Task's headband glowed and his head began to throb, and a feeling of desperation began to ebb through him.

<..-un! Get awa->

Voices. he heard a voice. Where?

<-t! He's comin-...-ot ready, you must->

Who was coming? Seemed like there were already alot of being coming after them already...

It was then, that Task's eyes felt guided up and to the back of the car, where there seemed to be a light following them.

Task was overwhelmed, his mind reeling, and he wished he were somewhere else right about now.

He drew both weapons and stood in his seat to face the oncoming force. There was no time for warning, no time but to react. His mind was too overwhelmed to make sentences, so he made a word.

"Laurella!" He called to the mother of hell, a warning that would serve no use to her even if it was heeded.

The Twisted Burning Wreckage OR Better Dead Part 1
 

Rick pulled himself out of the wreckage that was the car, dragging his bag with him. Wish I'd been wearing my seatbelt… what the hell happened?

He looked up in time to see the angel fly off toward the Mustang. He looked around, Martin didn’t appear ready for much yet, but looked alive. Jacob appeared to… Jacob?! Rick started to run toward the body and saw the wounds, gray matter and blood oozing from the new orifices. Rick hung his head. Everyone I work with... He turned around.

His ride was gone, and he couldn’t run as fast as a leaper. He was stuck between the remaining hoard of undead, demons, and people who all wanted him and everyone he was with dead. There was no way for him to catch up to the Mustang and help Laurella, at least, no way he could see.

Rick threw on his backpack and pulled his blindfold out. Well, I guess this is it for me; their priority is to save Laurella, my priority… He placed the blindfold over his eyes, carved the sigil in his left hand and drew his sword. I might as well buy them some time.

Shori, I guess I’ll be joining you soon!

((OOC: Looks like I’m waiting for either someone to pick me up or permission to write a “Bad-ass death post”.))
((OOC: [EDIT] OR "Bad-ass 'Left for Dead' post"))

[OOC: to make things a BIT easier, Zack decided that riding on a bike would be a bad idea, since you're exposed to the wide open spaces and hence, danger, and chose some silly car to ride in.]

Alicia was just slightly to the front of Martin's car when it swerved. The bumper almost clipped the back of Alicia's wheel, but she'd ensured a hefty distance between her vehicle and his, knowing it would be too nasty to bunch up.

The air displaced with the fallen landing caused Alicia to swerve instinctively. Alicia didn't dare look back, but the slam and grind of tortured metal made her glance around her shoulder and stifle a groan.

Martin's beat-up was a wreck skidding to a halt at the mercy of the Fallen, revealled in all its ... unglory.

Swearing under her breath, she hit her bike breaks and screamed to a halt, swinging around.

The roadblock was certainly creating confusion behind them, delaying the grounded enemies but not the demonic monstrosities that skimmed around easily, nor the mighty Road Rex bulldozing everything in its path, spitting fireballs as it went.

But that was not what caught her eye.

Martin putting three bullets into Jacob's head made her heart skitter. Alicia's face, however, was hidden by the visor which had slid down over her helmeted, emotionless visage as she revved the engine and burned tire tracks into the road. The bike leapt forward again, this time towards the cleaved car wreckage and Martin, aiming to pick him up and out of harm's way.

Her rescue fell short as spikes erupted from the ground, trying to stab at Martin who evaded as fast as he could. The Fallen almost copped a face full of the Rex as it roared past, before disappearing to harry other prey. Alicia didn't bother finding out. She wanted to avoid the Road Rex as much as possible and focus on...

Rick climbed out of the half of the car wreckage, and Alicia swore mentally. There were three people now, including Alicia, and her bike could only hold two. Alicia flicked on her comm switch.

"We've got one man down, peoples, and two are stranded with no vehicle. I can possibly pick one up. Who's willing to risk their ass for the other?"

As Rick put on his blindfold and muttered something into the air, he felt the soft whisper of five shadowy bolts fly past his face and lodge themselves into the oncoming leapers. The sound of a motorbike sounded horribly close, as if it was about to land right on top of him.

And then Alicia was there, trying to pull him behind the bike with one hand, other hand on her Delta crossbow, launching shadowy bolts at oncoming enemies. Distracted with the enemies, Alicia tugged at Rick.

"I'm savin' your ass again, Ricky man, and this is how you're going to repay me. Take off that silly pink blindfold of yours and seat yourself on the passenger seat."

Ready for death, Rick was a little more than ready to react, ripping off the blindfold he had meticulously put on and swinging a leg over the bike.

"What about Martin?"
"You were closer to me. Besides, I've called in to the others. Slinger'll stay alive long enough for somebody to pick him up... hopefully," Alicia shouted as the bike jolted forward, causing Rick to grip onto Alicia's waist tightly.

