Log:Grax the Great Challenge

2020/07/24 	 Chyoode Korkoro Wade Ellbeth Imaginary Girl Artemis Slinger Grax

1

A mostly-sunny afternoon in the Aliend District, with just enough cloud cover to make it a more balmy 90 degrees F while providing some helpful humidity. This way, it only -feels- near 100. There are fewer tourists out on the street due to the heat, at least among those more local or otherwise adverse to the current weather.

It also means fewer gatherings from the various protesting or counter-protesting groups. Still there are a few signs and/or clothing items bearing ACE/ACHE, RACE, APT (Aliens are People Too!), and various pro- or anti-extra-terrestrial sentiments. All is peaceful, though, as neither the few demonstrators nor most security really want things to get more heated or sweaty than they already are.

Ellbeth is with the APT gathering. She's mixed in the main body of the protest/counter-protest, and is carrying a APT placard duct taped to a pole.

Artemis has been keeping an eye on the Alien district. Her favorite watering holes are here! Also she understands there is a need to help keep the peace between the hoomans and other species. She's begun to understand why the hoomans are isolated in their system. There is more she wants to learn, though. So she flies along, unbothered by the heat as she wonders where all the hoomans have gone.

Wade is out for a mid-afternoon jog. Sure, he could work out in the air conditioning of CBSU or at Starguard. But there's something nice about being out in the sun, even if the heat is somewhat oppressive. Just in case there's an issue, he does have his shield bracer with him. After all, tensions have still been high as of late.

Magda has little experience with the anti-alien crowd, which is why she is present to observe; the experience brings with it unpleasant frissions of memory -- anti-mutant. Anti-Semetic, anti-gypsy unrest.

Imaginary Girl is, as almost always, flying over the city on the lookout for trouble she can help with -- and is currently overhead in the Alien District. As usual, she's flying about twenty or thirty feet above the tallest buildings in the immediate area, and following the street grid -- so that she's visible to pretty well anyone who looks up into the sky from below. As she flies, she mostly listens for trouble, but she's also glancing down and about as she goes.

Chyoode, for her part, is enjoying the sunshine after working the lunch shift at the Seven Stars. She sunning herself in the park near the First Contact site.

The groups of semi-subdued peoples of varied opinions are waving their signage more to fan themselves than convey their message. This changes as a new ... entourage exits the TransMat. The key individual is quite conspicous as not a local, given that he is over three meters tall. While humanoid, he certainly isn't human. The closest terran analogy might be armadillo crossed with hedgehog with hefty addition of performance-enhancing drugs and/or weight training. His limbs are large and muscular, his torso very barrel-like, and numerous spines run along limbs and down over his head in a ...quill space-mullet.

He is flanked by a number of robots or powered-armor wearers. These are dwarfed by his mass, though are still a head taller than the average human. Once the building is cleared, small drones are dispensed from the robots/armored ones to hover and scan about with multiple lenses.

Wade notices the...entourage, and slows to a walk, doing a quick pulse check. The alien did come through TransMat, so clearly they were cleared. So, perhaps it's just someone to keep an eye on.

Artemis dips lower along the streets on her wandering, seeing the one flaked with robots and drones. She gasps and draws nearer as she recognizes a former opponent. She immediately draws her sword and summons forth her shield before coming for a landing before the entourage. "Grax the Great! I see you've managed to escape the battle grounds," she says loudly and with good-natured ease. "What luxuries were you promised for such a position?"

Ellbeth pulls out a PDA, as likely quite a few others are doing. She films the alien entourage and sends the video of Starguard.

Slinger swings and lands on a flag pole, balancing in what at looks like a precarious position. He can't help but stop to look at the large alien & his entourage.

He cocks his head when the redheaded woman built like an Amazon lands nearby and greets the being with familiarity.

He leaps to get a closer position, clinging to a nearby structure upside down.

Magda, having seen one of these before on the news, focuses her attention. With but a thought, her street clothing ripples and shifts to its 'battle configuration' -- because a live alien near alien protestors is a recipe for a disturbance.

