Rage has such focus

[wearingthestars]

Who: Billy Kaplan, OTA
What: Return of the Rage Bugs
When: Before the Mermaid Event
Where: Temba (Various)
Warnings: Violence, TBD



Working on building the cabin meant a lot of time outdoors. Thankfully Billy was a lot more used to that than in the past. If the weather stayed nice, he might even get a tan. Less fortunately, a hidden nest of rage bugs had awoken to the pleasant weather as well, and one had ventured out and found itself a host. Billy didn’t feel the bite, and life carried on for a while. He was testier than usual, quicker to anger, and then abruptly the rage took hold.

Eyes a glow, he banished a tree, fragments breaking apart and disappearing piece by piece. However it had offended him was unknown, but it revealed his next target to him, eyes narrowing and lightening crackling at his fingertips as he sets his sights on you.

Maybe you know Billy. If you do, you know this is very out of character. Before you have long to think about it you better start dodging.

(ooc: Set before the mermaid event. There is a planned resolution/end to the thread, so anyone tagging in won’t be able to stop Billy, but they can try their best. If you want them to get hurt/not hurt please let me know and I can make that happen for you. Also feel free to encounter Billy in a different place/set up than the one started here, he'll be flying about causing havoc all over.]

Comments

[playingtough]

There’s a lot of reasons he could be at this cabin. Exploring, looking for some place else to live, all sorts of reasons. But he actually got word that a potential new trainer for him lived out this way. It’s Soldier, and while Billy had waited awhile because of his own hesitation to go with clearly older men that fit a role like his dad and also because there was the whole ordeal with Tommy, now was a good time to go looking for the iron armed man.

Or whatever the fuck that thing was made of.

He’s about to move around a tree when it simply disappears in a glimmer and there’s nothing between him and—

"…Kaplan?" Hargrove sounds confused, hands at his sides instead of going to the axe strapped to his back. A cigarette (his last one again), dangles against his lips. "I could’ve chopped that down and you could’ve had firewood instead of blipping it away."

[wearingthestars]

The cigarette's ash burns red hot and quickly consumes itself

"There's plenty to burn," he snaps, and while the two of them haven't really spent much time together apart from when Hargrove first arrived, it's clear this is not his usual tone.

Hargrove's sleeve suddenly flickers with a quick spreading flame, one that's hard to extinguish.

[playingtough]

The cigarette drops from his lips and Hargrove recoils from the heat of it. "What—"

The blond didn’t know Billy that well, with their only meeting being the one on the broken teenager‘s arrival, but this was a far cry from that guy. The magician, no, what did Tommy call him? The witch, that’s right, who had patched him up was more softspoken than whatever the hell this was.

Then his sleep is aflame, hot and spreading quick. "HEY CUT IT OUT!!" he yells, trying to pat it out in vain. Hargrove struggles against it and trying to get his axe off so he can get at his shirt. "I was just looking for Soldier!! The guy with the metal arm!!"

Finally he gets the weapon off and and divests himself of the shirt, wrapping a blistering arm around himself to keep Billy from seeing what he already knew was there. The other held the axe handle, hoping he wouldn’t actually have to use it against the guy.

Because he couldn’t. There was no way he was winning against someone that was a literal witch.

[wearingthestars]

The remains of the shirt smolder with an unnatural blue flame before extinguishing, and Billy glowers at the mention of Soldier, an almost possessive growl in his voice.

"You stay away from him-" he warns, abruptly teleporting them away from the woods, and before Hargrove could properly reorient- a magical force pushes at him like a gale force wind.

[playingtough]

What the hell was going on? He snatches up his shirt - what’s left of it - and straightens in time to hear that low growl from Billy. Hargrove pales before glaring. "He’s going train—"

But then they’re out of the woods, literally, and somewhere else in town. There’s no time to reorient as as he’s thrown back. There’s a yell that trails off and then another as he scrapes against the rugged rock that’s supposed to be the road. The axe skitters away, out of reach. "Kaplan! What the hell?!?!" He starts to get up, ignoring the blood starting down his arm, and the grit lodged in it. "What the fuck is your problem??"

