Super Smash Quest - Story - Chapter 274: Battle for the Tower
Date: April 28th & 29th, 2006.
Metal Man (GM): *SLAM* The Dauntless flies into the tower, blasting open a hole in the first floor. Aribar himself would have been able to catch up by now; a miraculous thing, but there's no time to think. Metal is on the bridge with the others; he minces his words not.
Metal Man: "This is it. Destroy everything in your path. Kill Kuja... and--"
Metal Man (GM): His dex beeps. He opens it up, and stares at it.
Metal Man: "...Gerald Robotnik says we should go down first; he's down there, apparently."
Digifanatic: "What's going on, Metal? Oh."
Metal Man turns to Digi. "We have crashed into the tower. It is time to finish Kuja off; go inside and fight your way to the bottom, first."
Digifanatic: "Alright... come on, guys."
Ivan Robotnik: "My soldiers will defend the Dauntless, and then the first floor for you, so that you can rest."
Metal Man (GM): He points to his men.
Ivan Robotnik: "Prepare for combat!"
Metal Man (GM): The smoke hasn't quite cleared yet; Aribar would be just outside the Dauntless.
Charles: "Make sure that the other three-non Quester people contribute as well."
Metal Man (GM): And just inside the tower.
Ivan Robotnik: "...I'll think on it."
Jeff Maxwell: "While you go down there, I shall analyze the security situation. The tower appears to be... heavily guarded."
Digifanatic: "I imagine as much."
Aribar starts towards the Dauntless, arm waving in front of him to ward off the smoke... "I wonder if they even survived?"
Digifanatic doesn't think he took any damage personally...
Metal Man (GM): Aribar sees, off to his left, that there is a variety of desks strewn about; most of the people fled. The Dauntless, in one piece, is right next to him now; the main door for it opens. Inside: There's a hallway that leads outside the Dauntless, which opens. Ivan's men pour out, surrounding the Dauntless.
Ivan Robotnik: "The coast looks clear... very unlike Kuja. You should get going now."
Digifanatic: "Odd... alright then." *starts to walk off, following anyone who demands to be first.*
Charles: "Let this be our finest battle." *exits the Dauntless to the nearest exit, regardless it be a new whole in the airship or the regular exit.*
Aribar: "'allo, all... Once again I've managed to survive death..."
Metal Man (GM): The Questers walk on out, and survey the situation; a door which says 'Staircase' on the opposite of this circular room. Aribar is right next to the exit of the Dauntless; Ivan's men survey the area.
Aetos was in the hangar, but will assume he shouldn't be, and follows along.
Aribar: "Quite a painful experience, falling out of the sky in an MTA... Don't recommend it."
Metal Man (GM): Desks thrown everywhere, paper burnt, the area looks dead. Then, however, a robotic voice speaks... it can't be!
Nova: "Enemies detected. Reactivating planetary defense mechanisms. Upper floors sealed off."
Aribar: "... That sounds familiar..."
Aetos: "It does?"
Nova: "Error: Unable to seal hole in wall. Dispatching weapons."
Digifanatic: "Yeah, Ari's right..."
Aetos: "Uh oh."
Metal Man (GM): The room lights up; metallic shutters appear over the doors, especially the one used to go down/up.
Charles: "If we can't escape to the lower levels before the weapons attack, we gotta survive so we can." *Unsheathes Tempest sword.*
Metal Man (GM): Not one, not two, but three holograms of Nova appear.
Nova: "Surrender or die." *Weapon arming sound.*
Metal Man comes out, carrying his machineguns.
Aribar: "... It's Nova!"
Metal Man: "We must destroy our way through. Are you guys ready?"
Aetos: "Um, I guess?"
Charles: "Luckily, Garrick isn't here yet to hold us back, so yes, our leader."
Digifanatic: "Guess so."
Aetos doesn't think Metal has ever actually asked that.
Aribar unsheathes Moonlight.* "This is gonna be tough..."
Charles looks to the holograms. "We will not surrender."
Metal Man spins his machineguns, then charges at the holograms. "Chaaaaaarrrrgee!!!"
Nova: "...Destroy intruders. You will be terminated."
Metal Man: "Hmmm... he doesn't actually live, so I'll have to do this." *presses two buttons, one on each palm; then he fires two rockets at a Nova copy.*
Metal Man (GM): *BLAM* *BLAM* They're stationary. The copy sustains damage.
Nova: "Your attacks lack in power. I will easily defeat you."
Metal Man (GM): He looks like an old man, though a red glow is cast about him. Especially... in his eyes. All three of them move and act in sync.
Charles takes his sword, and goes over to the hologram. Using magical power, he places some of his power into the blade, looking at the old man smugly before lifting up the blade that could cut a rock in two.
Metal Man (GM): He stands and is slashed; it slices cleanly through his still hologram, damaging it.
Aribar rushes towards the holographic foe chanting a spell and leaps past Nova, twirling in the air so the arc of his now electrified blade's swing passes twice through the data. The sword's enchantment fades as the elf lands facing Nova's back. He thrusts the blade forth for a final strike.* (Bi-Bolt Slash, Stab.)
Metal Man (GM): Hit, and hit. The electricity doesn't do any extra damage. Hit.
Digifanatic decides to waste no time at Nova, going with a Fire Punch and following up with a Light Ray, much like how he commenced his sparring with the airships.
Metal Man (GM): The first hologram appears to waver every 57 seconds.
Aetos leaps over to the hologram and tries to uppercut it with a wind-imbued fist.
Metal Man (GM): Hit. Nova.
Nova: "You are the enemy. You must be destroyed. *KZT* Error, AI disabled. Random mode activated."
Metal Man (GM): All three begin randomly spinning around. Number 1 and 3 immediately face Metal. The first pulls out a wand and fires three massive spinning masses of laser at him; the third punches at Metal, sending a HUGE energy projectile at him.
Aetos: "Oh god..."
