Super Smash Quest - Story - Chapter 262: Kuja's Feint
Date: March 30th, 31st and April 1st, 2006.
Metal Man (GM): The Questers are at HQ. The big room, as usual. But this isn't because of a briefing. No, it's something weirder. The main screen shows an incoming transmission from an unknown location. Metal stares at it.
Metal Man: "This suddenly transmitted to us just recently."
Metal Man (GM): The transmission thing fills with static, and then a voice is heard... a mushroom guy, definitely.
Aetos: "A toad?..."
Mushroom King: "...This is the Mushroom King. I am sending this message to indicate my castle has been invaded. Please come immediately. My guards are nothing against this---*Explosion.* *Static.*"
Metal Man (GM): It then loops, over and over again.
Metal Man: "The Mushroom King, despite being a King, never really seemed to rule over much. He made a point of isolating himself from our affairs for years--he abandoned Toad Town in the wake up the destruction it soon attracted. To where he moved his castle, I don't know. Furthermore, I'm surprised he survived the whole 10 year thing that seemed to have wiped out all non-hidden authorities that conflicted with Kuja's."
Charles: "Seems suspicious enough for us to investigate."
Metal Man: "This is where we come in, as usual." *sighs.* "We need to find out where the mushroom king is. Since we're the closest thing to a backup authority of the mushroom kingdom, all we need to do is... uhhh..."
Charles: "Use a mode of transportation to arrive there."
Metal Man digs around in a pile of rubbish heaped against a freshly painted corner of the room. "Nah, nah. He's a king. A King who made himself invisible to us for thirteen years. No way we could find him. In fact, I don't know how Kuja could find him either. I hardly thought he EXISTED until now."
Charles: "So he's one of the legends on Nintendus, like the rare sighting of a golden version of an enemy or a chocobo."
Metal Man pulls out an old, wrinkled heap of paper. He smooths it out, picks some crumbs off of it, and stares at it. "This is a paper IVAN issued to us, not the king... but supposedly the king knew Ivan. Ivan's memory seems a bit patchy, though. He said something about a mushroom and a restaurant."
Aetos: "A toad?..."
Charles: "So you and us we'll ask Ivan and the both of us will wing it from there."
Metal Man: "I... guess. This piece of paper says some things, though."
Charles looks to Aetos. "No offense."
Metal Man reads it.
Charles looks back to Metal.
Metal Man: "The Mushroom King is hereby appointed honorary king of Eisnaught, which was formerly Toad Town. A new Toad Town will be made to make extra housing for those Toads who prefer traditional lives. From this point in, Nintopia is established." *wipes some burnt stuff off of it.* "This document here is signed by Wolfman and some other figureheads. But it doesn't tell me anything else." *throws it to the side.* "So then. Locos, Aetos... is that everyone currently willing to help me?"
Aetos: "Seems so."
Charles: "Julian may eventually come up. Until then, it'll just be me and the Young Ward."
Aetos: "Nodal might come too."
Metal Man: "Well, we should ask Mr. Ivan." *nods and walks off to Ivan's quarters, which has heretofore never been explored.*
Charles: "Another episode of 'avoid ''The Great Vlad''' coming up." *follows the leader.*
Aetos shrugs and does same.
Metal Man: "Who is... this great Vlad?"
Charles: "Allow me to explain in a description way: Do you know of the enemies that would taunt us of our power, mock our accomplishments, and gloat how strong they are?"
Metal Man walks through some skeletal hallways and past some "Under construction" signs. "...Nope."
Charles: "The problem here is that one of those people is our ally. Vladimir von Varuushkah is one of the most loudmouthed and obnoxious people that is in Ivan's force. This makes him all the more smug since I can't just go up and smack him one."
Metal Man: "Huh. I used to think that was me, but I guess this other guy is far more annoying." *goes past a short walk-way and into a completely new building, which is also under construction. It's only one room now; the door into this room slides open, Star Trek style. Ivan sits in a blue upholstered chair.*
Ivan Robotnik: "Welcome to my temporary office. How can I help you?"
Aetos: "Hi."
Metal Man nudges Charles. Being tired of speaking, he seeks instead Charles to talk.
Charles nods slightly. "We received a transmitted signal. It came from the Mushroom King. His castle has been invaded."
Ivan Robotnik: "Mushroom... King? I faintly remember some fellow... though he only talked to me once, asked politely for a certificate, which you Questers have now, and then vanished into the mists of time."
Charles: "Would you know of where the kingdom known as 'Nintopia' would be?"
Metal Man chuckles.
Charles: "Metal had mentioned that you knew of a mushroom and a resturant, but that's all he said."
Ivan Robotnik: "You're standing in it, Charles. That's an old name for Nintendus. The King, yes. That's where I met him. He... ah... now I know what you need. Somewhat."
Metal Man (GM): He scratches his forehead.
Ivan Robotnik: "He told me this... odd thing. To go search for holy triangles and wind up in the underworld instead if he was in trouble."
Charles stretches his neck. "Holy triangles and an underworld. How vague he must be."
Metal Man: "Ring a bell, anyone?"
Aetos: "...Reminds me of that one Zelda thing."
Charles: "My only guess is the land of Hyrule. Underworld would be a land of hell, but an underworld would be different from the Dark World."
Ivan Robotnik: "Hmmm... so it is. I guess that's where he is."
Charles looks to Metal. "As far as I'm concerned, when you are the driver of a small vehicle and have passengers, you're the Devil on a highway to hell."
Metal Man: Well, we won't need to drive anywhere."
Charles: "The former land of Hyrule is a short hike from here or we need a warp?"
Metal Man: "Nintendus hides distances too well for us to risk it. A simple warp should do."
Charles: "Okay then. You go set up the coordinates. I gotta speak with Ivan for a moment."
Metal Man: "Yes, my friend." *nods and walks out.*
Charles: "Ivan, if we find the Mushroom king, it sounds like this is a grand opportunity to find that non-Kuja beacon you require for the tracking device."
