Murder XX: A Night In Terror Town

[Jeremi]

@Jeremi

"Would you like some help?" Yuri asked approaching Theo. She grabbed the other fridge door and opened it

Opening the door revealed a passage way leading down into the darkness.

@LuckycoolHawk9 @Minerva @Josh M @Darkseide

Seeing no sign of danger, Vlad entered the room. As for the scythe... well, it was a farming tool. His subjects used it to cut crops, when they managed to grow in Sylvania's corrupted soil. Even with his pride set aside, it simply wasn't a very practical weapon. Seeing as he didn't even know what a jukebox was, it only stood out to him because everyone else seemed to notice it.​

Vlad scowled at the both of them like a disappointed father, though he didn't say anything.
​

The vampire barely had time to marvel at the strange music box before Sherry pressed a button, and a passageway was revealed. "Well, that looks very, very safe, doesn't it, comrades?" With a wry chuckle, Vlad raised his knife once more and began stepping into the passageway, taking point. As with the barn, he did his best to watch for traps or structural failings.


@Crow @Jeremi @Atomyk @thatguyinthestore @Takumi @York @Sen @Archmage Jeremiah @Bridge
​

"After you." Sherry allowed Vlad to go in first since he at least had something to defend himself with.

The path seemed to lead down into some sort of tunnel system. It felt a but out of place from the other areas you'd visited as well. Was all of this built under the lake?

Suddenly the group would hear something coming from behind them. A red ball bounced past them and continued down the steps until it was enveloped by the dark and vanished.​

@Crow @Jeremi @Atomyk @thatguyinthestore @Takumi @York @Sen @Archmage Jeremiah @Tunnel​

 

[Khan of the Mardu]

The attacks made the Trapper stumble to its knees but he was quickly back on his feet. Perhaps the man could be put down but they needed far more fire power to do so. He swung his cleaver at Joker trying to lodge it into the phantom thief's shoulder.

@Khan of the Mardu @Jeremi @Yun Lee @Kaykay @ThatAverageGuy @ForestGroup​

The swing of the door revealed that there was a blinking light inside, but Theo would need to open the door more to get a clearer look. With the angle he could see that there at least didn't seem to be any food inside or anything like that.

@LuckycoolHawk9 @Minerva @Darkseide @Josh M @HouseGroup



The jukebox whirred to life playing a slight country western tune. Sherry had come up to the jukebox now as well and noticed that most of the song choices remained dark but the number 66 was flickering on and off. "I hope you don't mind but I'll try that one."

Pressing the button caused no music to play but the jukebox whirred and clicked open revealing a passage leading down.

@Jeremi @Crow @BarrenThin @thatguyinthestore @Takumi @York @Sen @Archmage Jeremiah @Barn​

Numahime's advice came just as Joker hopped back from the swing of that cleaver once again, teeth gritted as it had nearly caught him. Another bear trap that could be used against the bastard... perfect, especially if the smoke beginning to billow upwards blocked the man's vision. Wait, smoke? It seemed his group's earlier idea to burn the forest had been put into action as Joker felt the heat rising bit by bit as he tried to work his way back to the pointed out mound. He couldn't go for another attack just yet, not until the killer was trapped.

For now, he could only bob and weave, hopefully long enough to put that trapper between himself and the hunter.​

 

[Takumi]

Without saying a word, Robert slotted the coin he found into the jukebox. It had been a harrowing adventure to find the coin, so it was only fitting that Robert could use it for a simple pleasure.

"Any requests?" he asked.

@Jeremi @Crow @BarrenThin @thatguyinthestore @Takumi @York @Sen @Archmage Jeremiah @Barn​

The attacks made the Trapper stumble to its knees but he was quickly back on his feet. Perhaps the man could be put down but they needed far more fire power to do so. He swung his cleaver at Joker trying to lodge it into the phantom thief's shoulder.

@Khan of the Mardu @Jeremi @Yun Lee @Kaykay @ThatAverageGuy @ForestGroup​

The swing of the door revealed that there was a blinking light inside, but Theo would need to open the door more to get a clearer look. With the angle he could see that there at least didn't seem to be any food inside or anything like that.