"Right, you steady now? Ok. Grab the handle bars and keep them there to steer the bike. I'll handle the rest. I need more ammo for my crossbows."
"...What?!"
"You heard me! Do it, person that-might-live-a-little-longer-thanks-to-Alicia!"

Confused, Rick complied and Alicia instantly hunched down on the seat, giving Rick free reign to steer, while Alicia rummaged around in her pockets, gave a small grunt of approval and withdrew a small wooden cube with a sigil on it.

Riding the bike and accelerating towards the rest of the crew, Alicia began to chant, bent over the cube which began to emit a small humming noise and glowing, while Rick tried to steer and keep the bike on the road towards the others while in the passenger seat.

At least Alicia was doing all the footwork.

Laurella held back her tears of frustration upon seeing the Fallen. Crying wasn't going to get her out of this mess. Actually, she wasn't sure if anything was going to get her out of this mess. She could only drive faster, but that thing had far more speed than her Mustang could push. Laurella briefly considered clipping one of the bastard's wings, but the only thing she had at hand that could do that was her rapier, and in order to maybe make a strike, she'd have to put her car in cruise, climb on top of the car and try to duel with him.

If anyone interferred with the battle between her and the Fallen, they would likely end up dead to buy Laurella a minute (two if their antics amused the Fallen). All she could do was pray. Pray that everyone would make it through. Pray that the Fallen would show mercy or just fuckin' die. Pray for a miracle. But would God listen to the prayers of the Mother of Hell? Well, it's worth a shot.

“Laurella!” Duncan yelled. “Ninja boy! Take us down!”

Duncan cupped his hands together, and chanted an incantation. As a sphere of energy gathered in his hand, he threw it. “Plasma bolt!”

The incandescent sphere cut through the air, leaving an ionized trail in it’s wake.

The Fallen seemed less than concerned. With a swipe of it’s sword, it cut the bolt cleanly in two, causing the bolt to spilt around him.

Duncan cursed. “If I live through this, and you guys wreck my car, I will kill you!” he yelled as he opened the door and jumped out. As he descended through the air, he chanted under his breath, “air become think, gravity become weak, allow me to land in safety…feather fall!”

With the spell, Duncan managed to land safely…if you could call being the path of a Fallen angel safety.

As he landed, Duncan reached inside his suit jacket with each hand, and pulled out a total of eight small throwing knives, each marked with a sigil.

“Wrath of the heavens,” he incanted, “strike down my enemy! Lightning!”

He threw the knives. He didn’t throw them accurately, but he knew that he didn’t have to. As the blades left his hands, the spell took effect, and the blades turned into the carrier of pure energy.

In for a few brief seconds, the eight tendrils of electricity arced towards their target.

“REFLECT!”

Duncan had mere seconds to register what happened. The lightning suddenly curved away from the Fallen…and back towards him. Time seemed to slow, as Duncan found he had seemly had time to ponder what had just happened. It was theoretically possible to reflect a magic spell back...but to do so would require an unheard of amount of power, as you would literally have to wrest control of the magic away from it's caster and bend it to your own will.

Instinct took over, and he yelled the first defensive spell that came to mind. “Earthen Barrier!”

At his command, a wall of earth shot up from the road, barely blocking the lightning. However, the wall shattered under the force of the attack…the shockwave was enough to lift Duncan off the ground and throw him a few feet away.

The Fallen flew over him without even sparing him a glance.

“Fireball!” Duncan yelled, cupping his hands, and a ball a fire flew from them. He knew it was futile…the spells he had already thrown at the creature were well beyond this simple spell. The Fallen didn’t even bother to acknowledge the attack, even as the fireball caught up with him and exploded…and Fallen emerged unscathed through the flames.

Above the Mustang, the last gunship was going in for all it was worth. The crew had seen the Fallen appear on the scene, and had seen the destruction it had wrought in a few short minutes…and they became very convinced that the only way to prevent the end of the world was to kill the Mother of Hell before it got to her. Its last rockets streaked towards the fleeing vehicle.

((OOC: I threw in Duncan's little train of thought on reflecting magic so that one one would get the idea that they could do it.

Because you can't.))

"Aw, fuck me with a rusty, barbed scythe!" Laurella swore and searched for anything that could save both Task and her ass in this situation. A Leaper spared them from the first rocket by trying to jump onto the car and catching the rocket in its back during its leap. The result was a midair explosion and her bullet-riddled, dent-covered Mustang with a skeletal forearm holding onto the exhaust pipe getting slapped with wet Leaper innerds and a messy demon skeleton coming to rest of the car's front like some freakish hood ornament. "Task, you're my anti-air. Please gun down those rockets somehow!" Laurella shouted, wanting to apologize right after for asking Task to do something that was probably beyond his abilities, especially since he was likely just as soaked with stinking Leaper juices as the rest of her car.

Duane felt that while john had done a good job with the mines his heart (or equivalent) wasn't really very into it, so he had settled for rapidly stopping and accelerating, flattening a few Striders. Then The Fallen came by.

