⇨ WISMUTH ENDGAME

[ringleaders]

Who: Everyone!
When: Evening Day 27
Where: The Wismuth Super Dome, Round 2
What: On the verge of creating a world ending army of Harbingers, CY-Ren and her followers are challenged by the carnival and the Star Guardian team. It's time to stop.
Warnings: Singing

THE LAST REQUIEM↴ CY-Ren's planning of a charity concert has been well received - news of bomb threats and harassment from fans have painted her as a victim in the media spotlight, and her generous attempt to make amends is getting plenty of attention. She's been busy spinning things for as much focus as possible, and the threat of potential danger has the news focusing in on the proceedings. The date is set for Day 27 in carnival time. You won't want to miss it! ► BUILD UP: In the last couple days before the concert, CY-Ren will be reaching out to all of her Harbingers, regardless of where they might be at the time - yes, this means that even if you ran off, she'll come to find you! (Unless you're in the carnival like Taako, then you're fucked.) She'll tell you that her plans are coming to head, and that if you help her with one last task then the planet will be on its way to destruction. There are multiple ways you can aid her: you can help amp up her performance as evil backup singers/musicians, or you can set yourself up around the perimeter at specified locations, using your sparks as a beacon to her magic. She's certain that she's perfected her musical formula, this time - when the concert gets underway, all those present with the capacity to be a Harbinger will awaken, and the end of days will begin. ► THE CONCERT: By the time the concert arrives, the Star Guardians will have the idea that there's something unnatural about the way the new Harbingers were made - this isn't how it usually happens, and that sets them apart from someone like CY-Ren. Maybe that means that they can be pulled away with less drastic measures as well, given that the Void didn't have the full right to their souls in the first place. Anyone coming to help (and those who aren't Star Guardians will be encouraged to come as well, given that if they are making attempts at friendship, super powers aren't required) will gather in the area early, determined to stomp this one out before it can get too far. ► HARBINGERS: This is when they will be encountered by Harbingers guarding the perimeter, as well as a small army of void creatures defending CY-Ren's last performance. Star Guardians will become aware through the power of Creation that the Harbingers on the perimeter must be neutralized in order to disrupt the concert - CY-Ren is feeding on their negative energies, and it will make it too dangerous to attack her directly. Confrontations with any Harbingers can be worked out on an individual basis via plotting - just make up a location around the concert and have your Harbinger providing a beacon of their own design. As the concert ramps up, however, the excess of Void energy will cause the newly made Harbingers to destabilize - mentally or magically, their powers will be harder to control, and their negative emotions will be running wild. However, with that instability, there is also room for a breakthrough - for someone to blast the darkness from their Sparks with friendship and light. Now is the time to reach out. ► STAR GUARDIANS: If a Harbinger is successfully turned away from the darkness, they will briefly regain control of their Sparks, and be able to manifest as a Star Guardian for the first time. This will allow the Guardians to outnumber CY-Ren's forces. Their look and powers will still be based around the same Spark, but purified by Creation and aimed towards positive things. Time to win. ► DANCE OFF: Given that the Spark of Music and the Spark of Dance are colliding, it is perhaps not a surprise that this all manifests as a big ass musical number. As CY-Ren and Noa have a music battle, everyone present (even if you aren't a Star Guardian) will find themselves magically inspired to join in. You can dance, sing, or anything in between - the more people who support Noa's side, the stronger she will be. There will be a megathread for this part of the conflict, and at this point any unturned Harbingers will awaken and be able to turn their Sparks towards the light. As CY-Ren begins to lose power, what the players do with her will be up to you.

Comments

Jonathan Strange | ota!

[kingsroads]

a: pre concert
They've got absolutely no plan except for possibly the power of friendship and possibly throwing magic at something until it stops moving. So, business as usual. Honestly, this is the carnival, them having a plan that wasn't 'well let's try this and hope for the best' is a bit laughable. And considering that a good 85% of Strange's plans are 'well let's try this and hope for the best' it's more reassuring than he realizes.

Strange is with the rest of Team Creation as everybody gets their ducks in a row before the metaphorical storming the castle. "I can easily get anywhere inside the concert hall," Strange muses, striking up a conversation with whoever's next to him. Thanks smoke powers, he's been abusing the hell out of them this stop. "But the best way to bring back information or bring inside others would be via reflections—which are in short supply throughout the concert hall. Any thoughts?"

