There's LOUD noises coming from the woods behind Harmonia's house. It's hearable from the backyard. Harmonia goes to investigate. She sees two proxies, one with several flowers growing from her skin and the other covered in green glitches.
"You really believe in that fucker's philosophy? All banding as one? God, you're an idiot. Sorath proxies are supposed to be smart, aren't they?" The glitching one growls, swinging a bat with rusted nails in it down onto the flowered one. The one in the flowers doesn't speak, but she does retaliate. She has knives. Sharp knives.
Harmonia raises an eyebrow and leans against a tree, clapping. "Good show!" Cody turns to look at Harmonia, letting Clox stab him. "Hello, you." Clox drags her knives through Cody's neck, attempting to slit it open but it glitches back into form. Clox also looks at Harmonia, and when she does, a ticking noise can be heard. "Sup." She looks at both of them, smirking a tad. "Proxy fight?"
"Guess so." Cody flips a needle out from his pocket and jabs it into Clox's neck, injecting some sort of substance into her. Her neck begins to gush out blood that looks like static, before her hand begins to glow and the air fills with some sort of spores, causing Cody to start to cough up blood. And Harmonia, as well! Harmonia stays standing but coughs up blood, taking a few steps back. The spores soon dissipate as Cody swings his bat at Clox again, getting her down on the ground.
It watches quietly from in the trees.
Clox grabs the bat, trying to yank it out of Cody's hands, but his grip is strong. Clox accidentally cuts herself on one of the nails and recoils, before Cody steps over and stomps down on her face, breaking her nose. She tries to open her mouth to scream, but it's still sewn shut. Harmonia winces for her. "Fight fight fight-" She says, coughing up the last of the blood.
It chuckles quietly.
Clox looks to Harmonia with pleading eyes as Cody drives his heel into her jaw, tearing her lips slightly. Harmonia sighs and runs into the fray, trying to push Cody off Clox. Cody's honestly really easily pushed over actually? He falls ON HIS BAT puncturing his skin. Clox gets up, staring down at Cody and kicking him in the COCK. The one in the trees tilts her head slightly as she watches, walking across the tree limb.
"Look, how about, you run away, I run away, everything’s fine!" Harmonia says to Clox. Clox looks down at Cody, whos glitching slowly turns purple, and then he stops glitching. Clox fuckin BOOKS it into the woods. Roxy gets up. Clapping can be heard from the woods.
A man walks up, clapping. "Excellent performance~!" He has pale grey skin, deep crimson horns, long black hair, and red eyes. He's wearing a red suit with two crimson wings coming out from his back, and he's wearing a lot of jewelry. Beneath his glasses are some crystals poking out from under his skin. A violence demon, and a handsome one at that.
Harmonia stares at him. "I did that first!"
Roxy looks at Harmonia, then at the man. "Who the fuck's this clown."
Harmonia looks back to Roxy. "No fuckin clue."
"Azriel, and you are..." He points to Harmonia, "Harmonia," then to Roxy, "Roxanne," and then to the trees, "Nicole." He smiles and bows, "Pleasure to make your acquaintance~"
Harmonia’s heart sinks. "W-what did you just say?" She asks, looking at the tree. Nicole is standing on the limb shaded by the leaves as her orange eyes smile back.
Roxy looks up at the eyes. "Holy fucking shit."
Harmonia frozen in fear, just standing there in horror.
"Mmm~ The tension here is so thick you could slice it open~" Azzie chuckles, looking up to Nicole. Nicole drops down from the branch and stands up straight, she wears the same pink shirt and pants as she always did along with a sharp smile.
"I heard some commotion and decided to watch the show," she says. Harmonias breathing quickens as she steps infront of Roxy, moving to grab Roxys arm
"Holy fucking shit." Roxy stares at her, standing still. "Holy fucking shit. I thought you were dead or something." Azzie laughs to himself more, watching the group.
"What made you think something like that?" Nicole asks.