@LuckycoolHawk9 @Minerva @Darkseide @Josh M @HouseGroup



The jukebox whirred to life playing a slight country western tune. Sherry had come up to the jukebox now as well and noticed that most of the song choices remained dark but the number 66 was flickering on and off. "I hope you don't mind but I'll try that one."

Pressing the button caused no music to play but the jukebox whirred and clicked open revealing a passage leading down.

@Jeremi @Crow @BarrenThin @thatguyinthestore @Takumi @York @Sen @Archmage Jeremiah @Barn​

Seeing no sign of danger, Vlad entered the room. As for the scythe... well, it was a farming tool. His subjects used it to cut crops, when they managed to grow in Sylvania's corrupted soil. Even with his pride set aside, it simply wasn't a very practical weapon. Seeing as he didn't even know what a jukebox was, it only stood out to him because everyone else seemed to notice it.​

Vlad scowled at the both of them like a disappointed father, though he didn't say anything.
​

The vampire barely had time to marvel at the strange music box before Sherry pressed a button, and a passageway was revealed. "Well, that looks very, very safe, doesn't it, comrades?" With a wry chuckle, Vlad raised his knife once more and began stepping into the passageway, taking point. As with the barn, he did his best to watch for traps or structural failings.


@Crow @Jeremi @Atomyk @thatguyinthestore @Takumi @York @Sen @Archmage Jeremiah @Bridge
​

Opening the door revealed a passage way leading down into the darkness.

@LuckycoolHawk9 @Minerva @Josh M @Darkseide

"After you." Sherry allowed Vlad to go in first since he at least had something to defend himself with.

The path seemed to lead down into some sort of tunnel system. It felt a but out of place from the other areas you'd visited as well. Was all of this built under the lake?

Suddenly the group would hear something coming from behind them. A red ball bounced past them and continued down the steps until it was enveloped by the dark and vanished.​

@Crow @Jeremi @Atomyk @thatguyinthestore @Takumi @York @Sen @Archmage Jeremiah @Tunnel​

Seishin ignored Jack and Chucky as they fought, walking over to the jukebox that both Sherry and Robert were near. With the path opened to them he held his knife at the ready as he followed after Vlad. He'd let Sherry go before him that way she wouldn't be stuck in the back without a weapon if she wished.

@Jeremi @Atomyk @Sen @thatguyinthestore @York @Crow @Archmage Jeremiah @BarrenThin @Anybody I missed @Tunnel

 

[LuckycoolHawk9]

Theo Raeken

" Why is there a secret passageway in a fridge of all places? I wish I had gotten that lighter.... would you like to go first? I will be right behind you."

@Minerva @Josh M @Darkseide @Jeremi @Cabin

 

[Yun Lee]

Grell continued to set as much fire as she possibly could, hoping to kill the man if Joker couldn't.

Burn, baby, burn.

@Jeremi @Verite @Kaykay @Khan of the Mardu @dark @ThatAverageGuy @ForestGroup​

 

[BarrenThin]

Opening the door revealed a passage way leading down into the darkness.

@LuckycoolHawk9 @Minerva @Josh M @Darkseide

"After you." Sherry allowed Vlad to go in first since he at least had something to defend himself with.

The path seemed to lead down into some sort of tunnel system. It felt a but out of place from the other areas you'd visited as well. Was all of this built under the lake?

Suddenly the group would hear something coming from behind them. A red ball bounced past them and continued down the steps until it was enveloped by the dark and vanished.​

@Crow @Jeremi @Atomyk @thatguyinthestore @Takumi @York @Sen @Archmage Jeremiah @Tunnel​

Vlad watched the ball bounce down the stairs, tensing noticeably. Unfortunately, it didn't seem he could afford to turn around. "Comrades... is there anything behind us?" The vampire continued to watch in front of them, taking or two slow, careful steps as he spoke. The ball could easily be a diversion, after all. 'Look behind you!'


