“.....hero!”

“What?” Lycana shakes out of her thoughts and looks down at Reika, still held protectively in her arms. “He’s a hero!” Fuck. He WAS. In all the ways the fucking word meant. That was the problem here. She couldn’t argue that fact, as much as her disgruntled nerves wanted her to. He was an asshole but... He had gotten there first, he had made it in time to save Reika’s life, and he had safely brought the girl to the ground. When he didn’t have to.

She owed him.

And she hated it.

Her arms tighten around Reika until the girl squirms against her grip. She unwillingly lets go, Reika stepping back to twirl cheerfully about, none the worse for the wear for her adventure. Her fear seemingly forgotten. Hell, the whole damn debacle seemed to have slipped her mind as she points to the side at the snack stand, brightly colored frozen drinks that probably cost more than a good cocktail, something Lycana desperately needed about a dozen of right now, shown to be had within. “Can I get a blue one?”

“Why the blue? I thought you liked orange.” Lycana says on a small smile, unable to resist. Innocent. She was so fucking innocent it made her heart ache. She would have to sit Reika down and really talk to her about what happened, and hope against all hope that it sunk in. She would prefer not to make a scene –well, any more of a scene- in the damn park and if Reika were to get upset...

It just wouldn’t go over very well.

As it was, she was ready to head out and avoid any fallout from this bit of crazy. She had no doubt park authority were looking for them. And likely Jim. And only being amongst the foliage had kept them ‘safe’ so to speak... but their brightly colored hair was like a damn beacon. They start walking towards the stand, pushing through the bushes and back out onto a main walkway, sidestepping a group of people, as Reika grins widely at Lycana. “Blue is the color of his eyes!”

Of fucking course.

Caedus was going to be a constant part of her life for a long time to come thanks to all of this, and she wasn’t really sure if she should laugh or scream.

“Who was that?”

She turns her attention to Arcana, who was still glancing back over her shoulder, as if to catch a glimpse of elusive flaxen, shining brightly under the sun. “That, was Jim Caedus, the one I’m going to be facing on Warfare. Let me tell you, he seemed like a nice guy, until something got his panties in a twist around his testicles and...” she breaks off, noting the giant mooning, cow-eyed expression on Arcana’s face. It was as if Jim was some kind of beautifully made, sweet confection and she had been starved for months before it was set in front of her. Lycana’s lip curls slightly. “I thought you didn’t want to get wet?”

Arcana’s neck practically snaps as she whips her head in Lycana’s direction, her mouth dropping open, her expression one of absolute shock and speechlessness. Lycana’s own turns into sarcastic confusion. “What? Because you’re over there drooling all over yo....”

She stops.

Realizes.

Horror.

“EWW!”

“YOU SAID IT!”

“I didn’t mean......!”

“It certainly sounded like it!”

“Because I really want to think about you getting all...”

Swallows around the bile.

“THAT.... over anybody! Never mind JIM CAEDUS! He’s....”

“The one who just saved Reika?”

“I like him! He’s so nice!”

“He was pretty nice, wasn’t he?”

“Super nice when he flipped me off.”

“You probably deserved it, considering how you’re acting right now.”

What a clusterfuck.

Lycana subsides, settling for mumbling under her breath as they approach the stand to get Reika her frozen blue raspberry cooler. With everything that had gone on, she really didn’t know WHAT to think about Caedus. It was clear that he had won her companions over, despite showing the very edges of his douchery. If she had to be honest, he had quite a bit of charm, when he wanted to. Not when he was deadpan psycho hellbent on smashing her spine against a wall. The shine of friendly had worn off pretty damned quickly after that. He might think that he was cold as damn ice, ruthless and infamous... but she was a bloodthirsty bitch with fire in her blood, who took pain and begged for more. It mixing with pleasure and fueling her rage, giving her a reason to push forward and destroy... and it had been a while since she had let that part out.

It was time for Jimmy to meet the wolf.

See what an ACTUAL Alpha was.

They turn away, Reika sipping her treat, as Lycana’s eyes fall on the same group they had moved around before. She frowns slightly, vaguely recalling capturing glimpses of them throughout the parks all day long. The fauxhawk on the one, and the close cropped purple tinged hair on the other of the males were pretty unmistakable. And as for the female, long ginger hued locks fell in a riot of curls down her back, as cold green eyes lock with hers. Lycana’s eyes narrow slowly, sensing.... something. But not understanding why her hackles were raising.