"Why are you back- and what fhe fuck are you??" Harmonia asks Nicole then Azzie
"Well I'm pretty sure Cole like. killed you??? And then Fenrir erasing your world's timeline.. Yeah, that made me think that. I'm so happy to see you!!" Roxy squeaks. Harmonia looks at Roxy like shes fucking insane
"I'm a demon, little lamb~ Was that not obvious?" Azriel tilts their head.
"LITTLE LAMB???" Harmonia gags dramatically. "Demon doesnt narrow it down but go off" She rolls her eyes
"What do I look like?~ Ashy skin, crimson horns and wings, red eyes~ You need to be more observant, Harmonia!~"
Nicole nods.
Harmonia scoffs "Suck my dick." She looks back to Nicole "So, where have you been?"
"I second that question.” Roxy says.
"Don’t worry your lil nose about that homebrew."
ROXY SQUEALS "SHE SAID THE THING!!!!"
Harmonia rolls her eyes. "Dear god."
"Quite entertaining~ Now, Nicole, dearest, I am curious as to how you're alive, and I may presume it has something to do with your status as a Hadal? If that even is the case~" Azzie chuckles to himself, leaning back on a tree and letting his wings relax.
"Lets just say something.. awakened," Nicole smiles.
"Oooh~ Cryptic, as Lucille would say~" Azriel smiles, "Are you willing to tell us what? Or is that for you to know and us to find out~" Harmonia just kinda watches, ready to leave at the first sign of trouble.
"I’d like to think I did a hell of a makeover."
"How interesting!~"
Roxy looks her over, "Are you sure you did a makeover? You look pretty much the same from what I can see."
"You remember little Drake right?"
"Uh-huh"
"Well you’re lookin at her!" Nicole holds out her arms.
"Oh. That's. Interesting.????????" Roxy is actually fucking astonished?????? "Did you like. reverse the alter or something?"
"More like altered more, from memory if you will."
"Christ.” Harmonia complains.
"OOoooo interesting??" Roxy says, shocked
"So what was with the fight going on here?" Nicole asks
"Proxy shit"
"Yeah that"
"It was quite fascinating, really~" Azriel says.
Harmonia sighs. "Right. Well see you guys around or whatever." She turns around, starting to walk back home.
"Leaving so soon?" Nicole asks.
"Yep" She’s still walking.
"Have fun out there, homebrew" Nicole winks.
"Eat shit and die" Harmonia leaves the forest.
Azriel fastens their tie. "I'll be visiting that one later~ But right now my focus is all on you, my rose~"
Nicole looks over at Azriel with a slightly raised eyebrow.
He smiles, "I do my research~"
She looks them up and down, "Of course you do"
"And what's that supposed to mean, my rose?" He really emphasizes the my rose part.
"Your research so far is shallow at best, playing only one key point of my story line. Expecting me to trip over it like I did the first time and not learn from mistakes is honestly pathetic!" Nicole smiles at him.
"You act as though I'm against you and your cause? I'm all for whatever you've got up those sleeves of yours~ I just like to have a little fun here and there~" Azriel smiles back, his wings moving slightly.
Roxy is watching the conversation like it's that weird fuckin Maury show or something.
"Mhm. well Azzcrack I hope you know I’m not one for playing co-op."
"Ooh, quite the creative one, are we?~" He tilts his head, stepping forward, "I'm not offering to play co-op. I'd simply like to observe you and maybe assist you at times if you'd like." A radio materializes in his hands and he tosses it towards Nicole. "Take it if you'd like. Allows for easier communication with me."
She lets it just fall and hit the floor as she looks down at it "And what if I dont want your number?"
"Then I suppose it's a lost cause!" He dramatically weeps, before composing himself yet again. "Mmm. Seeing as you've formed yourself from Drake, that would mean you're a Dromen, yes?~"
She nods.
