A Chained Memory

"Oh COME ON!!" she roared, rushing Theta with her head lighting into a hot blaze as she moved to headbutt the shit outta her.

-Fires of Foresight-

Tracy bit down on her lip, resisting the temptation to use her 'usual strategy' to deal with her assailants. Something told her that it was unlikely to work on these clones. She kept on trying to push forward to help Rachel's father.
"Just... a little... further..." she said, between clenched teeth.

(Free Action: Help Richard)

With hair ablaze, Rachel took towards Theta with incredible speed, causing the clone to fall off before it could properly attach again. In retaliation, it shot a stream of slime at her legs to make her trip, which was promptly dodged by the raging Rachel, who was now inches away from Theta's face... The slime met her attempt at a headbutt with a suffocating kiss, tightly wrapping around her body together with the newly-spawned parasite that slowly began sucking out her energy as well.

In the meantime, Tracy had tried to stop the clone's groping, when the smaller slime began slithering down under her pants. Each second she was getting weaker - she could not stand around and try to fend for herself. The slimes were surprisingly light, making the decision to power through even easier. The villainess found Richard guarded by another small slime sprouting out of his stomach; but something was different about it. It was changing, it was... growing.

Heroes: (Detach - 74 + Fires of Foresight - 81) (Detach - 17 + Help Richard - 28)
Clone Army: (Attach Drain Tracy) (Black Stream Rachel - 43)
Parasite Clones: (Parasite Drain Rachel) (Parasite Drain Tracy) (???)
Monster: (Power Drain Rachel)

---

Rachel: 24 stamina, 17 willpower + Heavily Bound
Tracy: 26 stamina, 22 willpower
Richard: 0 stamina
Clone 1: 9 stamina + Attached(Tracy)
Clone 2: 9 stamina
P. Clone[Rachel]: 5 stamina
P. Clone[Tracy]: 5 stamina
P. Clone[Richard]: ??? stamina + ???
T-04: 35 stamina

Suddenly the door opened with a bang while a shadowy figure rushed against the slime and her clones, a dark blade soaring across the air, aiming at T-04 and avoiding cutting Rachel, Tracy and Richard, her red eyes focused on the slime's main body as she created a dark explosion aimed at her enemies "Finally found you, time to disappear, slime!"

(Shattering Darkness)

Rachel needed to hurry and escape, the hero thrashing about to try and break free. Things were going south rapidly and she needed to make an escape with her father and Tracy.

-Struggle-

Tracy saw the situation. This fight was beginning to excite her, and she knew it wouldn't be long before she was unable to hold back anymore. But something was... odd about the slime on Rachel's father. She had noticed how they seemed to be rather... adhesive, so she decided the best way to help him was to get the slime off him. But doing so wouldn't be easy, considering she couldn't even get it off herself.

But that gave her an idea. She decided to charge straight at the blob, and hope to disperse it from him. If it didn't splatter, she hoped it would at least detach from him, and on to her.

(Free Action - Release Richard with shoulder charge)

Joining the fray, Tix aimed to strike directly at Theta, whose kiss overwhelmed Rachel completely, draining every ounce of her strength at once. Not even concerning herself with the engulfed Rachel, Tix's blade struck with deadly force, releasing an explosion of dark energy. However what she hit was not Theta itself, but rather the leftover clone that got detached from Rachel earlier. Absorbing the explosion, the clone collapsed into a puddle, having successfully shielded the main body and by extension, Rachel.

Tracy attempted to charge at the little clone on top of Richard but the near-constant draining finally took its toll, as the villainess fell to her knees, struggling to breathe. She noticed then that the clone detached itself from Richard, growing in full size, while leaving a dark part of itself still embedded in him. The clone worked its way up from her breasts and began kissing the weakened villainess on the lips, intent on draining everything she had left.

The parasites, having drained enough power, began growing to the size of the normal clones, fully adapting to their capabilities.

Heroes: (Struggle - 93) (Detach - 19 + Shoulder Charge - 69) (Shattering Darkness: T-04 - 53, Clone 2 - 88!)
Clone Army: (Attach Drain Tracy)
Parasite Clones: (Parasite Drain Rachel + Grow) (Parasite Drain Tracy + Grow) (Reproduction Richard + Grow)
Monster: (Power Drain 2)

---

Tix: 30 stamina/willpower
Rachel: 19 stamina, 9 willpower + Heavily Bound
Tracy: 24 stamina, 18 willpower
Richard: 0 stamina + Reproduction(2)
Clone 1: 11 stamina + Attached(Tracy)
Clone 2: 7 stamina + Stunned
Clone 3: 7 stamina
Clone 4: 7 stamina
Clone 5: 7 stamina
T-04: 40 stamina

Tix looked around, this wasn't going too well, just what the hell did she arrived to, she needed to get this sorted out before thing started to get worst, her main target? The one that had that foolish girl with hero complex, so she charged forwards with her sword aiming at the black slime.