Ivan Robotnik: "Ah, yes! That... One thing... can I scan your DNA? I know I asked before, but I may have been a little... abrupt..."
Charles nose twitches. Something is amiss again. "You may proceed."
Ivan Robotnik: "Thank you." He waves the strange device at you; it reads "DNA COPIED." He sticks it in a filing cabinet on his desk.
Charles: "Ivan, when we went to battle Grodus in his Dark Exor base, an 'old friend' returned."
Ivan Robotnik: "Who could that be?"
Charles: "...An acquaintance of ours when we originally met. I believe you are familiar with it. The Void. It's returned."
Ivan Robotnik: "...UNSPEAKABLE. This can't be..."
Metal Man (GM): Ivan turns around and punches out a glass thing. Charles reads it closesly...
Metal Man: "BREAK IN CASE OF THE VOID'S RETURN."
Metal Man (GM): A whole lotta machines and stuff pop out of the ground. They look like monitors of some kinds. Osilliscopes, the like. And, sure enough, they appear to be reporting The Void activity. Faint, but existence.
Ivan Robotnik: "...You're right... but there's nothing we can do."
Charles: "It is. It was summoned here by the frequent usage of the Chaos Emeralds. It destroyed the X-zone shield I had made and that Grodus modified with magitek. It then went on to destroy the entire base from existence. Only a very large crater remains."
Ivan Robotnik: "Well, you don't have to worry too much. This meter here... see it?"
Metal Man (GM): He pulls out what looks like a multiple bar-graph thing. One bar graph, "Presence", is extremely low. He then takes out an emerald, and moves it closer to the bar graph. The graph hits the ceiling.
Ivan Robotnik: "He can only be summoned when you use the negative aspects of the emeralds... because he has no physical form this time."
Charles: "This is a problem. The red chaos emerald has been tainted by me when I was taught how to use it by Shadow just before Kuja exiled us."
Ivan Robotnik: "That is a lie, sadly. It was always tainted."
Metal Man (GM): Ivan shakes his head.
Ivan Robotnik: "The Emeralds have the power for evil and good... you just used the evil side. The good side is much harder to use, and often conflicts with the want to win battles."
Metal Man (GM): He nods sagely, putting the emerald away.
Charles: "Shadow taught me this. I believe he was still under the control of Gerald just before he was defeated by the Questers and cleansed of the The Void. At least... starting to believe it."
Ivan Robotnik: "Yes, that is probably true. Don't ever use that knowledge again... it makes you desirable as a host for The Void."
Charles: "Use the emeral--- Garrick has it. Julian seems to have an interest in it as well."
Ivan Robotnik: "The only good anger is usually caused in defense. The way any Quester would use it would be evil. There are other emeralds which work far better for good; the yellow one, as I have discovered, works on cowardice, and that is almost always in self defense. It can be nasty, though, if you have a coward like Ivo wielding it."
Charles: "Garrick sounded like The Void already when he first used it. Not a pretty sound. Oh, um... ...So that's how Ari is capable of using the emerald. I best be going. One other thing."
Ivan Robotnik: "The other emeralds are mostly unknown. Though you and I discovered the white emerald's use."
Charles blinks a few times, "Sadly, the white one glows weakly when I utilize it. The only other being who has great knowledge of the X-zone was a Solarian named Sardis Mongul. Do you know of him, Ivan?"
Ivan Robotnik: "Solarians? The only ones I know are clearly human. I don't know who it is you're talking about, though."
Charles: "He may be a Solarian, but I feel... sympathetic to him. I will show you his journal when we return."
Ivan Robotnik: "I shall make sure to read it."
Charles leaves for the warp room.
Aetos follows Charles.
Metal Man (GM): The Questers walk into the warp room. Inside which, a psychadelic glowing tile sits.
Aetos: "Shiney..."
Metal Man stands by it. "You guys be careful out there, we don't know who owns that territory."
Aetos sighs and salutes... then steps onto the tile.
Charles: "Oh, Metal. I warned Ivan that The Void returned. Seeing as how the both of us have a special disposition toward it, I warned him of the entity so he's on aware status about it. Just wanted you to know." *enters the portal after Aetos.*
Metal Man (GM): Julian is in the general area, as Digi; both having heard about this mission earlier. The headquarters is in its normal state; half-constructed, and in need of more repairs.
Julian: "Right, so what's the plan?"
Metal Man walks over to Digi and Julian. "Ah! Good. You're here. Well, we need to go and find the Mushroom King."
Digifanatic walks over to where the others are. "Oh?"
Metal Man: "I don't know why he sent that distress signal to us; his identity is a mystery in itself."
Julian: "...The who?"
Digifanatic: .oO(Trust the fungus!)
Metal Man: "Good question. The Mushroom King, who supposedly was the real leader of the Mushroom Kingdom. Never met him, myself, though... in fact, we have next to no information on him."
Julian: "As opposed to?"
Metal Man: "Well, as opposed to the ones we know; you know, like Ivan."
Julian: "...Right, so what do we do after e find him?"
Metal Man: "I never studied much on the politics, and Ivan only ruled during a short time, between The Void's first defeat and Kuja's return."
Digifanatic: "Alright... well, I suppose we can take care of this. I have a feeling that we may find out more as we progress."
Metal Man: "Well, we found ourselves a clue from Ivan, the only person to have actually met this person. Something about finding holy triangles, and then going... to some underworld."
Julian: "...You mean the Triforce?"
Metal Man: "We decided it meant Hyrule, definitely. Your job: Find the Triforce and, then, the Mushroom King."
Julian: "...Didn't Kuja already destroy it? "
Digifanatic: "Well, that is certainly interesting..."
Metal Man: "Well, he did... but when he said that, the Triforce was inside the castle. Erm. When the Mushroom King said that, ages ago. So whatever he was alluding to is probably still there."
Digifanatic: "I don't necessarily understand why Ivan would want a Hyrulian artifact to go along with someone who ruled the Mushroom Kingdom. Come on; two completely different regions."
