Super Smash Quest - Story - Chapter 268: Finding Vladimir
Date: April 14th & 15th, 2006.
Charles goes to his room. He picks up flyers that he made copies of.
The Ninja is somewhere...
Charles begins to post the flyers in the couple hallways, on the ground of the corridors, stapling them on the couch in R&R, placing one on top of the wall that's ajacent of the tv, the glass chamber of the man-eating couch, the ceilings of some of the rooms, and goes inside the Big Room.
Aetos examines a poster that he passes by in the hall.
Charles staples two on each side of Metal's office and one on the back of his head. He then leaves the room to post more. The poster is as follows: (http://www.ocremix.org/songs/Final_Fantasy_6_KefkaGoesWest_OC_ReMix.mp3)
The Ninja appears in the office afterwards and reads the poster on the back of Metal's head.
Locos Docos (GM): It shows a picture of Charles pointing to the person reading it, like Uncle Sam (except without the hat) On top of the picture it reads: "THE TIME IS NOW!"
The Ninja looks at the picture, then at the clock.
Locos Docos (GM): Below it is normal text. It reads: "To the soldier who calls himself Vladimir von Varuushkah: For too long, you have shunned me and the rest of the Questers of our deeds and proclaim how you are greater than any of us. WELL NO MORE!! I am calling you out to a battle to see who is indeed greater. As soon as you read this flyer, come to the Arena. I'll be waiting." *is done with the remaining flyers. Having posted them inside the final men's restroom, he goes to the Arena. He stands in the middle, patiently waiting.*
The Ninja thinks to himself, then shrugs and runs to the Arena.
Charles stands there. His arms are crossed, his foot tapping.
The Ninja lands on the pad for the Arena and looks around. "I forgot how big this place can be."
Charles: "...Zealtra, how pleasant to see you here. I believe you saw my flyer."
The Ninja: "Ah! Charles, are we here to see fictional character Metal tells me about?"
Charles grunts out of frustration.
The Ninja: "I also got time for you as well."
Charles: "For the last time, he is not fictional. Believe me. He does exist. I'm going to shut him up before he starts to bash on you. When I say 'bash' I mean insult you."
The Ninja: "But what good is insults if we can't see or hear him?"
Charles: "Exactly. He does it out of earshot. He doesn't openly defy us, except only to me."
Aetos flips down from the ceiling of the stadium.
Julian: "The insult is still out there. It can be transferred from person to person until it reaches our ears." *Julian's sitting in the Arena spectator sections, apparently scoping the place out.* "And that ain't cool, ya dig?"
Charles: "In a way, what he does is without honor."
The Ninja: "But how do we catch person if we don't know where to start looking?"
Julian: "We wait for him to show up. And then beat his ***."
Charles: "He has gone as far as done a couple imitations of Julian, me, and Ari; just to mock us. Once he knows of you, Zealtra, he may start to make fun of your heritage as well."
Julian: "Charles, we sure you ain't goin' crazy? I mean crazier."
Charles turns to Julian, stilling tapping his foot.
The Ninja: "I don't think I fully understand, but I'll stick around and find out where this leads. I got bored anyways."
Charles: "If I am crazy, then why did you come here?"
Julian: "I' jus' sayin', I don't want this this to turn out to be a wild goose chase. What else is there to do?"
Charles: "This isn't a hallucination. None of my episodes have lasted more than a week. Vladimir has been doing this for almost a full month now."
Julian: "Sure sure, whateva you say, man. So how long we gonna give this punk to show up?"
Charles: "I'm willing to wait for however long... the question is: Will he even show up?"
The Ninja: "Maybe you can fill us in on this 'Vladimir.' What he looks like or where he's from?"
Charles: "The soldier who calls himself Vladimir is around the same as any other of Ivan's forces."
The Ninja: "Who is Ivan?"
Charles: "The differences are that he has a silver star on the left side of his chest and he has a somewhat 'Russian' accent. Professor Ivan Robotnik is one of the more prestigious scientific minds of Nintendus."
The Ninja: "Oh... Isn't that the fat man?"
Aetos nods.
Charles: "The somewhat stubby person, yes. The one with the rose-tinted glasses."
Aetos: "There are 3... Ivo, Ivan, and Gerald. Gerald is... from anything I remember, an old man, he may be dead now... I don't know. "
Charles: "I can't report Vladimir to Ivan. He would assume it's nothing more than an accusation, and he would... distance himself from me. Not to mention that the soldiers are thinking I'm trying to stir up trouble. You would think that Metal would have at least arrived for a couple moments despite all that paperwork. I stapled a flyer to the back of his head."