"John, I don't suppose Demons have some kind of super attack against angels? Or even a grudge? Because that would be a big help right now." He swerved the van as close to where The Fallen was as possible. Duane decided to give him more incentive. "Also if you have the time try and get me a sample of the Road Rex or The Fallen, I have an idea which may clear up your health problems."

"Yeah, that should work just fine.

Task heard Laurella's command, knew it to be impossible, yet made an attempt. It would possibly be futile, even if he succeeded, but he had to try.

He pulled the lighter out of the mustang and hurled it ahead of him, sticking the next rocket dead center, exploding it equally dangerously close to the car as well, but the next one was impossibly close for anything Task could do to stop-

The missile exploded and the heat that poured over the car fused the license plate into the vehicle and singed Laurella and Task's hair.

Task was amazed. It was as if he wanted it to happen, and then it did. But he didn't have psychic powers, so what happened...

***

Troy saw the missiles coming at Task and Laurella, and knew that he had to act. He had nothing to throw, nothing to intercept the missiles, and no time to think. He smashed the car's sideview mirror with his fist, and took the largest mirror shard.

Amazingly, Task had managed to destroy the next incoming missile himself, but there was still one more. Troy focused and relaxed, seeing the missile and feeling the glass shard in his hands, and concentrated on making the two become one.

THWIP!

The missile exploded, and just in time- Laurella's car got off surprisingly lucky. The shockwave shook the flying car, and a cabinet within the car popped open, revealing a large supply of military throwing knives.

"Heh. Those would've been useful earlier....Sis? Do you think we can swoop down and get to Laurella before that...thing? It's our only chance!"

(I know this sucks, but... I'm really really tired and I wanted to post something so I'm still in the game.)

"It's worth a shot." Trish said with a grim nod. That thing didn't seem to care for either SECA or demon, making it all the more dangerous. And the way Duncan had spoke made Trish suspect that this was the Fallen they were worried about.

The acceleration sigil was still working its magic on the flying car. They were still faster than their friends on the ground. It was worth a shot.

Troy had taken over the driver's seat shortly after Duncan abandoned ship. Now he jerked the wheel to the right, forcing the vehicle into a sharp airborne U-turn. Don't ask how that worked without road friction or jet engines or anything like that, because I don't know. It just did.

The hood of the car dipped downwards, the rest of the vehicle following suit. The air screamed around their ears as they dove down towards Laurella's mustang.

"This reminds me of that time we crashed a seaplane into that carnival ride!" Troy yelled out the window to his sister, crouched on the roof. "When those sideshow cultists called forth the soul of an ancient demon--"

"-and it possessed the carnival's roller coaster? Yeah!" Trish yelled back with a grin. "That was a long day."

Trish dropped off of Duncan's car to land on the trunk of the Mustang. Troy pulled up on the flying car, so that it hovered several feet above the Mustang.

“Up here!" Trish yelled to Laurella. "We're gonna get you through the window and onto the car roof, okay? The flying car might have a better chance of escaping, so we gotta get you onboard! But we gotta work fast." She reached a hand down to help Laurella. "Task! I need you to take the wheel and put your foot on the gas pedal as soon as Laurella lets go! We have to maintain this speed so Troy can keep up with the flying car. I'll trade places with you as soon as Laurella is onboard, so you can get out too."

If this was going to work, they had to do this fast. Duncan could only keep the Fallen occupied for so long.

"This is crazy, this is crazy, this is so goddamned crazy...okay, I'm ready to try!"
Laurella's body was filled with adrenaline pumped glee as she turned her surprisingly not totaled Mustang over to Task, then climbed out through the driver side window. A Skeleton Rider grabbed onto her skirt as she mounted the speeding vehicle. A few good kids removed the skeleton's head and hand. Laurella quickly scrambled onto the car and took hold of Trish's hand. She sighed when her feet left the car.
"This whole Mother of Hell bullshit has made me way too popular with the guys."

Task held down the gas and drove. It was both nerve wrecking and amazing, as he was too young to drive a car, and he had never done this before. Furthermore, there was a Fallen Angel chasing him from behind.

It tended to fry one's nerves beyond their limit.

When Laurella was safely aboard the flying car, Task awaited his turn....but then thought differently. This fallen angel thing, well, Task wasn't sure if he even believed in fallen angels. But he knew this thing was no good, in almost every fiber of his being.

It would continue to follow the flying car, and who knew if it could go faster in the air than on crowded highway stretch, or was merely moving slowly to destroy those who were trying to kill her before he did....then it would be a good idea to try and slow it down some more.

Furthermore, he certainly felt Laurella would be more safe with the Ninjas than with him, and he didn't feel like leaving Trish behind, even if she could somehow leap back onto the flying car after Task got on.

Task swerved the car around, much to the shock of the others, and after a bit of off road driving, headed back down the road to the pursuing Fallen.