Julian: "...This better not be a wild goose chase, Mets."
Metal Man: "It was the clue left by the Mushroom King. 'If I am in trouble, go look for the holy triangles and...' you know the rest. Well, I'm not entirely sure what it is. But we don't really have any information on the other commanders either, so we should be able to determine what is in Hyrule."
Digifanatic: "Ah. I see."
Julian: "So who's reigon does Hyrule fall under?"
Metal Man: "Well, supposedly Meier Link rules that area."
Julian: "That lightweight? Easy."
Metal Man: "It's above the area Denon had, and to the left of the area Grodus ruled. Fitting that we should be sent a clue to there... anyway. I'm sure the others are waiting for you; they already left. There's a warp tile in the warp room."
Digifanatic: "Sounds good. "Right." *starts walking off towards the tile.*
Julian: "A'ight..." *walks on off towards the tile... WARP.*
Digifanatic of course, still has the Denon shield.
Metal Man (GM): Julian is warped on off; Digi reaches the tile right after him. ~~~*WARP*~~~. Through the wonders of warp tile magic, the Questers appear at Hyrule... simultaneously. They're standing atop a hill in Hyrule field. Wait, no... This isn't just a hill. The ruins of Lon Lon Ranch are around the Questers; though there's nothing left of interest. There is a great big hole in the ground, where Maxamillian's Magitek device was. Fog seems to shroud the area; it is possible to just barely see Hyrule Castle's ruined battlements dead ahead. A rough path made out of broken stones leads the way; it seems to vanish into the fog before reappearing at the castle.
Julian: "Right, everyone know what we'se doin'? Good." *starts making his way towards Hyrule Castle Town, glancing at the big hole where the Magitek Device was.*
Digifanatic: "I dare say this was not a surprise." *follows Julian down...*
Charles says nothing. He unsheathes Tempest's Sword, let's it rest on his shoulder, and walks with Digi and Julian.
Metal Man (GM): The Questers' feet crunch in the mud. The very moist ground seems treacherous... and as they walk, it is like entering the abyss. The fog rubs by the Questers as you they; they feel chilled to the bone. Anyway, the Questers walk down the hill, and are well on their way to reaching the castle.
Charles: "I do not know much of this Lashiec. Only that he comes from the same star system as Alys and Zio. What army do you think he has?"
Digifanatic: "Dunno. Lemme try something, though..." *takes out his Dex and asks it the question Charles posed.*
Dex: "Lashiec's army is unknown. The currently only known quality is that this area is under the control of Meier Link."
Digifanatic: "Okay..." *shuts it off.* "It was worth a shot."
Metal Man (GM): The castle appears to be falling apart; which is not surprising, as it has been constantly attacked before. Though, by now, it appears to have been dealt a fatal blow; only the outer walls are complete.
Charles: "Not much of one. I only though of him when I originally thought of Meier Link."
Metal Man (GM): Even the trees are dead here. As the Questers walk, they reach the entrance to the dire castle. It is almost impossible to see inside of it.
Digifanatic: "Yeah... man, talk about desolation."
Metal Man (GM): Do the Questers enter the threshold? (Note: There is no moat; all traces of one were annihilated in the last couple years)
Digifanatic: "Wanna enter?"
Charles sheathes Tempest's Sword. He closes his eyes, concentrating on the Star Rod. It's powers now flow inside his hands.
Julian: "Not much else we can do..." *boost across to the Castle Town entrance*
Metal Man (GM): Charles begins to glow a little, while Julian flies inside the castle.
Charles: "Towards the ruins of the Market we enter."
Metal Man (GM): Erm. Inside the castle walls.
Digifanatic walks on in as well...
Metal Man (GM): He would boost on into the market square, which is incredibly empty and desolate. The paving stones are the only real construction left; otherwise, the ruins of an old satellite adorn the area where all the alleys and houses used to be.
Charles walks in as well. He looks around. "You feel it too, Digi?"
Digifanatic: "Yeah... Something's not right. Willing to believe it's Meier."
Charles: "Julian, raise thy fists. We must now be on our guard."
Julian: "? You guys sense somethin'?"
Charles: "I'm willing to believe that some.*one.* is watching us."
Julian: "...Redeads?"
Metal Man (GM): *VHOOSH* Out of the fog, leaps a single... person. He is very pale, human-looking, and has long, brown hair. He stares at the Questers with his red eyes.
???: "So... vhese... are vhe Questers?"
Metal Man (GM): He sounds like he has Dracula's accent.
Digifanatic: .oO(Whuhoh...)
Metal Man (GM): He raises his right hand, and moves his fingers around a bit, staring at the Questers.
Julian: "And you would be?" *apparently isn't fazed by this at all, as his hands curl into fists.*
???: "Just a vhriend of Meier Vhlink. Nothing of vhimportant to vhou!"
Metal Man (GM): He speaks rather poorly; apparently he's been in isolation here. Either way, he walks straight at the Questers.
Digifanatic: .oO(Close enough.)
Julian: "So why you still here?"
???: "Vho, me? I vhuard this vhlace for Veier Vhlink. And vhou... are an Vhintruder!"
Digifanatic simply stands his ground... maybe taking one or two steps back, but still ready to deal with whatever is going to happen.
Charles attempts diplomacy.
Julian: "You heard about any holy triangles or *censored.*?"
Metal Man (GM): Charles say- some reasonable things; some very reasonable, logical explanation for being there. But... it doesn't seem to work.
???: "Vhou are Questers! Vhothing good vhomes from vhou! And... It isn't my vhusiness to tell vhou that, either!"
Metal Man (GM): He attacks the Questers. BATTLE. Questers vs. Vampire.
Charles: "Be as it may, we will pass, whether you let us peacefully or by force."
Julian: "I'm gettin' tired of that accent... Maybe I should shut you up for good!" *Julian rushes the start off, spinning around and connecting with his free foot for a WINDING KICK!*
Metal Man (GM): He is... extremely slow. Julian hits him; he is punted backwards.
