[Coolshaymin]

The area of the Black Market Kokonoe designated was... darker than most of the areas in the Life Sphere. There was dark sethir trails leading into a dark tunnel that seemed to lead underground as wel as sethir along the walls of the dark alley. It's quite clear how unsafe this place was, but also very clear who lived here. "... This is where he hides alright. I hope we can bring him back," Litchi stated as she stared down the hole before Tager put an arm in front of her and nodded his head for her stand back... Yeah, no telling if he'll jump out.

"Don't worry, Litchi, I am sure we can bring him back. We have Isonus and Kokonoe working together. I am sure we can do this," Celica tried to reassure, Minerva having her back to what.... looked like the only clean section of the wall, her eyes not being taken off the hole. "... Yeah, you're right. If Hazama can make a cure this should not be that big a deal. Alright, we can do this. Word on the others, Tager?" Litchi tried to bring her mind back to determination, luckily Celica's warm smile and gentle demeanor was pretty... contagious.

"Yes, they should be arriving shortly. Leave Hakumen to Richter, he might be able to persuade him to help us. At the very least he'll certainly be a competent distraction," Tager stated as he checked a watch function on his arm. "... If you say so. The quicker we can get to Lotte the better," Litchi replied. "... I am not sure I feel right leaving Richter behind," Celica stated with concern. "Richter is from a clan of trained vampire hunters. If they are anything like Rachel, I am sure he can handle it."

Ready?

GO!

Litchi Faye Ling HP:130 MAX Shield HP:40 MAX Status: Normal	Celica A. Mercury HP:130 Shield HP:40 Status: Normal

[Deleted]

The sinister crawling of the demons in the dark would shirk their eyes to the arrival of the thing far worse than any before them. Isonus had prepared for this day since Kokonoe first revealed the nature of Arakune to him. Sympathetic to the very target he was hunting, and faithful as the aphotic tides, there came the Grandmaster himself, done into his garb of war, and power surging like no other. His very presence demanded the utmost respect, and one might not even recognize him if not for the familiar, dark chill that permeated when he let his power be known. Unlike his adorable, fatherly demeanor outside of the call of duty, Isonus was very stalwart and serious this time around. This was beyond severe. This could threaten the very balance of everything about him.

Five vials were strapped to his hip on the right side, as the paternal thaumaturge approached the two women here this day. His leering gaze could be felt from under that wide brimmed hat, but slowly, it petered out, kinder sensations from under that hood as those orange irises finally honed in on Litchi and Celica. His cordial bow, and fairweather greeting was the final giveaway that this was, indeed, Isonus. "Miss Litchi, Miss Celica, good day. I trust we're ready." His voice was gone of most geniality, replaced instead with a complete sense of duty and certainty. This plan was after all, partly his formation. The five brews of Sanis were to ensure that if Arakune was able to be subdued and purged, that they could last long enough for his golems (which sadly were STILL not combat ready) to bring more brews for the poor beast. 

"For him, there is but one outcome this day - defeat. By what means we will find out, but I assure you I do not intend to fail."

The Grandmaster Isonus
HP: 130
Status: Fine
Sanis Brews Remaining: 5
Cooldowns: None

[Therider]

The bright light of fire appeared, and in seconds a blue wall of flames erupted in front of the group. And as the party recoiled and shielded their eyes, none other appeared Richter Belmont. Carefully stowing the empty vial of Holy Water he may or may not have used for the flashy effect, Richter bowed humbly to all present and extended a hand for Isonus to shake. The young man was visibly excited for this; it had been far too long since his last encounter with evil, and this fight ahead seemed to be the very thing he needed as a first warm up to prepare for Dracula.

"Hail, all. I apologize for my tardiness, I needed a few more supplies than I already had." Richter lifted a part of his shirt to reveal at least a dozen vials of holy water littered across his chest. "We should be able to keep him contained in a circle of fire, despite his teleportation. And the Vampire Killer has a desire to fight for the light once more."

Richter's hand reaches for his whip and extends it. Holding the barbed head in his hands, Richter thought of his moment of weakness, and the evil his holy weapon had been made to suffer through as he worked under Shaft's influence. But they would be fighting for a righteous cause; A monster could be restored, much like how he was once restored. And if need be... He would fight the creature. And it would die.

