"Are you okay?" Black Phoenix asked as the shots continued to batter his shield. 

"I'm fine," Skyfire answered as she collected herself. 

"Then let's get to it," he responded. "Eight in front, more behind us." 

New Task Added:

Escape

Status Screen

Character Sheet

Character Type: Player

Real Name: Jam

Alias: Black Phoenix

Race: African American (Human)

Country of Origin: United States

Level: 28

Exp: 25%

HP: 660/660

MP: 420/420

SP: 100/100

Powers

Current Powers 

Iron Stomach

Radiation Resistance

Matter Swap

{ Locked Power }

Tame

"Boost" Black Pheonix casted on both himself and Skyfire. The feeling of his body strengthening and his mind sharpening was familiar to Black Phoenix but Skyfire had to grit her teeth as the white aura covered her body. It felt like a slowly rising heat all through her body as her muscles rippled but just as quickly as it was there it was gone. 

Black Phoenix cast air shot but focused his mana to compress the air as small as he possibly could. It took half his remaining MP but he was able to contain it to the size of a marble and hold it with shield, then he lobbed it in front of the Moon Pawns. The resulting explosion of air knocked the group off balance. Black Phoenix and Skyfire bounded from their cover; blue flames encased Black Phoenix's hands as he palmed the face masks of the two closest Pawns.

Before the two Pawns could understand what was happening fire swallowed their helmets. Skyfire launched herself using Black Phoenix's back as a springboard to land behind the group. Two pawns recovered enough to fire at Black Phoenix who attempted to block the shot with his cape before realizing the lasers went straight through.

[Cape Durability reduced to 80%]

Shit, it's bulletproof, not laserproof. 

The two pawns were knocked away by energy blasts by Skyfire. A running knee by Black Phoenix caught another pawn in the chest that went to fire on Skyfire. He was tackled by a sixth pawn but wrapped his arm around the pawn's neck in a choke as they both struggled on the ground. A swift kick to the face caused Black Phoenix to relax his hold but thankfully did very little damage to his SP. The pawn on top of Black Phoenix tried to drive his fists into the hero's chest but his move was dodged and he found himself in an armbar that Black Phoenix used to dislocate the pawn's shoulder.

The footsteps coming down the hall got closer. Black Phoenix rolled back and used air shot to throw his body back into two of the pawns that had raised their weapons. He wrapped his arms around them and clicked the trigger on their laser pistols. The struggling pawns made the blasts go wide but he was able to focus it enough to fire down against the walls and ceiling of the corridor making a debris barrier blocking some of the incoming pawns and trapping the less fortunate ones. 

As he let go of the two pawns, Skyfire swooped in with a dropkick to their chests and wrapped her legs around Black Phoenix. Black Phoenix hugged her against him as they blinked away from the last pawn standing that had gotten his weapon back and fired on them hitting only his two companions. 

He was quickly taken out by a chokehold from Skyfire as Black Phoenix went back to check on Rose.

“Are you guys ok?” he asked kneeling beside them.

“No worse for wear my love,” Rose answered.

“Are the effects of the gas wearing off any?”

“Not much. He spent days dosing us with it. I can’t even wake Thorn up.”

“And I’m not sure what Purify would do to a demigod. If it wouldn’t just fail outright.”

“It’s okay, my body just needs time. Your concern and love are already strengthening me.”

“Good, because we have to get out of here,” Black Phoenix told her before turning to Trixie. “I need you to stay behind me and stay close. If you have even a slim window of opportunity to get her out of here you take it. You get me?”

Understood

Black Phoenix shook his head from the sudden intrusion of thought that wasn’t his own. He got up and went back into the room. Getting a better look at it, he noticed the room was huge and appeared to be a lobby. The ceilings were the highest of any room he’s seen so far and the giant castle doors lay to the far side of the room. They started across the room but halfway through the lights shut off. The only light left was cast from the 2 large windows a story and a half up on opposite sides of the room leaving most of the room shrouded in shadow.

[Skill Used: Beast Summon Lvl 2: Successful]

Black Phoenix whispered into Ben’s ear getting an affirmative squeak in response, then Ben rolled himself up into a ball. Black Phoenix launched the small rodent at the window and Ben opened his wings wide the draft left by the fast-moving flying castle carrying him away

“How sweet,” a voice echoed. “Couldn’t bear for your little rat friend to meet the same fate you’re about to.”

Shadow Stalker strode out of the shadows.

