Super Smash Quest - Story - Chapter 270: Departures

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Date: April 17th & 18th, 2006.

Meier Link: "The end is near, Questers. I will kill you just like I killed Zio..."

Metal Man (GM): Meier Link stares at the Questers indignantly, and then points his sword at Charles.

Meier Link: "You have outlived your usefulness, Lunarian. For betraying the cause of evil, I sentence you to death!"

Metal Man (GM): He leaps up and tries to slash up Charles's shoulders and knees.

Julian: .oO("Jus' keep targeting everyone but me...) *Julian, Vendetta, Meier Link. What do these three things have in common? SLASHY!*

Metal Man (GM): Miss hit hit hit hit.

Julian: *And...* *Two More Slashes!*

Metal Man (GM): He is slashed up.

Charles suffers from the four great gashes given to him by the vampire. Clutching his arms, he slowly limps to another clock. He doesn't respond to Meier's remark.

Digifanatic: "I do say that is a nice thing you have in that Vendetta."

Metal Man (GM): The clocks are all ticking, entirely on time.

Charles quickly looks for something outta the ordinary.

Meier Link: "Are you just looking for a way to turn back time? It's too late. I have been freed, and I will lead my legions to destroy all that lives against Kuja."

Metal Man (GM): Charles discovers something odd; these clocks appear to have magical enchantments upon them, which appear to be connected to the time. They were set to restrain Meier Link until this time; effectively freezing any time-related aging on him while he was in his coffin. The one you destroyed was one of many; they may yet be possible to be used against him, if it is possible to manipulate the strange energy inside the clock mechanism.

Aetos: "Why didn't you do anything Charles? Is something up with those clocks?"

Garrick quickly joined in on the fun with the whole 'Beating Meier Link into a lifeless pulp' thing. He flanked alongside and Julian, jumping and spiralling over his new evil foe and attacking him from behind while Julian waylayed him from the front and sides or wherever they hit him. He drove a hard punch into his lower back, then brought an Uppercut into the back of his head, his Magitek Arm Pistols blazing to life with each attack.

Metal Man (GM): He moves to block them both, but instead gets hit twice, then he tries to block a third and fails, but with his last efforts, blocks the final attack. Needless to say, only the one of the attacks gets an extra hit.

Charles can't hear... or... he pretends not to hear. Who knows.

Aetos blinks. "Charles!?"

Digifanatic decides to start by trying to wallop on the Meier with an Elemental Will-ized Light Punch, then, after backing up a step or two, leaps at him and shoves into the ground (Downward Slam).

Metal Man (GM): Hit, miss. The light burns him a bit more than it would normal people.

Meier Link: "I have nearly negated the weaknesses of my kind. Light shall not be my downfall."

Garrick: "This guy, how dare he... gotta be something around here... okay... just like Charles said... ignore the anger... use your head..."

Digifanatic: "Well, for now, it looks like it may be."

Aetos wonders what Charle is looking at, so he flips out his Dex and scans the clocks.

Meier Link: "I should be angry at you, rightfully. It is thanks to you Zio is dead, when he could have aided you."

Dex: "...DING! Ordinary grandfather clocks. They may conceal a hidden purpose."

Aetos: "And what might that hidden purpose be?..."

Dex: "Unknown."

Digifanatic: "That is a good question..."

Meier Link: "If you had let Zio kill Alys, Kuja would have never risen."

Garrick: "Shut up!"

Aetos shrugs. "That's interesting..."

Julian: "You people might want to concentrate on protecting me instead of attacking."

Aetos defends now, and is ending his turn.

Meier Link: "It is entirely your fault that all this is here. I only offer you a chance to escape the evil of life before it is corrupted permanently."

Aetos: "Why is that, Julian?"

Meier Link: "He means this."

Garrick: "Stop talking and start fighting!"

Digifanatic: "All I know is that he's reeling..."

Metal Man (GM): Meier Link raises the sword of Darkness over his head.

Aetos raises his right hand.

Garrick reaches into his pocket unconsiously and grips the red emerald...

Meier Link: "Behold... the most destructive device imaginable. Wielded by me, one of the last of its true holders... it shall make this fight meaningless."

Metal Man (GM): It glows ominously, and then the room shakes.

Julian: "Yeah, and I'm the only one doing significan damage here! So either you guys protect me and I cut 'em to bits, or he takes me out and then you guys follow!"

Charles: .oO(I pray so.)

Digifanatic: "Aetos, the Purple one's powering Valhalla, right?"

Aetos: "...How are you so sure he'd beat us, if you died, Julian?.. I swear you are full of yourself, but you don't believe me."

Julian: "Yeah, so I don't got one."

Aetos: "Yes, the purple one is in Zora's Domain."

Julian: "'Cause you guys ain't inflictin' any damage tha's why!"

Digifanatic: "Aetos? Let him borrow our white one if you want to."

Aetos: "But we have several backup plans... we just use YOU as a first offense."

Meier Link: "I AM THE FULFILLED PRIEST OF THE UNHOLY ONE! DENON WAS A FALSE PROPHET... AND I SHALL FULFILL THE DUTY OF THE DARK MAGI!"

Digifanatic: "I have no problem with it."

Garrick: "It is amazing that you guys are having a nice, comfortable conversation when the room is shaking thanks to the POWER OF PURE DARKNESS?!?!! WHY DON'T YOU CAN IT AND ATTACK HIM ALREADY!!"

Metal Man (GM): He begins shouting loudly. A massive portal appears over his head.

Digifanatic: "If we attack him, he's gonna slice us up!"

Aetos: "Ack..."

Metal Man (GM): It's a portal of darkness.

Meier Link: "REALM OF DARKNESS... ANNIHILATE THESE FOOLS!"

Aetos holds his right hand, with the mark, using his left, and concentrates on fending off any darkness that comes near him, like before.

Garrick pulls out the red emerald and shakes it a few times "C'mon, do something other than evil stuff..."

Julian: "...*censored.*."

Metal Man (GM): The sword is rised up into the portal; he stabs it into the side, and it begins firing a massive amount of dark energy across the room. Then Aetos's hand freaks out. And the emerald also glows.

Aetos: "I don't want to be sucked up into darkness, jeez... why don't you fight FAIR you lousy vampire?"

Digifanatic: "Um... cause he's evil, Aetos?"

Metal Man (GM): The image of Dark force appears above Meier Link, and then the image of The Void appears over the Questers.

Meier Link: "...What... the..."

Metal Man (GM): BOOM. Everything turns black as the room is assailed by chaos and dark energy colliding head-on.

Garrick: "OUT! NOW!"

Julian: "You ain't playin' Hero Boy again!"

Digifanatic: "Aetos... where is that Emerald?" *wants to focus in with that thing, but he doesn't know if he could have the time or the ability to...*

Aetos is too distracted to answer Digi...

Metal Man (GM): Damage to Digi, Damage to Cgharles, Damage to Garrick, Damage to Aetos, and Damage to Meier Link.

Digifanatic: "Come on... come on..." He suddenly spots the thing. "Ah!" He goes to take, but he is hit first before anything...

Metal Man (GM): The room is entirely destroyed. it is possible to see the sunlight above; that is, for those who are still alive. Damage to Julian.

Aetos thuds to the ground, all motionless and dead, like everyone else.

Metal Man (GM): The Questers are revived, and can see Meier Link, who has been burnt to a crisp. That is, if they have any lives left.

Aetos is revived..

Digifanatic does have two left... *revive.* "Oh man..."

Garrick gets to his feet, growling at the pure charbroil blackness of his skin as it turns back into normal shade of tan.

Julian's blown back into the wall again, but peels himself off with his last life. "...Well, that took care of that."

Charles was able to cast Auto-Life on himself before the explosion happened.

Garrick: "...we need to get out of here now..."

Meier Link: "You... are... the emblem of chaos... you will consume everything... you have defeated evil itself with your madness... and it will be your destruction."

Julian: "There ain't much of a hurry, Garrick."

Metal Man (GM): There's no need to get out anywhere; there is Sha'fol nearby, and undead who have suddenly stopped moving.

Julian: "Ya see?"

Metal Man (GM): Meier Link continues to stand despite being burnt to a crisp.

Garrick: "I don't care... I don't care about this..."

Metal Man (GM): He holds up his bent and busted sword of Darkness.

Julian: "So... You dead yet?" *pokes him with Vendetta.*

Charles moves closer to Meier Link... with holy branch in two hands.

Metal Man (GM): Julian pokes a field around him.

Garrick wonders how Charles got it from him... but meh.

Metal Man (GM): He gets a wicked smile.

Meier Link: "You wasted your energy."

Aetos coughs..

Metal Man (GM): He then takes his sword and hurls it into Julian's chest before he can react.

Garrick: "Julian!"

Aetos hides his hand from Charles and Garrick, while they are watching Link.

Digifanatic: (muttering) "You must be kidding me..."

Metal Man (GM): *THWACK* It's not so much painful as... cursed.

Julian: "You mutha-" *STABBED.*

Meier Link: "If I should die... then your friend will take my place."

Julian: "...This already happened once!"

Garrick lets out a bloody roar and charges Meier Link, his fist closed around the red emerald all the time, bringing said fist back and making to drive it into his face.

Aetos: "Julian sure seems to enjoy being the embodiment of evil... Have fun Julian! Have a nice flight."

Meier Link: "Lashiec has been notified of your powers... he will not be tricked."

Metal Man (GM): Garrick runs towards Meier Link, who raises up a burnt hand and punches Garrick so hard it breaks his fist. Garrick's fist, that is.

Garrick: "GRAH!"

Meier Link: "I am the unkillable and unstoppable vampire. You have vanquished yourselves rather than defeat me."

Garrick slumps over, holding his broken hand... he drops the emerald... he then slowly looks up at Meier Link.

Meier Link: "Anyone who further attacks me shall only experience horrors abound, those above and beyond your own knowledge of such."

Aetos: "Aw now don't go dropping the chaos, Garrick..."

Garrick: "...I don't care what you are... I don't care if you're the embodiment of evil or Peter *censored.* Pan..."

Charles: "...Vampire."

Meier Link: "The truth is, chaos is random. And it cannot kill me."

Aetos: "Hmm..."

Garrick: "Then I won't use chaos! I've never used magic or chaos or anything like that!"

Meier Link: *Turns to Charles.* "What do I expect to hear next? Yes... you may join my side."

Metal Man (GM): He laughs and outstretches a hand to Charles.

Julian: "Magitek kinda counts."