(Spirit Hunt -> T-04)

Tracy felt her resistance beginning to break. She was losing focus. Why was she fighting again? Who was she fighting? She felt both tired and aroused. It would be so easy to just stay on the ground, and let herself indulge in the pleasure. But a small part of her told her that, if she didn't fight on, she was going to die. Rachel's father was going to die. And maybe even Rachel would die in an attempt to save them both.

And Tracy was no damsel. She was a villain.

First thing was first. She had to save herself before she could even think of saving anyone else. She tried to pick herself up, and run. Any direction would do, just so long as she hit a wall, a counter, anything solid. And she'd have to make sure that she hit it slime first.

(Struggle)

"Let me out, you tar ball!!" Need to get out, need desperately to get out now!

-Struggle-

Tix continued her assault, swinging her blade in a wide arc starting from Theta itself. She had to reduce their numbers and fast. Again it happened. That damn clone would stand in her way again! Quickly reforming and blocking yet another one of Tix's far reaching attacks with its body, the clone ensured survival for the main body, its meal uninterrupted still.

Rachel's arms went limp beside her body; her eyes closing as she accepted the kiss at last; her last muffled cries heard by none. There was no more power left in her anymore. The hero's will was gone, she needed...rest.

On the other side of the room, Tracy's quick thinking had the slime slammed into a nearby wall with enough force to shake it off of her. She smiled triumphantly and puffed her chest, ready to deliver a devastating taunt to her opponent... but not this time. This was serious. She needed to use this moment and free Rachel's father at all costs, even if it may be too late already.

"It...comes....it....comes..." Theta began to mumble, vibrating in unison with its clones.

Tracy saw herself face to face with the clone next to Richard. This was bad. She was not that much of a fighter and facing those monsters took was taking its toll on her body. And now the other clone was flanking her from behind. Before she could react, the clone grabbed on to her back, trying to pull her to the ground.

Suddenly, a voice rang throughout the house of the blacksmith, one of a young woman. "Tix!" it called out, coming from a golden-haired girl that just entered the room. Aura had finally caught up to Tix, only to be met with the sight of the creature they had been searching for. There was no mistaking it, this monster was the source of the impending doom that she felt every day; and it was attacking people.

Adrenaline surged through Aura. This creature... she hated it. It had to be stopped. Tix was a bit far away, but seemed to not be in danger. The girl in front of her, however...

Tracy was caught completely off-guard. Her balance was about to break at any second if not for the timely intervention of the blonde. Aura punched the clone with all of her will, sending it crashing into the ground. It quickly rose to counter-attack, only to be met with a kick that sent her slamming into a wall. Aura's muscles seemed to move by themselves, much to her own surprise. "Stay back!" she called to Tracy, intent on ensuring her safety.

"Kill..." the monster spoke once more. "KILL."

The cacophony of shrieks filled the room. All of the clones roaring in unison, their fury was tangible. Ignoring everything they were up to, the creatures swarmed Aura, pinning her under the mass of their bodies in a matter of seconds. Their speed and precision was unlike anything seen before; going beyond instinct.

A loud crack was heard, followed by another... and another. Aura screamed from the bottom of her lungs; a desperate, horrifying scream of pain. The clones hardened like steel, crushing the girl's body under their grip. She could not move, she could not flail, she could not think. Her tears sank into the mass of black slime, now tightly coiling itself around her neck.
The clones became as one, a mass of darkness with only one purpose in mind and nothing else. The end drew near.


Heroes: (Struggle - 45) (Detach - 91 + Struggle: Detach with Advantage - 64)  (Spirit Hunt: T-04 - 37, Clone 2 - auto-hit, Clone 3 - 15) (Uncertain Offence - 86! + High Kick - auto-hit)
Clone Army: (Crush) (Crush) (Crush) (Crush) (Crush)
Monster: (Power Drain 3)

---

Tix: 30 stamina/willpower
Rachel: Fate Sealed + Heavily Bound
Tracy: 24 stamina, 18 willpower
Aura: 5 stamina + Mortally Bound
Richard: 0 stamina + Reproduction(1)
Clone 1: 8 stamina + Dazed + Vulnerable
Clone 2: 5 stamina + Marked + Vulnerable
Clone 3: 7 stamina + Vulnerable
Clone 4: 7 stamina + Vulnerable
Clone 5: 7 stamina + Vulnerable
T-04: 40 stamina

Vulnerable: Area of Effect attacks gain auto-hit property against the Clones as well as stunning them. Additionally, Single Target attacks are treated as Area of Effect.

