North City // Bell Tower (Eradicated)

Ryder Mercy
The Enforcer
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"I guess it's true what they say...you never know how strong you are...until being strong is the only choice you've got."
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Ryder's eyes flashed with disbelief and confusion when Jackal began laughing towards the ceiling--and then, he heard Miles explain it all. Ryder stared at the man past Jackal's shoulder, and as he heard the end of Miles' spiel, he gritted his teeth and pulled in a shaky breath before shouting,
"SHUT UP! You don't get to say those words! Don't you DARE fucking say what he'd say! You're fucking LEAGUES behind Yuri, and you'll never--!" But then suddenly gun. Ryder's eyes snapped back to Jackal, looking at the man's eerily smiling face, then down at the gun. A million thoughts flew through his head in a split second--trying to decide what to do next.
He wanted to believe that death wasn't actually a thing. He wanted to believe that he could just disregard that gun and punch this guy out--
But...Jo had taken so much effort earlier to explain to him that death really was a thing, trying to convince him...was he really going to disregard what she'd said, if she was...dead herself...?
Ryder's anger drained out along with the color in his face, replaced by a heavy liquid dread that seemed to pour into his being and make him feel heavy--like a block of concrete. Slowly, his hands slipped from the cane, and from Jackal's shirt. He let go of him--but he didn't move.
"Fuck you..." he murmured quietly, his voice despondent. "Do you know how happy Jo was to have Jack back...? You think it's just fine to come and hurt someone wearing the face of one of their best friends...? We've had plenty of that in the past, we don't need any more...!" He clenched his hands, trying to hold back the emotion in his voice as he shouted, "Go die in a hole, you traitorous piece of shit...!"
This belltower was--well, tall. How could anybody survive a drop like that...? As the realization that Jo had probably just fallen to her death set in, he felt his heart drop into the pit of his stomach. No. Not again--he couldn't go through this again--he'd just gotten Jo back...this...couldn't be happening...

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Ryder's Theme - The Real Folk Blues

Ryder Mercy
The Enforcer
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"I guess it's true what they say...you never know how strong you are...until being strong is the only choice you've got."
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"And who says that you need to do the thing you were created to do, huh?!" Ryder objected when Jackal claimed that he had been created to kill him. "Just because you're created to do something doesn't mean that you need to do it...! You seemed fine with us before!" Ryder took a half a step back when Jackal pulled out his new weapon. He seemed confused when he saw that it was an hourglass...but when the bubbles came out, and Jackal commented on how 'pretty' they were--Ryder immediately swung his arm through the cloud of bubbles, popping several of them. "Don't mock m--" But before he could even finish his sentence--suddenly, his arm pitched downwards, as if it was made of lead...He quickly looked to the arm, but it didn't look any different...but it felt like it weighed a ton...As he looked back at Jackal, he saw that there were still some bubbles floating in the air, and hastily backed up a step. "What the hell...?!"

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Ryder's Theme - The Real Folk Blues

Bunny◈Mio
Theme: Bunny Mio- Restart
The♥Crimson♥Angel♥of♥Death♥stands♥before♥you

Bunny saw all this happen, and while she watched, she moved around, unnoticed, making her to Nate. She took one of his extra cases of ammo, and reloaded, and then placed the gun to Miles' head.
"We've...had...enough of you..." she said, pulling the trigger and shooting him in the head. "Kraven was only right on some things...but...not all things...now rest in hell...sinner..." she said, and staggered back to the wall, sliding down. She was panting hard, looking at Jack and Ryder. She wasn't sure what to say to them, but she wanted to say something. "Directive...doesn't have control..." she said. "You do...come on..."


Fear✘my✘name✘and✘do✘whats✘best✘for✘you

Bunny◈Mio
Theme: Bunny Mio- Restart
The♥Crimson♥Angel♥of♥Death♥stands♥before♥you

"Jack...no...Gangsta Pimp...Feather Flavored Mother Fucker..." she said, from the floor. "You may not be him as a person...but what's stopping you from bein him now? When...have you ever...did what the man said?" she asked, smiling. "You did what you wanted to because you wanted to...what's...stopping you now? Sure, you're not Jack, but you're Jack in spirit, and who says you have to do what others tell you to do?" she coughed a little. "Hey...you wanna use that weapon...you won't...not on us...Jack wouldn't hurt his teammates...now knock off this shit."