???: "Vhurse you! I vhaven't vhad a meal in vhirty days!"
Metal Man (GM): I guess that explains why nothing living dared exist here.
Julian jumps back to the group and gets in a defensive stance...
Charles walks forward towards the vampire. At close proximity, he leans to the left side, throwing a kick to the lower part of one of the vampire's legs.
Metal Man (GM): *THUNK* It's like kicking a wet sock. Charles hits.
Charles then rises, letting loose with a rising heavy uppercut to the chin of the assumed garlic-hating creature.
Metal Man (GM): *SHONK* Charles smacks him good.
Charles shakes his fist, feeling some of the recoilment in the move. He walks backwards a few steps.
Metal Man (GM): He's knocked pretty far back. Dang it, now Charles will need to walk to him, which'll take time...
Digifanatic runs up to the Vampire and settles for a Fire Punch.
Metal Man (GM): *BURN* His dead flesh burns nicely.
Digifanatic retreats a step and uses a Light Ray to finish off his turn.
Metal Man (GM): He sees the light: And it burns. He takes 4x damage from the light.
Digifanatic: "Gotta love that..."
Metal Man (GM): The vampire seems truly blinded--he stands facing the Questers, holding his eyes.
???: "Vhat? You are vhoo powerful! Vhi must vhalert Meier Link!"
Metal Man (GM): He morphs into a bat and starts flying away.
Digifanatic: "...Okay..."
Charles: "Must be one of the lesser powerful of Meier's army."
Metal Man (GM): The area is clear; there is the way to the Time Temple off to the right.
Julian: "Like I said, easy." *Julian relaxes his stance.* "Looks like our next destination..." *walks on over.*
Charles: "It might be."
Metal Man (GM): Or the Questers could walk up the hill that leads towards the ruined castle itself.
Digifanatic: "I know I don't want to split up."
Julian: "You'd think something holy would be in a temple, ya?"
Digifanatic: "Yes."
Charles: "Perhaps. But best not split up since only a few of us are here."
Julian: "So let's leap to conclusions and follow me." *continues his path.*
Digifanatic: "Right." *follows Julian on over.*
Charles: "One day your impulsive nature will lead you to a death as much as Ari is attracted to curses." *walks with the others.*
Metal Man (GM): The Questers walk on over to the temple. It seems unaffected by time; while everything else is ruined, it stands there.
Julian: "But more often than not I'm right, ya? Like with Grodus' Tower..."
Metal Man (GM): The ancient and holy melody of the Time Temple can almost be heard in the air; and it is possible to see a few feet inside.
Digifanatic: "Wow... unscathed."
Metal Man (GM): It also looks untouched in there.
Julian: *Enters.*
Charles enters with the other two.
Digifanatic continues on...
Metal Man (GM): Inside the Questers go. They walk in, and see the inscription, as well as the timeless nature of the place. The Door of Time is open; the fog is clear in here. It is possible to walk up the stairs and right into the door of time, where the Triforce is supposed to be. Or used to be, at least.
Digifanatic climbs on up and enters through the doorway.
Julian: "Charles, think you should go fir-...or that..." *heads up.*
Charles: "Now, to find the 'underworld'."
Digifanatic: "Well well... it's gone. Sadly, I'm not surprised."
Metal Man (GM): The Questers all walk into the chamber; the door of time slams behind them.
Digifanatic: "Guess we have to take the other route and--huh?"
Charles: "You would do well to remember that Kuja destroyed---!"
Metal Man (GM): The Master Sword isn't here either; it's just an empty room. An empty... very solid room.
Julian: "..."
Metal Man (GM): A large blue portal appears where the Master Sword used to be.
Julian: "Alright, I didn't think this far ahe-Hey, Portal."
Digifanatic: "Yeah..."
Julian: "Was I right or not?"
Metal Man (GM): *RIP* It takes the form of... a man. And then... it finishes.....It's Kuja.
Julian: "..."
Kuja: "You Questers are far too gullible. There never was a Mushroom King."
Julian: "I knew it!"
Digifanatic: (very quietly) "Ohhhhhhhhh man."
Metal Man (GM): He floats on down, now standing atop the pedestal.
Digifanatic: "Well, if you knew it, why did you take us into here?"
Julian: "...But then how was Peach a princess..."
Kuja: "There were divisional kings, back in the old days. They dissolved with the formation of that Stadium you compulsively protect."
Metal Man (GM): He steps down, and begins walking around the three Questers.
Kuja: "I brought you here... because I can lock you away forever, here. This... is no Turion. The others will come looking for you... which is what I want to happen. But I will not tell you the rest. That, you will have to find out after you are dead."
Metal Man (GM): He faces your backs, and sneers.
Kuja: "For so long, you opposed me... you could have become Gods alongside me, did you know that? Instead, you betrayed me for your petty little cause."
Charles: "The director gives his actors a scene. They do not know their scripts."
Metal Man (GM): He looks at Charles oddly. Anger floods his face.
Charles: "The actors will find a way to move to the next scene."
Kuja: "Accursed Lunarian... you are one of the worst scoundrels to ever live."
Metal Man (GM): Charles feel some sort of energy in his pocket. As does... Julian.....And Digi.
Julian: "So you're gonna leave us to starve?"
Charles deactivates his star rod.
Digifanatic: "Alright then..." *reaches in.*
Metal Man (GM): Digi pulls out... the green emerald.
Charles feels around in his pocket for the energy as well.
Julian: "?" *Julian reaches into his back pocket to locate the energy source.*
Metal Man (GM): Charles would feel the white emerald; Julian, the purple.
Digifanatic: (quietly again) "Sweet."
Metal Man (GM): They're all glowing... reacting to Kuja, as it were.
Kuja: "...What is this... some sort of trinkets? I will destroy them just as I did the Triforce."
Metal Man (GM): He walks the other half around the Questers, facing them all again.
