3rd kill | video/action;

[justiceerror]

[...well, this sure is a sight, isn't it? battler has no choice, he knew he would be going against his master's wishes by making this broadcast- but he was desperate. he had been searching for her for a while now, well over a day, and he couldn't find her at all. the storm had blown into genessia, it took over and the blizzard was everywhere. it was thick, harsh, and absolutely freezing. it hadn't bothered him, his strength and magic was enough for him to be fine, but the icy cold was harsh enough to bite at his skin.

was there magic involved with the blizzard...? there's no way something natural would ever affect him.

so, his master was missing. he needed to find her, she was his only purpose now, and without her he felt completely empty. he was always just meant to be a husk of a man, but without his master at his side he felt the need to just give up. he needed her.

the broadcast clicks on with battler's face, a genuine frown spread across his features, and he he seems to be covered in snow. the bits of white contrasted with the purple color of his suit, and even the tips of his hair appeared to be frozen.]

....I wouldn't be doing this if I didn't genuinely need.... assistance. [he knows what this means too, that people will attack him, that they won't hear him at all- but as long as his master will be safe he simply doesn't care.]

My master has gone missing and I cannot even sense her. Usually I would know where she is at all times, I would be able to teleport to her if she ever called on me... however she is... simply gone. She cannot be dead- I would know that for sure but... I know she is in danger as well.

You all have your grudges with me, I understand, however let it be known that I cannot harm you any more. My current master instructed me not to hurt or kill anyone anymore, I am simply... hers now, and hers alone.

Aahh get angry with me all you like, attack me if you like, you all love that... don't you? You humans... and your emotions....! It all still fascinates me so much, but now is not the time for me...! My master must be saved, and I need help finding her...! I'm sure.... I'm sure my magic could help her in this blizzard, it must!

My master's name? You all know her very well: Terra Branford. You all hate me... but will you not put aside your hatred in favor of Terra? She has done nothing to earn your hatred... And I will be walking the streets to search for her, seek me out if you must.

[he will be awaiting the intense backlash.]

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[as he said he battler would then be walking the streets of genessia in order to look for her. the blizzard was strong, much too intense, and he had to put up an arm in order to shield himself from the sheer force of the wind and ice. she grit his teeth as he walked, his anger for being unable to find her growing more and more intense.

battler would often duck out of the wind in order to hide in a shop, or even in an alleyway. feel free to accidentally run into him then as well.]

Comments

Action

[enchantressofore]

[ The instant she sees the broadcast, she sees red. Everything comes back, all of that terror, that despair, and he dares to ask for sympathy? For this... This master of his? She doesn't understand. From what she knows of Terra, the woman is gentle and kind, wants to be forgiving, but she was also a victim of Battler, so why...

But, at some point, her rational thought leaves her. Without a word to anyone and bundled for the cold with her sword in hand, Adela leaves. There really isn't anything driving her but what she assumes is rage and pain then, and perhaps it's fortune smiling upon her when she does come across Battler in an alleyway.

Without hesitation her sword is at his throat, the red head glaring daggers at him whether he's noticed her there or not. She should just end it now, she won't get another chance, but... But... ]

... Is that true? You... You cannot bring any harm so long as she is your master?

[ No. She should still kill him. It would only be just after how much pain and suffering he's brought, wouldn't it? And yet, even without the cold, she's shaking... Hesitant. She's staring right at him, her eyes hurting from not blinking and from the frigid wind. She needs to act though, doesn't she? She needs to end this, end the nightmare... To end him.

But, then what of Terra...?

... ]

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[justiceerror]

[he can sense her coming, of course he can, however he doesn't move at all from his spot. he felt her sharp sword at his throat, and he even tilted his head back a bit in order to give her more room. she could do it, she could just cut into him, and he would let her. would that satisfy her? would it make up for what he did...? he didn't really know, humans and their revenge always fascinated him, however.

battler looked down at her the best he could, his red eyes trained on her and he didn't looked amused at all. he was only thinking of his master right now.]

I cannot. [his answer was firm.] You are free to attack me, but... I cannot hurt you. She has instructed me not to harm anyone anymore.

[enchantressofore]

[ She can do it, right now. All she has to do is push forward, and her blade will cut into his throat. He's passive, he's not going to retaliate, it isn't just his words but his stance, how he holds himself here and now. And... That's when she starts shaking.

It'd be so easy... To disbelieve him, or to serve him the vengeance he would so rightly deserve. To inflict on him even a fraction of the pain he caused so many others, herself included. To say that this is a trap and to not fall into it any further.

