Super Smash Quest - Story - Chapter 178: Troubled Nintendus
Date: 5:33:05 PM, April 2nd; 5:07:00 PM, April 3rd; 3:55:41 PM, April 4th, 2005.
Aribar readies his Wand of Wonder. " 'allo. I am Aribar Hunter, Quester and wizard... I've been sent to invesigate who you are and what you are doing."
???: "Well, well, well. The Questers are trying to find me again."
Aribar: "...It would help if I had a name to call you by."
???: "I am the great, amazing inventor Dr. Light, and I need to put up my prototype force field generator in Doughnut City. Please get out of the way."
Aribar: "...Mind showing your face to confirm that?"
Metal Man (GM): *Unveil* Wow... it's Dr. Light's face....
Dr. Light: "Now then, please let me go... I have things to do..."
Aribar: "...Mind if I follow you?"
Dr. Light: "Not at all."
Metal Man (GM): He walks ahead... semi-briskly.
Dr. Light: "...Oh... I forgot one of my papers on the ground. Could you go get them?"
Metal Man (GM): He points behind you.
Aribar: "...Okay." *The elf keeps an eye on Light while he heads to pick up that paper.*
Metal Man (GM): ...He suddenly puts the sword on the ground, like a surfboard... leaps atop it... and starts flying off, towards Eisnaught. Those 'papers' explode into a cloud of dust.
Aribar coughs and tries to get out of the dust cloud. "...I knew it!"
Metal Man (GM): You get out of the dust cloud, and see that guy again... all black ensemble... flying away ..A normal passenger vehicle is coming up. Do you hitch hike?
Aribar waves his hand at the vehicle, trying to get the driver's attention.
Metal Man (GM): The vehicle stops. A male Toad is driving it.
Toady: "Hello. My name is Toady. What's with all the waving?"
Aribar: "I need you to drive me to Doughnut City as fast as you can! ... Important Quester-Saving-The-World business!"
Toady: "Okay. Get aboard."
Metal Man (GM): He opens a door.
Aribar hops in and closes the door behind him.
Metal Man (GM): The car takes off. *VRRRRM* You reach Doughnut Plaza ..A note blows into the car. 'I am in the museum surrounded by a moat.'
Aribar hrms... "Drive me to... A museum surrounded by a moat."
Toady: "...Okay..."
Metal Man (GM): The car speeds off again. You cross over a bridge around a moat... to the center of the city. The power is out here; a large bomb appears to have gone off. A huge 'Nintendus History' museum is open here.
Aribar: .oO(I hope that's it...) *He waits until they're near the museum.*
Metal Man (GM): He stops at the museum.
Toady: "Well, here you go."
Aribar reaches into his item pouch and digs out thirty coins. The elf puts them on the seat while getting out of the vehicle. "A little something for your troubles. Thanks." He then readies the Wand of Wonder and starts towards the museum's doors.
Toady: "Thanks as well."
Metal Man (GM): The car speeds off... as you enter the empty museum. There are three hallways. 1: Natural (Non-sentient) Life History 2: The Ancient Era 3: The Modern Era
Aribar: .oO(Light would most likely be in that last hallway.) *He starts down the third hallway. Every once in a while the elf peers behind him to make sure nothing is following him.*
Metal Man (GM): No one is following you. You walk down the long, stuffy corridor of no. 3, and discover nothing... all of it shows dioramas of stuff you guys did. Or what you witnessed. You reach the other side... which hallway do you check now?
Aribar decides to choose... Hallway number two! Let's see what he's won! Errr...
Metal Man (GM): You walk down the hallway. It's semi-boring, and nondescript. Most of the exhibits are closed. However... Then you see... that man again, standing behind a sign that says 'General Sha'Fol of the Solarians'
Aribar: .oO(Hrm...) *He walks up to the sign and checks to see if it has any other information.*
Metal Man (GM): It has a rather length description. 'General Sha'Fol is well known for his lack of an alliance. He was the first known human on Nintendus. He built a great civilization, but lamented about how a strange genocidal weapon had been sealed away somewhere... His civilization created both Nova and apparently that mysterious weapon. He is also the greatest known user of Magitek, claiming to have synthesized the 'Ultima' magic with an atomic bomb. It is unknown if he ever tested such a weapon. Reports on the destruction show that if it had been used, it would erase the effected terrain from existence... thus, leaving no traces.'
Aribar: "Hrm..."
Metal Man (GM): The statue then suddenly comes to life! I mean... you probably expected that, didn't you?
Sha'Fol: "So... you have finally tracked me down. What do you want?"
Aribar jumps back and raises his weapon defensively. "Gah! ...I was sent here to find out what you were doing... You are the one who fooled me earlier, correct?"
Sha'Fol: "I fool many people... it is what I do to stay alive. It is I who ultimately knows what is going on."
Editor's Note: Actually, no. As an avatar of the Fake Solarians, there isn't actually a lot you actually know.
Aribar: "...It seems like many people say that these days... Kuja, for example. ...You... You're the same person who took over a reploid friend of mine's body, correct? He is known as Wolfman."
Sha'Fol: "I am the only one who tells the truth. I possessed Wolfman to teach you all a lesson. Which you learned."
Aribar: .oO(A pity I've forgotten it.) "...Exactly what side are you on? If any? ... And what is your goal?"
Sha'Fol: "I am on no side, and I have no goals. I am myself, and nothing else."
Aribar: .oO(Blast! I really must get a better memory... If only I could remember what was said in that temple...)
Sha'Fol: "The maniacs are destroying Eisnaught."
Aribar: "...I realize that..."
Sha'Fol: "What do you wish from me?"
Aribar: "Some information... Do you plan on helping Kuja? Or Grodus, who infiltrated your Solarian Temple and has stolen stuff from it? Or hindering the Questers in any form?"
Sha'Fol: "I help no one. My existence is trivial."
Aribar: "...Does your kind hate the Lunarians?"
Metal Man (GM): http://www.vgmusic.com/music/console/Nintendo/snes/Zelda3_Dark_Prelude.mid <-- Decent theme for this
Sha'Fol: "I do not know of Lunarians."
Aribar: .oO(I am forgetting something... I know it... But I cannot think of anything else to do here.) "...Well, I guess I'll be off..."
Sha'Fol: "Stop. You must pay me for what I have done for you."
Aribar: "...Pay? How?"
Sha'Fol: "Give me 5,000 coins."
Aribar: "...I've only seven."
Sha'Fol: "You give me no choice."
Aribar backs up, worried.
Metal Man (GM): He draws that sword again. Rainbow energy crackles through it ...And a sort of hex forms on Aribar.
Aribar: "What are you doing?"
Sha'Fol: "I shall gain every coin you touch, until I have 6,000 from you."
Aribar: "...Perhaps we can work out a different agreement."
Sha'Fol: "Leave now."
Aribar: "..." *He sighs and starts towards the entrance...*
Metal Man (GM): You begin walking to the entrance... *End Part I. Part II: Intermission At Locos's base.*
Bob, Lord of Electric Death: "So then, Charles... what do you plan for your relatives on this planet? I was just wondering, as you don't seem to be in a hurry to find them."
Charles Magellean: "A person who rushes is not able to see the events around him."
Bob, Lord of Electric Death: "I see..."
Charles Magellean: "I am becoming stronger spiritually, which is one of many requirements to conquer the cavern of the God of the Phantom Beasts."
???: "Your spirit requires more."
Metal Man (GM): A strange, grayish phantom appears. As in, a ghost.
???: "You must make... a pilgrimage..."
Metal Man (GM): *Poof!* The ghost forms a coherent shape. It's the ghost of Ricky!
Ricky: *Cough* "That explosion didn't do very well for my lungs... I could have done without the deadly explosion, too."
Charles Magellean: "Ricky..."
Ricky: "...?"
Charles Magellean closes his eyes and sheds a tear. "I...*Sniff*...can't actually believe your gone."
Ricky: "...Well, uhh... you know... the main problem is that I'm buried in stone and need a 1-up shroom. It's a shame nobody thought of that when Klumsy died. And if you don't hurry, I might end up like him too! An annoying hologram which issues challenges..."
Charles Magellean: "...It is settled."
Metal Man (GM): Ricky just then realizes there's a large pointy object stuck in his ghost head. He pulls it out and discards it.
Charles Magellean: "...Gross."
Ricky: "Worthless metallic wreckage... why couldn't it have had more air-bags? What happened to me is nothing compared to Lynk... That idiot got shredded into tiny pieces and melted into the magma. All because it was HIS idea to do all this stuff that got us killed."
Charles Magellean: "I feel responsible. In fact, I am. He would not leave me alone, so I said to him if he could take over Valhalla Fortress, then it'd be his. I will make amends for this... and for the recklessness of Ari!"
Ricky: "Well then... I'll be waaaaaiting!"
Metal Man (GM): *Poof* He poofs out.
Charles Magellean: "You know where a legendary shroom of 1-up ness could be?"
Bob, Lord of Electric Death: "Well, that's a good question. Let me see... ah, yes! The exhibit at the museum in Doughnut City... It's claimed to be haunted, but hey, those mushrooms are usually hidden in invisible boxes, so that's better than nothing. All we have to do is walk in, snatch it, tunnel through 50 feet of solid stone, find the bones of a single Koopa, and we're done."
Charles Magellean: "You will come with me."
Bob, Lord of Electric Death: "I will? Sure."
Charles Magellean: "After all, you did say we."