Charles: "The actors have received a blessing by deux ex machina. The director decides what he will do with the actors."
Julian: "...I really need to trade off with Garrick..."
Kuja: "This is the end, Questers. First you, and then the rest. The world is mine. I am a God! Nothing you will do will save you from me."
Metal Man (GM): He begins powering up... the very temple shakes. The Questers' emeralds seem to glow... and then you hear something in your minds. It sounds... familiar.
Digifanatic tries to figure out what to do, but then..."Now, what's this?"
???: "Use your positive feelings, with the emeralds, and counter him... he does not expect it. This will unlock the temple and give you the time to escape..."
Julian: "'S a Chaos Emerald, Digi! Jeeze, you don-...Wha?"
Digifanatic: "I've seen these things before but I've never used one... Obviously..."
Metal Man (GM): Images flash across the Questers' minds; it can't be... none other than Alys. The images fade out, and they're left with the emeralds you have, and Kuja.
Kuja: "Ah, yes... the last expressions of my foes. How I will treasure them forever..."
Charles holds out the white emerald. "One of the actors says to the director 'The play is not yet over. The script has already been made.'"
Julian: "...Charles, you got an idea?"
Metal Man (GM): The emeralds continue glowing; the Questers feel as if they may actually work now.
Charles: "The actors shall utilize these emeralds normally only used by the blue hedgehog."
Digifanatic then starts concentrating at the images, and then the emeralds... he continues on... being with his friends and family, traveling through many places on Earth and such, helping out on SSQ, past and present, and still having a great time no matter what.
Julian: "Charles!"
Charles looks to the God of Nintendus with boldness. He will not be afraid.
Kuja: "Begone, fools!"
Digifanatic: "No matter what happens to me, I will never regret anything that happens. It's all because I wanted to do it... and the same with you two. All we have to do is believe.: "
Julian: "How the hell are we supposed to use 'positive' feelings with these?!"
Digifanatic: "Just think of great times you've had in the past."
Charles understands. Allow balance to counteract the path of madness, and instead uses it to give himself balance so he cannot have a weakness for evil to exploit of him.
Digifanatic: "Friends and things like that... Doing things you want to do because you want to. If you think about it, it's not difficult."
Metal Man (GM): The Questers all glow; Kuja fires his most powerful attack at the Questers.
Kuja: "FLARE STAR!"
Metal Man (GM): Time seems to snap in half; the attack flies at the Questers... and hits a tri-colored shield. It richochets around, blasting the chamber of time to pieces.
Charles lets out everything that he feels so he protects not only himself, but to make sure not to let his own heritage and people to die.
Julian: "Man..." *tries to remember some good memories from before he was a Quester... and then the shield activates!* "...Whoa!"
Metal Man (GM): Kuja himself makes a white shield of his own; and when the debris clears, the Questers are still standing.
Kuja: "...No... this can't be... I destroyed what protected you. And those... THOSE things... they couldn't have saved you."
Digifanatic: "Yes, they could."
Julian: "Whatchu think 'bout us NOW, God-boy?!"
Metal Man (GM): He backs off a bit, looking as if something broke in his plan.
Kuja: "...You couldn't have stopped me. This was clearly the act of a traitor."
Charles: "The actors, for one moment, have followed their own script instead of the directors. They used the positive energies of the emeralds to protect themself from the premature final act that the director planned out."
Digifanatic: "I feel... so shocked. And yet, it's all so relieving."
Charles: "The actors were guided by the Other. Alys Brangwin guided the actors to protect themselves against the plot of the Director."
Kuja: "...I have heard enough. You won't be able to survive next time."
Julian: "We bad! You ain't gonna stop us now!"
Metal Man (GM): He vanishes, having teleported away.
Charles: "See you next time, 'Director.'"
Digifanatic: "That was amazing."
Charles: "Twas."
Digifanatic: "Finally, I can figure out how to use this thing."
Charles: "I have no idea how I hold the white emerald since I gave it to Aetos."
Metal Man (GM): And, standing there... there is the sky. It is clear.
Julian: "A'ight, that was tight, but we gotta figure out how to do something besides a shield."
Metal Man (GM): This adventure may have been a waste of the Questers' time (mostly), but they discovered the reason Kuja failed to harm you.
Digifanatic: "And that's odd... him and I, and I think Azure as well planned on sharing that one... But I'm not concerned. An Emerald's an Emerald."
Metal Man (GM): There is the warp tile, back up on the hill, with which it is possible to go home. The ruined castle is still in the distance. The Questers are free to go where they please.
Charles: "One of the acto---I mean, I still feel like something is missing."
Digifanatic: "Now then... what do you want to do?"
Julian: "I say we check out the castle. We might find somethin'."
Digifanatic: "I say so as well..."
Charles: "I am in agreement with Mr. Sawyer."
Digifanatic: "Seems a bit suspicious, so we might as well." *starts walking down to the castle ruins.*
Charles walks along with digi.
Metal Man (GM): The Questers begin walking; the castle itself is very distinct from the rest of the place, for it appears to be consciously ruined.
Julian, feeling up after deflecting Kuja, activates his Rocket Boots and flies along.
Metal Man (GM): The stones have been burnt black, and a rusted iron portcullis thing blocks the way in. There are glass windows on the second story; it is a two story castle. The Questers reach the entrance, which is unmanned.
Julian: "So you guys gonna help me open this sucka up?"
Charles: "Yes. Now that I think about it, when we were confronted by Kuja, I was reminded to find a grand artifact."
Julian: "Alrigh' then." *gets into posisiton to lift the portcullis up.*
Charles stands opposite of Julian.
Metal Man (GM): The portcullis feels almost like ice.
Julian: "One... two... three!" *LIFT.*
Charles: *LIFT.*
Metal Man (GM): The two Questers BARELY lift it up, with a combination of luck and strength.
Charles begins to sweat.
Metal Man (GM): They hear counterweights and stuff turning, and it is moved on up and out of the way.