Tix was about to continue her assault on the main body when she heard it... Something that made her body freeze in place... Aura, it's was Aura's voice, she was screaming... She was being crushed... Tix also noticed Rachel had stop fighting... She had to choose: Aura or Rachel...

And so, the ashen haired girl made her choice, a yell "Leave her alone, monster!" a burning rage, she knew the monster's intention, she knew it really well... That thing wasn't going to drain Aura... She was going to KILL her and Tix wasn't going to allow it, creating a mass of unstable dark energy, Tix launched an attack at the clones pilling on top of Aura with the intention of breaking their bind on the young girl.

(Chaotic Darkness)

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Ha! It worked! And it seemed the clones were backing off! Obviously in fear of her, now they knew she meant business. Certainly not towards another target. She rushed back over to Richard's side, intent to get him out so Rachel could "do her thing". After all, there was no way Rachel could possibly have been knocked out by some slime, right?

(Free Action: Help Richard)

Tix's rage matched the monster's own. The ball of darkness descended upon them, laying waste to anything in its wake. A massive explosion sent the clones flying all over the room, becoming a mess on the floor and walls; a mess Tix would soon clean off for good. There would be nothing left of this creature, not after what it did to her.

After what must have felt like ages, the villainess had finally reached Richard, only to find a small slime still on his chest. At this point, Tracy had enough of this bullshit. She ran up to Richard... and unceremoniously kicked the slime off him, completely destroying what kept its form.

Turning to face Rachel, Tracy would only see her lying on the ground, limp and lifeless. What she would also see was that damn slime, creeping up on the ashen-haired woman.

Heroes: (Help Richard - auto-help) (Chaotic Darkness - auto-hit)
Clone Army: -
Monster: (???)

---

Tix: 30 stamina/willpower
Tracy: 24 stamina, 18 willpower
Aura: 2 stamina + Unconscious
Rachel: 0 stamina
Richard: 0 stamina
Clone 1: 5 stamina + Stunned
Clone 2: 2 stamina + Marked + Stunned
Clone 3: 4 stamina + Stunned
Clone 4: 4 stamina + Stunned
Clone 5: 4 stamina + Stunned
T-04: 20 stamina

Tix kneeled next to Aura without saying a single word, she checked the girl's pulse... She was alive... Barely... Tix stood up as she hid Aura away in the shadows, she turned to face the monster, her eyes filled with rage "You want her? It will be over my cold, dead body." She claimed, getting ready to destroy this aberrations once and for all "Pay attention monster, because Tix Seafield will be the last name you ever hear!"

(Free Action: Hide Aura)

"Yeah! Take that you foolish slime!" Tracy declared, having vanquished the great foe in front of her, aka the small blob on Richard's chest. She turned around in pride to see how Rachel was doing, and possibly to get advice on a better one liner to give.

Only to see Rachel on the ground.

Tracy's face went pale. This was not what she'd expected. This was not how things were supposed to go! When heroes and villains teamed up to fight a common foe, they were supposed to win.

And yet, there she lay. Helpless. Motionless. Alone.

Perhaps for the first time since this fight had begun, Tracy was beginning to see exactly what was going on in the fight. She hadn't even really noticed the other two who'd joined the fight, even after being saved by one, and narrowly avoiding being struck by another.

Fighting had never really been Tracy's strong suit. She had always been a lover, not a fighter. But right now, seducing her enemy clearly wasn't an option. Not because she wasn't capable of it, but because this... thing had hurt Rachel.

Tracy reached out onto the counter beside her, pulling the first heavy object she came across. This was, after all, a blacksmith's. There was no shortage of weapons, tools, or armour.

But what Tracy pulled was none of these things. Instead, she ended up with a tower shield.

It seemed that the slime was approaching its next target, making its next move easier to pin down. She held the large shield in front of her, and began to charge where she thought the slime would end up.

She may not be able to save Rachel like this. But she could damn well avenge her.

(Free Action: Shielded Bull Rush on Theta)

Blood trickled from the corner of her mouth. Her body was limp, her eyes were closed; if not for her slow breathing and pulse, one could not be blamed for assuming her death. Tix looked at her unconscious form one more time before the shadows took her, furiously tightening the grip on her blade.

She noticed the slime had released Rachel and appeared to have been reduced in size. The clones recovered as well, surrounding her from every direction. Yet something strange was happening with them: they weren't moving. Tix was prepared for an ambush that never came to be, instead the main body jumped directly on her face and began draining her life.

Tracy was having none of that! With a battle cry worthy of a hero villain, she slammed the heavy shield into the slime's body, sending it crashing into the cement floor. Sending slimes flying; she was getting good at it.

