Wonderland Raid: Storm Rider

~♥ Welcome to the raid, kupo! Here is some information you need to know before you start posting. There is a limit to the number of times a character can post. This is so a fight won't go on and on, kupo. For these particular raids the limit is 10. On the last post, characters will need to prepare themselves for the end of the battle whether that be by retreating, setting up final defenses, sacrifices, etc. A warning will be given on the last post to remind you. That's all and have fun, kupo! ♥~

Explosions ring out in the deep, dense foliage of giant grass and even large flowers. Creatures of all shapes and forms all come together as one, a group of fear stricken citizens in an otherwise wacky and zany world of confusion and coalescing color. Purples, yellows, reds, there were no distinct patterns to the misshapen, random patterned lands that seemed to have risen from a hallucinogenic fantasy. The people that call this place home where arguably more strange than the place they lived, though in this instance, the appearance held little in the eyes of darkness. One in particular, a dragon of sorts, would cement that point deep within the recesses of their minds.

A wave of fire, smoke, and wind greet the feeling natives, many not surviving the initial bombardment of bombs the unforgiving heartless would rain upon them. Card troops gather in a vain attempt to give their fellow citizens some breathing room, but their arrows are nowhere near strong enough to pierce the toughened hide. They shout orders to one another, regroup for another wave of infinitesimal damage, and are rewarded with the same fire and smoke dozens o others were greeted with just moments ago.

The Storm Rider has arrived. A large, blue dragon with a long, curled tail and twisted, yellow spikes lining its back. Its wings, that in fact are long, five-fingered hands with ornate webbing between the fingers decorate the monster. Each finger sports a short, white claw and the webbing is decorated by a swirling pattern. The Heartless's underside is lined by two rows of three gold cymbals. Its lower jaw is large, unforgiving, jagged, and yellow monstrosity of evil Its upper jaw is blue, and its eyes are glowing yellow with blue-green "eyebrows". White hair is visible around the Heartless's eyes and mouth, and forms "tusks" on the sides of its mouth. The Storm Rider also has two bent, red horns on its head. Its Heartless emblem itself is displayed brazenly on its chin.

Its wide mouth opens, and a glowing golden light can be seen gathering within, showing the interior of the dragon’s mouth. For all the ones it can see, that glowing gold light will be the last thing that ever fills their vision. A deathly tone fills the air as a beam travels from the flying creatures mouth, vaporizing all targets within the vicinity, effectively glassing a single, straight line in what was once grass and flowers. Steam billows due to the heat left behind, and one of three remaining survivors sobs uncontrollably at the sight.

Darkness has risen and consumed the skies above. None are safe from the monster’s wrath.

As part of Queen Noria's own investigation of the rising Heartless activity, she had sent some spies all over the worlds, recording the heightening threat of the lost hearts. Quite a few worlds have been attacked simultaneously, with Castle of Dreams being spared, possibly due to the lack of hearts that place had in comparison.

There was no rhyme nor reason why she picked Wonderland. She could care less about the world, its wackiness, and utterly insane denizens, but there she was. She got into contact with the spies and was notified of two large Heartless. After hearing some of the details, and being told that the dragon looked kinda adorable, she went for the dragon. The reasons might not be the best, but at least she went to give support.

As soon as she reached the site, Lorencia gazed upon the rather large dragon flying overhead, spraying fire like no tomorrow.

"This creature needs to be stopped. It is desecrating the forest!" Terra was distressed, her bright green aura starting to sour at the sight of the damage the Heartless has caused. She was usually a peaceful creature, but what she saw simply made her blood boil. Yet she maintained a semblance of calm as the figure looked down at Lorencia to see what she might do.

Lorencia touched the nature spirit's side, as that was how far she could reach, barely being able to pat her back even when she was on her toes. "I want to go pet it."

Terra wasn't surprised at all, but out of habit, she had to say, "Lorencia. No." She was stern, but Lorencia had already walked into one of her portals, the end of which opened up right above the Storm Rider. She landed on its head, sat down, and gave its head a gentle pat.

"Hello, mister dragon! Would you like to be one of my familiars?"

"That girl is insane." Kaden whispered.

The red eyed man agreed with his companion, giving a firm nod of his head. This was supposed to be an easy job. The two friends had traveled to Wonderland to swipe some particular trinkets for a client. Just the same old same old. That was until a freakish giant dragon appeared out of nowhere--a giant Heartless! It would be a perfect time to take advantage of the chaos and loot everything they could get their hands on, but that was too dirty. Sure, they robbed everyone blind, but they had a code. At least, Raziel and Kaden did. The two couldn't speak for the rest of their fellow thieves.

Kaden, enjoying playing the hero, was always eager to jump in and help someone in trouble. Sometimes his best friend wondered why he remained a thief if that was his true heart's desire. For Raziel, it was just all he had. Thieving was his life. That's what the guild had shaped the poor oblivious Nobody into. He'd been a blank slate when they found him. He knew nothing else. Raziel did not even know that he was a Nobody.

They were crouched down behind some tall grasses, and they had witnessed everything that Lorencia had done. Shy and cautious Raziel just couldn't understand it. What kind of person goes and tries to pet a Heartless? There had to be something wrong upstairs. Fading out of sight, he drew his daggers and waited for Kaden's instructions. It was the right thing to help people in trouble. That's what Kaden had taught him and he wasn't going to argue. They could afford to kill some time.

"Wait for it..." Kaden said, loading a bolt into his crossbow.

They waited to see what would happen next before making their move.

This will be the final boss post, kupo. The Heartless have attained victory. You will be allowed one post to respond. Remember, do not continue to fight a hopeless battle. To do so will result in death, but that is up to you. Your fate is in your hands. Sometimes the best tactic is to retreat, Kupo.

As the battle between the Prison Keeper continued, new developments were taking place all over the world. One by one, corridors of darkness appeared, ushering in a flood of darkness that no one could hope to stem. The last of these portals was so large that several regions were consumed entirely. From there, everything began to crumble away. Survivors ran for their lives, desperate to get away from the devouring abyss that followed them. A deep bellowing roar came from its depths… something powerful… something monstrous… a nightmare. The giant portal was now lined with rows upon rows of jagged teeth; the mouth of a twisted creature trying desperately to fulfill its endless gluttony. Wonderland had been given the honor of being ripped into the End of the World by this god of Heartless. All was lost. Nothing could be done. The people had little time to escape, forced to leave behind their belongings and fond memories of their home as they went through portals created by Nobodies or hopped into their gummi ships. The light of Wonderland fizzled out, another empty place in the sky. The darkness was victorious.

"Lorencia! We have to go! The world is falling apart!" The nature spirit felt the very earth cry out in pain as something was rapidly devouring it, shredding its colossal body by a force that was beyond all their understanding. Seeing the pain the spirit was going through, Lorencia quickly jumped off and landed right next to her contracted familiar.

Her facade of joy faltered as her focus shifted to saving Terra and herself from the dangers that were tearing this world asunder. She opened another gate and pulled Terra in, who at the time was writhing in pain. For a creature who could float in the air freely, she sure weighed a lot, her size not being taken into account. Seeing some other people running for their lives, she opened multiple portals to different worlds, hopefully none which were suffering the same fate as this one.

After Terra was safely inside Lorencia's pocket dimension, the mage still waited till the last minute to collapse all the portals she created, dooming those who couldn't reach them.

In the empty world that she herself created, she crawled over the nature spirit. She was just resting, thankfully.

As Wonderland began to be devoured by Darkness, Raziel opened a portal that allowed him and Kaden to escape the chaos.