***

Troy was aghast. "Is he crazy? He's going to get himself killed!"

***

Task revved the car at full speed towards the Fallen angel, but before the car made impact, Task flipped over to the hood and leapt out at the Angel, in attempt to keep him from simply flying over the oncoming car.

It was as if the moment was frozen in time for Task, and all who were watching, as he seemingly flew, suspended above a hurtling car, with both weapons drawn. In the darkness of the night, his headband and armband, his sword and dagger, shone brightly.

(GM approved reentry)

*SLAM*

Michael groaned softly as his wounded right arm was jostled against the side of the van waking him up from a deep, and well needed slumber. Over the next second, Michael struggled to organize his thoughts, and place himself back in the world. In a dizzy haze, not even having opened his eyes yet, Michael thought Damm SECA drivers, when I requested being driven to the hospital, I thought they at least had some modicum of ability to drive a van without engaging road rage.

Michael gathered up his strength, and prepared himself to open his mouth and admonish the drivers of the van when he suddenly heard the din of the surrounding battle. This isn't any simple road rage, they drove me right into a battle... Dammnation, the call to kill Laurella must have already gone out. I didn't think it would happen so soon, I thought I might have at least a day to recover.

As Michael opened his eyes to survey his surroundings, he found himself in the back of a SECA van, lying on two fully lowered seats behind the backs of the SECA drive and his cohort, who was currently firing bullets at the window at a foe Michael couldn't see. I can't believe I was sleeping through this, my blood loss must have been more damaging then I thought. In any case I have to hope they haven't got Laurella yet, if they have, that means that right now my two chauffeurs are fighting something far worse then us protectors.

Not even moving his head, or doing so much as to quicken his breathing Michael tilted his eyes upwards and looked outside the window. What he saw stunned him. My G-d, its a battlefield out there! At least this probably means Laurella is still alive, or the demonic entities would have retreated to wreak mayham in a more effective place. First I have to prioritize though, I need to get on my own and neutralize my two chauffeurs without crashing us, then see what I can do for the battle.

Michael slowly, quietly, and carefully reached into his sand container and withdrew a handful. Devoting himself to controlling his shaking hand, Michael unobtrusively sketched two intricate symbols onto the seat of the van. Under his breath Michael muttered. Aerie; euphoria; of; given; the; by; divine; the; winds; reaches; send; of; aloft; heaven; your; grace; messengers; these; to; anger grace; ridden; this; fighters; structure; so; and; G-d's; rise; peace; it; can; closer; be; to heaven's; attained heights.

As the two runes started to glow a soft subtle light, the SECA agent riding in the passenger seat looked back and let loose an expletive saying "S***t, kid what are you..." The agent got cut off as the most peaceful look crossed his face and that of the driver. Both men were being graced by the most pleasing and relaxing feeling either had ever felt, or would ever feel again. Far greater than that of any drug, and potentially far more addicting, a reason that not many use this spell.

To safeguard the fact that the driver would not be in any shape the manipulate the vehicle in this state, Michael's second rune went into effect. The SECA vehicle rose into the air, only inches off the ground, far enough the the furiously running wheels no longer propelled it forward.

Michael pushed under himself and worked through an intense pain, going into an upright position, then crawling forward in between the two SECA agents. I am sorry I have had to subject you to this. Michael said quietly, referring to both the heavenly feeling, and his next action. Michael reached over one by one and opened the doors even as he continued his twin incantations. With two quick shoves conducted simultaneously, Michael pushed both SECA agents out of the car and onto the hard gravel.

Crawling into the front seat of the SECA vehicle, Michael released both the runes and shoved on the gas, speeding away from the two agents and back towards the battle. It appears to me now, that I am not quite qualified to drive this, and am probably committing suicide in any case. Ah well, none of my family was ever known to preserve their own life beyond their charge, where would be the honor or dedication to duty in that? Michael thought rhetorically.

As Michael approached the battlefield, driving around and through the unsuspecting other SECA vehicles and away from the rampaging demons and undead, he bore witness to the beginnings of Task's insane stunt. I've got to help him, not only is taking down that Fallen key to stopping the SECA attack, that one is going to get himself killed with his heroics. Heroics are fine and worthwhile, but they don't necessarily dictate that you have to die to perform them.

Michael drove strait towards the Fallen and Task's charge, thinking even as he formulated his plan. This is going to be one of the hardest feats of magic I've ever performed. Four spells going off at the same time, all complete incantations and without sigils, one of them being a spell with its properties twisted oppositely. Oh well, this isn't the time to complain. One can only act.

Reaching out quickly, Michael unhatched the door to the SECA van and he practically shouted.