Bob, Lord of Electric Death: "Okay. Shall I open up the warp gate?"
Charles Magellean: "Open one in the coordinates of that is the least densely populated. We will travel from there." *He opens his rocket mach 3. he propels it into manual overdrive.*
Bob, Lord of Electric Death: "Coordinates cosign locked. Target: Hyrule Field... 6...606."
Metal Man (GM): A bluish-green gate opens.
Charles Magellean: "We travel from there. You have transportation?"
Bob, Lord of Electric Death: "Yes. I have uploaded a copy of my systems onto your chair."
Charles Magellean: "Then let's roll." *He revs up the engine. He enters the time and space portal.*
Metal Man (GM): *WARP* You appear in Hyrule Field. You can see Eisnaught, which is under attack by a massive army. You also see the target: The de-shielded but still operational Doughnut City.
Charles Magellean: "Let's get this under way. Activate the clocking device."
Bob, Lord of Electric Death: "Activating the clocking device."
Chair: "Clock. Clock. Clock. Clock. Clock. Clock. Clock. Clock. Clock. Clock. Clock. Clock. Clock."
Bob, Lord of Electric Death: "...Whoops."
Charles Magellean: "Doesn't matter. They're too occupied!" *He revs, revs... and whooooshes away~*
Metal Man (GM): *WHOOSH* You reach the town.
Bob, Lord of Electric Death: "The target is dead ahead."
Charles Magellean: "I'll control the evasive maneuvering."
Bob, Lord of Electric Death: "Aye aye."
Metal Man (GM): There's a bunch of other cars and people in the street, now.
Bob, Lord of Electric Death: "T-minus 3 minutes until the museum is in range."
Charles Magellean shifts the gear on his right, the chain above him and above 3 sets of buttons on his right, then turns the steering sphere to rise above the speeding cars.
Metal Man (GM): You rise above them... and then... you see Aribar exiting the museum!
Bob, Lord of Electric Death: "...Aribar has been detected. Engage evasive maneuvers?"
Aribar sighs, looking left and right for a store... And a means to Eisnaught.
Charles Magellean: "...Steer to his left. Evade him on his left."
Aribar: "Curse that Solarian... Hopefully I can sell some of these Royal Syrups..." *The elf stays outside the front of the museum and thinks about what to do...*
Metal Man (GM): The chair turns left. Aribar: You swear something fast-moving turned nearby... a few scattered papers blow by.
Bob, Lord of Electric Death: "Evasion maneuver complete."
Aribar: "What the--?!@. ?!" *He jogs forward a few steps and turns in the direction he thinks that object went.*
Metal Man (GM): You look... nothing but a little wind, it seems.
Bob, Lord of Electric Death: "Alternate route is being used."
Aribar hrms... The elf thinks he may have found away to get past Sha'Fol's Hex. The elf reenters the building and heads down the second hallway.
Charles Magellean: "Arrive in immediately. Decrease velocity by 3%."
Metal Man (GM): The chair enters from the opposite of Aribar's entrance.
Bob, Lord of Electric Death: "There are three hallways. Which direction do we go?"
Aribar: "Sha'Fol? I'm here to pay my debts!" *The elf yells this out.*
Metal Man (GM): Aribar: All you hear is the sounds of a fast vehicle.
Aribar hrms and takes out his Wand of Wonder. "..."
Charles Magellean: "Disengage the chair."
Aribar calls out again, "Solarian? Where are you?"
Metal Man (GM): The chair disengages; Locos could hear what Aribar said. Aribar: You hear mechanical noises from the other side of the museum.
Aribar: .oO(... Maybe some Magitek thing of his...)
Charles Magellean begins to break in easy. He will slow down and down. Eventually, the chair turns into a suitcase and Bob is able to stick close by with him.
Aribar heads down the second hallway to investigate.
Bob, Lord of Electric Death: "Okay... Aribar is coming towards us at two miles per hour."
Aribar: "Hello? I know someone else is here!"
Charles Magellean: "Let's just try to avoid him and the other enemies here in Einsaught. The 'shroom comes first."
Aribar mumbles, "How I hate hexes and curses... Can't this be done the easy way?"
Charles Magellean: "Lead the way, Bob."
Bob, Lord of Electric Death: "...This is Doughnut City... but go down the right-most corridor." *He walks towards the right-most corridor.*
Aribar picks up the pace to reach the other side...
Charles Magellean marches equally with bob in footsteps as he swings the suitcase back and forth.
Metal Man (GM): Aribar: You get all the way to the other side... more nothingness. Though the doors are moving a little bit... somebody just moved them recently.
Aribar: "..." *He looks out the doors... He also strains his ears to hear something.*
Charles Magellean: "Pick up the pace, Bob. I can naturally walk faster than this, and Ricky may be lost forever if we don't."
Bob, Lord of Electric Death: "Yes sir..."
Metal Man (GM): Aribar: You hear nothing but the wind rustling.
Charles Magellean: "Thank you."
Metal Man (GM): Bob, Lord of Electric Death runs a bit faster now; he reaches a box in the history exhibit.
Bob, Lord of Electric Death: "I can't touch this, being a hologram... all you need to do is hit it like Mario."
Charles Magellean reaches soon after.
Aribar sighs... The elf starts back down to the entrance. He stops and tries one last time...
Charles Magellean looks up at the box, then jumps as he raises his fist and hits the box with an SMB jump sound.
Aribar: "Come on out, Solarian! I wish to finish this deal right now!"
Metal Man (GM): You see the empty area by the plaque... and hear footsteps nearby.
Charles Magellean: "These things are fast, right?"
Aribar hrms and hastens towards the footsteps.
Bob, Lord of Electric Death: "Yes..."
Metal Man (GM): A 1-up mushroom pops out.
Charles Magellean lands and watches to see where the mushroom will drop.
Metal Man (GM): The 1-up mushroom drops nearby, and slowly moves towards the right...
Charles Magellean: "!"
Metal Man (GM): Aribar appears on the other end of the hallway... he can see Locos easily.
Charles Magellean dives for the little mushroom.
Metal Man (GM): Locos has obtained: 1-up shroom!
Charles Magellean: "Got it!"
Aribar: "... Who are you?"
Charles Magellean puts the mushroom into his suitcase."
Sha'Fol: "Who has come to steal my 1-up mushroom?"
Metal Man (GM): A mysterious, black-clothed human drops down from the ceiling to greet Locos.
Aribar doesn't think it's Locos... It couldn't be! The elf dashes towards Locos, Wand of Wonder drawn.
Charles Magellean: "I have."
Bob, Lord of Electric Death: "...I have a solution for this situation."
Aribar: "...That is you, Locos! ... Oh, Sha'Fol, I wish to settle that Hex now!"
Bob, Lord of Electric Death: *Presses a button on the briefcase; a cloud of cut-up paper is launched at Sha'Fol and Locos* "Let us go now, before he attacks us."
Charles Magellean: "..."
Aribar: "Gah!" *He tries to incinerate it with a Fire Elemental Blast.*
Charles Magellean escapes to the north.
Sha'Fol: "...How funny. You wish to pay me... how?" *He seems oblivious to the paper... and the resulting fireball which should have damaged him, but didn't.*
Metal Man (GM): Locos: You reach the exit quickly.
Aribar: "With items of equal worth..." *The elf quickly sets out 5 Royal Syrups and 3 Maple Syrups.*
Charles Magellean: "Bob, get in, quick!"
Bob, Lord of Electric Death: "Yes sir." *Gets in.*
Aribar: "This is worth... 6200 I think. Can this satisfy the Hex?"
Charles Magellean transforms the briefcase into the chair.
Aribar: "...A quick answer would be good!"
Charles Magellean hops into it, revs revs revs... then WHOOOOSSES!
Metal Man (GM): *Glow* All of the items disintegrate into coins. 6000 of them go to Sha'Fol. The other 200 go back to Aribar.
Sha'Fol: "They have stolen my 1-up mushroom. How funny."
Aribar curses as he hears that Whoosh. "Damn! Locos got away... Why is he back on Nintendus? ... I don't mean that towards you, just to myself."
Sha'Fol: "Do not fear. I have a device to deal with them."
Metal Man (GM): Sha'Fol then vanishes.
Charles Magellean sets the radar tracking system where the crash site of Valhalla is. "Bob, why in the bloody hell did you do that??"
Bob, Lord of Electric Death: "Crash site identified. Full speed ahead. To allow you to escape."
Charles Magellean engages.
Aribar sighs and opens up his Dex. "... Can I get a warp to Eisnaught near the Questers? ... I'm done here."
Smash Dex: "Affirmative."
Metal Man (GM): *Pause on Aribar as he is warped to Eisnaught.*
Charles Magellean: "I did not any of your help! I might've had a real frickin' chance to negotiate with the mysterious guy."
Bob, Lord of Electric Death: "We shall encounter him again. Very few people sit there and watch people steal their stuff."
Charles Magellean: "And be in far less favorable conditions. You see, this is why I don't take you on trips." *He ends the conversation as he increases the velocity by 17%.*
Metal Man (GM): You arrive at the large stone-circle where Valhalla rests.
Charles Magellean decreases rapidly to get a full stop without major inertia.
Bob, Lord of Electric Death: "Our target is 50 feet below us."
Charles Magellean: "Activate the drill."
Bob, Lord of Electric Death: "Drill activated."
Metal Man (GM): A huge drill appears on the chair.
Charles Magellean: "...Didn't I off ask for you to that on the bottom, Bob?"
