neonleon | SERPENTINE HORIZON

Let me try slowing him down then!

[ Hunter digs an ice glyph out of his pocket this time, blinking forward to slap it onto the figure’s back and try to freeze him in place. ]

[Unfortunately green doesn't tell him much when he expects corruption, he needs to see the face clearly-]

[Don't get hit, don't get hit-]

[It's a mantra he keeps in mind, he knows any strong hit has a tendency to knock him down longer than he ever wants in a fight, feels the staff is starting to over extend, and he pulls it back and in close to his body to block the blow.]

[While the hit does land, it doesn't land as hard as it probably should. The ice hitting his back is a shock to the system, slowing him down as it starts freezing down his legs and to the ground.

He lets out a growl of a noise as he's a little stuck, looking between them. Trying to decide which one to focus on.]

Leo? Are you in there?

[ Hunter warily takes a step closer. ]

Hunter, stay back!

[But the target isn't moving, and that's a solid opportunity to thrust the staff forward, not to really hit as much push and maybe tear that hood off.]

[That ice is going down his arm and keeping the katana secured in his hand so he can't just portal away either.

But the hood does come off - an older, tired Leonardo turning to stare at him, half covered in black-green goop coiling around him.]

[ Hunter does not stay back, but he doesn’t approach any further just yet. Instead, he stares at … all of this. Clearly Leo, yes, but older, and sadder, and covered in …

That last part jolts him back into some kind of action. ]

That - that awful stuff is Belos’s influence. We need to get it out of him. Somehow. Without getting it on us.

[UM EXCUSE ME?!]

[THINGS HE EXPECTED? NOT THIS.]

...hey, old man Leo, you got any ability to stay still?

[He looks from Donnie, to his hand, sword, and half his body now covered in ice. Then back to Donnie.]

… I don’t think he CAN move right now. Thanks to us.

[ He takes another step forward? Reaching for some of the goop on OML’s shoulder. He doesn’t want to get infected, but maybe it will go for a more attractive target. ]

We are NOT doing that tomfoolery again.

[Purple metal arm is grabbing Hunter and yanking him away.]

And if YOU can sass me, I will assume yes.

[Which is when three more arms extend from the newformly spider shell.]

[And his staff turns into a chainsaw.]

[Time to tug at goop and cut it off with the power of science and much sculpting practice! :D]

[He still isn't moving. But when Donnie stars tugging and cutting at the goop... It's clear it's actually a part of him. A big piece of what's holding him together.]

—- Wait! Wait, stop.

[ Hunter stays back behind Donnie but. ]

I don’t think we can get it out without hurting him. If - if it’s like what my possession was, he’s eaten part of his body already. He’ll die if you yank it out without a plan.

Well that's just annoying. At least the Kraang had the decency to let themselves be ripped out.

[The chainsaw does come to a stop.]

[He still looks to be pondering doing it anyway.]

You got any information for us Leo? Because we can free one hand, but if you're gonna go puppet soldier on us again only, its better to leave you like this.

[he watches Donnie, then shrugs the one free shoulder shaking his head.]

Beat me fair and square.

In a fight? Just him?

[ Since 2-on-1 doesn’t seem fair. ]

...I cannot believe you were giving me silent sass when you can talk just fine, you-

We are trying to help you, what is this squaring up nonsense?!

Edited 2022-12-09 15:52 (UTC)

I know. [He holds his free hand out placating.]

I don't know much, just what I am. And that you have to go a little deeper.

He’s not Leo’s inner self. Most of the time, if you see a version of someone in a mindscape, they’re … kind of limited.

Guard was an exception.

And to go deeper I have to beat him in a fight?! What sense is that?!

[He gestures wildly at Leo with one hand.]

[The other has....a rather hard grip on his bo.]

[Because he knows his got a better shot then Hunter because he knows Leo's tactics, he knows how Leo works, he would very much have the better shot.]

[But while he's always down to try, there is a definite awareness that most of the time...Leo is just better than him and that awareness is terrifying when there's stakes versus just a spar.]

I was just put here to try to stop you. It was a fifty-fifty shot either way that you'd beat me.

[He says that, and the goop around the base of two buildings behind him recede, showing two exits free to traverse.]

I can tell you you're close, though. Probably.

… Did Belos force you to do that? Or are you naturally protective of Leo’s inner self?

[Looking at the doors.] Are those not going to take us to the deeper you meant? That still means beating you?

[he looks from Hunter down to his free hand, like the goop is interwoven through it, patchwork through that giant, hulking hand.]

Bit of column A, bit of column B?

[And then Donnie's asking about-]

They go down, yeah. You don't have to beat me, you already did.

That … makes sense. Yeah. Belos corrupting the mind’s usual processes…

[ Hunter just over here bein’ a nerd thanks. ]

— Oh. I didn’t realize that counted.

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