@Crow @Jeremi @Atomyk @thatguyinthestore @Takumi @York @Sen @Archmage Jeremiah @Bridge​

 

[Jeremi]

Numahime's advice came just as Joker hopped back from the swing of that cleaver once again, teeth gritted as it had nearly caught him. Another bear trap that could be used against the bastard... perfect, especially if the smoke beginning to billow upwards blocked the man's vision. Wait, smoke? It seemed his group's earlier idea to burn the forest had been put into action as Joker felt the heat rising bit by bit as he tried to work his way back to the pointed out mound. He couldn't go for another attack just yet, not until the killer was trapped.

For now, he could only bob and weave, hopefully long enough to put that trapper between himself and the hunter.​

Grell continued to set as much fire as she possibly could, hoping to kill the man if Joker couldn't.

Burn, baby, burn.

@Jeremi @Verite @Kaykay @Khan of the Mardu @dark @ThatAverageGuy @ForestGroup​

The fire had spread through out the forest now and if the group didn't decide to escape soon they'd be trapped in the fiery inferno.

The Trapper meanwhile didn't seem to care about the heat and focused all of his attention towards Joker. As he came closer to the trap that Numehime had spotted he was mere inches away as...! He stopped and picked the trap up and flung it at Joker. While he wasn't a talkative type it was clear that the Trapper had some cunning to him. As the bear trap was flying the Trapper raised his cleaver to swing down on Joker.

@Yun Lee @Verite @Kaykay @Khan of the Mardu @dark @ThatAverageGuy @ForestGroup

​

 

[Minerva]

Theo Raeken

" Why is there a secret passageway in a fridge of all places? I wish I had gotten that lighter.... would you like to go first? I will be right behind you."

@Minerva @Josh M @Darkseide @Jeremi @Cabin

Yuri nodded as she closed her book. "Oh, um, sure..." She said calmly, preparing to step inside. She said something quietly. "This is just like a horror novel..."

@Jeremi

 

[Jeremi]

Vlad watched the ball bounce down the stairs, tensing noticeably. Unfortunately, it didn't seem he could afford to turn around. "Comrades... is there anything behind us?" The vampire continued to watch in front of them, taking or two slow, careful steps as he spoke. The ball could easily be a diversion, after all. 'Look behind you!'


@Crow @Jeremi @Atomyk @thatguyinthestore @Takumi @York @Sen @Archmage Jeremiah @Bridge​

Sherry turned around to check but there didn't seem to be anyone behind them. "Something is clearly messing with us," She replied moving along down with Vlad.

Soon enough they reached the bottom, they seemed to be in some sort of abandoned station. "Why is something like this under a lake?"​

@BarrenThin @Crow @Jeremi @Atomyk @thatguyinthestore @Takumi @York @Sen @Archmage Jeremiah @Tunnel
​

Yuri nodded as she closed her book. "Oh, um, sure..." She said calmly, preparing to step inside. She said something quietly. "This is just like a horror novel..."

@Jeremi

The path down led into a set of tunnels one going to the left and the second one going further down.

@Minerva @LuckycoolHawk9 @Josh M @Darkseide

 

[LuckycoolHawk9]

Theo Raeken

Theo watched her go into the fridge and waited for either a scream or a way to know how safe it was. He would be right behind her.... as long as it didn't kill him. He hadn't exactly lied, he had just stretched the truth. Once he saw it was safe, he followed, clutching his knife close. " Left or down?" He asked Yuri. He would follow her lead.

@Minerva @Josh M @Darkseide @Jeremi

 

[BarrenThin]

Sherry turned around to check but there didn't seem to be anyone behind them. "Something is clearly messing with us," She replied moving along down with Vlad.

Soon enough they reached the bottom, they seemed to be in some sort of abandoned station. "Why is something like this under a lake?"​

​

Vlad nodded in agreement, though he was pretty sure this entire misadventure was the result of something messing with them. Could even be Sherry. "An excellent question, Frau Sherry. I'm not sure I even understand its purpose. It's far too crude to be the work of the Dwarfs, but far too organized to be the work of the Skaven or the Greenskin tribes... and the odd markings, too." The vampire tilted his head at the graffiti before continuing into the room, knife still ready. Something wasn't right here.


@Crow @Jeremi @Atomyk @thatguyinthestore @Takumi @York @Sen @Archmage Jeremiah @Bridge​

 

[Khan of the Mardu]

The fire had spread through out the forest now and if the group didn't decide to escape soon they'd be trapped in the fiery inferno.