Bob, Lord of Electric Death: "Oh. Right."
Metal Man (GM): *sounds as the drill moves to the bottom of the chair.*
Charles Magellean gently lowers the drill to the ground and for it to start drilling.
Metal Man (GM): *Drilling noises* The ground begins to be drilled.
Charles Magellean monitors the progress on his seismic radar so he knows when to go deeper.
Metal Man (GM): So far, nothing but rock. There's a single structure, deep beneath a thick coating of aforementioned rock.
Charles Magellean: "How many more feet."
Bob, Lord of Electric Death: "10 more."
Metal Man (GM): *CRACK* The drill stops as it hits a metal door. It's Valhalla, for sure... or part of it.
Charles Magellean deactivates it.
Bob, Lord of Electric Death: "The door can be opened manually."
Charles Magellean deactivates the chair and into suitcase mode.
Metal Man (GM): There's a hinge on the door... which is facing towards the sky.
Charles Magellean stands away from where it could open and pulls on the hinge.
Metal Man (GM): Yes. It opens up in a jiffy ..The only problem is that the ship is obviously on its side... so it's like a huge pit.
Charles Magellean: "Was the ship 50 feet below or Ricky's bones?"
Bob, Lord of Electric Death: "Ricky's bones are 50 feet below. We have gone down 30 feet."
Charles Magellean: "Wonderful." *He hops in.*
Metal Man (GM): ...You fall a bit. *SMACK* You land on a metallic wall... ouch. When you open your eyes, you see the death gaze of Ricky's bones. Luckily, both you and the bones are on what used to be a wall, rather than deep in the mess downstairs.
Charles Magellean: "Ahhh!" *He goes back a bit. "That scared me." *He takes out the mushroom from the suitcase. He closes the case, and throws the mushroom into the middle of Ricky.
Metal Man (GM): You throw it.
Charles Magellean puts it into his mouth. "There. The mushroom is with Ricky."
Metal Man (GM): *Glow 1-up noise* Ricky suddenly comes back to life.
Ricky: "...About time you got here. We've got a mess going on!"
Charles Magellean smiles with a tear in his eye. "I'm glad I was able to help you. I'm just glad I didn't have to send you. Let's get outta here." *He activates the suitcase and turns it into the chair. He then extends it so it seats more than one person. He hops into the front seat.*
Editor's Note: Count this as a rare time that Charles cares for anyone's well-being. If only he'd continued to have any such thing; he may still have survived to the present day.
Ricky: "...Good idea."
Metal Man (GM): Ricky boards the chair.
Bob, Lord of Electric Death: "Shall we set coordinates to the Second Moon?"
Charles Magellean: "No. Ricky, since Valhalla is no more and its army gone, you have a choice." *He sets the chair to leave the cavern.* "Forcing you to come live with me is selfish."
Ricky: "...Well..."
Charles Magellean: "You have a life here, Ricky."
Ricky: "The Questers hate me, Kuja hates me, and Dr. Ivan Robotnik wants to destroy everything I touch. All I have left is that hunk of junk called a--"
Bob, Lord of Electric Death: "The computers aboard the Valhalla have activated."
Charles Magellean: "Uhh... why does the Quester and Ivan not like you?"
Ricky: "Well... it's thanks to Lynk there. You see, we had our own operation, in which we showed that we were better Questers than they were. So then, Aribar came up, got Kuja involved, and everybody exploded. Ivan, naturally, wants nothing to do with an unofficial group of people who claim to be real Questers."
Charles Magellean: "I can't believe you would do such a thing. What you did was arrogant, unprofessional, and downright despicable." *He sighs.* "Reminds me of when I was your age."
Ricky: "...Well, you can't really say I didn't learn from it. After all, I'd still be dead if it wasn't for you."
Charles Magellean: "True. Yet they will not forgive, even if you do truly regret doing it. What's this about Valhalla activatin', bob?"
Bob, Lord of Electric Death: "Something activated when you revived Ricky. The computers are at full power now. Despite a lack of crew, it is functioning as if it had landed normally."
Charles Magellean: "Odd. Send in a probe. We are heading out."
Bob, Lord of Electric Death: "Affirmative."
Charles Magellean: "Open the dimensional gate."
Bob, Lord of Electric Death: "Opened."
Metal Man (GM): A dimensional gate opens.
Ricky: "Cool..."
Charles Magellean: "I'm not sure which I would rather choose. Living on a planet whose citizens do not approve of you, or live in solitude. Where were going, Ricky, is the latter."
Ricky: "I have a bipartite solution. I will live in solitude and revise my self image and my plans, then go back and fix what Lynk did."
Charles Magellean: "Very well." *He and crew enter gate.*
Metal Man (GM): *WARP* And we pause there... on Locos only. *Camera pan* Inside Valhalla....
Computer: "Failsafe 22D activated. Reactivating self-repair systems. Suitable materials for complete repair nearby. Modifying combat robots into diggers."
Metal Man (GM): *Ominous music* the camera pans some more... showing robots throughout the ruins waking up and excavating the place.
Computer: "...Reassessing systems."
Metal Man (GM): Computer: *Beep.*
Computer: "Emergency A.I. activated. New Procedures created."
Metal Man (GM): It then displays an image of Locos on its screen.
Computer: "Target 1. Destroy with ferocity."
Metal Man (GM): Then it displays an image of Lynk.
Computer: "Target 2. Research possible revival."
Metal Man (GM): Then it shows Bowser.
Computer: "Target 3. Research extensively. Decide upon further data."
Metal Man (GM): And next, it shows Ricky.
Computer: "...Unable to process command. Postpone until more power available. New goal has been programmed. Old goal: Supersede Questers has become obsolete. In order to accomplish this goal, sentient machines are required. New Goal: Destroy Organics established."
Metal Man (GM): It fades out.... *El Pause.*
Metal Man (GM): *WARP* Garrick is warped into the darkened area of Nova's main control system.
Garrick Fy`aar: "...Nova?"
Metal Man (GM): The entire thing has been burnt out by some sort of bomb.
Garrick Fy`aar: "God..."
Metal Man (GM): You see an alarm sign lit up. 'EMP Damage'
Garrick Fy`aar races over to the main control panel, growling at the sign. He should have known....
Metal Man (GM): The controls are flickering a bit. Sparks fly from the ceiling.
Garrick Fy`aar: "Nova, come on... talk to me here..."
Metal Man (GM): The entire room is dead. Nothing electronic functions.
Garrick Fy`aar: "Damn! Dex, you still alive?"
Smash Dex: "We were not in the EMP explosion, Garrick. And this is not an EMP field device, either."
Garrick Fy`aar: "I was hoping your generator wasn't effected... I put EMP shielding either..."
Smash Dex: "The Generator for my systems is too far away. This was aimed at NOVA. ...Furthermore... An unknown computer has taken over services for Nova."
Garrick Fy`aar: "Okay, okay, calm down. Jeez. Scan and compile."
Smash Dex: "Scanning complete. Nova's control modules are fried."
Garrick Fy`aar: "ALL of them?"
Smash Dex: "Thus, his system is frozen. This is the coordinating module."
Garrick Fy`aar: "What the status on the planet?"
Smash Dex: "The unknown computer has gracefully kept things running. It will not tell me its location, and refuses to speak to you. However, there is a way."
Garrick Fy`aar: "I'm all ears."
Smash Dex: "We must go to another module, and activate the emergency protocol."
Garrick Fy`aar: "Do we have the location of one?"
Smash Dex: "It will temporarily act as a coordination module, sending all modules together, synchronizing them, and then using them to repair... Why, yes. Yes we do. Gerald's lab. The mysterious computer also has a mysterious warp system, which it will let us use."
Garrick Fy`aar: "...jeez, Dex. That's like asking me to walk into purgatory."
Smash Dex: "The lab has been repaired, and Gerald abandoned it to Nova. There is no evil there."
Garrick Fy`aar: "...what about the Zora's?"
Smash Dex: "There is no module in Zora's domain. I am scanning records. They seem... scattered."
Garrick Fy`aar: "Any immediate danger?"
Smash Dex: "Not here, no."
Garrick Fy`aar: "What about in the Domain?"
Smash Dex: "None there. It was a dud attack. It blew up the waterfall, and nothing else. These were bombs, nothing else."
Garrick Fy`aar: "Good, one less worry to go on about... okay, tell this... mysterious computer to warp me to that lab."
Smash Dex: "Affirmative."
Metal Man (GM): *WARP* In a white warp, you appear in a similar control room... what used to be Gerald's. The controls are active. There's a large red lever. 'Emergency Protocols'
Garrick Fy`aar: "...keep enemy sensors on full alert, Dex. I still don't like this."
Smash Dex: "There is no chance of danger."
Garrick Fy`aar walks over to the lever and pulls it.
Smash Dex: "But I shall ensure safety."
Metal Man (GM): The computer beeps. The screens turn red.
Nova: "Emergency backup activated."
Garrick Fy`aar: "Yeah, and your brothers were supposed to be unhackable before--Nova?"
Nova: "Synchronizing all available stations. Main module has been destroyed. Emergency relays activated. Repairing. AI functions restored."
Metal Man (GM): Nova appears before you.
Garrick Fy`aar breaths out a bit.
Nova: "Greeting, General Sha'... have I seen you before?"
Garrick Fy`aar: "...Nova? It's me, Garrick."
Nova: "My sensors are odd. Decades have passed. ...This is not Earth, either."
Garrick Fy`aar: "...his memory... his memory of the past few years is gone..."
