Blood-Mother

Blood-Mother
Player: @Praetorian4Life
[[Image:|300px|]]
Corrupted Earth Spirit
Character Build
Origin:	Magic
Archetype:	Dominator
Security Level:	??
Biographical Data
Real Name:	None
Known Aliases:	Crystal Blake
Age:	Dawn of Earth
Gender:	Female
Species:	Earth Spirit
Ethnicity:	None
Birthdate:	Unknown
Birthplace:	Unknown
Relatives:	None
Characteristics
Height:	5'6
Weight:	122lbs
Eyes:	Green
Hair:	Red
Complexion:	Variable
Physical Build:	Variable
Physical Features:	Crystalline Body
Status
Alignment:	██ ██ ██ ██ ██ ██ ██ ██ ██ Lawful Evil
Reputation:	██ ██ ██ ██ ██ ██ ██ ██ ██ Unknown
Identity:	Semi-Secret
Years Active:	Unknown
Base of Operations:	Paragon City, Rogue Isles
Citizenship:	None
Education:	No Formal
Occupation:	Model
Marital Status:	Single, Never Married
Known Powers and Abilities
- Create and control "Blood Crystals" - Effectively Immortal
Equipment and Paraphernalia
None

Attributes
	Strength	█ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █		Endurance	█ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █
	Agility	█ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █		Speed	█ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █
	Fighting	█ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █		Projectiles	█ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █
	Durability	█ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █		Resistance	█ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █
	Intelligence	█ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █		Psyche	█ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █
	Intuition	█ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █		Charisma	█ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █
ReldinBox Template

Overview

The Blood-Mother is one of the most powerful corrupt nature spirits known to exist. She was born from the corruption within the Earth Mother's spirit caused by all the death and bloodshed throughout the centuries. While all the Blood-Mother's magic abilities are formidable, her nature based powers are truly terrifying.

Appearance

The Blood-Mother appears to be a woman in her early 30's. She bears black, tattoo-like features on her face, believed to be the mark of a pure nature spirit. Aside from that, her body and face appear to be flawless in every way. Her voice is normally sultry and alluring, but changes to a softer more soothing tone at times. At first glance, she may appear to be the perfect woman.

While some may say her unnatural beauty is due to her being a spirit of nature, that would only be partially true. The Blood-Mother is neither a ghostly spirit, nor is she flesh and blood. She is actually sentient stone (or crystal to be exact), the flesh on her body is simply to maintain a human appearance. The true reason for her beauty is that she is able to sculpt herself into any appearance. While bulkier and less refined in the early days, she is now an artist with Centuries of experience. She can make herself, quite literally, flawless.

Since her shape is created by her own power, she can change her appearance easily. She often switches between different clothes and hairstyles, but often leaves her body and facial features the same. It is possible for her to take any shape, be it a beautiful woman, or a hulking monstrosity.

Powers and Abilities

The Blood-Mother combines earth, blood, magic, and her own evil taint to create and manipulate a unique substance called "Blood Crystals". These crystals are sharper than razors and harder than diamonds. They share the dark red coloring of their name and have been used in a variety of ways.

Offensively, shards are employed as throwing or stabbing weapons making them a primary method of attack. The Blood-Mother can also create large amounts with frightening speed, using the crystal to encase and incapacitate her foes. She has kept a few of her kills as trophies. Beings that will remain encased and displayed forever.

Defensively, the Blood-Mother can cover her entire body with these razor shards to protect her from physical attacks. Also, since her entire body is made of this same substance she has a high resistance to physical damage. Her body is hard enough to withstand bullets, and laser refract off of her like light in a prism. She does have several distinct weaknesses, none of which she speaks of regularly.

One of the stranger abilities of the Blood-Mother, she is able to merge her spirit with another Mage. Being that her physical body is merely a shell, merging her spirit with another magic user is a simple task if both members are willing. The Mage temporarily gains vast arcane knowledge and an exponential increase in magical power. There is however, a single drawback. The Blood-Mother is, at the simplest definition, and evil taint born of centuries of death and evil. Along with vast power the Mage also quickly becomes more sadistic and corrupt, eventually becoming uncontrollable. Many mages have met their demise in this power mad state, much to the Blood-Mothers amusement.

