Eris

"No... They aren't Mirages, they're people. Knowing this sort of things happens is one thing, but leaving them to it, when they're right in front of us?" Even if they're horrible people, they don't deserve that. "We can take that thing. If we hit it hard, knock it off balance, then the Bandits can fight back too!"

"Are you sure?" Tracy asks, looking you in the eye. You nod, then glance to Mindy and Prue. They nod as well, getting ready. "Let's go then."

You take the lead, rushing in until you're at medium range and readying your staff. The Electivire throws her head back and roars, wires thrashing as sparks crackle off her body, and as the first bolt of Psychic energy races in, boosted by the cheering, her eyes lock on yours.

"Grahhh!" Her roar is like a roll of thunder, but the first strike hits between her eyes and staggers her. The second and third strike her chest, further pushing her back, enough for Krokorok to slide out from underneath her.

"Dark Claws!" The leader, her glasses discarded, staggers to her feet. Scraggy rises, looking determined. Even Vullaby rises, looking wobbly but managing to stand upright.

More bolts of Psychic energy race in, peppering the Mirage's chest, shortly followed by Tracy's charge. With another roar, the Mirage lurches forwards, wires thrashing as she catches Tracy's fist.

"Retreat!" Krokorok yells, immediately turning and racing towards the circle.

"Hey! Wait!" Prue wails, rushing forwards as the Mirage hurls Tracy towards you. You roll out of the way, rising with your staff spinning, more bolts to distract the Mirage with.

"What now?" Tracy coughs, spitting dust from her mouth. The bandits... They've fled. All except the Houndour, who's struggling towards the circle. They even left one of their own behind... "Do we keep fighting?"

"Alex!" Mindy shouts, a glance showing how scared she is.

"If you need to, I can distract her." Prue states, a look of determination attempting to mask her fear.

"Keep your eyes open for an opportunity to run! No one's getting left behind, we're all getting out of this!" You order, throwing another volley of bolts towards the Electivire's eyes. You're not even sure if you're hurting her, but it at least seems to be distracting. "Move!"

You're first to roll out of the way as the Mirage charges, moving far faster than someone her size should be capable of. The smell of ozone fills the air as she passes, and you've barely risen to your feet before a searing pain strikes your chest. As you fly backwards, you realize it was a lash from her wrist-wires.

"Alex!" A volley of green glowing leaves strikes the area between you and the Mirage, halting her advance for a moment as Tracy runs over. You stagger to your feet, leaning on your staff, and join in with another volley. You're in position now, the circle behind you, the Mirage in front. If only she weren't so damn fast.

"Prue! Mindy! Get going!" You shout over your shoulder as the Mirage comes stomping in. You wing hard with your staff, wincing as it's caught in a strong hand, the wood thankfully a poor conductor. It doesn't help you, however, when she snaps the top off and gives you a brutal kick.

"D-damn it!" You gasp, struggling for air as the Mirage readies a stomp, barely catching her foot in time with the remnants of your staff.

"Take this!" Tracy shouts, rushing forward and slamming into the Mirage once more, this time her fist striking her square in the face.

"Go! Go!" The twins cheer as the girl above you starts to topple. You add your own strength in, pushing hard and lifting her foot.

"Grrrrrarh!" For a moment you think the howling is coming from the Electivire, that she's charging up for a shockwave or something. And then the Houndour, of all people, comes crashing in behind Tracy, throwing her weight into the attempt to topple the massive Mirage. With her extra effort, gravity begins to take its toll, and the Mirage begins to topple.

"Run!" Prue yells, beckoning as your foe hits the ground in a plume of dust. Already her wires are lashing, her hands striking the ground as she begins to rise. You turn, scrambling to your feet as Tracy does the same beside you.

"Come on, damn it!" You grimace, reaching back for the girl on the ground behind you. Her eyes are wide, looking at you with panic as she reaches out towards you-

You grab her hand, pulling hard as one of the wires lashes out for her leg, sending a painful current through both of you. You grit your teeth, tears burning in your eyes, and pull even harder. The Houndour struggles, kicking free as you haul her forward, scrabbling until she's moving towards the exit.

You're there to support her, limping but still moving as you throw her arm over your shoulder, and coincidentally pushing her by her ass. The air rumbles, the hair on the back of your neck stands on end, and just as your foot crosses the threshold of the circle there's a sky-shattering boom.

"Alex? Hey, come on, wake up!" You roll over with some assistance, taking in the sudden moisture of the air. "Come on, up an at-em!"

"T-Tracy?" Ugh... Your nerves burn like fire, but your muscles seem to respond at least. "We made it? Everyone?"

"Everyone." Tracy agrees, smiling down at you. "Somehow."

"C'mon, C'mon!" Mindy insists, helping to lift you off the floor and escort you further from the circle.

"Bandits must have come out somewhere else." Prue calls, looking relieved. "I swear, if we find them again-" She trails off, turning to glare at the Houndour. "Huh..."

"Are you alright?" You ask the girl in the black and orange dress, as Tracy helps her to her feet. "Took a nasty hit."

"Would... Would have been fine..." She pants, face twisting with pain. "If they hadn't left me..."

"Some friends, huh?" Tracy mutters. "Why are we helping her, even?"

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