Metal Man (GM): The first hits Metal 3 times, while the third hits him once and then missiles a lot. Metal is sent flying backwards, though he stands up, heavily damaged. The second one then attacks Digi. It glows, takes out a cannon, and fires a massive projectile of paint at Digi.
Aetos salutes Digi as the cannon fires at Digi.
Digifanatic is drenched in paint...
Metal Man (GM): Damage, and lower accuracy on all attacks for the rest of this battle (unless cured) because the paint makes it REALLY HARD TO SEE.
Metal Man: "Argh... the pain... you'll pay for that, hunk of garbage!"
Digifanatic: *FOOM* "Nuts..."
Aribar: "You guys okay? Those attacks looked painful..."
Metal Man runs up and starts punching the hologram rabidly.
Metal Man (GM): *HIT HIT MISS HIT.* Damage.
Metal Man: "...I need a better gun."
Charles: "What... was that."
Digifanatic: "I think I'll be fine, but... it's hard to tell where everything is. I wish I had a dry hand to get all this off his face."
Nova: "Moderate damage taken; enemies have taken heavy damage. Mission is currently at 96.5% success rate."
Charles thrusts his sword into the face of Nova, making it simple, quick, powerful, and poodle-free.
Metal Man: "If he wasn't a hologram, we could probably murderize him."
Metal Man (GM): Hit.
Charles sheathes Tempest Sword and takes out Sword of Order.
Aribar briefly debates about Dexing these Novas but quickly realizes that they must have some Anti-Dex protection, and then decides to try and help Digi. The elf rushes over to his painted companion and tries to quickly wipe some excess paint off with his sleeve. Aribar then does that and his turn ends.
Digifanatic: "Thanks, man. That is one strange attack he launched at me."
Metal Man (GM): Digi's eyes are clear; no more accuracy loss.
Aribar: "No problem. You're no use to us blind."
Digifanatic decides to launch a Hyper Beam Matrix at the guy, then goes for an Upward Slam immediately afterward.
Metal Man (GM): Hit. And hit.
Charles has sword of powa in left hand and goober shield in right... just to be sure.
Aetos chucks a bunch of air darts at the first Nova.
Metal Man (GM): Nova's now fluctuating once every 45 seconds. The first one, that is.
Nova: "Resistance is *KTZ* possible."
Metal Man (GM): They then continue spinning.
Aetos: "Oh, well that's good."
Metal Man (GM): The first and third target Aetos.
Aetos: "Yuh-oh..."
Metal Man (GM): The first guy takes out a parasol and protects himself with it. The third one sparks and begins shooting hordes of feathers at Aetos. Spiky ones.
Aetos: "Oooh..."
Aetos: "Crap..." .oO(Pk Fire?) *begins to absorb them as they pierce through his body... .oO(Nope... this ain't fire...)
Metal Man (GM): The second one, being weird, attacks Digi by taking out a microphone and screaming into it.
Aetos: "These do all seem like Kirby attacks..."
Metal Man: "Yeah... it's very odd."
Metal Man (GM): Success, success, success. Good dodging... some people still take damage.
Metal Man: "Stupid... machines..."
Digifanatic: "Ouch!"
Metal Man runs in, using all his energy for the moment, and taking himself out of range.
Digifanatic: .oO(Worse than Kirby and Roseanne combined.)
Charles looks to the sword with pearls... and looks to the others. "If I strike with this sword, the risks would be big for us. It can hurt the hologram, not affect it... or maybe even repair it. Should I attack...*looks to old men copies.*...or hold back?"
Nova: "I am order in a hologram. The sword is useless against me. *KZT* I mean attack me you worthless flesh-bag."
Aribar: "You heard him, worthless flesh-bag! ... Charles!"
Digifanatic: "Heh..."
Aetos: "I agree with Aribar."
Metal Man (GM): The eyes appeared to flicker when it said that first statement.
Aribar: .oO(... Gotta wonder if the old Nova's still buried in it somewhere.)
Charles waits to time it so he can hit the hologram at the same time it flickers every other time. Seconds before the interval, he starts his brisk charging towards the Kuja brainwashed Nova. At the moment of the flicker he's been waiting for... he slashes at the old man!
Metal Man (GM): Charles slashes the flicker, hitting for non-order increased damage.
Charles: "...well at least we know that it doesn't repair Nova." *makes a hop back and goes into defense mode.*
Aribar mutters, "Blasted flesh-bag..."
Metal Man (GM): Thanks to Charles' timing, he went right through the parasol Nova was using to defend himself, which glitches away.
Aribar rushes towards Nova once more and skids to a stop so he's close enough to unleash two quick electrified slashes before leaping back, his attacking over for now.
Metal Man (GM): Xsp@. I mean. Zap! Zap! Cleaning solution. He now flickers every 41 seconds.
Digifanatic decides to smack the Nova hologram a bit with a Running Charge and proceeds to just stay loose with the others afterwards...
Aetos defends.
Metal Man (GM): The third nova continues firing feathers at Aetos.
Aetos: "Hope THESE aren't fireful..."
Metal Man (GM):He is hit for more wind damage. The other two continue spinning around.
Aetos: "Darn you!" *pretends hurt.*
Metal Man (GM): Number 1 attacks Metal's spot with yo-yos, while Number 2 throws large cutters at Charles. Metal, obviously, is not standing where Nova 1 is attacking, so the yo-yos miss. Damage though, for the cutters.
Aetos: "OW... That must have hurt..."
Metal Man (GM): Metal appears, with one of Phantom's machineguns.
Metal Man: "Ow. My bank account still smarts after buying this. Let's see what this can do..."
Charles is knocked back... back... knocked down. He gets up, holding side with one arm and leg with another.
Metal Man aims it and opens fire on Nova 1.
Aetos: "...Didn't I give that to you from Turion?"
Metal Man: "...I lost mine, so I had to buy another one. This one is more powerful, though."
