Super Smash Quest - Story - Chapter 156: Self-Delusions of Grandeur
Date: 8:22:39 PM, March 2nd; 12:04:37 PM, March 3rd, 2005.
Metal Man (GM): *Asplode* Spyke's Red Essence is nullified!
Spyke: "*Bleeped*."
Wolfman: "VG! How can you do that?!?" *He is getting VERY angry right now...*
Zio: "Hahahahahaha!"
Charles Magellean: "Crazy? I'll show you crazy!" *He fires not 6, not 7, not 10, but 12 shots at Crazy Hand!*
Azure: "Tell me that wasn't your plan..." *He looks to Spyke with a look of desperation.*
Crazy Hand: "..." *Hit hit hit hit hit miss hit hit hit hit hit hit.*
Spyke: "... Well, he killed it early, that is for sure..."
Charles Magellean: *15% per hit on my part.*
Metal Man (GM): All but 1 hit, and one of those is a crit...
Crazy Hand: "Ouch!"
Metal Man (GM): One free hit on Zio remains.
Charles Magellean: "How's that for crazy!?"
Crazy Hand: "I will make you regret that!"
Wolfman notes that VG has a red essence... attacking him won't do any good. He goes after Zio with a swords dance.
Metal Man (GM): Free crit it is! XD But wait! The other four miss. Zio breaks free and begins wildly teleporting around you.
Spyke: "... VG... How... I... Grrrrrr..."
Wolfman: "Believe me; I feel your pain."
Azure: "What can we... do..." *Begins contemplating and something very simple pops up...*
Spyke: "... Of all the items to NOT buy two of... it was -that- one..."
Metal Man (GM): You may begin your next actions, Wolf.
Wolfman swaps weapons for 2nd action... he now has... THE HAMMER!
Charles Magellean: "Oh boy."
Wolfman uses his third action for some smashing fun with the hammer... granted, only flat damage, but he wants to hear Zio squeal in pain. He doesn't get to hear it.
Metal Man (GM): Miss.
Wolfman keeps the Megaton Hammer equipped.
Zio: "You cannot win."
Charles Magellean: "Milord, do not underestimate there determination."
Spyke: "... I'll..." .oO(Show you otherwise...)
Zio: "You shall see, my friend. I have been planning this for a long time."
Azure looks to VG. "Come on break free of his control. I mean look at him. Do you really want it gone down in history that you where controlled by this guy. I know your in there somewhere. COME ON VG! BREAK FREE!" *He goes for a persuasive attempt trying to pull VG back to there side*
Wolfman and Spyke are definitely very angry...
Zio: "Not even Master Hand and Crazy Hand can win..."
Metal Man (GM): VG: INT check. Since unlike Locos, you were controlled much like the same way.
VG Evil just yawns as he's just making Azure tired. RED ESSENCE
Metal Man (GM): VG: You're freed from the mind control... but for how long?
Azure: "VG? You with us?"
VG Evil shakes his head a few times...
Charles Magellean: "Reliable help is hard to find these days."
Zio: "Who do you think you are? I will destroy you!"
Metal Man (GM): INT check again, VG!
VG Evil: "...ouch... what happened? And why am I glowing..."
Zio: "CORRUPTION!"
Metal Man (GM): VG resists.
VG Evil: "...NOT this time!"
Zio: "Drat!"
VG Evil felt that wave coming a mile away.
Zio: "...Take this, minion stealer!"
Metal Man (GM): Azure: DC 35 INT check.
Zio: "MEGID!!!."
Metal Man (GM): Azure is immolated in fire as Zio's rage completely burninates the area he's in. 948% damage... *INSTANT DEATH* Zio falls to the floor, exhausted.
Charles Magellean: "Azure... burninate---!?"
Zio: "*Huff* You... will not... learn..."
Wolfman and VG can't believe that attack... how could he pull that off...?
Spyke: "... Oh... my..."
Charles Magellean: "Milord, have you considered using your strength against the more deadly of the group?"
Zio: "I shall..." *Begins getting up. That attack took four actions to throw.*
Metal Man (GM): Master Hand decides to attack Locos by confusing him!
Master Hand: "You can't help him while confused! Hah!"
Charles Magellean points to Master Hand. "For instance... this eiah!?" He wheezes as he laughs in a small volume nonstop.
Metal Man (GM): Then he opens fire... not at Zio, but the Zio's armor.
VG is unsure if that was a good idea.
Metal Man (GM): Two magnum blasts from Master Hand blast Zio's armor.
Charles Magellean notices... "Milord!"
Spyke: "Wolf... How strong would you say Zio is without armor?"
Metal Man (GM): When Azure dies, Zio glows again!
Charles Magellean goes back to snickering.
Wolfman: "I don't know..."
Metal Man (GM): ...Ouch.... Zio glows and is overloaded by his own weapon.
Zio: "Gaaaaaahhhhhhhh!!!!!"
Metal Man (GM): Zio takes himself 948% damage.
Spyke: "...???!!!???..."
Charles Magellean hits himself.
Wolfman wonders what the heck happened...
Charles Magellean: "...!"
VG just stares in awe...
Zio: "My X-zone device charged that device and blasted me... and I didn't have time to unload it on the Questers."
Metal Man (GM): Zio is still standing, seemingly unhurt. But obviously burnt black.
Charles Magellean: "...Perhaps today is not the day to go backwards."
Metal Man (GM): Crazy charges an attack.
Charles Magellean goes back to being confused.
Zio: "Do not fear; I have plenty of energy to spare!"
Charles Magellean: "...Pretty pony?"
Spyke snickers as he uses a Power Charge on himself and commences Operation: OW!... A large ball of wind forms in his hands, already larger than normal by a sizable margin.
VG sees what Spyke is doing... He gives Spyke a new Red Essence, and an X Accuracy to top it off.
Metal Man (GM): http://www.vgmusic.com/music/console/sega/genesis/Laughter2.mid You target Master Hand.
Master Hand: "...What? No!"
Metal Man (GM): All hit but the last one.
Wolfman: .oO(Confusion is NOT the best ailment...)
Metal Man (GM): Next target: VG
Charles Magellean: "Help me!"
VG again just takes the blasts as if nothing happens RED ESSENCE.
Zio: "I shall unconfuse you."
Wolfman wonders why Zio didn't die yet... he scans the head of Zio this time to be sure.
Smash Dex: "...DING!"
Armored Zio
The mysterious armor shows its true form! Zio himself appears morphs into being from the armor. Wearing his own, silver high-tech armor, he plans to destroy the weakened Questers once and for all! You must destroy the armor to weaken him. Otherwise, he is undefeatable!
Body HP: 1128/2000%
Armor HP: 0/300%
STR: 56
SPD: 60
INT: 80
AC: 25
Attacks: 4
Energy Rain: Zio puts his two hands in the air. They energize, raining the enemy with spheres of energy. 10 d20+25, 25% damage per hit.
Smiting Bolt: Opposed d100 rolls. If Zio rolls higher, opponent takes 100 - their own roll in holy damage. If the other way happens, Zio loses an action.
Dark Energy Wave: Will Save, DC 18. If you fail, you are reduced to 1% HP and poisoned. If you die by this, you cannot come back for the rest of the mission.
Crippling Slash: 5 d20+6. Each hit gives Stun, Freeze, Blind, Confuse, and Berserk respectively, as well as 10% psychic damage.
Megid: The target is immolated by fire. DC 35 Will save. Takes up entire turn. Deals d1000 fire damage to the target.
Deban: Damage to Zio is halved for one round. Can only be used once every three rounds.
Saner: Zio gains two turns. Can only be used once every three rounds.
Black Hole: Everybody loses 10% of their HP.
Star Storm: Entire field attacked by stars. Insta-hit to those with under 25 AC. Deals 20% Soul damage.
Vol: d100 chance of killing somebody if they have taken more than 50%.
Techno Storm: Everyone takes 10 damage for every weapon and badge they have.
Power Sap: All attacks which deal over 35% damage reflect and hit the attacker. Lasts 3 rounds.
Super Blur: Zio evades all attacks with accuracy above +15. Lasts 3 rounds.
Corruption: Target has a DC 18 Will Save. If fail, they become evil and fight for Zio until hit by a Holy attack, killed, healed, or a different person is corrupted. All their attacks deal dark damage.
Inversion Wave: To hit is swapped with damage. All attacks deal normal damage. Instantly effects one target.
Vengeance: Zio takes an attack, the one that damaged him most in the last turn. It hits one target five times.