“Who knew you became so sentimental.”

Black Phoenix stepped forward, blue flames encompassing his hands as the blue flames on his suit lit up to match.

“This doesn’t have to go down like this Walker, you can just let us leave. We don’t have to fight. The Lunar King isn’t here and all the cameras have been shut down.” 

Shadow Stalker chuckled.

“There he is. The man who talks sweet words while pointing a blade at your neck. I’ve missed this brother. You’re running with a different crowd these days though. Now you’re pretending like you’re a hero and playing nice with the same people who rejected me. You took me in and told me they were wrong; that my powers weren’t useless. You gave me a purpose and then you turned your back on me as soon as I wasn’t convenient.”

“You haven’t been taking your medications have you?”

“The Lunar King has shown me I don’t need them. I’m more powerful when I let myself free of them.”

“I see there’s no trying to reason with you then. I’m going to give you one last chance to move out of our way.”

“And if I don’t?”

Skyfire stepped forward, orange balls of energy encompassing her hands. “Then we’ll move you.”

“You and what army?” A second voice echoed as another Shadow Stalker appeared.

“Because I have mine,” A third Shadow Stalker came out.

Then more shadow clones began to walk out. 20 shadow stalkers surrounded the group before all was said and done. Black Phoenix looked back at Trixie and nodded to her.

Skyfire, hit the doors on my mark.

Got it.

Black Phoenix ducked down on one knee popping a tablet off of his belt. The tablet broke out a small condensed cloud of smoke and using a widened air shot Black Phoenix spread the smoke around the room. Skyfire fired her energy blast blindly where he knew the door was as Trixie sped off in that direction. The doors blew off the hinges and Trixie quickly unfurled 2 pairs of pink wings that looked more like a dragonfly than a pixie.

Secret Task Completed

You have completed the hidden task Safety of the Paramour

Civilians Saved: 3

Reward: Exp Gained

3000 Del rens

+3 Heroism Points

You’ve successfully ensured the safety of your lovers Rose/Thorn.

Achievement

First Secret Task Completed

Secret Tasks are system generated tasks that are hidden from view until passed or failed.

Additional Note: Congrats kid, got your girl out before I could play with her. Enjoy your exp and make sure to entertain me. – Mr. P

Dick.

“You might have gotten your woman out but I’m going to turn this castle into your tombs!” The Shadow Stalkers all growled in unison.

“You can certainly try,” Skyfire responded moving to stand back to back with Black Phoenix.

The shadow stalkers strode out of the smoke wielding weapons from swords to hammers and axes materialized from the shadows themselves. Skyfire hung her head in annoyance.

You gotta be kidding me. He’s got weapons?

Yeah, what’d you think was going to happen?

I don’t know a fistfight?

The last guys had laser rifles and you’re worried about swords?

There weren’t 20 of them. Is it too late to follow Trixie? I’m really not wanting to do this.

I think so.

Black Phoenix rolled out of the way of one of the sword wielders that sliced the air where he was. Skyfire ducked and met him with an energy blast that sent him flying.

I hate you and I wish I stayed home.

Same.

Skyfire could feel the adrenaline coursing through her veins as they fought off the maelstrom, and it wasn't a very nice feeling. She'd fought plenty of battles alongside Might Guy but she had never quite adjusted to the feeling of drowning that she feels when she is in a brawl. Fighting alongside Black Phoenix was different in a number of ways, she felt quite a bit more needed with him. Might Guy was strong, too strong, and sometimes it seemed like she was just there to be his cheerleader while he mopped up all the usual suspects. Black Phoenix relied on her strength and wasn't interested in protecting her but partnering with her. Though she suspected if she wanted this to continue she would need to keep up with him as far as her abilities. 

4-11

Black Phoenix dodged an errant chop by one of the axe wielders and casted airshot at the ground launching himself into Skyfire who jumped to hold onto him. He then blinked them 10 feet into the air.

[Suit Skill Used: Booster Boots Lvl 5 - Successful ]

[Skill Used: MP Recovery Lvl 20 - Successful ]

The booster boots slowed down their descent as Skyfire still on Black Phoenix's back shot off energy blasts at the surrounding enemies. Black Phoenix's previously nearly diminished MP recovered to 80%.

What's your SP at?

HP: 421/600

MP: 27/200

SP:115/425>

It's getting close. 