Aetos: "Psh, Charles wont join you. He's got to help Grodus out first."

Charles holds a grimace. He backs to steps. "You said I outlived my usefulness. Why say I can join you now?"

Meier Link: "Oh really... so Grodus has betrayed Kuja?"

Aetos: "Er... No, we just reprogrammed him, or something..."

Meier Link: "Interesting." *He scratches his burnt chin.* "You can be useful again as a replacement for Skyhigh."

Digifanatic: "Quiet, Aetos!"

Aetos slaps his mouth shut.

Meier Link: "I organized the commanders in the first place, due to my seniority. I know you love airships. You were never as chaotic as these fools. Your coordinated and lawful ways make you just what Kuja needs. I thank you for taking Skyhigh off of our hands."

Metal Man (GM): He bows to Charles and continues to hold out his hand.

Charles: "Indeed... but I cannot join Kuja. Not now, not ever. He and his armies use the Magitek."

Meier Link: *Frowns.* "Then what about joining the forces of darkness? We are above and beyond Magitek and his ways."

Julian: "So... am I gonna die? 'Cause... y'know, the sword..."

Metal Man (GM): He turns to Julian.

Meier Link: "Why would I kill someone who I needed to take my place? No. Take the sword from out of you; it is yours."

Charles: "The forces of darkness. I can see that you are of the darkness, yet the darkness is not evil. Only the one who wields its power would be evil or good."

Meier Link: "You are the best fighter out of these chaotic fools; you used not magitek or The Void to do your bidding. Should I die, you will replace me."

Charles: "As for you, dear Meier Link..."

Meier Link: "...?"

Charles holds out the holy branch. It flashes.

Digifanatic doesn't really know the best idea... attacking will probably kill himself again and the Emerald will only make Meier's resistance more difficult to overcome... he will lazily rely on the GM giving him the answer to determine the best idea.

Editor's Note: Man, do I hate how people in this period used "MNT" checks to just magically solve everything.

Julian: "I already got a sword. And it's all laser 'n ****!"

Garrick just stares into the ground, holding his hand...

Metal Man (GM): Digi thinks while Garrick stares at the emerald in his hand, which pulsates with chaotic energy.

Garrick: "...no..."

Metal Man (GM): Meier is hit by the flash, and from that the holy branch flies into his heart like a magnet.

Digifanatic: "Garrick... you'll probably make it worse if you try that again..."

Julian: "It's cooler than the one you kinda gave me. So I be keepin' it."

Charles: "You have played at life for too long. It is time for you enter the Lifestream of this world."

Julian: "...Thought he said he didn' HAVE a heart."

Meier Link: "Your... lawful ways... you... will... not... overcome... the chaos... darkness... can... never... die!"

Metal Man (GM): He falls over and into dust.

Charles: "Return to the realm of the dead, and let those who live have their own chance at life."

Aetos: "...Isn't Julian's Vendetta Magitek?"

Sha'Fol: "He had no heart of the emotional kind. Rather, a heart of flesh."

Julian: "Nah, 'is lasers."

Aetos: "I see..."

Metal Man (GM): The sword, still stuck into Julian's chest, is a wicked razor-edged remnant of The Sword of Darkness.

Charles: "Gentlemen, the vampire that was Meier Link. This is all that remains. Undefeated he is... no longer."

Digifanatic: "Yup."

Julian: "Yeah, an' I'm supposed 'ta take his place. That ain't good, ya?"

Metal Man (GM): Having been corrupted by chaos, it is now a skinny, twisted, spindly relic which is merely a weapon.

Aetos eyes the sword in Julian. "Yes... he's still here in spirit."

Sha'Fol: "He has marked Julian with his evil. However, he failed to realize something."

Charles: "Then we will merely send what is left of him to the Farplane. For now..."

Sha'Fol: *Takes the sword out of Julian.* "The Sword of Darkness is no more. Without it, the knowledge it has is finally dead."

Julian: "...So I'm gonna be fine?"

Sha'Fol: "...Mostly. Don't touch anything of great evil power, though."

Aetos whistles.

Charles looks to the sun that is shining over Saturn Valley.

Sha'Fol: "There may yet be other ways to channel the evil of Dark Force, and those objects could turn you evil. However, Aribar is more susceptible to it."

Metal Man (GM): The valley is no longer covered in caves; it is possible to see the edge of an ancient ring monolith peeking from the ruins.

Charles: "Our mission here is done."

Metal Man (GM): Atop it is a strange glyph with 'Hope' written below it.

Julian: "Aw yeah! Everythin' turned out fine, and now I can get that match set up."

Aetos: "Heh."

Metal Man (GM): Over the corpse of Meier Link, the three holy stones appears.

Sha'Fol: "With the death of Meier, and the loss of his undead, Hyrule may yet be restored. There remains one problem..."

Julian: "What? What's left fo' us to do?"

Metal Man (GM): He points at the stones, which form a Triforce.

Digifanatic: "I don't know."

Aetos: "Oh boy."

Sha'Fol: "The Triforce has been divided into millions of pieces, and kept apart even when reassembled by Kuja's will."

Digifanatic: "Whoa."

Julian: "...Huh."

Charles: "It was left by the gods, so it isn't a surprise when he destroyed it."

Sha'Fol: "The stones can restore peace to the environment, but there cannot be any rebuilding of structures without the triforce. For otherwise, there will still be Kuja's men to fear, and Kuja's wrath to destroy whatever good rises. And I have a further warning for all of you. The chaos is strong, but what you did essentially transferred more power to The Void."

Julian: "...So..."

Sha'Fol: "The imbalance between chaos and all the other elements continues; Darkness has been subdued not once, but twice, and has one last remaining link. Should you use chaos to kill the final link, you may all but summon The Void in the place of the evil you face."

Digifanatic: "Is there any way that thing can be killed off for good without any of this rebirth stuff?"

Sha'Fol: "You have killed, permanently, at least two commanders; however, your chaotic methods may cause The Void to return."

Digifanatic: "Right..."

Charles: "More powerful than before, I assume?"

Digifanatic: "And when I ask that, yes, I do mean to an extent to where we can use all the chaos we want and it will never respawn."

Julian: "So what we gotta do to prevent it?"

Aetos: "Psh, no one used no chaos, I don't know what your talking about..."

Garrick: "...we've gotta break this."

Sha'Fol: "...Save the emeralds and the cursed tattoos for Kuja."

Aetos makes a 'sh' finger toward Sha'Fol.

Sha'Fol: "You must drain the imbalance there, and settle whatever comes later. Anything done prematurely may bring more than Kuja down on your heads."

Digifanatic: "Ah. You're right."

Julian: "...Wha?"

Charles: "You can count on a couple of us to do what you asked."

Sha'Fol: *Turns to Charles.* "I have an idea for you."

Digifanatic: "I'm sure that I can control myself to only needing chaos if it's 100% necessary..."

Sha'Fol: "Hold the white emerald and use it to cancel out the chaos any other members may brandish."

Charles raises his eyebrow.

Digifanatic drops his jaw... "Hey, I thought that was going to be ours!"

Sha'Fol: "Meier Link only died because you tried to kill him with law and goodness. Chaos was not something that could kill him."

Charles: "I am not worthy of the emerald. It's powers do not respond to me anymore."

Digifanatic: "Nah, I'm only saying things. If you need it--eh?"

Charles: "...Perhaps it did."

Digifanatic: "Well. Hang on a minute, Sha'Fol. Let me ask you something."

Charles: "I vaguely remember... but I swear I used it against Vladimir."

Julian: "But who else we gonna get to use it, man?! Aetos' end up killing himself or us with it, Garrick an' me can't use it, and Digi... well, I ain't got nothin' AGAINST Digi, I just think you'd be better up to the task, ya?"

Charles nods his head. "Yes, I believe I did."

Garrick just remains silent, holding his broken hand and glaring at the pulsating red gem in his hand..

Aetos: "You could try to trust me more, Julian. My ventures don't ALWAYS end up bad."

Editor's Note: *Laughs hysterically at Aetos' lies*

Digifanatic: "Usually, the White Emerald is somewhat in the primary possession of Aetos and then myself and Azure with equal presence, as far as I know. If we tried that trick you told Charles to do, will it still be just as effective?"

Julian: "Your record runs against you, Aetos."

Aetos: "Ooh... Garrick, we need to go get you healed."

Charles: "No."

Sha'Fol: "You should retrain yourself in its use, if you value your lives."

Digifanatic: "That I do."

Sha'Fol: "Chaos will destroy you and your foes. It destroyed our planet."

Digifanatic: "I was just curious because of the whole canceling out thing, which is okay--I was just wondering if it would work out just as fine if we did it instead."

Charles turns to Garrick. He turns to the others then.

Digifanatic: "If you say it'll help prevent The Void from getting worse, I would think, 'Well, why not?'"

Sha'Fol: "The emerald only responds to lawful people. I believe only you, Digi, and Charles would have a good chance so far."

Charles: "Guys, Garrick needs medical attention immediately. Let's talk in the Stadium."

Digifanatic: "Sure."

Aetos nods to Charles.

Garrick: "No."

Charles: "...?"

Digifanatic: "Alright then..."

Julian: "By the way..." *Julian walks over to Garrick, bends down, and tries taking the Red Emerald from him.* "I'ma take this."

Aetos eyes Julian.

Garrick snarls and pulls away from Julian. "Get away from me..."

Aetos: "Give the emerald back to Garrick. It's no ones right to take one from someone else."

Sha'Fol: "...I can tell the red emerald has been brought over to evil entirely."

Garrick: "No..."

Digifanatic: "Let Garrick have it, Jules."

Charles turns to Aetos. He walks over to him. His hand is out. "May I see it again?"

Julian: "Listen man, you can't be trusted with it no more."

Garrick: "Charles... no... I want Charles... NO!"

Charles: "The red emerald... is my fault."

Aetos nods but whispers something to Charles first.

Garrick rips away from Julian and pulls himself to his feet.

Sha'Fol: "I would suggest someone use the white emerald to temper this situation..."

Digifanatic: "Right." *takes the White Emerald from Aetos and tried to do just that.*

Julian: "See? You gonna end up goin' mad if you keep holdin' onto it, man!"

Garrick: "I don't WANT this anymore!"

Julian: "So hand it over!"

Aetos hands it to Charles.

Garrick: "Fine, TAKE the damn thing!" *throws the red emerald on the ground at their feet... in the middle of them all.*

Metal Man (GM): Charles has it then. The emerald hits the ground. It glows angrily.

