Olympus Crusade: Venezuela (IC)

@curve: @the_psyentist: @_drake: @hound_of_war: @the_shogun

(eh, screw it)

Katraya was silent for a time, watching the battle she'd been forcefully removed from unfold. They're making a break for the palace.Squad, make for the Palace but remain concealed, wait.

Her squad did as they were told, unseen and unheard with their stealth suits on they made their way towards the building and the opened doors. The group slipped in side with utter silence, their suits bending light and sound alike to prevent such simple modes of detection. They took up invisible positions near the door and prepared their weapons. Eyes were on Curve and the Orochi, something about their positioning seemed off.

Katraya could have teleported but instead she chose to walk, ignoring the fighting that was going on around her while advancing towards the all important palace and likely sight of the final battle. She licked her bloodied lower lip and removed her pain batons from her belt, twirling one in each hand. She'd been stripped of her armor but not her skill or her weapons. Often the strike least expected is the one most crippling. She strode up the stairs of the palace, the conflict behind her both echoing and concealing the sounds of her unchecked footfalls.

She walked openly into the palace and took up a position not far from the Shogun's left side. Her eyes fell on the Orochi and she tightened her grip on the batons. Something seems off. Her eyes flicked to the physical body of Curve and she remembered the illusory giant clown from before. Illusions...a new 'god' but of illusions? I doubt that very much. No, what would a mad clown be the god of? Clown cars? She licked her lips, shifting her eyes to the arriving Darkvius as he too made his way through the doors. Katraya tapped a series of commands into the communication device on her wrist. They were numbers...coordinates, to be exact. A light blinked for her attention on the device but she ignored it for now.

"It is the sign of a failing strategy when one rushes past all obstacles to their objective." She told him with a smile. She brought up one of her batons and licked the end of it seductively, completely ignoring the pain it sent through her tongue and jaw. "Remember me? I think it's about time we get to know each other..."

@dreadpool10:

Alexandra's icy eyes narrowed as they fixated on the metahuman before her. Super strength, laser eyes, flight. Possibly other unique capabilities not yet put to the test by his opponents. Their assaults, while temporarily troublesome, had the impact of an ant trying to wage war on a boot. Perhaps it was wise Ivana had summoned the Sanguine Seductress. Telekinesis was as useful in combat as it was in more mundane activities. Over Dr. Steele's long life, she had become efficient in both arenas using her mental prowess. Her psychokinesis could be tailored to mimic or counter his abilities should she be able to determine what they were and how to adapt. And that said nothing of her other perks. If this God should lose enough blood, she might have the opportunity to sample his powers herself for a time.

Her analysis was cut short as Darkevius hurled the tank toward her. A gloved hand balled into a fist, her forearm raised before her. Quickly shifting her shield, she formed the energy into a sharpened edge before her that invisibly tapered around her elegant white form. The telekinetic edge was roughly the width of three nanometres, growing and concentrating in intensity as it neared her person. It simulated a precision construct like those her clone Jean would create. The tank smashed into it and, like butter giving under a knife, slit in two. The two halves slid over the construct around her until gravity finally drew them down to their final resting place below the hovering woman with a crash.

She nearly growled the words through her shimmering lips. Her gaze followed the nGod to his descent to the pavement. His landing was hardly as graceful as her own usually was. And the result was devastating. His body descended like a meteor crashing into the world below. The earth quaked under his blood red boots. Alexandra's eyes darted around to see the imminent demise of the city. Her mouth curled up ferociously, pointed fangs glinting in the light. She took quick note of the way he flew through the air. It was not telekinetic flight but rather similar. Similar distortions have been seen by mutants possessing gravitational control. Delicious. It was such a potent ability, to control a basic law of nature.

Wrapping herself once more in telekinetic energy to preserve her fleshy form, the mutant vampire very similarly propelled herself after Darkevius. He was headed towards where Ivana would most likely be. Yes. This is what he had wanted. To fight the biggest bully in the yard to prove himself. To piss on the pole to mark his divine territory like a common mutt. For a god, this one was so drearily mammalian.

@katraya: @curve:

The clown's divinely powered illusion pierced the protective veil of Ivana's white vibranium hood. Shimmering, wavering like a mirage in the desert, the suit of silver armor armor mocked her, wearing the jester's face.

