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You come because General Arcelite has called you, because you were ordered to, not necessarily because you want to be there. Yet, who would pass up this chance to see a piece of the knights' code in its natural habitat?

Arcelite, a tired old man with white hair that had once been red and a pair of horn-rimmed glasses, leans on his poleaxe as he surveys the lot of you chosen to join him. "This is the heart of Avalon," he says, and if he looks old, his voice doesn't match it. It is a strong tenor, bright and hard. "This golden mist. Do you see it? This is the magic of the land, which we will take for Metallia." He bows his head courteously to the strangely-clad senshi at the borders of the ragged circle. The reception received by the emissaries of the Dark Mirror Court has been confused, but cordial; whatever visions of the future plagued Destiny City, none of it had crossed the ocean.

No one has any illusions as to who will be reaping the rewards of this operation. Arcelite stands primed to take his place as a General-King among General-Kings, the only one to have taken a Wonder as well as its knight. The knight of Avalon, too, had been found: not dead, but passed out here, surrounded by a protective golden mist. None could reach her through the barrier: none tried. Not yet.

Jamestonite, an unfamiliar Captain, taps her riot baton on her hand. "Does anyone else sense that," she asks, but it is a rhetorical question. Order forces had arrived, and they hung at the edges of the islands like an unscratchable itch. "Royalite, Cipritine," she says, "Let's go." There will be no glory for them, anyway; better they make their names on something different.

The three captains from Oxford depart, leaving Arcelite, the Negaverse delegation, and the emissaries of the Dark Mirror Court. "Does anyone have any questions before we begin," says Arcelite.

Players in this thread:

Being an "ambassador" for the Dark Mirror Court would have, even in an ordinary situation, been something Tantalus relished. He was a talker, and he so loved spreading the message of the Court.

But an opportunity to be an ambassador for the Court that opened doors to sabotaging a major Negaverse operation and see The Actual Island of Avalon, home of the Lady of the Lake, the place to which King Arthur himself had been returned when he fell in battle - at least, in the stories - only made it better. How could he not be excited?

When they first landed on the island, his first instinct was to try and take in everything at once. He paid only distant attention to what Arcelite was saying - but enough to know that no, there was no way the golden glory of this place would ever be touched by Metallia's disgusting, corruptive power. The Negaverse, given its way, would shatter this place and leave it broken, as they had broken the entire world in the future he had seen.

He would not allow that to happen. And they would not start with Avalon.

He knew the Knight, he thought, but she was visually unfamiliar - like so many people he had only known in that strange and awful future. And he knew that she had, once upon a time, been a General of the Negaverse, because Natron had spoken of her warmly.

(Natron was the only reason he felt a little guilty for what he - and, likely, Chariklo, if he knew her at all - was prepared to do.)

He gave the blonde Eternal the most polite and amused of smiles at her insistence that he not squee.

"Oh, Chariklo darling, that would be terribly undignified, and how would I ever stand as a decent ambassador of the Court if I let myself be overcome by excitement?"

God, he wished Damocles was here, but his boyfriend wasn't even particularly likely to approve of this trip on principle, never mind of making the entire Negaverse angry. Which was, it seemed, Chariklo's plan.

He'd intended to wait a little longer, to play a longer game and only turn on them when Oder was actually physically present -- but given that with Chariklo fleeing and her magic causing confusion it was rather likely that agents would turn, first, on him, no matter what honeyed words he spun, he instead jut bowed politely and held out a hand, whispering "Tease" under his breath. A single apple, applied appropriately to the nearest officer, would be well and enough to cover a quick escape, he thought.

"I'd say I felt terribly sorry for running out on you all so soon, but I try not to lie too obviously, and I really can't have you feeding Avalon itself to your terrible, poisonous Queen or whatever Metallia might be. You understand, I'm sure." He said, and then he tossed the apple directly at this chosen target, turned, and bolted.

General Buddingtonite

What have you gotten yourself into this time?

That was an extremely good question, General Buddingtonite thought to himself, and one that could probably been on a constant loop, given how completely formulaic his life in the Negaverse had seemed to become. Always some order, always some 'special' mission that was being assigned, always another chance to get himself into a pickle and then have the nerve to wonder how the hell everything went wrong.