In fact, she has very little to fear from death. Like nature, her existence moves in cycles. If her physical form is destroyed, she would eventually take a new form, and the cycle would begin again. It has been theorized that the evil spirit could be permanently destroyed through magic, but magic strong enough to destroy the spirit of the Mother Goddess is not known to exist. Ultimately, as long as violence continues to plague the Earth, the Blood-Mother will always exist.

Early History

Since the dawn of mankind, nature’s spirit has had many names. Gaia, Terra, but most came to refer to her simply as “The Mother”. She was the spirit of the earth and all living things, preserving the natural balance of life, death, and rebirth.

The Mother became aware of a dark corruption within her spirit. A taint born of all the blood spilled into her soil, and her deep hidden anger and resentment towards mankind. This dark corruption began to spread like a virus, and the Mother feared it would overtake her and the balance of nature would be lost forever. So the Mother separated this taint from herself, in turn creating a new spirit. She cast this spirit down, trapping it deep within the Earth, where it was meant to remain forever.

However, this spirit born of the Mother's evil taint had already become strong enough to take physical form. While new to the "living" world and still weak, her influence would touch mankind throughout history.

Akkadian

The earliest traces of the entity now known as "The Blood-Mother" can be traced back to the Akkadian Empire, soon after Sargon of Akkad defeated Lugal-Zage-Si there by conquering his empire. The evil spirit had taken the form of a beautiful woman and using her powers (though still very weak), was easily able to convince Sargon that she was "Ki" the Goddess of the Earth. Convincing Sargon that he had the blessing and protection of the Gods, Sargon began to invade the surrounding territories. Believing they could not be beaten due to the Gods favor, they advanced quickly and met with great success. During Sargon's life his empire continued to grow through conquering.

By the time Sargon died, the wars had all but died out. They had defeated all within the reach of their empire. Sargon's youngest son Rimush took over the throne. The Blood-Mother was not pleased with this lack of bloodshed, and secretly instigated revolt among the people. Rimush battled many revolts in his 9 years of ruling before he was allegedly assassinated.

Manishtushu, Sargon's eldest son, then took the throne. This son was also assassinated during a Sea battle against 32 Kings who had united against him. Historical records show that at lease 25 of the 32 Kings were approached by a "Beautiful Goddess". These records imply that the Blood-Mother orchestrated the confrontation in secret. Naram-Sin, Sargon's grandson was next in line for the throne. He was easily swayed by "Ki" into further conquest. He pushed his troops forward in one bloody contest after another. He was said to have had an army of 350,000 men, the largest of any up to that date. These battles continued on and off through the passing decades until they culminated with the defeat of the Lullubi.

When Naram-Sin died, his son took over the throne. However, he was never approached by the Goddess Ki. Over the next 100 years, the Empire entered a rapid state of decline. It's borders continued to weaken until the Akkadian's were defeated by the barbarians known as the "Gutians". There barbarians were lead by the Blood-Mother who watched the battle, relishing in the fall of the old empire, her power having been substantially increased over the passed generations. When the battle was over, the mysterious woman was nowhere to be found.

Roman Empire

During the reign of the Roman Empire, the Blood-Mother relished in luxury under the name "Livia Faustina". Her beauty was revered, and many sought her affections. Enjoying the attention and the finest comforts that Rome could offer, Livia greatly enjoyed her time within the Empire. The Roman Empire was set on conquest, leaving no need for her intervention. Instead, the Blood-Mother enjoyed her beauty and riches (easily provided through magic) while the Empire's conquests fed her power. There were few who knew of her magical nature, and they worshiped her as a goddess much to her delight. It was during this time that the Blood-Mother learned of all the pleasures of the flesh, as the rich and powerful threw lavished parties, and indulged in every delight.