On his dignity as a Belmont it must be so.

"And now we wait for the Shade Animal..."

Richter Belmont

HP:150 MAX Shield HP:50 MAX Status: Ready and Willing

[cynda1]

Of course Shadow would be brought along on this mission! After all, it was his powers Arakune was using now, so how could the Ultimate Lifeform not be involved? This situation was rather serious now. If he was able to copy his Chaos Spear AND Chaos Control, there was no telling what else this creature was capable of. The hedgehog shouldn't have been so rash when he launched his Chaos Spear, and now he was somehow the last to arrive at their destination? There certainly was something wrong with Shadow...

Well, the hedgehog was trying to think through their options. Certainly everyone was either alright with strictly saving the beast, or killing it if need be. Shadow, on the other hand, was a bit on the fence. Mercy wasn't Shadow's strong suit. If he felt like it was just to bring vengeance upon those who deserved it, that was something that the hedgehog was more than willing to do. That feeling, however, had always painted him as a sort of hypocrite no matter how good his intentions ever were. But that wasn't the only thing that seemed to complicate things for Shadow. 

No, the real complication lied with the prospect that they wouldn't be able to save this creature from the darkness within him. What would that mean for others like him that were trapped? What would that mean for all of the infected surrounding the Life Sphere? What would that mean for... Sonic? Frankly, Shadow didn't care for thinking these thoughts. Thinking about Sonic's situation as much as he had had proved to be far too much of a distraction than a motivation, at least in this case. Sonic had nothing to do with this situation! The only reason Shadow was even there was to teach the monster a lesson about who's powers they should copy, and he knew his own powers the best anyway.

"I'm right over here," Shadow stated, ignoring the "Shade Animal" name Richter kept referring to him as. Frankly, Shadow gave up on trying to tell him otherwise, and besides, at least the guy didn't try to treat him with disrespect or anything usually. "My fault. I seemed to have... let my lack of familiarity with this world get the better of me..." In other words, Shadow struggled to find the Black Market where they agreed to meet at. Honestly, this was rarely a problem for the Ultimate Lifeform, except his mind was a bit... preoccupied at the moment.

Whatever they were going to do, they'd best have done it fast. The longer they waited, the stronger the beast would become, and the worst thing to happen would have been a situation where no one could stop him. Shadow huffed and crossed his arms over his chest. "Alright, so do we have a plan yet? We've wasted enough time as it is. The sooner we get this done and over with, the better." Says the guy who showed up last... typical Shadow is typical.

---

Shadow
Health: 150
Shield: 50
Status: Somewhat Distracted
Cooldowns: None

[Coolshaymin]

Tager looked to Isonus's Arrival before looking back to the pit that Arakune has called home. This place reeked of sethir, they had to take care of it before it was properly discovered. Celica and Litchi turned to their ally who was...  very serious looking but this was a serious problem. "... Yeah, I understand... his... problem won't expand to this planet any further..." Litchi stated, looking down, the aunt of Kokonoe put her hand on Litchi's Shoulder with a reassuring smile before looking to Richter. "Yeah, together we can stop him. You, Isonus, Shadow, Litchi, Tager and I can turn him back to normal.

The large Red Devil looked to Shadow at his inquiry of a plan. "... Of course. First you need to make sure Hakumen does not interefere with the mission. After that, you and Richter will keep Arakune busy while Celica prepares to cancel out his energy and Bang will strike at that moment with his nail to keep the monster pinned. Litchi here will try to bring back the consciousness of the doctor back to the monster's forefront temporarily to make the task of curing him more likely to hold. Isonus will then take the moment to try the antadote. Should the plan be compromised in any sense, you will need to turn Arakune into a trophy so we can keep him at Sector Seven. I will guard the entrance, call me with these should the situation turn bad," Tager took out two small devices and tossed them to Richter and Shadow before turning back to the hole.