Aetos shrugs. "Good thing I didn't get you that ring."
Metal Man aims and opens fire on Nova 1.
Metal Man (GM): 6 total hits; Nova 1 gets a ton of holes in him from machinegun fire.
Charles: "Phantom? Please... I could buy 3 of his most expensive artillery and STILL be wealthier than a lot of you."
Metal Man: "Now to reload it... this will take a while." *Starts messing with it.*
Charles runs forward, slashing Nova twice and doing so to prevent hitting him while he's flickering, too.
Metal Man (GM): Hit, hit. Damage, + whatever extra damage.
Aribar takes a few steps up to the first Nova again and unleashes two more electrified slashes. Looks like he's saving up some momentum for a larger string of attacks.*
Digifanatic: *For all the time he didn't use last spend last done, he'll certainly be making it up this turn--a Celestial Fury, followed by a Fire Punch, and then a Microwave--this is serious damage coming...*
Metal Man (GM): Hit, hit, hit.
Aetos walks up to Nova2 and defends...
Metal Man (GM): Nova 3 continues shooting feathers at Aetos. The other two spin some more. Both take out gigantic hammers and attempt to smash Digi with it. Digi flees out of the way, only taking half of the damage from each. Digi loses 1/4 of his health, and then 1/4 of that health left.
Digifanatic: *KONK KONK* "Oh, man, this guy is killing me..."
Metal Man: *Continues reloading.* "...I should have asked him how to use this weapon before buying it."
Aribar: "Read the blasted manual!"
Charles: "You leap before you look." *leans forward, walking to a side and making the slashes into a possible holographic torso there is.*
Aribar lets at a yell and unleashes a savage combo of four electrifying slashes upon Nova.*
Metal Man (GM): *Savage electrifying stuff damage.* The first one now fluctuates once every 15 seconds.
Digifanatic decides to fire two Light Rays, and the defends.
Metal Man (GM): Hit, hit.
Aetos cackles and unleashes a volley of air darts in the face of Nova 2.
Metal Man (GM): Aetos hit that one a lot, though it seems sorta pointless to attack it when #1 looks near dead. All three Nova spin some more. All three attack Metal. The first one incinerates Metal, then the other two attack where he stood. Nasty. Metal returns, -1 life.
Metal Man: "...Ow... and now it's not loaded! Grrr..."
Charles uses same attack as last turn.
Metal Man (GM): Hit, hit.
Aribar unleashes some more electrified slashes on the first one topped with a stab. "Die already!"
Metal Man (GM): Hit, hit, hit.
Digifanatic somewhat follows his same pattern from before--2 Light Rays and a defensive stance.
Aetos mutters and charges at the first nova this time, and delivers a strike with his keyblade imbued with wind.
Digifanatic's goal now is not to damage Nova too much in one turn, attracting all the offensive on the opposing end towards him.
Metal Man (GM): Hit. Too bad holograms don't obey gravity. #1 looks highly damaged. They go to attack again, only to... shoot sparks. They merge together, revealing they were just three targets, but one person. Which is nearly dead.
Nova: "Critical damage... must... protect... tower..."
Digifanatic: "That's odd."
Metal Man (GM): Everyone's dexes beep.
Digifanatic takes his out.
Metal Man opens his. "Hmmm... !!!!"
Charles takes Garrick's out and opens it.
Metal Man (GM): The dex beeps, showing Gerald's program. It suddenly shoots Nova, who shorts out and falls over.
Digifanatic: "Oh, yeah, this... Whoa!"
Nova: "...Base defenses... disabled..."
Metal Man (GM): The metallic wall over the door downwards opens on up.
Aribar: "Gah! What just happened?" *The elf, his hand full at the time, couldn't get to his dex.*
Metal Man (GM): The way down is clear; the room is empty. Ivan's men secure the perimeter.
Metal Man: "You guys go on. All that death took a lot out of me."
Aribar: "Read the manual for that blasted gun while we're gone!"
Digifanatic: "Okay..."
Metal Man (GM): The door appears to lead to stairs, it looks like there's stairs that go both ways inside.
Aribar starts towards the exit and hopes they don't meet with too much opposition.*
Metal Man (GM): There ar stairs, which go... down. The way up is blocked by some sort of force field.
Aetos reluctantly follows Aribar along.
Digifanatic follows Ari downstairs...
Charles goes to the door... looking at the stairs. He goes downstairs.
Metal Man (GM): The stairs can continue going down, spanning the outside of the tower. It's possible to easily walk down a floor.
Aribar: "If anyone wants to lead be my guest..." *The elf continues going down the stairs.*
Metal Man (GM): Aribar walks down, and is now on floor -1. However, the way down is blocked by a metallic plate. There's a door to the right, which goes into floor -1, however it would probably have defenses inside, too.
Digifanatic: *Before he moves on, he gives himself a spritz of Healing Spray.*
Aetos goes up to the plate which blocks the way further down.
Aribar: "Hrm... Looks like we've got to go into that door."
Aetos knocks on it.
Metal Man (GM): It looks heavy. and metallic. It echoes when Aetos knocks on it.
Aribar looks about the plate for some means of opening it.*
Metal Man (GM): It appears to be jammed into both sides of the walls. It doesn't appear to be openable without some sort of attacking on it.
Aetos: "Maybe we should attack it with something that will knock it down?"
Metal Man (GM): So then. It's possible to mess with the metal plate, or the door into room -1 of floor -1.
Aetos: "Or go into the door..."
Digifanatic: "Do you think anything is hiding behind the plate?"
Charles: "Are you going to strike or not?"
Aetos: "Things hide everywhere... good and bad."
Charles: "This is the question we must answer."
Aribar: "... I'm not going to hit some unknown metal plate."
Charles: "As Questers, we can't play it uber-safe in the God's tower."
Digifanatic: "It is probably best to get to the basement as safe as possible and meet back up with Gerald..."