"Would you mind demonstrating some of your abilities for us? I feel as though that would be fun~"
"Having to use a lot them at the moment so I dont think it's really time for a show quite yet." She leans on a tree.
"Fascinating. I'm curious as to what you mean by that~"
"Some old bucket of bolts started a war with my cult and now I’m just putting my foot down"
"Ooooh~ Cults, wars, this is all so interesting! Once again, my assistance is on the table~"
"Oh I wont need it, dont you worry bumpkin"
"Mm~ I'll just continue observing then~" Azriel smiles, putting a finger to his chin.
She takes a deep breath "Kinda nice not smelling ketchup and mustard constantly"
"That is rather undesirable! I'm glad you've found yourself some semblance of identity again~"
---
Harmonia left the forest. She texts the group chat to alert them about Nicole and goes into the kitchen. Upon entering, she opens the fridge, takes a wine bottle out, and chugs.
"I don't blame you." Luna says, who had been typing in the kitchen for most of the evening.
She looks at Luna. "Yeah."
"Wonderful, the moon is fucked and Rose is alive again."
Orpheus has fallen asleep head down on the kitchen table.
"Cheers to that." Harmonia says sarcastically, drinking more wine. Luna grabs one of the bottles from the fridge and just fucking chugs. Cuz this is what she needs right now. Rose.
"Cheers." Okay, maybe not a chug, but definitely a huge gulp! Luna pictures Rose with the McDonalds Drake voice, which causes her to take yet another fucking massive swig. "Fuck me, I hate this." Luna grabs some water.
Harmonia grabs another bottle of wine before going to her room.
"fanfuckin tastic. jut waht we ned." Luna sighs, trying to return her work. The aura slowly snaps back to life and her breathing gets a bit erratic. Actually no. We're not hyperventilating again. In fact, there's fresh air in the backyard. She'll walk out.
---
Cole has snuck out to the backyard. Luna walks out with her firey purple aura just going wild. She stumbles a bit due to the wine she just drunk. Cole is wearing a red suit with a tail coat that lowers down to his ankles and is holding a microphone stand that looks like it has a sharp edge on the bottom with a microphone and cable that vaugely looks like it has black smoke coming off of it. It runs up and behind Cole's jacket.
Cole looks over at Luna. "Well hello!"
Luna just sorta fucking throws up.
"Well then! You've had a little too much to drink!" Cole says, in his best gameshow announcer voice.
"Yeah Dolos,," Oh she is fucking out of it lmao.
"I think you need a nap! Would you like me to fix that?"
"Thats okay,," she just walks away from the vomit puddle and sits on the grass looking at the moonless sky. “The red sky sure is pretty,"
"Debatable! Now you might wanna plug your ears because I have a announcement to make!"
Luna doesn't care. "Go ahead,"
Cole clears his throat and then leans into the microphone as his voice echoes from seemingly nowhere. People in the forest could probably hear Cole. "To all the stinky soul motherfuckers! I can smell you lurking out there! And I just want you to know that I have no qualms with killing a bitch tonight!"
"...is this about Nicole? Cuz like I wanna fight her."
Cole slowly turns to look at Luna. "No! Absolutely not!" His words are dripping with sarcasm.
Luna grins, as her eyes turn purple, meaning Krystal is taking over.
"Heck yeah. Classic Cole activity!" Krystal’s voice sounds like Luna's but a little bit higher pitched. “Look, I'm down to help, but it'll be a bit more like backup than anything. Unfortunately, Lunes' alcohol usage made it a bit hard to move. But I'm okay to fight if absolutely need be."
Cole kicks the bottom of the stand as he flies up and rests on his shoulder "Well! It's murdering hour!"
Cole breaks into a theater run into the forest.
Krystal follows and goes through the trees! She can't miss this battle!
---
Cole stops running as he spots Nicole and plants his microphone stand into the ground. "Hello! Manipulators and gentlemen!"