Charles clasps his hands and wipes off the sweat from his forehead.
Julian: "Hah! We're on the move now!" *heads on in.*
Charles: "Where was I? Hmm. Like I said, when we were facing Kuja, I had this pent-up rage that I was finally able to hold back." *heads in as well.*
Metal Man (GM): The Questers walk on down a narrow opening hallway, down what appears to be somewhat recently made stairs.
Charles: "I've been told of a mythical axe that is so powerful, it can shatter reality and destroy the fourth wall."
Julian: "...The what wall?"
Digifanatic: "...You must be kidding."
Charles: "It was a drunken person saying this. He could've slurred some of his words."
Digifanatic: "Yeah... that's reasonable, then. But slurring, huh..."
Julian: "So what, you're saying we're being watched by someone, and this axe could show 'em to us?"
Digifanatic tries to think if what he said was meant to be something different that just came out the way it did.
Charles: "No, no one is watching us. But I believe it would be very useful against Kuja."
Metal Man (GM): The Questers reach... a giant wooden door.
Charles: "If it even exists. Wooden door... how do we open this without receiving splinters?"
Metal Man (GM): The door is locked, of course.
Julian: "Burn it?"
Digifanatic stops to avoid the door and thinks about the reasonability of Charles' statement.
Metal Man (GM): Sure. Digi thinks about it, and finds it easy to realize doors have splinters. And, when smashing a door, whatever hits the door is likely to become full of splinters.
Charles searches for the lock.
Metal Man (GM): Charles finds... no lock. Just door handles. It doesn't have any visible lock, but they look locked shut by something.
Julian: "...Y'know, I'm wearing gloves. I could probably smash this thing in... Or Digi could set it on fire. Whatever."
Charles: "He has a Fire Punch. That would give him splinters definitely."
Digifanatic: "Yeah... and how long would I need to take them all out?"
Julian: "So give him something to wrap his hand in."
Digifanatic: "Are your gloves special in any way?"
Charles: "I have nothing to give him something to wrap his hand in, Jewels." *counts the number of door handles there are.*
Digifanatic: "Or is just a standard run-of-the-mill pair of hand-warmers?"
Julian: "They got nanomachines in 'em for some reason I can't remember."
Digifanatic: "Nanomachines?"
Charles: "Nanomachines." *keeps counting.*
Julian: "Yeah. Hmmm... Think I could light this thing on fire with my boot?"
Digifanatic: "Perhaps."
Metal Man (GM): Two door handles.
Charles: "How about this: We use the door handles before burning it down."
Digifanatic: "Okay. Charles, you and I to take the handles while Julian sets it ablaze?"
Charles: "No. You and me take the handles THEN Julian sets it ablaze."
Digifanatic: "Sorry... what I meant... I'm so silly."
Charles takes the left door handle.
Digifanatic takes the right.
Charles: "You pull first."
Digifanatic: "Sure." *starts to pull on it...* "Anytime, Charles."
Charles: "I had assumed that it would only open one way, but, if you say so."
Digifanatic: "Maybe it sorta slides and shifts its way around..."
Metal Man (GM): The Questers rip it on open; and inside, there is... the main room, of course.
Digifanatic: "There we go."
Metal Man (GM): A huge wooden bar, now in two even sections, is on the ground; The Questers broke it.
Digifanatic: "If you do think about it, that's probably how it works considering the handles are on the opposite sides of the same face."
Julian: "...Alright, so much for that plan." *heads on in.*
Charles: "This the thorne room?"
Digifanatic checks out whatever else there is besides that bar they broke.
Metal Man (GM): Indeed; the 'Thorne' room. There's a throne, and there's a lot of debris in here.
Charles: "Let's make sure not to be thrown out of here."
Metal Man (GM): Out of nowhere, Aribar appears right beside the group. Must have been a warp tile malfunction or something.
Aetos: "Oh... Hi Aribar."
Metal Man (GM): The room itself has an empty throne, and a door to each side of it. The floor is checkerboard tile, and the walls have a vaguely royal red color, with a golden 'Quester Hunter' insignia on it.
Aribar: "Gah! Errm. Hello, everyone..." *The elf looks about, a bit disorientated.*
Metal Man (GM): The doors to the side are also red, and rimmed with gold.
Aribar: "What's this place?"
Metal Man (GM): Aaand Charles is there too, of course.
Julian: "Hyrule Castle... You shoulda been here earlier man, we drove away Kuja..."
Metal Man (GM): A voice can be heard, echoing through the room.
Aribar: "... Is this April Fool's day or something? You've gotta be joking..."
???: "Welcome... to my castle. I see you've let yourselves in while I was sleeping. Unfortunately, I'm not in the mood for blood. I have hibernated unbroken for 10 years... awaiting this moment. You had to break in..."
Julian: "...So who're you? You're talkin' alot better than that other vampire..."
Aribar looks all about, hand on the hilt of Moonlight and wondering where that voice came from.
???: "I think you should recognize me now."
Metal Man (GM): A sort of mist appears... and the form of Meier Link appears on the throne.
Aetos: "Yeah, he was pretty annoying with his vhere's and vha's... Oh?"
Julian: "...Of course."
Meier Link: "That was a minor vampire servant. Arpegio is his name. I have him do all the jobs no one else wants to do."
Julian: "He ain't very tough."
Aribar frowns as he sees Meier and quickly unsheathes Moonlight.
Charles: "Like I said, he had to be a low rank of Meier's army."
Meier Link: "I don't need him to be tough. I'm not going to give you the whole cliche villain thing. Here you are, in my lair. I am not attacking you. See? No... there is no reason to fight me at all."
Metal Man (GM): His eyes look... somewhat strange.
Aribar: "You are a perversion of life itself and have attacked us before. Are we to believe that you don't want to fight us?"
Julian: "What he said."
Aetos 's eyes look somewhat strange too. His eyes flare up in a blue light and he stares at Meier Link.