Fear✘my✘name✘and✘do✘whats✘best✘for✘you

Ryder Mercy
The Enforcer
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"I guess it's true what they say...you never know how strong you are...until being strong is the only choice you've got."
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"Like hell I'll just give up and die...!" While the others seemed intent on getting Jackal to change his mind--Ryder had decided to take the guy's first answer. He was only a clone. This wasn't Jack. This was a fake, that had been designed to murder him--and had already murdered Jo. Unless the others came up with a really good excuse, like Jo being alive--Ryder wasn't going easy on this guy.
He backed up, grabbing his bat from the floor with his unaffected arm, then looking back up to see another wave of bubbles coming his way. He manuevered his way around the bubbles--but then stopped dead in his tracks as he heard Bunny.
"What. The actual. FUCK. BUNNY." he yelled at the redhead, clear rage on his face. "You want him to JOIN US?! He's not Jack! Stop kidding yourself, this guy's a fake! Jack is DEAD! We saw his body, Bunny, he's dead, gone, kaput, THE END! Not only that, but he kind of just BLASTED JO OUT OF THE FUCKING TOWER! She's probably DEAD! And do you CARE?!" he turned again, facing Jackal, seeing that the bubbles had dispersed further, making movement more difficult. "Don't you think for a second that I'm letting you off the hook. You had your chance for a change of heart, and you denied it. You don't wanna be Jack? Good. You're not Jack. Meaning that I don't need to feel bad about killing you. What kind of person would I be if I didn't get revenge for the person I love, right? You'd better be ready..."

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Ryder's Theme - The Real Folk Blues

Bunny◈Mio
Theme: Bunny Mio- Restart
The♥Crimson♥Angel♥of♥Death♥stands♥before♥you

Bunny looked back at Jackal. Was she right or wrong? She didn't know, but to her, now, at this moment, as her body was giving up on her, she wished she cared more.
"Ryder, don't be stupid, their...not dead." she grunted. "Listen, it's...up to you if he lives or dies...but think on it for a second. Maybe...we hear him out...give him a chance...maybe not. But it's up to you." her eyes flickered as she spoke. "Sorry...I'm done...someones gonna need..to carry...me..." slowly, her eyes closed and Bunny was out.



Fear✘my✘name✘and✘do✘whats✘best✘for✘you

Ryder Mercy
The Enforcer
-------------------------------------
"I guess it's true what they say...you never know how strong you are...until being strong is the only choice you've got."
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Ryder heard Nate and Bunny speak, but he didn't tear his eyes away from Jackal. He simply glared, bat gripped tightly in his hand. How things had changed...upon his first entering No Man's Land...back then, he would have been all for trying to keep this guy alive, and would have forgiven him...but now...
He watched as Jackal spread his arms...and as he heard the man's words, his grip on his bat tightened. He'd heard those words before. They were a single reminder: He couldn't turn back now. Nor could he ever anymore.
He lifted the bat, pointing the barrel of the rifle straight at Jackal's chest--he would have gone for the forehead, but his already heavy right arm was making that difficult enough--so, the chest would do.
"...I can't stop now. Not after all that's happened..." He placed his index finger on the trigger, pausing for a moment. He knew what the others would think of him after this. He knew that all along, though...didn't he? He'd known that since he'd fought Yuri on the roof of The Walls, months ago...He'd known that he was on the same path as that man...and that path only garnered hatred, no matter how right he might think his actions were. It was too late to turn back. He didn't care what he had to do--he was going to keep Vulture safe.
"..." he tried to think of something to say...anything to say...but he couldn't. So...he simply took a deep breath...and pulled the trigger.