Nicole looks over as her eyes narrow, and she gives a death glare. Roxy sees Cole and SHRIEKS, vanishing
"Ooh, what have we here?~" Azriel says. Krystal appears in one of the trees nearby watching the incoming battle.
Cole smiles manically as he speaks into the microphone "The one and only Cole Genesone!"
"You wanted a show, Azzie, you might just get one after all," Nicole mutters as she gets up from leaning on the tree.
"Wonderful," Azriel steps back to watch them.
"If a show is what you want, a show is what I will provide!" Cole detaches the microphone from the stand and stares at Nicole. There’s a sickening feeling of bad luck that grows as dark thin limbs flow out from Nicole's back with small hands on them.
"Powering up are we?" The microphone changes to a hook as the cable changes to a black smoke chain and he twirls the microphone stand in his hand.
"Your move."
Cole throws the hook at Nicole as the chain keeps unraveling while making zero noise. She quickly dodges to the side while lunging at Cole aiming a hook for his face. Cole deflects it with his microphone stand as he aims to smack Nicole in the side with the sharp edge. She lets him. Instantly, she looks like Lock but with the arms flowing out of her back still. Cole stares at them for a second as he takes the stand out of Nicole and starts muttering to himself, "Not real, not real, not real, not real."
Nicole stumbles back as the forest starts to smell like the drake-thru.
"Not real, not real, not real, not real" Cole crouches as he drops everything and puts his hands in front of his eyes.
Krystal is still watching. {"Cole do you need help?"}
Azriel is eating popcorn as he watches.
"Cole? What happened?" Nicole sounds like Lock.
Krystal, {"Cole, snap out of it!"}
Cole, ("trust me")
"Not real, not real, not real, not real, not real"
Nicole walks over as the arms raise "Just take deep breaths."
Cole starts taking deep breaths as he stops muttering and snaps a red flare appearing in his hand. He sniffles and holds it out to her. "Can you ignite this for me?"
"Sure!" She snaps as there’s a spark of flames that attempt to ignite his back.
Cole rolls out of the way and jumps to his feet as he ignites the flare and starts shaking it, "Come on, come on you piece of shit!"
She walks closer. "Whats wrong? You already got half the cult, go ahead. Attack me."
Cole points the flare at Nicole's face. "I hope you like smoke!" Pure black smoke pours out of the flare in seconds. It burns to breathe in.
She's breathing it in as the arms on her back reach for his throat and lunges.
Cole's throat is grabbed as he drops the flare. "BITCH!" The arms tighten as she goes to punch him in the gut. The hook retracts, flying towards the back of Nicole's neck. As it goes through Nicole's neck, she changes to look like Isaac. The hook only goes partly though due to the thick skin and the arms try to pull Cole’s head towards Nicole. Nicole opens her jaws. Cole pulls his head back as lightning arcs cover his body, "You’re just fucking using the people I know for their abilities, you massive prick!"
The arms try to pull harder with great strength as Nicole lunges to chomp onto his entire head, FNAF jumpscare style. Cole shifts his whole weight backwards as he falls onto his back and slams his hand on the hook, trying to make it dig in further. As it goes in further, her form changes into a black static figure. The hook suddenly goes through her like a ghost. As her form clears, she looks like Eggory.
"I KILLED EGGORY ONCE I'LL DO IT AGAIN!!" Cole’s temperature drops to 0F as the hook retracts further and phases through Cole's chest. He tries to free himself from Nicole's grasp. He manages to get free of them while Nicole reaches out a jittery hand towards Cole. Cole gets up and jumps backwards away from the hand. When he lands, frost forms at his feet and spreads to Nicole. Nicole tries to lunge towards him to touch his arm. Frost covers Cole's arm as he aims a right hook at Nicole's face. It hits. She staggers back some and on the hit, she looks like Sparrow. Cole's temperature rises back to it's normal temp as he aims a spin kick at Nicole's jaw.