Digifanatic: "Oh crap."

Garrick: "I'm SICK of always being associated with evil! With chaos!"

Charles: "I understand how to use the emerald." *Begins using it.*

Julian: "Take it easy, man! You got rid of it, calm down."

Garrick: "It's always the dark evil people that try to control me! Try to force me to do things!"

Charles: "It is not balancing oneself, but to balance that which is around you."

Garrick: "So... I'm going to find what I'm meant for. Something out there is meant for me. Something good."

Metal Man (GM): He uses it, and the red emerald's energy is sucked out of it, and then put back into Garrick. He feels... less angry. At least, he no longer can quite understand what there is to be angry about for now. The red emerald turns back to its crystalline state.

Julian: "You good?"

Garrick: "...no more..." *reaches into his pocket and pulls out his Dex.*

Sha'Fol: "When there is chaos, the white emerald merely needs a lawful being to hold it alight."

Julian: "...Right..." *Julian bends down and picks up the Red Emerald.*

Garrick: "I'm going out to find what I need to find."

Charles: "I have brought it."

Garrick: "And I'm NOT doing it with you... not this time..." *throws his Dex on the ground.*

Metal Man (GM): Julian picks on up the red emerald. It feels cold now.

Garrick: "I quit."

Metal Man (GM): The dex bounces off the ground.

Charles returns the emerald to Aetos.

Digifanatic: "Quit?"

Julian: "See Charls? Keep yo' hands on the White Emerald and we'll be fine..."

Garrick: "Quit."

Charles goes to Garrick.

Julian: "...What? Yo' quitting the Questers? Where else you gonna go?! "

Digifanatic: "Garrick, you're one of the best Questers out there!"

Sha'Fol: "...That, however, has nothing to do with emeralds or my historical knowledge."

Digifanatic: "You're certainly in the top three."

Garrick: "I am not."

Digifanatic: "You're better than I am."

Charles: "Garrick... as a former ex-Quester, I say this. May you find what's out there for you."

Garrick: "...thank you, Charles."

Charles: "I've done this before, so I can see to an extent why this happened."

Digifanatic just surrenders to this one...

Charles picks up Garrick's dex.

Digifanatic just turns to Aetos and shrugs it off.

Julian: "So where you gonna go? We the only good organization OUT THERE man! You'd still be identified as a Quester and hunted down!"

Digifanatic: (kinda quietly) "Don't ask me."

Charles: "Should you ever need to return to us, you'll know where to find us." *pockets the dex.*

Garrick: "Then I'll be hunted down. And I'll fight."

Sha'Fol: "I do know, however, that the entire world is run amuck with Kuja's men. The only safe places are usually that way because they are empty."

Garrick: "And if I die... I'll die."

Julian: "I jus' sayin'...This ain't the wisest course of action, hear?"

Metal Man (GM): The dex itself seems to be unharmed. Possibly because it'd be so easy to break otherwise.

Charles: "...Come to the Stadium one more time. I have an idea where you could start to go."

Digifanatic: "Well, what will you be doing? Will you just be hiding out in some cave or some hut in the middle of nowhere?"

Garrick: "...alright, Charles. Just once."

Metal Man (GM): The corpse of Meier Link vanishes, and over it, the blue light back to HQ forms.

Digifanatic: "There we go."

Charles leaves for the portal. "You coming, Sha'fol?"

Digifanatic starts to walk... you can tell that he's a bit miffed at Garrick's soon departure.

Sha'Fol: "I have nowhere to go. Kuja would merely imprison me again. I must witness the last of this era."

Garrick just doesn't pay attention. He holds his hand to his chest and moves into the light, warping back to the stadium. Once there, he immediately goes to the medbay to have his hand healed..

Metal Man (GM): He walks alongside Charles.

Julian: "..." *shakes his head.* "I don't like this one bit, man..." *heads into the portal.*

Digifanatic: "It happens."

Metal Man (GM): Garrick would go towards the medbay... but then encounter something else. Metal Man, standing in the way.

Aetos takes the emerald back, nods sadly to Digi, and follows into the light solemnly.

Digifanatic: "Metal?"

Garrick just stops and stands there, looking at Metal..

Metal Man: "So then. You wish to leave, eh? What exactly caused this?"

Charles stands beside Garrick, looking to Metal.

Metal Man idly puts away his weird-looking dex, which he has been looking at.

Aetos turns around the corner, wanting to discuss something with Garrick before he leaves, but notices Metal and just stands a few yards behind Garrick.

Julian: "Mets! Just the man... machine... whatever I was lookin' for... But I'll wait."

Metal Man salutes Julian. "I'll be sure to talk to you after this."

Digifanatic sees everyone else going to the medical wing, and follows them over.

Charles: "Another person who was sent over the edge, I speculate. It's a broad guess, though."

Garrick just looks at Metal for a moment, then sighs and speaks. "I'm a nobody in this group, Metal. I'm a nobody period. Everytime I'm selected, looking upon, noticed by someone or something, it's that I'm becoming evil or they want me to turn evil. The one thing that didn't... is gone." *closed his eyes, trying to push that thought out of his head.* "...I know that somewhere out there is something I can use... someone I can become that will make me helpful."

Metal Man points at Charles.

Aetos listens intently to Garrick.

Metal Man: "The same happened to him. However, you are not evil, and you are not a nobody. You just happen to have been missing out on some of the action."

Garrick: "I don't believe you."

Aetos: "Or maybe it's that you just compared him to someone else. He's a nobody because there are too many somebodies."

Charles: "I believe you, Metal, but Garrick needs time to sort this out."

Digifanatic: "Garrick, it bugs me to say that this may be a final goodbye to such a nice person like you. You really were. I realize that we can't make you happy. You have to make yourself happy."

Aetos eyes Charles, and Metal.

Digifanatic: "In the end, as I could apply to almost anything, that's all that matters."

Julian: "I'm still wonderin' how he's gonna do this. What if we never hear from you again?"

Metal Man: "I cannot stop anyone from leaving. However I know that the likes of Kuja, The Void, and other nasty ne'er do wells just want to manipulate your feelings of being evil into you being evil."

Garrick: "Then you won't hear from me again."

Digifanatic: "Just don't die on us, alright?"

Julian: "Yeah man, losin' a teamate ain't cool."

Metal Man: "That is the precise reason Skyhigh, the Fallen Questers, and most of your enemies of recent exist."

Garrick: "...Metal, I know that I have a stronger willpower than that."

Charles: "Metal, see if you can get an audience with Professor Ivan and see if you can get him to come to the medbay. I have a proposal."

Garrick: "I hate Kuja more than anything... and I hate the Void just as much..."

Digifanatic: "So do we."

Julian: "That whole possession thing kinda disproves that..."

Digifanatic: "Can't blame that."

Garrick: "Julian... do me a favor."

Aetos kicks the ground and nods.

Garrick: "Please, just once, don't make me feel worse than I already am."

Julian: "I'm jus' sayin..."

Metal Man: "The only reason I'm speaking now is not to make you stay here, but because, for the time being, there is nowhere to go. Once the last of Kuja is dealt with, you can go anywhere you want. But now? You will be fighting for the rest of your possibly brief life."

Julian: "This ain't a good idea. Yeah, what Mets said."*

Garrick: "I know that something is out there, Metal."

Charles: "Metal, I know of a place where he can go."

Garrick: "There has to be."

Metal Man: "It looks safe, but when you're in a large group, it scares away many enemies. Going alone, you can be attacked endlessly."

Charles: "Get that audience with Ivan like I asked you to."

Garrick: "I want to hear what Charles has in mind..."

Charles: "...It will be discussed in medbay. Excuse me, Illian." *moves aside Illian and goes to Sick Bay.*

Metal Man takes out his smash dex, a bit snappishly. "No one who has left this place has survived if they did not come back."

Garrick: "Excuse me as well, I need to fix this hand... Well, I'll try and be the first, then."

Metal Man steps aside, pressing a worn-out button.

Garrick walks away, following Charles..

Metal Man mutters when they both leave. "The truth is, I'm more of a nobody than either of them. Look how I am shoved out of the way."

Metal Man (GM): *... insert a few moments here.*

Aetos glares at Metal, and follows them.

Digifanatic will follow them as well, not shoving Metal around!

Metal Man (GM): Garrick's hand has been wrapped up by Dr. Mario. It won't be healed until a few more days. Ivan comes in, and then Metal does.

Julian: "They ain't got nothin' on you, Mets." *went in too.*

Garrick: "Thanks, doc..."

Ivan Robotnik: "What is the purpose of this, again? I am very busy."

Charles: "Thank you for coming professor. ... Digi? Julian? Aetos?"

Ivan Robotnik: "The death of Meier has freed up much of Hyrule."

Charles looks to all three of them. "I have to ask the three of you to leave."

Digifanatic: "Lemme guess--outta here?"

Garrick smiled a bit at that statement...

Digifanatic: "Yup."

Charles: "This is a private matter, I'm afraid."

Garrick: "I always did like Hyrule."

Digifanatic leaves Ivan's place for his room.

Julian: "Everything's a private matter with you." *exits.* *waits outside the doorway.*

Metal Man: "I must say, I am flattered--most people yell at me in public places."

Charles: "Aetos, you too."

Aetos stands there.

Charles: "...Please leave, Aetos."

Aetos: "May I ask why?"

Julian: *Yells in.* "You want I should make him leave?"

Garrick: "Because this doesn't concern you. Out."

Metal Man: "...If you want to talk to me, ask me after this."

Charles: "The four of us have to discuss what is to happen to Garrick."

Aetos: "This concerns me as much as it does everyone else. You just seem to decide for yourself if it's private or not."

Metal Man idly cracks his knuckles. Aetos's refusal to leave hasn't bothered him one bit, but instead has made him bored.

Charles: "... Julian, if you would do the honors."

Ivan Robotnik: *Looks a bit worried.* "This isn't quite the time to argue... it isn't really that bad."

Julian: "With gusto." *Julian enters the room again, grabs Aetos by his hair, and drags him out.* "We still got a score to settle..."

Aetos snaps his fingers, and becomes one with wind, he is untouchable. "I'm staying until I get at least a reasonable excuse."

Charles charges up some of his magic.

Metal Man: "...Garrick, I think this is something you could handle." *Points at Aetos.*

Julian: "You wanna test that theory?" *Julian reaches into his back pocket and grabs Vendetta.*

Charles: "Good sir, I have an electrical spell charging up. I can unleash it if you wish."

Dr. Mario: "Mama-mia!"