The; cradle; force; marioneteer; mire; of; inherent; that; of; divine; in; is; the; presence; G-d's; the; deeps; shield; will; most; ever; me; draw; holy; seeks; carry; yourself; grant; to; as; me; down; me; entrap; as; onto; abilities; and; a; one; for; slow; mother; that; the; in; does; wouldst; sake; rare; a; defy; of; times; child; thee; man; the; in; bear; help; mire; her; down; me; does; womb; upon; preserve; the; preventing; who; thy; opposite; dangers; wouldst; will; entrapping; and; sail; and; its; forces; in; pause; foes; from; the; thy; with; causing; skies; enemies; a; me; when; from; gambit; undue; thee; wrecking; of; harm; has; the; speeding; take; commanded; show; them; me; all; that; along; in; all; is; to; your; look; your; new; protective; to; boundless; destinations embrace; ground; domain.

Even if all the magic backlashes, this will be a fun way to die. Michael thought as he expended his mounds of built up magical energy to activate the four spells. Additionally, as he did this, Michael rolled out of the drivers seat of the SECA van and jumped out of the vehicle towards the hard pavement rushing below him, a stunt that unaided by spells would surely cost him, and still could cost him. As he jumped Michael splayed out his hands, fingers separate, and all pointed towards the Fallen.

The first of the four spells Michael uttered was a reversed spell, the original intention of the spell was to slow the movement of an object or person down. Through clever wording and intelligent application of magical properties, Michael had reversed this spell and applied it to the entirety of the SECA van. If the spell worked, the van would accelerate at monumental speeds, possibly breaking the sound barrier, towards the Fallen. Hopefully at the least distracting him, at the best crushing him underneath the force.

The second of the spells Michael spoke applied to his own being. It was a normal and common spell among ward mages, and in fact almost all mages. The spell surrounding the caster in a cradle of energies, cushioning the caster or recipient of the spell against harm from impacts, such as jumping out of a speeding van onto very hard pavement. Assuming it worked, Michael would only get jostled. If not, at least he would go out knowing he personally insulted the Fallen with the spell backfiring and his body exploding over the street, and onto the immaculate form of the Fallen.

The third spell cast by Michael targeted the Fallen. In a very audacious move, Michael had invoked the very forces of gravity upon the Fallen. Calling on gravity to hold down one who would presume to fly and deny its power. Especially when that being was one cast down from the grace of G-d, cast down to forces such as gravity. Hopefully this spell would slow the Fallen down, make it less able to counterattack Task. At best it would crush the Fallen slowly, incapacitating it.

The fourth and final spell was the most audacious and risky of Michael's moves, surpassing that of any of the others, for it risked attaching himself to the Fallen. From each of his fingers, a dozen threads would connect themselves to various point on the Fallen's body, giving Michael a chance to halt the Fallen from fleeing from the attacks, combined with the gravity, if both worked the Fallen would almost be a sitting duck. Luckily Michael had been sleeping through most of the orientation, so he couldn't really describe much that the Fallen hadn't already stolen in the previous encounters, so if they connection to the physical body of the Fallen did backfire, only his sanity and eternal soul would be at risk.

"Bloody idiot!" snarled Trish. She was hanging onto the underside of the flying car in a white-knuckled, one-handed grip. She had been standing on the Mustang's roof, helping Laurella get in and preparing to trade places with Task, but as the thief stomped on the gas, grabbing Duncan's airborne vehicle was all she could do to keep herself from being thrown aside.

"What is he doing?! We gotta go get him!" she yelled up at Troy. The ninja boy only pulled the nose of the vehicle upwards, making it sail higher into the sky.

"You're kidding! And deliver Laurella to the Fallen via air mail!?!" he asked incredulously. "Look, I know what Task just did looked incredibly crazy and suicidal, but we can't risk getting Laurella any closer to that Fallen! He's buying us time to make a run for it."

Trish gave a nod of understanding, not that Troy could see it.

"He's not alone; there are other Protectors down there already. They'll do their job, and now we've gotta do ours." Troy finished. He sighed. "And would you get up here already? Duncan's not going to like it if you end up pulling something off the bottom of his car there."

Trish muttered something under her breath and pulled herself up to the trunk of the car, using the back tire and bumper for leverage. She crouched there, keeping an eye out for further attackers as the car sailed onwards. She reached through the back window to dig into the newly-discovered box of throwing knives. Through the rear-view mirror Troy could see the occasional glint of steel as knives flew towards anything that came too close.

The acceleration sigil still burned brightly on the car's roof, letting the vehicle rocket forwards through the sky.

"Welcome aboard Ninja Airlines," Troy said to Laurella. "We hope you enjoy your fl--"

"Cut the comedy and drive, Plushie Boy," Trish interrupted flatly.

"Tch. I can't do anything fun."

I feel the need... OR Fade
 

Rick had few choices, few options. He saw the insanity in front him, and the insanity behind him. Well, guess we better catch up! He twisted the throttle and the bike lurched forward.