Aetos points to the several soldiers watching the group in the center of the arena... they all seem to be there on guard duty, or cleaning, or adding insignificant upgrades.
The Ninja: "Yes. That's where I read flyer, then put current time on there."
Charles sighs. "I can't leave the Arena. I made a challenge to meet him here, so this is where I have to stay. On the other hand... if any of you wanted, you can scour the Stadium for the rouge soldier, and force him to come here. I doubt he'll come of his own volition."
Aetos shrugs. Aetos then points to one of the soldiers that constantly looks up at the group and chats among the others. "Let's go interrogate that one."
The Ninja: "Maybe we just go ask Ivan where Vladimir is."
Aetos: "Anyone have a phone?"
Charles: "I don't carry phones. I would rather not be ripped off for minutes I don't use."
Aetos: "C'mon, anyone know where a phone is? I have someone I wanna ask about Vlad."
Julian: "Use the dex!"
The Ninja: "Dex is too complicated..."
Charles: "Sky's able to use it."
Aetos shifty eyes.
Charles: "If he can, then it mustn't be too complex."
Aetos opens up the dex and asks if it has a phone feature.
The Ninja: "I'm just not that good with technology. And it hates me more than my rival."
Metal Man wanders into the area. "Huh? I was busy surfing the archives." Metal then looks like he recently came out of a trance or something.
Aetos 'hangs up' his Dex.
Metal Man takes the flier off the back of his head. "Hmmmm... I'd think I'd have met this fellow by now... At least, large amounts of people wander right through my office."
Julian: "Mets, the Dex's got a phone feature, right?"
Metal Man: "Sure it does. Garrick designed it, then I stole it and drove his version out of business."
Charles: "Illian, I was wondering when you would arrive."
Metal Man: "I was in a trance. Sorry. I review important archives to keep myself booked on the past. Plus it took a bit out of me to wander with you guys. That freak that looked like me certainly wasn't normal. But anyway. Back in the old days..." *Trails off into some insane lecture.*
Charles: "Meanwhile, I'm facing the problem here at 'home.'"
Aetos: "I don't see why it's such a problem."
Charles: "...He purposely mispronounced my last name."
Metal Man: "...And then, I hurled a Tektite off of a cliff! ..."
Charles: "Julian, Aetos, Zealtra, it seems that Vladimir won't come... at least, not by himself. I want the three of you to find him. Bring him here."
Aetos does a loud whistle. "Soldiers! Come 'ere!"
Metal Man (GM): Nobody comes, for some reason. Instead, the Questers feel some sort of disturbance... in the X-zone field.
The Ninja: "Ninja Vanish!" *Seems he tries to hide as he makes his way to Ivan's Office.*
Aetos: "I sense a disturbance in the X-force."
Julian: "A'ight...'S been a long time since I actually soldiered." *Julian gets up from his seat, then heads out into the Stadium proper to interrogate a few of Ivan's troops to see if they've even heard of Ol' Vladdy...*
Charles: "Lay off the crystal, Aetos."
Metal Man (GM): A strange soldier walks into the arena, with a bespectled red mustache and cracked sunglasses. His hair is ratty, and he wears a uniform with a silver star on it. He brandishes what looks like a laser rifle, and he begins talking rather loudly at Charles. Metal, meanwhile, is still talking to himself.
Aetos: "Oh..."
Charles: "You've been tapping into it frequently."
Aetos: "Once..."
Charles looks to... the soldier.
Aetos: "It's just... scarred my hand."
Vladimir: "You call that soldiering? Pah. You're all worthless wimps! I am the greatest man who ever lived! None of you could ever beat me. EVER! Not even the glowing freak could! Look at him... 'I am da X-zone master!' Pah! GARBAGE! I hate how he smiles... I hate his eyes... he is nothing! Vladimir is EVERYTHING!"
Julian stops when he's about to exit... "...That was quick."
Aetos looks at the mark, then lowering it, with Vlad behind it.
Metal Man: "...And then I saw The Void..."
Charles: "Metal... SNAP OUT OF IT."
Metal Man: "Huh? What?"
Charles: "...It's him." *points to the new soldier.*
Aetos: "Are you talking about me, Vladimir? Because I don't recall glowing."
Charles: "THAT is the soldier who calls himself Vladimir von Varuushkah."