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Ryder's Theme - The Real Folk Blues

Ryder Mercy
The Enforcer
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"I guess it's true what they say...you never know how strong you are...until being strong is the only choice you've got."
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As Ryder was pulling down on the trigger--he heard a shout. A voice. A...very familiar voice. A very familiar voice that hadn't called him 'Bro' in quite some time...one he'd never thought would call him that again. And in the blink of an eye, it was over. Ryder remained rooted to the spot, a look of absolute horror on his face as he saw that the one in front of him was not Jackal, but Pugsy.
"Pug...sy...?" his voice was practically strangled as it hit the air, and his bat slipped from his fingers as his arms and hands went limp at the shock. "You...Y-You weren't..." Ryder could barely form words--he stared at Pugsy's frowning face for a moment, before looking down to assess what damage he'd done to his friend...

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Ryder's Theme - The Real Folk Blues

Pugnificient
Pugsy Marcone
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Pugsy's eyes widened further as the pain started to be felt. Pugsy could not feel physical pain, but there were other ways to hurt such a man. Tears began to trail down his face, and the man fell to his knees. He stayed on his knees for only a couple of seconds before falling on his side "I'm sorry... Chel... Ivy... I had to do it... I couldn't let Ryder do it... I'm not going to let him-" Pugsy looked over to Chelsea, trying his best to keep a stoic face and failing "Ryder... don't you ever..." Pugsy suddenly didn't have the energy to speak another word. He looked downwards, there was a big hole in his chest. He didn't feel a thing, not a single damn thing. It scared him.

Jackal just flew into complete shock as Pugsy stood in between him and Ryder. For Pugsy to do that, it shocked Jackal to the very core "W-why!? I'm not worth it...!" Jackal's eyes began to fall. Out of shock, the man collapsed, this was all too much. He didn't know what to say or do anymore. It was better this way.

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"Aye! Come on then! Let's change this world for the better, am I right!?"
Pugsy Theme - Fearless

Chelsea Mercy
The Comeback Kid
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"Just you wait! I'll show you that I can protect the people that I care about!"
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Chelsea had been watching in sheer shock from the side of the room, tears rolling down her cheeks, up until the point when Pugsy toppled to the floor. She quickly stood up, putting the small computer onto the ground before she ran to Pugsy, kneeling down next to him, and putting her small hands onto the wound on Pugsy's chest, pressing down and trying to stop the bleeding.
"B-Bandages...we need bandages...! O-Or something...! Somebody, help him! Please! Somebody--anybody--! Save him...!"

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Chelsea's Theme - Connect

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Ryder Mercy
The Enforcer
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"I guess it's true what they say...you never know how strong you are...until being strong is the only choice you've got."
-------------------------------------

Ryder continued to stare wide-eyed at Pugsy as the man fell to the floor. He felt like he couldn't breathe anymore. He'd just shot one of his best friends. At first, he felt rooted in place, but soon, he collapsed to his knees, quickly scooting forward to be next to Pugsy, putting his hands on top of Chelsea's to try to help her stop the bleeding.
"Why...? Dammit...why...?!" Ryder's voice wavered as he spoke, trying to keep what little composure he had left--trying to keep his head, instead of just drawing back and wishing that everything would just disappear... "D...Don't fall asleep, Pugsy--!" He quickly looked to Pugsy's face, his own expressioin one of clear worry and distress. "We're gonna get you some help, okay? You're--you're gonna be just fine, dammit! Just--don't fall asleep--! Just...y-you don't even need to talk, if you don't want to! I...I can talk to you!" Ryder was desperately trying to keep Pugsy conscious--he was afraid that if the man closed his eyes, that he might never wake up again... "It's...All of this Holiday Killer stuff is over, Pugsy! A-And we're all gonna go out and find Jo...and we're all gonna go back to Carrion Land together! A-And you know what? Tomorrow is Christmas...! And...And I'll make pancakes for everyone...! And we'll all spend Christmas together...a-and..." His voice began to choke up, as tears began to gather in his eyes. "And...It'll be great...it's exciting, right...? We'll...all be together...we're a family after all...right...?"

