I stop here and let you explain it," Dark Squire ignored the slight tugs of resistance moving his hands up further up from Izime's palm. Giving Psyis the illusion that she could have picked over again as he got a good grip; quickly twisting and shattering Izime's wrist as he asked her to pick, "or follow Dark Nights orders?"

Psyis finally let go of Izime that silence breaking as he let out a whimper, her red eyes searching Dark Squire's wondering if he'd said something. Dark Squire letting the now useless arm go still standing over the man to admire his handiwork, both watching as that yellow hooded form fell. Izime curling into a ball below the dark hero as he tried to protect the now ruined limb.

Steven wishing he could snap that arm all over again, Psyis had never even heard his question. Instead, just too focused on sniffling and feeling sorry for the man who was finally getting a taste of justice, so taken in she couldn't even listen.

Psyis came over kneeling, wanting to explain as the sounds of Izime's weak sobs broke her will at last. The thessian rocking back a bit startled when two very angry and still willing to fight teal eyes locked onto her own, her words faltering, "Izime don't fi-"

"W-where.. is.. my bond," Izime didn't want to hear anything from the alien right now, but he had to ask her. Cradle's bond having gone dead there was no other way to get an answer beyond hoping Psyis would reveal something. "Did you kill Cradle?"

"No, I-we..." Psyis stopped as she felt Dark Squires eyes on her, there was no way she could explain what was going to happen to the bird. Even she didn't really know at the end honestly, if it would just be put down or become parts. That information was for League members only and certainly couldn't be shared with Izime regardless. "I can't tell you Izime. I'm sorry."

"Miss Psyis, he's here." Dark Squire gave a nod towards the sky, red eyes looking up to find a very familiar face. The Zexxian, Radiation Man was descending; his red cape still as if even the wind feared to disturb the overpowered hero.