Julian: "A'ight, time to give this punk a beatdown... Guess you weren't crazy afterall, Charls." *Julian heads down and jumps into the Arena.*
Vladimir: "Worthless, good for nothing leader, who sits there babbling about nonsense. And then Charles Magillian speaks like a deranged typewriter, acting like some sort of super-natural freak of nature like he is. He ought to be tasered. What point am I here for? You are all worthless! Only I could truly save the world! I am the best person ever seen! You should all flee from my gloriousness!"
Metal Man: "...WHY did you invite him here again? He speaks like me, except angry and hateful. And yet more disturbing too."
Charles: "It's time we settled who's the better of us. You... or me."
The Ninja: *Gasp.*
Vladimir: "I'll murderize you for besmirching my unending greatness, you gigantic moon pansy! Any lazt vords, you voolish jerk?" *Takes out his rifle.*
Metal Man (GM): The Questers would notice the Ivan insignia on his rifle, his clothes, and his boots. They'll probably be testing out the power of an average Ivan soldier.
Julian: "Now listen here you little punk-a** *censored.*. I'm 'bout two seconds away from kickin' yo' *** around the arena, but I figure I be nice and give you a chance to explain yourself 'fore I do it."
Vladimir: "I am ze greatest man who ever lived! You are nothzing to me! Zhere is no comparizon! I need not explain myzelf!"
Charles merely grins. "For joke sake, I'm going to dex you and see how "Strong" you are." He points his dex to Vlad.
Julian: "Any last words then?"
Metal Man (GM): Charles points the dex at him, and a force field turns on. On Vlad. It is a yellow color, and sphere-shaped.
Dex: "Error. Enemy has a jamming field."
Vladimir: "Zou are underestimating me, Magellian! Zou could never zefeat me!"
Charles puts away his dex. "This can't be part of the typical soldier."
Metal Man (GM): Battle. Julian & Charles vs. Vladimir the Braggart.
Julian: "I'm gonna run right through you, chump!"
Metal Man (GM): Vlad is out of range for physical attacks.
Aetos stands next to Charles, as he's been doing... and raises an eyebrow at Vlad.
Julian: "Les' do this!" *Julian's Rocket Boots activate as he bursts towards Vlad, flattening his hand, rearing back, and trying to PUNKSLAP Vlad helluva far.*
Metal Man (GM): Julian flies towards him, provoking an AOO. He shoots at Julian's face. Damage, and it pierces armor. Julian then flies up to punkslap him, but instead hits his force field. The shield absorbs the knockback; he is sent nowhere.
Vladimir: "Ach! Zu are trash, wimp!"
Julian: "Says you!" *Julian jumps back, then whips his Fedora towards Vladdy for a Hat Trick!*
Metal Man (GM): He aims his rifle and shoots at Julian's hat. *BLAM* It's shot out of the air before it can even hit him.
Julian: "..."
Vladimir: "I vill not play nizely!"
Julian: "Tell me... you did NOT JUST DO THAT."
Vladimir: "I am ze greatest man ever. Zhusly, I did that."
Charles: "What makes this worse is that he's supposed to be an ally."
Julian: "YOU DID NOT JUST *CENSORED* DO THAT!" *Julian rushes again, aiming a KO PUNCH Vlad's way.*
Metal Man (GM): He aims his rifle and shoots at Julian again. Also, Julian hits Vlad's force field. Damage from the laser. Pierces armor.
Aetos takes mental notes. "So... Charles, what're you gunna do?"
Charles charges up his magical powers. He takes a stance by thrusting his hands out, forming a cup, and one of his legs are stretched back. He begins to charge energy. "This, Aetos." Charles then fires a ball of electrical energy towards the force field protecting Vlad. (Magical)
Metal Man (GM): He attempts to move away from it. He fails to dodge it. His force field turns orange. Vlad turns his rifle on Julian and opens fire four more times.
Vladimir: "Ich vill grinz zu into zust!"
Julian: "You are so *censored* DEAD!" *Julian charges again, trying to land a WINDING KICK!*
Metal Man (GM): Julian's too close for Vlad to shoot at him. So Julian hits his force field.
Charles charges up another magic spell. The spell begins to form, but the energy dissipates into Charles's body, causing him to yell, "Ow-owowowow!"
Vladimir: "Hah! Zoo are nothink!"
Metal Man (GM): Vlad mercilessly opens fire on Julian again. It looks like he's burning a lot of energy...
Charles shakes off the static shock. "Aetos, how do you feel about this offensive man?"