Charles: "Now I'll see what I can to test this."
Aribar takes quite a few steps back form Charles.*
Digifanatic does so as well.
Charles moves back some. "Stand back." He moves forward to the plate, jumps to the floor, slides on his back, and goes for a double leg shot.
Aetos just kinda stares. "Kicking it?"
Metal Man (GM): Charles dents it, but it doesn't budge.
Digifanatic: "If it works for him. Me, I just think a Fire Punch'll work just as fine."
Aetos pushes Digi up to the metal plate now. "Then try."
Digifanatic tells the others to scoot out of the way for a moment as he goes to attack the barrier as well.
Charles steps back.
Metal Man (GM): It is dented again. It begins to creak; it's taking damage.
Aetos blinks.
Charles: "It might give. Care to try as well, Aetos?"
Digifanatic steps back...
Aetos: "Who me?"
Charles: "You're stronger than me or Digi."
Aetos steps over to the door and opens it just to take a peek inside.
Metal Man (GM): There's a whole bunch of infantrymen wandering around inside; there appears to be no other doors inside.
Digifanatic: "How does it look?"
Aetos closes the door.
Charles: "Guards?"
Aetos: "Ok then... Actually... there is several guards... but I noticed some kind of item behind them. Maybe we should check it out?
Digifanatic: "Item? What did it look like?"
Aetos: "Yeah, it was a big gold cube."
Charles: "Let's do this. You smack the door, and if the plate doesn't give way, we'll fight armed guards."
Aribar: "... You mean you want to open the door and walk into a room of guards by yourself?"
Aetos: "I smack the door?"
Aribar points at the metal plate.
Aetos does so... he gives the door a good smack.
Aribar: "Not that one..."
Aetos: "...But... Charles said... crap."
Aribar: "The bigger, more metal-like thing with all the dent-like things in the thing-like thing."
Digifanatic: "Aetos, what are you...?"
Aetos points to the feathers and wings coming off his arms. "I'm a zoomorphic Eagle."
Charles: "..."
Digifanatic: "That's nice, but just knock the barrier down before the guards see us!"
Aribar: "... So the metal plate isn't going to be smashed. Let's just go through that door. Everyone ready for a fight?"
Digifanatic: "Not yet..."
Aetos: "We should lay a trap in here, so when they come through, we have the advantage... everyone should hide!"
Digifanatic: "If we stop arguing, we can break down that metal thing and we'd probably be down one floor a lot faster than if we try to fight those things!"
Aribar shrugs. "Well... I don't think a small blade like Moonlight would help against a big metal plate."
Charles: "Aetos, if you keep doing moronic actions, eventually our trusting of you will be completely gone. Until then..." *steps outta the doorway to not be seen.*
Metal Man (GM): The Questers argue; then the Infantry march towards the smacked door.
Digifanatic: "Exactly."
Metal Man (GM): However, something else weird happens.
Digifanatic: "And when that is completely--huh?"
Aetos leaps to hide.
Metal Man (GM): The stairs slant... into the ground. This creates a slope, which causes the metallic sideways plate to fall out of the walls. Aetos leaps, but the door into the room is slammed shut.
Aribar: "... Piffle. What's going on?"
Digifanatic: "Quick... slide down the ramp."
Metal Man (GM): It becomes some sort of... slide... and it's going down, sending the Questers down as well, regardless of whether they want to go.
Charles: "A way down opened."
Aetos starts twisting around violently. "Ahhh!"
Digifanatic: "Well, this is certainly a lucky break."
Aribar unwillingly slides down the ramp. He tries not to build up too much speed...
Metal Man (GM): The Questers slide, and slide, and slide, until it suddenly turns to a room, and they're thrown into what looks like a cavernous room with one large television screen on it. The door slams behind them; Kuja's face appears on the screen.
Aribar: "Lucky break, huh?"
Kuja: "You thought you could just walk through my tower, couldn't you? Well, it won't matter now; you've been locked at the very bottom. My plans shall be done by the time you get back out of this dungeon."
Digifanatic: "Sounded good at first..."
Kuja: "I won't be a fool like those you have defeated; my reasons for sending you down here won't be revealed unti it's too late! Now die like good Questers."
Metal Man (GM): The screen turns off.
Digifanatic: .oO(Oh, I bet...*end obvious sarcasm.*)
Aetos looks around for any means of getting out of the room. "I think we should try to escape, you know, faster than he expects us to."
Digifanatic: "Yeah, but how? We're locked."
Aribar: "Hrm." *sheaths Moonlight and tries his dex. He attempts to call Ivan or Metal and tell them about their situation.*
Digifanatic checks to see if the room is completely empty otherwise or if there is something there.
Metal Man (GM): It's an all-stone room, which is completely empty, save for a TV in the wall, some chains and manacles (a dungeon), and a completely locked and force-fielded door, the one the Questers were thrown in by.
Digifanatic: "I bet Gerald may be in on this as well... he gave us that Dex program, but I'm almost willing to bet that in the future, they will get corrupted and glitchy..."
Charles walks up to the TV. He opens up Garrick's dex and starts to gather information on it.
Digifanatic: "Ari has a good idea, though."
Metal Man (GM): It appears to be... a normal television, hooked up to Kuja's communications network.
Aribar: "If reception isn't blocked. Which I think it may be..."
Digifanatic: "Only one problem... if Metal and Ivan can get down there... how will they break the forcefield? They have to have something interesting in their sleeves to pull that off."
Charles: "...Reception may be blocked by our communications, but what if we piggy-backed on Kuja's network?"
Digifanatic: "What do you mean?"
Charles: "A slang word. Pardon."
Aribar: "I can't help you there. I barely know how to operate the dexes."
Charles: "If we were to use the communication network as a carrier for our dexes, we may be able to signal for help."
Digifanatic: "Yeah, but don't you think Kuja would notice? It's worth a shot, but if someone tells him there are people sending messages... we're screwed. Unless..."