He dashed to grab his axe, hoping to be able to use it as some sort of defense.

[wearingthestars]

Panting heavily, Billy's not sure what the problem is himself, which is all the more frustrating. Just directionless rage that needs to get out. His features twist, trying to exert some control over himself. It doesn't last for long, electricity crackling at Hargrove's heels and his runs for his axe, and with a flick of his wrist, Billy lifts them both into the sky. He doesn't seem afraid of the axe, letting Hargrove keep ahold of it as he flies to close the gap between then.

"Everything-!" Everything was his problem. And normally he could end it all with a word, but this place limits him. Forces him to narrow his focus. "You."

He starts to drop him, catching him just before he hits the ground.

[playingtough]

It’s a rage Hargrove understands because of the amount of times felt it. Been the one lashing it out like a whip to snap at anyone stupid enough to be in the way. It felt like being on the receiving end of breaking that plate on Steve’s head so long ago.

He practically tastes the electricity on his tongue but his focus is the axe. Get himself armed and somewhat on the defense. Oh Hargrove gets the weapon back but it’s for nothing.

There’s a scream as he’s lifted up into the air. He’s got the axed in two hands, holding it defensively even as Billy flies in close.

Hargrove pales. "Me?! What the hell did I even fucking do? I went out to find Soldier for traini—" The word gets cut as he’s dropped, and feels his body lurch at the force of being stopped. Blood drops to the ground below him. "Fuck off Kaplan, I didn’t do shit to you!!"

Was this how the others felt when he lashed out? Innocent bystanders caught in the flames of his temper?

[wearingthestars]

Maybe it was karmic retribution. Maybe it was just wrong place, wrong time. Or maybe there was some underlying fear about his brother being hurt. Whatever it was, lashing out was the only thing that seemed to release that aching pressure in his head.

He lifts him back up like a yo-yo, higher this time. "You were there." That was enough, wasn't it?

[playingtough]

Hargrove has no idea what’s going on. No idea how he angered Kaplan enough to have this kind of punishment laid out on him. What did he do?

What did he do?!

The next time Kaplan lifts him, the axe slips from his waning grip and clatters back down to the road under them. "…I didn’t do anything—"

He was there. For Neil, for Vecna. The nerves of his arm scream in pain, and his mind is terrified at being lifted so high.

"I didn’t do anything to your brother, I haven’t seen you since I showed up almost dead! I don’t deserve this!!"

[wearingthestars]

"You will." It could be in answer to any number of the things Billy's said, but given the look on the Witch's face, it's most likely in response to Tommy.

He was unceremoniously dropped after that, no sudden stop to save him this time but the one that came from hitting the ground.

The Witch flies down to get a good look at him before hoisting him back up into the air without him this time, watching him grow smaller the higher he disappears. He lets him squirm up there for a moment or two, and then releases him again.

Cw: broken bone injuries

[playingtough]

He will.

The idea roots itself in his head and it hurts far worse than anything Kaplan‘s done so far.

'You will.'

Because Hargrove knows he Huerta everyone he touches so it’s only a matter time, right? He’s powerless against Billy and all those powers, and it’s a thought that rushes out of him mind with the airbrushing past him as he’s dropped again.

But the lurching stop doesn’t come. Only a sickening crack of his already damaged arm under him, and maybe something else broken.

Hargrove doesn’t know.

All he can do is scream, the sound shifting as he’s pulled back into the air.

Kaplan‘s going to kill him at this rate. One arm hangs limply, everything hurts, and Kaplan was going to kill him.

Because he was there.

Because he would eventually hurt Tommy.

All Hargrove can do is scream as the ground rushes towards him again.

Cw: broken bone injuries

[doubled_speed]

One thing they don't tell you enough when you get into heroics. There will always be times when you show up too late. Even if you can break the sound barrier, it always happens. Too late to save someone, too late to stop a disaster, to late to help someone you love.

Today Tommy is too late. But not so late that it is a total loss.