But what if it isn't? What if she was damning Terra by simply ending Battler there? The thought is prevalent, and maybe it shouldn't matter. Maybe she should still strike him down and just search for Terra herself after. But, her own words come back to haunt her then. Isn't it enough that he does not hurt anyone else ever again? Isn't it enough to prevent tragedies like the one he caused from happening in the future? Even through all of her hate and rage, those thoughts still pull at her, staying her hand...

She should kill him. She really should. There's no guarantee, he could still dismember or murder others, she only has his word and she already knows that's as good as having nothing.

The turbulent thoughts aren't well-masked as she stares at him, long seconds ticking by while she just stands there. When she finally does move, it is surprisingly to sheathe her sword and to speak in a tone cold and unfeeling. ]

Have you checked where she would normally work yet? She might be there, for all that you know.

[ Why is she helping him? Taking his life is not her choice to make. But no one would blame her for doing so while she had the chance. But if she did, would she be any better than him? Of course she would, because she was doing so to protect others. But would it really be that, and not blind vengeance? Does she really want his blood on her hands, on top of that? She thought she did, but now... Each thought stormed in her mind, conflicted, still confusing her, but thankfully not enough to keep her from acting. If... If there was even a sliver of truth to what he said, Terra was in danger and... Ensuring that her life was out of danger was the most important thing, wasn't it? ]

[Action]

[swordprincess]

[Karla sees the broadcast, her eyes widening. Her heart begins beating rapidly in her chest as she realizes...this is it. This is her chance. She had promised that they would all get Battler for what he's done. She didn't want to let this opportunity slip by.]

[But she can't ignore Terra's plight either. Her duty is protection, not vengeance. She also doesn't want to risk rushing in blind and unprepared. She pulls out her device, ready to ask for David's advice, but then realizes...she needs to make her own decision. It was why she had become a Deputy in the first place. Still...she should at least let David know what's happening. So she shoots him a quick private text...]

Battler has reappeared. I'm going to answer his call.

[With that, she brings her sword and begins her patrol, looking for either Battler or Terra. At least she knows what Terra looks like from that awful broadcast.]

[Karla happens to come across Battler first, stopping a good distance away in plain view. She just stands, not really looking at him, her mind wandering. She stands there like a ghost haunting him, not completely there. It was just like in her own world, where she had wandered like a ghost, not really living in the world. Her sword calls out to her to strike the man down, and she's trying her best to resist at the moment. She isn't just another fool, blindly seeking vengeance...]

[Action]

[justiceerror]

[the blizzard is strong and visibility is low, but he is still able to make out someone in front of him. he can see her far off in the distance, but he still knew who it was looking at him. karla, was it? they had talked after his attack, but then never again.]

...Have you come for revenge, or to find my master? [he called out to her, his steps in the snow now stopping as he awaited her answer.]

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[sizedoesntmatter]

[Yugi had planned on simply keeping warm during the storm as he knew going out would be a very, very dumb idea unless he had magical ways to keep himself warm, which he was very much aware that was not the case. Sometimes he wished he had a fire pokemon because of it. However when he heard the voice of someone awfully familiar, it was enough to send shivers down his spine and into his very core. It was a voice he had hoped had gone and died somewhere. But alas it was not the case. The more he listened the more he was sure he didn't want to say anything to the man, however at the mention of who his master was, he froze. Terra was his master? After everything not only he but even she had been through. In his mind it made very little sense to him. Why would she do that? Shaking his head slightly he knew he had to answer now, even if he was clearly not happy with it.] And how exactly do we know this isn't another of your plots?

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[justiceerror]

[idiotic, but he knew this would happen as well. no one would really believe him, and especially those that were extremely close to terra. yugi was definitely her best friend, so this must seem like such a betrayal.

if circumstances were any different he would have laughed in yugi's face.]

Can you really be that foolish, Yugi? Check your device, try and get in contact with Terra. I have tried that, and I cannot even sense her.... which is impossible for me, for we are connected.

She is in danger.

Action

[aurabble]

[jaune had already been in the blizzard, trying to help other people when he saw the broadcast. he was too busy panicking and battler's words went over him like static, but, hands shaking, once he turned off his device and threw it somewhere some of the words came back to him.

terra...

he couldn't attack them? jaune remembered terra. he barely knew her, but he had watched the video. he thought she was one of them, but now--

for all he knew, she had been apart of the plan the entire time. it could have been fake, and if she really was his master, it probably was. the betrayal left him livid, caustic and feeling like he was burning again.

as far as he was concerned, she could freeze to death.

he manages to remember to grab his device and feels like he's walking in a trance, no longer focused on helping anyone. his chest feels tight and he shuts down, numb from both the cold and this new knowledge. eventually he catches a flash of red--spiky and violent, not long or flowing enough to be pyrrha, and he follows it into an alley.

before battler sees him, he might notice the water on the ground coming toward his feet. it branches off into rivulets and stops right next to him, surrounding him. he can't use his sword anymore. battler took that, so he's learned to use dust and made his own weapon instead. following the frozen trail of water into the alley, jaune towers over battler and just stares at him blankly.]