Julian: "And this thing can take out ghosts. I bet it'll take out out too, ya?"

Garrick: "Aetos... I want you to leave."

Aetos: "I've got the fortitude of a demi-god. Kill me if you want."

Dr. Mario: "Are you going to talk or destroy my lab?"

Charles: "If this doesn't convince you... Metal will start to talk."

Metal Man chuckles. "I should tell you about the time drove a CAC over a waterfall."

Garrick: "I was there. Trust me, you want out."

Julian: "Wha?"

Aetos looks to Julian. "Why don't YOU stay?"

Metal Man: "Back in the old days, we drove cars instead of planes. And these cars... they were planes! Planes with... engines... like Arwings. And I had my own, which is still in the garage today."

Charles: "Now I will ask you one more time: Will you please leave before our entire force is used?"

Aetos: "Yes, I rode in it."

Metal Man: "Now then, we had to get somewhere in particular. I think it was Eisnaught. So everyone hopped in... but poor Aribar had to ride atop it for no reason."

Ivan Robotnik: *Facepalms.*

Garrick sighs and shakes his head...

Aetos: "Why would he ride on top? Was it willingly?"

Metal Man: "It was the style at the time. Car surfing!"

Garrick: "Aetos... I don't want you here because this doesn't concern you. It conserns me, the leader of the Questers, and one of my good friends."

Metal Man: "Now then, I was driving normally, but then found this nice forest here and stepped on the gas. Then I found a cave full of bats. I decided to drive through the cave because it reminded me of old action movies."

Charles stops charging his magic.

Garrick: "Please, just leave..."

Charles: "...What will it take to convince you to leave?"

Garrick: "I'm already in enough pain as it is, I don't need more thanks to you being stubborn."

Julian: "Maybe we can trap him in a bottle."

Metal Man: "So I floored the gas pedal and drove inside. It was a bit watery, and I hated that water. Aribar got various bushes stuck in his mouth. Oh, wait, I have an idea. Julian, you can get your match set up. Aetos will have to fight you, right? I mean, if he doesn't want to forfeit."

Aetos shakes his head. "Julian will win anyways."

Metal Man: "Anyway, we drove on into this underground river. I bumped and bumped all over the place, and then---" *Goes on forever.*

Julian: "Ain't you the one who sets up the matches, Mets?"

Metal Man: "Huh? Uhhh... right... then we drove over the waterfall ..."

Ivan Robotnik: "If you won't listen to any of them, then perhaps I can convince you."

Aetos: "Perhaps."

Charles: "Young Ward, I ---?" *will find this interesting.*

Julian: "So you gonna set up the match or not?"

Ivan Robotnik: "What Garrick is doing is the honorable way to resist something he finds wrong. What you are doing is merely annoying."

Charles: "...My lord."

Aetos: "You're brilliant, aren't you?"

Charles: "Logic. It... escaped my mind." *scratches his head.*

Julian: "Seriously, someone get a bottle. Maybe we can trap him in it."

Ivan Robotnik: "...Rather than continue this anguish any more, I can do this."

Aetos: "Julian, I don't see why you aren't killing me yet."

Garrick stares at his wrapped up hand, trying to flex it..

Julian: "'Cause we ain't in the Arena."

Aetos: "I'm not going to the arena with you, there is no point anymore."

Julian: "So you gonna chicken out?"

Ivan Robotnik: *Pulls out some weird-ish looking object and presses a button, causing Aetos to teleport into the X-zone.* "He'll be back. After this meeting."

Editor's Note: Leave it to the crazy, most likely corrupted by evil maniac to strike a blow for sanity.

Aetos: "No. We've got way more things to do than--"

Garrick: "Thank you, Ivan."

Julian: "Nice..."

Charles: "...You HAD one of those... why? Well... he'll enjoy it there, anyway."

Garrick: "Now that he's left... what did you have in mind, Charles?"

Ivan Robotnik: "...I wanted one for my own after seeing what you did to those invincible armor-wearing men."

Charles: "First... You may get ready for your match, Julian."

Metal Man: "...And then, men in an armored truck attacked my limo! And damaged the trim! The horror! THE HORROR!!! ...Oh. He's gone now. Sorry."

Garrick: "Metal, he's gone."

Julian: "I don't think there's a match now..."

Charles: "...You might wanna leave Julian... before Metal goes on more."

Ivan Robotnik: "You could fight him in the X-zone."

Julian: "Yeah..." *steps outta the room, waits outside the doorway.* "Please. With his Crystal? Forget it."

Charles: "I'm glad that you see reason." *closes the door. He locks it.*

Ivan Robotnik: *shrugs.* "Perhaps we can talk now, unless someone wishes to spy on us for no reason."

Garrick glances at Dr. Mario..

Julian's got his ear pressed against the door, but otherwise they're clear.

Charles turns off his dex and Garrick's dex.

Dr. Mario: "..." *Wakes up from staring at Metal.* "Oops!" *Leaps out a window.*

Charles: "Metal, turn off yours as well. What is said here can never leave this room."

Metal Man: "Well, of course. Mine is more nosy than anyone else's."

Charles looks to where Mario flew out the window. *sweatdrop.*

Garrick makes to close the window as Mario leaps out of it...

Metal Man turns his off, then takes out the batteries. And unplugs the solar panels.

Charles: "I suppose we don't need to worry about *him.*."

Metal Man: "Dr. Mario is a kleptomaniac, not a spy. So, yeah. He only wants our money."

Charles: "Ivan, I called you here because you knew the location of possible allies."

Ivan Robotnik: "I see."

Garrick: "Now that we're appropriately covered... start talking, Charles..."

Charles: "Could you debrief us on where some of the possible allies would be? You said something about the south pole."

Ivan Robotnik: "...The ruins of a base the Hands once made is there, and someone or something is living in there."

Charles: "Didn't you say more than one was in the South Pole?"

Ivan Robotnik: "Yes, is an area I call 'Vanilla Dome' which may house exiles."

Garrick: "...what, do you want me to find these people, Charles?"

Ivan Robotnik: "There are also modules for Kuja's system throughout the globe, all of which are likely to be abandoned. Ironically, they monitor the entire planet, but not what goes on inside themselves."

Garrick: "...Nova... "

Charles: "Keep in mind that this is all merely a proposal. You may continue, Ivan."

Metal Man: "...Still, those men blew up the one we commandeered. Kuja is likely to be on the lookout for anything odd."

Ivan Robotnik: "There are yet more ship ruins in the area, as well as various ruined buildings."

Garrick: "It sounds like I'd start in the South Pole and make my way out... send things your way..."

Ivan Robotnik: "Various weak signs appears, showing that some people subsist in the frost. Kuja's men aren't equipped to trek through it. There is even a time machine in the ruins."

Garrick: "I've got an adaptor in my case for extreme cold weather travel..."

Charles: "I thought the time machine was destroyed when I used it twice."

Ivan Robotnik: "A destroyed time machine is more likely to be made usable again than a non-time machine."

Garrick: "And you forget who I am, Charles."

Metal Man: "Correct me if I'm wrong, but the main problem arose after Garrick used the red emerald, causing bad stuff to happen. He no longer has that emerald. How is he supposed to make bad stuff happen?"

Charles: "Yes, excuse me. Let me remind you about Garrick: when it comes to machines, they rarely malfunction."

Garrick: "...well, that's it then. I'll head for that base the hands created first... then that Vanilla Dome... and stop by whatever I find along the way."

Metal Man smiles strangely. "By doing so, you will actually wind up helping us anyway."

Charles: "Hopefully you will find what you are looking for while you are out on your own."

Metal Man takes out another of those evil maps of stuff he has no map for OOCly and points at the pole. "We don't have the time to go there. You going there will help us get a picture of what Kuja's up to."

Charles: "I would've looked for the allies, but you may end up needing to go there more than I."

Metal Man: "Just don't drink poison and attack us with a doomship. It's out of style. Like Disco."

Charles goes up to Metal's side.

Metal Man chuckles a bit. Ivan looks confused.

Ivan Robotnik: "...Isn't poison deadly?"

Charles: "Would you ...care to try saying that again?" :) *charges up an electric spell.* "I'm sure you don't like static shock."

Metal Man: "Errr. Right. Long live Mega Mack." *winces.*

Charles: "Yeah, you asked for it."

Garrick: "...*cough.*...anyway, I have a few requests before I leaved..."

Charles ball of energy goes inside him instead. "Oowwowowooww! GODDAMNIT!" *fizzles up and down.*

Garrick chuckles at Charles, but looks to Metal.

Metal Man: "...Maybe you should teach me that spell and I could use it whenever I offend you."

Garrick: "I've decided to start from the beginning... do something new..."

Charles hisses like a snake as he shakes his hands up and down rapidly.

Garrick: "Main since I can't use this hand for a while..."

Charles: "Yeah... we really could've had the Doc help you with that if he didn't jump outta the window."

Metal Man: "Well, feel free to make your decision. When I mentioned people not surviving, it was those who left in a hostile way and thought to destroy us later."

Garrick: "Well, I require some supplies and equipment..."

Metal Man has an idea... but it is then shot down. "We could use the move swapper, but that'd just cause more electrical shockage for you as well as me."

Charles: "It's time for me to learn more spells, anyway."

Ivan Robotnik: "...There isn't much against me equipping a non-Quester, is there?"

Garrick: "I'll need food, water, my multitool... and I'd also like a sword and shield..."

Metal Man points at Ivan, is about to say something... but then can't think of anything.

Ivan Robotnik: "Those are nice and all, but I can offer armor-piercing lasers and force fields. ...Metal only rejects Questers having them because they'd keep money from going back to the Stadium."

Metal Man: "The economic damage would be miserable if they just bought your stuff. Though one person isn't big enough to do that."

Garrick: "No... I just want a sword and shield. Hopefully something better than iron or steel... I know you have SOMETHING backlogged, Ivan... I know you..."

Metal Man: "...We have our materials, but only Ivan's equipment can be handed out for free."

Charles: "I take it that your guns are those of a Quester."

Garrick: "Yes."

Ivan Robotnik: "I have materials, but they cost money to be made. It isn't in the budget; only standard equipment, sadly."

Garrick reaches into his pockets..

Charles: "How much money you require to fund this project?"

Garrick: "...will 40,000 cover it? It's all I got left, save a few left over coins... ...will 50,000 cover it?"

Ivan Robotnik: "That's a rather small amount of money. If you want something beyond bronze, or steel, then that will cost..."

