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“They won't survive…” Lord Arcanon chuckles to himself. Thankfully he wasn't angry about being woken up in the middle of the night. He usually is pretty grumpy. “Now… I'm going back to bed. Please, wake me if anything-”
“They broke through the barrier.” Wrench mutters.
“What.” Lord Arcanon whips around and looks at the security system, they just… breezed right through the damn thing! How?! That’s impossible! “How… whatever. We're clearly dealing with something more powerful than we first believed. Prepare for a fight!” Lord Arcanon yells rushing away to grab the dark energem. Everyone rushes around preparing for an attack on the ship. Making sure every alarm, trap and weapon is in tip top shape.
The security systems start blazing. All of the base's defenses start tearing through the enemy ship trying to destroy it. Eventually the ship stops moving all together. Something or someone has entered Lord Arcanon's base.
“They broke through the defenses!” Fury says as the crashing and fighting gets closer. Until the doors break down. There stands a formidable alien. Dressed in armour from head to toe. Not an inch of skin being shown. Carrying a massive claymore as a weapon. Her face is covered by a mask, only a simple flag sticks out of the helmet. Watching Lord Arcanon for any sudden movements.
“Lord Arcanon” she says. Lord Arcanon steps up and hums to himself.
“Vàlka…” Lord Arcanon responds. Vàlka… another warlord, clearly hungry for power since she heard Lord Arcanon had the energems. Lord Arcanon was… expecting this. Just not so soon.“I believe I know why you're here? You want the energems don't you?” Lord Arcanon questions. Singe grabs his sword, making sure Vàlka won't try anything funny.
“Isn't it obvious? You have ultimate power… and I want it. Many warlords do. However, I think I will be the first to take it!” She says pulling out her claymore and swinging for Lord Arcanon. Lord Arcanon jumps back and the claymore smashes into the ground causing the ship to shake. “She's moving fast!” Singe says pulling out his sword and aiming to stab or at least break some of Vàlka’s armour. She immediately retaliates by pulling her claymore out of the ground and slamming it into Singe's chest, sending him flying away.
“Get the dark energem! His right hand is down!” Vàlka yells, immediately some of her minions rush in but get blasted back by Doomwing. “Don't just stand there! Get rid of those minions!” Lord Arcanon orders. The fight starts. Singe grunts and gets up holding the massive scar on his chest to keep it from bleeding as much as it is.
“This shall be your end.” Lord Arcanon holds up his hand. In an instant a massive scythe flies and Lord Arcanon catches it pointing it at Vàlka. “Surrender now… or your blood will spill here.” Vàlka scoffs and throws her claymore onto her shoulder. Cocky, smart, ruthless, they're just some of the words to describe her.
“I would like to see you try!” Vàlka swings her claymore again, only to miss and slam it into a wall. Lord Arcanon dodging to the side, seeing an opening he takes his chance and swings his scythe. Taking a piece of her armour. Vàlka steps back and smirks. Only a chip.
“Impressive.” she mutters before charging in again. They clash weapons bringing them to the ground. Vàlka manages to kick Lord Arcanon in the side only getting a grunt in response. Before Sledge blasts her from behind. “Lucky shot!” She yells before getting slammed in the head by Arcanon's scythe. She staggers back holding her head. Her armour is only getting chipped, not broken.
“You're as tough as they say…” she murmurs. “Perhaps they've even downplayed you. No matter. That won't stop me! Vàlka grabs her claymore again. Determined to take down Lord Arcanon. Nothing will stop her. They clash weapons again. Lord Arcanon swings his scythe around blocking the attacks. Singe aims his blaster and starts hammering into Vàlka’s armour.
“It's barely denting! Nothing is breaking this damn armour!” Singe yells. This time Vàlka grabs her shield from her back and starts blocking the laser shots. Doomwing tries swinging at her but gets knocked away when Vàlka slams him back with her shield and swings Wrench away with her claymore almost taking his arm off.
“Just give me the dark energem Lord Arcanon… and then this will all be over!” Lord Arcanon gets up. Until someone else comes in. Dressed in complete lab gear from head to toe. Green skin, big droopy ears, six lavender colored eyes, a maniac smile on her face when she pulls the mask down. Short blue hair, and small wings that can't lift her off the ground like they once could. She looks like a human gone completely wrong. She's wielding a… gatling gun. “Dont worry Vàlka! I'll deal with them quickly!” Plexer, Vàlka’s assistant. Lover if you will. Mad scientist. Fury charges forward, meanwhile Plexer loads and starts firing the gatling gun. Fury rushes around trying to dodge as many bullets. Changing his sword, striking Plexer down with lightning. But getting blasted back by the bullets themselves.
“Nice going furball! Just charge a damn gatling gun!” Singe calls out as Fury gets up shaking his head. “Shut up flame head!”