Her mind had been tampered with before. Attacked before. Ivana had faced more Omega level psychics than anyone else she knew. To claim the throne she had faced one of the most powerful psychics to ever draw breath. So she knew.

Nor did its sudden appearance frighten her. Instead she almost choked as rage welled up like a tidal wave.

She ignored the Orochi.

Ignored Katraya.

A single leap carried her mechanical silver armor across the throne room and she tore a silver blade from the mag-lock at her waist.

Ivana landed in front of the throne.

The armor was huge. And the blade was longer than a man was tall. Curve would have to move a long way to escape her reach.

She hacked at him in a berserk flurry. No tachyon's infused the blade, only the tireless strength of a machine as stone shattered and chips of granite flew. Regardless of Curve's survival the throne was destroyed; a single blow split it from top to bottom and the rampage of followup swings turned it into gravel.

@the_shogun:

"You sure about this kid" Strength asked a burly mutant who'd fought beside the maverick archer on multiple occasions. He was a tough man hardened by the various mutant conflicts and he was nervous. Despite being one who'd challenge the Alpha Dog for amusement the action about to be taken was a terrifying one to him. He was just a brawler he wasn't some revolutionist, and it was only because of his adoration of Alex that he dared to be here.

Beam, a violet haired dispenser of energy was next to speak up. She to was a long time companion for Alex, the three of them took on the head of the Doghouse to state how ready they were for more. She was however less experienced having moved into the shogunate as opposed to being some veteran of engagement. "Of course she is we know that." Beam may have been insane Alex wasn't sure, she'd been willing to carry out this action far sooner then anyone else. Beside her was Barrier who had no commentary to offer. It was clear he had little faith this would pan out well. Despite being one of the most out spoken for change he was a defensive player. He created force fields he was no where near ready for what was to come. All three of them though looked to Alex to know the resolution.

"To tell you the truth I'm not. This is my home. Ivana though we've spoken little I admire. And to be fair I wouldn't even say she's wrong, she wants the best for mutants but was raised to bring that through violence. She's not like Xenon who killed every human here. However she's sought to topple nations, and now those nations are clinging to her cape instead of chasing it. And in the past she targeted someone for their powers. A Savage if I'm not mistaken, so it might be more about control then equality. Fact is she's holding us back as much as any extremist." She didn't see Ivana as one of them necessarily but her past, from long ago like attacking DC, to somewhat distant attacks on someone just for their power, to recent acts like assaulting Columbia in a ultimately better conclusion though with questionable motive. The culmination of the shogunate's triumphs was a list that inspired fear and paranoia. When the most known mutant in the world was a figure of terror, the perspective on mutants would be terror.

So from a distant building an outpost on the bordering wall Alex raised her bow. Despite knowing she might be letting go of her place in Venezeula her grip was firm as an arrow was notched. Her vision was hard to rival, she had the aim to clip wings off insects. An eye that allowed her to tag speedster's, and with the aid of technology it saw through walls as well. Within the palace in armor glistening was the finest warrior perhaps the world had ever known. And Alex focused on the center of such a foe. A heart of iron that pumped a fire in the veins of someone rarely rivaled.

"I'm proud to be in the Shogunate, proud to be a mutant. But in hopes of something better for mutants I rebel." With that the arrow was released it passed down the hallway like a bullet and disappeared into a portal. As for the exit point that looked to appear between back and armor. Piercing what likely was a vibranium build wouldn't happen. With the marksmanship of hers though she looked to accurately create a portal between flesh and metal. Like a bullet in its speed the arrow looked to spear through the heart of the shogunate. The arrowhead was composed of obsidian, it's edge three nanometers thick. Surgical efficiency was the level of her arrows, a quality in piercing potential good for any arrow let alone one fired with the exosuit bolstered strength to be as fast as a bullet. There were better arrows perhaps to use, combining them with accurate teleportation though was a harder feet. More so however it felt dishonest. A warrior, a shogunate that was the foe and in a way it was cruel to aim for the back. However survival came before pride she wouldn't be much of an apex of archery if she shot point plank in plan sight.