Charles: "If you know of an alternative, I would like to hear of it."
Digifanatic: "Oh, I know of one. It's a matter of I have the required apparatus." *pulls out his Dex and checks to see if there are any of those USB ports he can hook up his Digivice into.*
Metal Man (GM): There's a port, of course.
Digifanatic: "These things can do wonders... here's hoping it can pull one more... Ah! Found it! Guys, we may be able to get put of here."
Charles: "Explain."
Digifanatic takes out his 'vice and hooks it into the Dex, hoping he access a teleportation screen. "With this."
Aetos walks up to the TV and looks at any buttons it has.
Digifanatic: "Aetos, wait a sec."
Metal Man (GM): It appears unstable; warping here would probably scramble Digi into many tiny pieces.
Digifanatic: "Oh crap..."
Aetos is still looking..
Metal Man (GM): The TV has no buttons, though it's mounted into the wall.
Digifanatic: "Never mind... I'm getting a message not to do this."
Metal Man (GM): There's a visible seam between it and the wall.
Aetos: "Ha." *steps back and fires an Air blast at the TV.*
Digifanatic: "Says that this place is too unstable or something... worth a shot." *turns to Aetos.* "What are ya doing?" *pockets both of his items in the meantime.*
Metal Man (GM): The TV is blasted inwards; it falls down... a corridor?
Aetos: "Oh... don't mind me."
Metal Man (GM): There's a tunnel downwards behind that TV area!
Aetos walks through the open passageway.
Charles shakes his head.
Digifanatic: "Oh man, perfect!" *starts to run.*
Aetos: "You can keep doing whatever you're doing..."
Digifanatic: "No, I can't."
Charles walks down the corridor.
Metal Man (GM): The Questers climb inside, and see a short jump downwards would take you to the bottom of the vertical tunnel.
Digifanatic: "If I tried what I wanted to, we'd all be jumbled and such..."
Charles jumps down then.
Digifanatic: "Come on, Ari." *follows Charles.*
Aetos: "Merely a possibility. Anything is worth a shot, Digi." *grabs onto the narcoleptic Aribar, and guides him along.*
Metal Man (GM): This is where there is the true heart of the tower; where Gerald supposedly is. A massive, almost endless room... the platform the Questers are on floats down, and the Questers realize it's sort of a dome. There's gigantic computer things. (Think the green towers in Shadow the Hedgehog) They are like skyscrapers with blinking green lights.
Digifanatic: "Rule #1 of Villainy: Make sure your prisons are 100% flaw-free. Apparently, Kuja was only 99% of the way there..."
Metal Man (GM): There's a path ahead, made of steel. It leads the Questers through the endless forest of computer towers.
Aetos: "Rule #42 of Heroism: There is always a way out."
Digifanatic: "Heh..." *keeps on going.*
Aetos ponders his own speech a moment, then continues on... *Still dragging Aribar.*
Charles looks forward, looking left and right from time to time.
Aribar continues being dragged...*
Metal Man (GM): It looks like... every single computer Kuja uses is housed here. Enough to be a whole 'nother module. That is, planetary control module.
Aribar: "... Could this be something akin to Nova?"
Digifanatic: "That is a possibility."
Aetos stops. "...You're awake!"
Charles takes out his dex, pointing it at various computers... wondering if the Gerald program will activate.
Aetos lets go of Aribar and lets him drop.
Digifanatic: "Oh, yeah... that program."
Aribar: "Gah! Hey!" *gets up off of the ground.*
Metal Man (GM): Nothing happens; the path itself seems endless, as the Questers walk around, and feel nothing but the emptiness of this area.
Aetos: "You know what? We should kill these."
Digifanatic: "Do you think this is either a circle or a spiral?"
Aetos points to the large computers. Aetos then makes a spiral motion to Digi.
Digifanatic: "Yeah, I do imagine."
Metal Man (GM): The Questers reach the center of the whole area, and see Gerald, sitting in the center of a large set of control panels, which surround him.
Aribar blinks and rubs his eyes... Gerald? In the flesh?
Digifanatic: "Well, he was true to his word."
Gerald Robotnik: "So much has happened... the foolishness and evil of humanity has only been intensified in the time that has passed. At last, though, you have come... to see my final message for the technomadness of Kuja's empire."
Metal Man (GM): He stands up, and then signs, pointing at the ceiling.
Aetos glances up at it.
Metal Man (GM): There, the appearance of the bottom of some sort of cannon... sits.
Digifanatic only looks up if it's safe... so far, it is.
Gerald Robotnik: "He has taken his goals far further than you can believe, and has already succeeded. Your mission is one of futility. Within but a short time, he will use that weapon to take control of all dimensions... and rule completely."
Digifanatic: "Whoa..."
Aribar: "How is that possible?"
Digifanatic: "Yup, sounds like something he'd keep secret to us until after it's too late."
Gerald Robotnik: "...With my research on the eclipse Cannon, Maxamillian's magitek weaponry, Grodus's time-warping magitek, information from Smithy's X-zone device, and... foremost of all..." *He points at the Questers.* "Your time signature.......He has created a weapon which makes godship itself an obsolete concept."
Digifanatic: "Time signature? I thought that was just a musical term."
Gerald Robotnik: "You have certain distortions around you, that can be used to change fate. He has copied those for this own ends."
Digifanatic: "Okay... how do we dismantle the sucker?"
Charles lowers his head a smudge. He closes his eyes to listen.
Gerald Robotnik: "To do so would destroy everything, including The Void."
Digifanatic: "Even this planet?!"
Charles: "He said the word 'everything.'"
Gerald Robotnik: "...This planet would be the first to fall."
Aribar: "... So this weapon will be whole forever?"
Digifanatic: "Oh my goodness..."
Gerald Robotnik: "The weapon works by destroying whatever it targets; if it was sent awry, the explosion would level reality."
Aetos: "Everything, including himself... I don't see the problem."