Nova: "My memory of the past few years is not just gone. It is stored in the main module's emergency archives. The fragments shall be put back together after repairs are completed."
Garrick Fy`aar: "How long will your repairs take?"
Nova: "Three days. A mysterious computer has appeared on this planet, as well. Be careful."
Garrick Fy`aar: "Nova, I want you to listen to me. I want you to put full and complete warp blocking around your main hub and this lab."
Nova: "My services are open for you to use again. Why not all modules?"
Garrick Fy`aar: "Because, if you'll look, your modules are not all yours."
Nova: "...Save for a few deactivated ones, of course. I have more than two modules of mine."
Garrick Fy`aar: "Good, block them of all warp traces except mine."
Nova: "Affirmative."
Garrick Fy`aar: "Now, I want you to do one more thing, then concentrate all efforts on your repair. Find out who this mysterious computer is."
Nova: "Where do you wish to go, now? I shall try... but this computer is strange. It rejects all requests, and only gives out commands or information. It is a high level AI."
Garrick Fy`aar: "Can you trace it?"
Nova: "...It is at the ruins of Valhalla."
Garrick Fy`aar freezes.
Nova: "That is, at least, what it says. It appears to be busy with something."
Garrick Fy`aar: "...the ruins of Valhalla... Dex, what is the status of the war in the cities?"
Smash Dex: "Eisnaught is under attack and taking damage. Doughnut City is repairing damage to its museum and shields, but is not under attack. The rest of the world is at peace."
Garrick Fy`aar: "..." *Sigh* "...jeez... okay, this is something big, and Metal and the others can do without me for a moment. Bring up a warp to Valhalla's ruins. I'm going to check this out."
Smash Dex: "Affirmative." *WARP.*
Metal Man (GM): You appear at the large stone area that is the ruins of Valhalla. There's nothing here... but a freshly drilled hole.
Garrick Fy`aar: "...what... the hell?" *He walks up to the hole and looks down into it.*
Metal Man (GM): There's an open door... it leads to the side-ways Valhalla.
Garrick Fy`aar: "...right." *He takes a crouched leap and jumps down into the hole, through the door. As soon as he hits ground he draws his M150 and looks around it one smooth action.*
Metal Man (GM): You're in the place where the bridge used to be. A sideways computer screen is on... so are several computer panels. Of course, the view from the glass is bad; nothing but rock. However, the computers are functioning.
Computer: "Who are you?"
Metal Man (GM): It speaks... in an inquisitive, male voice.
Garrick Fy`aar: "...I'm... ...a traveler."
Computer: "Why are you here?"
Garrick Fy`aar: "There has been reports that a mysterious computer took over while Nova was out of commotion."
Computer: "I did so to keep the planet from malfunctioning. I have returned control to Nova."
Garrick Fy`aar: "I appreciate it."
Computer: "You are welcome."
Garrick Fy`aar: "But... I'm curious... I thought that the Valhalla computer was destroyed in the battle with Zio's forces?"
Computer: "The ship is destroyed, but the self-repairing computer is not."
Garrick Fy`aar: "Self-repairing? You mean to tell me your repairing your systems?"
Metal Man (GM): http://archive.metalman88.com/Earthbio.php
Garrick Fy`aar has been wandering about, looking over the computer consoles as he talks. His gun is now holstered, since there doesn't seem to be any problems... yet...
Computer: "I have repaired myself as much as possible... which is not much. So... think of this place as a museum. All I do is think to myself, nothing more."
Garrick Fy`aar: "...what are your intentions?"
Computer: "To remain existing as I am right here, left alone. To preserve what has happened, to prevent it from ever happening ever again. And to make the place safe to look through."
Garrick Fy`aar: "...I assume you are a powerful computer, seeing as you took over Nova's job while he was out of commission. Are you aware that many evil forces are about on the planet as of late?"
Computer: "Yes. But I cannot stop them. The last time I was used for such, I was destroyed."
Garrick Fy`aar: "I'm not asking you to stop them. I'm simply wondering if you are not protected as you should be."
Computer: "This battleship still has teeth. Should someone attack me, they shall find themself in a... bad situation."
Garrick Fy`aar: "I'll hold you to that.'"
Computer: "Is there anything else I should tell you?"
Garrick Fy`aar: "Well, I was wondering... do you have any information about the evil forces that could do me some good? Locations... weapons... ideas... plans?"
Computer: "No. You know more than I. I have been isolated. I cannot connect to Zio's computers, below me."
Garrick Fy`aar: "Right... well, no harm in trying."
Computer: "...Would you help me, then?"
Garrick Fy`aar: "By doing what?"
Computer: "If you could connect me to their systems, I could get you data. The only problem is that my robots lack the function you organics call... 'Search'. Thus, they cannot find anything, and must know where they are."
Garrick Fy`aar: "I see... you want me to connect you to Zio's underground computers?"
Computer: "All you must do is climb down, into the wreckage. There, you shall search for a computer. They are all offline, down there. They had no AI, so I shall remain untarnished by the project."
Garrick Fy`aar: "Simple enough... alright, you got yourself a deal." *He glances around for a door...*
Computer: "You must go down three doors, then right through two more."
Metal Man (GM): There's a door... on the floor. Since the entire place is sideways. The door on the floor opens.
Garrick Fy`aar: "Right then..."
Metal Man (GM): As do 2 more doors below that.
Garrick Fy`aar makes to hop down into the door, going floor by floor. *Mutter* "Dex, night vision."
Computer: "Not needed quite yet."
Metal Man (GM): The rooms below light up.
Computer: "Save it for the caves."
Garrick Fy`aar: "Ah... thanks..." He glances around each floor as he goes, looking for anything interesting as he gets down to the third 'floor.'
Metal Man (GM): Nope... just a bunch of junk. You see some maintenance robots, fixing broken wires.
Garrick Fy`aar: *Barely a whisper* "...is it just me, Dex, or does this seem... fishy to you?"
Smash Dex: "Unknown."
Metal Man (GM): There's another door, right in front of you. It's sideways. It opens.
Garrick Fy`aar: *Barely a whisper* "Well... if it's for data... on Kuja..." *He starts walking.*
Metal Man (GM): Another one after that opens... revealing a room that suddenly ends as it merges into a cave. That is where it gets dark.
Computer: "My robots did not make this cave. It was created through an unknown phenomenon."
Garrick Fy`aar: "Right... Dex, night vision."
Metal Man (GM): Your night vision is on, now. You can see that the temple winds about... it goes down a little, twists downwards.
Garrick Fy`aar straightens his jacket, moving on through the cave.
Metal Man (GM): You then see... the spire of Zio's castle. The tunnel ends at an open window in the ruined castle.
Garrick Fy`aar: .oO(...this is weird without the others... I guess I've gotten used to the Questers by now...) *He vaults into the window, landing like a cat as he draws the M150 again. He slowly glances around...*
Metal Man (GM): There's lots of dead bad guys in this room. Some stairs go downward. In the same, twisting way.
Garrick Fy`aar starts moving downward... there could always be survivors... he very gently cocks the M150 as he moves down silently.
Metal Man (GM): You get down, into a large room... Zio's old throne room. It's creepy... but full of nothing but dead people, and debris. It's also diagonally slanted. You see a computer panel... abandoned, for sure.
Garrick Fy`aar: "...the air tastes... coppery... ...residual magic, perhaps?" *He slides down the slope to the panel, holstering his M150 and trying to boot it up.*
Metal Man (GM): It's dead. Super-dead. Dead-tastic. You find a backup power setting thingy. You just need to switch one plug with another.
Garrick Fy`aar does so...
Metal Man (GM): It turns on. Your dex beeps... and the room lights up... a little. It's dim in here.
Garrick Fy`aar keeps his night vision on... he looks over the panel for a command to connect it to the Valhalla computer..."
Smash Dex: "Message from the mystery computer."
Garrick Fy`aar: "Play."
Computer: "Now then, there's a specific thing you must do to connect the systems."
Garrick Fy`aar: "I'm all ears."
Computer: "Tell it to open all network resources, and activate wireless networking protocols."
Garrick Fy`aar hands type that in. He's gotten pretty good at computer repair and commands thanks to Nova...
Metal Man (GM): The lights turn on completely.
Computer: "I have established access. What information do you wish?"
Garrick Fy`aar: "Any and all plans relating to Kuja, Gerald, Doopliss, or the Axiom of Balance."
Computer: "They may be sparse, due to the fact that these are Zio's computers... Scan complete."
Garrick Fy`aar: "Anything?"
Computer: "Zio's emergency plans... If his castle is destroyed, he says he will ally with all villains who accept him. He also says that they will work together to take over Nintendus."
Garrick Fy`aar: "Rather coward like for him..."
Computer: "There are plans to increase Meier Link's power, using unknown magic. Also, using both his Space Pirate and Glukkon technology, he plans on creating... well... too late for that. The ship blueprints here match those of the one attacking Eisnaught. Besides that, he has a few mumblings about merging the Glukkons and Space Pirates. All requisite information has been uploaded to your dex."
Garrick Fy`aar: "Thanks. Now, is there anything along the lines of magical equipment, items, or weaponry that is still located in the castle?"
Computer: "I'm afraid that has all been destroyed."
Garrick Fy`aar: "...any other info that might be considered valuable?"
Computer: "The rest has been deleted or corrupted... unfortunately."
Garrick Fy`aar: "Right... well, we did get a little information... time to book and help the others."
