PLOT: Refined Shell battle!

[theearth]

Who: Open!
What: Crustacean commotion. CRAB BATTLE.
When: 26th September, daytime
Where: Las Vegas, flooded area and surroundings
Warnings: Violence. If your thread requires more warnings, please note them in your comment header!


[ At eleven AM, a pulsing shockwave resonates throughout Las Vegas. Seemingly coming from somewhere deep underground, the ripple of force doesn't last long - but that doesn't mean that it isn't strong enough to make any nearby reincarnates stumble or fall.

The quake that happens soon afterwards is much stronger. Unlike the last, it seems to rumble on and on... until it reaches its crescendo with the emergence of a monstrous pink crabster from beneath the recently-flooded area of the city. A miniature tsunami accompanies the 300-foot behemoth, further damaging the surroundings not already levelled by the flooding and the quakes.

It doesn't take long for Refined Shell to get its bearings and begin its rampage. Everything within range can expect to be swiped at, stamped on or crushed between its pincers in its mindless rage.

You might say it seems to be feeling a touch... crabby. ]


((Helpful links - Refined Shell information! Last minute plotting roll call! Inspirational visual aid!))

Comments

CRAB BATTLE

[theearth]

[ The enormous crab seems content to rampage in/near to the shallows of the flooding, for now. It will attack anything that comes within range of it - its tail and legs both pack a hell of a punch, but watch out for the claws in particular! Getting squeezed in their grip is a swift route to being crushed to a pulp, no matter how strongly-armoured you are...

People reliant on supernatural powers should also watch out. They might notice a slight sheen to the creature's stonelike shell as the light catches it - anything but a mundane physical attack will be reflected back off the shell. If you have magical punches, for instance, expect them to rebound and smack you in your own face. Dedicated mages might want to team up with a more physically-inclined character who can wear cracks into the carapace for them! ]

(MOSTLY) OPEN

[drama8om8]

((hello this is a placeholder TWO SUB-SUBTHREADS INCOMING I'm so cool))

OPEN

[gogoghostpowers]

[He wasn't going to stay in Vegas. He was going to go back to the teleporter and make his way back home to Locke. But about 15 minutes after that ghost portal dumped him here, suddenly a giant crab is attacking the city. It's uncomfortably reminiscent of the snake in Locke, and even comes with the familiar sensation of pulses.

Which is when he finds out that it turns out, he has the same green energy blasts as Ms. Go or the other ghosts he remembers. He laughs in amazement as he winds back and lights up his fist.]

I bet you'll be feeling crabby after this!

[oh god why did he say that he hates these stupid puns, jesus christ That's when he throws his first, superstrong, super-energized punch ever. Which is also when the energy bounces off the shell and sends a bolt of green shooting behind him. Danny grimaces and glances behind him, hoping that he didn't hurt anyone.]

Sorry, sorry!

Okay, let's try this again. [He makes sure his hands aren't glowing any more and then hopes that this won't hurt too badly as he starts punching the old-fashioned way. There's not much else he can do, is there?]

A COUPLE OF OPEN THINGS

[icy_heavens]

[[Yeah, yeah a couple subthreads incoming here. I can be cool too if I wanna.]]

OPEN-ish

[scarlet_devil]

[She and Arthur had been in Vegas a few days by now, both coming here through the teleporter and getting echoes in the process. ...Apparently, his involved getting some obscene luck that's enabled him to become a real high roller to the point of being banned from gambling in every casino he's been in. All while dragging along a grumbling Emilia along for the ride. And that was before all Hell broke loose on the very day she planned for her birthday party to fall on...

Of all the days this thing has to go on a rampage, why did it have to be today!? She was planning on throwing a party here in Vegas today for her birthday, but no, some asshole gargantuan crabster decided it would ruin everyone's day and be a jerk in general.

Looks like she'll have to teach it some manners.]

GUNDAM (OPEN)

[buildyourworld]

OOC: There will be threads underneath this!

OPEN

[guitar_case_vagabond]

[Catching news of the second giant monster attack in the country broke, it didn't take long for this pair to mobilize. A quick motorcycle ride and a teleport jump (WHY THE FUCK DOES IT COME OUT IN A POOL?!) and Raye and Senketsu are there, running toward the chaos as she shakes her cel phone in irritation before switching over to the Numbers network.]

Okay, we're here! Where's everybody else--

Raye!

Huh?