She takes the hit, but while doing so, she grabs his leg and tries to push it up to throw him off his feet. Cole is thrown off of his feet as he lays on the ground with a groan. She changes back to her normal form and grins. "Now Cole, about that cult." Nicole walks over to Cole.
Cole looks up from the ground, “What about it? Is your ass sore from doing nothing about it?"
"Your little stunt caught my attention, so now I’m taking them back." She slides a thin black needle out of her pocket.
Cole starts shaking with fear as he starts crawling backwards "No, no, no, not again!"
"What's wrong? Scared of a little boogeyman?"
"N-no? Wh-why w-would I be s-so scared of th-them?"
"Scared of when the lights go out?" Nicole kneels down near him.
"N-no, th-they n-never d-do."
She tries to stab the needle into the side of his neck. Cole grabs her wrist, his hand is shaking like crazy. "Hey w-we c-can talk a-about th-this?"
She tries to get his hand off. "I’m done talking. You had all 50% to talk to me and now it’s too late for that."
Cole starts to tear up as he keeps a firm grip on her wrist. "Wh-what f-fucking h-happened to you? a-all y-you w-want is p-power!"
She scoffs "I don’t want power. You clearly didnt do your homework."
Cole's hand is ripped away from her wrist as he stares Nicole in the eyes. "Th-then w-why d-do you have th-the c-cult still? w-what a-are you getting out of th-this?"
She stares at him a moment before shaking her head and attempting to stab the needle into his leg. He screams. "WE COULD HAVE RUN IT TOGETHER! WE COULD HAVE BEEN FUCKING PARTNERS!" The serrated needle will be impossible to fully remove on his own as he starts feeling weak and numb. Nicole stands up and watches, no longer smiling and quiet.
"LUNA FUCKING HELP ME, p-please" Cole curls into a ball and starts to sob into his knees. Luna fucking jumps down from the tree, finally sober, and getting her ichor claymore out.
"Hello Rose, long time no see bitch."
{- Game on. -}
The arms on her her back reach up into the trees as she raises up out of sight and vanishes. Cole feels everything go numb.
"...PUSSY!" Luna screams, as she tries to get the needle out ASAP. The needle takes a couple of tries to get out. The numbing effects slowly wear off over time. Cole relaxes as he stops crying as he stares forward. Luna places the needle into her knife pouch, then teleports Cole home.
---
Luna and Cole appear in the living room, as she gives him a big hug.
"You did great out there Cole. proud of ya."
Cole is still shaking slightly as he quietly says "Thank you, I fucking hate Nicole."
Luna sighs. "I'm not particularly a fan of Rose either. I refuse to call her Nicole... or Drake I guess anymore."
"If she wants a fucking war, I'll give them a god damn war." Cole's voice has a slight tone of anger as he sits up.
Luna releases from the hug and claps her hand, sending the needle to her evidence pocket in her duffle bag of holding.
A Mascot stares at them through the window Cole stares back at the mascot and sighs. "There's another one."
Luna sighs as well. "Here we go again."
Cole stands up, slightly struggling and opens the window. "What the fuck do you want?"
"I’m sent to replace the Mascot sent to comfort you!"
"...ugh." Luna complains.
"Good god, whatever just stay out of my way and I give you permission to answer any questions."
The Mascot happily nods, "And would you like to ask any questions?"
"What's the percent of the war at?"
"48%!"
"Wait 48 now? It was 50 just yesterday!" Luna says. Cole's fists clench with anger as he breathes angrily and starts pacing and staring at the floor. His eyes shift to pink.
The Mascot raises its arm to show it’s missing most of its arm, "The enemy has invested in a high volume of military equipment due military bases being technically drive thrus."
"...Nicole, what the fuck." Luna says.
{- What the fuck does "military bases being technically drive thrus" even mean??? -}
"Area 51 is a personal favorite reaching about 4853 area 51s across the lands!"
"...what the fuck." Luna says, completely but reasonably shocked. "This fucking bitch just casually has access to fucking Area 51 almost 5000 times over???"