Hey.

[instead of using his gauntlet, he just uses his armed hand to throw a punch aimed square in the face.]

Action

[justiceerror]

[oh, jaune, the one that had been his 'best friend' before he had killed them all. jaune truly was someone that he liked, he adored him, but he had enjoyed torturing him even more.

so when battler felt jaune coming he knew it would only end this way. battler turned when he heard jaune call out to him, and of course he saw the punch coming. he could have evaded, he could have blocked him, but he allowed the punch to hit. it cracked against the side of his jaw, causing battler's face to turn away instantly. battler had even allowed his magical barriers to drop so jaune's hit injured him, for the time being.

once it was done battler wobbled, and then he stood up straight. the redhead looked back at jaune, and he now straightened up. there was a cut on his lip, blood now moving down his face, but if jaune was watching he would see the cut instantly heal up.]

....Are you satisfied?

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[stairsbro]

yeah like fuck im responding this without text
so lets just pause on the fact that youre asking for help and this is so obviously some kind of huge trap here bloodler
and take a moment to focus on the part where terra branford, literal flower fairy, has been holding your leash for however long??
what the everloving FUCK

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[justiceerror]

....I understand how ridiculous it sounds, but that was because she was keeping me at her side for so long.

She... we understood one another, which is why I had asked her to be my master, even after I had killed her. She agreed.

[private video]

[redcinemareel]

[This is a rather intriguing predicament. The person who caused so much mayhem and despair is reaching out for help? How low has he fallen.

With one elbow on the desk with a chin resting on a hand, Grell uses her free hand to hold up the device.]

Do you still need assistance? I'm sure you're friends are just DYING to see you right now.

[She wonders if they've found him by now.]

Do you have a picture of her?

[private video]

[justiceerror]

[he wasn't in the mood for this.

battler just stared back at the woman, his expression completely blank, and he just shook his head.]

She ran a flower shop, and was constantly all over the network, I'm sure you've seen her around.

[Video]

[om_nom_namur]

Wow.

'Kay so lemme jus' unpack this whaleshit.

Y' come 'round, make nice with a buncha peeps, then y' turn 'round an' pull shit like rippin' their flippin' legs off an' breakin' their arms with clubs on the damn network, an' then y' try t' guilt people int' overlookin' that cuz y' ain't strong 'nuff t' protect yer own girl?

Shit, man. A+ asshattery, right there, tell y' what.

[He's almost laughing. It's ironic, too, because he just found out. Went back and found the entries- and then this shows up.]

Where y' at? Maybe I'll smell her.

[Video]

[justiceerror]

[oohh this fish made him angry. if only he could use any of his power, he would have found this fool and torn him apart. he would have gutted him, let his insides spill to the floor, and kept him alive long enough to watch as battler slowly turned him inside out.

but alas, he cannot do any of that- not anymore. terra told him not to.]

....If I cannot sense her, you cannot smell her. We are connected, and my magic is meant to be called on at any point... however she... she is simply gone from my radar.

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[whiteas]

[ In the end, she had determined that yes, she would look for Terra. It wasn't going to be what Battler thought. She was going to arrest her. Innocent, heart-warming flower girl or not, the reality was that she hid a fugitive who hurt tons of people, who had killed, who had reveled in it not because someone made him or because he had a goal in mind, but because he had thought it would be enjoyable. Because he thought that was what he was meant to do, and so he did it. Terra lied to everyone's face and while she may have kept him from hurting anyone else, she also kept anyone who had been hurt by him from feeling safe for months. By keeping Battler hidden, by making it impossible to learn more about him even if it put others in danger by having him free, she terrorized his victims further and further. It didn't matter what her intentions were, that was the damage she had done. It didn't matter what kind of person she claimed to be, she was just as disgusting as Battler was for looking people in the face and acting like nothing was wrong. She had done plenty to warrant anyone's hatred.