Then a shift in the wind tells her all she needs to know.

She stops abruptly, stiffening in place as their expressions change, knowing that she is fully aware of who and what they are.

Lycans.

Not friends.

Foes.

Pure instinct tells her that these wolves, belong to Tius, and they didn’t have a cordial get together in mind. A low growl emerges from her throat, as Arcana grabs Reika and tucks the girl behind her, hovering by her, as Lycana places herself between them and the now smirking trio.

“Oh goodie! I was wondering how long it would take you to notice us!” the carrot-topped femme chortles as she takes a few slowly measured steps forward, looking Lycana over. “Your senses suck. Do you know how many of us are here today? And you are supposed to be the ferocious leader that everyone is so scared to take on after that little skirmish in North Carolina? Pssh. I came all this way, tracking your ass, for this much of a let down?”

“What does Tius want?”

A musical giggle floats into the air. “Oh goodness, you don’t waste time do you? Not going to defend yourself?”

“I don’t need to.”

“Oh? Then how come you couldn’t even save your little pet over there?” she shoves her chin towards Reika, who peers wide eyed, over Arcana’s shoulder. “That guy had to do it for you... which begs the question... who is he to you?”

“Nobody. What does Tius want.” her words were terse, not liking the fact she had missed the obvious, not focused enough on the world around her. She should have known better than to be lax. Her awareness had served her well in the past, and she had fucked up today by not adhering to it. She wasn’t just a normal person... she was a lycan, and a witch... with a paranormal war going on. She had been foolish to think she could have an average day.

“He wants you to come and see him.” Fauxhawk speaks up now, a crooked smile firmly in place, his voice shockingly deep. “And why, would I do that?” Lycana snorts, shaking her head. Did they think she was stupid? Well... yeah, they did. But clearly even stupider than she thought they had thought. “He has a bit of a proposition for you, that you would be mighty foolish to ignore.” Ginger again, draws the attention to herself, tossing her coppery strands over her shoulder. “He sent us to find you. His business is in Los Angeles you know.”

“Of course I fucking know, you dipshit. I don’t care. You can tell Tius to take his message, whatever it is, and shove it up his...”

“Careful...” GrapeApe interjects.

“... ASS. As if I would come anywhere near him after what he did to Cate...”

“Cate is a traitor.”

“TIUS is the traitor!”

The groups glower at one another, as Fauxhawk attempts to be the voice of reason. “I think, you would be interested in hearing what he has to say. You have only heard one side of the story...”

“I’ve LIVED through that side of the story!”

He failed.

“Tius has been trying to start a war and kill wolves. Tius has been trying to take down Cate longer than we have all been alive. Tius was the one who was kicked away from the gods because he was not trusted, and after he left powerful weapons disappeared. Coincidentally. It seems to me, that Tius desires to hold all the power and will stop at nothing to get it and...”

“You’re wrong.”

“Oh?” extreme sarcasm laces the single syllable.

“CATE is the bad one! Shes the villain here! She plays everyone as it suits her! She is the one poisoning the world Lycana! She sends it out, and then she holds all the power because she has the cures! Don’t you even know what her business is? She does this and....”

“Wrong!”

“You WILL come with us to see Tius. You don’t have a choice. You will come quietly or...”

“Or what?!”

The words emerge on a snarl as Lycana’s eyes begin to glow the vivid lilac that preludes her change. Answering rumbles emerge from the trio, their own blooming in bright hues of orange, plum, and red. From behind, a small sound as fire appears on Arcana’s palms held in the air, a dancing promise that she had the blue haired witches back to Tius’ crew. All is still for a moment and then...

Applause.

Lycana blinks, looking around at the gathering crowd as the threat of the wolf dims from her eyes. Shit. Had she really been about to change in the middle of a fucking theme park? Arcana, fire extinguished now, comes up to stand by her side, murmuring in a low voice. “We should probably get out of here.” Lycana curtsies, playing into the thought that it had all been a show, whispering aside to the scarlet haired sorceress. “Yeah, let's get to a quiet space. Be ready to beam us out.”

She looks over at the three enemy wolves, looking around confused, their own eyes back to normal. “Go.” her soft voice prompts the other two to move swiftly through the crowd, sticking with the larger masses of tourists milling about, jumping from one to the next, keeping their heads low as they tried to find a suitable spot.

