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[Stryker]

[align=center][div style="width: 60%; text-align: justify; font-size: 10.2pt; font-family: arial;"][glow=#000,2,300]☣ —[/glow] Through the grapevine, the legends of a manipulated amputee came to meet the ardent’s ears after he prowled the battlefield with the man himself. Stryker became interested, as per usual with manipulated folks. Truly, he wanted to see if he could use this soft tabby and return him to his former state: a brutal assassin. If he could turn one of Sunhaven’s finest soldiers into their biggest enemy, the ardent was becoming an even bigger foe to Sunhaven. They should of never attacked. There was no going back now. Once the thought crossed Stryker’s mind, there was no going back and the lion was now out looking for his playtoy. All he needed to do was snatch him without any Sunhaven members noticing... Their lives couldn’t be sunshine and smiles all the time, obviously.

Dyed violet sulked throughout Sunhaven’s muddy terrain in search of their village where Buckingham would be held. He stayed within the shadows and was prevailing to be unnoticeable. Satisfied so far, Stryker continued to sneak through the territory. Far off in the distance laid their camp. Quickening his pace, the ardent began to crawl upon it’s outskirts and observe. Barnes would have to come out to play sooner or later...

[member=1917]BUCKINGHAM B.[/member]

[buckingham barnes]

Ah, the Winter Soldier, the Asset. Bucky only spent a few weeks of his life as that ruthless, brainwashed assassin, and it's managed to affect him to this day. But those few weeks had a significant effect- it left Bucky with a mental manipulation phobia, insomnia, and the fears of relapsing back into that machine. For a long time, Bucky continued to go down a dark path after he got his identity back, but his chest got too heavy with guilt. Now in Sunhaven, he's trying his hardest to live a better life, a second chance. Of course, that had to come with bumps along the road- specifically two relapses. When the first relapse occurred, it left Bucky in shock afterwards- as he thought with months and months of being clean, the soldier wasn't a threat anymore. He was wrong, the Soldier waited until Bucky was comfortable for the perfect moment to strike- que the second relapse!

It's been a few weeks since Bucky had another incident. Buckingham wasn't planning on relapsing back to the Soldier anytime soon. Anytime the Asset takes control, the damage it can inflict is unpredictable. Who knows if it will listen to it's 'handler' or disobey and malfunction. Last relapse, the Soldier dared to question it's handler, and only backed down when it got threatened a severe punishment. Another thought Bucky doesn’t want to think about is that Marina is gone- there’d be no one to keep it under control. While relapsing is one bad thing, an even worse fear of his is getting used as a weapon to harm/kill his clanmates again. He knew that Marina never used the Soldier to hurt others, as if she did, she would’ve violated Bucky in the process. But there are people in this world who do not care about others rights, and would love to get their hands on a living weapon like the Winter Soldier. A loyal soldier that will bring down their enemies, and tear apart the people it once loved.

If Stryker managed to bring out the Soldier, and manipulate it to abandon Sunhaven, Stryker would be set. The Ardent would have an emotionless, cold weapon that wouldn't question why it's being ordered to go against Sunhaven. It would be the first time he got brainwashed into the Winter Soldier all over again- except instead of Ximen, it's Stryker.

Thanks to his enhanced senses, Bucky's nose twitched as Stryker's Pittian scent invaded his nostrils. Immediately the tom stood up with alert, ears pricking as he listened for any movement out of the village. The Warden picked up on quiet paw steps- that someone with regular senses wouldn't pick up at all. But then, the paw steps fell quiet, which was the most concerning. If Stryker was here leading an ambush, what would he be waiting for? Something didn't feel right, Bucky carefully following the scent to the edge of the village. Bucky froze when he noticed he wasn't even out of camp yet, and the scent smelt the most fresh here. Bucky couldn't pick up on more scents- Stryker is alone. Bucky would think that Styrker was stupid not to disguise his scent, but he didn't think of the possibility that Stryker was trying to lure him out, to use him.

[Stryker]

[align=center][div style="width: 60%; text-align: justify; font-size: 10.2pt; font-family: arial;"][glow=#000,2,300]☣ —[/glow] Often, something had to wreck the calamity. Nothing ever stayed peaceful, as proven to Snowbound very brutally when he took over. His next target happened to be Buckingham Barnes, Sunhaven’s Helion. Stryker's eyes were on every other higher position within the clans that surrounded the Pitt, but found himself highly attracted to Buckingham's attitude and interesting past. He was the perfect candidate for mental manipulation. Unlike Goldenluxury, who he turned into a brain-washed goodie-goodie for a short time, Buckingham was once known as a vicious soldier under the command of another. The lion, knowing he needed a weapon, wanted to take advantage of that opportunity. Plus, who didn't enjoy a little revenge after Sunhaven's participation in the Typhoon's lovely little raid?

Pointed ears caught his neon gaze from within the bushes. He had noticed his scent and begun to grow closer to his position. Stryker had never expected him to come closer towards his scent, but instead expected him to turn high tail and protect himself within the environment of the camp. Now that's what the ardent called bravery. Seeing that he expected a chase, he was a bit disappointed. This was easier though. All he had to do now was disarm the Sunhavener and catch his attention elsewhere so he could successfully slip into his mind.

