Mini-Grand 5106 [SUDDEN DEATH]

Originally posted on MSPA by Ixcalibur.

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The chix appeared on a relatively low level observation platform. The lightning chamber towered over them, crackling with a constant electric buzz. The clouds stretched out beneath them, dark and dismal. Lightning arced out across the miserable cloud, spreading outwards from where the enormous chamber plunged into the ephemeral terrain.

The tower, at least the vast bulk of it, was little more than a thick metal scaffolding arranged around the enormous lightning chamber. Here and there were walkways connecting various platforms together, and somewhere up near the top the main control platform in charge of regulating the entire structure.

Directly beneath where the chix found themselves the lower levels of the tower were a more traditional structure, though made from the same shining metal as the rest of the tower. Inside were the laboratories and living quarters and all the other things that made the thundertower possible. Those levels were shaped like ring, with full length glass windows on the inside, through which the ever-present lightning chamber could be observed.

To look at the design of this peculiar structure it would be difficult to discern precisely what kept it aloft, the cloud below seeming as insubstantial as any cloud anywhere.

The platform on which the chix arrived was mainly metal with a large transparent plastic shield erected in the direction of the lightning chamber, presumably a safety precaution. Chest high metal fences bordered the platform, apart from where the catwalks led off to other perhaps more important platforms, or down to the lower levels.

Standing on the platform prior to the chix arrival were a pair of henchmen in identical white uniforms emblazoned with a lightning bolt insignia. They had been stood, holding hands and gazing wistfully into the crackling lightning chamber. This was as close to a romantic locale as it was possible to get in this floating facility.

The sudden arrival of six people, two of whom were wet and naked, and the rest of whom were covered in mud, was something of a mood killer. But not as much as Ataya's scream.

Imagine if you will that you are suddenly and unexpectedly torn in two, everything below your waist (or some other arbitrary point) left behind you. This was how it felt for Ataya to be pulled away from the river that was her home, and her self. While not a perfect metaphor, it was more mentally traumatic than physically so, it hurt just as much. Ataya's scream echoed around the tower.

In the confusion the chix scattered. Debbie was nearest to a walkway leading higher into the tower, and desperate to get away from the river twins, she took it, gripping tightly onto Mattilus' tome with one hand, and pulling a distraught Mindy behind her with the other.

Zafira, close to a walkway that led down into the lower levels prepared herself to haul Pascal after her. However as she looked at the detective she saw a spark of intelligence in his eyes that had been missing as he had dopily followed Ataya through the jungle like a lost puppy. He was still staring at the river spirit, though his expression was now one of horror. Zafira pulled on his hand and he turned to face her, that expression of horror still plastered upon his face. She nodded her head towards the walkway, and he was only too keen to follow.

Sara hovered awkwardly, distraught at seeing Ataya in pain, but unable to do anything about it. The henchmen remained focused. Inexplicably appearing naked women were odd, and perhaps a normal person would have been tempted to disbelief the evidence of their own eyes. However living on a massive floating lightning tower tends to open your mind somewhat. They quickly drew their weapons on the chix and demanded that they explain themselves.

Though by this point Ataya had stopped screaming she was still visibly in pain. Sara fretted over her mistress and the henchmen got no response. At least that is, they got no response until one of them strode up to Ataya and shoved her.

"You dare lay your hands upon the divine Ataya?" Sara snapped incredulously.

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Pascal could sort of remember his time spent following Ataya around like a lapdog. It was blurred and indistinct but it was there. He worried about his status in this battle. How can it have been just an accident that he ended up being dragged on into yet another round?

From his colleagues he'd heard tales of people who had been put into these battles, poor mentally ill people who failed to understand just what was going on. They believed it to be an illusion or a game or something. What if he was one of the contestants, what if he'd been made to forget because it seemed like more fun to the perverse whims of the grandmaster in charge of this thing.

He continued to fret nervously as he and Zaffy entered the building proper. No efforts had been made to make this place feel even slightly homey. Dull grey walls and cold metal floors abounded. Helpful signposts hung overhead, emblazoned with the logo of a lightning bolt. Upon seeing a sign pointing the way to a communications suite, Pascal insisted they head that way.

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Debbie had sort of understand Mindy's reaction to Edward's death, but she couldn't really figure why Mindy was crying over Mattilus. He had been trying to kill them, right up until the end. Mindy was in floods of tears, and as they ducked onto another observation platform Debbie worried that the sobbing would give them away, attract Ataya and Sara straight to them. She flicked through the book and spotted something that could be of use.

Without pausing to question whether she'd even be able to use magic, or whether this was a good idea she pointed at Mindy and said the words inscribed in the book. Though the chik continued to sob she was completely silent. Debbie smiled, this wasn't that hard.