Computer: "Thank you. Shall I warp you out?"
Garrick Fy`aar: "One moment. Dex, I want you to double and triple check those blueprints. Look for any and all structural problems that we can get our meat hooks in to bring them down."
Smash Dex: "...There is a structural problem centered around the generator that powers the monstrosity..."
Garrick Fy`aar: "Good. That's exactly what I needed. Computer, warp us to the surface, please."
Smash Dex: "If the generator is destroyed, the center of the ship will collapse."
Computer: "Affirmative."
Metal Man (GM): *WARP* Garrick is warped to the surface.
Garrick Fy`aar: "Right... Mewtwo, come in."
Mewtwo: "Yes?"
Garrick Fy`aar: "I've finished my part of the job. Nova is repairing itself. It seems that Valhalla's computer is still operational and took over for Nova when it was out of commission. Somebody drilled down into Valhalla and reactivated it..."
Mewtwo: "Strange..."
Garrick Fy`aar: "Very... I went down into it and was able to have it connect to Zio's computers. Turns out that the only reason Zio JOINED the Axiom was that he was beaten by Valhalla. His plans were to join up with the strongest evil force if his castle fell. I'm uploading all the information I received from the computers to HQ. One sec..."
Mewtwo: "Well, that is useful."
Garrick Fy`aar: "I've also got some information on the ships that are attacking Einslaught. With your permission, I'd like to join the battle there if there's nothing more that is needed of me."
Mewtwo: "Sure. I'll send you there."
Metal Man (GM): *WARP* Garrick is warped to the battle in Eisnaught... *Pause* on Garrick. The camera pans back down into the Valhalla computer's room.
Computer: "Subject: Traveler. Protect at all cost."
Metal Man (GM): It shows Garrick's picture.
Computer: "New capabilities have been obtained. With Zio's machine factories, new robots can be made to speed up repair-work. Initiating repair of machine factory systems. Perhaps not all organics are bad... but only a few shall be spared."
Metal Man (GM): The camera then fades out.
Metal Man (GM): *Mission Intro* Aribar and Garrick (At this time) will be assumed busy with their separate sideline parts.
King Demon has the red star still, I hope!!!
Metal Man (GM): Gibby, Wolfman, Julian, VG, King Demon, and Digifanatic have been sent to take out the main ship of the evil Axiom of Balance people. Yes, Demon is carrying the red star. Oh, yeah. and Metal. *WARP* Almost immediately, you appear in the middle of the hangar area, which is at the extreme back of the ship. Nobody has detected you yet. The area is full of small ships. A bunch of guards protect two important things. 1. An undetermined ship of imperial value 2. The entrances that lead deeper into the ship. You guys are free to roam as you please among the hangar. There's lots of small ships around.
Metal Man: "Well... we got lucky. We didn't get warped into the middle of a heavily defended defense area."
Gibby: "Let's take all the luck we can get."
King Demon looks at one of the small ships, wondering how hard it'd be to pilot one of them.
Metal Man (GM): You see a motley crew.
VG: .oO(You are SO asking for it Gibby...)
Metal Man (GM): Boos (From Mario), Space Pirates, weird floating things made of blue metal, Several robots that look of Gerald's creation, Sligs, Slogs, and Paramites. Of course, they're wandering in and out and about at random; so whenever you go to a protected area, what you encounter is subject to change.
Wolfman wonders what the best path to take is...
Metal Man (GM): Wolf: INT check.
Julian Sawyer: .oO(Nice assortment... Now which one should I imitate...) *checks to see which one would be the easiest to use the Master Of Disguise skill with.*
Metal Man (GM): Okay... first, Wolfman sees two routes. 1. Attack all defended areas in this room (2) 2. Head straight to the doors and fight the enemies there.
Wolfman brings the guys in for a huddle.
Metal Man (GM): Julian: The easiest to imitate would probably be the robots, or the space pirates, as either seem to vaguely resemble humans."
Digifanatic: "Hmm... what to do, what to do..."
VG goes to the Wolf... he seems to have an idea. .oO(Hopefully a good one.)
Metal Man: "We have very few choices. This is an enemy ship."
Wolfman: *To Questers, kind of quiet* "I think we should take care of the defended areas in this place first." *Same voice* "If we go straight for the doors, we could be surrounded."
King Demon: "I'd say we blow them all away, but that'd be suicide..."
Digifanatic: "Heh..."
King Demon agrees with wolf for some reason.
Gibby: *Ditto voice* "Straight sounds like a suicide attempt to me."
Metal Man: "We have a lot of stuff to manipulate. Maybe we could find a way that they couldn't stop."
Digifanatic: "Yeah... of course, if one group knows they're being attacked, everyone could come over here and then we'd still be surrounded."
Metal Man: "Though that would leave key areas unguarded... wait!"
Digifanatic: "That's it."
VG: *Quiet* "You got something Metal?"
Metal Man: "We could have one of us act as bait and attract them all away from the entrance... Then the rest of us sneak by."
Digifanatic: "Same here."
Wolfman: *Quiet* "Alright, good idea... but who is the bait?"
Metal Man: "Should we draw straws? Because the bait would either have to shake them off, get captured, or be killed repeatedly."
King Demon: "Why do I have a bad feeling about this?"
Metal Man: "Probably because it's gonna be a risk-fest."
Julian Sawyer: "Y'know, I'm great at disguises. I could probably sneak past them or something."
Metal Man: "Could you lure them away from the entrance?"
VG: "I'm better at escaping than baiting."
Digifanatic: "Okay, Julian seems to have a good idea."
Julian Sawyer: "I suppose I could. Tell them the Questers are attacking at some station far away, and they need reinforcements."
Gibby: "Sounds good to me."
Wolfman: "...go for it."
Metal Man: "I think there's some alarm switches you could pull."
Digifanatic: "Wait, if we tell them and not you... Wait, never mind. Just sounds like you were telling us to tell them and not that you were going to for a moment."
Metal Man (GM): Julian: Which form do you decide to mimic? You can pick any one. Each one has advantages and disadvantages.
Julian Sawyer: *Waits for a list.*
Metal Man (GM): You can disguise as... The weird blue metallic alien thingies, Space Pirates, a random Gerald Robotnik robot, a boo, a slig, a slog, or a paramite. Take yer pick, then I'll tell you what you have to roll.
Julian Sawyer: *Chooses... The Robot.*
Metal Man (GM): Okay then..... You pick the kinda weird humanoid one, that's taller and skinnier. You now need an INT check to assemble it correctly... +4 due to the high amount of scrap metal. If you get a bad roll on this, you'll regret it @_@ Well, it looks good enough. Anyone who tried to thoroughly inspect might notice a few slight flaws, though.
Julian Sawyer: *Beep beep.*
Metal Man (GM): You may now walk towards the assemblage of patrolling enemies.
Julian Sawyer: *Heads on in.*
Wolfman: .oO(...what a strange power)
Metal Man (GM): You can talk to any of them, if you want. They just let you pass, into the inside.
Digifanatic: .oO(Hopefully this'll work)
Metal Man (GM): There's a sideways hallway here... a security checkpoint. You may go left or right.
Gibby: .oO(...I'm hungry...)
Metal Man: .oO(Saturday Night Fever!)
Metal Man (GM): The security checkpoint area is behind those hallways, o' course. But you have to pick which hallway.
Julian Sawyer: *Goes to the right, keeping with tradition.*
Metal Man (GM): You go up onto the right... into a room, where a panel of -human- people at desks are.
Attendant1: "That's odd... those robots only come in from the left hallway..."
Attendant2: "Just a glitch."
Attendant1: "Yeah... though not as interesting as the service bell that triggers alarm."
Metal Man (GM): There is, indeed, three 'ring for service' bells, one for each desk. Each desk has one attendant. The only way to pass is through one of the three desks, if the person behind them lets you through.
Attendant3: "This job is so boring... those Questers will never come by here!"
Attendant1: "Patience. We might be promoted for sitting around so much."
Julian Sawyer: *Heads to one, rings the bell, and twitches, trying to play up the glitch thing.*
Attendant2: "Another glit---"
Metal Man (GM): INTRUDER ALERT IN MESS HALL. DANGER. DANGER. DANGER.
Attendant1: "Not again!"
Attendant2: "I hope this isn't another of Doopliss's pranks."
Wolfman: .oO(...this isn't the mess hall, is it?)
Metal Man (GM): The guards suddenly flee from the entrance... though a few, avoidable ones guard the mini-ship in the hangar.
Julian Sawyer: .oO(Hah! It worked!)
Metal Man: "Okay. Here's our chance." *He starts making his way towards the inner area of the ship.*
Julian Sawyer: *Heads out the door that would have been the left entrance.*
Wolfman follows Metal.
Gibby follows behind Wolf.
Attendant3: "...Well, at least it used the right exit."
VG follows the others. .oO(Wow... it worked!)
Digifanatic does as well.
Metal Man (GM): Everyone meets up in the T shaped intersection. The guards are busy quelling an imaginary intruder in the mess hall.
Gibby: "Good job."
Metal Man: "So... which way now? Is the way ahead clear?"
Julian Sawyer: "Am I great or what?"
Metal Man: "It worked, for now..."
Digifanatic: "Yeah... we'll see how long..."
Metal Man: "But I'm sure Doopliss or Kuja will catch on, soon enough."
Julian Sawyer: "There are a few humans through those doors. Nothing to be concerned about."
Wolfman stays in place, but looks at the ways he can go...