Force Field: Zio is no longer hittable by melee attacks. Lasts three rounds.
Xcommunication: When somebody dies, this move automatically occurs. Everyone takes the damage the person who died took in total divided equally. It can repeat if it causes death, but if Zio runs out of rounds, Zio takes the rest of the damage. Anyone killed by this move is removed from the battle and trapped in the X zone.
Disabling Wave: The target randomly cannot use items, moves, or more than one attack.
End-of-entry.
Metal Man (GM): Nope. He was destroyed by Megid. Then Xcommunication backfired on Zio. Wolf: Rest of yer turn?
Wolfman starts off with a Howl Buster attack on Zio.
Charles Magellean: "...Body armor?"
Metal Man (GM): Hit miss hit.
Zio: "The invention of both the Space Pirates and Glukkons!"
Wolfman then uses his HAMMER for some groin hurting... hopefully.
Charles Magellean coughs.
Metal Man (GM): ...You're gonna be hurting instead.
Charles Magellean: "*HACKCOUGHTHEY'RELOSERSWHEEZE*"
Metal Man (GM): Zio casts Dark Energy Wave at Wolfman!
Wolfman swings too low, and hits his OWN "groin". Granted... he doesn't have a groin, but he still goes "OW"
Zio: "Dark... Energy... Wave!"
Metal Man (GM): It fails.
Wolfman: "Not... this... TIME!"
Metal Man (GM): You avoid. Zio starts his turn by instantly tapping Locos out of confusion.
Zio: "STAR STORM!"
Charles Magellean shakes his head.
Metal Man (GM): Everyone under 25 AC takes 25% soul damage... of course, only those against Zio.
VG and Spyke don't due to Red Essences.
Wolfman isn't as lucky.
Metal Man (GM): Then he uses Power Sap on himself, gaining a sort of coating.
Charles Magellean: "I still have my doubts, milord."
Metal Man (GM): Then he casts Deban on himself. Then he casts Saner on Locos. Locos gains two turns! He gets an extra one after everybody else goes. For three rounds.
Charles Magellean smiles evilly and widely.
Metal Man (GM): Master Hand keeps on churning out bullets at Zio. Zio... CRIT CRIT miss miss miss miss.
Charles Magellean: "...Wait... what happens if your armor is destroyed?"
Zio: "Then I am actually defeatable."
Charles Magellean scratches his head....
Metal Man (GM): He says this matter-of-factly as the attack hits him. Crazy hand attempts to hit Zio with a supercharged Seizure. It barely hits. 60% damage to Zio.
Charles Magellean: "I'm not sure... but don't the words 'Bibidi-Babidi-Boo' have some kind of effect on your armor?"
Zio: "Nope."
Charles Magellean: "Maybe it was Jehoshaphat."
Metal Man (GM): Master Hand and Crazy Hand are all hit by their own attacks! still.
Spyke: *Notes how Zio just reflected... too powerful. Must aim for Locos*
Zio: "Hmph."
Metal Man (GM): Zio tries to intervene. Ouch... he flies into it and intercepts it.
Zio: "NEVER ATTACK MY SUBJECTS!"
Metal Man (GM): Unless you like to use a lucky roll.
Charles Magellean gives Zio an eye.
Metal Man (GM): It actually goes around Zio.
Charles Magellean: "...Oh crap."
Wolf: "...don't willingly join Zio again."
Metal Man (GM): Charles is hit for all the damage... though Zio glows. Charles: What's your HP?
Spyke: *Probably speechless.*
Metal Man (GM): Even over 100%. How much is the damage total? Zio glows, apparently not willing to let Charles die. He siphons the 410 extra damage to himself, leaving Charles alive at 100%.
Zio: "You... shall not... defeat him!"
Charles Magellean: "...I... hate... wind."
Zio: "Charles... the time machine is ready. When you get a chance... activate it!"
VG tosses two Ice Cubes at Zio, hoping to freeze him solid.
Zio: "I can hold them off long enough..."
Metal Man (GM): Zio swats them away. They fly off into a wall and break. Reroll, then. Same thing. One action is needed to turn on the machine.
Charles Magellean: "May we fight again another day." *He runs toward the machine.*
Wolfman wants to shoot Charles to stop him...
Metal Man (GM): You reach it. The big, red, button labeled 'START' is flashing.
Charles Magellean: "Into the rift, where the vampiric QH were from, watch out Rupture Farms, cause here we come!" *He presses the start button.*
Wolfman: "Locos, either cease or be fired!"
Metal Man (GM): *BEEP.*
Wolfman is now desperate in a different way... Locos wants to kill us... WILLINGLY!
Metal Man (GM): The place begins to move...
VG is just... scared, even with a little bit of Essence protection left.
Computer: "Time travel online."
Azure: *Lifeless.*
Wolfman wonders what is going to happen now...
Charles Magellean: "Now then... to travel when the Great Civilization ruled!"
Metal Man (GM): It begins flashing... the entire room warps. *WARP.*
Charles Magellean: .oO(Maybe we can visit the Hyper Emerald time frame as well)
Metal Man (GM): The base reappears... next to Rupture Farms.
Zio: "The time of reckoning has arrived! Now, all I must do is destroy the Questers!"
Charles Magellean: "..."
Kuja Tribal: *Outside* "Now then. To destroy the Questers!"
Charles Magellean gets the willies.
Kuja Tribal: *Moves up to destroy several Questers... but turns to the base* "What... the... hell?"
Wolfman gets the willies from Kuja... someone else that he can be beaten by...
Charles Magellean: "...! It's the alleged ruler of Nintendus! Kuja Tribal."
Zio: "...I did not predict this! Now what?"
VG gets nervous by the sheer look of Kuja...
Charles Magellean: "Milord, we have to leave now!"
Zio: "Activate it! Anywhere!"
Metal Man (GM): White streamers begin blasting a shield around the base.
Charles Magellean presses the button... he attempts to activate to 4,000 years ago.
Kuja Tribal: "You cannot escape!"
Metal Man (GM): You try to go back in time... and go forwards instead! *WARP* It goes back forward in time.
Charles Magellean: "Whoops."
Metal Man (GM): Right where you were.
Zio: "...My plan has totally failed... ...come with me!"
Charles Magellean: "...Hold on... I think I can set it to a proper date this time."
Computer: "Time reversal device has been crippled due to damage."
Charles Magellean: "Ah hell."
Computer: "It will take extensive repair to enable."
Charles Magellean: "So much for visiting Rupture Farms."
Zio: "This is not the last time we fight, Questers!"
Wolfman breathes a sigh of relief...
Zio: "That... meddling... Kuja... cannot save you again!"
Charles Magellean: "...*Ahem*."
Zio: "Ryuker! ...Right. GOODIE GOODIE Questers!"
Metal Man (GM): A light portal appears.
Zio: "I will remember this!"
Charles Magellean: "He... came by to me earlier... something about me either joining him or suffer my own existence."
Zio: "...Come with me. We must talk."
Metal Man (GM): Zio points to the light portal.
Charles Magellean: "Very well." *He turns to face his former allies.*
Zio: "As for that wretched machine... MEGID!"
Metal Man (GM): The console for the machine is completely incinerated.
Charles Magellean: "!"
Computer: "Time reversal machine has been annihilated."
Charles Magellean looks to Zio. "Milord!! ...but why!?"
Zio: "To prevent Kuja from using it."
Charles Magellean frowns. He sulks as he walks into the portal.
VG: .oO(...whose side is Kuja on, anyway?)
Zio: "We cannot defeat all of them for a lost cause and then survive the inevitable attempt by Kuja to use it!"
Wolfman: .oO(...whose side is Kuja on, anyway?) (yes, same thought... different reasons though)
Zio: "Do not fear. This was my riskiest plan... good bye!"
Metal Man (GM): Zio walks into the portal.
Master Hand: "...It's a shame the machine didn't work as it was supposed to."
Wolfman: "...what was it supposed to do anyway? It did seem to take us back in time."
Master Hand: "We intended it to change the world back permanently, not preposterously take people back in time! It was to undo the things Ivan Robotnik did... as well as Kuja and The Void."
VG: "In other words... bring things to as they should have been."
Crazy Hand: "But in our selfish attempt to do so, Zio controlled us and made it for his own desire. We only barely managed to thwart him... and it was because of a force which would have done equal mischief with such a device."
Wolfman: "Well, are you guys feeling better? Perhaps you'd like to visit the Stadium again."
Master Hand: "...Aribar will need urgent treatment, as will that other person. He took out everybody but you and Spyke and VG."