“Just grab anyone and take the dark energem.” Vàlka orders. Plexer nods and starts nudging the group trying to find the best candidate. Until coming up against Curio. “Well hello there sweetheart! Aren't you adorable!” Curio stands there innocently holding his toy hammer, before starting to swing. “Ow! Ow! Kid! Ouch! Stop it! Augh! Ow ow!” Poisandra gets up and rushes behind Plexer, raising her axe to bring down on her. Until Vàlka runs over sensing the attack and blocks it. Kicking away Poisandra and then Curio she scoffs.
“I'm surprised. I thought they were stronger than this.” Lord Arcanon huffs and mutters something under his breath. They were just holding back, that's all. Plexer and Vàlka walk around until grabbing Snide. “Hm… he seems good to run some tests with the dark energem.” Plexer walks over to Lord Arcanon… reaches down to grab the dark energem before hearing a hiss. “Hm?” Lord Arcanon doesn't move. Plexer reaches down again. Another hiss, louder. “What was-” in an instant something comes shooting out of Arcanon's sleeve and bites into Plexer. “Augh! No no! Get it off! GET IT OFF!!!!” She screams. Lord Arcanon laughs as Serpentera bites down on Plexer. Arcanon's snake… injected with chemicals to make Serpentera's bite extremely painful and deadly.
“Release her… let her live, just suffer.” Lord Arcanon says gently picking up Serpentera and wrapping her around his shoulders. “You're lucky I decided to go easy on you… trust me. I will return.”
Once they left. Some vivixs started patching up the group.
“Lord Arcanon… why? Why did you… let them take Snide?!” Singe asks somehow, still having consciousness… and not screaming in pain. “Oh my dear Singe…” Lord Arcanon mutters gently, grabbing his chin and smiling. “Let them assume I'm weak… make the other warlords think they have a chance… they'll come here and learn the truth.” Lord Arcanon says. Singe nods, and Doomwing looks over. “My damn brother got kidnapped and you two are flirting?!” He yells, making Lord Arcanon scoff. “No flirting. Just… explaining the plan. Get your head out of the gutter.”
“I got almost sliced in half for a plan…” Singe mutters as Lord Arcanon walks away. “You've been stabbed to protect me before? What's the difference now?” Lord Arcanon says condescendingly. Singe tenses up and shakes his head. “Nothing my lord! Nothing nothing!” He says making Lord Arcanon turn again.
****
“Well look at you!” Plexer says walking around. Snide was… well kidnapped. Tied up in a chair, cloth in his mouth, he was just glaring at them. He won't try anything… not yet… not without knowing intentions first. “Aren't you a sight for sore eyes huh? Created by a Lord Arcanon… the dark energem! I'm surprised by how weak he was!” Plexer speaks. So cheery… so annoying. She's getting on Snide's nerves just by the voice.
“So… what can you tell us about the dark energem?” Vàlka says, stepping closer and getting a dagger up to Snide's neck. Snide stays silent. Vàlka rips up the cloth out of his mouth. “Well? Go on…” she says. Snide again, stays silent. Simply shrugging in response. Making Vàlka start to lose her temper. “Damnit! Just talk!” She yells as Plexer sighs. “Calm down dear… please.”
Vàlka grabs a dagger from the nearby table and grabs Snide by the throat aiming the weapon right at his eye. “You will answer my fucking questions… or I will make sure you will never see again. Now. What do you know about the dark energem?” Snide again is silent. He won't speak, he isn't an idiot who spatters his mouth the moment a weapon is drawn.
“You wouldn't dare.” he says. Vàlka narrows her eyes under the helmet. She stands back up and walks away before returning with a hammer. “You'll start talking. Let me ask a different question.”
“What do you know about Lord Arcanon?” Snide is quiet as a mouse. Even when the hammer comes down, breaking one of his fingers. He barely flinches. “I won't answer that.” He repeats again. Plexer sighs, this is going to be a lot harder than they first anticipated. Not to mention Plexer is already in pain from being bitten by that snake… it's only getting worse.
“You are insufferable! Just… What did that snake do to Plexer?!” Vàlka shouts. Snide sits up a little. “Serpentera? Oh… Arcanon's prize possession… next to Singe being horribly manipulated of course. Somehow… Lord Arcanon managed to make his snake’s bite so powerful in just a couple of seconds, the person would die. However… since you got off easily. You will be suffering for a while. Aches and pains, nausea to vomit, cloudy mind and vision, even hallucinations, then you'll get paralyzed… and then finally pass away. It'll take around a week of course.
“Is there a cure?” Plexer asks, already feeling the symptoms of the bite. “Of course there is. Only Lord Arcanon has it… I doubt he'll be giving it to Plexer.” Vàlka, enraged by this information, simply stops thinking straight; she grabs the hammer and starts smashing Snide's head, neck, body, anywhere she can to do damage to him. For once Snide couldn't help but scream in agony. Hearing his own bones crushed and his blood spill the floor. “You will get that cure you hear me?! You will! Listen to me! You will!” She screams over and over again as Snide's screams slowly turn to a halt.