".... Well, no time like the present. Let's get this over with, once and for all," the doctor declared after Tager's explanation before heading down into the hole, Celica and Minerva following after her, Celica being held in the robot's hands to protect her from the Sethir. "............." The tunnel, full of black sethir along the wall and multi-colored bugs cawling around was contrasted by a warrior of pure white. ".... Hakumen, I know how you think and... just give us a chance," Litchi pleaded. "........... A chance? There is no saving a monster like him. You are merely delaying fate, not denying. Now, come at me with all you have and show me your resolve!"

"I am the white void. I am the cold steel. I am the just sword. With blade in hand shall I reap the sins of this world and cleanse it in the fires of destruction. I am Hakumen. The end has come!" the white soldier recited, Litchi getting into stance as every sentence caused the area to shake with his massive power before trembling as he released his power, fighting with everything, holding nothing back as he went into Unlimited Hakumen state, a white aura surrounding him.

Litchi Faye Ling HP:130 MAX Shield HP:40 MAX Status: Normal	Celica A. Mercury HP:130 MAX Shield HP: 40 Max Status: Normal

Unlimited Hakumen

HP: 300

Shield HP: 75

Status: Unlimited Hakumen (3: For 3 turns he will have an immunity to secondary effects and no cooldowns, can be counteracted by dispel or Mental Status Effects)

Abilities: White Void: All Status Durations are half of max for Hakumen

Full Concentration:  Hakumen may use a counter to one attack per turn of his choice, canceling out the move and dealing high damage, if he is mentally debilitated this effect does nothing.

Justified: All his attacks deal 10% more damage against Evil Beings or those that use Dark Powers but 5% less to those that use Holy Techniques or are Good Aligned, though the former effect takes priority and overwrites the 2nd one.

[Deleted]

"I cannot stand the ramblings of this 'holy' puppet." Just as Hakumen began speaking about 'sin', Isonus interjects impatiently, letting his dark aura flow. Impatience wasn't part of Isonus's normal composure, but this was clearly something else, a dark was stirring within him, an evil was crawling through his veins. A pure power, a pure terror. It was as though Isonus's aura was flaring up, if he even had an aura to begin with, not just some Essentus soaked soul that bled out at any given twitch of his body. Every ounce of his being was driven, determined to cut this fool down at his core. Before then, Isonus passes the vials of Sanis to Litchi, nodding quietly. She knew how to use it. Splash to the face to wake up the mad soul within and free it from the dark. 

"If this moronic ideologue decides he's going to slay me for the happenstance of my rebirth, and the nature of my soul, you'll know. Now, may we take care of this nuisance nonviolently?" The emphasis on nuisance was holding fast to his ideology of the only absolute in the world being grey shades, no blacks or whites. No rights or wrongs. Just motives, ideologies, and the vanquished of ambition's reach. His eyes darted to and fro beneath that hat, analyzing his surroundings at once, and how he could possibly use the fetid stench of the Sethir to his advantage. He had no wind runes or incantations available. Damn. Time to do this the old fashioned way. With bolts, claws, and wards. That is, of course, if this other plan didn't work.

"You rambling bauble of the idols, listen. There are no rights or wrongs, justices or injustices anymore. There is only ambition, willpower, and action to get there. Ideologies are just useless justification. Before you attempt to tell me how the world has harmed you somehow, or you're trying to stand up for those who cannot fight, shut up." If he could talk his way out of this, the easier it'd be. "I've been a hero in past lives, those I can remember, anyways, and I was killed for blindly following an ideology. Countless times. By sheer willpower I returned from the grave. I even took wrest of godhood. You walk dangerously close to this path of falling from grace, Hakumen. You're blind. You won't listen to me, though, you're going to blindly flail about, swing your sword like you've some sort of purpose." Isonus was sneering now... He crosses his arms again, and rolls his neck, palpably smiling, even beneath the garb and veils he wore, to conceal himself from this world. "Would you believe me if I said I fought for this world, too? I've a certain love for mortalkind, an indecipherable urge to defend all that rightly belongs on the world? You agree with me on this front, if you're inclined to hear my truth, your hollow ramblings prove it." Now the coup de grace... "Even if we cannot turn Arakune back to his previous incarnation, and wrest control of his body again, we'll need you as our backup plan. Let us fail, if we're preordained to fight him. Don't let more souls that would fight with you die."

"Each one of us allied to you is one less he can devour."