The Trapper meanwhile didn't seem to care about the heat and focused all of his attention towards Joker. As he came closer to the trap that Numehime had spotted he was mere inches away as...! He stopped and picked the trap up and flung it at Joker. While he wasn't a talkative type it was clear that the Trapper had some cunning to him. As the bear trap was flying the Trapper raised his cleaver to swing down on Joker.

@Yun Lee @Verite @Kaykay @Khan of the Mardu @dark @ThatAverageGuy @ForestGroup

​

Well, at this point, he probably should have seen that coming. "Dammit!" That didn't mean he couldn't curse as he ducked under the flung bear trap, the smoke finally starting to get to him as he hacked. As the smoke began to obscure his vision, he tried his best to simply dodge to the side of the swinging cleaver, hoping to once again dive in and, if a gutting of the man's stomach wouldn't kill him, push him into the nearest flames to ensure neither of them would escape.​

 

[Yun Lee]

Burning passion! A dazzling pyre! As Grell made her escape from the forest, she surveyed her masterpiece, finally feeling happy again. Oh, it had been far too long since she could express herself in such a grand show! When things burned, a beautiful bright red made itself known, and engulfed everything in a romantic, sensual heat. Utterly remarkable!

Maybe the others would escape with her, maybe they wouldn't. It was their own fault for being so caught up in a rescue mission that was doomed to fail. Though, to be fair, she had too-but really, it was only out of self-preservation. Perhaps they would all be wiser the next time something of this nature happened. But Grell doubted it. Humans were stupid creatures, after all.

@Jeremi @Verite @Kaykay @Khan of the Mardu @dark @ThatAverageGuy @ForestGroup​

 

[Klutzy Ninja Kitty]

Kuro in response, would then position his tail in front of him to defend against the axe... except Kuro had forgotten his tail is temporarily replaced with a crusty old sock.

Do socks have a high defense stat against axes? Anyways, as Kuro was still midair, he just hopes gravity would be on his side.

@Kaykay @Yun Lee @Verite @dark @ThatAverageGuy @Khan of the Mardu @Bomb @Jeremi @Klutzy Ninja Kitty @ForestGroup
​

The only way inside seemed to be at the front door, or well, where the front door would have been back when the house didn't look like it would fall at a seconds notice.

Peering inside he'd see a less pristine kitchen right in front of him. There seemed to have at some point in time been stairs leading to an upper floor but the entire staircase had rotten and fallen as a heap of murky wood on the ground. The floor seemed sturdy enough to walk on however so investigating the lower floor could still be done.

@LuckycoolHawk9 @Darkseide @Josh M



Looking inside there did not seem to be any sort of traps around. It appeared to have been used for equines in how it was built like a stable of sorts. Rusty equipment like a scythe was hanging on the wall, fairly typical things in what you'd find in an abandoned barn.

One thing did stand out though and it was a pristine looking jukebox leaning against the wall on the other side. If only you had a coin to liven up the place.

@Crow @BarrenThin @Atomyk @thatguyinthestore @Takumi @York @Sen @Archmage Jeremiah @Bridge
​

Queen's protector did little to deter the cleaver that cut the sock in half and the force was so great that the cleaver slammed Kuro down on Queen's back and cleaved right through the Pokemon as well embedding it in Queen's back. Admiring his work for a bit the Trapper removed the cleaver from her back and slammed it down on her head.

In one swoop this monster of a man had eliminated two among them. At the moment the Trapper seemed spellbound looking down at his work so perhaps now was the time to make your escape.

@Kaykay @Yun Lee @Verite @dark @ThatAverageGuy @Khan of the Mardu @Bomb @Jeremi @Klutzy Ninja Kitty @ForestGroup​

What a bunch of children. "I think we have more important things to worry about then who gets a new weapon." The irritation in Sherry's voice was very evident. "Maybe you should give it to me, we're supposed to be working together, right?" Fat chance that was going to happen.