Seeing and hearing what's going on, with Artemis drawing a blade, Imaginary Girl swoops down and lands nearby. Hands on her hips, she just stands there, watching... and while she is watching everyone as best she can, she mostly has her attention focused on Artemis. "Why're you pulling out a sword?", she asks.

Quite clearly, Imaginary Girl's trying to defuse the situation before it comes to blows... and, also, she's waiting and watching to see what actually happens before she makes a snap judgement on what's 'right' or 'wrong'.

Chyoode watches with vague interest, mostly because of the entourages: aliens themselves are unremarkable. But she sees no immediate reason to abandon her sunbathing,

Wade sighs as he sees Artemis approach the alien in question. The face palming has begun. Wade runs a hand over his face, nominally to remove some sweat from his brow. But in reality, it's because he realized that another being from Artemis's past has shown up.

Ellbeth sends a gentle mental 'knock to Wade.

Slinger senses himself at the confluence of events- so he hangs out.

Wade looks around to see where Ellbeth is, but he accepts the mental connection.

Grax The Great's four eyes widen briefly as Artemis lands before him. He looks down at her and immediately breaks out into a bellicose laugh.

"Ha! Althea Ashildur! It is good to see you!"

His translator may be slightly malfunctioning, as the digital voice is ... about six octaves higher than one might expect from the laugh. Perhaps it was set for more dense atmospheres, or someone injected it with helium?

Grax turns to one of the hover drones, looking straight into the lens to comment, "I told you she is an idiot."

Back to Artemis, he ...smiles(?). "My task, and reward, is you!"

 Ellbeth says, "Hello, Wade. Ellbeth here. Do you know these people. Personally drone cover in the city is a little concerning."

 Wade says, "No idea. But clearly Artemis knows him. Former gladiator, maybe?"

Swords being drawn seems like a good indicator that things are about to go awry- but the way the two are interacting makes him question everything. He watches their body language in hopes of being alerted to the undercurrent of their interaction.

Grax then reaches out to try and envelop Artemis in a ...hug?

 Ellbeth says, "Then let us hope they are friends."

Artemis shifts her stance to present her profile as she rests her sword against her shoulder casually. Though she suspects foul play and makes sure to keep her shield between her and Grax. "My hearts are glad to see you hold no grudge for my ruination of your winning streak." She either ignores or doesn't understand the statement of her being an idiot. "If you are set upon thy task, then let us take this to the limits of the city," she says as Grax goes to give her a hug. There is camaraderie and rivalry in her voice. Which...doesn't exclude them being friends.

Imaginary Girl watches, still waiting to see what happens... but she's made it clear, she hopes, with her presence, that she won't tolerate wanton violence.

Ellbeth starts to insinuate an felt mental probe into Grax's mind.

Wade looks more closely at the drones. "They're cameras. He's intending a live fight to be transmitted."

Chyoode gets up, stretches, and begins walking over. In case things turn nasty.

Ellbeth starts to insinuate an UNFELT mental probe into Grax's mind.

Slinger watches every motion with a keen eye enhanced by his metahuman ability to read just about any language- even body language.

Grax's whole demeanor sets something off in him- but by then the being already has his mits on Artemis.

Slinger takes his eyes to the drones that accompany the alien & the (equally alien) Amazonesque woman.

Artemis answers Imaginary Girl, distracted from the hugging attempt. "What think you when you see weapons drawn?" she chuckles.

"I think this is a place where doing so risks harm to far too many innocents", Imaginary Girl says, flatly.

Grabs wraps Artemis up in his barrel-arms and laughs more. He bellows in his own tongue, followed by the translator squeaking, "You are no challenge! I will crush you in the arena!"

Ellbeth steps forward, suggesting first to Wade, "Time to clear the area?" Then she speaks up loudly, "Alright, alright, alright. Lets get set up before you start. First wait for the area to be cleared. Second, who's going to pay for the damages to property?"

Artemis gives a bit of a struggle, then smiles at Grax. "There be time for affection aplenty in private, Grax the Great," she croons affectionately at the spiked alien. When he boasts, she looks amused. "Oh ho. So you wish a challenge again? I propose we find a more suiting locale. One without Dalux's wranglers," she nods to the robot-looking entourage.