Azure: *Death.*
Wolfman nods...
VG goes towards Aribar...
Wolfman picks up Azure.
Metal Man (GM): And so, the mission of Master Hand Madness has ended. (But not the rping for tonight)
Master Hand: "Computer. Open a warp to Quester HQ. Then activate self-destruction."
Crazy Hand: "This base should have never been... to prevent it from falling in the wrong hands, it will be eliminated."
VG: "Wha? Why are you destroying your own base... or was this really a base that Zio made?"
Crazy Hand: "It was our own, but it has been proven evil."
Wolfman just nods... VG is still a little young to understand.
Master Hand: "You destroyed almost everything to begin with. Zio did the rest. We shall return to The Stadium, to protect the items there from similar evil."
Wolfman: "...thank you."
Crazy Hand: "Now, let's go! I'm missing the car crash channel."
VG: "You hands do know that you will probably have to do some fighting soon, right? Some of the fans adore you."
Master Hand: "Oh... could I take that job as secretary?"
Crazy Hand: "Sure, VG."
Metal Man (GM): *Pause on Wolf and VG* Magellean and Zio warp into the throne room of Zio's fortress. Several men in black armor salute Zio.
Guard: "We give our sorrow for your loss."
Guard2: "But next time, we shall succeed!"
Guard3: "For Dark Force!"
Zio: "...Fetch the healing artifacts."
Metal Man (GM): Zio sits down on his throne. The armor disengages and moves into a console on the wall for repair.
Zio: "Now then, Charles. What do you have to say?"
Charles Magellean: "I have to say that you can rid your influence within me. I am filled with enough of the dark to work with you willingly."
Zio: "Did you know that I only used my magic to revive you, not control you? You possess the will which made it unnecessary."
Charles Magellean: "I could not feel the difference, milord."
Zio: "Not surprising. Now then. Speak. You have a lot on your mind. Even I would not desert so quickly, even faced with superior enemies."
Charles Magellean: "I have served with the light justice long enough. I am thankful that you will help me see the other views... the views of the night."
Zio: "I did succeed back there, but it was a booby prize. Kuja stopped me before I could do anything... Tell me about Kuja. We must convince the Questers of his evil and destroy him. He... threatens everything... not just me... but Nintendus."
Charles Magellean: "Everything seems to threaten something else."
Zio: "At first, I thought he was a fool. But he almost turned my own success against me... The only way is to directly attack him with the force of emeralds... tell me about them."
Charles Magellean: "The Emeralds. I am quite familiar with their power."
Metal Man (GM): http://www.vgmusic.com/music/console/sega/genesis/Ps4-TheBlackBlood.mid
Zio: "I seek them all. I will not hesitate to destroy every one who gets in my way. With them all, I can become... Hyper... and thus, destroy Kuja."
Charles Magellean: "Hyper..."
Zio: "Of course. I desire all emeralds, not just seven."
Charles Magellean: "Kuja mentioned that he knew that I sought the Hyper Emeralds. He said I was searching for them wrong... I am to theorize that the Master Emerald is but the Green Hyper Emerald."
Zio: "I see... where are the other seven?"
Charles Magellean: "I don't know."
Zio: "Perhaps we can let the Questers find them. Thinking like this devious Kuja creature... we could have them find the emeralds, then trick them into giving it to us."
Charles Magellean: "You have to give the others more credit than that. As for Mr. Tribal... I am not sure where he belongs in all this. What's worse, he controls the only transformer. The one used to trap him by Alys."
Zio: "The same which summoned me into this world. It is a good thing my Master revived me. Otherwise, you would be without a savior."
Charles Magellean: "I would be with a less fitting savior. ...now that I think about it... The master emerald may be just that; the master emerald."
Zio: "Now then... we are coordinating a group attack on Ivan's city."
Charles Magellean: "Nintopia..."
Zio: "I need your help... help which only you can give. The Valhalla Military."
Charles Magellean: "..."
Zio: "I will give you all the resources you need to take it over, covert, hostile, or not."
Charles Magellean: "Since I have turned my back on the blind justiful Questers, I have been brand an outlaw again. The NIAF will be harder than ever to take over. What's worse, all the previous contracts have expired."
Zio: "I can make any contract you need..."
Charles Magellean raises an eyebrow.
Zio: "If you gave me the chaos emeralds, I would personally show up and destroy all opposition. For I was far from defeat back there. It was Kuja who forced a stalemate."
Charles Magellean: "If only I hadn't made that mistake to go forward in time..."
Zio: "Do not think of it now. I have a plan. We will appear to attack Eisnaught... then suddenly warp to Valhalla and take it over while everyone is protecting the city. Between my ship and Grunty's, and the Space Pirates and the Glukkons, nothing will remain standing."
Charles Magellean: "Understood... and of Miss Ginsei d'Rakateur?"
Zio: "With the fortress in hand, we annihilate Eisnaught. Either control her or destroy her."
Charles Magellean shudders.
Zio: "If she uses Trance, then I can take her down."
Charles Magellean gulps loudly.
Zio: "Alys never defeated me. So she has no chance either."
Charles Magellean: "I believe she's dead."
Zio: "Correct."
Charles Magellean: "It would explain why I wasn't mutilated by all those remarks."
Zio: "Yurie can join her. If she does not plan on becoming my servant."
Charles Magellean eyes widen.
Metal Man (GM): Zio laughs a bit...
Charles Magellean laughs weakly... and nervously.
Zio: "I have yet to use the same Dark energy Wave that I used on Alys. That attack instantly defeats the target."
Charles Magellean: "Okay..."
Zio: "It was what made me weak enough to kill in the other world, though..."
Charles Magellean takes out his journal... "Okay... Nova... is he accounted for?"
Zio: "Mostly... Avon takes care of that."
Avon: "Hello, Charles."
Charles Magellean: "...Avon." *He looks to his journal.* "That only leaaaves... Matek... and Ganondorf."
Avon: "I have 16 modules online. Out of 20."
Zio: "Both are sealed. We'd have to free them. Although Matek also appears in a common video store... Ganondorf holds a powerful Artifact."
Charles Magellean: "*Ahem*."
Zio: "...Yes?"
Charles Magellean: "Relic... it's actually... relic of power."
Zio: "Relic, then."
Charles Magellean: "Unless of course... you know secrets about it that not even others know about? Cause otherwise... it'd be classified as an Artifact."
Zio: "The Triforce gives the owner one wish. If bad, the wish corrupts the world. If good, the world is made into a golden age... If I am not mistaken, Ivan used it to make a wish which created the golden age of these days."
Charles Magellean: "It's disgusting how many people are dependent these days on the forces of good."
Zio: "The few pieces of darkness must unite to destroy Kuja."
Charles Magellean: "I should say... light order."
Zio: "For... he is the central fragment in our problem. Everything done these days profits him. If we don't destroy him, he will eventually reveal his true self and create a far worse existence than Ivan."
Charles Magellean: "He wanted me to join him... something about removing all emotional pain and suffering. I suppose it's rare for him to make an appearance?"
Zio: "Very rare, indeed... unless you go back in time, like we did. You can seek him out that way, but we wasted our two shots. He damaged the machine..."
Charles Magellean: "There is no known way of traveling through time now. My hopes are already lost despite filling the void of my too light-hearted persona. But that is not the way of ours anymore."
Zio: "The Time Stones can do what we want. They are the only way to reverse this good future. But I am afraid they're stuck on Saga..."
Charles Magellean: "That would not defer me."
Zio: "Protected by the 13 lords of... whatever. Only The Void and possibly Kuja could take all of them on."
Charles Magellean: "Why is it that the odds are always stacked in favor of the opposition? I would like to know."
Zio: "This is the Good Future. Evil is hunted like good was in the Bad Future."
Charles Magellean: "A good analogy, but my mind was set on the 'team' I was on to be forced against great catastrophe. Either with Kajidoh, the Questers, the Magellean Military, here... I am always the one to attract that dread."
Zio: "All three of the others you mention are in the clutches of the evil ones."
Charles Magellean: "Milord, permission to speak freely."
Zio: "Granted."
Charles Magellean: "Now that I've lived, there seems to be no true 'good' or 'evil.'"
Zio: "Only misguided or idiotic. Those who cannot see the true path."
Charles Magellean: "That is my other point. Just... great conflicting views on 'the one true view of paradise'. It's not the dark or the light that allows the world to exist... it's the balance. And I want others to understand, including our own, that dark is not always 'evil' nor is light 'justice' or 'order'. For we have a right to live as much as the 'light utopians' do . I am done."