Back towards the Matterhorn, Lycana and Arcana unerringly headed for the copse of foliage that had shielded them from view prior, herding Reika in front of them. Reaching it, she glances back, seeing a flash of purple and auburn. “Hurry!” They dive in, Arcana already chanting, summoning her powers as dark, blood red, magic begins to shimmer and swirl in the air around them. It whirls faster and faster, until they are gone.

____________________________________________________________________________________

And arrive back at Lycana’s home in North Carolina.

“I guess I should have picked somewhere else, considering you have to go back by tomorrow.” Arcana makes the remark as Lycana peers up towards the front door, Reika immediately scampering towards it, unfazed by their unorthodox method of transportation. “No, no this is fine... Reika needs to be back anyway so that Finneas and Zara can watch her while I’m at Warfare...” her voice slowly trails off, her body fairly quivering with the need to bolt towards the house herself.

“Go look.”

Her gaze swings back to Arcana, but she needs no more encouragement than that. She walks, swiftly, still trying to control her motions, eagerness infused in every steps as she trots up the front steps, moving through the front door. She quietly moves around the lower level, not seeing anything. She goes to the stairs, unable to help a soft call. “Marf?” She treads upwards, hearing no response. She stops in the doorframe of the bedroom, seeing the bed, neatly made and undisturbed. She hesitates, then steps deeper into the room. Maybe he had just gone out. Again.

“He hasn’t been back.”

Finneas leans on the wall, his gossamer hair falling rakishly over one eye as he lifts a practiced hand, sweeping it back in a smooth movement. Her face falls, a blank expression appearing as she plops down on the bed, her hands coming up to clasp one another, fingers nervously fidgeting as she struggles to keep her emotions in check.

“I’m sure it just has something to do with War Games...” she begins. “Or maybe he went home to Canada. Something...” her voice falters as Arcana appears in the doorway, looking concerned for Lycana. “He will be back. He will. He wouldn’t abandon you. He...” she looks frantically at Finneas, watching the wolfess slowly shutting down before her. “She’s right you know. You two have been joined at the hip for months now. Whatever it is, he would contact you if he could. You know if... something... had happened, the mind link...”

“It's not working. But I know... I’d like to think I’d know if...” she shakes her head. “I can't think like that. I’m fine, I will be. So will he.” She slaps her hands on her thighs and stands, feigning a smile at the two of them, who clearly don’t believe her. “I promise. No wallowing. I have a match tomorrow, I’m focused. I have to beat the shit out of your new boy toy Arcana.”

“Oooh, a love interest you say?” the incubus’ eyes light up at the mention of some juicy gossip.

“I wouldn’t say...”

“She was positively SLOBBERING all over herself Finni.”

“I was not!”

“She was.”

“My dear sweet angel! You are in LUST! I MUST hear all about it before you poof Lycana back to Disney! Come come, do tell Finneas about this.... delicious sounding treat of a man. Don’t spare any details now... I insist on them all! Even the lurid ones... I can handle it...” he sweeps the curvy witch out of the room and down the stairs, effectively leaving Lycana alone, allowing her to pull herself together. She smiles wryly. They had just been trying to help, even Arcana.

They had been enemies... turned. Whatever they were now. She couldn’t really say she hated her, and she didn’t think Arcana despised her. There was very little love lost... Tolerance? A subdued sort of.... acquaintanceship? Kind of like her and Betsy Granger. Her fingers slip to her pocket, feeling the smooth stone within, always on her person since Leap of Faith where she had been gifted it by the Impossible Traveler. She pulls it out, staring at it on her palm. The crimson stone swirled endlessly, like molten lava lived within it, trying to escape its prison. She didn’t know what it was for, or why she had been given it... but...

But...

She was ready to find out.

It was just another unknown piece of whatever crazy fucking story was headed her way, and she was more than willing to take it on. Maybe she would get some answers at War Games, since she would be around Granger for an extended period of time. All the maybes. But before that...

She had to show Jim Caedus she was nobody to taken lightly.

It was time to go back.

____________________________________________________________________________________

“There he is.

There is the Jim Caedus I wanted to see.

The Jim Caedus who came roaring into Leap of Faith, like a ball of pure energy ready to explode into a glorious pyro display... only to fizzle out and become as impressive as a Snap Pop tossed onto the sidewalk... That’s not going to happen this time, is it?

No... It’s not.

I can feel it.

Did you just need a little bit of inspiration Jimmy?