The Grandmaster Isonus

HP: 130

Status: Attempting to persuade a rock.

Sanis Brews Remaining: 5

Cooldowns: None

[Therider]

Ah, so this... This was Hakumen's power. The two warriors had met briefly when Hakumen had warned the group of their impending showdown. Ironically, Richter felt strongly the truth in Hakumen's words. What if the party did fail, and Arakune was able to escape and continue to wreak havoc on the Life Sphere? What if... What if Maria was hurt? Or Rhyme, or any of the others he had grown to protect? The thought clenched Richter's mind as he clenched his fist. Arakune must be stopped, this much was known by the group. But... the vampire hunter could not shake the feeling if this failed... 

No. They would not fail. Isonus was on their side, as well as Shadow and Sector Seven. A team like this was nigh unstoppable. And Richter would not let them be held back from accomplishing their goal by this warrior of notable skill. 

Isonus spoke, aggressively insulting Hakumen for his beliefs and stance in this fight. Richter was quiet during his companion's speech, but remembered that warriors do not listen much to words. Their ears listen for the clanging of steel and the cutting of flesh. Perhaps it was only because of the time Richter spend hunting monsters that he began to feel the same. But in any case, the man stepped forward once Isonus fell quiet.

"Your words ring true, Hakumen. Perhaps the foul beast has not a chance in any hell or heaven to be restored. But it would make a hypocrite of me to not even attempt! Forces beyond my control compelled my body to unleash the very evils I was sworn to destroy, and I live with this regret to this day. But..."

Richter paused, reaching for the Vampire Killer and holding it outward. "Now I understand that we have a chance to see if one man's mistake can truly be rectified. If we can save one soul from the fires of sin. In your future, the others may have failed. But I do not imagine your future counted for your arrival at Li. Or ours."

Richter then swung his arm wide, and the whip's spiked head extended stretching across the ground. "But if I know your heart, Hakumen, then perhaps our words mean nothing to you. If you truly wish to destroy Arakune, then I must stand in your way; I will be your opponent, and I challenge you to one-on-one combat!. Come then, and face the pride and power of the Belmont Clan!"

A quick glance to those behind him shared the message etched on his face: GO. NOW. I will handle this.

Richter, turning back, smirked, but internally stewed. This was the plan that Tager had mentioned; Richter now was little more than bait to distract Hakumen. But... This challenge... Was it a foolish mistake? Could he really handle the might of Hakumen and allow the others to continue onward? The vampire hunter did not know, but one thing ringed true through all of this... How would he be expected to defeat Dracula if a single holy swordsman gave him trouble?

No matter. Now was the time for steel to meet steel, and the passion of battle to communicate their deepest truths. And Richter Belmont stood and rose to the challenge.

Richter Belmont

HP:150/150  Shield HP:50 MAX Status: Extending a Challenge

[cynda1]

Shadow the hedgehog, being the last of the group to arrive, was also the last of the group to bring up his own concern. What more was there to say? The hedgehog certainly didn’t want to be redundant, since it seemed as though Isonus and Richter handled their points just fine. Though, perhaps Isonus could have handled it with a little more tact, Shadow had to admit to himself that he might’ve been able to do little better should he not have understood Hakumen’s point of view.

But Shadow did. Far too well. In fact, the very reason he himself was even helping this cause was… quite confusing. Everyone around him seemed quite confident in their cause, with the now recent development that perhaps Richter didn’t hold as much confidence as he led on. This creature, Arakune, didn’t seem to have a shred of hope in him, and if one were to ask Shadow for his honest opinion, in most cases, he would have thought that the most merciful thing to do for the poor creature was to end his existence in the world.

Irrespective of the people that could be injured should this fail, the amount of turmoil this creature was in wasn’t an existence most could handle. What good would it do to try and prolong this inevitable suffering? What good would allowing this creature to stew in his own existence be?

No. Shadow only had one real reason for joining this cause, one reason to open his mind to the slight possibility that there was hope to free this creature’s mind and soul: Sonic. The blue hedgehog seemed to be pursuing some unfortunate goals that is causing everyone who knew him to scratch their heads, not least of these being Shadow himself. This recent development, in fact, had rocked Shadow’s world so badly that although he continued to try and help others, he couldn’t trust others the same way he trusted Sonic. Who’s to say they wouldn’t end up the same way?