Once in silence, the lion shifted his weight. One second he was preparing, the other he was leaping towards Buckingham in an attempt to knock him off his feet. In the process, Stryker would begin to attempt infiltrating his mind progressively over time. Later on, this would be the key to his success.

[buckingham barnes]

For the few silent moments Bucky stood there, a bad feeling came to his chest. Something isn't right here, He thought to himself, Stryker's scent continuing to clog his nostrils. Why would Stryker hide in camp? If he was waiting to attack someone, he would have done it by now- Bucky thought too soon. Just as he was taking a step back, his thoughts were cut off abruptly, as Stryker burst out of his hiding place, and knocked the maine coon to the ground. He let out a loud yelp as his body came crashing down, which surely would grab attention. Bucky had no idea how he, a maine coon, is suppose to be able to fight off Stryker, a lion. His best option is to run, run! He'll get killed if he stays here any longer, someone who matches Stryker's size is better to fight him off than Bucky.

But as soon as Buckingham began to scramble to his paws, he froze at that one sensenation he's grown to hate and fear. Mental manipulation! Eyes widened, Bucky's heart began to beat quickly, as he realized what situation he just got himself into. Stryker purposely knocked Bucky to the ground, to get in his mind without any problems. He distracted Bucky, just like Ximen-- except things are a little different here. Ximen tore his leg off to get in Bucky's head, he had plenty more time to distract the maine coon. Stryker, on the other hand, didn't even have half of that time. Unfortunately for Stryker, the maine coon immediately began to fight the mental manipulation.

Fighting off mental manipulation isn't as easy as it sounds. Right now, his head is at war. It's like tug-of-war, Stryker is trying to pull Bucky into his claws, and Bucky's pulling away from Stryker with all of his might. It made his head pound and pound- certainly Stryker doesn't feel this pain, which is an advantage to the lion. Fighting off the manipulation also becomes tiring, as the headache makes it harder to keep going on. He's being drained mentally, and if Stryker doesn't decide the Winter Soldier isn't worth it anymore- then he's going to be in a huge amount of danger. He doesn't want to become Stryker's puppet, his fur began to bristle on it's ends, tufted ears flattening to his skull. "Stop," He growled out menacingly, his body shaking, metal claws digged deeply into the ground.

Another wave of headaches rushed into his head, gasping in pain as his mental walls of protection began to crumble down. He stumbled back a bit, hunching his shoulders with gritted teeth. Stryker's pull began to grow stronger and stronger, and Bucky's defense began to grow weaker. "Please, stop! Stop!" His menacing growl turned into raw fear, a desperate plea that would not reach Stryker's ears. This is exactly what Stryker wants, he's so close on bringing out the Winter Soldier. And that absolutely terrifies Bucky, while Buckingham looses control of himself, Stryker gains a new weapon. He'll be stuck as that machine, and will be used to murder his true clanmates- his members who he’s suppose to protect! If the Soldier is dragged out, he’ll practically hand over Sunhaven to Stryker-- as how would one expect a weapon to lead a clan? Considering he has no second command either, he feared this will be Sunhaven's demise.

"N-no..." He began to gasp out, unsure if he can hold on any longer, his final line of defense beginning to collapse.

[ feel free to open !! & set to present ]

[clarence a.]

[align=center][div style="width: 45%; text-align: justify; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: -1px; font-family: times new roman;"]Clarence was just trying to take a walk. He enjoyed this life. It was peaceful. So far, there weren't any wars and there was no more fighting. He was so sick of fighting. He'd never wanted anything to do with it to begin with and then there was Finnis... That terrible last sight. Why did that have to be the last thing he'd seen? He'd called out for the man to react, he'd done his best to get to him, but it hadn't been enough. He could still remember the bullet tearing through his own flesh as his friend, his Lieutenant was speared through by a sword. He'd tried to keep moving, even after he was hit. He was the only surgeon aboard the Queen Charlotte. He could make it. He could still save him. But then something or someone had ran into him and he'd fallen overboard into a freezing September lake. He'd done his best to move but his arm, the one that'd been shot, was unresponsive and he'd fallen asleep in those depths before waking up in the Ascendants. Then he'd come here. Not permanently, of course, this was more of a curiosity than anything. He wanted to get to know whatever creatures resided here and learn more about this strange world of talking animals.

Then there was that sound. Almost like a sense completely attached to danger, he heard the cries before anyone else it seemed. Without hesitation, the panther began to run towards the noise. That was what he was trained to do, after all. Run towards the thing that was about to kill him. When he arrived and saw the man, Bucky if he remembered right, fighting against some greater creature, he felt his breath catch in his throat.

It was raining. Why was it always raining on terrible days? Maybe the old legends were right; storms were a bad omen, especially out on the sea. The fight had dragged on for days. It seemed the French were mostly held back for the time being but then he saw a new wave of them. He saw them too late. "Finnis!" The cry was in vain and he knew it, but still he forced himself forward. "Finnis!" Gunshots overpowered his voice and hot metal tore through his shoulder.