@the_shogun:

"Ooh... Someone's edgy." Curve clicked his tongue, as he watched the Shogun advance towards him. Of course, the samurai he had constructed didn't work. It wasn't realistic enough. And the art of illusions were their undying trait to bend reality. Curve was about to summon another illusion, when all of a sudden Ivana leaped at him. Blinding speed drew a long vibranium katana and swung out towards him.

And then it was over. The Clown Prince's body, now severed into two, fell separate ways onto the ground below, blood pooling up as Curve's immortal smile now drooped to a finish, as the rest of the throne was decimated.

Or so it appeared. In reality, Curve had blocked the blow- using his titanium-mesh suit to defend himself. Granted, titanium was in no way a rival to vibranium, and the blade pierced through- slicing deep into the Clown's shoulder, and threatening to sink past into the fleshy organs within. But the illusion would hold, if only momentarily, giving Curve time to move on.

Getting out of the throne was the first step, sliding past Ivana, and going to the Palace floor. Still invisible due to his illusion, Curve now ignored @katraya, and eyed his wound. Deep. Not fatal... But deep. Grinning, Curve immediately set into action his next trick.

In a split second, the room was flooded with Ivana's. Ivana Strigidae was everywhere, everywhere that there was room to stand. Curve himself had been transformed into Ivana. All of the Orochi were turned into Ivana's. Katraya's girls were turned into Ivana's. Now, the Orochi could operate perfectly, hiding in plain sight to bring down the Shogun. But that was not what Curve wanted, no. Curve wanted Ivana to attack Katraya.

And Katraya? Katraya, along with all of her soldiers, would see nothing. No Curve. They'd only see Ivana- and just the one silver one, no less.

One of the Ivana's stepped forward to lock eyes with the original.

"Давайте играть скрыть и идти искать."

<Let's play hide and go seek.>

@katraya: @curve: @apex_:

Located in the dorsal horn of the spine there are a bundle of nerves that cause involuntary reactions to pain. If you place your hand on a red hot stove burner the pain from your hand will trigger an involuntary reaction- you will yank your hand back before your mind has a chance to make a decision.

Ivana's mutant power allowed her to sense and control the exotic partial known as tachyons. Because tachyons were negative mass particles they traveled backwards in time, not forward like particles with positive mass. She used these to 'read' the somatic nervous systems of her foes and because these particles traveled backwards in time she 'read' her foes movements before they made them.

But those particles were also used to 'read' her own nociceptors; the nerves that felt pain. This information was carried by tachyons, which traveled backwards in time. And when that pain was intense said information slammed into the nerve bundles of her dorsal horn like a pile of bricks.

She jerked, instinctively, intuitively, and without a single conscious or unconscious thought taking place. Pure spinal reflex.

Outside of the Shogun X armor she would have twitched out of the path of an arrow like a viper. But inside the heavy suit she only twisted to the side and moved about six inches.

The arrow hit her in the shoulder. Obsidian edges could be as few as three nano-meters thick. And Apex was a master archer; the arrow struck with the grain and sliced through the white fabric of the vibranium outfit. Then it pierced the thick, corded muscle of her back. Then it slammed into her scapula. Obsidian was hard and sharp, but it was brittle. It carved a groove into Ivana's bone, driven by the superhuman power of Apex's exoskeleton drawn bow. But Ivana's bones were denser than any humans and packed with iron and calcium deposits. The arrowhead splintered.

Shit.

She had to get out of the armor. It had become a liability. So she-

teleported. As she appeared on the stone floor, arrow sticking out of her shoulder and dripping blood, the room filled with replicas of herself.

Illusion guy. I hate illusion guys. Wait-

An illusionary Ivana attacked her and she spun, parrying even though something felt.. off. Her hand passed through nothingness and the mirage mocked her with its twisted, exaggerated smile.

-ahh. She could see them. Hear them. But not feel them. The illusions didn't have nervous systems. Her mutant powers couldn't read somatic systems that didn't exist.

Seven 'Ivanas' charged her. She ignored six; their weapons passed through her harmlessly. The seventh swung an Orochi katana straight down in a powerful twohanded chop. Ivana parred the blade empty handed and drove her open palm into his chest.

Tissue necrotized under her palm and spread in heartbeats, the man staggered back and tried to scream but his lungs were already ash and the realization of death appeared in his eyes a fraction of a second before they rotted and slime ran out of his sockets. He hit the floor a rotted corpse and maggots crawled out of his mouth.