Having money and beauty wasn't enough for her though. She needed power. To that end, she used her wealth to secretly take control of most of the merchant trade within Rome. Soon every major supplier to the Empire was secretly in her employ. This action gave her a great deal of power to manipulate events as she pleased. A useful tool when fighting boredom in the lap of luxury. She had no real goal or endgame in mind. She only knew that she needed to be someone of importance and power.

Of course, Livia still fell prey to the occasional fits of boredom. Throughout her time in Rome, she was secretly responsible for several deaths. She could sense the darkness inside a person, and she was a master at drawing that darkness out. She would take different forms, usually beautiful women and find her victims in the darkness of night. She would encourage their perversity, applaud their cruelty helping them to lose their humanity in a fog of primal rage and lust. Her victims were eventually driven or manipulated into madness and usually arrested for some grievous crime and executed. It was an amusing game to pass the time.

Aside from being fawned over by potential suitors, the woman known as Livia Faustina remained active in social affairs. Behind the scenes, her power continued to increase during Rome's decline and subsequent fall to the Turks in 1453. During Rome's sacking, she left her physical form, which collapsed into a pile of dirt and rocks. She moved the streets as a undetectable spirit, relishing the violence and bloodshed around her. Every death, every crucifixion, every act of cruelty and torture, fueled her power. After the fall of the Roman Empire, Livia had no intention of remaining under the rule of the Turks. She quietly vanished from the city.

The Renaissance

After she left the Roman Empire, she traveled to Florence Italy, who at the time was in the midst of the Renaissance. Taking the name "Valeria De Laurentis", she eventually followed the same pattern and became a prominent member of the Merchants Guild. Although she did not hold a high rank within the Guild, her vast wealth placed her at the head of the Aristocracy. As she did in Rome, she spread her influence through Florence, until she secretly controlled most of the merchants within the city and beyond. This time however, she also spread to control most of the illegal activities within the city as well.

Under this identity, she traveled through most of Europe. She spent a majority of her time in England and France. Europe seemed entrenched in war constantly, but the nobility enjoyed lush pampering and luxury. It was the perfect place for Valeria.

Since Europe seemed to spend most of it's time at war already, Valeria had very little influence over historical events. As she traveled through Europe she discovered more about music, and used her time learning to play several instruments including the piano and violin. She discovered the beauty of art and saw first hand the works of Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci.

It was perhaps in this time that the entity known as the Blood-Mother, found peace as much as something such as herself can. Society was structured and those lesser knew their place. She spent her time in wealth and luxury as she had become accustomed. She had young men and women at her feet, and beauty all around her. Valeria was content there for many years. However, times changed and the world around her began to shape itself into something she could no longer understand.

People spoke of freedom and equal treatment, as if those beneath her deserved to be treated as equals. In her eyes, despite her charade, nobody was her equal. At least an Aristocracy held to that belief in some way. This "new world" everyone spoke of sounded like a horrible place full of wretches and scum all of whom were supposed to be her equal. Disgusted by the very thought, Valeria left the first and only place she had ever actually called home.

Recent History

Age of Heroes

The Blood-Mother remained unseen after her departure from Europe. It wasn't until the first heroes and villains began to appear that she resurfaced. Heroes and Villains had become the new Aristocracy, and the Blood-Mother was more than ready to find her place among them. She took the name "Crystal Blake" and settled into the Rogue Isles. It was during this time that she first began to use the moniker of "Blood-Mother", becoming a powerful villainess withing the Rogue Isles.

Unlike a majority of her existence, there was little need for subtlety in this new time. The game was simple; the villains would do whatever they wanted, and the heroes would try to stop them. There were few people who could challenge her vast Arcane power. In fact, it wasn't until she faced a hero calling himself "Statesman" that she met her first true defeat. While her defeat angered her, it was also exhilarating.