Vladimir: "Vhew. Why aren't zoo dead yet?"
Julian tries... Kicking him in the shin.*
Metal Man (GM): Julian slowly kicks Vlad's force field. Because he moves in slow-mo when trying to dodge. His shield turns red. It appears to be losing power.
Charles: "...Heeehh."
Aetos: "Um... he's a tad wacko."
Vladimir: "Vlah! Zoo zupid piece of yunk! Ztop him!"
Charles approaches Vladimir, getting within melee range of the soldier.
Metal Man (GM): He shoots at Charles as Charles walks towards him.
Charles charges up his magic again. "Shock Ball!" The Ball zigzags toward the force field.
Metal Man (GM): He flees from it, but the field gets zapped anyway. The field glows... and Vlad looks mad. Not glad.
Vladimir: "I zhall vinish you off!"
Metal Man (GM): His eyes spin about wildly and he attacks randomly. He tries to smash Julian into the ground with his rifle, reaching through his own force field.
Julian: *CONK'D.*
Charles has an "!" appear on his head. Apparently, Vlad seems to be stronger than your average Ivan soldier.
Julian: *More Shin-Kicking of DOOM!x2.*
Vladimir: "Zoo undereztimate mich!"
Metal Man (GM): Hit and hit. His shield unit begins to throw sparks.
Vladimir: "Zees is not good!"
Charles does a leg sweep at the force field, then hops and lands on the ground with one finger. He spins and strikes it with his spread apart legs 4 times.
Metal Man (GM): Hit. Hit hit hit hit. The shield generator on his back sparks every time Charles hits his shield. The leg sweep attack deals no damage; the leg strikes take the shield out of commission. It does nothing but throw sparks now.
Julian: "...You dead now, boy."
Vladimir: "Ach! I have lozt! How can I vin now? Oh!" He reaches on his back, and pulls out a highly reactive-looking core-shaped material.
Metal Man (GM): Then he lights it on fire and hurls it to the ground, creating a massive explosion of blinding yellow light.
Julian: "...The hel-" *FLASH.*
Metal Man (GM): Julian flees from the blast, while it fries Charles and Vlad for damage. Vlad stands up, brushes himself off, and sets his rifle back on.
Charles does so as well.
Julian: "...You ain't very smart, is ya?"
Vladimir: "Wha? Zoo survieved? I zhall have to try again!"
Charles: "...Oh good lord. He has ANOTHER one of those."
Metal Man (GM): Julian is now a couple feet away from Vlad. As he needed to move.
Vladimir: "Ja! I can blow zees entire platz up eef I want to!"
Metal Man (GM): He brandishes the highly explosion reactive core inside his rifle.
Charles: "It's over, Mr. Varuushkah... Oh god, he put it IN his rifle."
Vladimir: "I put in rifle, I put in shampoo, I put in ice cream to make myself super!"
Metal Man (GM): He laughs... perhaps a side-effect of putting so much reactive core stuff.
Julian: "Not if I can help it..." *Julian tries to THIEF away Vladdy's rifle.*
Metal Man (GM): He shoots Julian in the hand, dealing damage. His rifle's core appears to be changing colors like the field did. It's orange right now, so it must not be depleted yet.
Julian: *TRY AGAIN!*
Metal Man (GM): The amazing Vlad shoots Julian again. That's getting old really fast.
Charles: "Julian, he's too fast for you."
Julian: "BS he is. If I can get the rifle way, he's cake. Try scanning him."
Vladimir: "Vhen angry, zu are veak!"
Aetos: "Julian, why not just give it up? Take him out, not steal his gun."
Julian: *LAST TRY.*
Metal Man (GM): He crits out in the face this time, dealing even more damage.
Vladimir: "Avay from me, thief! Arivar the loser vill hate zoo!"
Charles: "...He's slowly killing you. Let's see what we're up against." *Charles dexes Vlad from afar.*
Dex: "...DING! Vladimir. Level: 69. HP: 300/1528. Force: 316/300 (+4) (17 DR) SP: 150/360. STR: 27. END: 32. AGI: 07. MNT: 21. EVD: 09. DEF: 15 (11 + 4 Supernatural Armor) Partial entry. Please dex again for more information. This is an average soldier of Ivan's army. However, rather than give up when his weapons break, he takes the cores out of them and uses them like miniature atomic bombs."
Aetos dexes Julian for his health.
Dex: "He is known as Vlad the Exploder for his antics. End of partial entry."