And yes, it was perfectly within her right to arrest Terra. Obstruction of justice and as an accessory after the fact to murder, torture, assault, and kidnapping. "Every person who, after a felony has been committed, harbors, conceals or aids a principal in such felony, with the intent that said principal may avoid or escape from arrest, trial, conviction or punishment, having knowledge that said principal has committed such felony or has been charged with such felony or convicted thereof, is an accessory after the fact to such felony." She made certain before she had released the arrest warrant. Weiss wasn't in a forgiving mood, but if finding Terra was what Battler wanted, fine. It'd be a pleasure to take something away from him and still be doing the right thing.

But before Weiss did anything of the sort, she needed to breathe. Ice and cold didn't bother Weiss. Granted, when it was this heavy, visibility was relatively low so it was hard to see anything. And honestly? After she had seen that video on the network, of that monster asking for help, Weiss hadn't really cared that she should've stayed in Nova City. She wanted to go somewhere she wouldn't be found either, and she needed to run. Running had gotten her head cleared through quite a few things in the past, and she had thought that would change now.

That was until while she was lost in her thoughts and when she snapped out of them, it was to the sight of Battler himself. It wasn't the ice that had frozen Weiss to the spot only ten feet from him, though the corners of her eyes would soon frost over. There had been plenty of things she'd thought she would do when she saw him- fight him, use talismans from Everglade or Fayren to seal him in place until she could figure out what to do with him, all sorts of things. But the only thing she could think of right now was exactly what happened the last time she saw him- the last time she didn't see him and Jaune had told her he was there. Sheer panic, unable to think clearly- she wanted to run, but her legs wouldn't move beyond the initial step back that she tried to take, barely making that. There was a voice screaming in her head for her to run, to call for help, but honestly? The only thing she could remember to do was breathe, and she had to concentrate on that. ]

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[justiceerror]

[if only he knew of her own schemes, then this would not end well at all.

battler had stopped once he realized who had just walked in front of him. it was weiss, the one that he had been so 'close' with before everything went down. she was someone that had fascinated him the most... and she was also someone that he wanted to see suffer the most.

oh, how he had ruined those precious times they shared together.

the redhead lowered his arm, his red eyes now trained on her form. he glared at her through the blizzard, and instead of grinning at her like he usually would- he simply frowned. he didn't have time for all these sort of dramatic confrontations, he just wanted to find his master, no matter what. he had to save her before anything happened to her, before he let her down. a servant couldn't just let their master die.]

Have you come to simply stare at me...? I don't have time for this, Weiss, Terra is most likely dying.

I cannot hurt you, not anymore, so whatever you do to me right now... or whatever you want to do- you have all the power. You are the one in control. Does that satisfy you, to know that? The tables have definitely turned...

[Video]

[shy_mage]

[And here was the seemingly one guy who was completely oblivious to why anyone would hate Battler. He was just really, really confused why he insisted that everyone must hate him and, not knowing any details, he brushed it aside.]

S-Sorry, but... but I don't kn-know her. Where is she, u-usually?

[Video]

[justiceerror]

[and it was definitely a good thing he was in the dark.]

...She runs a flower shop, that is where she usually is.

video

[fade_to_black]

[There is the coldest rage Blake has ever felt running through her right now and she's pinning an amber-hot gaze onto the monster before her.]

I freely admit that I would sooner die than help you.

[Terra...she had mixed feelings there. She and the girl are not close but if she aided this bastard....what's the right thing to do?]

Actually, I don't know what I'll do. I think I'll leave you to stew about it.

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[justiceerror]

[whatever she decides... well, it's fine with him. he doesn't care, he just wanted to see if anyone would help him, but he would find his master no matter what.]

If you really feel that way... then so be it. I'll continue to just look for her.

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[unhappy]

[ Emerald.. isn't sure how she feels about that. Terra being his new master... he could abandon his old one just like that? For some stupid flower girl? She'd thought they were similar, that he understood loyalty but..

Needless to say, she's more than conflicted. She has her own sets of issues lately, but she hadn't expected the one person who got it to suddenly seem so distant. ]

Where did you last see her?

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[justiceerror]

[oohh if only he knew of her thoughts he would explain himself. it wasn't that he wasn't loyal, he was incredibly loyal, it was just that he had fulfilled his purpose and he needed a new one. to satisfy terra, now that was his new purpose.]

I last felt her around her home- but after that it was like she simply vanished. She's still here, however, still here in this world. She hasn't left yet... I would have known for sure if she had left.

Emerald you are my... companion... so you will help, yes?

[scarlet_devil]

[ Remilia has no knowledge of him, or what he's done exactly, but she'd find it distasteful if she knew it was just... random people he went after. If it were for revenge, that would be different. ]

Hmm, describe her to me.

[justiceerror]

Green hair, usually wears it up, often wears red, and runs a flower shop where she spends most of her time.

[more help is definitely appreciated.]