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Ryder's Theme - The Real Folk Blues

Pugnificient
Pugsy Marcone
______ ____________________________________________________________________________________

Pugsy began to lower his eyes, yeah, it was probably okay to close them now. He had done enough. At least he could save one life today. But then he heard Chelsea and Ryder "..." his eyes opened up just a little bit "Pancakes...?" he managed to mutter. He managed to take a breathe, before rolling over on his back I- don't worry... I've... had worse... please... don't worry about me guys..." Pugsy tried his best to stand up, only to fall over. He only made a slight grunt of pain before looking up to Chelsea and Ryder, smiling to them "We're all going home together guys... I swear... I- I don't want anyone to die today... it's too much... sorry..." he whispered to them. In the distance, he could hear an engine of some kind, it sounded really familiar. He made a grumble at the mere sound of it "Guys... I-... what is that noise...?"

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"Aye! Come on then! Let's change this world for the better, am I right!?"
Pugsy Theme - Fearless

Chelsea Mercy
The Comeback Kid
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"Just you wait! I'll show you that I can protect the people that I care about!"
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Despite Pugsy saying that he didn't want them worrying about him--well--suffice to say, both of the Mercys were really quite worried. A lot. And they were still putting pressure on that wound of his--still, they both seemed to brighten a bit when they saw that Pugsy was staying awake...
"C-Careful...!" Chelsea said in alarm when Pugsy tried to stand up, only to fall over again. Then, they listened to Pugsy continue to speak...
Ryder was about to apologize to Pugsy again, but--then he asked his question. Both Ryder and Chelsea paused, listening. They could hear it too...but...what was that...?

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Chelsea's Theme - Connect

Citizen Ross
???
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Pugsy managed to lift his head up, nearly headbutting Chelsea. That sound was VERY familiar "It's... a blimp." Pugsy recognized that sound well, oh blimps, the most terrifying force in No Man's Land. When you saw blimps in No Man's Land, something bad was going to happened. At least that's what Pugsy had thought at this point

Just then, music started playing. It started with a few guitar riffs, then a choir chanting "AMEEEERICA! AMEEEERICA!" and slowly, the blimp came into distance, just in time for the main vocal of the song being played to loudly speak "'MURICA! FUCK YEAH!" causing Pugsy to nearly roll over. The blimp came right into distance, the song playing loud enough to burst an ear drum. The screen on the side of the blimp activated, displaying a rather odd image of a bear riding Abraham Lincoln holding the AMERICAN flag into battle. Also Abraham Lincoln was shooting laser beams from his eyes. And just like that, there was a gigantic blimp right next to Vulture Team "W-HELL! NICE JOB THERE! CONGRATULATIONS! I REALLY DID EXPECT YOU TO DIE AFTER ALL OF THAT!" a voice played loudly over the blimp's loudspeakers, they were much louder than usual, and the blimp was way too close "IT'S FINE- YOU SEE- THAT WAS A TEST! AND YOU PASSED- HAHAHA- I'M SO AWESOME! OKAY GUYS- OKAY- ENOUGH TALKIN' ABOUT HOW COOL I AM- HOW ABOUT THREE CHEERS FOR 'MURICA, YEAH? CHEERS!"  

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"MURICA! FUCK YEAH! MCDONALDS! FUCK YEAH! WALLMART! FUCK YEAH! BASEBALL! FUCK YEAH! NFL! FUCK YEAH! MURICA! "
Citizen Ross Theme - TEAM AMERICA

Ryder Mercy
The Enforcer
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"I guess it's true what they say...you never know how strong you are...until being strong is the only choice you've got."
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Ryder's mouth hung open in confusion and surprise as he saw the blimp...Chelsea wished that she could cover her ears because damn that music was loud--but she didn't dare stop putting pressure onto Pugsy's wound.
"...This--" Ryder tried to speak, using a sleeve to wipe his tears away while still keeping one hand down on Pugsy's bulllet wound. He blinked, staring at the music-blaring blimp...then slowly, his facial expression became the epitome of 'are you even fucking kidding me right now--' "...Okay...we really don't need this right now..."

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Ryder's Theme - The Real Folk Blues

Citizen Ross Theme - TEAM AMERICA