Garrick: "I just want to start off fresh... sort of..."

Ivan Robotnik: "...22,500 coins for a decent sword. Even an iron shield costs 10,000 coins."

Charles: "What kind of money are we talkin', Professor?"

Garrick: "I just want something that is sharp enough to cut through some of the stuff Kuja might send at me and won't break."

Ivan Robotnik: "50,000 coins for a shield made out of strengthened aluminum. 130,000 for one like what my guys use. The sword is no problem. You could afford a top-of-the-line one. The food and water is free; the shields are ridiculously expensive."

Charles yawns, "Hoo-hhoo-hum."

Garrick: "Well, just get me something that will help me stave off some damage along with the HEXS armor."

Metal Man: "Well, I guess this isn't too big of a problem. It becomes more of a bartering deal."

Garrick: "You were about to GIVE me laser beams and force fields, Ivan..."

Ivan Robotnik: "They come as a set, and a specific sort of deal. Budgeted for items can be used against taxes levied on my men; unbudgeted ones come out of my pocket directly. I have about 10 coins for myself."

Metal Man: "Until Kuja is dealt with, the economy remains in shambles."

Charles: "I would offer some coinage, but I'd doubt you'd take it."

Garrick: "You're right. Okay, how about this. The top of the line sword and a strengthened aluminum shield for 50,000 coins and... uhh... oh, I got it. The blueprints for the Mark 5."

Ivan Robotnik: "The blueprint? Hmmm. Are you sure? That blueprint is very valuable. Coin-wise, that's a fair trade, but in other ways, it could be valuable."

Garrick: "...it's all I've got... without breaking out some of my more... potent inventions. And all I've got left are the adaptions to my armor, the remaining four Phazon grenades, and... two other things I don't wish to speak of..."

Ivan Robotnik: "Then it is settled. I will sell you those items in exchange for the blueprint and the money."

Garrick: "Just promise me you'll keep the blueprint under very, very tight wraps."

Ivan Robotnik: "Charles didn't even know I had an X-zone gun. It will be the same way to everyone else."

Garrick reaches into a compartment on his armor and produces a small chip, which he hands tenderly over to Ivan. Garrick then follows that with the money.

Metal Man (GM): Ivan would take both and hide them in the pockets of his overcoat. Nobody would ever suspect them being in there!

Garrick: "I've got to prepare some stuff for my armor... how long will it take to get my stuff?"

Ivan Robotnik: "Not terribly long."

Garrick: "A day?"

Ivan Robotnik: "About."

Metal Man: "...Will you require any way to talk to us? Or do you wish to go it alone?"

Garrick: "Metal, if I need to talk to you, I'll come back. Or I'll make something to contact you."

Metal Man: "Whatever you want. Is that all?"

Garrick: "Just let me use the other lab so I can modify my gear."

Charles: "Speaking of X-zone gun... we's gotta have a talk as well, Ivan. We've met Sha'fol... and says that Sardis Mongul isn't Solarian."

Ivan Robotnik: "The labs, being empty, can be used."

Charles: "The plot thickens with each person coming to us with news."

Ivan Robotnik: "We shall have to talk, then. But first, we should exit this room, if we're done."

Garrick: "I'm done." *stands up and heads for the lab to do his work.*

Julian's still on the other side of the door.

Charles: "I say we are. However, let it be known that what was talked here cannot be said outside of this room." *unlocks the door for Garrick.*

Digifanatic: *After relaxing and just kicking back for a bit after all the insanity, he heads back to where the conversation was, sees Julian, and politely knocks on the door.* "Is it okay?"

Charles leaves the room.

Julian: "I dunno. I'm just waitin' for Metal... Don't suppose you gonna tell us anythin', Charlie?"

Charles greets Julian and Digi along the way.

Digifanatic: "Hey Charles."

Charles: "I can say that things went as planned."

Digifanatic: "Relief."

Charles gives a polite smile, and heads on his way to R&R.

Digifanatic: "What does Garrick plan on doing?"

Julian: "Eh..." *heads inside to MedBay. He wants a little chat with Mets and maybe Ivan...*

Digifanatic decides not to follow Julian... He decides to follow Charles instead, but not for purposes involving Garrick. "Hey, Charles, were you there when I was talking with Metal that eventually grew into a multi-person conversation about if we all converged to this spot at the same time, we could return to wherever after we're done with this after an appropriate span of time has passed?"

Charles stops. He looks to Digi, with @_@ eyes. "...What the heck did you say!?"

Digifanatic: "Alright. We arrived here to partake in our business at the Stadium at different points in time, correct?"

Charles walks to R&R again. "I... would have to say yes."

Digifanatic: "Right. So, after we finished our business here, or even if just wanted to take a temporary homecoming, theoretically, we could return to where we came after the proper amount of time has passed, correct? Understand where I'm going?"

Charles: "After an amount of time has passed that we arrived here, we could go back to our own time and homelands? With that being the case, I can only speculate that time has passed in our homeworlds as well."

Digifanatic: "Right. Spend a year here, and return, it's a year late than when you left there in the first place. And so on."

Charles: "Perhaps... but..." *sits on a chair.*

Digifanatic: "But it makes sense, doesn't it? If we converged here at various times, we could diverge back to the various times we came from. Like I said, I posed this to Metal. I think he said it's a possibility, though I'm not certain. I'd have to ask Ivan or someone of his caliber to see if it's scientifically possible."

Charles: "It's true. I was able to return to the Moon, you know that."

Digifanatic: "Yup. But... I have this to ask you. Do you mind if I use letters?"

Charles: "Although after Kuja successfully claimed this world... I believe the intracacies of space and time have become..distorted to say the least." *drinks a swig.* "Go ahead."

Digifanatic: "Say you lived on the Moon at time X and when you came here, it was time Y and spent Z time living here and doing what you did. When you did return to the Moon, was the date X+Z or Y+Z?"

Azure is in the corner of the R&R room. A book in hand that he had scraped around for. It was another rare moment where his hood was removed and his short cut hair was visable. His dark blue eyes scanned the pages though most of its relevancy to anything lacked importance. It was just quiet reading.

Charles: "X+Z."

Digifanatic: "Sweet! Thank you, Charles. Thank you very much."

Charles nods.

Digifanatic: "I just hope it works for whenever I return."

Charles: "I just wish I knew what happened..."

Digifanatic: "You noticed how concerned I was for Garrick... but you probably have no idea how concerned I am to the people I knew long before I knew everybody here."

Charles: "Remember Digi, time flows differently from one world to another."

Digifanatic: "My family and my first friends... Yes."

Charles: "Like Turion and here."

Digifanatic: "I know... When we went to Turion, I think we went back two years. Is that correct? And I know that when went from Turion back to here, it was a ten-year leap forward."

Charles shakes his head.

Digifanatic: "That, I'm certain."

Charles: "Two-year, I'm not certain."

Digifanatic: "I know the second one sounds right--what was the first one then?"

Charles: "I am not an expert in this field."

Digifanatic: "But regardless of the numbers, I know where you're going. I fully understand it... and I hope that if and when I return, the same accordance of time will work for me."

Charles: "Just know that time may not be syncronized anymore... assuming if it was in the first place."

Digifanatic: "Yeah. I'll ask you this... is there anybody that is not here on this planet that you miss? I've never had the chance to ask anybody else that yet, but I'd like to if I could."

Charles: "..." *Insert Song of Healing Here*

Digifanatic: "Nice music."

Charles looks up. "My father... he died... almost 20-25 Lunarian years ago."

Digifanatic: "Okay... do you wish you could still be placing flowers or whatnot on his grave? I imagine you would still want to wish him well in his afterlife, if you folk believe in it."

Charles: "It was around the same time that the Solarians first arrived on the Moon, with their grotesque magitek. Through the entire civilization into chaos with their presence."

Digifanatic: "Correct. Mother? Siblings? Girlfriend, perhaps?"

Charles: "Shortly after that, I started raids in their facilities. Raid after raid with--" *sighs.* "I ...don't remember my mother. Don't remember siblings, either."

Digifanatic: "I don't necessarily demand life stories. I just want to know if you miss anybody. That's it."

Charles: "I miss her... AND father."

Digifanatic: "Alright, man. That's important. It's good to know you still feel concerned about your family and such, alive or dead."

Charles: "I left for vacation... 6 months later, I returned to find the world in shambles. All the lunarians... gone. Including my ...hmm. That, Digi, would be a life story."

Digifanatic: "Heh."

Charles: "After the second Civil War, I wanted to get stronger. Twenty years... going from world, to realms, to other dimensions. I said this before, but I did do this. It's how I met Lumis and how I came upon being here."

Digifanatic: "Right. Well, I understand where you're going and such. At least I have some evidence that we can return to the time one came from."

Charles: "Once Kuja is defeated, and any other evils that come after him, are ridding, I'll be leaving."

Digifanatic: "I dunno what'd I do. I would probably return to Earth as well, but certainly I'd come here often. I can't just ditch all the people I've worked with the past while."

Charles nods.

Digifanatic: "I'd even bring my friends and maybe my family over and show them what it's like."

Charles: "That'd be nice." *takes another swig.* "My story isn't over yet."

Digifanatic: "I did it once sometime between the Nintopia and Turion eras... couple came over, but we were still in a mess. This time, it'd be in total peace. Make it quick, please."

Charles: "Hmm?"

Digifanatic: "I just want to relax before Metal summons us back again."

Charles: "Oh no, Digi. Not the story of the past."

Digifanatic: "Oh, okay. I see. Well, talk to you whenever. Maybe if I'm lucky, I can have Metal hold a portal for maybe 2 or 3 minutes sometime when we're free just to take a peek."

Charles: "...I just hope your Earth isn't the same one as mine."

Digifanatic: "That is, if everything holds true to your account. See ya." *leaves for his room.*

Garrick is currently in one of the spare labs with a pair of goggles on and a wide selection of tools on the nearby table. Standing upright in front of him is his HEXS armor, which looks completely different. It's now gone from it's silver and green to mainly gray with tinges of black. He is down saudering something onto the left thigh part of it...

Digifanatic is in his room, relaxing for a while. He then goes to Metal's office to see if he's there. *knocks.*

Julian's in Metal's Office, AKA The Big Room, talkin' to Mets. "We ever know what happened to Phantom?"

Charles is standing outside said spare lab, foot against the wall and other foot on the ground. He would rather not get in the way of his workstation.

Metal Man sips some coffee. "There is a short version and a long version."