Zio: "Well, Charles. My master agrees. He is... the one charged with balance. The Good side is in need of balancing."
Charles Magellean: .oO(True, but we don't always need to be destructive. That would just bring retaliation.) "One more matter I must attend with before I regain strength. ...About that freak accident on Death Mountain... is there a chance I can have my Rocket Chair rebuilt?"
Zio: "Rebuilt? Why not improved?"
Charles Magellean: "Very well." *He bows.* "I shall replenish and help with the designs tomorrow. May Dark Force darken the bright future of Nintendus."
Zio: "Agreed."
Charles Magellean leaves.
Aribar goes to Mr. Game and Watch's shop to sell his Close Call and Last Stand badges for a total of 1100 coins... He then... Hrm...
Metal Man walks into the shop, seemingly busy. He then walks off, and is followed by Tridus.
Charles Magellean: *Take badges maniac. He now raises his BP of 11 to double that. He now has 20 BP.*
Aribar mumbles a greeting to the two of them while browsing through the good 2-D figure's MP-restoring items trying to decide what to buy.
Metal Man: "Hi. Yeah." *Disappears.*
Tridus: "Mmph." *Waves and follows Metal, limping as usual.*
Charles Magellean is now a level 16.
SIMBER: "Metal's CAC has been activated. Destination: Unknown."
Metal Man (GM): You hear some burning rubber as it drives off, hitting a tree and heading towards open fields.
Aribar decides to max out his supply of Maple Syrups by purchasing three of them and putting ¢1200 on the counter...
Metal Man (GM): Oak walks in, with some black stuff in his hair and dirt on his coat.
Aribar: "Hrm... What'cha up to, Oak?" *He doesn't seem too concerned about Metal and Tridus at the moment.*
Professor Oak: "...That was odd... I was just calibrating the Egg-o-matic steering modules... when he drove off. He said something about unfinished business and needing to catch up with the rest of you..."
Aribar: "He's probably just taking a joy ride or somethin--... Hrm... Do you want me to follow him?"
Professor Oak: "You might as well... he's going somewhere uncharted on the maps in a far less haphazard fashion than usual. I got the egg-o-matics upgraded... you should be able to follow the trail."
Aribar attempts to imagine Metal driving the speed limit, or at least within 100 MPH of it... The elf shakes his head at the impossible thought and starts towards the garage. "Okay... Might as well. I have nothing else to do at the moment."
Metal Man (GM): An Egg-o-matic sits there, ready for use.
Aribar walks over to the Egg-o-matic and hops into it. The elf surveys the controls and begins to start up the device.
Metal Man (GM): The speed limit on it is... 120 MPH.... You know the CAC can go up to 500 MPH, but only in the air. On the ground, it can only go 150 MPH.
Aribar: "...Hrm..." *The elf believes he has a solution to that but for the moment just jets out of the garage... That is, if the door is opened and such.*
Metal Man (GM): Of course, the mysterious black CAC could be hiding stuff which one would not suspect... but right now all you have is a trail to follow, anyway. The door opens for you as you go outside... you see a rather large set of tracks from the CAC. http://www.vgmix.com/songs/Ryan8bit_-_Back_To_Square_One(Section_Z).mp3 You see the car on the horizon, speeding headlong through some fields.
Aribar attempts to follow behind it. Not too closely for fear of detection, but still being able to see the CAC.
Metal Man (GM): Going at full speed, you're able to barely do so. The CAC is fast, even while hitting stuff. The field goes away, and the CAC is now going down a steep slope towards a cave ..It goes inside the cave, and is now driving straight towards a dead end.
Aribar: "Goodie... I can barely drive and he's gonna go into a cave!" *The elf continues to follow Metal.*
Metal Man (GM): You see the CAC begin to change... rocket boosters, spikes, streamlining, even some arwing-esque wings.
Aribar goes at full speed still... He hopes that Metal will avoid it somehow... Usually Metal has plans... "Great... He's gonna fly! ..." *The elf wonders if this thing can take flight.*
Metal Man (GM): It flies at the dead end, then goes straight up... onto the ceiling backwards... luckily, the Egg-o-matic can fly... just not upside down. The car flies backwards over you, and then straight down into a nearby pit. You hear two distinctive honks of the horn as it begins flying high speeds down the pit.
Aribar attempts to stop before hitting the wall, hopes Metal didn't detect him, and begins towards and into that pit.
Metal Man (GM): You start rocketing down the pit... and you begin to see machinery. A broken sign says '15 miles until Nova Core' The ship is heading towards a wide-open catacomb of machinery.
Aribar: .oO(Why would Metal take a route like this?)
Metal Man (GM): The car spins once or twice, avoiding chunks of debris. It's odd to see Metal actually avoiding car crashes.
Aribar follows Metal still... The elf hopes he made the right choice accepting this duty. He tries to avoid any debris that may head his way.
Metal Man (GM): *BOOM* It blasts through a large vault door, luckily without debris. A really large, open room is revealed. With lots of mechanical bits. Ala Kirby SuperStar's 'inside of Nova' portion. Alarms start going off. Strange opens appear and fire at the CAC, but are completely blown apart by various lasers, machineguns, and rockets on the vehicle. It's heading straight ahead--for where Nova's core should be.
Aribar: .oO(This is... Just weird!)
Metal Man (GM): The path is, of course, cleared... the CAC seems to be doing the job. It then pulls over and stops in an abandoned looking cave, and parks.
Aribar: .oO(Why would Metal want to reach Nova's core? ... Wait, now what?!)
Metal Man (GM): Metal and Tridus approach a locked door.
Aribar attempts to slow down the Egg-o-matic and hide behind something while watching them.
Metal Man (GM): Metal slices it down with a DVD, and Tridus kicks it down ..Inside... is where the core of Nova lies. 6-8 or so pylons of various energy-making objects are there. At the center, though, is... Kuja.
Aribar: "!!"
Kuja Tribal: "...This doesn't make sense. Nobody should know this."
Metal Man: "I know what you're up to. And I'm going to stop you."
Aribar attempts to get a bit closer, but still out of sight.
Tridus: "You cannot sabotage the planet!"
Kuja Tribal: "...Why would I do that? I was just here to look around."
Metal Man: "Then why did you trigger the alarms?"
Tridus: "If you don't surrender, we will destroy you."
Kuja Tribal: "Impossible. A Quester and a former slave of my own Pet have no chance against me."
Metal Man: "Perhaps. But you do not know who I truly am."
Tridus: "The same goes for me."
Aribar debates charging up Terrorbolt, but that would probably alert Kuja... Huh? True self? What is he--THEY talking about?
Metal Man points out his right hand. Energy appears and flows around it. In a large FLASH, a human about the same size, with blue eyes, somewhat olive complexion, a blue shirt and pants, with a blue cape, and a large, blue axe, appears.
Kuja Tribal: "What is the meaning of this? You're just some maniac who serves the Questers!"
Aribar: .oO(He's human?!)
Metal Man: "Under the armor, I was simply a maniac. But with my true form, I am... more." *He swings at Kuja. Kuja attempts to block it, but gets a cut down his right arm.*
Kuja Tribal: "But you're still just a brute who uses force in excess."
Aribar: .oO(He actually hit Kuja! ... Did that cut actually draw blood? Hrm...)
Tridus: "While I do not have armor, my true self has merely been hidden the entire time." *He pulls out what turns into some sort of green lightsaber.*
Kuja Tribal: "...You have... a relic? ...You cannot win."
Metal Man (GM): Kuja begins putting a field up as he is attacked by the two.
Metal Man: "You destroyed many of my friends. I cannot let you live."
Tridus: "You controlled me and used my powers for an evil which had no purpose existing!"
Metal Man (GM): A fight breaks out. They seem... evenly matched. Of course, it's a 2 against one. But still, you don't remember either of them being able to take on Kuja together... or why they suddenly discovered Kuja hiding.
Aribar debates if he would just get in the way if he joined in on this combat...
Kuja Tribal: "Worthless beings. You cannot defeat me."
Aribar: .oO(If the scales were turned Kuja would probably leave... But that wizard could kill me in less than a thought...)
Metal Man: "I'll see about that." *SLASH.*
Kuja Tribal: "Urgh... take this. Flare Star!"
Metal Man (GM): They're both hit by light energy en masse, but then get up.
Tridus: "Triple Strike!"