Wade nods to Ellbeth. "Or to move this to the stadium?"

Ellbeth nods, "So the entire city, no the world, can watch this mighty pair battle it out. A great idea." Trying to play of the known pride and vanity of Artemis and assuming from speach so far Grax is much the same.

Slinger bounds into the fray since things seem to have taken a decidedly disastrous turn. He assumes all those antennae & optics are important to Grax's plans.

He leaps towards the nearest drone, aiming his webline to anchor itself to the largest lens available with the intent to quip these two gladiators out of tearing through the 'Alien District'.

He's starting to put things together- not everything, but enough to know that the other metahumans are intervening for similar reasons.

"Move it to the ARENA, -then- fight", Imaginary Girl says, directing these words to Grax. "... or do you require endangering innocents about to make yourself feel strong and brave?", she adds, with a gesture about the area at all the people nearby.

"Yeah! You heard the lady!" Slinger says in agreement with what he's heard- mostly not hurting innocents. But hey, he'll watcha slugmatch too if it comes down to it.

Chyoode gets the idea, "If you do so, I'll ensure you'll draw crowds!"

Artemis glances at Ellbeth. "Strange. I had not realized the bloodlust of hoomans was the same as the Malvan..." she comments then looks to Grax. "A fight it must be, it seems," she says, as if she was hoping to avoid that. What's come over Artemis!?

Grax looks at the other comments and announces, "Yes! Back to the arena! Duod Dalux will reward me greatly for your return, and more when you are defeated a second time!" He turns, Artemis in hand(s), to do just that, stepping back for the TransMat.

"You're also assuming that she's interested in a match at this time. Taking her against her will won't be tolerated", Imaginary Girl says, floating over to put herself between the alien and Transmat. She does ask, directing her words to Artemis. "Do you -want- to go with him, right here and right now?"

"Woah this guy sure knows this town well..." Slinger says, hanging from a drone. "Unless ... you know- she doesn't want to fight. It sounds like ... I don't know. Maybe we don't understand what's happening..." Slinger says shortly after Imaginary Girl picks up on the same thing he does.

Artemis answers Imaginary Girl truthfully, "It is not my wish to return to Duod Dalux's gladiator ring."

Wade turns on his energy shield..and runs forward, trying to interpose himself between Grax and the entrance to TransMat, "She's not leaving the planet." He stands there, shield at the ready...and finds himself wondering if Grax saw footage from the last time bounty hunters tried to take Artemis back to Dalux.

Slinger slings his webs ahead of Grax- attempting to cover his escape in webbing. It might not stop the large alien but it will slow him down a bit.

"You heard the lady. She's staying Earthbound. But you're welcome to visit our Starguard Facility. I hear their cells are very nice. Maybe not roomy- you're a big fella, but I'm sure they'll make room for you once we tell them why you're here."

He's starting to put things together- not everything, but enough to know that the other metahumans are intervening for similar reasons.

First a Wade-shaped speedbump appeared, and now the entire entrance to the TransMat is ...webbed.

Imaginary Girl lifts her hands from her hips, balling them into fists. "You heard her. She doesn't want to go, which means you're now taking her against her will. Put her down... or we'll put YOU down", she says.

Grax snorts, "Silly hooman. Grax is Great!" With two obstacles, the quartet of Wrangler bots split their attention. Two fire narrow, concentrated beams of energy at the webbing in the way, while the other two loose less-concentrated blasts at Wade.

Wade takes the his on his shield, with very little effect. "I had hoped to be able to talk this out. But apparently that's off the table."

The webbing is cut through heavily. Strands are melted or burned through, but it manages to cling by... a few strands. What remains may not be much more resilient than cobwebs, though.

Chyoode tilts her head back and shoots lightning from her nose at one of the bots who attacked Wade. "Hey, no shooting humans! Especially not the handsome ones."

The nose-lightning goes wide and high of the Wrangler... but does manage to impact what remained of Slingers Wond-er Web Wall. With that sneeze, and a few million volts, the last remnants of the barrier are blown away.