Did the hand of the Dark Vixen of Violence just need to tweak your balls ever so subtly to send you careening into a vortex, reaching into your bag of ribald repertoire, pulling out whatever convoluted contemptuous crap you thought fit the bill, spewing it out into the world regardless of if it made sense or not?

So easy.

So DAMNED easy to get your boxers in a twist... You are turning out to be an absolute pleasure to play with my darling. I simply cannot wait to see what else you come up with to try and bring me down.

You can't you know.

Words don’t hurt me. They never have and never will.

You though?

Clearly, it's an easy as fuck way to get into your head, set your blood a’ bubblin and your mouth a flapping. With nearly no effort at all on my part. Shit Jimmy, I barely had to do a damn thing to send you off into orbit compared to your first promo. Which by the way... I do have to add...

Nice to meet you Pot... Kettle... whichever you’d like to be known as.

For someone who bitched and moaned about me, what was it? Wasting time and wasting my breath talking about others during the tag team promos, you certainly spent an AWFULLY long amount of time yipping and yowling over your own sad and sorry situation with Apex, huh? Throw in a bunch of Legacy, Betsy Granger, poor me feelings and well.... damn dude.

Seems to me you did the same thing.

Oh, but wait, that has to do with this match because if you win you gain respect and blahblah right? Because talking about my (called-into-question) wins over Alias and Page mean nothing when it comes to getting in the ring following right after those matches... Talking about a wrestling match makes no sense when one is going into another... wrestling match.

Right.

Okay.

You keep right on going on with whatever skewed logic fits your narrative little boy.

Go ahead and inflate your cock and talk out of it like you actually have something of importance to say among all the ineffectual, incompetent blanks you shoot that you are so damn proud of.

Just like the whole hurting people, victories, and challenge spiel you lovingly squatted and laid out like the shit was fucking gilded in gold.

Allow me to elaborate for your pathetically tiny mind, and I’ll try to dumb it waayyyyyyy down so that you can maybe even fucking understand it, since you have all the mental capabilities of a fucking goldfish. You know... so I won't be ‘wasting my breath and time’, since you are soooo fucking concerned over that.

First of all, yeah... I do love a fucking challenge. I love when I need to be brought to my limits to get my hands on and hurt someone in the ring. You know what is NOT needed in order to be both put to the test AND fuck someone up?

A victory.

You goddamn brainless fuck.

Was that really so hard to comprehend? Maybe I was wrong, maybe you aren't smarter than Robert Main. Between the fucking two of you, you barely share a single working braincell. You got Main over there, not even paying attention to the world around him, confusing people he’s going up against with others as he drools down the front of himself... and then there's you, the bag of fucking hot air who just walks around and barks in the shadow of that loser.

Think (I know, that’s hard for you) about this... Yeah it's easy enough to hurt someone when they are oh, say the Ash Quinns of the federation. It's easy then to gain a victory too if it's important... but is it a challenge to beat the fuck out of Ash Quinn? No... not so much. It’s kind of a bore... Thus... WANTING A CHALLENGE AND NOT CARING ABOUT WINS.

Do you understand now?

Did it get through to you?

Probably not.

You can just go play it off any way you wish... I’d get better comprehension skills out of a doorknob.

I sincerely hope I spoke in a way that got through to you, at least a little bit. You seem to find a lot of joy in the more ‘colorful’ aspects of the human language, using them to try and get your nonpoints across, and make them all nifty sounding... yet you wonder why people are saying you sling nothing but verbal diarrhea.

Again, see my point above... Comprehension skills sorely lacking.

Oh damn... I’m really sorry... they aren’t lacking.

That’s giving you too much credit.

None.

You fucking have NONE.

I admire the ENTHUSIASM in which you deliver the torrent, as you bescumber the federation... especially when you are burying certain ones under the flood, like an overflowing cesspool. Your deliverance is on point, but your attempts at facts?

As shallow as the depth of your brain matter.

Why do I keep kicking out in the hallway if I already have my tag title shot?

Because I don’t go down without a fight, fuckwad.

I’ll be fucking DAMNED if I pull a Demos and lay still and allow whatever creepy ass creature to crawl into my hall, slide over me and take the strap with a smile and a pat on their end.

Hell.

Fucking.

No.

I EARNED this belt with copious amounts of blood... anyone wants to take it from me, they will have to offer up the damn same.

That means you too, Jimmy boy.”