Unlike magic that uses MP or Skills that have a cooldown time, superpowers like Skyfire's energy blasts use stamina points. Superpowers are an extension of the body for physical powers and like any other muscle can get overworked. Luckily for them, Shadow Stalker decided quantity over quality and his many clones weren't very strong individually but every time one lost all it's HP and dispersed into black smoke another one spawned from the shadows. The duo dropped onto the ground after the booster boots cut off and resumed their fight. 

It's never-ending. We're going to go down with a death by a thousand cuts if we don't put a stop to this. He's just going to keep throwing himself at us until we're too exhausted to fight back.

It's the darkness.

What?

There are too many shadows here and it's giving him power. Can you use that spell again? 

My MP recovery is crap and I need it nearly full just to use it. Plus the incantation is going to take too long.

"Audrey, I need you" Black Phoenix called out.

The silver orb hovered over to him as it slowly vibrated and phased in and out. Dampeners in the castle still having a negative effect on her density. 

*bzzz* "Yyyyyes Jam"

"Any way I can help her cast the light spell quicker?"

Upon hearing that the Shadow Stalkers got more aggressive one managing to catch the side of Black Phoenix's jaw with a staff. Black Phoenix spit out a glob of bloody spit as his mouth quickly filled. He resisted the urge to heal and instead used purify to close whatever wound had opened in his mouth. He looked back at the offending clone with a bloody smile as he smashed a fireball into his face. Unlike Skyfire, Black Phoenix was completely at home in battle. His heart and mind were completely at ease as he dodged or blocked attacks and returned his own. Serenity washed over him as he fought to stay alive and the only thing he had to worry about was making sure he and Skyfire made it out of this. In the corner of his eye, he saw a flashing icon. 

Cover me

Roger

Blinking back into the hallway, which caused three of the clones to strike eachother, Black Phoenix checked the icon and his spellbook opened. 

{ Spell Book }

{ Firefist 4 - Mastery 100% }

{ Air Shot 4 - Mastery 100% }

{ Boost 2 - Mastery 98% }

{ Purify 4 - Mastery 100% }

{ Blink 4- Mastery 100% }

{ Shield 4 - Mastery 93% }

{ Illusion 2 - Mastery 27% }

{X}

Mentally clicking the additional update another page popped up.

{ Joint Spell Book }

{ Wind Break }

{ Encompassing Light }

{ Purifying Light }

{ Luminous Shield } 

{ Mirage }

We have joint spells

I'd need a second to get the incantation. 

I'll get it for you. I think we need encompassing light.

Black Phoenix jumped back into the fray throwing up a shield dome around the duo while Skyfire quickly pulled up her spellbook. 

"I got it. Tohil, blind my enemies with your" Skyfire started.

"Joint Casting, Encompassing light!" Both Black Phoenix and Skyfire casted. 

A small ball of red light formed before the familiar white glow of Black Phoenix's boost spell covered it and caused to grow in strength and size turning it into a fiery orange ball that shone like the sun shining light in every corner of the room. With shouts of pain, the many clones fell to their knees before dispersing. 

"Good job kid," Black Phoenix complimented helping her to her feet. 

"Thanks but it was just as much you on that one. I didn't have nearly enough MP for a spell that size," she responded.

"You think you've won?" Shadow Stalker asked hoarsely. 

"Don't like the sound of that. Let's get the hell out of here." Black Phoenix commented before heading toward the door.

"Smart," Skyfire agreed.

The duo headed for the door before Black Phoenix heard a pained grunt behind him. He turned to find Skyfire on her knees clutching her chest. 

"What's happening?" he asked. 

"My chest. It burns." Skyfire managed to grunt out.

Green light fell on her as Black Phoenix casted purify but it seemed to have no effect on her. 

"You think getting rid of the darkness in here was good enough?" Shadow Stalker asked. "I am the dark," he rasped. 

"What are you doing to her?" Black Phoenix accused.

"I control the dark." Shadow Stalker licked his lips hungrily, "and there's a lot of dark energy in your precious sidekick."

Inky blackness began to cover Skyfire again but this time was different. The dark goo soaked into her costume changing the white to black and the flames on her suit burned even brighter. Curved pitch-black ram-like horns ripped holes in her cowl as they grew from her head and a long wiry black tail with a burning tip bobbed behind her. Her hands had black energy projected claws hovering around them. Her eyes changed completely to white. 

"What's going on Audrey?"

"EnEnEnergy projection, negative emotion. Darkness inside. Harnessed. Sharpened," Audrey managed. 

New Task Added:

Survive