Metal Man (GM): *SLASH SLASH SLASH* Kuja is sliced thrice by the weapon. http://www.vgmusic.com/music/console/sony/ps1/jenova_absolute.mid
Aribar: "..." *The elf begins to charge up Terrorbolt to Level 6... He'll help in what little ways he can.*
Metal Man (GM): Kuja is looking mad... these people are fighting and damaging him.
Kuja Tribal: "How dare you attack the lord of the system? I will make sure you fail!"
Metal Man (GM): Your Terrorbolt is quickly charged while the two sides seem equally matched. You may fire when ready. Kuja fires more magic at them, only to be hit with some special attacks and weapons.
Aribar attempts to point his palm at Kuja and fire off the huge beam of electricity... The elf then attempts to fly and park the vehicle near Metal's and join into battle, Moonlight in hand.
Metal Man (GM): You hit Kuja with it. A sort of strange energy field surrounds him, as he goes to one knee... he seemed unaffected, but some thing else important is wrong. You get there to see Kuja speak yet some more.
Kuja Tribal: "You two know... the secret of my Quester Barrier... if that Quester hadn't have hit it, I could have destroyed you... This is only the beginning!"
Metal Man (GM): Kuja disappears in a huge show of thunder and lightning. They both seem relieved... then realize you were there.
Aribar: "...Uhhh... Hi!" ^_^'
Metal Man: "...Wait... Aribar, how did you get here?" O_O
Aribar: "Oak saw you leave for uncharted territories... I followed since I had nothing better to do..."
Tridus: "Well, he did save us in the end. That field around Kuja seemed to sap the rest of his energy."
Metal Man: "Well, as I've already hinted at, and as you see here, I was never a being made entirely of metal."
Aribar sheaths Moonlight and casts Minor Healing on both of them twice. "It is shocking to see you this way..."
Metal Man: "The way I attacked in that form was merely to hide my true form. Ever since the remote shocked me, it corroded the sanity chip on that unit. However, thanks to Tridus, here, he managed to use the energy of Nova to heal the damage to my body. ...And as a bonus, we found Kuja plotting something down here."
Tridus: "He seems weak against non-Questers."
Aribar: "...He says for us to have faith in him... I don't trust him."
Metal Man: "Neither do I. Unfortunately, even here we cannot prove him as being evil. However, my new abilities should be able to help you in combat. I am a master of the Blue Crystal, which teaches balance, logic, and purity."
Aribar: "So you're going to reveal your real form to everyone now, or will I have to keep this a secret?"
Metal Man: "I can't really fit back into that suit... so no. However, I still will keep my old belongings."
Aribar: "Blue Crystal... Something from your world? Not one of those Chaos Emerald things?"
Metal Man seems to have grown 5 inches taller... to 6'9" "Yes. Only something from my world. The protectors of Neo-Earth specialized in a color of crystal. ...Unfortunately, Tridus there specialized in the black crystal... a misunderstood one, indeed..."
Editor's Note: And now we see, Illian's dodgy 'new' backstory to try to walk back how openly evil he was before. Nevermind that he basically keeps randomly trying to kill various enemies and Questers just because 'They're unbalanced.'
Tridus: "It isn't all evil. Only to those who decide to abuse it."
Aribar: "I see..."
Metal Man: "Now then. I think we should get back. Nova isn't too keen on people wandering inside him. I can show you more when we get there."
Aribar nods and starts back towards his Egg-o-Matic.
Metal Man (GM): Long story short, you get back to HQ. You're now in the library, where Metal is looking through virtual books.
Aribar looks towards Metal.
Metal Man: "Now then... to explain the various weird things I have done, I shall open a book which I wrote but never revealed to anyone." *He inputs a password, then pushes the coffee machine away to show a mysterious blue book.* "You see, the armor was actually used to heal the injuries Tridus gave me long ago."
Tridus: "...Well. It was your fault for leaping into the volcano with me!"
Metal Man: "...Anyway... the armor, in recent times, had become damaged... the only effect it had was on my sanity."
Aribar chuckles at that, reminded of his own arguments with his brother.
Metal Man: "Of course, it was obvious. Attacking with DVDs and stuff. What was I thinking?"
Aribar: "We accepted it for normal..."
Metal Man: "Well, it isn't gone forever... but don't be expecting it to be everything I do. Instead, I shall show you the four spells of Neo-Earthling magic. Since after all. You're the closest person I'd know. Let's see... the first here is a healing move. Being of the blue alignment, this ability heals damage and purifies status effects."
Aribar nods and keeps attentive.
Metal Man: "Using a large crystal which appears around the target and disintegrates. Fairly simple. Things become more interesting with the next move. Using a blue crystal and crushing it in my hand, I can fire a powerful blue laser at the enemy. It is not aligned, though, except to others who use crystal magic. Of course, those two are even simpler than the third level of this magic. Using arcane powers of ages before, I can create three crystals, which surround me. They do various things."
Aribar: "Such as... ?"
Metal Man: "The first use is simple. They can hit three targets for some damage. The second use is highly complex. Let's see... it's hard to remember after so long..." *He flips through the book a bit, some dust coming out of it.* "Hmmmm... well, it has something to do with..."
Aribar: "I would probably find a bunch of old spells I've forgotten if I went through my old spell books..."
Tridus: "I told you to learn how to skim better. You'll never find it at this rate!"
Metal Man: "Well, I did have a helmet blocking some of my vision for years... Hmmm... oh yes! There it is. The three crystals go to three different people. That is, of course, if they can hit and all. It then compares their current health... weird... ...Wrong page. Darn it! ...I'll get back to that one. The fourth one is a bit less mind boggling."
Aribar: "That's good to hear."
Metal Man: "In the search for perfect balance, the blue crystal order members have the following, which correspond to my moves. A healing move, a destructive move, a... versatile move, and this final one, which is a status effect move. This final move simply encases the target in ice, freezing them. If they don't find a way to evade it. Now then... there's the versatile move page... It can damage three opponents, heavily damage one machine enemy, hit all enemies while causing me to gain altitude..."
Aribar: "Sounds like you'll make good use of the spells you've already listed."
Metal Man: "And that's it. Indeed. They're relatively simple. Now Tridus would show you his spells, except The Void appears to have stolen his spellbook."
Tridus: "Well of course he did! And when he died, it got destroyed!"
Metal Man: "Are you just afraid to show that you're an amateur?"
Aribar: "Heh..."
Tridus: "...I'm not amateur. At least I didn't try to kill myself."
Metal Man: "It was to defeat you while you were nothing more than an evil ghost."
Tridus: "Hmph."
Metal Man: "It's a shame the armor left me so slow."
Aribar jokingly says, "Am I going to have to separate you two?"
Tridus: "..." *Seems embarrassed.*
Metal Man: "He started it." *Laughs.*
Tridus: "Well then. I must go off to... stare at a window! Yes..." *He walks off.*
Metal Man: "Perhaps you shall see all of my new powers in action soon. We plan on attacking Grunty's main facility."
Aribar: "Oh? ...Should I ready my military?"
Metal Man: "Oh, yes. But first, I have a gift for you. Deloth always wanted this, but he was a greedy person. Here. The Wand of Wonder. Charged with magic from your own realm."
Metal Man (GM): Whirlmore: Whirling winds strikes three enemies for (INT) Wind damage. 49/50 Star Storm: Deadly stars scream through a target for d100+20 Soul damage. 50/50
Aribar: "...Thank you, Metal. It is truly an honor to know that you consider me a friend, and that you would give me this item..."
Metal Man: "I don't need it anymore, now that I have my True Blue Battleaxe. It is an honor that you followed after me. Very few people would have done that. Although I can just see the look on the other Quester's faces when they realize that I'm not a permanent psychopath."
Aribar: "Heh... I can imagine the looks on a few of their faces."
Metal Man looks over the battleaxe, which has a shiny and long silver handle, and a blue double-edged head which is made of a shiny blue material. "Of course, I still have yet to remember my real name... I must have lost it somewhere. Oh well. It'll turn up eventually."
Aribar looks at the axe and is then reminded of something "You'll remember it in time... I'm wondering, what was that artifact that Tridus wielded?"
Metal Man: "It was a weapon which has been passed down in Earth lore for generations. A movie called Star Wars... well, in the future, we decided to make the real thing. Only one was made... a light saber... The power was unforgettable, but it was so dangerous they never made more than one. It kicked around until Earth exploded. Then Tridus got it and warped out with me."
Aribar: "Light saber? Star Wars? Sounds like some Earth thing..." *The elf tries to recall his history class. He mumbles,* "I knew I should have paid attention..."
