neonleon | SERPENTINE HORIZON

[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.

...that wasn't a challenge, that was a statement of fact.

Thank god. [Okay, now he'll let himself just slump a bit against his staff, forehead to the wood because! Way to give him a heart attack!]

Should we just...keep you like this for now? [Gestures at Leo.] The ice will melt and I can dismiss the fabrications whenever.]

[He visibly winces at the correction, a bit of that goop spreading further an inch or so.]

If you want. It won't make much different either way.

[ Leo :( Hunter winces as he watches the corruption spread. ]

Who … are you, exactly? You look different. Older.

[He grimaces as he sees the goop spreading, staring at it with some Concern.]

[He looks at Hunter, then back down at his hand.]

Self doubt. About himself, about the future. Casey built up "Master Leonardo" as this whole... thing, so. That's this whole [He waves his hand over his face.] situation.

Re: 2nd - BATTLE NEXUS NYC

Re: 2nd - BATTLE NEXUS NYC

Re: 2nd - BATTLE NEXUS NYC

Re: 2nd - BATTLE NEXUS NYC

Re: 2nd - BATTLE NEXUS NYC

Re: 2nd - BATTLE NEXUS NYC

Re: 2nd - BATTLE NEXUS NYC

Re: 2nd - BATTLE NEXUS NYC

Re: 2nd - BATTLE NEXUS NYC

Re: 2nd - BATTLE NEXUS NYC

Re: 2nd - BATTLE NEXUS NYC

Re: 2nd - BATTLE NEXUS NYC

Re: 2nd - BATTLE NEXUS NYC

Re: 2nd - BATTLE NEXUS NYC

Re: 2nd - BATTLE NEXUS NYC

Re: 2nd - BATTLE NEXUS NYC

Re: 2nd - BATTLE NEXUS NYC

Re: 2nd - BATTLE NEXUS NYC

Re: 2nd - BATTLE NEXUS NYC

Re: 2nd - BATTLE NEXUS NYC

Re: 2nd - BATTLE NEXUS NYC

Re: 2nd - BATTLE NEXUS NYC

Re: 2nd - BATTLE NEXUS NYC

Re: 2nd - BATTLE NEXUS NYC

Re: 2nd - BATTLE NEXUS NYC