His first of many crucial mistakes that partaking in this mission without Serpentine, and though at the moment he felt he had good reason NOT to drag his friend along, he immediately regretted it. It was like stepping out into a fresh batch of snow in your sandals- NOT A GOOD IDEA. He was vulnerable, exposed, and he only had himself to blame.

Second mistake, apparently, was not bothering to do the research prior to signing up for this event. He glanced over such matters, perhaps not a good idea for one that was trying to think of a way to rise up, but the specter that had taken Zircon and others by surprise was a complete mystery to him. She may have been someone important, but Buddingtonite admittedly found himself more invested in the prize, and NOT to much the whole 'mortal danger' and betrayal and confusion that seemed to consume his fellow officers. Whoever this specter was, all that mattered was that she was trouble...

Starting to think like Mica now. She would be so proud!

His third and final mistake was not taking the one in charge of this operation seriously, and he immediately regretting the rather rude thoughts that danced around in his head when this Arcelite started barking orders. He didn't know who he was, he didn't care, and Buddingtonite was determined not to make friends with someone that was so obviously pining for a position that was beyond him...

Pot calling kettle black.

However, he regretted not giving Arcelite the proper respect, as he was certain that the sass that came from behind and the swarm of energy that was coming his way in the form of a Dark Mirror Senshi's attack was karma, and he could not stop the cry that left his throat, bracing himself for the attack though he knew it wouldn't do him much good. "Curse you sudden but inevitable betrayal!"

Reminder: why are they with us again?

As invisible wings slammed and slapped against him, he tried to summon his boomerang and the moment he felt materialize in his hands, he threw the weapon blindly, hoping it'd hit the Dark Mirror b***h that aimed her attack on him. Any thought of their being an 'alliance' between their respected Courts was lost now!



---

Super Sailor Canopus

A year ago, Super Sailor Canopus would have never dreamed that she’d find herself overseas, but then again, she would have never have pegged herself to be a Dark Mirror Senshi and capable of the things that she found herself doing. Had she not have gone to the park in that night, she would have never met that cat, she would have never met Prince Remarque, and she would have probably died from hypothermia. She would not have had the year she had, would have have been exposed to the war, would not have been put in danger. Those betrayals, those months of living in fear of their supposed allies, and then the grim nightmares, those horrid visions of the future… visions that confirmed her fears and suspicions that the Negaverse was the true evil of this world, of this entire universe, would have meant nothing to her.

She was told that their alliance was shaky, but it existed, but Canopus didn’t believe it. Not for a second. After what she and others endured at the Negaverse’ hands, after what she saw them to be capable of and what kind of atrocities they were willing to do, not just to the citizens of this great city and their enemy, but their allies as well, compounded to the horrors she saw from that grizzly vision, she vowed to herself never to trust the Negaverse again. Ever.

But when her courtmates had volunteered their services for this mission to take a Wonder, Canopus volunteered with them, if only to try and talk them out of it or protect them when the Negaverse inevitably turned on them. She didn’t think Chariklo or Tantalus were fools, and how could they be, when she remembered them being victimized at the ambush, seeing them suffer at the Negaverse’ hands in those visions? What were they thinking?!

Revenge, apparently, and Canopus was admitted surprised to see Chariklo turn her well-justified rage against the ones that had requested their help! Not that she was surprised to see Chariklo in action, nor was she ever disappointed by her show of force. Her heart fluttered at the sight of her turning her attack on them, and when Tantalus followed up, she felt all of her fear subside, knowing that this was all just a ruse. No one in the Dark Mirror Court, or any court, should trust or work with the Negaverse, she told herself, tightening her fists and standing ready for a fight. While she didn’t trust the Negaverse, she wasn’t sure about openingly attacking them in this area, especially given the golden mists and the dangers that were already present here, but she’d die defending her comrades from any harm.

A year ago, Canopus would have never dreamed of this… so much had happened in that year!

Zircon's ears were still ringing from the shrillness of the phantom gulls, her face and hands covered in bundles of scratches, and to add insult to injury, she still hadn't found whatever it was that Dark Mirror a*****e had thrown at her. Just when she thought she had closed in on the object (an apple? who throws apples at people?), the mystery fruit dissipated just shy of her scratch-laden fingers, to her surprise and annoyance. She shook her head as she turned to face the assembly of her peers, rubbing her nose with a scrunched up expression that said 'No, I didn't just chase a spectral apple, that's ridiculous, you're ridiculous'.