Metal Man: "Oh, yes. If you ever find out what I mean, though, remember that we had the foresight not to create Death Stars and fight to the death over nothing. The only thing from the movie which came true was the creation of that single lightsaber. The force is a bad joke in comparison to the way of the crystals."
Editor's Note: As Illian continually lies to Aribar, I half wonder if it was just a game to see how much more absurd a backstory he could trick him into believing. I mean, c'mon, even though some of this USED to be 'canon', some other aspects of this were fishy, even back when! And Aribar doesn't ask at all why "Metal Man" randomly would change to be a different person? So gullible of him...
Aribar: "...Why do I have the feeling that I shouldn't watch these movies now?"
Digifanatic goes to the Item Shop.
Metal Man: "...You might be scared out of your wits by the possibilities it brings up... if it was true, we could have such a huge problem... I mean... that imposter wearing a cheesier version of my suit is completely wrong. Hmmm... what to do now."
Aribar: "...Why not scare people with your new look? Heh."
Metal Man: "I could."
Digifanatic: "Scuse me, Mr. G&W?"
Mr. Game and Watch: "Yes, Digi?"
Digifanatic: "I'd like to sell my..." *He pulls the pin off one of his badges. * "My Close Call badge."
Metal Man walks into the item shop, looking like the above. Yet he speaks with Metal's voice. "Hello Digi. How's it going?"
Digifanatic: "Not bad."
Mr. Game and Watch: "Okay. Just give me the badge and I'll give you the money."
Digifanatic: "A bit bummed after I lost you guys in the gear room... one moment, G&W."
Mr. Game and Watch: "...What? That sounds like Metal... who are you?"
Metal Man: "I am Metal. In the flesh."
Digifanatic takes the badge off and hands Game and Watch his badge.
Mr. Game and Watch: "...Weird..." *Takes the badge, gives Digi 1/2 the price back.*
Aribar follows Metal... He wants to watch peoples' responses.
Digifanatic: "Thanks."
Charles Magellean hangs from the rafters.
Metal Man: "So Digi. I notice you seem a bit distracted."
Digifanatic: "Anyways, Metal... it's getting to be such a drag for me. I try my best, but the forces just keep dragging me away at points, like they don't want me to continue."
Metal Man is not wearing any of that armor which he usually wears, and seems taller.
Digifanatic: "That, and the quiz pirate stole my coins."
Metal Man: "Ah... yeah... forces." *He leans on an axe which seems to have come outta nowhere* "A Quiz Pirate? The worst kind! I wonder where Locos went."
Digifanatic: "Dunno."
Metal Man looks around a bit, a mischievous smirk on his face.
Digifanatic: "And lately, I've been coming just shy of that breaking point of Overdrive and all that. It's what I want, but... agh. I never get that clutch chance, no matter what."
Metal Man: "Oh well... Overdrive mode isn't everything."
Aribar: "...He turned traitorous I believe... I've the impression now that all Lunarians must be cowards and weaklings... Why else would they constantly switch sides?"
Digifanatic: "True."
Metal Man: "He turned sides again? I sense unbalance in his life force."
Digifanatic: "Yeah, I helped get rid of some Ninja Goombas and stuff back in that canyon place... but that's because I had a badge working, not my true power."
Metal Man: "Perhaps I could balance him... like Kuja needs to be balanced."
Charles Magellean drops from the ceiling that he clinged at. "That won't be necessary, Mr. Manly."
Metal Man: "Dropping in, eh? Well, what a surprise."
Aribar takes out the Wand of Wonder, his new weapon. "You traitor!"
Metal Man: "But my blue magic can cure you."
Aribar: "How dare you show your face here?"
Metal Man: "I challenge you to a battle, Charles Magellean." *He smirks.*
Charles Magellean appearance is different. His eyes are now red, he has a small armor that is comparable to Zio's, and a trendy red cape.
Metal Man flicks his blue cape.
Digifanatic: "Locos... what are you doing with those clothes?"
Charles Magellean: "I would accept, but I am on business. I even have contacts to replace my unsightful glasses."
Digifanatic: "You just don't look right at all in that get-up. No offense."
Charles Magellean: "That is but your opinion."
Digifanatic: "Exactly."
Charles Magellean: "You also look... taller, Mr. Manly. It suits you more than that metal body."
Metal Man: "I have shed the worthless armor which kept my true self from thou. I am as much an Earthling as you are a Lunarian."
Charles Magellean clears his throat. "Half-Lunarian."
Metal Man: "Ah, yes. I forget. As much as you are a half Quester." *He chuckles at the fact.*
Aribar: "...I still don't understand how you can joke around an enemy... Or how you can accept this scum as any part of the Quester force."
Charles Magellean: "Perhaps. Yet as it stands, my life needed a change. I needed to change from serving with the light."
Metal Man: "Because he is too weak to bother us... and confused. A stranded one, who lets others use him as their ammunition. If he could turn to the way to the blue, perhaps he could find harmony."
Charles Magellean: "You understand, balance, don't you? I just needed --- It is as you say. 'Come and go.' "
Aribar: "...Locos, why do you wish to hide yourself in shadow? I just don't understand why you constantly change sides..."
Digifanatic: "Yeah, why would you?"
Metal Man: "Perhaps you needed to be darker, but to join the Evil One's entourage is an extreme."
Charles Magellean: "Many of the residents here have shown... flaws. Flaws too great to be negligible."
Digifanatic: "True."
Metal Man: "It's a shame that you have the greatest flaw of any of us."
Charles Magellean: "I hate to admit it, yes." *He leaves the room.*
Aribar: "...Flaws are what make us huma---... Unique."
Metal Man: "So long, Charles McTraitor." *He laughs again.*
Editor's Note: It's truly rare that the psychotic nature of a character is so high it causes Charles to leave.
Aribar: "H-hey! Get back... Oh... It's no use calling him back here, huh?"
Metal Man: "Yeah... he doesn't want to fight, so we can't show him the right of our ways."
Charles Magellean approaches Oak's lab.
Metal Man: "It's a shame that he lets the blight entangle his life... a shame..."
Metal Man (GM): Oak is there....
Professor Oak: "...What are you doing here? The circumstances are a conflict!"
Metal Man (GM): Oak pulls out a pokeball.
Professor Oak: "Don't make me send Snorlax after you!"
Aribar: "...I'm going to Valhalla... I should make the final preparations for war there I guess..."
Charles Magellean: "I had to make great strides just to come here without Zio ordering me to attack this place."
Aribar starts off to the warp room.
Metal Man: "Yes... and I shall stay here."
Professor Oak: "Well, I'm not giving Zio the only weapon which can defeat him."
Charles Magellean: "It is not for milord. I've not come to ask for the return of my possession yet. I would like to ask what progress you've made on it."
Digifanatic: "Hmm, Metal, so what does this do in our... mission to kill Zio?"
Metal Man: "We must destroy Grunty's headquarters."
Digifanatic: "Ah."
Professor Oak: "Well... it's nearly finished. Tell Zio to cower in fear as the weapon which will defeat him is finished!"
Digifanatic: "That should help Ari in his thing with Doopliss."
Charles Magellean: "We all know well that he doesn't cower in fear. I've not seen a bit of concern in his eyes except when the topic of Mr. Tribal arrives. Yet, I thank you sharing the progress with me, Professor Oak. I will send the info to milord."
Professor Oak: "Very well."
Charles Magellean: "It was nice to see you again, my former friend." *He returns to G&W's item shop where Metal and Digi are.*
Metal Man: "Coming back for seconds? Or just preparing to flee?"
Charles Magellean: "You were never this rude to me before."
Metal Man: "My armor's aggression inhibiter does that to people."
Charles Magellean: "..." *He flicks his cape.*
Metal Man: "How you picked the opposite of my color is beyond me... but it shall not matter much in the long run."
Charles Magellean: "Who do you plan to attack next?"
Metal Man: "I am not telling you that." *He takes a menacing pose with the axe.* "And if you do not leave soon, you might not have a head to talk with. Old Alys would have done the same if she was in my shoes."
Charles Magellean: "You know... the dark has every right to exist as the light. I don't believe in Zio's methods of destruction, but I do believe in the faith that we can co-exist without bloodshed. One day, of course."
Metal Man: "That is true, except that Zio is the axis of bloodshed. He kills all who oppose him."
Digifanatic: "So it's either bow down or be killed. Dictatorship..."
Metal Man: "We prefer to neutralize him and have somebody less violent, like Grunty, call the shots for evil."
Digifanatic: "The problem is, what do we do to neutralize him?"