The clones rushed to the main body in response to the physical trauma, adding themselves onto it. It would appear that despite sensing Aura's whereabouts, they would rather clumsily reunite with Theta, stumbling across each other while doing so.

Heroes: (Hide Aura - auto-hide) (Shielded Bull Rush: Deals 3 stamina damage and inflicts Stun - 24)
Monster: (Facehug - 64)
Clone Army: (Return) (Return) (Return) (Return) (Return)

---

Tix: 30 stamina, 25 willpower
Tracy: 24 stamina, 18 willpower
Rachel: 0 stamina
Richard: 0 stamina
T-04: 40 stamina + Marked + Stunned

Tix cleaned her mouth after the slime's hug, she was enev angrier than before, that damn thing tried to kill Aura, it was time that monster knew what pain was, raising her hand, several blades of pure darkness appeared behing Tix and with a movement they started to rain over the slime.

(Clutches of Despair)

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Tracy noticed that the girl who also seemed to be fighting this slime was preparing some sort of big attack. Tracy decided that perhaps some of her usual fighting style could be useable. She attempted to grab the slime, whilst using the tower shield to separate her from it, and hold it to stop it avoiding the attack, whilst shielding herself with the... well... shield.

(Free Action: Shielded Grapple)

The moment Tracy grasped the slime with her hands, she could start to feel her energy flowing into it. She did not give up, instead gripping even tighter, keeping the slime in place for the barrage of blades coming its way. With every sword piercing into it, Tracy's grip got weaker and weaker, as the sheer impact of the blades pushed her further and further away. And on the twelfth strike, both villainess and monster were blown away.

Luckily for Tracy, she sidestepped in time, dodging the slime's body and getting a good view at it as it laid nailed to a wall.

Heroes: (Shielded Grapple: Grants advantage to anyone attacking the target - auto-hit) (Clutches of Despair[adv][adv] - 30, 54, 22, 26, 96!, auto-hit, 10, 58, 66, 70, 88!, auto-hit, 61)
Monster:-

Passive Discovered: Medium's Curse

---

Tix: 30 stamina, 25 willpower
Tracy: 23 stamina, 16 willpower
Rachel: 0 stamina
Richard: 0 stamina
T-04: 28 stamina + Shadowflame(12)

Tix grinned at the sight of the monster impaled by several of her dark blades, sheathing her blade and taking a battle stance "Come at me, monster!" She taunted, waiting, with her hand hovering over the hilts of her blades, waiting for the slime to make it's move.

(Quick Draw - Kurou No Tatsu)

Tracy grinned. Her plan had worked. Sure, she hadn't expected to have her energy drained by just touching the slime, but still, she'd helped make sure it took a good beating. And with a blow like that, she reckoned it was probably going to consider retreat soon.

Right now is when she'd start to gloat, and monologue, about how a pitiful slime had thought to challenge her. After all, it was only fair to let a villain's foe get a chance to strike back, or to escape. But this... thing had hurt Rachel. Or worse. This was no time for games, or mercy. She decided to keep the reckless assault up.

(Free Action: Shielded Bull Rush on Theta)

Theta did not react to the taunt. In fact, the slime had become quiet after its encounter with Aura, no more screeching and roaring. Its movements became stiff, easy to read... this time was no different. It attempted to slide through the blades and unpin itself, but suddenly stopped, flinching slightly at nothing... much to Tix's annoyance.

Tracy wasted no time in slamming the creature with her tower shield, driving the blades further inside it, as well as cramming it between the wall and shield.

Heroes: (Quick Draw - Kurou No Tatsu - auto-miss) (Shielded Bull Rush - auto-hit)
Monster: (Suggestion - 85)

---

Tix: 30 stamina, 25 willpower
Tracy: 23 stamina, 16 willpower
Rachel: 0 stamina
Richard: 0 stamina
T-04: 25 stamina + Stunned + Shadowflame(11)

Now that thing was just standing there, that annoyed Tix, was she mocking her? She saw the annoying 'villianess' smashing the slime once more with her shield, now it was her chance, sheathing her dark blade, Tix unsheathed his third one, pure power coming out from her sword as she prepared to slash and destroy this slime "Soar the skies and smite down those who oppose me... Black Dragon’s Soaring Thunder Blade!"

(Black Dragon’s Soaring Thunder Blade)

Tracy would be feeling pretty good about herself, were it not for Rachel lying on the floor, not too far from her. She had the thing pinned against the wall, vengeance would be her's soon enough. And yet... she got no sense of satisfaction from it. All she saw was herself, destroying a pitiful excuse of a creature. Taking out her rage on it.

But she couldn't stop. A hero would let this pitiful creature escape.

Tracy was no hero.

She tried to stab the shield through the slime.

(Free Action: Tower Shield Impalement)