The dictator of the Rogue Isles also possessed great power. Lord Recluse and The Blood-Mother fought several times in the early days of heroes. They eventually formed a unspoken treaty, in which they did not interfere in each others schemes to maintain a relative sense of peace in the Isles. Through her arcane research, the Blood-Mother learned the source of both Statesman and Lord Recluse's power. Due to her nature, she could not use the Well of Furies as they did. It was however in her best interests to ensure that nobody else ever found and used the Well. She has repeatedly killed those who got too close to discovering the Well's location.

During her research she also discovered several alternate versions of the world she knew, decades before they became known to the world at large. Including the world known know as Praetorian Earth. This alternate dimension was ruled by Marcus Cole, better known as Statesman. "Emperor Cole" created a utopia on his world, at the expense of freedom. Intrigued by this new world, the Blood-Mother arranged a personal visit.

Praetoria

Crystal used her magic to travel into Praetorian Earth. Although it was meant to be only a short visit, The Blood-Mother would spend years there, using her shape-changing ability to explore the various regions and learn of the worlds history.

The Blood-Mother killed a woman named Natalie Brooks, and assumed her identity. Under this persona, The Blood-Mother worked inside the Behavioral Adjustment Facility (B.A.F.). She met many people with strange and sometimes powerful abilities. However, none caught her attention as much as a young girl named Mercy.

Mercy was just a child, trapped inside a horrible facility. Yet she strolled through the hallways with an innocent smile. When she spoke to "Natalie", she seemed to look through the Blood-Mothers visage. She was a sweet girl, who had the power to open portals between any two points. It was possible that the young girl could have escaped any time she pleased, but the thought had probably never occurred to her. She seemed content, at least for the time being.

As much as she would deny it, a nurturing maternal side is as much in her nature as her violence. Mercy brought this side out of The Blood-mother, and soon Crystal confided in Mercy her true name and nature. Over the following year, Crystal and Mercy grew close. In fact, Crystal soon began to care for Mercy as if she were a daughter. She held as much love for the child as she had ever had for anything in her long existence.

One day, Mercy was taken by the orderlies for "treatment". Unable to let the girl go, Crystal tracked Mercy down in the facility. She found the young girl in a lab, screaming as they ran some kind of experiment on her. A burning rage unlike anything she had ever felt swelled inside of her, and the ancient entities dark magic began to crackle to the surface. The Blood-Mother began to slaughter the scientists inside the lab, followed by the guards responding to the alarm. The Blood-Mothers vast power was overshadowed only by her anger.

After killing everyone she came across, she cut the straps from Mercy's bed, freeing the girl. Mercy reached over, wrapping her small arms around Crystal, hugging her tight. In a calm and soothing voice, Crystal asked Mercy to open a portal to get them out of the facility. Mercy smiled wide and held out her hand as a glowing portal appeared in front of them. They walked through it together entering the relative safety of Praetoria. Soon, the Blood-Mother's magic took them both back to Primal Earth.

Once free and safely on Primal Earth, the Blood-Mother ceased her role as villainess going off the radar. Crystal took on a new appearance, that would more easily allow her to pass as the girls mother (or older sister). Crystal focused on raising and taking care of the young girl. Mercy seemed to settle in quickly to the "Daughter" role, and the young girl seemed to carry a maturity beyond her years. The same could not be said for Crystal. While Crystal was in fact a loving guardian, she would not be what most would consider a good role model. She once impaled a careless driver who nearly hit Mercy while changing his radio station. While Crystals actions often shocked Mercy, the young girl seemed to understand that the powerful villainess was out of her element, doing the best she could, the only way she knew how.

After the first year things seemed to settle down for them both. Mercy was well provided for, and sometimes a bit too well protected by her adoptive mother. When Mercy hit her teenage rebellion phase, it wasn't pretty. She was able to travel anywhere using her portals, leaving Crystal to magically track down and return the girl. Some would say it was normal family issues, just a bit more epic in it's resolution. Still, Mercy knew when to push and when to back down. It was never far from her mind exactly what Crystal was, and her true nature. Despite their love for one another, Mercy always knew to tread carefully.