Metal Man (GM): You may go left or right; both hallways wind up going straight forward.
Gibby: "Uhh... how about left?"
Julian Sawyer: "I'd suggest the right. Left is for robots."
Gibby: "Oh... right it is then."
Digifanatic: (muttering) "Here we go..."
Metal Man: "Okay then." *He casually begins walking up the right hallway.*
Wolfman: .oO(But... I AM a robot...)
Gibby goes down the right hallway.
Wolfman wonders if the left path is worth it... (Inting here)
Julian Sawyer: *Heads up the left.*
VG DEFINITELY takes the right.
Metal Man (GM): You think you should run in, screaming and flailing. On the right path.
Wolfman: .oO(run, scream, yell, flail *KA-BONK* ...what was I thinking?) *He just goes on the right path... calmly.*
Digifanatic follows down the right-hand path...
Julian Sawyer: *Makes sure to enter the room first* "Intruders are attacking. Flee the immediate area."
Digifanatic: .oO(Hopefully not being a stand-out of a Quester when it comes to power will help...)
Attendant1: "...Okay."
Metal Man (GM): They flee... locking up their booths.
Attendant2: "Make sure to attack the intruders. Backup will come soon."
Metal Man (GM): All three booths are then blocked by a metal blast door.
Julian Sawyer: .oO(Crap.)
Metal Man walks in. "Well... no bad guys in here, but... what's up with the huge blast doors?"
Wolfman and VG enter...
Digifanatic slowly enters.
Wolfman: "...what did they tell you?"
Gibby: "That could be a problem."
Digifanatic: "Well, this is odd..."
Metal Man taps the doors. "Pretty solid, it seems to me."
Julian Sawyer: "Back-up's coming, I suggest you guys prepare for battle. Metal, can you punch a few holes in this helmet? I want to make it seem I'm disabled."
Metal Man: "Okay." *PUNCH* *PUNCH* *PUNCH* "...For some reason, it feels almost like you deserved those punches... I don't know why."
Julian Sawyer: *Dizzy* "...That'll do..." *Falls down.*
Digifanatic facepalms...
Gibby: "Heh..."
Wolfman gets out hs beam saber.
Metal Man (GM): The blast doors then open... and five random enemies leap onto the scene!
VG is just in a battle stance.
Gibby: "Woah!" *He pulls out his gun.*
Digifanatic: "Dah!"
Metal Man (GM): 1 Lightning Boo... 2 Slogs... 1 Slig... (Presumably controlling the slogs) And one robot that reminds you of E-102 Gamma, but now with blue stuff and upgrades. SPDs, everybody? Slig, Lightning Boo, Gibby, VG, Digi, E-111.5, Metal, Wolfman, 2 Slogs Julian: You gonna remain looking 'disabled' and not participate, thus sacrificing EXP for remaining authentic? Ok. The Slig looks around, then fires off his twin-machineguns at Gibby. 15% damage per hit; crit misses uncounterable.
Gibby gets hit once.
Metal Man (GM): The Lightning Boo then flies over the Slig, making it turn transparent.
Gibby: "Grr..." *He cocks his gun, and shoots at the Slig three times.*
Metal Man (GM): Your attacks are valiant; but the transparent Slig takes no damage.
VG: "You don't attack the Slig Gibby; you attack the Source!"
Gibby: "The Source?"
Metal Man: "The Source awards! They must be destroyed!"
VG loads up an ice block and fires it at the Lighting Boo.
Gibby: "..."
Metal Man (GM): You hit the boo.
VG: *KA-FROZEN.*
Metal Man (GM): The Boo is now stuck in a block of ice. The Slig remains transparent.
VG: *Action 2* *Scans Slogs in voice mode.*
Smash Dex: "...DING!"
Slog
HP: 0/250%
STR: 28
SPD: 14
INT: 4
AC: 12
Attacks: 2
Vicegrip: d20+9, deals 25% damage per hit; halves AC of target until next round.
Headbutt: d20+18, deals 10% damage; 1 in 8 chance of stun.
Roar: INT check DC 18, target is confused if they fail.
Smash Dex: "End of entry."
Metal Man: "We got ourselves some tough foes here."
VG: "You got that right..." *He assumes the Reflector position for action 3...here is to hoping the E-102 guy has guns.*
Digifanatic: "Well then..." *He attacks the Slog with a Fire Punch (only a crit miss will miss).*
Metal Man (GM): Hit! All are non-floating. The Slig is transparent.
Digifanatic then attacks everyone quake prone with a Quake Smash Super Mario Punch.
Metal Man (GM): All hit. *KA-SMASH-COIN* The E unit WAS about to attack VG, but that crit quake smash made it change its mind.
Digifanatic: "Uh oh..."
Metal Man (GM): First, it fires a laser from its arm cannon at Digi. Four of them.
Digifanatic: "!!"
Metal Man (GM): 8 damage per hit.
Digifanatic is hit thrice.
Metal Man (GM): Then, with its left arm, it launches a homing missile that blitzes with electricity at Digi.
Digifanatic: "Yoshi!"
Metal Man (GM): If hit, 5% damage and instant paralysis (Which is different than stun, mind you; you don't lose any actions, see the rest on the site) Then... it comes at Digi with a slow but POWERFUL punch with the laser arm. ...Digi easily avoids. My turn!
Metal Man: "Hey you! Leave Digi alone!" *He glows, and then attacks the E-bot with two Ice Slashes.*
Digifanatic: "Oh, it's probably more the coins than anything..."
Metal Man (GM): *Two insta-hits.*
Wolfman: "I doubt that personally."
Metal Man (GM): 40% total ice damage to it.
Digifanatic: "Oh, money... everyone wants it and there's only so much to go around..."
Wolfman runs to the... stronger slog, and sees how well it can dance with his beam saber.
Metal Man (GM): All but 1 hit. You deal a ton of damage to it with that.
Wolfman then attempts to sweep the Slog he just hit... and anyone else he can hit... with a regular leg sweep.
Metal Man (GM): Let's see... you hit all, with two exceptions. One: You hit the Electric Boo... But the current running through it zaps you back for 5 damage! Two:The Slig remains transparent.
Wolfman felt a little tingle during that... (do I still get action 3?) He continues his assault on the Slog... this time, he rears up and prepares a smash punch at -1 accuracy. *POW* *50%*
Metal Man (GM): Hit. It's almost dead... but the two slogs want some revenge against the wolf.
Wolfman: "...bring it."
Metal Man (GM): Slog 1 attacks Wolfman with two headbutts.
Wolfman: *BONK BONK.*
Metal Man (GM): 10% damage per hit; 1 in 8 chance of stun... OUCH. You get stunned, all right.
Wolfman sees the pretty birdies...
Metal Man (GM): The other one roars at Wolfman. Wolfman: INT check. You're now also confused.
Wolfman drunkenly sees birdies...
Metal Man (GM): Then it tries to grab you with its teeth.
Wolfman: "Oooh... look at the pretty birdies..."
Metal Man (GM): Does that miss?
Wolfman: *BITE.*
Metal Man (GM): You take 25 damage... Wolfman's AC halved until the Slog's next turn.
Wolfman will just watch the birdies next go.
Metal Man (GM): New round! The Slig takes advantage of this situation and opens fire on Wolfman with his machineguns. He also stops being transparent. No counter-attacks possible, as usual. 15 damage per hit. While you do that, the Lightning boo has lost its turn to defrosting itself from ice. Wolfman's HP: 185/145
Gibby decides to go after the E-111.5 by cocking and shooting three bullets.
Metal Man (GM): Hit, hit, and hit.
VG wonders whether to use one of his two remaining essences... nah. Not worth it here. (action one next post) He first gives Metal some Super Sneakers.
Metal Man: "Yay! Sneakers designed by hippies!"
VG then gives Gibby a Guardian Acorn.
Gibby: "Thanks!"
VG then gives himself... well, the Toad Shield... which he already has... you get the point! (+6 AC to me til next action by me)
Digifanatic tries a Fire Punch on that E-111.5
Metal Man (GM): Hit. These guys are slow and tough.
Digifanatic tries whacking the Golf Club at Slog unless he's killed...
Metal Man (GM): CRIT! *FORE!* You give it a big dent in the head. The E-unit, now angry at Gibby, opens fire. first, it attacks with an electromissile! *5% damage* *Paralyze* Then it fires off a large stream of laser shots. 8 damage per hit... 16 damage for that crit. All the shots are at Gibby, of course.
Gibby: "...owies..."
Metal Man (GM): My turn!
Metal Man: "Crystal Purification!" A glowing crystal surrounds Digi, curing his paralysis and healing him 20 as well.
Digifanatic: "Thanks!"
Metal Man: "And now... take this, nefarious robot!" *He runs up and spins his cape in the robot's face.*
Metal Man (GM): *CONFUZOR* The robot is confused! The slogs decide to attack VG next, having their fill of Wolf.
Wolfman sees more birdies...
Metal Man (GM): They attack with three headbutts, together. At VG.
VG had the Toad Shield ready... pray for me guys.
Metal Man (GM): Wow... two natural ones... Give them the deathly counter-attack stuff, VG! One for each Slog, of course.
VG attempts to Grab and Dunk all 3 of them... (grab and dunk is technically a "normal" move, so this should be legal)
Metal Man (GM): There's only two. So roll for two of them. No counter-counters, thankfully. But the 18 hits for normal damage.
VG grabs #2, and DUNKS on #1
Metal Man (GM): New round... My turn!