[She looks up as the side of a building up above explodes into dust and debris and a GIGANTIC MOTHERFUCKING CRAB LEG COMES BEARING DOWN ON THE BOTH OF THEM.]

AAAAAAAAAAAHHH!

AAAAAAAAAAAHHH!

[The leg smashes down right on top of them with all the force its size and weight can carry and Raye is obscured by the rolling wall of dust. For a moment anyway, until she bursts from it in Synchronized form, running like mad with the giant crabster in hot pursuit. She brings the phone up to her ear again.]

Hey! If anybody's listening in here, we found the monster!

OPEN

[scramasax]

[Anthony can't see the thing, but he can see, with the seize and anchor of a pulse - it turns his face up to the sky, Chattur'gha, an enormous burnt-red crablike, lobsterlike with far too many mouths tearing apart something spindly green and glowing like an angel without its head - Xel'lotath! the pulse says, the goddess of madness...

He shudders sick and flashed cold when the vision fades - doesn't look down until there's the sound of someone moving near him, snaps his head ducked down and over.]

Stone -- ?!

[Meant as in "is it stone, like Wise Snake"; if so he's going to need to navigate to cracks, somehow - imagines it taking swings to do worse than rip apart anything smaller than whatever its own Xel'lotath would be, braces down to listen at a current distance for any rushes and crashes through the air...]

LILY -> MULTIPLE PROMPTS

[alilyinthemoonslight]

[Hold please, subthreads incoming.]

OPEN

[abhero]

It wasn't easy, getting here. First he had to get out of the house-which wasn't easy, considering the overprotective, spry grandparents blocking the doorway. Then he had to push a shopping cart full of Robyn and her weapon down twenty blocks only to topple it over and have everything land on top of him. But the important thing is he's here now, ready to help.

At the sight of Refined Shell, the sensation of an Echo washed all over him, followed by the unshakable knowledge that he just got a new ability, something he spent months waiting for, ever since he remembered it. He can make people stronger.

Anyone in the area may find an excitable teen I their way, armed with what looks like a 3/4 double-bass.

"Hey! Hey you! Let me play music at you!"

(( OOC: prose or brackets, I will match ))

Open: All

[hotshots]

[Giant monsters getting you down? Tired of them trashing your cities?

WELL HAVE I GOT A DEAL FOR YOU.

Skimming across the water, having foregone trying to use its weapons because they're all beam based and do jack shit against that shell is the Gundam Dynames, now with the ability to fly freely. It's currently circling Refined Shell, as if looking for an opening.

To do what, you ask?

Well, it does have hands and legs. Neil may be considering going in and punching the damn thing. He's also having a time keeping his head together - memories have rushed into his head, and they're ones he knows this is not the time or place to confront.

Because Christ, man.

Remembering your past life dying, and in that way, is not something that really helps you on a battlefield.]

OPEN | especially if you like magical girl transformations

[knights_king]

[Arthur had rushed in as quickly as he could only after he dragged a few more people off the streets. He didn't ask any questions of anyone at all, rather--he just barreled into the scene, covered in magic. He threw one punch hard at the shell of the creature that struck and did nothing... at least initially.

Immediately after, Arthur found himself hurtling through the air after the shell's reflection tossed him just as quickly as he came in the opposite direction. As such, Arthur flew for a city block or so, bouncing a few times before landing on his feet.]

The hell--?

[Before he could utter anymore curses, Arthur took one step forward, ready to take another swing at it before something in him 'shook'. Piece by piece, bits of magic surrounding Arthur turned into plated pieces of armor until he was in his complete set of armor, Excalibur forming in his hand from a golden bolt of light, immediately becoming invisible once Invisible Air kicked in to obscure it.

Arthur said nothing, his eyes shutting as he bit his lip.]

OPEN

[chalicejoker]

Hajime's immediate reaction to seeing a gigantic crab-thing stomping around is to do just what he did with those stone snakes that were slithering around Locke--start tearing into it with scythes of green energy after hopping a transporter ride over. This might have been a terrible idea, because those energy scythes are just going to bounce right back at him. The Lord of the Bugmen was not expecting to get a taste of his own medicine, and he's not happy about it.

Later, he's pounding at the monster with all the power his super-bug-strength can muster...which is actually quite a lot, considering the damage he's caused with his bare fists in the past. There's a lot of angry monster snarling as he pounds on any bit of shell he can reach.