When Mercy was 15 years old, their relatively peaceful life was shattered. During a quiet morning breakfast, their home was invaded by Praetorian Police. Mercy dove under the table as Crystal quickly stood from her chair, Blood Crystal blades protruding from her body. The PPD opened fire on her, they're bullets ricocheting off her harmlessly. Crystal began to systematically take down the invading troops in a bloody and brutal display of force. She did leave one of them alive long enough to learn what the purpose of the invasion.

It seemed that Emperor Cole had plans to one day invade Primal Earth, and Mercy was a large piece of that plan. Using her powers, Cole could bypass the worlds defenses and deploy his troops to any location at any time. The Blood-Mothers rescue, disrupted Cole's plans and he ordered his forces to track them down, kill Crystal, and return the girl. It had apparently taken them years to track them down. However, now they had a trail, and they would need to stay on the move to keep Mercy safe.

Darkness Reborn

Together, Crystal and Mercy evaded or killed several teams of Praetorians over the following years. The teams continued to grow in number and technology. The last attack happened only days before Mercy's 18th birthday. The two were staying in a nice room inside the Golden Giza, when the door was kicked in. Crystal immediately moved to attack, before being struck with a high powered sonic weapon. The sonic vibration was devastating on her crystalline body, causing it to crack almost to the point of shattering. Mercy began to come to her aid, but Crystal ordered her to get away. She was captured before she could open a portal to get out. Two men held her arms, trying to drag her away. Crystal used the last of her strength to throw two large crystal shards, killing both the men. She was hit again with the sonic weapon and her body finally shattered.

Even without a physical form, her spirit remained there, watching events unfold as helpless as a child. She could not have been prepared for what happened next. After collecting Mercy again, they knelt her down in the middle of the room, and without a word, put a bullet into her. Crystal watched as her beloved daughter fell lifeless to the floor, scared and alone.

It would be a week before Crystal was able to take physical form again. Her new body felt more like a shell than ever before, she felt completely empty inside. It didn't take her long to find Mercy's body. She took her daughter from the morgue, and gave her a private burial in a secret place. For the first time in her existence, she collapsed weeping uncontrollably. She had never felt pain like this before, it was encompassing, consuming her entire being.

Then as it always does, her sorrow turned to rage. She no longer cared about her own existence, wealth, power. It all meant nothing to her. The only thing that mattered to her was finding a way to inflict the pain she felt on Emperor Cole and his entire world. Crystal had suppressed many of her violent and primal instincts for the sake of her daughter, but now they rushed to the surface, boiling over her. She knew that Emperor Cole possessed the power of the Well of Furies, a power she could never obtain. There was no way she could beat him in her current state. However, she was not alone, and she had a plan to even the scales.

Power Play

Shortly after burying Mercy, Crystal returned to Praetoria. Her only ally was here, even if she didn't know it yet. Crystal began to cast a spell. This spell was well known to her, as she used it often to return her to her secret lair whenever the need arises. As she finished casting she was teleported to her lair. She looked around at the stone walls. They looked almost perfect, but there were small differences that most would never notice. However after living for centuries, she knew every crack of her home. She began to walk through the familiar halls, her footsteps echoed through the stone structure.

The sound of her footsteps was broken by a another set of footsteps. They were heavy, loud, and charging towards her. Crystal turned towards the sound with an arched eyebrow. Suddenly, a large Golem made of Blood Crystal charged out of the shadows towards her. She smiled at the sight, imagining how terrifying that would be to a intruder. She held up her hand calmly as the golem crumbled away. Crystal continued moving until she got to the throne room.

"You must be eager to die if you've come here" A female voice said alluringly from the darkness

"I wonder if that sounds as melodramatic when I say it" Crystal replied back

From the throne stood a familiar figure. The Blood-Mother, or at least Praetoria's version of her. Crystal made her way to her doppelganger, explaining why she had come. The Blood-Mother is able to join her spirit with another mage, which increases their power exponentially. However the Blood-Mother's evil taint quickly drives the other mage into an evil madness usually leading to the mage's death. This time however, Crystal wanted to merge their two spirits together. It would create a new Blood-Mother, who's power would rival or possibly exceed an Incarnate.