And Strange knows his go-to answer of 'make it rain and create a shitload of puddles' would be more trouble than it's worth.

b: figuring out the new toy
Strange is decked to the nines in magical kit. He's wearing the magical necklace Peridot gave him for solstice, his Atlantean dagger is holstered to his side, and he's wearing the punch ring he also got for solstice. And, as one of the void creatures he's been fighting for a while lunges at him, Strange is about to finally find out what the punch ring does.

He talks with his hands to begin with and throws them around like a preacher on Sunday morning while casting: that punch ring's built up a lot of kinetic energy. So, as Strange reflexively throws a punch at the void creature, part of the thing's head just downright bursts into disgusting void shadow goop. Said void shadow goop splatters everywhere, including on Strange's face and clothes. The chaos and fighting around him is continuing but Strange can only stare at the ex-void creature with an expression of pure what the fuuuuuuck. Saving all of existence is put on pause as Strange looks at whichever carnival member's next to him with a confused expression.

wildcard
He's all over the place (both inside and outside the concert hall) but staying out of most Harbinger fights. hmu if you want something specific!

a

[mylastchance]

Lauren sighs, rolling his head to the side in a sign of exaggerated annoyance. He's rocking the 'aggravated teen' look today.

"Everything is reflections with you."

[kingsroads]

As Lauren sighs, Strange gives him a short little hmmph. He's not crossing his arms over his chest but it's obvious that he can easily swap to petty sulking should the conversation go that way.

"Of course everything is reflections, it's my magical specialty. It's like complaining that everything's shadows with Childermass or Lambert solves things through violence."

Granted, solving things through violence isn't a magical specialty but the analogy still stands.

[mylastchance]

If Lauren were more irritated he might roll his eyes here. In his mind it's a pretty dumb argument to make. Still, Strange isn't really the person he's annoyed with and he recognizes that. The magician is simply a convenient target, so he tries not to be too rude, at least for the moment.

"One spell isn't a specialty." says Lauren. He's tense, and it's obvious. When he's not talking he's clenching his teeth, looking around nervously. On edge would be the best way to describe him. It's probably pretty obvious why, considering tonight was a make or break moment for them and apparently creation as a whole.

[kingsroads]

"But it's not one spell," Strange explains, with a little sigh. And then, like he's explaining something obvious, he continues talking. "Traveling through reflections is a completely different spell from something like scrying or communication."

He could get into the nitty gritty and explain the make-up of his spells to Lauren if he so chose. But Strange has a sneaking suspicion that Lauren a: wouldn't want to hear that and b: probably doesn't care about the inner workings of English magic.

[mylastchance]

Alright then, so they are barely different spells. They still all circle around the same basic idea of sending things through mirrors. In truth the utilization of reflective surfaces in the magical transmission of objects, sounds, and images is pretty interesting to Lauren, but he can't really be interested in the topic when he stressing about everything they have to do tonight. It's almost as if he's determined to be in a bad mood, interesting topics of conversation be damned. Magic is more an area of interest than an expertise anyway. It's hard to study if you can't live in a house, or in a city, or own books.

Strange probably just wants to show off anyway. Lauren really does roll his eyes now.

"Too bad none of that's come in handy yet."

[kingsroads]

"The key word here is yet," Strange remarks, with a frown. Of course he'll find a way to shoehorn his reflection magic into this. Strange tries to find a way to shoehorn his magic into everything. (And yes, he does want to show off.)

"At the bare minimum, I can use the reflections as an escape route if things go poorly. Though there's no way in hell even someone as adept as I am can hold the spell for everyone to get through."

Adept and modest. Strange puts his hand to his chin, thinking slightly as he turns his gaze back on the arena.

[mylastchance]

Well, an admission of fault. That's at least somewhat interesting and likely not to lead to showing off. Lauren follows Strange's gaze, looking the arena over.

"When you say everyone you mean all of us, right?" Lauren gesturing to any carnival members that may be standing around.