@Jeremi @Crow @BarrenThin @Atomyk @thatguyinthestore @Takumi @York @Sen @Archmage Jeremiah @Bridge
​

The light he had seen had mysteriously vanished. Despite everything having fallen to decay surprisingly the fridge was whirring softly like it was still getting electricity from somewhere.

@LuckycoolHawk9 @Darkseide @Josh M



Some of the kindle actually started to smoke as the fire started to spread, but at the speed it was going it was going to take awhile before it spread through out the forest.



The Trapper staggered back from the attack but he quickly gained his footing again and slashed with his cleaver towads Joker.

@Kaykay @Yun Lee @Verite @dark @ThatAverageGuy @Khan of the Mardu @Bomb @Jeremi @Klutzy Ninja Kitty @ForestGroup

Queen woke up in a shock from a warm bed. Looking around she realized she was laying in a pod of some sort, and hers did not seemed to be the only one though they all seemed to be closed for now. She saw that another was open too that seemed to house Kuro who was also now awake.

While the part of the room you were in now seemed to house a multitude of these pods the other part was open and bare with but a single door leading out and a window staring into space.

Both of them realized also that their powers had return them. If you had died then where were you now?

@Klutzy Ninja Kitty @Bomb @UnknownLocation​

Again. Kuro had thought to himself. He realized he had died again, but only to come back again. He had felt the world was against Kuro.

Still, this was a relatively new place, so Kuro tried to go outside the room they are currently in.

@Jeremi @Klutzy Ninja Kitty​

As Kuro madehis way towards the door he'd notice a scientist looking man in his 20s sleeping against the wall. He looked disheveled and it appeared the sleep was a less than pleasant one.

@Klutzy Ninja Kitty @Bomb

Though her vision was rapidly fading, Queen caught a glimpse of Kuro holding out his tail to defend her from their attacker's axe. Although it was a heroic effort, the poor pokémon's help was in vain. The axe would kill the little guy before getting Queen in the back. A massive, indescribable wave of pain overcame the girl, and a whimper of suffering escaped her lips. All she could do was twitch on the ground, unable to do anything else when the monster would then slam its cleaver into her head. With that last attack her pain ended right alongside her young life.

---

The teen awoke to a feeling of comforting warmth. The sensation was calming and vibrant, as if she were a young child in the arms of her father once again. Queen felt so relaxed that she almost didn't want open her eyes.

Yet, her relaxation ended, however, when memories of her recent life-ending event crept into her thoughts. The girl jolted up from where she laid, hitting her head on the inner lid of the pod.

"Ouch!" she mumbled, rubbing her head before she would slowly push the lid up and sit up straight. She looked around for a moment afterwards, eventually turning to climb out of the pod. The girl glanced down at her hands, surprised to see her tekko weapons has returned and... what's this... she could also sense the presence of her persona?

Ah, well, it was a great time to have her powers back, because...

Queen was pissed.

With all of the fury of her akido, the girl beat the shit out of the pod she had woken up inside--punching with her tekko and kicking it. She felt so helpless in that stupid bear trap! She felt so helpless when she had been lying on the ground bleeding! She was always so careful. How could this have happened?!

"Why?! Why?! WHY?!" the girl shouted, giving zero shits that a person in the room was sleeping.

Eventually, however, the girl stopped attacking her pod (probably leaving it badly damaged or destroyed entirely) and placed a hand against another pod. She leaned against the pod, catching her breath.

This wasn't suppose to happen. She had just started college. She had wanted to become a police officer. She had even wanted to get married, and start a family--if Akira wanted to do that too. Makoto loved him and he loved her. She figured they might be headed down that path eventually.

But now she would never know.

"I'm sorry, Akira," she mumbled to herself, feeling fresh tears sting her eyes. She pulled up her mask for a moment and quickly wiped away the tears, straightening herself out. Now wasn't a time to be upset, not when she still needed to figure out what was going on.

"Okay, you need to focus, Queen," she said to herself before taking in a deep breath of air. "This doesn't look like any ordinary afterlife. How suspicious," she stated, placing a hand to her chin. It reminded her of Okumura's Palace. Her gut told her that something was still going on. Maybe this wasn't over...

Queen turned to Kuro, realizing the pokémon was here with her. It was a creepy little thing, but it had tried to save her so she was grateful to it.