Charles dexes Vladimir again.
Dex: "...DING!"
Metal Man (GM): Abilities. =========. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Name Level Description |. |Crazy| 3 +3 MNT mod to hit; use random attack. |. |Enhanced Check (AGI) 3 +5 to |. |Lucky || 3 3 Rerolls. |. |Thick-Skinned (Mute) 3 Blocks attacks which prevent him from speaking. |. |Truth-Seer 3 See the Truth 3 times per mission. |. |_______________________________________________________________________________________________|.
Dex: "He has a wide variety of abilities, and uses them well. So far, he has been able to jack up his accuracy repeatedly. However, he still cannot compensate for his below-average speed. He has some other abilities which require many scannings to see. End of entry."
Charles scans a third time.
Dex: "...DING!"
Metal Man (GM): Shield. ======. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Ivan Robotnik Point Defense Shield |. |Size Type Quality +HP Recharge Shield DR |. |Normal Damage Absorb Supernatural 300 4 HP 17 |. |_______________________________________________________________________________________________|.
Dex: "An average shield, used by all members of Ivan's army. This one was destroyed when its power core was taken out, set on fire, and used as an improvised explosive. He may be able to do that with any other equipment he has--be cautious. End of entry."
Charles scans with his last bit of time left.
Dex: "...DING!"
Metal Man (GM): Attacks. =======. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Special Attacks |. |Button Name To-Hit Damage TP SP Upg |. |B Vlad Shot +17 43 1 10 +Acc, +Damage2x,+Fast2x. |. |->B Rifle Smack +14 48 3 10 +Acc3x, +Knockback2x. |. |/ B Overhead Smash +14 63 4 10 +Acc3x, +Damage3x, -Slow. |. |/B Rocket Jump +12 84 3 10 +Acc 2x, +Jump, +Machinegun. |. |_______________________________________________________________________________________________|.
Dex: "Vladimir is known for his rifle capabilities. Because of this, all but one of his attacks use it in some way. He will mercilessly shoot at whatever gets into close-range with him, and he hates anything which tries to approach him from afar. It is unknown what his Rocket Jump does. End of entry. More data available with subsequent scannings."
Charles: "...Rocket Jump?"
Vladimir: "Ach! Zoo cannot beat me with zat!" He opens fire on Julian four more times.
Julian: "SHOOT OTHER PEOPLE!"
Vladimir: "You attacked me virst, zoo dezerve to die virst!"
Julian: "And they're attacking you now!" *more attempted burglary.*
Metal Man (GM): Julian grabs the rifle from him. He presses a red button on his shoulder. *BOOOM.*
Vladimir: "Zelf destruct! Hah!"
Julian: "FU-" *BOOM.*
Metal Man (GM): It explodes in Julian's face, dealing However, he is now unarmed.
Julian: *DEAD >_<*
Vladimir: "...Zreat. Now I have nein weaponz!"
Aetos noted that he scanned Julian's health... but it doesn't matter now.
Vladimir: "Yust zoo and me, Charles, eh?"
Metal Man (GM): Vlad looks burnt from all the explosions, but otherwise ready to fight Julian unarmed.
Charles: "You are now without a gun, he who calls himself "Great Vladimir." *approaches Vladimir, taking time to get within range.*
Vladimir: "I vill deveat you unarzed!"
Metal Man (GM): He looks angry that he can't shoot Charles, but he can't do anything about it.
Charles gets into a stance of Kung Fu. "Boot to the Head."
Metal Man (GM): He's kicked right in the head. *BONK.*
Charles: *WHOOSH.*
Vladimir: "Ach. Zee are stoopid!"
Metal Man (GM): His shoes suddenly light on fire, and rockets upwards into Charles' face. As he flies upwards awkwardly, Charles realizes Vlad has reactive cores IN HIS SHOES.
Aetos laughs out loud.
Charles is hit.
Aetos: "He really went all out for this."
Charles: "Crraazzyyy soooonn offa aa---*FWWOOMM!*"
Vladimir: "I vorgot to mention the ones in my zhoes!"
Aetos: "Do you have Reacter Core Eyeballs too?"
Vladimir: "Nein. I have enough right here!"
Charles: "This calls for special measures of my own. Power of the Stars: Hear my plight: Guide me to an honorable victory in this fight!"
Vladimir: "Vhat? I hate zarz!"
Charles activates the Star Rod. His hands now glow with their energy.
Vladimir: "Exzept zee one on my shirt."
Charles ends his turn, defending.