Cole reaches for his combat knife as he freezes in place and starts calming his breathing
"It's fine, it's fine I expected this"
{- Right. -}
"Anyway, so what's the plan Cole? Cuz now I really want to see you win all of a sudden. If only just to fucking destroy Rose."
"Phase 2… is now active." Cole is struggling to calm his breathing
"...Operation Uh Oh Fucky Wucky? You really should not be allowed to name operations."
"It's a good name, fuck you."
Luna gets near Cole and tries to help him regulate his breathing, trying to assist with the exercises she's used on the nonferals before. in 4, hold 4, out 4. It works for Loonism, so it should help here too right? "Just close your eyes and focus on your breathing."
Cole closes his eyes and slows his breathing "It's fine, not a big deal, just have to start mass producing weapons of war."
"Or you could use Area 51. It's a drive thru according to the mascot. It's fair game."
"Luna, we only have one Area 51 and I am not raiding it."
"Hm."
"Your lands contain 48% of area 51s!" The Mascot reports.
"I'm making weapons and I'll start....wait fucking what?"
"See? You have a fuckton of Area 51s to work with!"
Cole opens his eyes and stares at the mascot with purple eyes
:) mascot hapy
"That dinky factory in your basement? That's childs play compared to what can be made on site. Plus less needing to use energy to teleport weapons out." Luna says.
"It is not dinky! Anyways tell the boots on the ground to start taking stuff from Area 51."
"You know what I mean. Your factory is incredible, but it’s not Area 51 incredible!"
"Boots arent very good listeners," The Mascot says.
{- Apparently not good shots either. -}
Cole sighs. "Tell the people in the war to grab things from Area 51."
"We never thought of taking items from our surroundings before!!!!"
Facepalm. "..." Luna just looks at Cole like... seriously dude?
Cole shrugs at Luna. "Yeah start doing that, tell them to start doing that like now"
"So wait, are there no more like restaurant drive thrus left in the domain?" Luna asks
"Ok!" The Mascot says cheerfully. "The lands are big enough for all drive thrus!"
"All drive thrus. Hm." Luna closes her eyes, trying to think of other kinds of drive thrus that could exist.
"Wait. Do line assemblies count as drive thrus?"
Luna nods. "They should."
"Yes!"
"Tell the people in the war to start raiding those and taking every weapon they can find."
"Ok!"
"You could also design new crazy weapons and start having the workers make em on site." Luna suggests.
"What do you think phase 2 is?" Cole asks.
Luna shrugs. "I have no fucking idea, cuz you don't tell me these things."
"So you know grenade launchers right?"
"Yup. Don't tell me you're calling them like UH OH STINKIES or something." Luna jokes.
"What? No, I'm giving them M32 rotary grenade launchers and RPG-7 rocket launchers."
Luna opens her phone and looks them up cuz she don't have a fuckin clue. "Oh."
“Yeah.”
"Just remember that Nicole also has access to things like this. It's gonna be a war of attrition."
"And my side has infinite supplies"
"And she's a hadal dromen capable of altering shit into play. Her side effectively has infinite supplies as well."
"Mhm, but have you considered that I gave my mascot's a doctrine and Nicole probably doesn't know what that is?"
Luna stares at Cole. "The fuck's a doctrine?" Luna/Nicole moment.
Cole groans "It’s the thing people in an army follow to ensure they know what certain tactics are and how to use them in battle."
"Ohhhhh then just say tactics. Remember, I'm the RPG nerd, not the war veteran. Just... don't underestimate Nicole. We did and that caused everyone's fucking divulgar blood to become hadal."
"Yeah, that's rule one in war: Don't underestimate your enemy, and I'll remember that for next time. Now if you'll excuse me I'm worried about a certain twink." Cole walks over to Chris and taps his shoulder roughly. "You."
"Alright, have a good night." Luna disappears.