But at least his brother chose the right sort of place for this. There are still some buildings around, just tall enough. There is still space to build up speed. Still a chance to do something even if it scares him to be airborne.

Everything changes in a heartbeat. A gust of wind wrapping around Billy and coiling him in sturdy vines. A burlap sack that smells like tigertubers dropped over his head to mess up his vision just for a second. And then the burst of wind and silver-green light races for the nearby tower that once housed Echo. The blur races right up it, all the way to the tip. Then with all his speed and the full force of his legs, he kicks off.

Tommy sails through the air, hoping his calculations were enough. Sails through the air, toward Billy but also toward the nearby lake. What remains of it since years ago Tommy and Vision and Katara did the repairs that shrank it.

They only shrank its limits. They could never drain its depths.

Gentle arms manage to find his target in the air and as he falls Tommy guides Billy close and tight to his body. One arm around his chest to hold them together the best he can while he twists them in the air.

"Close your eyes and hold your breath, babe. I've got you now."

The arm not around his Sunshine extends out and down toward the water. It's far enough that when they hit it, it will be like concrete. At least, if the water has surface cohesion that is. And just who out here has the seconds and powers to break up the water with small bursts of waves and ripples and almost detonations?

It won't be pleasant, but they will hit the water and pass through without smashing. Amazingly enough, Tommy does know what he's doing. Important step now will be hoping the guy in his arms listened and that Tommy can make it to the surface and get his brother's target to safety so he can try and defuse the rest of the situation he already suspects the cause of.

[wearingthestars]

Some part of Billy is grateful for what happens next, but that part is quickly overshadowed by the rush of new found rage as he finds himself bound and blinded. By the time he can blast the vines and sack, his target is long gone. There's a loud concussive explosion that follows the discovery, and he doesn't approach the search logically. He could magic his way to where ever Tommy had decided to stash him, but that requires too much forethought, Billy instead taking flight in a random direction.

Well this was bound to happen

[doubled_speed]

This isn’t the first time this has happened between them. Last time… Last time there were people appropriate to handle the shit for them. To deal with the untold power that was a godling gone wild. Hell, even to deal with Tommy’s own rage bug issue. But this?

It sucks.

Doesn’t take Tommy long to find his brother, of course. He’s angry, he’s hurting, and he’s scared for Billy. No reason not to put on every last scrap of speed he can manage for this.

And then he sees him. Not all of him, but enough of thing happening to know it has to be his brother.

“Wiccanto, we need to have a little talk about how much bug spray you’re using. Or not using. How about we deal with this like responsible adults. I’d rather walk out of this without a scar this time.”

[wearingthestars]

Damn it.

Billy stills from his attempt to bring down a building that seemed to have angered him and distracted him from hunting down his original target.

"Who says you'll walk away this time?" he returned, crashing a concussive wave into the base of the building and bringing it crumbling down around him. It throws up cloud of dust, obscuring sightlines, and the rational part of Billy prays his brother will either stay hidden or put him down before he hurts anyone else.

[doubled_speed]

“Like I ever ‘walk’ anywhere.”

By the time Tommy’s said that he’s standing on top of the next nearest bit of ruins. He looks so bored, and tired.

Under that he’s hurt.

“Did you have to try and kill my boyfriend? Made more sense when you tried to kill me. Seriously, though. How do you keep getting possessed so much. This is, what, three?”

[wearingthestars]

Billy attempts to freeze him in place with his magic since he's decided to stay so nice and still for him there.

"He was there," he supplies. It hadn't been targeted. "You talk too damn much. Always talking! Always whining!" There's a crack of electricity, one that seems designed to miss, ramping up the fear as the cracks draw nearer.

[doubled_speed]

Dude, can’t even look at him before he’s in a new place, arms crossed over his chest.

“That’s no excuse, and you know it. It’s a ragebug again, isn’t it? I mean, we both know I talk a lot, but you whine more than me, so it’s really not a good point in your favor.”

The lightning does make him flinch from his new location, though. He still had that scar.

“Billy, you promised me you wouldn’t use those powers on me again. Are you going to let an insect break your word?”