Metal Man (GM): Vlad rockets into Charles' face again. He has depleted his luckies. Also, this move has machinegun, though he's been getting horrible rolls with it.
Vladimir: "Vace it. Zoo are inferior!"
Charles: "We will see who has the better resources." *aims his hand at Vladimir.* "ENERGY WAVE!" The Star Rod activates, sending a wave of yellow energy at Vladimir.
Metal Man (GM): His mind, while decent, cannot oppose magic very well. *Rerolls that.* He's hit by the wave... And paralyzed.
Vladimir: "Ach! Zee cannot hold me!"
Metal Man (GM): He can act this round. He uses that to use all the energy he's been saving up to rocket up at Charles twice instead of once. damage, machinegun
Charles starts kneeling on the ground. *Health check?*
Metal Man (GM): HP: 426/1528.
Charles: "...I... I mustn't give up."
Vladimir: "Zoo are fool. I am zee greatest!"
Charles uses Heal on himself.
Vladimir: "Now, die!" He starts spinning around again.
Metal Man (GM): He takes off one of his shoes and tries to stab Charles in the eye with it. While doing so, he makes shooting noises with his lips. Then he wastes the rest of the round putting the shoe back on.
Vladimir: "Ach. Shoe in die eye! Give up and I vill leave zoo. Fight and zees might get ugly!"
Charles: "No. I will fight with honor and die in battle. It is my right of vengenace."
Vladimir: "Zat is stoopid!"
Charles can no longer hold back. He takes out what he has made several months ago in the laboratory of Smithy before Kuja took over Nintendus. /me takes out the potion. It looks like... a black and white powdered smoothie, with green whipped cream on top. And purple sprinkles.
Vladimir: "...Zuh?"
Charles gets a grimace. "It is time... to find out what this does!" *drinks the potion.*
Metal Man (GM): Charles drinks the ancient smoothie. It feels sort of light... energy suddenly flows through Charles' body. The white emerald floats out of Charles' pocket.
Vladimir: "Zees is... impozzible!"
Metal Man (GM): It floats above Charles and electrifies him with energy. He suddenly glows white, and then turns... golden. SUPER CHARLES. Charles's smash power turns to infinite; his stats are temporarily doubled. He also becomes invincible. Vlad takes a few steps back, looking a bit... horrified.
Vladimir: "It eez a demon! Ahhhhhhh! ...No. I muzt defeet him!"
Metal Man (GM): He stands his ground, brandishing his feet at Charles.
Charles is modifying some stats around. Charles then feels... sensationed. He moves with very much agility as he zips towards Vladimir with a bone-crushing knee strike to his abdomen.
Metal Man (GM): *CRUSH.* Vlad fails to evade paralysis this time.
Super Charles feels nothing for some reason. It is only a contest of who will win: Him or his opponent. He powers up an attack, flying towards Vladimir at Mach speed. His magic powers his attack some as he unleashes an uppercut of great might.
Metal Man (GM): Vlad is sent flying. He lands on the ground, though his armor cushions the fall.
Super Charles ends his attack. Why does nothing else matter than to see who wins?
Metal Man (GM): He breaks free of his paralysis; Charles feels the need to recharge next round.
Vladimir: "I... vill zucceed!"
Metal Man (GM): He does nothing for this round.
Super Charles uses the White Emerald on himself.
Metal Man (GM): Charles recharges, preventing the super mode from fading. Vlad fails to escape paralysis this time, but the effect wears off of him.
Super Charles uses two very rapid fists to Vlad's face.
Metal Man (GM): Hit and hit; Vlad's being bloodied now.
Aetos raises an eyebrow at Charles.
Vladimir: "I... vill NEVER... looze to you!"
Super Charles only hears the voice. He doesn't react. He just floats there.
Vladimir: "How dare zoo cheat on me! Ich vill get zoo zees time!"
Metal Man (GM): He takes off his shoes and takes out the cores within them. Then he takes off his armor and takes out yet another core from that.
Vladimir: "Ach! Zeee vill PAY!"
Metal Man (GM): He holds them up in the air. They electrify him, and he, too, glows. However, it isn't any normal glow. He becomes energized with the power normally inside the cores. The cores themselves turn clear and drop to the ground, harmless.
SUPER Vladimir: "Ich am zuper! Zoo zhall fear my greatnezz!"
Metal Man (GM): He powers up and fires rays from his palms. However, they hit Charles without doing any damage.
Super Charles uses the emerald to recharge himself.