Rick had never driven a motorcycle before, but he was a quick study (And Alicia was quick to inform him if he was making a mistake.) He started hearing and detecting projectiles, entirely too close for comfort. Some of his pursuers had not given up.

I can't maneuver one of these things very well, lets try...

While looking straight forward, he split his concentration. He managed to distort the image of the motorcycle enough so that those behind him were confused. They shot in the general direction, but didn't seem to endanger them.

There, looks like we may be catching up, just about ready?

Laurella smiled at Troy. "Ninja Airlines, eh? So I guess the in-flight movie is Ninja Scroll? Or maybe some Naruto cartoons? I'm kinda tired of watching hardcore pornography."
She looked behind the flying car, recalling the dialogue Stacey and she had over flying cars. It made her melancholy to realise that she wouldn't be seeing Stacey for a long time, if at all. To bring her generally optimistic mood back, she tried to think of something to sing.
"It's the Great Space Coaster-"
Oh God, not that.
"Get on board,
On the Great Space Coaster,
We'll explore,
A comet ride of fantasy,
To a place where dreams are fast and free..."

The Fallen calmly observed the two vehicles hurtling towards him.

The van seemed to be the most immediate threat. He raised his hand, and simple stated, “Repulse.”

The van’ front caved in like it had just ran headlong into a concrete wall. A force then gripped the van, and flung it end over end back down the highway. The Mustang he handled in his move conventional fashion. As it almost struck him, he brought his sword down, and neatly split the vehicle, the halves passing harmlessly past him.

With the most immediate threats taken care of, the Fallen glanced at the ground, then over at Michael. With an certain level of contempt in his voice, the Fallen muttered, “Dispell.”, and in that moment, Michael sensed the destruction of his spells…well, most of them.

It seemed the Fallen had some plans for the strings.

He grabbed them, or as many as he could, and pulled, which yanked Michael right off his feet, and sent him flying towards Task.

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((OOC: I’m going mildly god-moddy…but, well…I theGM, so I can. Don’t worry, I’m not going to kill anyone.))

Duncan ran down the road as fast as he could…which considering he had just jumped out of a flying car only to have his trump card thrown back at him, and had escaped death only by blind reflex and a good few cuts from the broken rocks peppering him and his brief flight, wasn’t all that fast.

Certainly not fast enough to put a stop to what was happening up ahead. Michael’s sudden appearance had done painfully little to turn the course of the battle. The remnants of Laurella’s car came to a halt a few dozen yards ahead of him. He could see the Fallen grab something. At this distance he couldn’t see what. But suddenly Michael was pulled off his feet and swung into the air, directly at Task.

“Duncan, it’s Nathaniel, do you copy? Nat’s voice came in static-y over the radio.

“I read you, Nat,” Duncan replied.

“Listen, I think I got a way to stop this thing…or a least stop him long enough for us to make good on our escape.”

“I’m all ears,” Duncan returned. “We’re getting pretty thrashed up here.”

“Yeah…I know. Listen, I think Task and Michael had the right idea…just not enough mass. Keep that thing busy for a few minutes, and then when I call you, get the heck out of Dodge.”

“Roger that,” Duncan said.

“I parked my bike about a half-mile back from where you are…it should have enough gas to get you into the next town. I left the Garand on there, too, and two of my special bullets. I had to take the fire one…need it for the surprise. It’s too good of piece to go out like this…”

“Nat, what the heck are you planning.”

“[i]You’ll see…just distract that thing until I get there.”

“Nat? Nathaniel! Dang it, answer!” Duncan called into the radio, but only static answered.

“Distract the most powerful being on the face of the Earth…no problem.” Duncan muttered to himself. The road began to vibrate, and he turned to see the Road Rex running towards him. He found himself smiling as what may have been the dumbest plan in human history filled his head.

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The Road Rex was still well and properly pissed off. Blind in one eye and cut up, anyone would be pissed off if they weren’t already dead.

So it didn’t really help when pain suddenly racked it’s nervous system. It bellowed out in its torment. It looked around to find its attack, and the sight of a winged figured filled it’s vision. The Rex roared as it identified the one who hurt it so, and began to charge. The image faded, but the figure could still be seen, only a few dozen yards away. The Road Rex roared it’s challenge, and picked up speed.
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It was a simple, stupid plan, but it seemed to work. A simple agony spell, followed with an illusion of the Fallen in the last good eye of the Rex, made it focus on the Fallen. Hopefully, the power blood-summoned would be the distraction time Nathaniel needed to work out his plan, whatever it was.

Now, however, there wasn’t really anything that Duncan could do. With the appearance of the Fallen, everyone’s battle-plans had been completely and fully fouled up. The S.E.C.A. pursuit force was breaking up…many of the chaser vehicles had already pulled back. The leapers and striders were also breaking off, or were facing off against the few remaining undead. And the Rex and the Fallen itself were about to face off.