"Not all of them." This time, he gestures to the carnival arena as a whole. Lauren can't imagine anyone (except maybe the ringmaster) being able to transport that many people to safety via magic. It strikes him as ridiculous to even entertain the notion.

[kingsroads]

"That's correct," Strange explains, giving Lauren a little nod. "Using the reflections for travel is like holding open a door. I can do it for a few people but it'll tire my arm out if I do it for everyone."

A terrible simile and Strange knows it. He frowns a little, as if debating whether or not to change that before no, it'll stick. And so, he continues yammering on about his magic.

"I can at least get any wounded out of the fray. Provided there's large enough reflections, of course."

b

[dressedtothe]

9S has no idea what just happened. He was going to laser the thing off Strange but somehow Strange just punched the shit out of that thing!? Humans aren't supposed to be able to do that, right? Much less humans like Strange??

9S is fully dressed in his Star Guardian outfit -- if one could call that dressed -- albeit with a lovely set of chicken feathers poking out of his hair, because thanks, Strange. The heels that had given him so many issues earlier are now as natural to him as hacking into computer systems. Which is a good thing because now that he's done with hacking systems to put both metaphorical and literal the spotlight on Noa, he's playing support to keep the void creatures off everyone. Being able to move without stacking it is a good thing!

Still, void creatures don't stop for anyone, so 9S calls out, "Don't get distracted, Strange!" right before one of his lasers blast another of the void creatures before it can get close to him.

[kingsroads]

9S's voice snaps him out of his confusion. Riiight, there are other void beings here as well. And Strange honestly isn't going to try and punch them again. What happened that time was obviously a freak accident that he's not entirely sure how to replicate. Experimenting will happen back at the carnival.

Muttering something under his breath, Strange gestures at some of the void creatures. A gust of wind starts up, kicking up dirt and leaves as it slams into one of the void creatures, knocking it off his feet.

Still, now that Strange has said the incantation, they can talk and fight at the same time. So, as he directs the wind towards another void creature, he starts to tease 9S. "I love what you've done with your hair!"

He knows that is 100% his fault. Whoops.

[dressedtothe]

9S' expression immediately twists into a sour one. "I don't! It's your fault it's like this and you know it!"

Not wanting to take his irritation out on Strange, he focuses all five of his lasers into blasting a single voice creature, effectively disintegrating it. What?

Unfortunately, high heels are not very good for grumpily kicking at the ground, so he settles for stomping in them. Somehow, the effect isn't as dramatic is when he's wearing boots.

"I'm an android. I'm not supposed to look like this!"

[kingsroads]

As 9S blasts the void creature to smithereens, Strange stops for a moment. Nobody's attacking them right now, though he knows it's only a matter of seconds until something else comes up. He walks over to 9S, as the wind dies down. The spell's still going, but they don't need to talk over it.

"You're not an android anymore—you're a changeling," Strange counters. "It's only natural that magic has left some traces on you, as it has on all of us."

Strange just didn't expect the magic to be his.

[dressedtothe]

9S shakes his head vigorously. Nope. "Just because I look different doesn't mean I stop being an android!"

That's not how it works! 9S grumbles as he returns his lasers to his back with a wave of his hand. He already had this conversation with Cole, albeit with regards to the nature of humanity. 9S is very comfortable with his identity as an android, thanks.

"Even though you're affected by magic, you're still human."

[kingsroads]

Truth be told, Strange isn't really sure what he is. Humans can't turn to smoke, after all, even magical ones. But now isn't really the time for an in-depth conversation on the nature of humanity and androidness (androidity?), what with there being a literal battle to stop the world from ending.

So, Strange resorts to a bit of teasing instead.

"If the feathers truly bother you, I can turn you into something else and we'll see if those stick. What would you like? Cat ears? Claws of some sort?"

A void creature starts to approach from afar. With a gesture of his hands, Strange sends a gust of wind at the thing, knocking it off it's feet.

[dressedtothe]

What? No!

Infuriated, 9S stomps his feet. Amazingly, his heels do not break from the force. "How about none of those!? I don't want to look any more different than I am!"

In a fit of pique, 9S blasts the void creature Strange knocked over. And blasts it again for good measure.

"Maybe I should ask the Ringmaster to turn you into a chicken!"