The Praetorian Blood-Mother seemed less than interested in a permanent joining. Crystal explained that for all the Blood-Mother's power, the one thing she's never really had was a true purpose. Crystal offered her this purpose. Intrigued by this new so-called purpose, the Blood-Mother agreed to share memories with Crystal. She would experience her memories, her life, as if she had lived it herself. Crystal reached out, taking the Blood-Mother's hand, their spirits and minds became one. Crystal watched the Blood-Mother's face as she lived her memories. She saw joy in her eyes as she raised Mercy, and watched the powerful villainess tremble as Mercy was killed.

The Blood-Mother collapsed, tears streaming down her face. She clutched at the tears, unable to believe that she was crying for the first time in her existence.

"They killed her!" The Blood-Mother shouted in anger but still crying

"Yes."' Crystal replied plainly

"This...is our purpose?" The Praetorian asked with a sense of understanding, "Combine our powers so we can destroy Cole?"

"Yes." Crystal replied again in a soothing voice, "We have never loved anything like her. They took that from us, and now they need to pay."

The usual calm countenance of the Blood-Mother was gone, replaced by an animal consumed by sorrow and fury. The Blood-Mother's eyes looked feral, "I'LL BURN THEIR FUCKING WORLD TO ASHES!!"

"Then you'll do it?" Crystal asked

The Blood-Mother did her best to compose herself as she stood, her face calm and determined, "We...owe her that much. You do realize that our combined power could drive us completely mad?"

"For the first time ever...I believe our heart is stronger than our hate"' Crystal replied, "I'm willing to take that chance."

There were no more words needed between the two villains. They began to cast an ancient incantation, and the two ancient spirits merged fully into one. They're new blood-crystal body had to be magically reinforced to withstand the power without shattering. Magical energy cracked and their power reached immeasurable heights as their new form was complete. A new Blood-Mother was born.

Aftermath

The Blood-Mother confined herself to her lair for the next several weeks, to allow herself to adjust to her new power. She learned to suppress the majority of her abilities, as her full power was almost too destructive. Of course, when needed she was also able to call forth her full magical might to her bidding.

Once she returned to Primal Earth, she began to research Praetorian Earth and Emperor Cole. The existence of Praetoria had since become widely known among the hero and villain populations. Emperor Cole's plan to invade Primal Earth had also begun to circulate. The villains of the Rogue Isles had little interest in stopping him, they were more interested in how they could best profit or benefit by it. Crystal soon realized that her fellow villains would be little help to her in the battle against Praetoria.

It wasn't long until she heard of a strike team that had originated from Paragon City, and had supposedly left quite the dent in Emperor Cole's forces. The team was from a government group called S.C.O.R.P.I.O. Crystal decided it might be time to leave her life as a villainess behind and go to Paragon City to join up with this group. While she wasn't especially keen on the thought of helping a bunch of do-gooders, there was no sacrifice she was not willing to make to see Cole and his entire world burn.

Paragon City had put a program in place for villains who wished to reform, and better serve humanity as heroes. Just saying it made Crystal sick, but she went to Paragon City to "reform" herself. It was a slow and degrading process, watching heroes turn up their noses, and preach foolish concepts like "compassion" and "justice". Still, she endured the torment and her record was eventually cleared, giving her new status as a "Probational Hero".

Honest Living

While being a "Hero" supposedly had it's own rewards, clearly money was not one of them. While Crystal was more than capable of magically creating wealth, Paragon City had it's share of magic and such practices were frowned upon. These peasants still operated under some archaic notion of "earning" your money. Slaving away at menial labor for below average compensation. The foolishness of "good people" still astounded her.