Charles Magellean: "I do have... a problem. I cannot stay with Zio, nor do I want to stay here and... live with some of the demoralized creatures here."
Digifanatic: "So what are you doing? Double-agenting?"
Charles Magellean: "As I was with Kajidoh."
Digifanatic: "Oh..."
Charles Magellean: "However, I am at an extreme crossroads."
Digifanatic: "I believe that."
Metal Man: "Well, you know, since it's getting a little hot in here..."
Charles Magellean: "I stay here and live in fear of Zio, or be consumed by his tainted desire for destruction... then there's Kuja..."
Metal Man suddenly flicks out his arm. "CRYSTAL CONTAINER!"
Metal Man (GM): If hit, Locos is instantly frozen and takes 4 ice damage.
Charles Magellean: "!" *He has a phobia of being tightly trapped.*
Metal Man (GM): Locos is pretty much frozen in a crystal... Metal snaps his fingers.
Metal Man: "SIMBER. Take this to the brig."
SIMBER: "Affirmative."
Metal Man (GM): The crystal begins floating to the brig, followed by the security system and Metal.
Metal Man: "I'm not going to let you escape this time, foolish Lunarian."
Digifanatic: "Well, that answered my question."
Metal Man: "I shall be known as a hero... for saving you from yourself."
Metal Man (GM): The crystal is deposited behind the bars of the brig. It breaks upon entry... but you're now behind bars. And a force field.
Metal Man: "What do you say now?" *He smirks, and sits on a bench.*
Charles Magellean can only look. He cannot say anything while being frozen.
Metal Man: "My magic appears to have remained potent as ever... an excellent development."
Metal Man (GM): Whatever ice that is left is defrosted off of you.
Metal Man: "The way of my orientation is to purify lost souls."
Charles Magellean throws down the cape, gets out of the armor, and his eyes turn brown again. He jumps up and down on the cape and armor cause he's frickin' pissed.
Metal Man: "It appears I saved you from Zio yet again."
Charles Magellean: "Bahamut how I hate this displacement!! Get me bloody healed so I can be like a full Lunarian!!"
Metal Man: "That is easy."
Charles Magellean: "Then do it before I start cussin!"
Metal Man points at Locos. Another blue crystal forms around him. It disintegrates, healing 20 damage and curing 1 status effect.
Charles Magellean calms down.
Metal Man: "Crystal Healing. Another move of my alignment. It purifies and heals."
Charles Magellean: "Thank you Bahamut for this blond *bleep*ed as ever."
Metal Man: "What's wrong, exactly?" *He seems concerned.*
Charles Magellean: "Metal, I gotta tell ya... I've never been in this much trouble."
Metal Man: "That must be absolutely horrible!"
Charles Magellean: "Enough of the sarcasm."
Metal Man: "...Yes. That does get old fast..." *Smacks himself.*
Charles Magellean: "One on road, I stay here have to deal with the others... Their moral displacement... They're impulsive... Rush head on to places..."
Metal Man: "Sounds like the Questers to me..."
Charles Magellean: "Like half the time we get our ass kicked cause the others don't even know what the hell they're doing."
Metal Man: "Yup."
Charles Magellean: "Well I want to bloody live! I'm sick of being crushed more by my comrades, noble as they may be, than the antagonists!"
Metal Man: "That is... a rather interesting problem."
Charles Magellean: "And since I'm back here, Zio and crew will want my head on a platinum platter. On road two, however... Is to be with any of the dark people... and that's been proven that I'll have my ass handed to me as well. And have to face the comments of these jokers. Road three is the most enigmatic of them all. Since I visited Kappa one day, good ol' Kuja paid me a visit and offered for me to join him so my pain will all go away. If I don't, I go back to stumbling in my pitiful existence right here. And as soon as I get a thought, even while dreaming, of wanting to join him... he'll confirm that I did and I'll be with him."
Metal Man: "Well... you know... Kuja isn't entirely evil. Or entirely good. Though I did duke it out with him this morning... I got some of his blood on my fresh clothes. That'll take forever to get out! Though I can tell you he has something planned with Nova. What it is? Nobody but that maniac knows. On the plus side, he actually took damage when I attacked him. I might as well let you out of that prison. I mean, you stomped on that hideous cape." *He opens up the prison which held Locos.* "Of course, if you go evil, I have plenty of magical energy left... my moves are more powerful than I remember."
Charles Magellean: "...If you don't mind..."
Metal Man: "I feel like I could take on any Quester now."
Charles Magellean: "I'd prefer if you left it on. Cause... I have a fun idea."
Metal Man: "Okay." *Turns the prison back on* "What's your idea?"
Charles Magellean: "You leave the forcefield on so only I or you can deactivate it... ...And we install a button at the top of the wall that does no function." ;)
Metal Man: "SIMBER. Assign permissions to prison to Locos and me."
SIMBER: "Acknowledged."
Charles Magellean: "I'll get a truck loads of laughs from this."
Metal Man: "Begin construction on fake button at the top of the wall."
SIMBER: "Acknowledged."
Metal Man (GM): A construction bot starts doing work on the top of the wall.
Charles Magellean: "...Hmm... I think I have an actual idea. Remember that double agent stunt I pulled with Kajidoh?"
Metal Man: "Yes."
Charles Magellean winks.
Metal Man: "Very muchly."
Charles Magellean: "...Before I drank mega muck."
Metal Man: "Yes."
Charles Magellean: "I miss that thrill and danger much so... you think I'd be able to pull it off with Zio?"
Digifanatic: *Meanwhile, back in the halls and places, Digi/Ian is just wandering around, wondering what's taking Metal such a long time. * "Odd... thought he'd be back by now... what is he up to?"
Metal Man: "Sure... but I'm watching you. Oh... I must go... SIMBER says Digi is waiting for me."
Digifanatic: "Not enough money to buy anything... eh, might as well head back to R&R or something."
Metal Man: "You have full access to the computer from here."
Charles Magellean: "Metal, that's over with. I'm clean as a whistle! Oh... bring Gibbert down here." *He snickers.*
Metal Man: "Okay..."
SIMBER: "Button construction finished."
Metal Man (GM): A red, flashing button that's like a strobe light is on the top of the wall.
Digifanatic: *He heads back to the R&R room.*
Metal Man nods off to Locos, and wanders into R&R. "Hey Digi. Have you seen Gibby anywhere?"
Digifanatic: "Nah... SIMBER, please locate the position of Gibby."
SIMBER: "Looking..."
Metal Man (GM): Gibby: Where are you?
Gibby would be in the kitchen having a snacky-poo. "Mmmm... chocolate cake."
Digifanatic: "Huh... thought I heard him mumbling something..."
SIMBER: "Gibby is in the kitchen."
Metal Man: "Alright..."
Digifanatic: "Thanks."
Metal Man walks into the kitchen, tall, human, blonde and blue-eyed. And blue-clothed.
Gibby grabs himself a piece, and eats it.
Metal Man: "Hello Gibby."
Gibby looks at... Metal... "Uhh... hi... who are you?"
Metal Man: "I am Metal. Recognize my voice? See? I have an axe, too."
Gibby blinks... then blinks some more.
Metal Man shows off the blue-headed battleaxe.
Gibby: "Nice try, imposter! But you can't be Metal... you look nothing like him!"
Metal Man: "Would this be of any consolation?"
Digifanatic keeps walking on and hears the two talking. He heads into the kitchen.
Gibby: "Anybody can get a blue battleaxe..."
Digifanatic: "Oh yes he is."
Gibby: "Or maybe you PAINTED it blue."
Digifanatic: "I'm serious."
Metal Man whips out a DVD launcher and fires a DVD which lands on Gibby's head without hurting him.
Gibby blinks again.
Metal Man: "If you want, I can show you the telephone book."
Gibby: "GAH! NO! No... that's ok. ...Metal?"
Metal Man: "Yes?"
Gibby: "...what happened to you?"
Digifanatic: "That's his... true form. I guess that would be the right word."
Metal Man: "I was just wearing my armor before this. Good old Tridus finally cured me of my magma burns."
Gibby: "I see... are you going to look like this from now on?"
Metal Man: "Sure."
Gibby sighs. "I guess I'll get used to it... eventually."
Editor's Note: No, Gibby actually figured out Illian was evil and helped kill him in CONFRONTATION.
Metal Man: "Now then. Your presence is required in the brig. We caught somebody who looks like Locos."
Digifanatic: "Yeah, I do admit it was weird seeing him like that for the first time."
Gibby: "...really? Does he act like him?"
Metal Man: "Why sure!"
Gibby rolls his eyes. "Very well... lets go."