[kingsroads]

Strange is preparing to send another gust of wind towards the void creature, before 9S blasts it. And then blasts it again. Okay, that thing's not getting up now. And Strange is already mulling over an idea. If he keeps teasing 9S, then maybe he'll keep hitting those creatures as hard as he is.

Hell, worth a shot. Strange gives the android a shithead grin before sending a gust of wind at a different void creature.

"Come on Nines, use some creativity! If you're going to try to turn me into something, at least make it something that hasn't been done before!"

B

[hippocarnival]

Seeing Strange punch something is honestly more surprising than the force of the ring itself, though the way the void creature just about explodes causes him to skid to a halt as he's running by, starting right back at Strange.

And then he gives him a thumb's up. "Good job! Is that a new spell?"

He sounds a little uncertain, since it's not really Strange's style. But he's not close enough to actually see the punch ring.

[kingsroads]

"I have no idea!" Strange cheerfully responds. Talking and fighting can happen at the same time. After all, there are very few times where conversation wouldn't help. Conjuring a fireball, Strange frowns for a moment before lobbing it at a different void creature.

"The magic wasn't my normal type of magic but it obviously came from me." Especially considering the catalyst was Strange hauling off and punching something. "When all this is through, care to test it with me at the training grounds?"

Because of course they're going to get through this fight, save everybody, save the world, and return to the carnival later. Strange simply won't let himself believe otherwise.

[hippocarnival]

Yuya is equally deep in his optimism, the alternative is far too tragic to consider when every earth would evaporate.

"Like the magic you taught me?" Surely Strange would be able to use that technique, even if it's not how his usual magic works. "Sure!"

He projects his shield outward for a moment to push a couple void creatures backwards. He regards Strange for a moment before shading his bubble wand to send a flurry of colored bubbles his way That pop into a rejuvenating mist. Something to help keep him perked up with all the fighting.

[kingsroads]

"Wonderful! I—" But Strange cuts himself off as Yuya's bubbles fly towards his direction. Strange deliberately isn't touching any of them (he doesn't know what they are!) but as the bubbles pop over him, he stands up a little straighter. Whatever the hell these are, they feel great.

"Thank you," Strange simply remarks, giving Yuya a grin, before he gestures at another void creature and sends a peal of fire that way. Though hey, come to think of it...

"Can those bubbles be made of different substances? Like oil or gasoline, perhaps." Let's solve this void creatures problem with lots of fire.

[hippocarnival]

Yuya doesn't wait long before he spins on his heels to continue defending himself, but hes smiling. He produces more bubbles than fall heavy to the ground as he backs up from approaching void creatures.

"Yeah..." as they step on the bubbles, they burst into a sticky goo that keeps them locked in place, struggling to get free.

Yuya looks over his shoulder at Strange, raising an eyebrow. "You want to start a big fire?" Is that really safe?

[kingsroads]

"I don't want to start a big fire," Strange clarifies. Honestly Yuya, he's an adult, he knows what he's doing. "I just want to set one of them on fire."

So no, it's not really safe. But Strange is still playing with fire as he gestures with his hands, shooting another peal of fire towards the stuck void creatures. They smolder and burn, but they're not impressively on fire.

[hippocarnival]

It's not terribly reassuring, given the way Yuya looks back and forth between Strange and the void monsters. But they're really hard to defeat without complete obliteration, and Strange can control water too so he should be able to put the fire out, right? As long as it doesn't get off the pavement...

"Okay." Yuya scrunches his face before waving the wand to send bubbles to the approaching void monsters. They pop into something wet and mist like--it isn't exactly gasoline, but it is highly flammable.

[kingsroads]

Only moments after Yuya's bubbles pop over the void creatures, Strange sends another fireball directly towards the now flammable creature. The end result is damn impressive.

One of the void monsters just lights up like a Christmas tree. This sucker is massively on fire and it looks very impressive and flammable. The fire is mostly staying on the top half of the creature, though a few flames are coming worryingly close to licking the ground. And Strange is just overjoyed. A big smirk of a grin stretches across his face as he laughs like an idiot and watches that thing burn and continue burning. "There we go! That's more like it!"

Eat shit, Void. That's the power of English magic! (And also Yuya's Creation bubbles, those did help.)