Julian: "I got nothin' but time, Mets. 'Cause I been savin' my coins for a while now, and I was gonna buy somthin' from him... but I got no idea where he went."

Garrick finishes his work on the new port on the leg, then checks something up near the next of the armor... being satisfied, he steps back and looks at his work. The armor, once dented and scuffed, it now shinning and polished, looking a might bit intimidating even without him in it. "There... now I wait for Ivan."

Digifanatic: *knocks again.*

Metal Man (GM): Digi knocks on the open door. Metal is still talking to Julian.

Digifanatic is waiting for their conversation to break. He doesn't need to talk immediately, but hopefully by the time something new breaks out.

Metal Man: "Hmmm... well, Phantom isn't quite here because of the fact that... he wandered off."

Julian: "...To where?"

Metal Man: "He said something about revenge. Then Toad Town. Then he took all of his guns and went to where Toad Town used to be. I couldn't stop him; he's a ghostly figure now, and he sorta renounced his Questership on that day he murdered people in Toad Town."

Julian: "So I'd find him in Toad Town?"

Metal Man: "Well, yes, except 'Toad Town' is a wrecked up ruin."

Julian: "No-Town, whatever. You tihnk he'd still do business?"

Garrick sighs and moves to pack up the tools back into the places in the lab while he waits for Ivan to arrive.

Metal Man: "He would, possibly, but I'm not sure what he's up to. The area is full of Kuja's men, being nearby the so-called Kuja Tower."

Julian: "I've been in worse situations."

Metal Man (GM): Garrick would do so, and then Ivan would arrive.

Ivan Robotnik: "I have the equipment you requested. A top-of-the-line sword, and a tier 2 shield."

Metal Man (GM): He sets down a shiny-looking half-dome shield and a sword which looks ultra-futuristic.

Julian: "A'ight, second item of business... When's Aetos gettin' back? 'Cause I wanna get that match set up."

Charles waits outside the door still, greeted by the prof that went inside.

Garrick: "...interesting." *gently hefts the shield onto his bad arm, feeling the weight. This thing would probably be either glued to his arm or his back from now on..*

Digifanatic: "Getting back? What happened while I wasn't trying to eavesdrop?"

Metal Man: "Aetos... well, he'll get back soon enough. It just depends on what he does while in the X-zone."

Julian: "You didn' see him get warped to the X-Zone?"

Digifanatic: "I went to my room."

Julian: "...Righ'...Anyway, Aetos went all wind-spirit on us and wouldn't leave, so Ivan warped him to the X-Zone."

Digifanatic: "My goodness."

Garrick: "...this is very nice." *looks over the shield.* "...these will do nicely."

Digifanatic: "Okay."

Garrick moves over and keys a few commands into his newly upgraded armor, attachments to hook the shield and sword onto the back pop up and out. He attaches them and keys some more commands in before the armor beeps and hisses. "...well, take a look at it, Ivan. One piece of my pride and joy. The HEXS Mark 2."

Julian: "Speakin' of that, 's there anyway I can get somethin' to either make him not do it, or cut it off when he uses it?"

Digifanatic: "Okay, Metal, sometime within the next couple of days, I'm almost willing to just test something that developed from a conversation between Charles and myself."

Metal Man: "...I'm not exactly a technological wonder, myself. I remember more Neo-Earth things every day, but mostly weapons. I'm thinking we'd need E. Gadd's technology. What is it, Mr. Digi?"

Ivan Robotnik: "Good luck on your journey, Garrick--you'll need it."

Digifanatic: "Remember my conversation about how if we converged from different times to arrive here at the same time, we could return to where we came from at about the same time?"

Garrick: "Thanks..."

Digifanatic: "Of course, factoring in the time we spent here."

Julian: "...Wha?"

Garrick: "...you've been a real help, Ivan... I wish I could have studied under you for a while... but, I suppose that will wait until a more peacful time."

Digifanatic: "Julian, I think you were there when I mentioned it."

Metal Man: "Possibly, but I don't know how we would... 'return.' The Void is the closest thing to whatever sent us here in the first place, and he doesn't appear to know anything about it either."

Julian: "Hell nah. I was waitin' outside the MedBay with my ear against the door."

Ivan Robotnik: "Don't worry. Just survive long enough and Kuja will fall."'

Garrick: "...I will help in that, I garrantee it."

Digifanatic: "But I told Charles about it, and he said that when he returned to his place after a while here, he said that it was about the same date that he left the Moon plus the time he had spent here, so basically, my hypothesis worked."

Julian: "...I still got no idea what you're sayin'."

Metal Man: "...I have an idea, but it depends upon how much people really wish to return home."

Digifanatic: "I'm the right person for that job."

Metal Man: "...Still, we need everyone we can get until Kuja is defeated."

Digifanatic: "What I do here is first, but after we get rid of Kuja and anything else, the first thing I want to do is make at least a temporary homecoming."

Julian: "Yeah, I might wanna do that too. Pick up some stuff."

Digifanatic: "I just want to return for a small bit, say hello to anyone I've missed, and then, if we have to, come back here."

Charles puts his foot off the wall and turns his body towards the entrance of the lab. "You ready?"

Garrick: "Just a minute..."

Julian: "...Mets, you said I might need E. Gadd's technology to disable Aetos' wind sprit thingy? You reckon Luigi's Poltergust might be able to suck him up?"

Charles: "Make it quick. The sooner you leave, the less likely suspicion will be raised."

Metal Man: "...He isn't dead yet, so no."

Charles turns to the wall opposite of the doorway and leans against it.

Garrick keys in one last command. The armor opens up with a hiss and a click. Garrick lept inside with a practiced move and the armor hissed back into place, clamping down and clicking once more. This time, however, the armor glimmers a bit with some new technology and a helmet of sorts folds up and encloses his head, leaving only a viewscreen as a makeshift set of eyes to look on.

Digifanatic: "But what would be really nice is if you had a computer handy. A quick few minutes tinkering with coordinates and I can figure this out now."

Julian: "But he's all ghost-like! It could work!"

Garrick: "...ready."

Charles: "I'll walk with you one last time."

Garrick smirks inside his helmet. The voice changer is already in effect. His voice is distorted, sounding completely different, yet still human.

Ivan Robotnik: "Reminds me of Metal's armor, strangely."

Garrick nods, keying in a command. The helmet retracts and the armor shimmers again, disappearing to leave Garrick in his usual army boots, fatique pants, black t-shirt, bomber jacket, and fingerless gloves. His dogtags still glisten silver around his neck, and his hair is still short and brown... "Well, maybe I'll change the outlook. I don't want to be mistaken for Metal out there. Come, let's go."

Charles walks along side Garrick, wherever he goes in the building.

Julian: "Mets!" *snap snap.* "You still there?"

Digifanatic: "I don't need to do it immediately, but sometime soon would be nice."

Garrick heads on down the hallway, completely bare save for his clothes and a leather backpack with his various gear, including food, water, the cloth map of Nintendus, the items in that silver case, and some other odds and ends. Garrick then heads for the Big Room.

Digifanatic: "Hey Garrick."

Metal Man: "Oh. Sorry. I was just thinking." *puts away a piece of paper covered in logic symbols.*

Charles: "Metal, he's ready."

Garrick: "Just came to make me leaving the Questers formal."

Metal Man: "The ghost-buster usually deals with ghosts who have to do with paintings." *turns to Charles. "What am I to do, then? I have never had any formal procedure for dealing with such a parting."

Julian: "It's a vacuum cleaner on crack! Aetos' all ghosty-like, it'd probly work on him."

Metal Man: "I mean. I can say good-bye, and stuff, but little else."

Charles: "Do to Garrick as you did to me."

Julian: "An' yeah, you gotta sign a form or somethin'?"

Charles: "De-initiate him as a Quester."

Metal Man: "Oh. You mean this?" *He pulls out a dusty-looking remote.*

Garrick: "I can't think of anything else."

Metal Man: "That'd be nice and all, but nobody really is initiated anymore."

Charles: "Do so, anyway."

Metal Man: "Nobody uses the moves, the energy, the anything."

Charles: "To make sure he is no longer bound to us."

Metal Man shrugs and presses a button. It tasers Garrick. "I doubt that really does anything to Questers of today."

Garrick lets the tasering happen... he stands there, a distant look in his eyes..

Metal Man (GM): All it does is shock Garrick with electricity; there isn't anything to lose.

Metal Man turns it off after the pre-defined moment. He stares at the remote oddly.

Garrick: "...well, I suppose that's it."

Charles: "It's... time to go."

Metal Man: "...Wait a minute... this thing could be used as my weapon instead of all those other random things I've used."

Julian: "'Suppose."

Digifanatic: "One thing."

Garrick: "Here, these should go to you, Metal. Use them as you see fit." *places the Magitek Blasters on the desk.* "I have no use for them anymore.

Digifanatic: "Garrick, let me tell you this. As a fellow person who has had problems with people and such with this place and has left because of that, I just hope you're happy with what you're doing and maybe we'll all see you sometime down the road."

Julian: "Yeah, don't die on us, hear?"

Garrick: "I be careful, Digi. I don't plan on dying yet."

Charles: "It will be more likely, but still not likely."

Garrick: "And expect me to show up sometime. I WILL have a hand in fighting Kuja."

Digifanatic: "Alright, man."

Charles shows Metal the dex that Garrick had. "Should I hang on to this?"

Metal Man picks them up. "I'd use them, but Magitek is too primitive for my taste." Metal then Man turns to Charles. "Like you did to Joel."

Julian: "Yeah yeah yeah, easier said than done. Watch yo' ***, don't let NOTHIN' sneak up on ya."

Garrick: "Will do."

Charles nods. "As the same with Joel."

Digifanatic: "You're a nice guy and I'm sure you'll be missed."

Charles puts it away.

Garrick: "Goodbye Digi."

Digifanatic: "Final shake?" *extends hand.*

Ivan Robotnik: "...If you can, some time tell me what you find. If I don't know what is down there, I cannot help rebuild after Kuja's day down there."

Garrick nods once to Digi, giving him a small smile and taking the hand, shaking it firmly.

Digifanatic: "Thanks. Good luck, Garrick."

Ivan Robotnik: "Perhaps by letter or something."

Garrick: "Most definitely, Ivan. Thank you." *shakes Ivan's hand to, then turns to Julian.* "...Julian, let me tell you one thing."

Ivan Robotnik: "Yes. definitely letters." *He shakes Garrick's hand.*

Digifanatic: "I've done it with my friends. Can't see why you shouldn't."

Charles: "Garrick..."