Aribar: "Aetos..."
Digifanatic: "What are we supposed to do? Turn back time and stop him before he turned God?"
Charles: "Doing so would create a paradox."
Digifanatic: .oO(Whatever you do, don't say "Can't" in the context of "I can't do that"...)
Gerald Robotnik: "I have the solution to this horrible problem. You did the part I needed... now... to destroy Kuja's empire!"
Charles looks up to Gerald.
Metal Man (GM): He hits a button on his console.
Aribar: "We're kinda stuck down here..."
Digifanatic: "Well? What did you do?"
Metal Man (GM): Alarms go off; images show up, which show Kuja's cameras, security systems, and even communications between his soldiers simultaneously exploding.
Charles: "I, myself, would like to see what is to happen."
Metal Man (GM): Images of Gerald appear, en masse, in the city, and in all of the Kuja-held areas, cursing Kuja and explaining that his systems have been completely disabled.
Gerald Robotnik: "I have destroyed his entire control infrastructure."
Digifanatic: .oO(YES! PERFECT!)
Gerald Robotnik: "I needed you to disable his security A.I. long enough to get the program out. You have destroyed almost all of his weapons, his people, his security. He has nothing."
Digifanatic: "Except... it."
Metal Man (GM): The entire area shakes; the giant computer towers begin to act erratically.
Charles: "He still has his god powers and this cannon."
Gerald Robotnik: "My virus appears to have weakened the very fabric of this tower. Come with me; we must get out of here."
Digifanatic: "Right. Come on, guys."
Aetos follows after Gerald.
Digifanatic runs as well...
Charles follows the convoy of Questers and professor.
Digifanatic: "Whatever you do, don't doubt yourselves now. We've come too far to be pessimistic."
Metal Man (GM): The Questers move forth, to the platform, as Gerald leads.
Digifanatic: "As being the ones we are, we've been able to do some pretty incredible things. Don't say we can't do this... yet."
Gerald Robotnik: "It is the end for Kuja's administration. If it comes down to it... his weapon will be destro---"
Metal Man (GM): *BOOM!* *BOOM!* Two tanks burst through the wall.....It's Zorn and Thorn, driving soaking wet magitek tanks.
Digifanatic: .oO(WHAT THE...?!)
Charles: "It appears his administration hasn't completely been dissipated, Professor Gerald."
Thorn: "Aha! We have found you!"
Zorn: "Found you, have we! Aha!"
Aetos: "Zorn, Thorn, you're going to die one way or another. The only way to make it happen later is to let us go and you come with us, if not, then I'll happily take you out, along with the rest of this gang."
Gerald Robotnik: *Stands in front of everyone.* "...This shall be my final battle."
Charles: "... Understood."
Metal Man (GM): Gerald turns to them, and gestures his hands; a mecha, of sorts, arises from the ground, and forms around him. It's incredible; studded with more technology than you can throw a stick at.
Gerald Robotnik: "Watch, Questers, as I prove to you... that Magitek is inferior!"
Charles eyes light up.
Thorn: "You shall die tonight, traitor!"
Zorn: "Traitor! Tonight dies you!"
Aribar takes a few steps back and wonders what awesome powers he shall witness...
Metal Man (GM): Zorn and Thorn prepare to attack, but the mecha is already attacking.
Gerald Robotnik: "Face this, worthless magitek lovers!" *The mecha's right arm lights up; a massive, 10-foot long blade of orange energy appears, and the mecha then runs up and smashes the magitek shield of Zorn's tank.*
Metal Man (GM): *BLAM* Even with a poorly aimed hit, it shatters the shield instantly.
Thorn: "...The... the... Magitek... it can't be!"
Zorn: "Be... it can't... Magitek... the... the..."
Metal Man (GM): Zorn fires a TON of missiles at Gerald, while Thorn rams the mecha. The mecha violently swipes at the missiles incoming at it, but a few manage to get through, damaging it. Zorn crashes into the mecha, cracking one of its feet... but the armor is so tough it also damage the tank.
Gerald Robotnik: "Let's see you try to stop this! You shall feel the pain... the humiliation... the death you have given to innocent people!"
Metal Man (GM): The mecha picks up Zorn's tank with one arm, and then crushes the front end of it. Thorn's tank opens fire on the mecha with missiles, which takes further damage, but it then smashes Thorn's tank with Zorn's. *BLAM* Heavy damage to both.
Thorn: "No... you... cannot be more powerful!"
Zorn: "Powerful... cannot be more... you... no..."
Metal Man (GM): Zorn's tank rights itself, though, and the force fields come back up. Zorn's tank opens up, revealing a powerful laser gun. It fires at the mecha, blasting its left leg off, and Thorn tears the right arm off of the mech. However... the mecha rights itself, morphing into a new form. It turns into a large, floating orb. Gerald, in the center of it, concentrates.
Gerald Robotnik: "This... is your end."
Metal Man (GM): He pulls a switch, and time momentarily freezes. The orb then fires a huge amount of lasers, which bounce off the tanks and fly back to his sphere-ship. The shields crackle and turn into energy dots, which then shatter; the tanks float up, and then all of the energy from them is sent a-flying through them, slicing them into microscopic pieces. Gerald then pulls another switch, and his mecha fires an endless hail of lasers into the mess of parts left by the previous attack. The tanks are utterly obliterated; Zorn and Thorn themselves remain, on the ground.
Thorn: "...This is impossible. The reign of Kuja is immortal!"
Zorn: "Immortal Kuja's reign be, impossible this is."
Gerald Robotnik: "Impossible... shall be written on your tombstones."
Metal Man (GM): Thorn and Zorn manage to pull out some sort of bombs and hurl them at Gerald, who flies his mecha into them, nailing them into the wall but taking a great amount of damage from the bombs. The way to the platform is clear.
Gerald Robotnik: "There is no time... go upwards, Questers! I shall destroy these two fiends."