Chyoode says, "Oops!"

"Friend Wade!" Artemis says excitedly to see him intercede, and to be mostly unharmed by the blast. "This is a day most strange. It seems your fellow hoomans were keen to make me fight Grax the Great for their entertainment." She looks over as lightning snot blasts the way. "And some are most insistent there be no delays," she comments to herself.

She looks to Grax. "I am oath-sworn to do no harm to this world. And I will not go back with you," she says as she tries to turn the tables on Grax with a twist of her shoulders.

Artemis slips her shoulder down enough to create space to slip down from his grab. She steps back as his arms close in around the vacuum, then steps in to seize him in a similar grip. "You will do no harm to this planet."

Korkoro says, "Silver-haired Korkoro -- 'Freedom' -- shakes her head and gestures to ascend into the air to gain a measure of perspective, then gestures again, her hands spreading as she telekinetically lifts and moves the civilians out of the line of fire. "Please stop," she calls out. "Or we'll shut down your broadcast.""

No matter what is happening, there are always, rubberneckers, lookie-loos, and wannabe social media celebrities wanting to watch/record/stream. Even if common sense and survival instincts scream to the contrary. Those who didn't already (wisely) back up when things turned physical (or energy, as, well, hugs aren't so bad), are surprised to have themselves moved away from the center of activity.

Speaking of hugs, Grax laughs and bellows. Again. And, once more, his translator sounds far more a chipmunk than an Alpha dog. "I care nothing for this world? Why would I harm it?! There is no glory or wealth in it!" He then twist and struggles against Artemis' grip, seeking to dislodge himself, but not give up his prize.

Artemis keeps Grax held fast to her. "Then you should have no quarrel in taking this struggle beyond this city."

Imaginary Girl watches as Artemis reverses the alien's hold on her... then watches as the alien tries to break free, but remains in the woman's grip. "Nice setup...", she says, stepping forward as she draws back a fist...

Ellbeth smiles, "I apologise, Artemis. All I had heard of you indicated you would welcome a challenge. I will not stand by while you are taken off this planet against your will however. And for you, Grax, do not underestimate the opposition you face. Let me give you a few moments of stillness to think about that."

"Nice...setup...?" Artemis asks, then watches Imaginary Girl wind her fist up. She looks between Grax and Imaginary Girl a few times as the gears turn in her head. Reluctantly, she releases Grax and takes a step back. "'Tis no honor in holding an opponent down and helpless while others beat upon them," she intones.

Artemis holds her head and states specifically in answer to Ellbeth, "He has yet to challenge me."

Imaginary Girl steps up, basically underneath the alien (which is much taller than she is). She crouches a moment, then launches herself upwards with a force that actually leaves a few cracks in the sidewalk her feet had been on. The heroine calls out, "Welcome to Earth!", just before fist connects with the alien's "chin" with a resounding *crack*!

Grax is sent airborne, but the quills of his chinny-chin-chin (he does have three, actually. Chins, that is). He then drops back onto the steps from which he launched after a second or two.

Slinger turns around to see Victory deflect the the blast away. He double takes back to his webbing as the wranglers burn through his webbing. "Aww come on. I literally just put that up!" He exclaims before frowning. Its hard to know if he's talking to the wranglers or Chyoode.

"Alright- that's it. You come to my planet ... allegedly my planet and come try to kidnap muscle-bound babes for some Space Dork? And then you shoot the Starguard's Most Valuable Bachelor - which honestly went spectacularly... For him." He gives Wade fingerguns. "Good on you Vic."

He turns back to Grax, nodding with appreciation of Artemis' grappling skills. "Worse you didn't even challenge the lady to a fair fight. And then blow through my perfectly hung web-wall?! Not arid. Not arid at all, bro." Its hard to tell which of the things he's listed is the most egregious.

Luckily, Imaginary Girl still manages to punctuate his feelings on the whole situation perfectly.