[wearingthestars]

His teeth clench, not in the mood for Tommy's quipping or his speed. The lightening crackles dangerously at his fingertips before Tommy's words break through enough to cause momentary doubt.

"Get out-" he growls, tries to plead-

He magically hurls a piece of rubble at Tommy's current location, and once he moves Billy sends an electric pulse radiating out through the ground around him, aiming to taze his brother into stillness.

[doubled_speed]

Yeah, the witches never like the speedy quips. That’s just how life goes. Thanks, Momda, for that curse. Once more Tommy flinches at the sight of sparks. But hey, sparks are better than magic. Because if Tommy ended up in the air, well, he’d be less useful.

“You’re the only one here who can get it out, Billy. Come on, brother. I believe in you!”

And of course he’s throwing rubble. That’s stupidly easy to deal with. Tommy darts aside. Except fuck, little witch got smarter. He’s left falling over from the pain in his legs. Fuck. Fuck that hurts.

“Wow,” he pants out. “Fucking rude. Real Assgardian move. But right now I need you to be Wiccan, man. I need you to dig yourself free. No one controls Billy Kaplan but Billy Kaplan!”

And maybe a bit Loki because he’s so good at manipulating.

[wearingthestars]

He's been training with Soldier since then. Lucky for Tommy, Billy's still relying more on his magic than strategy.

He gives a self satisfied smirk as Tommy falls, and tries to zero in on the current that will keep those muscles from picking himself back up. "Shutyourmouth," he growls, shaking his head and trying to free himself from the effect of those words.

"You aren't even my brother!" he throws out cruelly, before bringing a second building crumbling down over top of him.

Stop fighting boys

[sinistral]

Time dulled memory. Time took the edge off pain but so too did it mute promises, fading them into the background of life's tapestry, forgotten but for echoes of old brilliance. But for a man who owned very little of the memory of his own life, those parts he did remember he clung to with conviction and care, not letting them fade. Those memories included a promise, and a magically crafted collar that the Soldier carried on him at all times.

The Soldier had been away from their construction site; he'd missed the earlier confrontation. But even out training as he was he hadn't missed the aftermath, figures flying through the air, the faint (imagined?) echo of a scream. He couldn't get there fast enough to stop all of it but he had to do something. And hope that the target of Billy's anger could hold out a little bit longer.

Following the sounds of confrontation and his own instincts, he came into the clearing in time to hear Billy yelling out at his brother. Luckily for Tommy, the Soldier emerged close to his position. Even more luckily, the training he'd been doing had been with a certain shield. Tommy might have a building coming down on him one moment, but the next he had a black-clad figure above him, vibranium shield and metal arm protecting them both from falling debris.

He is TRYING, thanks

[doubled_speed]

He can't move and he can't speak. Trites to move his mouth, repeatedly, tries to plead with his brother, with tears in his eyes over that last jab. And instead... Nothing. Nothing but destruction about to rain down on him.

And instead there's a large form over him, shield and arm both up. Steve? No. Winter. Tommy wants to thank him. To explain what's happening. To plead for him to help his brother.

All he does is whimper.

No

[wearingthestars]

Billy wasn't quite clear of the path of the building either, but he threw up a magical shield . Dust and debris fill the air, and Billy still doesn't feel that rage sated. Dropping the shield, along with the rest of his spells, Billy squints and approaches the rubble, swatting at the dust in the air as he moves to confirm he's buried this target for good at least.

Billy, behave

[sinistral]

Quick thinking dulled the impact of rubble but it still hurt. The Soldier couldn't think about that right now though; he didn't have the time. "Get away," he murmured to Tommy, eyes not wandering from where he least saw Billy. "You're not gonna want to see this."

There was no way Tommy would enjoy seeing someone attack his brother, even out of necessity. But more practically if Tommy managed to get through the Soldier, hopefully Tommy would be far enough away to get additional reinforcements.

Then he started moving, using the dust and debris to his advantage. Billy might be powerful but the Soldier had far more experience in combat. He flung rocks in Billy's direction, moving constantly and steadily away from Tommy to distract one brother from going after the other.