Metal Man heads towards the brig.
Gibby finishes his cake, and follows Metal.
Digifanatic: "Should I just keep away for now?"
Metal Man: "Nah. You can come."
Digifanatic: "Oh, cool." *He follows the two.*
Metal Man reaches Locos's cell. There's a button on the top of the wall, out of Gibby's reach... it's red and flashing. "Hello."
Charles Magellean: "... You can't keep me trapped forever!"
Gibby twitches at the sight of the button... but that's it. "Uhh... hello there."
Charles Magellean: "At least ...I have this button."
Digifanatic: "Wonder what's with that button..."
Charles Magellean: "That no one can press but me."
Gibby: "...c-could you not say that?"
Charles Magellean: "Say that?"
Gibby: "The B word. It's a thing..."
Charles Magellean: "The b thing."
Gibby: "Right... b... very good."
Charles Magellean: "But on this wall is nothing else."
Aribar warps back from Valhalla Fortress... Since he's never commanded a military before he mainly just got in the way there. The elf begins to just wander around the stadium.
Metal Man: "But, only you have that problem, right, Gibby?"
Gibby: "...rrright."
Charles Magellean: "I've heard it from a reliable source that you like... ...to press... ...to push... ...The shiiiinnyy..."
Digifanatic covers Gibby's ears.
Charles Magellean: "Rreeedd..."
Digifanatic: "Stop torturing him like that!"
Metal Man: "I must be off."
Gibby is drooling...
Digifanatic: "Geez, you want him to go insane, man?"
Charles Magellean: "Sides, it's not worth pressing."
Metal Man disappears in a flash of his blue cape... and walks over to Aribar, at the stadium. "Hello Aribar. How did it go?"
Charles Magellean: "The button."
Gibby: "B... b... b... BUTTON!!! WHERE? WHERE? GOTTA PRESS!"
Charles Magellean: "In here!"
Gibby: "GIVEMEGIVEMEGIVEMEGIVEME!"
Digifanatic lets go of Gibby's ears. "Well, if that's not gonna work..."
Charles Magellean: "Come and press!"
Gibby tries opening the cell door. "NEED BUTTON!"
Charles Magellean: *You get hit by a force field.*
Gibby: "OW!"
Charles Magellean cackles loudly.
Gibby: "But... BUTTON!" *He tries again.*
Charles Magellean: "Oh yes..." *You get hit by the force field again.*
Gibby: *x_x* "Button..."
Aribar: "Eeeh... Not so good..."
Charles Magellean laughs out loud. "Computer, deactivate force field."
Aribar: "I've had no military experience... And I wandered into the firing range."
SIMBER: "Affirmative."
Metal Man: "...Ouch."
Charles Magellean leaves the cell.
Aribar: "...Luckily the clerics there are good healers."
Gibby: "NOW button?"
Charles Magellean: "...Now button."
Gibby: "YAY!"
Metal Man: "Well, you know, I'm always up for a challenge some time... My magic there turned Locos good quickly. He didn't know what hit him when I froze him solid..."
Aribar: "...I still don't think we should trust Locos, but... A match sounds good..."
Digifanatic: "Locos, why are you doing this to him? No offense, man, but come on... wouldn't you rather want to have him resist than to tempt him?"
Metal Man: "Ah... I'll get ready for it first... oh yeah. Locos is teasing Gibby about buttons."
Charles Magellean: "Very well... Computer, reactivate force field."
Gibby: "...huh?"
Metal Man (GM): The force field turns on.
Digifanatic: "Oh great..."
Aribar: "...Y'know, Locos isn't ALL that bad!"
Charles Magellean: "Gibby, do you want to press the devil now or not?"
Gibby: "...devil?"
Charles Magellean claps his hands twice to deactivate the force field.
Digifanatic rolls his eyes and chuckles. "Alright, I'll let you two settle this out..."
Metal Man (GM): Force field off!
Aribar starts towards the Stadium's locker rooms, a grin on his face... "Don't expect me to go easy, Metal!"
Charles Magellean: "Now is a good chance to resist that pressing devil..."
Digifanatic leaves the brig area and heads back to R&R.
Gibby: "I just wanna push buttons..."
Charles Magellean: "...To press the button or not is the question. Do you wish to press the... ...The shiny that is in the cell?"
Digifanatic: "Oh man... those two are at it."
Gibby: "YES!"
Charles Magellean: "The button... will cause this place to be destroyed though. You sure you want to press?"
Gibby: "... Hmm..."
Charles Magellean: "Do you desire to press the fantasy button at the top of the wall and destroy us... or not?"
Gibby: "If I don't press it, I'll probably go insane... but if I do, I kill everyone, including myself... meaning I couldn't press buttons anymore. I... shall... NOT!"
Charles Magellean: "...Very well." *He goes over to the cell. He presses the button.*
Gibby: "GAH! NO!!!!"
Charles Magellean: *...Nothing happens.*
Gibby: "...are we dead?"
Charles Magellean: "This button is not real. This was used for me to get a laugh."
Gibby: "...you're not nice."
Charles Magellean: "And you need therapy."
Gibby: "Perhaps... but you're still not nice."
Digifanatic: "I swear Metal, I wonder what started Gibby's obsession."
Metal Man: "I don't know."
Charles Magellean goes back to r&R.
Digifanatic: "It'd be impossible to ask him though."
Gibby: "Humph..."
Digifanatic: "Locos, do you know what started Gibby's obsession with... you know... those things?"
Charles Magellean: "The buttons? No idea."
Digifanatic: "Oh. Weird things, I say."
Gibby walks back to the kitchen... all this b word torment has made him hungry.
Azure had walked the halls of Questers HQ getting familiar with the place. This new world was a bit unique for him. The creatures, foes, friends, and wonders of this place intrigued him. He stood before the HQ's library and stepped within. Walking around it looking at the titles of books and such.
Metal Man (GM): You see many books.
Charles Magellean: "I say... we need a tournament."
Metal Man (GM): From Amber Abra Acception to Zebra Zipper Zooky...
Azure: "I wish there was a way to make this quicker......"
SIMBER: "Can I search for you, Azure?"
Azure is a bit caught off guard by the voice. He quickly calms himself as he gathers his thoughts "You must be one of those computers like that other place. I'm looking for information on this world's history, its creatures, its people, and landmarks. Can you help?"
Wolfman takes a look at the old/new/constructed/whatever space that is/was/will be his old/new/whatever office.. oO(I find it strange that Master Hand offered to help... heck, how did he even HEAR of the job?)
Metal Man (GM): The office is host to many files and letters, which are being sorted, paid, etc. by Master Hand.
SIMBER: "That's a bit difficult... How about... Encyclopedia Nintendus?"
Wolfman is a little relieved that the Hand has offered to help... it's still strange.
Azure: "Ok that will work. I'm trying to study up on things of this world. That book will be fine. Also are there any books on this place: 'X-Zone'?"
Wolfman: "SIMBER, new assignment. After every successful mission, take 1000 coins from my account and transfer it into Master Hand's account."
SIMBER: "Affirmative."
Charles Magellean: "!" *He goes to Wolf's office...*
Wolfman (GM): Locos: It's no longer "Mine" so to speak. well... partly is, but there is a new secretary you can see him working right now I'm sure.
Charles Magellean talks to him with three tissues in his mouth.
Azure: "Simber is it? Where can I find this Encyclopedia Nintendus?"
SIMBER: "Right here."
Metal Man (GM): The book appears on your hands. It's about three feet tall and two feet wide.
Azure: *blinks with a mild surprise on his face. "The technology of this world... is so far advanced from my own." *He goes to a table and sits it down.*
Metal Man (GM): It's got a lot of stuff in it. It's organized by time period. 'Early days' 'The Bad Future' 'the Good Future'
Azure: "With all knowledge it takes time for the mind and soul to absorb its many wonders." *He begins to read through the pages starting with the beginning.*
Charles Magellean: "Ay offman..."
Wolfman thought he heard... someone talk funny; he turns to the voice.
Azure "Simber while I read can you look for books on poekon... no that's not... umm pokmo... no that's not what they said either." *He ponders for a moment.* "Ahh that's it. Pokemon. Can you look up information on Pokemon and this mysterious place known as the X-Zone?"
Metal Man (GM): The beginning....
Charles Magellean: "I'm illing to ake an ff---"
SIMBER: "Look in the encyclopedia..."
Charles Magellean spits out the tissues. "I'm willing to make an offer you can't refuse..."
Azure: "Oh thank you. That will be all for now."