SUPER Vladimir: "...Zees isn't funny! Zoo should be in piecez!"
Aetos wonders if he could sneak over and pick up those 3 orbs.
Super Charles fires Lightning from the Star Rod at Vladimir.
Metal Man (GM): Aetos means the three cores. They're more like cylinders. He could go ahead and take them; they're empty. Meanwhile, The Ninja reaches Ivan's office. He's hit by it; but his own super thing... blocks it.
Aetos whistles and walks on over to the Shiney Soldier, and bends down to grab the 3 empty cores.
Metal Man (GM): Aetos grabs the three cores. They're like glass.
SUPER Vladimir: "...I vorget why zees fight happens. Vhat point ees it now?"
Metal Man (GM): Ivan sees The Ninja enter his office. He turns to face him.
Aetos: "Mm... hmm... these atually remind me of the white emerald... at least the appearance..." .oO(Besides the fact the emerald is crystalline.)
Ivan Robotnik: "What is it? You look... worried."
The Ninja: "Concern would word it better. I have a question about a guard you have."
SUPER Vladimir: "Hmmmm... zoo are too crazy to kill now... electrical super-gem iz in way! ... I fix zees!"
Ivan Robotnik: "Which one?"
Metal Man (GM): Vlad fires a gigantic ray of destruction at Charles. However, it isn't actually a ray of destruction.
The Ninja: "A Mr. Vladimir."
Ivan Robotnik: "I don't have any... 'Vladimir'... on my list here."
Aetos looks back up from the cores, at the giant beam. "Woah... ow?"
Metal Man (GM): The ray hits Charles and causes his super form to deactivate. Then it flies back and hits Vladimir, who turns ghostly.
Aetos: "Like... a defusion ray?"
SUPER Vladimir: "Zo. Ich have had enough of zoo!"
The Ninja: "Well. I thought it was fictional character too... But why is such fictional character fighting Charles as we speak?"
Metal Man (GM): Vladimir then disintegrates and then is... absorbed... into Charles?
Ivan Robotnik: "I have absolutely no clue. I have a feeling it's linked to the... instability... around here."
Super Charles: "..." *he's regained his senses.*
Aetos: "...I might get it now."
Metal Man (GM): When the smoke clears, nothing is left, save for the pile of debris.
Metal Man suddenly stops talking. "Wait a minute... that's why we've never seen Vladimir until now!"
Julian: "Ungh..." *Julian stirs.* "...What'd I miss?"
The Ninja: "That are a bit insane, but I saw for myself the 'russian' soldier."
Aetos: "He basically IS in Charles' head..."
Charles: "...Where did Vladimir go?"
Metal Man: "...Right back into your head, I'm afraid."
Ivan Robotnik: "Allow me to see him myself. If he is an illusion of my soldiers, he should answer to me."
Julian: "..."
Aetos: "Charles... you've got such power in your imagination, that things start to appear from it, into reality... at least I think."
Charles: "Why did you say 'I'm afraid?'"
Metal Man takes out his dex. "It appears Vladimir was produced by some sort of quantum-level disturbance in reality."
The Ninja: "I hope Charles is alright. Follow me!" *Runs back out the door and leads Ivan to the arena.*
Metal Man (GM): Ivan gets up, and follows The Ninja.
Aetos: "Have you been around X-zone materials too much?"
Metal Man: "Him? No, it can't be X-zone. That'd be you, Aetos."
Aetos: "Oh... yeah."
Metal Man: "He hates the stuff. Those things Vlad used were real Ivan crystals, too."
Aetos: "Hmm."
Metal Man (GM): Ivan and the Ninja arrive on the scene.
Aetos holds one up to the sun.
Metal Man (GM): It's just glass now; the green energy is gone.
The Ninja: "...Where is Fictional solder now?" *He begins to look around.*
Ivan Robotnik: "...Well, there was somebody here with a lot of power. I can believe that..." *Takes out a device.* "...Using my technology in a highly destructive fashion."
Charles: "Back into me."
Metal Man: "He sort of got fed up with fighting and vanished into Charles."
Julian: "...So you're tellin' me... I got shot at by Charles' imagination?"
Ivan Robotnik: "...Aha! I have... a preliminary answer."
The Ninja: "Like Julian's jewel thief?"
Aetos wonders if Ivan would want them back to refill them or something.
Charles sees the Emerald.
Ivan Robotnik: "Sort of. However, this illusion appears to have been linked to Charles."
Charles: "...Whoops."