With sudden dynamism, he leaps up and attempts to shoot a ball of webbing at the nearest Wrangler (not the one Chyoode shot with nose lightning).

semi-squats, then it stands upright anew. Some of the paint might be scuffed.
 * SPLAT* The webbing hits the bot on the top of its head. Leg joints bend as it

Slinger lands and frowns seeing his efforts ... more or less wasted but after a moment can be heard saying, "Oooh... those are nice." He can clearly appreciate quality craftsmanship.

Wade falls into a defensive stance, shield up. He doesn't want to go after Grax, given how badly the newcomer is outnumbered. But there are those drones....

To Artemis, Imaginary Girl says, "I like that you're willing to fight fair... but I'm pretty sure he wasn't even trying to play fair. Playing fair would mean NOT taking you against your will", as she floats back down to the ground... and kicks the downed alien, aiming to kick him towards the transmat. "You're no longer welcome here, because you tried to take someone from this world against her will", she says to Grax. "Go. Home!", she adds, timing the last word with the kick.

Grax goes flying away from IG and into the TransMat. The doors don't open quite fast enough and are partially removed with a rending of metal and shattering glass.

Artemis merely shakes her head. "It matters not that he playest fair or not. I am bound by a code of honor and cannot resort to such tactics," she opines, missing that Imaginary Girl is giving Grax the boot until he goes flying. Her head wipes to watch Grax smash through the doors. She's about to say something, mouth open, but words fail her as she tries to process something that seems terribly wrong.

Slinger sucks his teeth at that. "Can you imagine being bounced from a /planet/?" He says as an aside to Victory, shaking his head. "Embarrassing."

Imaginary Girl looks back at Artemis. "You're a good person. I hope I didn't mess up your code of honor or something...", she says, actually seeming to really mean it as an apology.

All four of the humanoid bots swivel to look after the departing Grax, then pan back to Imaginary Girl and linger. One of the drones floats inside the building, possibly for a close-up of Grax.

Artemis sheathes her blade. "I think you hath just gained the attentions of Duod Dalux," she comments aside to Imaginary Girl.

Wade chuckles and says to Slinger, "Dalux sent bounty hunters a while back to collect Artemis. We effectively bounced them."

Looking at the humanoid bots, Imaginary Girl says, "Anyone who tries to harm any person on this planet, including kidnapping them, has -my- attention", directly to the 'camera', her hands, still balled into fists, dropping to rest on her hips.

From inside the TransMat comes a loud, enraged bellow. A thundering collection of steps follow before Grax appears in the ruined doorway. A blunt stub of a finger points at Artemis as he starts rapidly spewing... words(?) at her. The translator seems to struggle to keep up.

"Cowardly ... daughter ... crawling ... vermin ... Face me! Our rematch is now! Do not hide behind lesser beings!"

Artemis turns her head towards Grax. "Is that...a challenge?" she asks very clearly.

Imaginary Girl remains, quiet now, standing with fists on hips near Artemis, as the other woman speaks to Grax. "What's it mean for your code of honor if he's the one challenging you?", she then asides to Artemis.

"Oh- geez. Some people never learn." Slinger replies to Wade, before turning to regard Artemis a moment- wondering what all the fuss is about. Besides her being a magnificent goddess of course. That is until IGs photogenic display of televised force & declared intent catches his eye.

He watches the back and forth when Grax starts spewing hate-filled bigot speak. That seems to be all he can take before interposing once more.

"Lesser beings?! Buddy I'm pretty sure a couple of our boldest, bravest ladies just showed you up every step of the way." He scoffs, shouting like a heckler in the crowd of a Professional Wrestling event. He looks around for popcorn to throw. But of course all the civilians have been moved out of harms range.

Artemis turns towards Grax while answering Imaginary Girl, "I cannot refuse."

Imaginary Girl nods. "Am I and the others allowed to help you fight? Or should we hang back and watch?", she asks, turning to also look back at Grex.

Grax's face discovers a new shade of ...muave? Both hands point at her now, balling into fists.

"Yes, you worthless ... slovenly ... excrement ... I challenge you! Stand and fight, or surrender and beg for my mercy!"