Digifanatic starts running up to that platform.
Charles: "Goodbye, Gerald."
Thorn: "Come back here! You... have not experienced out power. Our jobs are mocked by this traitor!"
Charles runs to the platform.
Aribar: "Good luck!" *The elf follows Digi, puzzled more than ever over which side Gerald is on.*
Zorn: "The traitor mocks our jobs! Our power has not been experienced... you must come back here!"
Aetos looks to Thorn, laughs with an insane... creepy laugh, and runs up.
Metal Man (GM): The fight continues in the background, getting even more desperate. Gerald leaps out of his mecha and holds them at bay with his machines... but one cannot dally here. The Questers run to the platform, which goes up; they realize the virus also caused the explosion of most of the basement levels, as it passes up through a number of floors directly (Through hatches in their floors) Kuja's Infantry... are fighting one another. Others are killed by their own suits; even worse, as the Questers get up, there are... 13 gentlemen androids killing Kuja's men. They ignore the Questers, mercilessly gunning down Kuja's own men. The Questers would count about 4 as they reach the first floor, where the true pandemonium comes into vision.
Charles: "What in the world... is going on?"
Digifanatic: "No idea."
Aribar: "Perhaps it is better not to ask."
Metal Man (GM): There is... in this room alone, a 13 gentleman android, some Super Soldiers of Kuja's make, and even some citizens from the city itself, fighting one another; fighting to get through Ivan's men, too. The Questers land by Ivan's men and the Dauntless; outside, the whole city is fighting itself.
Aetos: "Chaos..."
Metal Man: "It's horrible. All order was just destroyed by Gerald's virus."
Charles: "So they are killing indiscriminately!?!?!"
Aetos looks to Locos' blade.
Metal Man: "Kuja's massive forces are now fighting one another. Other things which were kept back have revealed themselves; the people themselves fight even! The cities are destroying themselves; and for all we know, Kuja has done... nothing."
Digifanatic: "I know. It's crazy."
Charles: "He has almost ascended beyond godhood. That's why."
Ivan Robotnik: *walks out.* "It appears Gerald knew what he was doing when he destroyed all those programs. Perhaps he wants the destruction of all life; there is no time however, as a notice he sent us indicates a gigantic cannon inside this tower is powering up."
Digifanatic: "Yes... and the only way to stop it is to rid reality of everything."
Metal Man (GM): The ground rumbles; there is an entire skyscraper, in the distance, which gets destroyed. Some more screens show up; Gerald's face.
Digifanatic: "Man, oh, man, what do we do now?"
Aetos looks at the exit upwards, that was blocked before.
Charles: "We have to get to the top before Kuja conquers other dimensions."
Gerald Robotnik: (Screen) "All of the wicked Kuja empire must be destroyed. Death to all which is orderly, bring an end to this madness and build an emptiness to start anew! Destroy it all!"
Digifanatic: "Um... except the Stadium, I hope...?"
Ivan Robotnik: "The platform has been rigged; it appears to be allowed to go upwards somewhat."
Digifanatic: "Okay, good." *returns to the platform.* "No time to waste--Metal, you and Ivan are going, right?"
Metal Man: "We will come, along with the emeralds."
Aetos shrugs. "Good idea."
Digifanatic: "Phew. Let's hit it."
Charles: "Gerald helped us, even if he wanted all life to end. With Kuja's men occupied, we can make rapid progress up the tower. Ivan, call your men to fall back."
Aribar follows Digi onto the platform. "This... Is just utter chaos."
Metal Man: "We will bring a platoon of men... these unruly, destructive people Gerald has allowed to run amuck are a bit of a mess."
Charles sheathes sword of order and Gibby's shield. He dashes for the platform again.
Metal Man (GM): About 10 of Ivan's men board the platform. Metal arrives on the platform, and IVan comes, holding the emeralds.
Aetos looks to Metal. "Need any assistance with anything?"
Jeff Maxwell: *Walks out.* "It appears the worst we suspected has happened. Something odd is up.......Be cautious."
Phantom: *Walks out.* "I wish you good luck... because if you die, I won't have any lawful people to sell guns to anymore!"
Digifanatic chuckles at that, but knows that this is not any time for games.
Sky High: *Walks out as well.* "I shall come... I must tell him something." *Walks onto the platform.*
Jeff Maxwell: "...I'm in no condition to fight, but I should watch." *Comes aboard.*
Digifanatic: "I wish we could contact Mewtwo and everyone else with back on Turion what is going on."
Phantom: "Ack! Come back here!" *Walks onto the platform.*
Ivan Robotnik: "You couldn't talk to them if you tried. This gun... it blocks interdimensional transport while online."
Digifanatic: "I didn't say 'I wish' for nothing."
Metal Man: "Let us go. The others can catch up when the time comes."
Charles: "A World Revolution. With all six commanders no longer under Kuja's reign, only the god himself remains atop his tower. Let's ascend to His level."
Aetos mutters and just gets behind Ivan and pushes him along. "Fine, you don't need help, but let's go."
Metal Man (GM): The platform raises up... *El Deju Vu.*
Aribar: "What if this chaos is extending to other worlds? Other dimensions? Is it a possibility?"
Metal Man (GM): The Questers are reminded of the final part of Season 4; an elevator... going up.
Metal Man: "I don't know."
Metal Man (GM): Hatches raise open; the Questers realize the entire way upwards has been emptied... for quite some while.
Digifanatic: "I think I remember this from before... This time, the outcome will hopefully be different."
Metal Man (GM): It finally reaches the top room. The very top. The windows oversee all the chaos, and Kuja sits upon his throne.
Digifanatic: "Everybody standing here with me... let's put out our best hopes and wishes for this one. We'll need them." *decides to extend a hand towards the center of the platform.*
Metal Man (GM): Kuja looks very calm, even though the entire area around the tower is on fire.
Aribar nods to Digi... And looks upon the God of Nintendus, Kuja.