Ivan Robotnik: "Instead of Julian."
Charles gives the emerald to Aetos. "This be yours."
Julian: "...Son of a *CENSORED!*" *pounds the arena floor.*
Aetos: "Oh, thank you."
Charles looks back to Ivan.
Ivan Robotnik: "I see it now... this was a creation of Charles's past anger at Magitek."
Aetos nods. "So, this is his was of relieving stress?..."
Ivan Robotnik: "This soldier acted in all the ways he hated. First he hallucinated him, and then, after just being irradiated by a large amount of dark energy... this happened."
Aetos kinda snickers to himself.
Ivan Robotnik: "Sort of. He destroyed a part of himself that he had lost, and regained it somehow. I will make sure to study this phenomenon more. It appears linked to the other ghosts you may have seen."
Charles: "...So that's why the emerald was reacting to me."
The Ninja: "This is the most messed up team I've ever been on."
Ivan Robotnik: "It has the same composition as that being you fought against named... Dark Metal Man."
Metal Man (GM): A piece of paper appears out of nowhere and lands into Charles's hands.
Charles: "...Guys. Sardis just wrote us."
Ivan Robotnik: "Hm."
Julian: "..."
Metal Man (GM): The paper says, simply: -Page 18. This realm is unsafe. Those who let their emotions overcome them appear to create phantom monsters of themselves. These beings are highly destructive and appear to lack true identities, relying on the originator to give them names. I was about to come, but then was stopped by intense radiation caused by not one, but two of these beings.
Julian: "...So tha's why we don't know that guys name."
Metal Man (GM): I am developing a countermeasure, but it may be too late for me to come in time. I warned you; the chaos will destroy everything, even Kuja, when allowed free reign. Guard your emeralds until the time is right, lest you destroy us all. I bid you much luck in this endeavor; you'll have to live long enough for me to arrive, after all. It ends there. The page itself glows oddly, just like Vladimir did.
Ivan Robotnik: *Looks at it from over Charles's shoulder.* "So there it is. Some sort of phenomenon is haunting this realm. We should avoid provoking any more of these into existence."
Metal Man (GM): He looks over the damage.
The Ninja: "And how do we do that exactly?"
Ivan Robotnik: "The third one might not be as willing to capitulate, or as easy to trick as the others. As for preventing them, one must avoid losing your mind at a certain thing. Only Julian and Charles, so far, appear to have done so recently."
Charles: "...Since when did Julian have a phantom?"
Ivan Robotnik: "I cannot know, but that strange Dark Metal fellow stuck to him like glue. At least, my mission briefings tell me such."
Aetos examines his hand. .oO(I hope this isn't that...)
Ivan Robotnik: "Vladimir was a terrifically powerful fighter, much like the other one... should anyone want to fight him for real, he will become available in the holo room as a holographic challenge. But his equipment was standard, save for those shoes. Which I should probably make for my own soldiers."
Julian: "He ain't nothin' without that damn gun. Believe 'dat."
Charles: "He was a bit more powerful without that gun, Julian. Only a bit more."
Ivan Robotnik: *Looks at security camera footage on his communication device.* "Hmm... yes. He would have won if the chaos emerald hadn't been used."
Charles: "Well... I feel more like myself again, strangely. So let's say we find Meier Link's corpse and put an end to his vampiric reign again?"
Aetos: "I sadly agree... He would have won even if he hadn't absorbed the powers from these reacter cores too..."
Julian: "Then I can beat up Aetos again. 'Les do it."
Ivan Robotnik: "If you can survive an encounter with Vlad, then you can kill a thousand Meier Links."
Charles: "I only survived because I drank that potion and had the white emerald near me."
Aetos: "Good thing he didn't bother to hurt me."
Ivan Robotnik: *Nods.* "Go to it. I will be in my office. Make sure to alarm me as much as possible if anything else imitates my men."
Charles: "Let's prepare for him when the time comes."
Ivan Robotnik: "You will... err... be paid for the sort of pains you had to go through."
Aetos: "Mmhmm. I'll go prepare in... the R&R Room... *whistle.*"
Metal Man (GM): +10,000 coins to Charles and Julian for having to endure the evil of Vlad.
Charles goes to his room to rejuvenate. He tells Ivan, "I'll be seeing you before we leave."
Metal Man (GM): Ivan nods, then goes to his office.
The Ninja: "Thank you, oh great round one!" *Waves to Ivan.*
Ivan Robotnik: *Waves back as he leaves.*