Garrick: "Try not to think so highly of yourself. The Questers are a team, fight like a team and you'll do a lot better than just yourself. I know, I'm a hypocrit, but this is meant for me, not you."

Metal Man murmurs to himself. "There always is a Razor in the team, it seems. Is it natural or not? I don't know."

Garrick turns to Metal finally..

Julian: "Whateva, Hero Boy."

Garrick: "...Metal, I don't want to be a hero. I don't want to be fantastic. I just think this is what I should do..."

Julian: "Jus' take of yourself and make it back in one piece. All I ask."

Metal Man: "'Course you don't. I'm not bothered. This is your choice, not mine. I'm just worried about implications of our structure..." *takes out a rather long tapestry littered with names.*

Charles: *sweatdrop.*

Garrick: "Metal, please... not this time."

Metal Man: "Throughout time, people have come and gone, whether it be from this realm entirely or just what you're doing. Something with the Questers causes this, and... I just wish to know some day." *puts it down. "I hope you have a good trip."*

Garrick: "I promise that when I return, I'll tell you." *extends his hand..*

Digifanatic: "Cool."

Garrick: "Thank you for everything, Metal."

Metal Man extends his metallic hand and gives Garrick a vigorous handshake. "It's been a pleasure."

Charles: "One final piece of business before I escort you out of the Stadium... Sir Garrick. Face me."

Garrick: "Well... goodbye, guys." *shrugs and turns to face Charles..*

Charles's hand lights up. He makes it face Garrick and he chants in Lunarian. Charles's body reverberates. Then Garrick's body. Then finally both at the same time. It is fulfilling sensastion. Charles then puts his hand down. The reverberation stops.

Garrick: "...a blessing?"

Charles: "A psychic bond."

Julian: "...Huh."

Charles: "Now, it is time to begin your exodus."

Metal Man: "Just don't carry two safes near a pit of lava."

Charles: "Come."

Garrick: "Right. Thanks... goodbye, guys."

Charles begins to leave the room.

Julian: "Hey man, you always got a roof over your head here."

Digifanatic: "Yeah. If you think you need it... We'll be here."

Garrick raises a hand in farewell, nodding once to Metal, then shoulders his backpack and follows Charles out.

Metal Man (GM): Garrick walks right on out; he'd notice the greenery growing around the Stadium's hill.

Julian: "So anyway, you sure the Poltergust won't work on Aetos?"

Charles stops ahead of Garrick.

Garrick stands there, looking at the road that will lead him away..

Metal Man: "Well... it'd need adaption."

Charles: "Three of the six commanders have been defeated."

Metal Man (GM): There is a dusty road which winds through gnarled trees and goes on very far into the distance.

Charles turns to Garrick. "Yet... the remaining powers are far more dangerous than the first three. Always watch your back."

Julian: "Like what?"

Metal Man: "Wind energy instead of spectral energy." *holds his head for no reason.* "Urgh... that reminded me of something for no reason."

Garrick: "Right. There should be a ranch to the west of here. I dunno if it's still up and running, but I'm going to try to procure a ride from there. If not, I'll head south to the pole."

Julian: "What?"

Charles: "From the life that grows here, you will enter the lands of Kuja to reach the artic wastlelands of the south. A grand journey I pray upon you by Lord Bahamut."

Garrick chuckles.

Metal Man: "Well... the Neo-Earth technology was super-advanced. Elemental energy was considered weak, due to the high amount of control one could levy on it."

Garrick: "Well, whatever god that's not Kuja. That's a good thing."

Charles stands to the side of the path, stance as a soldier. He gives a salute.

Metal Man: "We even had control over chaos itself. But some people had something that made everything worse... I don't know what."

Julian: "So where you goin' with this?"

Garrick snaps to attention in his old, old, old style back during the Three Powers War. He salutes in return, then slowly lets it drop and lowers it to shake Charles' hand.

Metal Man: "...Well, the same thing I said. It'd need to be modified."

Julian: "And you're suggesting this how?"

Charles uses his free hand to salute the human, not looking directly into his eyes.

Metal Man: "I'm thinking you need to get the vacuum, then me and a couple other people can take it apart and rebuild it."

Charles lets go of the shake, still in the salute stance.

Garrick chuckles, then shifting his back on his shoulder, he starts off toward the ranch in the west... "Goodbye, Questers... until the fates bring us together again..."

Digifanatic: "Bye."

Julian: "So I gotta go to Turion and ask Luigi for the vacumn?"

Metal Man: "Yes... or you could invite him to be your smash partner."

Charles releases himself from the stance. He returns to the Big room.

Julian: "Tha's what I was thinkin'. So I got a match?"

Metal Man: "Uhhh... when Aetos comes back."

Julian: "Awesome. Once I beat his ***, I'll go find Phantom."

Metal Man nods.

Charles goes into the big room. "He's... finally left." *holds up Garrick's dex.* "This is all that's left of dear Garrick."

Metal Man (GM): Meanwhile, in the X-Zone. Aetos is in the X-zone, which, as usual, is a big corrupted void. It seems strangely silent when he enters; this particular area looks sort of abandoned.

Aetos: "Flipping A--.. I was going to tell Garrick something important." *snaps his fingers, and quickly the wind exerts itself from his figure.*

Metal Man (GM): There is some sort of strange building in the distance.

Aetos: "...You know, I wonder why so few people live her-- Ooh, what is that?"

Metal Man (GM): It looks like Quester HQ, but it is heavily distorted, and made out of a strange, clear-ish matter.

Aetos shrugs. "I guess I might as well check it out..." Aetos then leaps over to the building. As in... jumping over several times... not in one big jump.*

Metal Man (GM): Aetos gets to the building in a flash. Inside it, he sees a wrecked Stadium. there is a brief flash of Samus running away from something; shooting an outline of Kuja. Samus vanishes from view; then there is Metal Sonic fighting with Kuja. He goes as far to break one of Kuja's arms before being exploded. However, something else is behind Kuja. He turns around, and some strange outline of a person grabs his neck and hurls him to the ground, causing him to vanish.

Aetos watches the smashers fall, then he moves his attention to the figure behind Kuja.

Metal Man (GM): The figure looks at Aetos; it looks like nobody in particular. Then it vanishes, leaving Aetos to the ruined Stadium. A message flickers on. It's one of Wolfman's old things.

Aetos: "...I've got a strange feeling about that visi-- What is this now?"

Wolfman: "If the Stadium is destroyed, and I am incapacitated... VG is to take control and the stadium rebuilt. I have backup supplies in the basement and urge whoever survives to protect the Stadium at all costs. I--"

Metal Man (GM): It suddenly starts repeating.

Aetos: "This looks drastic..."

Metal Man (GM): The Stadium suddenly appears to explode; then un-explodes. there is Wily's saucer. Alys is there, holding her slasher. The other Questers are all but dead.

Aetos Hoozah wha?.. Oh my gosh?"

Metal Man (GM): She hurls it; it misses. But the saucer explodes anyway. The Stadium explodes again; then suddenly reforms as a satellite. The Void faces the Questers, using Tridus's body. The Wolfman speech continues.

Wolfman: "If the Stadium is destroyed, and I am incapacitated... VG is to take control and the stadium rebuilt. I have backup supplies in the basement and urge whoever survives to protect the Stadium at all costs. I--"

Metal Man (GM): Then it shows Wolfman being sacrificed and VG using the transformer to trap Tridus. The entire area appears to freak out, sort of like a bad TV signal.

Aetos: "Agh my eyes!"

Metal Man (GM): It finally ends, showing Wolfman... still alive. The Void then is shown attacking Yurie, but something hits him and he is defeated. It fades out and Aetos is standing in the first ruined Stadium he saw again.

???: "You don't like being trapped in a loop, do you?"

Aetos: "*Shivers.* No-sir."

???: "Then... why serve the Questers?"

Aetos: "Because it's the main opposition against Kuja, and I believe he's done a bad thing. Not to mention, they were who I got sent to, when I appeared on Turion... I believe saving a planet is a good thing, even if I have to deal with certain whiney or high-n-mighty people."

???: "Kuja is a bad man, but the prophecies say he and the Questers are doomed to repeat. The Questers summon him, he defeats them, they defeat him, he defeats them, they destroy him, then it repeats."

Aetos: "Hmm..But... I don't know..."

???: "I offer an alternative solution; destroying everything he uses so that he can never come back."

Aetos: "Everything, like what?"

The Void: "The Questers, the planet, the universe, everything that has ever existed!"

Metal Man (GM): He appears fully, wrecking the entire Stadium 'exhibit' with his mind.

The Void: "Only then... shall Kuja be defeated."

Aetos appears calm. "Yeah?.. That seems so, but is there any way to just... disband the Questers and move everyone to a separate planet, like Turion, instead of... killing them?"

The Void: "Kuja will come back again, with or without them needing to be on the planet himself. I have seen the future, and he will never back down. He cannot come back if everything is destroyed. Death is the only answer!"

Aetos: "Do the Questers know this? You seem mighty omnicient."

The Void: "The Questers must not know. Disrupting them might draw attention to me. They would be destroyed, leaving myself a victim for Kuja. You branded the seal of Magitek on you; thereby you unknowingly have made yourself affiliated with my realm. I can do great things for you if you help me... you don't even need to betray the Questers."

Aetos: "Hmm... that is extremely attractive."

Metal Man (GM): He gestures off to the side, building an entire skyscraper out of nothing.

The Void: "Increasing the powers of chaos will make you unhittable, like me. You can destroy entire towns, villages... planets... just like Tridus. See what he did!" *Gestures to an image of all of Nintendus being torn to shreds and sucked into the X-zone.* "He merely got too thirsty... which you cannot be. Without his extremes, you can lead us to victory!"

Aetos: "Hrm... but I wouldn't want to destroy any innocent people..."

The Void: "Garrick has given up my cause by dropping the cursed Red emerald. I need... more..."

Aetos: "Either way, everyone is doomed by us, or more torture and pain will happen, and sooner or later, the Questers wont be able to fight him any longer..."

The Void: "You can escape that doom and destroy your foes with it. Become what is random and the darkness cannot touch you."

Aetos blinks, nearly speechless. "I..."

The Void: "Make your choice now. Yes, or no, or no choice. If you make no choice, then you shall merely remain branded with my mark."

Aetos: "Can I ask you one question? If so, then I will join you..."

The Void: "I can answer any question."

Aetos: "What shall this be used?" he brings out the white emerald. "I somewhat understand it's chaos' bane... but if it can be utilized alongside chaos... I'm sure it would be a trifling force... yes..."