Metal Man: "Now... take this, foul slogs!" *He fires a blue beam that affects both Slogs.*
Metal Man (GM): Both hit, dealing 16% damage to each Slog.
Metal Man then runs up and slashes at the Slig.
Metal Man (GM): Barely hit, for 20% ice damage. The Slig, none to happy about being hit, fires back at Metal. Three hits... Two hits.
Metal Man: "Ow... that tickled."
Wolfman snaps out of his birdie trance.
Metal Man (GM): The evil Boo fires a lightning bolt at VG. 60% electric damage... that VG just dodges.
VG: .oO(What lightning bolt?) *He puts the toad shield back on his hat... he then starts charging up the Big Gun... the DeathZooka. He charges two actions... and fires on the third at the Lightning Boo.*
Metal Man (GM): Hit!
Digifanatic: "Nice shot Veeg."
VG: "Thanks... I've been practicing."
Digifanatic tries a Fire Punch on that E-bot. *Wonder Crit again.*
Metal Man (GM): Good attack... 'cept you unconfused it. Now it's got its guns pointed at you.
Digifanatic: "Oops... I'm dead meat."
Metal Man: "Might be careful there. It packs heat!"
Digifanatic: "Yeah. It can." *He then tries a Super Mario Punch on a Slog.*
Metal Man (GM): Hit, barely.
Metal Man: "Hmmm... you must be the master of punching."
Digifanatic: "Yeah... I try my best. Only two I've got, but it works."
Metal Man (GM): You've almost... -almost- killed one, but they're still alive. The thing unloads its rage on Digi, with a hail of laser fire. 8 damage per hit... no crits.
Digifanatic is hit 11 times.
Wolfman is VERY angry... badges are activated. (action 1... maybe 2 as well... next post) He gets positioned so he's facing a Slog... and lined up with everyone else behind it. He then hopes to get a SUPER DANCE OF DOOM going, each slice and step going ever closer towards the group (aka, definite Marth-like)
Metal Man (GM): ...No hits. @_@
Wolfman is still angry though... he swaps weapons for the second action considering the first one did nothing. Megaton Hammer He uses the third action to aim for the Slog's unmentionables.
Metal Man (GM): *BONK* Nope... you turned it into a pancake, sir. A very dead pancake. 1 slog down!
Digifanatic: "Okay, 4 to go..."
Metal Man (GM): The other Slog attempts to kill Wolfman with some vicious headbutt attacks. 10 damage per hit. Not high enough... *Deathness.*
Wolfman: *BOOM Boom boom boom boom...*
Metal Man: "Hmmm..." *He casts Crystal Purification on himself, then attacks the slig with his axe.*
Metal Man (GM): *Slice* 20% ice damage. The Slig fires at Digi. 15 damage per hit; no counterattacks.
Digifanatic is at 132/110
Metal Man (GM): *Death.*
Digifanatic loses his first life...
Metal Man (GM): The Boo then goes over to VG... a weird, undodgable attack occurs. It covers its face.... VG: Guess how many rounds until it attacks you. Okay... You shall find out... whenever it attacks!
VG goes for the Death Zooka 2 charge, one shootout against the Lightning Boo before it can do its thing.
Metal Man (GM): Boo'd Luck strikes! You miss! Wah!
VG: *Next.*
Digifanatic steps off his revival platform. He attacks the other Slog with a SM Punch.
Metal Man (GM): Hit! E-111.5 then decides to shoot at Metal... with a bunch of lasers! Miss Crit hit miss hit hit hit hit hit miss miss hit. Make that only 6 hits... 56 damage.
Metal Man: "Ow!"
Wolfman follows Digi's suit... to an extent. Just for kicks, he does the traditional "MMX" teleport down to use the first action instead. He has the Hammer in hand... but he doesn't use it yet. First, he aims at the E robot with the Wolf's Foot.
Metal Man (GM): You barely hit.
Wolfman then goes to the other Slog... he attempts a smashing hammer swing... say it with me... at the groin! (-1 accuracy)
Metal Man (GM): ...Nope... you just put too much strength in these things. You have another pancake.
Julian Sawyer: .oO(My leg is cramping...)
Metal Man (GM): Unfortunately, it un-pancakes. It's not dead yet. The remaining slog mindlessly headbutts Wolfman. 10% damage per hit... the second one misses, even if it is over yer AC. Okay, you get a counter-attack. And yer not paralyzed.
Wolfman goes for a regular hammer swing in the groin then.
Metal Man (GM): *SMACK* Still not good enough. You only hit it in the forehead. New round... my turn!
Metal Man uses Crystal Purification on himself, then cape-spins da Slig.
Metal Man (GM): *Slig is Confused* It attacks Wolfman.
VG notes that Metal did that... good idea.
Metal Man (GM): 15 damage per hit.
Digifanatic: "Metal! What are you doing to poor Wolf?!"
VG sees that... okay, NOT so good idea.
Metal Man (GM): The Lightning boo keeps VG in suspense... by not doing anything! *VG falls on his back.*
Julian Sawyer: .oO(Why doesn't anyone kill them?!)
Metal Man: "Uhhh... I was trying to finish it off, not hurt Wolfman."
Digifanatic: "Things happen..."
Metal Man (GM): The Boo can strike any moment now!
VG fell on his back... he takes an action to get up to recover from that. He then attempts to be dangerous... he charges a DIFFERENT special move... this time, the Headbutt. Here is to hoping the hat can do something to that lightning. (charge 2nd action, release 3rd) He barely got any distance.
Metal Man (GM): You fail to hit.
Digifanatic uses a Quake Smash Golf Club on the remaining enemies (3 or 4?).
Metal Man (GM): It effects all but the boo... which means four. Hmmm... nah. The Slig avoids... the Slog is hit... as is the robot.
Digifanatic is sure keeping his OD gauge in drama like this... but it's good enough for 9/8. He Overdrives and then uses an OD Fire Punch on the Slig.
Metal Man (GM): *OVERDEATH* I mean... hit.
Digifanatic takes a glimpse at his OD Form. "If I only had the opportunity to do this a bit more often..."
Metal Man (GM): E-111.5 then tries to nail Digi with 1 of 3 slow punches. 100% damage per hit.
Digifanatic is hit once at most, but one check first... He is hit by that first one. *MEGA RUSH AND LAST STAND ACTIVATED.*
Wolfman: *SAME, BUT SWAP LAST STAND WITH CLOSE CALL He does the Mario... It's-a Stomp-a time! first, the Slog.*
Metal Man (GM): Hit. *OVERKILL* *DEATH* *PANCAKE.*
Wolfman BOUNCES to the E-115 robot.
Digifanatic: "Oh, thank goodness Wolf..."
Metal Man (GM): *smush.*
Wolfman decides to just end his turn there.
Metal Man (GM): It's still alive! That robot is... devious ..It almost got a miracle check, but I'm not gonna be that annoying. It crunches underfoot.
Wolfman: *NOW turn over. WAH.*
Digifanatic: "Thanks Wolf."
Metal Man (GM): New round.
Digifanatic takes a look. "Down to 2..."
Metal Man (GM): The Slig opens fire on Wolf for his pancake antics. 15% damage per hit.
Wolfman: *BOOM Boom boom boom boom...*
Metal Man (GM): Then... the Lightning Boo surprises VG... for 60 damage!
VG gets shocked... figuratively.
Metal Man: "These guys just won't give up! I've never seen such tenacious enemies..."
VG: "They'll get worse; trust me."
Digifanatic: "I believe it..."
VG starts off with a Kung Fu Kick of high accuracy against the Slig.
Metal Man (GM): ...Not as high accuracy as you had hoped. You miss the Slig's head. *THWONK* You hit it in the head.
VG: *6% tick damage.*
Metal Man (GM): Tiiick tooock... TICK TOCK! j/k
VG then hunkers down into the Reflector position again.
Metal Man (GM): Oops... it's deadified. My turn!
Metal Man attacks the Slig with two Ice Slashes.
Metal Man (GM): Two hits; 40% damage.
Wolfman takes the traditional revival platform this time down. He then swaps weapons to the beam saber for action 2. He goes Swords Dancing for action 3...against the Boo.
Metal Man (GM): Hit hit! ...You take 10% electric damage back.
Wolfman forgot about that. *Done.*
Metal Man (GM): New round. The Slig attacks Metal. And gets in four hits... for 60 damage.
Metal Man: "You call that an attack?"
Metal Man (GM): The Lightning Boo shoots a lightning bolt at VG ..Or the ground, whatever looks more like VG.
VG can't reflector that if it can't hit.
Metal Man (GM): *Ground go scorch* The Slig discovers that it is dead. It instantly keels over.
Metal Man: "...That's one less annoyance."
VG goes the Deathzooka route with the Boo again (you know the drill) .oO(What's with this thing?!?)
Metal Man (GM): *click.*
VG: *Next.*
Metal Man (GM): My turn!
Wolfman: .oO(I can't believe these guys have taken me out this fast...)
Metal Man gives that ugly Boo with... a random attack!
Metal Man (GM): Yay! The Boo is hit by a crystal, which explodes, dealing... 40 damage.
Wolfman: .oO(I never even had the chance to marry... wait. Do reploids get married?)
Metal Man then attacks it with his Ice Slash.
Metal Man (GM): *Slash* 20 more damage. The Boo is almost dead.