Still, for the sake of her missions, she decided to give "honest living" a shot. Perhaps getting a job would somehow help her keep in touch with some part of the humanity that Mercy had given her. However, there was no way she would lower herself to manual labor. Soon Crystal found her calling in Modeling. She was getting paid large sums of money to simply look amazing (as she always does) and let people take pictures. It would be like paying these pathetic humans for breathing, they're doing it anyway, they mind as well collect the money. The complimented her non-stop as they took pictures, telling her how beautiful she was. Such a job seemed almost criminal, but was well regarded in Paragon City, and helped her avoid menial labor.

The ability to change her looks served her well in her new career, and she met with great success. Crystal Blake was soon a common name in the modeling world. Still, this life she was living was just an illusion, a means to reach her only true goal, vengeance. In order to do that, she had to play by their rules, grit her teeth and endure. She needed to find S.C.O.R.P.I.O. so she would have allies and the means to complete her true objective. .

S.C.O.R.P.I.O.

Crystal eventually made contact with S.C.O.R.P.I.O. and made her intentions known. She was interviewed and although there were doubts about her motives, her power and knowledge were too much to pass up. Crystal was allowed to join the group and was assigned to the "Arcane-Ops" division. After joining, Crystal fashioned a new S.C.O.R.P.I.O. costume. She took thier standard look and mixed in the design from her own costume, conforming to the standard yet remaining unique. She also shortens her hair while in uniform as it makes it easier for her in combat.

While S.C.O.R.P.I.O. as a whole was quite the impressive operation, she found the "Arcane-Ops" Division lacking. Members were in short supply, leadership was non-existent. At that moment, the only reason that Arcane-Ops probably existed was because it was too much paperwork to disband it. Normally, she wouldn't care, but she had taken a large step towards Emperor Cole, and would not be stopped now. She contacted Command and asked to be put in charge of the Arcane-Ops Division, and presented them a written outline of her plan to increase their numbers. After some debate, her request was granted. She met with the current members at her own personal lair. She taught them that magic is universal, and the only force in existence without limits. The fact that they could tap into that infinite power made them superior to their lesser counterparts. Many of the members felt like outcasts, but her lessons made them believe that they were special.

While Crystal was born of corruption, she is still of the Earth Mother. So, a nurturing, maternal side is as much a part of her as her violence. This maternal side was never more prevalent than it was within the Arcane-Ops Division. Those within it were her children, and she acted as Mother, guide, and mentor. Members treated each other as family, and new members began to come. Most of them outcasts, most of them lost, and many of them far from being heroes. Since she was no hero either, she welcomed them with open arms, and they related to her because she had the same darkness they did. They walked the halls of S.C.O.R.P.I.O. with pride as members of "Arcane-Ops", as they embraced her teaching that they were "Superior". The Blood-Mother seemed to have found a calling that she never knew she had, and the members found a guide.

The Blood-Mother wasn't all praise and bubbles though. She demanded a lot from her members, and did not tolerate disrespect. She expected her members to show her the proper respect, as well as the other members of leadership. If someone got too full of themself and mouthed off to another member of leadership, she was quick to snatch them up and make an example. This rarely happened though, as most members were on their best behavior, representing a division they were proud of. The Arcane-Ops division had gone from barely functioning to the largest Division in the organization in less than two months, and many of it's members were..."morally flexible". The joke became that they had become a "rogues gallery". However, the rag tag mages came together as a unit when it was time for the mission.

Fall of Praetoria

Crystal and her new Arcane-Ops Division fell into order under the Command of Cyber Knight and Violet Darkmoor. Violet was a friend, lover, and the first and only apprentice of The Blood-Mother. She began as a young, unsure sorceress. One of the original members of Arcane-Ops, whose dedication and integrity had advanced her to the role of Deputy Director. Violet's advancement to second in command of the organization, filled Crystal with a pride she had not felt since Mercy was alive. Crystal knew that not only would Violet be great for the Organization as a whole, but found comfort knowing that Violet would always look out for her old Division, ensuring Arcane-Ops prosperity in the times to come. More importantly, Violet was an example to all the other lost souls in the Division. To see one of their own transform from quiet outcast to confident leader, gave them all hope and pride.

