Sss-surprise...

Copperhead came out of hiding, smiling as he hissed dramatically as if he were an actual snake. Not the cunning, metaphorical kind. "We weren't sure who was gonna be our opposition," he smiled. Hawkgirl charged at him, Nth mace fully charged, but overlooked Shade's control over the shadows as they pushed her down and away from the men. She tried to push herself up, but as she did, her arms felt more labored and wasn't able to unbend her elbows and fell somewhat limp.

"A problem?" Shade mocked. No one should get away with a sneak attack, you thought. You kept yourself rooted in the same boxing stance.

"What did you do to her, you bastards?"

"Fast-acting toxin," Copperhead hissed. "She's paralyzed for a good 3 hours."

"Even if her alien biology keeps the worst of it at bay." Shade twirled his cane around once, encircling a smaller ring around your feet. As Shayera tried harder to get on her feet, propping herself up with help from her mace, you jumped to avoid being caught in a shadowy bind, only to be weighed down by the shadows clutching your ankles. The instant you swing your hand up to swat at it, you strangely feel tension from your fingertips and see that you... grew claws!

Shade didn't see that right away, and was taken aback when you slashed your way to freedom. With only one blow. "What...?" he breathed.

You roll on your back, pushing off with your hands to get on your feet. You taunt Shade with "Surprise..." in a soft, singsong tone, and bared your new claws.