"You," she said, kneeling down by Kuro. "You tried to save me." Gently, Queen reached out and tried to pat the pokémon's head if it would allow her to do so. "Thank you," she stated, genuinely grateful. "Do you have a name?" she asked it.

@Khan of the Mardu @Bomb @Jeremi​

 

[thatguyinthestore]

Sherry turned around to check but there didn't seem to be anyone behind them. "Something is clearly messing with us," She replied moving along down with Vlad.

Soon enough they reached the bottom, they seemed to be in some sort of abandoned station. "Why is something like this under a lake?"​

@BarrenThin @Crow @Jeremi @Atomyk @thatguyinthestore @Takumi @York @Sen @Archmage Jeremiah @Tunnel
​

The path down led into a set of tunnels one going to the left and the second one going further down.

@Minerva @LuckycoolHawk9 @Josh M @Darkseide

"Jesus Christ... another fucking station?" Chucky asked rhetorically with the scythe still slung over his shoulder.

@Jeremi @BarrenThin @Crow @Atomyk @Takumi @Sen @York @Archmage Jeremiah @Bridge​

 

[Minerva]

Theo Raeken

Theo watched her go into the fridge and waited for either a scream or a way to know how safe it was. He would be right behind her.... as long as it didn't kill him. He hadn't exactly lied, he had just stretched the truth. Once he saw it was safe, he followed, clutching his knife close. " Left or down?" He asked Yuri. He would follow her lead.

@Minerva @Josh M @Darkseide @Jeremi

"Oh, could I please have the knife?" She asked calmly. "If anything's likely to attack, it's likely to come in front of us. Don't worry, I know how to use a knife." She said, offering those comforting words.

 

[Husk]

Varus
@Minerva @Josh M @Darkseide @Jeremi @LuckycoolHawk9 @Cabin

---

​

Theo Raeken

" Why is there a secret passageway in a fridge of all places? I wish I had gotten that lighter.... would you like to go first? I will be right behind you."

Theo Raeken

Theo watched her go into the fridge and waited for either a scream or a way to know how safe it was. He would be right behind her.... as long as it didn't kill him. He hadn't exactly lied, he had just stretched the truth. Once he saw it was safe, he followed, clutching his knife close. " Left or down?" He asked Yuri. He would follow her lead.

"Letting the weak act as bait... you're no better than a Noxian," Varus said to Theo, appearing seemingly out of nowhere. Putting the weak one at the front of a dangerous expedition made the Ionian's blood boil, but he kept his calm lest he lose himself to blind fury again.

"Oh, could I please have the knife?" She asked calmly. "If anything's likely to attack, it's likely to come in front of us. Don't worry, I know how to use a knife." She said, offering those comforting words.

"Let's not waste any more time; we're going left. I will go first, but I expect all of you to follow immediately," he said sternly, clutching the knife that he had taken from the dining room.​

 

[dark]

Burning passion! A dazzling pyre! As Grell made her escape from the forest, she surveyed her masterpiece, finally feeling happy again. Oh, it had been far too long since she could express herself in such a grand show! When things burned, a beautiful bright red made itself known, and engulfed everything in a romantic, sensual heat. Utterly remarkable!

Maybe the others would escape with her, maybe they wouldn't. It was their own fault for being so caught up in a rescue mission that was doomed to fail. Though, to be fair, she had too-but really, it was only out of self-preservation. Perhaps they would all be wiser the next time something of this nature happened. But Grell doubted it. Humans were stupid creatures, after all.

@Jeremi @Verite @Kaykay @Khan of the Mardu @dark @ThatAverageGuy @ForestGroup​

0-74/

By now, Delsin was getting up to here with having to choose but the man was covering his mouth by the time the fire started and wood started to burn.

"Great, just damn-"

Delsin had to choose between self preservation and saving his fellow humans. Three of them were dead and in a regretful decision of shame, Delsin chose the selfish one and followed Grell out of the burning forest covering his mouth with his arm running, trying to avoid various fiery branches and other dangers.

Sure, the others might think Delsin was now a traitor for not making the right decision. The sign on his back began to grow red instead of white for what he did.