She wasn't playing around anymore. The Orochi were already dead; minds and honor gone. What made a warrior was gone and only their warped bodies remained.

Two more Orochi disguised as herself charged her through the mess of illusions. The first dove forward with a thrust. She slapped his blade aside with the back of her hand, connecting just so. Vibrantions ran down the blade, waves crossing at the right angles to amplify and concentrate, narrower and narrower until they became a single point in his forearm. The radius and ulna exploded and fragments of bone sprayed everywhere. He screamed and the blade scrapped across the floor as his arm flopped like a wet fish.

The second didn't have a chance to strike. She kicked him in the belly with such force his bowels ruptured and the L3 and L4 vertebra cracked. Legs and hips paralyzed he writhed upon the ground in incomparable agony and Ivana's enhanced senses were assaulted by the stench.

If illusion clown dead.. why illusions still here?

Oh. Duh. She mentally slapped herself.

Twelve real Orochi swarmed her, blades and fist flying. The grandmaster twisted and swept between them, parrying only twice with short, simple twitches of her hand. Two crumpled into boneless heaps, casually struck dead by techniques guarded by the Strigidae for thousands of years.

But Ivana's other hand had snatched an explosive arrow. Its payload was a miniaturized thermobaric warhead, which Ivana activated with a press of her thumb.

She glanced at the leather clad warrior. If she warned Katraya it could tip off the clown, whom she presumed survived somehow and was hidden in the mob of illusions.

Eh. To make omelet, must break egg.

The arrow tumbled from her fingers. She-

teleported outside the throne room. The thermobaric warhead detonated. The force of the explosion was tremendous and trapped inside the thick stone walls of the throne room it was only amplified. Ivana felt it down to her bones; the entire fortress palace rumbled and dust filled the hallway just from the vibration.

Any other building would have been blown into oblivion instantly. But the fortress palace was built to survive the onslaught of a hundred armies and a thousand superhuman foes; the throne room most of all. And so it endured, the tight confines of the throne room only serving to focus the deadly blast into heat and force with the potential to completely obliterated any living thing within it.

Even if her enemies survived the Orochi would be cleansed of their dishonor. Down to the molecule.

Katraya had no warning, before she could take much of an action Ivana was cutting down the Orochi...and then she vanished and the world exploded. The titanic force of the explosion did two things almost at the same moment. First, it completely destroyed her leather clothing. Her armor was already gone, rendered useless by the fighting in space and then crashing into the ground. For the second time in a surprisingly short amount of months she literally had the clothes blown off her body. Less than half a heart beat later the shock wave picked her up and sent her across the room like a toy. She slammed into the hugely thick walls without mercy, the wall cracked under the force of the impact.

The third thing to happen to her, even as she was falling to the ground, was a massive heat wave that should have destroyed an already dead body...but fortunately she had already engaged gene-lock durability level 3. The result was that she was thrown across the room by an explosion that should have liquefied her organs with its force and then hit with a wave of heat that should of reduced her to ashes. Instead she was left slumped against the wall, blinded by the flash of the explosion. She stirred slowly as the smoke cleared, her body bruised and battered but quite alive thanks to her genetic durability. Her regenerative gene lock repaired the damage to her eyes by the time she stood up.

She calmly pushed her hair back behind her ears again and took in the scene of the ruined but still standing thrown room. She felt her batons but found her clothing had been destroyed and the batons along with them. Well then. She thought, shaking her head a little to clear it of the fog created by being thrown into a rather durable wall. She walked out of the palace calmly, heading down the stairs at a deliberate pace, completely unconcerned by her nudity. One of her sisters approached her to make certain she was ok.

"Get me a gun." She said calmly. The sister nodded, drew her own OVK and handed it over. Katraya made sure there was a round in the chamber with the calm deliberation of someone at a gun range on a nice sunny day. "Thank you." She said and then her eyes locked with Ivana. "I suspect you still have a clown problem." She said with a slightly inclination of the head back towards the building. She crossed the rest of the distance down the stairs and snapped her fingers. One of her sisters approached and handed her a combat baton. She put her hand through the leather strap at the bottom so it would have somewhere to rest now that her belt was gone. She waited now, waited for someone to shoot.