He could remember when they originally left on the journey. When he knew what Finnis must know about him. He'd stepped into that tiny space they'd given the Lieutenant as an office and spoke, "Sir, you have no idea how grateful I am. I owe you both my sister and I's life." There was silence following that for quite some time as the other man regarded him thoughtfully. Then a slight turn of his mouth.
"You don't owe me your life, Aston, nor your sister's. I think you'll do just fine here."
"Of course, sir. I owe you more than that, don't I, after all of this? Our souls would be better for this particular exchange."
And so the story went of how Finnis gained ownership to Clarence Aston's soul. Anything to save him from the rumors and fire of witchcraft.

All of this dawned on him in the matter of seconds. There was still a man before him. Finnis. Someone was hurting Finnis again. Without thought, instinct being his only force, the man rushed forward and attempted to tackle the large being and sink his claws into it's pelt. "Go!" he shouted the word, likely towards Bucky, although it wasn't entirely clear. He only thought of one thing. Keeping the man, his Lieutenant, safe. That was all that mattered. He would do it right this time. He did owe him his soul, after all.

[STEVE]

[align=center][div style="width: 500px; text-align: justify; font-family: arial; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 1.4;letter-spacing:.1px"]There was always someone who wanted to take advantage. If this were a better world, maybe that wouldn't be the case, but it was in the nature of many to exploit and hurt. Where there were those capable of compassion and kindness, there were bullies for each one with none of that. It was up to them to look out for each other, to help the little guy -Steve was aware that, in terms of size, 5 out of 6 times he was the little guy- whoever they were. He'd always done his best to extend a hand, whether it was by distracting the aggressors or...giving them something else to beat up on. That was usually how it went, when Steve interfered; they abandoned whoever they'd picked on to push him around instead. He wondered if it was something about his face, or maybe it was his size and the idea that they couldn't lose against someone smaller. Physically, sure, they'd walk away with nothing to nurse later, but not with their original victim.

Steve figured something had to be said for that, right? Better him than anyone else.

It was why he never hesitated to throw himself in, no matter how the odds looked -he couldn't quit- and whoever this guy was, he was bad news. Steve knew the look pretty well by now, and Bucky was scared, begging. He didn't know the panther who attacked the lion, but he wasn't about to let the time he bought them go wasted, so the small feline ran as fast as he could, placing himself between Bucky and his assailant. "Hey, c'mon, let's get outta here," Steve urged through panting, "You're gonna make it, but we gotta go first."

[buckingham barnes]

Right when Bucky thought all hope was lost, Clarence leaped out of nowhere, intending to land on Stryker and pierce his back. His widened eyes watched Clarence attempt to tackle the horned lion, and when Clarence told him to go, run, Bucky couldn't budge. He felt like he was frozen, his paws shaking intensely. He was afraid, petrified that Stryker would get through to the Soldier, even with Clarence's attempts to distract the lion. The Soldier would try it's hardest to shred him, even if it got killed in the process. Come on Barnes, you're stronger than this! He tried to push himself, attempting to build up that barrier again. He could feel another intense headache coming his way, but all the pain will be worth it if he's the only one who's getting hurt.

Though, before the headache could come in full swing, Buckingham caught a glimpse of Steve, getting right between him and Stryker. The moment Steve leaped between him and his assailant, the Helion's gaze was no longer locked on the Adrent. His light blue eyes met Steve's, gleaming with panic, as if they were screaming for help! Steve was already helping him, even if he doesn't fully realize it-- Steve is putting a physical barrier between the two. "Hey c'mon, let's get outta here." Good idea, get Bucky out of the situation and away from the danger. Bucky wasn't able to make himself run off alone, but this time around-- he'll have Steve by his side. "Okay... Let's go," He said with a shaky tone, slightly leaning against the smaller tom, shoulders hunched.

"You're gonna make it."

Steve's words ran through his head, as he began to shakily step forward. Even though Steve's words of encouragement was short and to the point, it didn't have to be overly complicated to leave an impact on the male. He will make it out of here as Buckingham Barnes!

[Stryker]

[div style="width: 60%; text-align: justify; font-size: 10.2pt; font-family: arial;"][align=center][img width=690]https://i.imgur.com/3KAkSGO.png[/img]

[glow=#000,2,300]☣ —[/glow] The solider fought back wildly, causing Stryker's frustration to grow. His hold on Buckingham weaned, but the ardent kept persisting through the pain. Something changed though. To no surprise, they had found their position and had butted in. Soon enough, the lion was surrounded and corned by a few others. Obviously, the Pittian was at a loss. Claws flashed and slashed in his direction, but to no avail, they had done no damage to the venomous stranger. There was little else he could do besides fight his way out of this situation. By now, running was not an exciting option. They would only tackle him and possibly take him captive. He didn't like his odds. It was either let Sunhaveners dog pile him or take the slim chance of escape. Stryker, despite living for a good fight, knew he should be smart about this. Oh well.

In the moment, he preferred the chase. With a huff of defeat, the lion rushed off into the distance. There was little he could do besides run for his life. Hopefully no one followed him.

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