Metal Man (GM): Aetos stares at Meier Link.
Charles: "I do not even believe that this is Meier Link himself."
Metal Man (GM): Aetos's eyes become swirly.
Charles: "Ten years you said you were sleeping in here?"
Meier Link: "Those 10 you were gone for, yes."
Aetos runs into Charles and kicks him in the stomach!
Charles blocks the shot. "Then explain the Meier Link who attacked us when the Questers greeted Ivan."
Aribar glances at Aetos, wondering if he's been charmed by Meier...
Metal Man (GM): *Blockd.*
Meier Link: "Look into my eyes. Am I lying?"
Aribar: "Don't look into his eyes!"
Julian: "...Hypnosis? Clever, but I ain't gonna let you get away with it!" *Julian lines up his shot and launches a Hat Trick at Meier Link, being careful to not have direct eye contact with ML.*
Aetos growls and pulls out the keyblade.
Aribar: "Attack him with fire, water, or holy attacks!"
Aetos leaps up into the air, and crashes down with a volley of key-tastic slashes on Charles.
Metal Man (GM): You hit Meier Link. Or I should say, the illusional Meier Link.
Meier Link: "I'm afraid my body is elsewhere. You'll just have to fight Aetos."
Metal Man (GM): BATTLE!
Aribar: "Grr..."
Charles grabs the keyblade with both hands at the time that the keyblade comes downward. "Enough." He throws a quick, yet powerful, jab to the face of Aetos.
Julian: "...Easy. Wreck Aetos!"
Metal Man (GM): Julian, Aribar, and Charles vs... Aetos?
Julian catches his fedora on the return and turns his attention towards Aetos.
Aetos gets sucker punches, flipping backward from Charles.
Charles: "Now then. Stop this nonsense and let's keep going."
Aetos raspberries Charles.
Charles: "I see now what Aribar meant by not to look into Meier's eyes."
Meier Link: "I'm just the most charming vampire in the world."
Julian: "Isn't Hypnosis a standard Vampire ability?"
Aribar: "That it is..."
Charles: "As does deceitfulness."
Julian: "So let's wreck Aetos and check out the rest of this dump..." *Julian rushes at the hypnotised Aetos, rearing back and laying into him with a KO PUNCH!* *CRIIIIIIIIITICAL!*
Metal Man (GM): SLAMMO. PAIN.
Julian: *PACHOW! Aetos takes damageand is KNOCKED OUT!* "...Whaddya know! Aetos can't take a punch! You guys whale on him!" *Julian backs off and ends his turn.*
Aribar: "Or we can port him back to the Stadium and try to break his charm there?"
Aetos got punches right in the gut, but then froze there in the air like time stopped.
Charles: "There is that... but he attacked me."
Julian: "Just take him out!"
Charles skips his turn to give himself more energy next round.
Meier Link: "You could also sit around. I won't mind."
Charles: "You stay out of this."
Aribar frowns and decides to just drain a bit of Aeto's strength away with a Starstorm spell.
Metal Man (GM): Well, he can't really move. It's like shooting someone when they're down. 'Cause he is. Aetos cannot do anything. Instead, Meier Link's illusion stands up, and casts some magic on him.
Meier Link: "Raise... from your knocked-out state!"
Julian: "...What!"
Metal Man (GM): *Black magic effects.* Aetos is healed and the knocked out status effect vanishes. Meier Link then sits back down.
Meier Link: "Destroy them!"
Aetos gurgles.
Julian: "...Oh you SON OF A *CENSORED*"
Charles: "Now we can't take it easy."
Meier Link: "What? I am not attacking you. He is."
Julian: "You're using him as an extension to attack us!"
Meier Link: "Tell that to your friend."
Charles: "It's probably ironic."
Aetos holds the keyblade out straight, 2 balls of light appear at the tip, and wind twists around the blade and wrap around the orbs, right away they rush off and smash into Charles with a small explosion of light. Aetos then holds the keyblade outstraight, 2 balls of light appear at the tip, and wind twists around the blade and wrap around the orbs, right away they rush off and smash into Charles with a small explosion of light.
Charles went to watch the movement of only one ball of light, he is blind-sided by one then jumps high enough to evade the other.
Meier Link: "I will be fair, though; defeat your friend, and he will be returned to your side."
Julian: "Guess we're just gonna have to beat you down the old-fashioned way!" *Julian rushes again, aiming a Snap Jab at Aetos cheek.*
Aetos shrinks his head under his shirt like a turtle.
Metal Man (GM): It misses, methinks.
Julian: "Not so fast!" *Julian follows up with his OTHER hand doin' a Snap Jab.*
Aetos holds up his small shield with a white feather emblemized onto it, the jab connects to the shield.
Julian: *Determined to land his combo, Julian tries ANOTHER.* *Jab! Julian follows up with a Kick to Aetos' gut.*
Aetos actually gets hit, but it only skiffs his cheek. Aetos then flips backward and evades the kick.
Julian: "...That's it!" *Julian follows him and tries landing a PUNKSLAP to finish his turn.* *SCHLAP!*
Aetos gets punk slapped, indeed. He goes flying back into a wall.
Charles jumps in right after Julian does his jabbin's. He lowers himself to the ground and uses his right leg to deliver a leg sweep. He then hops into the air, both palms on the floor, and spins. He spreads his legs apart so they're are parallel to the ground, and he hops again after spinning around 12 times and now balances on one finger. Charles then then uses his current motion to get in close to the possessed Aetos, the spinning kicks hitting him in the midsection 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 times!
Aetos takes severals kicks to his person, he shows no signs of exhaustion though.
Charles stops the breakdance, puts force on his finger, and bounces back. "Now, don't hold back, Aribar."
Aribar nods and decides to use some more powerful magic. The elf launches several magical missiles at Aetos before unleashing a jolt of electricity his way.
Julian: "You're rippin' me off, man."
Metal Man (GM): Meier Link does nothing.