“Vàlka stop! Stop!” Plexer calls out grabbing the hammer away as Snide was beaten black and blue. “Oh… Lord Arcanon is going to kill us!” She says tossing the hammer away. “Calm down! He won't do anything… Lord Arcanon is weak… we'll be okay darling I promise.” Vàlka mutters gently, holding Plexer’s face. “We'll find the cure… I'll tear it off his dead body if I have to… just… just hold on okay?” Plexer nods feeling the effects of the venom, but stays strong. She swears she's hearing things… seeing them as well.
“What are we gonna do about… him?” Plexer says. Snide was limp, drenched in his own blood, his skull was cracked, he was unresponsive. Most likely unconscious… or dead. “Well… we just need to dispose of the-” ear piercing music started playing from somewhere. A trumpet no less. Plexer and Vàlka immediately cover their ears.
“What's that noise?!” Plexer says, holding her ears tighter. “I don't know… you stay here. I'll find them.” Vàlka says rushing off, leaving Plexer behind. “Where are they…. That music is killing me!” Vàlka shouts, guards rush by trying to find the culprit of the noise. Plexer… looks at Snide, who occasionally twitches. “Lord Arcanon… if he finds this he'll kill me….” She mutters, hearing something in the dark hallway. “Huh? Vàlka? Is that you?” She calls out. Walking out of the cell and looking around.
“Vàlka?”
~~~~
“There you are!” Vàlka yells, pulling out her claymore. Conductro and Screech turn to look at her. “Keep playing Screech! This music is wonderful!” Conductro says. Screech keeps playing the ear piercing music. Vàlka charges them and barely misses taking them both down. “Stop the damn music!” She yells covering her ears again as the music gets louder. She grabs her claymore again and viciously swings at them just to make the music stop
“Stop it! Stop the music!” She yells over and over again. Missing every one of her swings. She can't focus, the music is killing her. Her head is pounding. “Just stop playing the music!” They don't listen. “Keep playing Screech! Lord Arcanon will be so happy!” Conductro says. Screech again keeps playing
Vàlak was destroying her own ship to stop the music. Her ears were ringing and bleeding. She couldn't hear herself think. “Make it stop! Just stop!” Vàlka screams madly swinging around her claymore as Conductro and Screech run around taunting her. Vàlka, fed up with this horrid game, throws her claymore. Screech jumps out of the way, but the sacrifice of his trumpet. It's silent. For once.
“Oh… Lord Arcanon will be so sad! His favorite musicians can't play anymore!” Conductro says, Screech looks down and shakes his head. “I don't care about Lord Arcanon… where is he?!” Vàlka shouts in their faces. “Lord Arcanon? I believe he's where Snide is kept!” Conductro backs up. Plexer.
“Plexer… PLEXER!” Vàlka takes off running. She can't hear anything, her ears are still ringing and bleeding now. “PLEXER!!!! PLEXER ANSWER ME!!!!” Once Vàlka breaks into the cell again. She was horrified. Lord Arcanon was there. Holding Snide gently. One hand pressing on the head wound, his eyes dark and horrified with what he sent Snide through. Snide's body laid against him, as his legs occasionally twitch out in agony. Lord Arcanon doesn't even glance at Plexer or Vàlka, he's more focused on what he's done. On the other hand, Singe has Plexer on the ground. Serpentera, around his arm ready to bite.
“Take one more step… I dare you.” Singe says as Serpentera hisses, Plexer struggles to get out his grip. “Let her go.” Singe smiles. “Why would I? It only takes one bite… a couple drops of venom… it'll have her rolling on the floor suffocating. You wouldn't want that would you?” Singe tilts his head. “If you try hurting me… Snide or Lord Arcanon… Serpentera is faster. You can only watch as she withers and twitches in agony. Her death will be slow… painful… just how I like it.”
“You're a sick man.” Vàlka responds, Plexer watches silently. “I was taught by the best… and now he'll rule the universe. Perhaps you and your little scientist will be there as well? No more power… perhaps your ashes will be spread as just a reminder to anyone who dares crossing Lord Arcanon.” Singe chuckles to himself, a raspy laugh something clearly happened to make him sound like that. “Now… if you and Plexer want to live, drop the claymore.” Vàlka stands there. “Have I discovered your weakness? You're no better than a worthless human. Drop it.” Singe commands as Serpentera hisses.
Finally making Vàlka drop her claymore. “Good… good.” Serpentera closes her mouth as Singe tosses Plexer away. Getting weaker and weaker. “Arrest them please. Conducto, Screech.” Singe says turning to Lord Arcanon and gently getting the paralyzed warlord back on his feet and getting Snide taken away. “What about the cure? For the venom!?" Plexer calls out only making Singe flick his tail. “Perhaps Lord Arcanon will give it to you… when you're suffering more. For now? You'll be fine.”
After a couple days, Lord Arcanon happily found his perfect spot for the castle. Snide ended up surviving the ordeal only having a massive scar on his head and a couple on his body, with bandages and casts. Lord Arcanon managed to give Plexer the cure… but they're still locked away in a cell. Every warlord who tries challenging Lord Arcanon fails. Arrested, or simply killed. No one can match his might. His new empire will reflect that. The ashes of his fallen victims lay in the new courtyard.
Perhaps only one can stand up to Lord Arcanon now.