“Whoever is left…break off, I repeat, break off. Nathaniel has something up his sleeve, and I get the feeling we won’t want to be near it when it goes off. The Rex looks like it will be kind enough to buy us some time...so get lost. You all remember where to meet. See you there.”

Duncan began to walk back down the road, to look for Nathaniel’s bike. He worried about his old friend, who would never leave his bike just up for grabs…but whatever Nathaniel had planned, he was committed to, and Duncan knew he couldn’t change his mind.

In the distance, a big rig was building up speed. It was hauling two oblong tanks…

((OOC: I’m looking to end the chapter soon. Scare up some transportation and get out of there.))

Harm watched from the driver's seat of the SECA van as Laurella climbed aboard the flying car, Task began his suicide run and then, “Whoever is left…break off, I repeat, break off. Nathaniel has something up his sleeve, and I get the feeling we won’t want to be near it when it goes off. The Rex looks like it will be kind enough to buy us some time...so get lost. You all remember where to meet. See you there.”

Harm spoke into his radio, "I'm going to try and see if I can get Task and Micheal out of there. God willing we will meet again." With that Harm slammed down on the gas and break pedals, spun the van around, and, tires smoking and squealing began speeding back toward the Fallen, back to his comrades.

Well at least the fall didn't kill me, I can always say THAT went my way. Michael thought optimistically as he landed softly against the ground. I wonder why the Fallen didn't dismiss or take over the threads though, those would have been the logical choices. Did they really get through his guard? Michael Pondered as he struggled to sit up without the use of his hands. It was at that moment that Michael noticed the Fallen gathering the strings up, and then the subsequent pull. Oh was Michael's initial thought.

The first thing Michael noticed as he was thrown was the fact that the wound on his arm had become open again, as could be evidenced by the reddening of its bandages. Maybe attaching myself to the Fallen through my injuries wasn't quite the intelligent idea. Michael thought, drastically understating the issue. As Michael whistled through the air towards Task he thought sarcastically Well, when I said that I wanted more offensive capabilities at my behalf, I did NOT mean I wanted to be that offensive force.

Noticing that he was still attached to the Fallen, Michael let the energies from his spell disperse, and the threads dissolved into nothingness. So lets see... can I cast anything fast that would save me, and wouldn't hurt Task when I impact him? Michael thought, then mentally kicked himself. Really, I do have a problem with over complication don't I? I don't need to do something spectacular. He admonished himself.

I have no weight, I have no draw, I am as a feather floating in the breeze. Michael muttered hastily, drawing upon what spare energies he had left. The spell wouldn't work entirely, because of his strained situation, but if Task did nothing at least they wouldn't break too many bones when they collided and crashed to the ground, instead of dying like they would have before.

"Ah-HAH!" Rick was almost dislodged from his precarious back-seat driving as Alicia suddenly came up, triumphant, clutching ten new bolts. In one fluid motion, Alicia grabbed the handles, allowing Rick to shift into a more or less comfortable position behind her, while her other hand stuffed the newly made bolts into her crossbow bolt case slung on her back.

"Now that you're hands are free, think you can hang on with your legs and provide some serious cover for us? I--" The order to break off from the fight crackled over her communication link in her helmet.

"-- Oh second thoughts. Just hang on, a''ight?" In a mere moment's thought, Alicia's bike brought on a fresh burst of speed, jolting into a higher gear and closed the gap between them and the others in no time.

Task felt Michael crash into him like a football player at the 20 yard line (or something, Task doesn't know football) and the two hit the ground some distance away painfully. It could have been worse, but it seemed Michael slowed himself down somehow.

Task picked himself up. "Gah! I coulda sworn I had a free shot...It's as if he somehow rearranged reality when I actually had a chance to keep me from attacking!" Task turned to Michael, who didn't look so good for the wear.

Then Task got back to the problem at hand....The fallen right over there. It continued forward, ignoring him. What was he, a mere fly?

<-r-bably->

Oh great. The voice in his head again. This just kept getting worse.

"Hey...magicky guy. Are you all right?" Task asked Michael. Noticing Harm's coming, Task shook Michael and tried to pull him up and get him in Harm's way (A Pun! Yay!). "C'mon, move. Maybe I can get someone else out of danger..."

In Harm's way turned out to be exactly where they ended up, swerving and burning some more rubber off the van's tires Harm called back to the SECA agent, "Get them in there now!"

As soon as the pair were in the van he gave the GM V8 all the fuel it could ever want, and went careening away from the Fallen, "Please fasten your seatbelts and stow all carry-on items, this could get bumpy, especially if whatever the old guys had planned doesn't work out."

Henry Coppella woke up, finding himself on the side of the road, behind some bushes. He tried to stand up, but an ache in his head flared as he did so, forcing him to settle with sitting up. As he look through the plants, he saw a big rig driving away.

His big rig.