"No magic on my weapon," Zircon offered, walking past the sobbing lieutenant without so much as a glance at the embarrassing display, "But it's got sharp edges, and can bludgeon if need be." To double-check for herself, Zircon paused just short of the barrier, reaching out as if she might grab Avalon by the hand and pull her free of her gilded cage. However, before she got even remotely close, she began to see the sparks of electricity, feel the buzz on her skin, and with a wince she pulled away.

She lifted her weapon arm high, her eyes narrowed in resolve. Easy way or hard way, Avalon would be cut free, and her will would be done. However, just before she struck, she glanced up at the Knight's slumbering face, her soft hiccups, and she faltered, only nicking the edge of the barrier itself. She shot a nervous glance at Arcelite--had he seen her weakness? She couldn't afford to show it again.

Total Damage: 2

[ General Buddingtonite - 200 HP - Attacking Barrier for 45 Damage ]

Before too long, Buddingtonite was spared from the Dark Mirror senshi's attack, but now he had quite a headache, and Arcelite's order certainly didn't appease him in the least. How could he just allow them to get away with such an attack and NOT follow up, Buddingtonite wondered?

And yet, even with remnants of the senshi's attack ringing in his ears and the headache that formed, he couldn't blame his senior officer for reigning him in. After all, there were simply more important matters to attend to, and the thought of wearing another scar for attacking one of Zinkenite's 'precious' allies, even in justified retaliation, was present in his head.

Also, the golden mist that had apparently formed a barrier and was refusing to relent, when it should have been. That was also kind of more important then extracting personal revenge. Buddingtonite wasn't sure what to make of it, but seeing Zircon and Jarosite attack made him feel like quite an idiot. Not because he was judging them harshly for their attempts to strike a magical barrier with weapons, but in himself because, really, he could only think to do the same. He had managed to recover his boomerang, disappointed that there was no blood on hit, but he didn't throw it. Not yet. "If we had Serpentine here, we could have used him as a battering ram..."

Which gave him an idea. On a normal day, the gleam of light shining off his shoulder pad would have been annoying, but it reminded him of its presence, and how useful it might have been. So, without warning, or much thought, the rose-clad general braced his right shoulder and charged forward at full speed, slamming against the barrier with as much force as he could muster. Would it have been enough? Probably not, but at least no one could say he didn't give his absolute best!

[ Super Sailor Canopus, running after Chariklo and Tantalus ]

The moment Chariklo and Tantalus fled, Canopus felt all bravery within her shot, and not even the sight of the beautiful, thick golden mist and the mystery of it could make her stay. By the time she had heard Arcelite's order, she was always booking it, chasing after her fellow Dark Mirror Court mates and not even bothering to look back.

Right now, one thought came to mind, and that was what they were planning on doing now. She could only hope that there'd be a mirror somewhere in this place, or if not, then she hoped that if there were Order individuals here, they would welcome her assistance. This Wonder, nor any wonder, should have been allowed to fall into the Negaverse' hand!

Zircon had only a moment to recognize that something was going Horribly Wrong, and not nearly enough time to ponder an escape route. She could only start to turn her head away from the blast as it concussed against her torso, tossing her into a graceless tumble as if she'd been a rag doll. Somewhere along her listless bouncing, the captain lost her goggles, shattered against the rocky ground, and finally she landed face-down with a pained wheeze. She struggled to pull herself up, wiping at the multiple scratches on her face, and she squinted to get a view of their new assailant.

If the squire wasn't bluffing, and he truly was lost, then the poor sod was just drowning in bad luck. Under normal circumstances, Zircon would have hesitated before brandishing her boomerang, held tight in her hands throughout the explosion. She would have liked to talk, to learn the squire's angle on things, to see if he had anything worth offering to the Dark Kingdom. But adrenaline was high and blood was on her mind, and in the nameless squire Zircon saw the opportunity to prove her loyalty to the cause.

"You're interrupting. How rude," Zircon jeered, pulling herself to her feet. Targeting Crestwood, she swung back with her throwing arm and lobbed the crystalline boomerang, seeking to strike true.

Zircon [132/150]