Artemis slowly draws her sword. "Nay, not in a challenge unless it were a group challenge. It need not mean I must fight immediately." She calls to Grax. "Very well, but as I said, I request a place less populated by the hoomans. I suggest the Acres Verdant!"

"Well, I'll come watch, then, if that's okay with you. Any circumstance where I -can- intervene?", Imaginary Girl asks. "Oh... is, like, a fight to the death, or just til someone can't fight anymore?"

Wade says to Imaginary Girl, "Honor is very important to Artemis. But the specifics of what is said...is VERY important."

The drones pan across several of the heroes, whether for the benefit of the viewing audience or the broadcaster. One lingers on Wade after Slinger's comment is translated. Perhaps he could be a contender? As well, there may be ... alternative niche markets for hooman bachelors?

"The location of your choosing," Grax accepts with a dismissive wave. "I care not." At Imaginary Girl's latter question, he looks to her with a grin. "As much as I would enjoy crushing the life from this ... ," the translator gives up on that one, "no." Eyes return to Artemis. "I will defeat you and THEN return you to the pits, so that I can trample you into the sands again and again..." Not to mention claiming rewards.

Artemis frowns at the terms of the challenge. But the way he words it is paid very close attention to. "Then to the Acres Verdant for this challenge. I have defeated you once already, and shall do so a second time."

Ellbeth asks, Artemis, is Grax bound to accept challenges as you are?"

Artemis chuckles at the question. "He is not Ashildr. I would think hoomans could at least tell us apart," she says, sweeping her shield to gesture to Grax and then herself.

Slinger doesn't like giving up a perfectly good tactical advantage. No true version of Daemon would.

"Are we serious? I mean... we were kicking his ... well hindparts. Who cares about honor? You can't pay bills with honor. You can't keep your kids warm at night with honor." He turns to Artemis and says, "You can't stay out of these 'pits' on Honor alone!"

"If you beat her, you're still not going to take her against her will", Imaginary Girl says to Grax... and it comes out as a flat statement, not a suggestion, not a question. "She goes where she WANTS to go, or you're nothing more than a simple, cowardly criminal."

Imaginary Girl then turns to Slinger and says, "It's not about him. It's about her", with a gesture to Artemis. "It'd be wrong to wrong her code of honor, just like it's wrong to let some petty, criminal coward try to kidnap her." Yep, she's driving that point home.

Ellbeth moves to Slinger, and whispers, "First he has to defeat Artemis. That will not be an easy task. I have seen er in combat. Then... he has to get her off planets.. past.. all of us."

Wade shakes his head. Though he does note...that Grax didn't make taking her back the terms. He just said that he would defeat her...and then take her back. But he's not going to mention that openly. Not yet. Artemis wouldn't be able to keep her mouth shut.

Grax waves a hand, now open, at Artemis. "Lead the way to your downfall, Ashildr." Lenses rotate to focus on the challenged. The four Wrangler bots step out towards the terrans still in the area.

"Wagers will now be accepted," they announce. "Current odds 4:3 in favor of Grax The Great."

Wade points to a bot. "We're going to observe. Just like you are."

Slinger doesn't look like he approves of that either because it gives time for backup to arrive but wagers get offered and he's very broke.

"You guys take UE Credits?" He asks patting his skin-tight suit down.

He turns back to Ellbeth and says, "YOu'd better be right."

Artemis floats off of the ground and points her sword to the west. She frowns a moment, notes the position of the sun, then drives her sword east instead. "To the Acres Verdant, then! And let there be no more damage to their cities!" The suburbs, though, are about to tremble as she flis off.

Wade nods to Slinger, "She's right. This won't be as easy as Grax thinks."

"All forms of currency and commodity accepted," the nearest assures Slinger. Another confirms with Wade, "Affirmative."

The drones flit off after Artemis. Grax waits for her to gain some distance before making a heavy run and beginning to bound after her in great leaps.

The Wranglers await any immediate wagers to be placed before they take flight in pursuit.

Slinger produces his creditstick. "Ha! Well then- I'll put $1600 on the redhead. Sounds like a sure thing!" He says confidently enough on the others' word.

Imaginary Girl lifts off the ground, too, to follow along.