The memories came back in a flash. The oddly empty highway, and what looked like explosions up ahead in the distance. When he passed the first crater in the road, he resolved to take the next exit. He never did get the chance, though. A man lay in the center of the road, and Henry hit the breaks and swerved to avoid hitting him. As he put the truck in park, the figure suddenly bolted up, and was in the truck before Henry could react, with a gun in hand.

“I want you to put this truck in gear,” the man said. He was an middle-aged man, decked out in classic biker leathers, but most of Henry’s attention was on the pistol pointed at his head. Henry obeyed, and the truck started to lumber forward. “Good,” the man said, “now drive over by the shoulder.” Henry obeyed again. In the back of his mind, he felt like he should do something, but fear was winning out. Fear of the gun and of the man. Maybe it was just the light in the truck, but the man’s irises seemed to be red…

“Okay…that’s close enough,” the man said, “Now, open your door.”

Henry followed the instructions. The man checked the road, then looked back at him.
“Sorry about this,” the man had said…right before he punched in the face, knocking him out of the cab and into the bushes on the side of the road.

As his truck rolled away, Henry Coppella wondered what that idiot would want with thousands of gallons of gasoline.

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The roar of the approaching Road Rex seemed to catch the Fallen’s attention. The Rex surely had all his attention focused on the Fallen. The Rex belched fire, and the Fallen dodged out of the way. “Fool!” he shouted at the half-blind demon. “Unlike you, my powers are fully intact!”

Whether the Rex understood or not will never be known, but it didn’t seem too discouraged. It closed the gap with the Fallen quickly, and bent down to try to swallow it’s apparent tormentor as it ran past. The Fallen proved faster, however, and again dodged out of the way, while using it’s sword to slice the flank of the demon as it ran past. The demon cried out in pain, and thrashed its tail, which caught the Fallen by surprise, knocking it into the air. It didn’t take long for the Fallen to recover, as it spread it wings, catching itself before it hit the ground. The Fallen pointed it’s sword at the Road Rex, and let loose with a stream of white fire just as the Red spat another fireball. The two fires met, and for a time, seemed to cancel each other out, but the white fire of the Fallen broke through, scorching the wounded Rex. The demon howled in pain, and charged the Fallen again, leaping up in the air. The Fallen only had enough time to fly up enough to get hit by the monster’s muzzle instead of being caught in its mouth. Lashing out with it’s sword once more, the Fallen cleaved the Road Rex’s muzzle open, drenching itself and the road in black blood. Rolling off, the Fallen took the air once more, dripping blood. Had any been close enough to see his face, they would have been very afraid. Gone was the casual sense of superiority in which it had treated the Protectors.

It was out for blood now.

It flew back in, directly at the Rex’s head, sword first. Despite the Rex’s efforts to dodge, the Fallen was too fast, and the sword dug into the monsters skull through its good eye. A pitiful howl escaped the Rex as fire burned into its brain. The Fallen twisted the blade, bringing another wail of torment from the dying demon. Yanking the sword upwards, the Fallen cut out of the Rex’s skull…but didn’t kill it. The Rex fell to the ground in a tumble, and wailed as the fallen angel’s fire ate away at it’s brain.

The Fallen watched the dying demon with a look of sick pleasure on it’s face, as if each wail brought a new sense of joy…

…The revving of a large engine and the suddenly bright lights were all the warning the Fallen had, and it wasn’t enough. A large semi-truck slammed into the Fallen. However, the Fallen wasn’t through yet. With a yell, he sliced into the engine block with his sword, cutting it in half. The large machine came rolling to a stop.

The Fallen climbed up onto hood, where he was met with a hail of bullets. However, these shells were smaller than the other Protector had used, and proved to be no one effective. The Fallen flew forward, sword in hand, broke through the windshield, and impaled the driver through the waist.

It was with mild surprise that the Fallen say that the driver was the oldest Protector of the Chosen…the human known as Nathaniel Jackson.

“Your kind is proving to be most annoying,” the Fallen said to Nat. “Perhaps I was too hasty to judge you incapable of protecting the Chosen if you are willing to go to such lengths to do so.”

Nathaniel opened his mouth, as if to speak, but all that came out was a stream of blood. As the man realized he couldn’t talk, he smiled instead, blood flowing through his teeth. He raised the pistol in his hand, but the Fallen just smiled bitterly. Did the fool think that it would prove more effective at close range?

However, the man didn’t point it at the Fallen, towards the back of the truck. And fired.

The Fallen had sharp vision. Sharp enough to see the bullet in the time it took to leave the chamber of the gun and fly out through the back of the truck. In that brief moment, he saw it was no ordinary bullet.

While he had time to see, he had no time to act.

As the bullet broke through the metal at the back of the cab, the magic in it began to work. As it broke through the metal of the tank, it turned into a fireball. When it ignited, it was in thousands of gallons of gasoline.

The resulting explosion could be seen for miles.

((OOC: New Chapter up soon))