[USER=13904]@Jeremi[/USER] @Verite @Kaykay @Khan of the Mardu @dark @ThatAverageGuy @ForestGroup

 

[LuckycoolHawk9]

Theo Raeken

Before Theo could reply, he would notice Varus. When the hell had he joined up with them? He knew Bray and Penny was with him, but where had Varus come from? Had he had just not noticed him before?

" I don't see you volunteering to be the first in the passageway. So, you don't have a leg to stand on, quite honestly. I also don't see you offering up your knife and your own means of protection, so please enlighten me more to the way I am doing things wrong, I would love to hear it." His words dripped with sarcasm.

" Fuck you, stranger. Yuri, I will take the lead and we are going down. You can go fucking left alone," he said, not liking the man who had appeared out of nowhere and was judging his actions to survive.

@Jeremi @Otto @Darkseide @Josh M @Minerva

 

[Bomb]

Though her vision was rapidly fading, Queen caught a glimpse of Kuro holding out his tail to defend her from their attacker's axe. Although it was a heroic effort, the poor pokémon's help was in vain. The axe would kill the little guy before getting Queen in the back. A massive, indescribable wave of pain overcame the girl, and a whimper of suffering escaped her lips. All she could do was twitch on the ground, unable to do anything else when the monster would then slam its cleaver into her head. With that last attack her pain ended right alongside her young life.

---

The teen awoke to a feeling of comforting warmth. The sensation was calming and vibrant, as if she were a young child in the arms of her father once again. Queen felt so relaxed that she almost didn't want open her eyes.

Yet, her relaxation ended, however, when memories of her recent life-ending event crept into her thoughts. The girl jolted up from where she laid, hitting her head on the inner lid of the pod.

"Ouch!" she mumbled, rubbing her head before she would slowly push the lid up and sit up straight. She looked around for a moment afterwards, eventually turning to climb out of the pod. The girl glanced down at her hands, surprised to see her tekko weapons has returned and... what's this... she could also sense the presence of her persona?

Ah, well, it was a great time to have her powers back, because...

Queen was pissed.

With all of the fury of her akido, the girl beat the shit out of the pod she had woken up inside--punching with her tekko and kicking it. She felt so helpless in that stupid bear trap! She felt so helpless when she had been lying on the ground bleeding! She was always so careful. How could this have happened?!

"Why?! Why?! WHY?!" the girl shouted, giving zero shits that a person in the room was sleeping.

Eventually, however, the girl stopped attacking her pod (probably leaving it badly damaged or destroyed entirely) and placed a hand against another pod. She leaned against the pod, catching her breath.

This wasn't suppose to happen. She had just started college. She had wanted to become a police officer. She had even wanted to get married, and start a family--if Akira wanted to do that too. Makoto loved him and he loved her. She figured they might be headed down that path eventually.

But now she would never know.

"I'm sorry, Akira," she mumbled to herself, feeling fresh tears sting her eyes. She pulled up her mask for a moment and quickly wiped away the tears, straightening herself out. Now wasn't a time to be upset, not when she still needed to figure out what was going on.

"Okay, you need to focus, Queen," she said to herself before taking in a deep breath of air. "This doesn't look like any ordinary afterlife. How suspicious," she stated, placing a hand to her chin. It reminded her of Okumura's Palace. Her gut told her that something was still going on. Maybe this wasn't over...

Queen turned to Kuro, realizing the pokémon was here with her. It was a creepy little thing, but it had tried to save her so she was grateful to it.

"You," she said, kneeling down by Kuro. "You tried to save me." Gently, Queen reached out and tried to pat the pokémon's head if it would allow her to do so. "Thank you," she stated, genuinely grateful. "Do you have a name?" she asked it.

@Khan of the Mardu @Bomb @Jeremi​

Kuro looked a bit confused on what Queen meant. It's as if Kuro doesn't exactly remember what happened during the heat of the moment.

Still, since it was only Kuro and Queen here, along with the mysterious man, Kuro was a little more at ease on answering.

"Kuro." The ghost Pokemon simply answered. It was then he had realized that his wooden tail was back, instead of that sock. But it didn't matter to him.

@Klutzy Ninja Kitty @Jeremi​