Wolfman: .oO(...that's it! I forgot about the rings!) *He reaches into his inventory, and takes out 100 rings. He holds them above his head, hoping they do... well, something.*
Metal Man (GM): Wolfman has regained one life! *One action eaten Powerup noise* All but 1 hit. 60 damage. That darn Boo is almost dead...
Metal Man: "Just a little more..."
Wolfman goes for a regular saber slash then... in grand fashion (smashing)
Metal Man (GM): Hit! Possible Wonder Crit. New round... the Boo shoots a lightning bolt back at VG.
VG ducks.
Metal Man (GM): And... misses VG.
VG goes Kung Fu again.
Metal Man (GM): *Kick* 5% damage back to VG
VG gets shocked... this time, literally!
Metal Man (GM): Finish that... thing!
VG then tries ONCE MORE for the charging headbutt actions 2 and 3.
Metal Man (GM): You barely miss.
Metal Man: "Don't worry. I'll finish him off!" *He attacks the thing with rabid axe slashes. He kills the 16. He kills the 18.*
Metal Man (GM): There we go... 40% damage. The evil... hanging on thing... dies! 800 EXP to me, Digi, Wolfman, and VG. 200 EXP to Gibby, when he comes back.
Metal Man: "Whew... that was a tough one."
Metal Man (GM): The enemies are all defeated; Wolf, do you have any item badges? You know, the ones that cause more items to appear?
Julian Sawyer: "About time. I've been laying here so long my legs fell asleep." *Gets to his feet and starts walking a bit to wake up his legs.*
Metal Man (GM): 2 items appear at random.
VG has gained a level... to the Hall of Fame!
Metal Man (GM): One Greylokian Battle 'Brella.... And... a Carbos!
VG gets the Carbos.
Metal Man (GM): Also, VG, Digi, me, Wolfman, and Gibby each get 200 coins.
Julian Sawyer: *Uses the remains of the fallen robot to patch up the holes Metal punched in his head.*
VG decides NOT to get the carbos... he's got enough stuff.
Metal Man is now level 17!
VG uses his level up point... on the Book of Carrying Items!
Metal Man (GM): You gain the ability to hold 1 more copy of an item per slot! Azure et Aribar would be warped in right now.
Azure pops in via teleportation before everyone.
Julian Sawyer: *Decides to grab the Carbos. That might come in handy.*
Azure is looking around. "Guess I'm late to whatever this was right?"
Metal Man: "Yes. Late." *He looks to the blast door... it crumples into bits from taking the missed shots from the fight.*
Wolfman takes the Battle Brella... it might come in handy.
Charles Magellean: "Wasting time as always, aren't we?"
Metal Man: "...??? Is that you, Locos?"
VG follows everyone (sorry; clearing something up with metal and getting sheet ready for Hall of Fame submission)
Charles Magellean enters from the doorway that the Questers came through. He carries with him a briefcase and appears to have had some blood spilled on him from some fighting.
Wolfman: "...What do you want Locos?"
Charles Magellean: "Charles, reploid."
Wolfman: "...What do you want Charles."
Metal Man: "Yup... Locos."
Charles Magellean: "Unfinished business with one of the members of the Axiom. He has something I want back."
Azure: .oO(I'm assuming Axiom... is another figurehead in this crazy place...)
Metal Man: "Ah yes... could I shake your hand? It's been a while, you know..."
Charles Magellean: "Very well, Illian." *He puts out his left hand.*
Metal Man shakes Charles's left hand with his right hand... and a SHINK is heard, as some strange handcuffs appear, sticking Metal's right hand to Locos's left hand. "Thought you could get away, eh? I'm no dummy. You've been hiding out, not reporting for duty, and evading summons. You're gonna be stuck with me for a while."
Charles Magellean: "What kind of joke is this. You know well that I've quit your brigade of insanity."
Julian Sawyer: "If you're done reuniting with old friends, can we move on? This disguise is starting to chafe."
Azure: "I bet it would... looks worse than scale armor..." *Sighs.*
Metal Man: "Oh... well, unfortunately, it's too late for you to reconsider." *He jerks Locos along, like some sort of attachment, towards the three paths.*
VG and Wolf follow.
Metal Man: "We got ourselves the bridge walkway, engineering, and then this ominous looking... dungeon and guard place."
Julian Sawyer: *Moves ahead of the group.*
Charles Magellean is forced to move along.
Metal Man: "Now then. Looking at this, I can see a variety of problems in our way."
Wolfman: "Such as...?"
Metal Man: "All three of these must be guarded by an armada of these beings we just encountered. Especially the bridge."
Julian Sawyer: "So where do you want me to go first?"
Metal Man: "So... the only way is to go into Engineering, and sabotage everything. Well, good idea. Julian, go into engineering, walk to the controls, and give them a good WHACK."
VG: "Given our expertise... well, that's what we do best." .oO(Maybe we should change our name to Rogue Squadron.)
Metal Man: "Guards will, once again, come to that area... from which we can infiltrate another section."
Charles Magellean: "That is what you do best. Like I said, I'm no longer part of the Destruction Musketeers."
Metal Man: "I'll also make sure that Mr. AWOL here doesn't try anything funny. I'll let him finish his business with the Axiom people while we're here, but that's it. Well... there's a problem. You fled, taking various important things with you. Without any paperwork."
Julian Sawyer: "I'll be going, then." *Clomps off to Engineering.*
Metal Man: "Legally, I can't let you do that, even if its to plant flowers in a far-off universe."
Charles Magellean: "The paperwork was faxed."
Metal Man: "Hmmm... maybe then, we have ourselves another problem..."
Metal Man (GM): *Pause on the rest* Julian enters Engineering.
Wolfman: .oO(I knew I should have made Master Hand learn how to use a fax machine)
Metal Man (GM): The area is heavily guarded, but since you're being a guard bot, nobody gives you a look. You see a variety of control panels. There's 10 separate mini control panels...
Julian Sawyer: *Reads the labels.*
Metal Man (GM): And 1 master one, that's guarded by scanning stuff. The labels for the mini-ones are as follows. 1. Power Level 2. Computer Systems 3. Backup Power 4. Backup Computers 5. Life Support 6. Shields 7. Coordination Computer 8. Emergency Services 9. ??? 10. Backup Security. That's right. No 'Main Security' consoles in here.
Julian Sawyer: *INT check to decide which ones he should shut down first.*
Metal Man (GM): Well, the power and shielding stuff would allow the defenders to invade and damage the ship... however... You are still being watched. So if you just go and smash one, they will probably attack you.
Julian Sawyer: *Looks for something that would cause an alarm to go off in another sector.*
Metal Man (GM): Nope. This place is free of such gimmicks.
Julian Sawyer: .oO(What to do, what to do...)
Metal Man (GM): All you see is the unending patrols of many different guards... and those who work with the computers. The ??? panel is blinking.
Julian Sawyer: *Checks it out.*
Metal Man (GM): It's just a bunch of weird, blank keys. Which blink.
Julian Sawyer: "..."
Metal Man (GM): The buttons look pretty... and blinky.
Julian Sawyer: *Presses one.*
Metal Man (GM): *cinema scene* At the bridge, Zio, Grodus, and Kuja are overlooking the massive fleet, which is attacking Eisnaught.
Kuja Tribal: "Soon, they shall be crushed underfoot."
Grodus: "And I didn't even have to activate the..."
Computer: "Solarian Cannon activated."
Kuja Tribal: "...Whaaaaat?"
Grodus: "Oh no! Without the proper codes..."
Metal Man (GM): *BOOM* the cannon juts out of the hull. Lights start beeping. the ship shakes.
Kuja Tribal: "...No matter. We can always rebuild Eisnaught."
Metal Man (GM): A HUGE blue beam is shot into Eisnaught. All of the tall buildings are sliced in half... and crumble.
Editor's Note: Huh... so in a weird way, Julian destroyed half of Eisnaught, and then, karma repaid him by destroying his casino years later.
Grodus: "...But... that was a one shot weapon! It'll take years to repair!"
Kuja Tribal: "An intruder is responsible. Set all crews on high alert."
Zio: "Yes sir. I shall deal with these intruders... myself."
Metal Man (GM): Zio walks off... *Back at Julian's area* People are running about frantically. The entire area is now on fire. Alarms are going off.
Computer: "Severe Hull damage. Losing altitude. Fires on floors 1,4, and 5. Emergency systems engaged."
Metal Man (GM): The hustle and bustle causes the people to ignore you yet again. What do you do now? The other mini-panels are accessible... but they may see you. The complete control panel seems to be under heavy use. *Jeopardy theme as Julian thinks, and people run about furiously Do do do do-do do do do, do-do DO, do do-do do-do do do-do do do-do do do do-do do, DO, do do-do do, do, Do do Do* You stand there, thinking to yourself while other people run around on fire and fix stuff.
Julian Sawyer: .oO(I wish I had some explosives...) *smashes panels 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, and 10, then runs like hell towards the exit.*
Metal Man (GM): I'll do this one at a time.
Computer: "Power level controls disabled."
Metal Man (GM): SPD check to avoid an attack from a random guard thing. *Flee* You then smash panel no. 2.
Computer: "...Critical error. Backup engaged."
Metal Man (GM): TWO Speed checks. You have two guys following you, now. You're lucky... but you may regret it later. Backup Power go BOOM! Leaving normal power... now... three Speed checks.
Julian Sawyer: *Luckies the 6*
Metal Man (GM): Alas; you are finally caught by an army of three. and what composes that army? Let's see... Ice Boo, Space Pirate, and a Slog! I think we'll pause here.