Charles: "Nah, man. I had those moves back nearly a half-century ago."
Meier Link: "Now then. I want to see your fighting skill. I will only heal you if you still live and are only immobilized."
Julian: "And I had 'em like... two centuries before you did!"
Charles: "I have lived longer than you, hip-hopper."
Julian: "And I came before you did!"
Charles: "Look, let's just concentrate on this battle, THEN we argue who be-boped before who."
Aetos takes that elecrifying attack really harsh. He screams and yelps, a thick cloud of smoke puffs around him, and soon after, he comes out of it with keyblade outfront, soaring above the ground right toward Charles.
Meier Link: "They had those moves in the 16th CENTURY, if Kuja's logs are correct."
Julian: "They ain't."
Charles merely stops the keyblade with one hand. "Attack someone else for once, Young Ward."
Meier Link: "How dare you! I'll just---... nevermind."
Charles lets go of the keyblade.
Aetos seems to just have a strange taste for trying to smash Charles. He lowers the blade, and tosses it into his left hand. Immediately he thrusts his right hand up and uppercuts Charles, wind flaming off on his arm as it rises.
Charles did not see this one coming. He is uppercutted. Charles then somersaults in the air, and lands with his body close to the ground.
Julian: "Hey Aetos! Pick on someon' a little tougher! C'mon, I dare ya!"
Meier Link: "Destroy the Lunarian. I command you."
Julian: "Alright Charles, lemme show you how it's done." *Julian rushes Aetos again. He quickly drops and supports himself by his hands, and lays into Aetos with a Breakdance Sweep!*
Charles: "...Wait a minute. Vampire, were you part of the Thirteen Gentlemen?"
Aribar: "Perhaps I should just let you two do your dancing and be the judge?"
Meier Link: "And the original Quester Hunters, AND Apocalypse Group. I am the highest ranking of the Quester Hunters left. I am using but a pinky finger's worth of force against you. Should you defeat him, I will merely have to raise a second finger."
Julian handspings back to his feet and gets in a defensive stance.
Charles: "I, Charles L. Magellean, am no more a threat than the rest of the Questers. Do you still judge me as an even greater threat?"
Aribar: "Meier, why not tell us where you're really hiding so we can put a stake in that black heart of yours?"
Charles: "I can't believe he is being petty about the Magellean Military."
Meier Link: "I hate not the military. I hate... the person. Charles."
Charles thrusts both arms out and chants in Lunarian. Charles then thrusts a ball of electrical energy zigzags toward Aetos.
Meier Link: "All who have survived from the original Quester Hunter attack... must die."
Charles: "Good. I like to know that I am not wanted for death any more than any other Quester."
Julian: "So what're you gonna do if Charles kicks it?"
Meier Link: "Kill Aribar."
Aetos then glares at Aribar.
Julian: "...So do I get off?"
Meier Link: "...Look what you made me say. Oh well."
Aribar frowns...
Charles: "At least he only holds us to the Quester Hunters and not when I went solo."
Aribar: "... Oh... Piffle."
Meier Link: "No... you are merely a bit behind in the queue."
Aribar decides to rush up and take Aetos out before the opposite happens. A quick spell enchants Moonlight with electricity before it snicker snaps twards Aetos twice. (Bi-Bolt Slash)
Aetos sidesteps the first boltage, and the holds his shield up and blocks the second.
Aribar: .oO(I really need some training...)
Aetos tries the same attack as last turn, but against Aribar now. He holds his keyblade outright, and pulls him through the air into Aribar, as Aetos yells "Take this!" >.>
Aribar: "Gah!" *The elf can't dodge that...* "Hey, Meier, mind telling Aetos to kill you?"
Aetos zips right past Aribar, and does another attack, drilling toward Ari, in reverse."
Meier Link: "No, I'm not that gullible."
Aribar is almost caught unprepared, but manages to roll aside before Aetos reaches him.
Aetos whiffs past Aribar and skids along the ground.
Meier Link: "This is taking way too long. You bore me with your antics."
Charles: "Let us be on our way, Vampire. We have a mission to do and it doesn't even involve you."
Julian: "Let's try this again..." *SNAP JAB.*
Aetos becomes one who is snap jabbed.
Meier Link: "I would, but you are on my territory. And that, Kuja does not like."
Charles: "Then, prete---oh right. Kuja is 'all-knowing'..."
Julian: *GUT KICK!*
Charles: "Like he knew that we were able to survive his trap in the Temple of Time. That was sarcasm, Vampire."
Meier Link: "Hmph."
Julian: "Game time!" *Julian, having landing the first two portions, lays into Aetos with a SPEEDBAG!*
Charles: "In actuality, he sorta... backed off when he saw us repel his Flare Star. Quite a scene, really."
Meier Link: "Well then, it's a good thing I have you fighting one another."
Charles: "It's... not the same."
Julian: "Man that felt good..." *Julian backs off.*
Aetos actually starts showing some bruises and burns from Aribar's elecricity. His breathing is heavier and it's obvious he's wearing down.
Charles moves forward, turning to one side, and uses his elbow to thrust into Aetos's abdomen.
Julian: *CRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIITICAL!*
Charles takes this time to use a another quick jab. Charles then backs off a few steps.
Aribar fires two blasts of electricity at Aetos and finishes up with a quick stab from Moonlight. (Two Agi saves)
Aetos gets shocked to the 4th power. His muscles begin to fail and he lies there with no heartbeat.
Julian: "...And he's out!"
Metal Man (GM): Meier Link claps.
Meier Link: "You have done well... but I cannot have you in my castle. Begone!"
Metal Man (GM): He holds out a hand... and everything begins to blur. Darkness floods the room.
Julian: "The hell does that me-Oh..."
Charles: "...You're banishing us to the underworld?"
Meier Link: "...How did you know? No matter."
Julian: "Maybe this mission won't be a complete failure after all, ya?"
Charles: "Let's say it was a royal hunch."
Aribar shudders and tries to think of a way to escape that darkness...