The Void: "...That is an object of great blasphemy. It must be destroyed. If destroyed, the other emeralds would hold infinite power! Use it alongside chaos and you will destroy everything, though..."

Aetos nods. "That's what I figured... Is it a good idea for the chaos emeralds, in the Quester's control, to be even more powerful?"

The Void: "They are the one link which can sever the cycle. Use them to destroy all who oppose you."

Aetos: "Hmm... but how would I get them? The Questers have a tight grip on any powerful relic they can get their hands on."

The Void: "The Questers have them all. That foolish Klumsy gathered them all together. All you must do is get Metal to recall them in order to use them together. Destroy the one you have if you can, too. The blue spiritual stone is no longer needed at the gravesite of Meier Link; it can be safely restored to Valhalla Domain. If you join me, you shall be able to control the red emerald with maximum potency. Use it to destroy the white one."

Aetos: "Hmm... But, the red emerald is filled with rage..."

The Void: "It can only be controlled by me and my servants. With that, you become indestructible."

Aetos: "And... what about Charles? He has some ties to you, and they aren't friendly."

The Void: "He is a madman. Link him to Valhalla Domain and a return of the Magellean military. I can supply the illusions. Then have the Questers destroy him. Destroy Valhalla, destroy Zora's domain, destroy the spiritual stones with the red emerald. Destroy Meier Link's grave. Destroy all which opposes me."

Metal Man (GM): He makes an image of Nintendus, then shows bits of it being destroyed. Most of it, in fact.

The Void: "All the evil must be destroyed."

Aetos: "Hmm... are there any that must survive? That Grodus fellow, perhaps?"

The Void: "Only those who serve me. Smithy, you, and others who I cannot name. Grodus, yesss. Him too. As for Kuja, I have just the trick. Release the evil SIMBER into his systems. This will grant me control of his own weapons. I will annihilate everything of his and destroy all his people."

Aetos laughs. "That is actually brilliant."

The Void: "I only survive because of my mind. Many a stupid villain have failed." *He projects a small parade of images of dead or defeated villains.* "I live because I am right. I must finish off the only stupid villain left. If it so pleases you, I can bring back anything from the past. Once my power is great enough... I can bring anything for you, from anywhere, for no reason at all."

Aetos: "Heh, random, that IS your forte. What of the Quester, Aribar?.. He seems tied to the chaos, yet only when invoked with fear."

The Void: "He is a weakling. You can try to bring him to our cause, because his lack of will made him my servant at one time or another. Give him an emerald cursed by me and he will fall. He may be instrumental in destroying Charles."

Aetos nods.

The Void: "If he fails, though, Charles Magellan can destroy Charles Magellean for me."

Aetos blinks... suddenly getting it.

The Void: "I pity that Lumis. He would have been of help, but he insulted Kuja and became dead. Not even I can revive him. ...So, what is your decision?"

Aetos: "Heh, you answered my question. I am bound. So what am I supposed to do first? Take the Chaos Emeralds?"

The Void: "Say the chaos emeralds are needed to defeat your next foe. Have them gathered, and then seize the red emerald. Channel your rage into it and destroy the White emerald. I will make it appear your foe did it. Then I shall make it appear the Magellean military is reviving, and interrupt your mission with that in order to cause the destruction needed for Valhalla. You must be careful; precise. I can only help you once the bulk of the destruction is over; otherwise, I only have smokes and mirrors."

Aetos: "Our next foe, will that be the next General of Kuja?"

The Void: "Yes. I do not know which; Metal shall tell you. So then. If you serve me, I shall upgrade that power you have."

Metal Man (GM): He holds out a gaseous-like hand.

The Void: "Take my hand."

Aetos nods, and reaches out for The Void's hand.

Metal Man (GM): Aetos touches his hand, and is electrified. Reality seems to blank out for a moment. Then, when it is over, Aetos feels... average. Except, in his brain, you feel it is possible to now turn into a ghostly version of himself, just like The Void.

The Void: "Nothing but elemental attacks can hit you while in that form. However, you cannot use weapons while in it, and it saps some of your energy. You can use your old version freely, too. Attacks also cost twice as much energy to summon. But with a chaos emerald, you can become infinite in energy. The normal zone beckons. Are you ready to be sent back?" *Blinks.* "I almost forgot. You can now turn your tattoo on and off. In case anyone takes ill to its usage."

Aetos: "Yes, but with a parting question. What will happen with Garrick Fy'arr? He has left the Questers as you know, but will he be a threat, or will he take on a role on your behalf?"

The Void: "He will be off to the side. He does not disturb me, as he is no longer a Quester."

Aetos bows to The Void.

The Void: "Leave him be; he knows too much. Bother him and he may reveal... bad things."

Aetos: "Very well."

Metal Man (GM): He uses his other hand to rip open a hole in the time-space continuum, which leads to R&R.

Aetos waves, and jumps in.

Metal Man (GM): Aetos reappears at HQ.

Garrick: Meanwhile...

Aetos looks around, and sits down, glaring into the White Emerald.

Garrick: "We're movin' right along... foot loose and faaaancy freeeee..."

Charles falls back from the chair he's sitting in. Aetos's arrival made him get out of it backwards.

Aetos: "Oh, hey Charles. I was just trying to figure out how to get rid of this mark here. Meier Link is dead once and for all, so I think I'll purge it. If I need it again someday I'll just try using that X-zone crystal again."

Charles gets up from the back of the chair, a bit wobbly from the after shock.

Aribar is probably in his room jotting down some notes in his spellbook, oblivious to the events that have recently occurred.

Charles: "How about this: Don't use it."

Aetos: "Why not? It seems like a mighty fine way to get rid of some of our more... dark... foes."

Charles: "...No. Remember what you said about proving. I'm holding you to that, Aetos. Don't screw it up." *leaves R&R, heading to his room.*

Aetos: "Anyways..." *holds the white emerald into the air, he closes his eyes and focuses on it... he attempts to remove the mark of chaos on his hand.* *After that..* *pockets the Chaos Emerald, and leaves the R&R Room.* "He should just trust me."

Aetos walks over to his room and enters, he searches around for a notebook to write in. Aetos then finds a notebook shaped like a wing... he doesn't know how the hell it got there, but it's there. He begins to write things. Aetos then sets down the notebook, finished.

Metal Man (GM): Garrick is going West, through former territory of Denon. He'd notice a large variety of discarded suits of armor, and grass growing where there was once nothing but debris. Kuja Field is a lot less dank these days, but remains filled with debris.

Garrick now does exactly what he planned on doing this far away from the stadium. He seals his helmet, his face covered and voice changed. According to the map, he should just head west until he reached that ranch... "...well, we can try one thing... Computer: Activate A.I. Password: The Walls Have Ears."

Mach 5: "Computer online. All systems activated."

Garrick: "...now, I need to give you a name instead of just Mark 5... Let's see... ...your new name is Mark. Get used to it, since that's what I'll be calling you for the next... well... however long I'm out here."

Mark: "Name change confirmed."

Garrick: "...I wish I installed a personality subroutine in you... ...well, hold on..."

Metal Man (GM): As Garrick walks, he eventually encounters the ranch. Except... it doesn't remind him of a ranch anymore. It's a fortress surrounded by soldiers in white, angular cyber-suits. They're like Denon's old soldiers, but they look 10x tougher.

Garrick: "...Mark, scan..."

Metal Man (GM): There's hordes and hordes of them.

Garrick immediately finds some cover... a large boulder or some wreckage...

Mark: "Kuja Infantry. Stats cannot be determined at this range.--Description: These infantry are Kuja's ideal version of Denon's infantry. They are more powerful than anything used by Denon, as they are intended to kill Questers rather than stall them. They have been made in endless numbers."

Garrick: "This is Kuja's squad? What's it doing here at this place?"

Mark: "Unknown."

Metal Man (GM): Garrick suddenly sees a 13 Gentleman android walk at the fortress. Alarms go off.

Android: "Destroy. Destroy. Destroy."

Metal Man (GM): All of the men suddenly turn towards it and open fire with laser machineguns on their shoulders. The base fires hordes of missiles at the android.

Garrick: "...Mark, can you get a reading on any vehicals in there?"

Mark: "Unknown. Jamming field blocks all communications."

Metal Man (GM): There is the Android walking through all the destruction, punching soldiers. It fires at the base itself; a blue shield blocks it.

Garrick: "There's no way I can face these guys at my level..."

Metal Man (GM): They continue fighting; the android makes a lot of craters outside the base... but... it is so heavily defended it eventually turns away, frustrated.

Garrick: "...yep, not getting in there..."

Metal Man (GM): Several men are dead; they are carted away. The base remains safe, apparently having repelled one of the strongest enemies imaginable.

Garrick: "Well, so much for bike or car or at least a horse..."

Metal Man (GM): The patrols are doubled outside it.

Mark: "Sensors suggest this is a part of recent mobilization of Kuja's men. Unknown reason."

Garrick slowly backtracks away from it, staying undercover and retreats back to a safe distance.

Metal Man (GM): Garrick retreats a safe distance.

Garrick: "Make sure you catalog all of this, Mark."

Mark: "Affirmative."

Garrick: "Alright... let's see..." *pulls up the picture of the map of Nintendus on his screen.* "According to this... if I go straight south, I'll hit the wintery area... ...west is the Dry Dry Desert... ...north is Hyrule Castle Town and then... the magnetic wastelands... ...and Valhalla is to the southeast... ...while I would love to see Hyrule again... and visit that friend of mine in Valhalla... I should be heading to the Pole... If I find an alternate mode of transportation, I'll check them out. For right now, it's south. Let's go, Mark." *turns and begins his steady walk south toward the polar region..*

Metal Man (GM): South it is. this route is less hectic than West; the signs of Kuja's men start to vanish as Garrick walks. It's gonna be a loooong walk, though.

Garrick: "...hey Mark, is there anything nearby that ISN'T on the map that you can get a reading on?"

Mark: "Very little is on the map south of here, and very little shows up on the map. Kuja destroyed many landmarks during his reign."

Garrick: "Yeah, I remember... But there's got to be something. Turn up the scanners."

Mark: "Scanners are on high; endless wasteland detected."

Garrick: "...meh. Turn them down... no need to get detected or anything?"

Mark: "Detectors turned down."

Garrick: "...welp, nothing left to do but walk." *just lapses into thinking silence and continues on to the South Pole.*

Metal Man (GM): Walk, walk, walk, walk.

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