Open: All

[purestambition]

[Earthquakes and a giant monster, buildings toppling. It's rather familiar to Saretha Kaiser, really. She didn't have any abilities when the snake had struck Locke City, but things are quite different now. They grow ever more different still as memories flood into her conscious mind - more knowledge of Satsuki's allies. Of the people she built to surround her. Slowly, she's starting to understand more about this woman... maybe herself, as well.

As people dart about, trying to attack this creature... Maybe she's starting to understand a little bit more about them, too.

Refined Shell, however... That has to be her focus for now.

Thus, without the ability to fly, she's stuck grounded. Hence, why she's scaled a nearby building, fully transformed, and... well. Yes. She is going to start off by openly trying to challenge something many times her size to come get her, complete with tossing a number of deflected energy waves its way just to get its attention.]

OPEN

[waltharius]

[ Walter is not planning on running up to this thing directly. He might be super resilient but his body still has limits, and he is not throwing himself right in its path if he can help it. Even without the obvious hazards, he doesn't have an easy route up the thing.

So instead, he climbs onto a building and leaps onto the creature. His landing is anything but graceful, and as the crab moves he tumbles all over the place.

All part of the process, folks. Eventually, he manages to get some semblance of balance and draws his sword. Time to administer aggressive acupuncture. The first stab is too shallow to really get through the shell, but he throws everything he has into the second and pierces it. Somewhat. But, progress! Of course, Refined Shell doesn't particularly like being stabbed, and as it shakes Walter is nearly flung off. ]

CIVILIAN RESCUE

[theearth]

[ A collection of people are drawn to the site of the battle - mostly cultists, but a few tourists and journalists are mixed in there too. The urge to worship/gawk at the giant crustacean is a strong one. Perhaps some reincarnates decided to hang back and watch, too?

Unfortunately for them, a ground-shaking blow from Refined Shell opens up a huge crack in the ground, sending them plummeting down into it. It's a long way down, but anyone who investigates might be able to hear some calls for help. It seems there are at least a few survivors, if anyone feels like assisting!

Watch out for more falling debris, though. And the chasm seems to be gradually filling with water as the battle rages on above. ]

[youngestone]

[He'd let off a few arrows but when that did nothing, Killian promptly turned to "getting civilians the hell outta dodge". He focuses mostly on the kids and families, urging them to get out and get somewhere safe. When he finds injured, he makes sure to get them to someone who can help.

Help him?]

[dominateartimus]

[After being informed of the situation by Eugen, Xander used the teleporter to arrive in Las Vegas. This time, he was prepared and brought a mask with him to obscure any traces of being recognized.

When he arrived on the scene, he was hit with a pulse and overwhelmed with sudden information about the species of those around him. His blue eyes were completely black, but he was unaware of that change. He was trying to focus and evaluate the situation, but his new ability was distracting as much as it was being helpful.

With a plan figured out, he moved to assist those who were trapped in buildings with his shadow mimicry. He could be spotted in either his shadow form or partially physical form.]

[charcoalfeather]

[Rakka had come along with most people, teleporting to Vegas just in time for the big attack to come. She'd fired off a few rounds from her lightning staff, but when that proved ineffective, she turned to the defensive and started helping people out of here.

She's pretty noticeable, what with her wings and halo sticking out, as well as the red boots that belched flame whenever she took to the air. Just because her wings didn't work, didn't mean she couldn't get around the battlefield quickly.]

[arrowpoint]

[Liam's intended plan was to get himself involved in the action down by the crab. He got pretty close, daggers in hand and all, but when the crab causes the chasm to open up he gets knocked down and ends up with a large scrape on his forehead. Looks like he wasn't going to get anywhere with that thing, now that he actually thought about it.

Hearing those cries for help, he turns his attention elsewhere and hurries over to help. Even feeling a little on the lame side as far as superpowers go, he could still do something.

He gets close to the chasm, trying to see inside for survivors while watching out for other dangers. He calls out.]

Anybody down there?!

[professorwolf]

Lyall isn't among those actually caught in the fissure, but he's not far from them. He'd been on his way back from what he's sure was a fairly poor interview with one of the local high schools, heading for the hotel where he can get a swift way back to Locke, when everything started-- and since he had to at least know what's going on, he ran towards it rather than away. Even through the earthquake.

If only it were night, he'd be of so much more use....

As it is, he sniffs out people under crumbling buildings and in pockets of displaced water, and winds up at that cleft for a while in an attempt to do what he can. He spots the great pink thing through buildings a time or two-- accompanied by that familiar pulse, though nothing he notices changes-- but is mostly focused on the search and rescue aspect. His nice interview suit is ruined before too long.

