Episode 33: Resolution's Revenge

[Roxy Grimm]

Laying eyes on that picture took Roxy back to the moment it was taken. It was five years ago, around the time when the Resistors - the main trio, Noland, Allen, and Alana - weren't relevant yet. She remembers coercing Markus into watching them battle at their community center and being so fascinated with Alana's background and performance. Not only was she the one who took that photo with her camera, but she gave it to him as a keepsake. He kept it all this time...

"You really kept that..." Roxy realized in awe. Her tears stopped for a moment to take that in for a bit. Her trauma made it extremely difficult for Markus to get through to her, but this time, he may have succeeded in doing so. For once in a long time, she was astronomically happy.

Then there was Kyuki to worry about...

The sudden realization that this mental disconnect was about to be exploited until her death comes to fruition turned that sweet moment into a twisted beginning. The troubled look on her face said it all.

"You know what's going to happen to me now...don't you?"

[Markus Hederick]

Markus grunted when Roxy mentioned her penalty again. It wasn't something he wanted to talk about, but it was important. She lost, so if Kyuki sticks to his word, she's a target.

"That's something every single one of you needs to remember on this field. We're pawns, regardless of whether we like or hate each other," Gargulion mentioned, loud enough to be heard by both the Resistors and Spartans. He was mainly directing that towards the usual suspects within the Spartan echelon, especially Damian.

"Yeah. I know," Markus acknowledged. "That's why I'm going to be there when he attacks to show that weakling what gets done to people like him."

[Roxy Grimm]

"Y-you're going to do what?" Markus taking the initiative to come to her defense was new. With that kind of power, Markus could be capable of winning against Kyuki. On the other end of the spectrum, maybe he isn't strong enough to do it. She didn't know, but anyone allied with the Hurranians was automatically considered a top tier threat. Considering she is ignorant to everything that the mad scientist is capable of, she really doesn't know anything about how terrifying he could be.

She would at least have a general idea if a single Hurranian could trigger her traumatic memories to return.

"You'd...really do that for me?"

[Markus Hederick]

Markus scoffed at Roxy's shock that he was trying to help her. He was about to make his point as clear as it could be. First, he approached her to wipe away her tears. Second, he explained to her the importance of not acting on her own anymore.

"You know this better than I do. It's not so easy lifting a burden all on your own," Markus stated. He may or may not have gotten that from Tracy and/or Tank. "It doesn't become so heavy when you have others there to help you lift. You've been missing that this entire time, and I can see why. Your teammates could have easily been your support, but they are more concerned with their own agendas than your well-being. Everyone has their problems, and we each have our own way of working through them. It's when you don't try to do anything to make the situation better that you become a monster."

Markus stretched his hand out as a symbol of reconciliation and partnership between himself and Roxy. Out of all of the Spartans, she was the least he was concerned about being evil. "So what are you going to do about this? Will you let me help you, or are you content with where you are?"

[Roxy Grimm]

If there was anything wrong that came out of Markus' mouth just now, it was the fact that he was right about what he said about the Spartans. It's a selfish organization. Damian gets picked on a lot by everyone else, but if there's anyone who embodies what the Spartans should not be, he would be hand-picked. The only one who seemed to care was his polar opposite, Jamal. Even with him, they never went very far in becoming an actual unit. Roxy's indifference to them all from the start - due to her experiences - prevented her from seeing that until now.

That's why when Markus got through to her, she was able to break free from her shackles. Gargulion let her go so she could decide for herself, and she did. Rather than shake Markus' hand, she went straight for the hug, a very tight one at that.

"Both," she replied. "I can finally believe in you now. I'd rather it stay like this..."

[Prof.Dr.Kyuki]

Lurking from behind the shadows is a man in white coat.
Followed by men and women dressed in red uniforms of Chrono Elite, he walks on the edges of darkness observing the situation.
Suddenly, he stops and turns towards the battlefield.
Battle has already ended and his face does not show any sign of amusement. "Is that it?" He says silently; seemingly disappointed at how the battle unfolded.

"That is the power they are bragging about?" He asks himself out loud.

"Save your hormones for my scalpel, son. Do not waste them on showing off in front of someone whose existence will be reduced to one of a mere toy." He says seeing how emotional Markus got towards someone who failed so badly. "I like how they all want to look brave and mighty until they see what is beyond the first page of the book... Believe me, son, you will have enough time to regret those words... Now, what next two people are going to bring more boredom to my eyes?" He asks very slowly as he continues to lurk through the darkness.
Not being impressed by this show either he simply goes further.
Knowing all powers he has in store seeing this fight does not even make him list Markus into possible threats. He does not even care if he wins or losses; his life could not be any less important to Kyuki than it already is.

[Noland Hardy]