As Emperor Cole became a greater threat, massive organizations of heroes began to bind together to face the new threat. Eventually, a full scale invasion into Praetorian Earth was underway. Normally, the Blood-Mother would have been the first to charge off, looking for Emperor Cole. However, she was different now. Not only changed for the better, but not scared or ashamed to admit it, maybe for the first time. She still wanted Cole dead, but it didn't have to be by her hand. She dedicated her hands and her power to protecting this assorted group of "riff-raff" that she had come to see as her children. She had lost one child already, she wasn't going to lose another one. S.C.O.R.P.I.O. and all it's members fought with bravery and ferocity, against seemingly endless onslaughts of Praetorian machines and "heroes".

Finally, they received word that Emperor Cole had been defeated, but were warned of imminent and growing danger. "Praetoria is doomed", is what they were told, as they were ordered to retreat. Crystal and the other leaders saw to the evacuation of their people. The Blood-Mother took one last look at Praetoria. They had finally faced justice, faced a reckoning for Mercy's death, but Crystal felt nothing. She thought she would feel happy, or relieved, or vindicated, but there was nothing. Her daughter was still gone, her sorrow still eternal, and in the end, the fall of Praetoria and the death of Cole did nothing to change that. She turned away going through the portal, arriving back at the S.C.O.R.P.I.O. HQ. They did a head count and checked for injuries as the exhausted members sprawled across the floors and furniture. Beaten, bloodied, and trying to catch their breath. Smiles and laughter slowly started making their way through the crowd, as the realization that they were victorious sank in.

Once the dust had settled Crystal brought Violet to the secret place that she had buried Mercy. It was hallowed ground to Crystal, but she needed Violet there. She had done this alone for so long, it was comforting to have someone with her, even if she would never admit it. At the grave was a massive stone mural. This huge white marble slab was flawless, and gleamed under the sun. In the middle of the Mural was Mercy, carved just she looked as a child when Crystal first met her. From her back were two massive Angel Wings, the light emanating from the girl, repelling all the darkness around her. In her hands, she held a heart made of Blood-Crystal, her wings beginning to curve around it, like she was protecting it from the darkness. The Mural was beyond anything Violet had ever seen. Every inch, every detail, meticulously crafted by a centuries old master sculptor. It was a work of art so beautiful, and so flawless, that it didn't seem real. It felt like staring into Heaven itself, and being so overwhelmed by the beauty, you just weep. Crystal walked up to the Mural, tracing her fingers across her daughters face. There was so much she wanted to say, but "I love you, always." was all she could muster. Violet ran up, grabbing Crystal and hugging her tight, sharing Crystal's pain and burden. They looked at each other and nodded silently. Violet took Crystal's arm and they left that sacred place. Ready to move on with a new chapter, whatever that may be.

Original Art and Credit

This FSBA Wiki was imported from it's original VIRTUEVERSE entry, created back in 2011, during City of Heroes LIVE. During the entries original creation, all Artists were contacted and gave permission to use their works provided appropriate credit was given. I want to personally thank all those artists. Your artwork inspired me to write, and write, and keep writing. Every image inspired a new chapter in Crystal Blake's life, inspired the youthful innocence of Mercy Blake, and the sorrow of loss. I may have created this character, but it was the art that gave her life. Thank you again for allowing me to use these works. Much Love to you all!!

Original work by Anathematixs http://anathematixs.deviantart.com/

Original Art by J-Estacado. See all amazing art at http://j-estacado.deviantart.com/

Original Art by Dark-Spider. See all works at http://dark-spider.deviantart.com/

Original Art by Bliky-chan. See all art at http://bliky-chan.deviantart.com/

Original Art by Sayda. See all her other awesome works at http://sayda.deviantart.com/

Original Art by GloriaPM. See all her other amazing works. They can be found here http://gloriapm.deviantart.com/

Original Art by Anermik. All works can be found at http://anermik.deviantart.com/

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