Once the sun sets, though, things start to get more interesting. The person who has his hand to climb out of a hole with at that point in time finds himself or herself levered out completely as Lyall gives a pull that's a lot stronger than he'd anticipated. What follows-- after a long moment of staring at his own hand like it doesn't belong to him-- is a lot more hauling people out of places and moving heavy objects keeping others trapped. Might as well do some good with this new ability.

[seed_of_memory]

[With the monster's appearance, Fuyuka had finally opted to use Bardiche's ability to transform herself. She was clad now in a black outfit, with a white cape wrapped around herself... and alongside this, she wielded another ability: flight.

The sensation of moving through the air... it was nothing like anything Fuyuka had experienced before. It was amazing, empowering... and yet, she couldn't focus on that. The city was falling apart around her. People needed help.

And so, she flew over the chaos, catching sight of the chasm that people had fallen into. And it looked like even more of an area was going to give way. Fuyuka steeled herself and dived lower... hoping she didn't find anything she didn't want to in the chaos waiting for her below]

[ruleorserve]

[Emil knows very well that he hasn't got anything that's likely to help against the monster that's turned up. He might still be curious, yes, but he isn't even certain that the strange thing he got some months earlier is even a weapon. It certainly doesn't work, at the least, and that's nothing helpful. But he can't really just leave well enough alone. Especially when there will be people caught up on the outskirts of things.

The rift is worrying, once it opens up, and though he's not certain he's going to be terribly useful, he sets about doing what he can to help people up out of chasm and seeing to the injured as best he can. Or directing them to places where they can manage to be looked after properly. He's no medic, and well he knows it.]

ASSORTED MAYHEM AND CHAOS CATCH-ALL

[theearth]

[ There's more to the attack than battling Refined Shell. Perhaps you're caring for the wounded? Helping to evacuate civilians? Looting during the chaos? Literally caught with your pants down as the crabster rears its ugly carapaced head?

Whatever you're up to: if it's not beating down Refined Shell or rescuing people from the chasm, it goes here. ]

[onecream_fivesugar]

[Robyn had made her way to Vegas via the teleporter as soon as she could. Unfortunately even with her increased running speed that had taken her a little while as she had to bail out of school, go home and get her old superhero costume and the giant scythe out from under her bed, "borrow" a shopping cart because that scythe is still way too heavy for her to carry on her own, get to the teleporter and "borrow" a luggage cart from the hotel because apparently she can't take the shopping cart through the teleporter.

It was a long process, but soon she found herself on the scene. ...Or like twenty or so blocks away from the scene. There's a young superheroine running down the street with a scythe on a luggage cart, anyone want to help her get to where the bad things are happening?

AFTERMATH

[theearth]

[ After what seems an incredibly long time, the sustained attack takes its toll. Refined Shell's movement slows, the irridescence on what remains of its shell fades, and it crumples.

Those who saw Wise Snake's demise will recognise the effect as a great number of bubbles rise up from the body and into the air, dissipating as the crab's corpse turns into ordinary stone. The immediate danger, it seems, has passed.

As if sensing that it would be dramatically appropriate, the clouds open and it begins to rain. As civilians, journalists and police begin to trickle their way back into the area there's no sense of relief or jubilation. People recognised as numbered might find themselves the recipients of some cold looks, or given orders to move on. There's gratitude for you... ]

[espigeonage]

Julien woke up, confused. It was dark, and close, and water was dripping onto his face. When he moved, he realized that he hurt. He lay on... wet tile, he thought. He could feel all his remaining fingers and toes, and move them, though he regretted doing so. A tiny amount of light showed, and he was too dazed to stand but it didn't look like there was that kind of space.

Things had happened so quickly, he wasn't clear of everything that had happened. He could piece together some of it. The creature appearing. The electric realization that he knew someone who was in its path - then half-flying towards it, cringing under its shadow, being aware of the congestion of people fleeing beneath him. Being so aware of how close it was, ducking under a doorway... he couldn't remember past that. Did he get whoever that was out? Were they here now?

This all felt so unreal. Julien struggled to sit up, then fell back. He was bruised all over but he thought he could tell how he didn't get crushed - that was a menu board above him. It was propped up by the counter just to his left. No telling what the rest of the building was like.

He should... call for help. He doesn't want to be here, pressed under things like a butterfly. Julien shakes the water off his face and blinks frantically. In a minute. He'll call out, in a minute...