But if this creature could be saved, if Arakune could be persuaded the same way Shadow once was… Maybe Sonic could be as well. It was flawed logic, and perhaps the hedgehog was just grasping at straws, but he’d do his best to ensure the most successful scenario possible.

“...Hakumen,” Shadow finally spoke up after both Richter and Isonus had their fill. “I feel as though this confrontation is as much of a waste of our time as the words I’m about to say right now, since you’re probably set in your ways… But if you’re so worried about this monster escaping and causing havoc, what do you think this confrontation is doing? If we face the creature now, at least we’ll ensure that something is being done about it, but how many people do you think are going to be harmed as we fight among ourselves? You want to protect everyone, we want to protect everyone, we want the best for everyone. This confrontation is bringing up the same result as what would happen if we fail, only you’re not even giving us a chance to try. If your willing to waste time on this fight… What’s so wrong about giving this plan a try?”

Shadow scoffed. That was much more than he wanted to say, but the hedgehog wanted the chance to avoid as much of a conflict as possible. Shadow wasn’t afraid to fight Hakumen, but there was still the fact that this would only waste their time, allowing Arakune to wreak havoc, something Hakumen claimed he was trying to avoid. Was this really something the soldier wanted them to fight over? They’d destroy themselves before they would even face the real enemy, and then what? That would fall on their conscience, but especially Hakumen’s.

“No Richter.” Shadow spoke up as he stepped forward. “I admit, your courage is admirable, but I can tell this isn’t a fight you can win alone. Hakumen will be dealt with much more swiftly if we work together…” Shadow paused, his eyes softening ever so slightly at Hakumen. “But only if you insist that it has to be this way.” The hedgehog left it at that as he awaited Hakumen’s response. Unlike Richter, and despite his instincts telling him otherwise, Shadow didn’t stance himself for battle, hoping that somehow showing his genuine understanding of Hakumen’s position would help sway an alliance rather than a battle.

Certainly not Shadow’s preferred method, but it was better than wasting time they could have been using actually trying to stop the monster.

[Coolshaymin]

Hakumen seemed to stare intently at Isonus, even as his aura flared around him, yet he did not strike, not yet, his mind was calm, his manners stoic. ".... As that may be, your earlier words reek of arrogance and assumptions. I have no intent refer this world has harmed me for it has done no such thing. As for those that can not defend themselves, such weakness holds no ground either. I have one purpose here and my role here is to prevent a catastrophe, that is the part I was assigned to play and although I serve no one you know not the consequences of your actions. The truth lies in that I shall not listen to one that does not think of the difference if he can and if he should," Hakumen put forth, Celica was quiet, just listening to the conversation for now. Litchi on the other hand looked like she was about to add her two cents to that last comment before being cut off.

".... You, Belmont, you raise a point that I agree with but here's my arguement. What if this was never a mistake to begin with..." Hakumen looked pointedly at Litchi who just flinched and looked down. ".... Do any of you know the Grimalkin's intent or the truth for that matter? You call me blind and yet you do not even know the full story. That is why I am here," Hakumen reiterated. Celica looked at the down looking Litchi, still offering no words, a fight has not started yet but Hakumen still needed some convincing...

"....." Hakumen's cold gaze focused on Shadow.... "...." Hakumen paused and moved his hand away from his sword, though just slightly as he sheathed it, turning back around. ".......... Tell me, do you four really think you can accept the reprecussions if 'saving' the black beast results in disaster? That man's path leading him to cause havoc even though you thought you were making a good hearted choice? If you all can make me believe that those close to you are worth the risk then I shall move. If I sense a moment of falter in your words, I will correct your actions myself," the white knight stated bluntly. ".... Even if that woman gets in your way should your mistake be needed of rectifying as is inevitable," the mysterious man added, giving a glance to Litchi. Apparently when he said 4 he was intentionally not counting her. "........" Celica remained quiet, waiting for the others to speak. She would provide her own words if she felt it necessary but right now she thought it best to hold her opinion.