Metal Man (GM): He sits there, staring at the Questers from his throne... like they're bugs. He fingers the arms on his chair, inputting unknown commands.
Charles: .oO(That theme...)
Kuja: "So... you have finally come to pay tribute to me. What an excellent occasion it is today."
Metal Man (GM): He stands up, holding his hands out, looking at the destruction.
Kuja: "All of this... so pathetic. Almost a shame you even did anything... because it is meaningless."
Metal Man: "What are you saying? We've come here again..."
Ivan Robotnik: "Your reign of terror shall be stopped."
Kuja: "...Perhaps on this planet, maybe. I'll share a bit of... important information... with you."
Aribar: .oO(Just what can we do against a god?)
Charles: "Your ascension to the next level of power will be prevented, Genome."
Kuja: "With my weapon primed, and the power sources right here, you have just fallen into a trap again."
Aribar: "Power sources?"
Kuja: "Behold... the dimension cannon is to be activated... now!"
Metal Man (GM): He presses a button; the emeralds glow. The floor glows.
Charles: "The Chaos Emeralds."
Metal Man (GM): Energy appears to be gathering in the room.
Digifanatic: .oO(This is not over. It will not be over until the last *voice starts to rise.* one of us dies...*calms back.* and the outcome is official.)
Jeff Maxwell: "This is not good. The cannon appears to have been fully powered up by us!"
Aribar: "We've got to do something!"
Digifanatic: "Quick, where's the White Emerald?"
Kuja: "There's nothing you can do. You've lost. You're going to be worse than dead in a few seconds."
Digifanatic: "Where is it? We can negate this..."
Aribar: .oO(Miracle... Miracle... Oh, by Erwin, someone, anyone, save us!)
Metal Man looks around, looking a bit odd; a look of anger in his eyes. He takes an emerald, and grasps it tightly.
Aribar: "Ivan should have it..."
Aetos: "The white emerald is with the others."
Metal Man: "You forgot... ABOUT THIS."
Aribar looks to Metal, wondering what ace he's pulling out of his sleeve.*
Metal Man suddenly turns golden; nay, all the Questers are energized by chaos energy. Garrick himself even appears... looking dazed.
Metal Man (GM): The glass windows break; the energy reaction goes out of control, and several holographic screens appear and show the cannon firstly being infected by Gerald's virus, then overloaded.
Digifanatic: (quietly) "Oh... sweet. I was wondering when this would happen."
Metal Man (GM): The tower's sides explode, blowing out all the windows. Kuja is kicked back into his chair by the energy. The very bottom of the tower explodes completely; the top part falls downward 10 stories, burying the Dauntless and the people fighting down there.
Aribar looks at his hand, feeling a power of chaos equal to when he wielded an emerald flowing through the elf...
Digifanatic: .oO(This is not over.)
Metal Man (GM): Then the ground around the tower caves in to meet it, making an upside-down dome shape; a great deal of the town collapses inside itself. The tower, heavily damage, blinks and then stops working. Kuja's holograms die, and now you're just facing him, super-powered. He has but one thing to say.
Kuja: "...Then it is time for all... TO DIE!"
Metal Man (GM): Meanwhile... while the Questers fought their way down the tower and through a former friend, Garrick had stormed a lab up on the third floor. The scientists flee; the lab is empty. Garrick would still be seeing the main computer. Maxamillian's mech, annihilated, left the way for the Questers open, thusly dooming Kuja's attempt to block them.
Garrick does a quick search... for the location of the Questers.
Metal Man (GM): All of Kuja's forces, concentrated in the ships (as seen on the computer) appear to be distracted. there is the Questers heading here very quickly... *BLAM* They crash, down two floors or so. The alarms go off, and metallic shutters block the way down from Garrick; but the computers are wide open.
Garrick sighs... looks to see what is important on those lower levels..
Metal Man (GM): Garrick realizes... the Questers are there; the entire security system rallies to fight. And what there is... is ugly. A possessed Nova fighting them with all his power... but the Questers are so powerful, even he is nothing to them. After about 5 minutes of fighting, he appears to die... but something is odd. A weird virus transmitted to him via the smash dexes. It has the icon of Gerald Robotnik: A skull-like Eggman face with an upraised fist.
Garrick: "...that... that..." *just sighs... he rid himself of his anger... that is what he must continue to do.*
Metal Man (GM): Ah, yes; Garrick's anger is full, however what happens next is stranger. Nova warps out of there, leaving the area totally undefended.....And reappears in this lab... the red glow on him is gone. Instead... a dark purple one is on him. He looks messed up, and has hollow, dead eyes. He lurches about like Doopliss's Mario impersonation.
Garrick slowly turns around to face him, his eyes blazing, his hands clenching... "...what are you?"
Nova: "...The cannon must be activated. I must fulfill Gerald Robotnik's *Kzt.* objective. Destroy everything."
Metal Man (GM): He begins lurching towards the cannon control panel; but is open to attack, being heavily weakened.
Garrick: "NOVA!" *throws himself in front of him, his sword drawn..*
Metal Man (GM): He sparks a bit... he turns to face Garrick. He throws yet more sparks, turning red, and then turning his back on Garrick.
Nova: "...No,. I must kill the Questers!"
Metal Man (GM): He begins turning the other way... towards the Questers.
Garrick: "Nova, it's me... it's me, Garrick..."
Metal Man (GM): There must be some way to knock sense into him.
Nova: "...Gar. Rick. Rick. Rick Rick Rick Rick Rick."
Metal Man (GM): He turns around, now with both auras.
Nova: "...Error. Universal objective: Destroy Questers and Universal objective: Destroy Everything and Universal objective: Maintain Nintendus in conflict."
Garrick: "Yes... Garrick... your friend. Nova, fight this. I KNOW you're in there!"
Metal Man (GM): He sparks again, and then begins floating. There is something entirely different in him now.
Nova: "There is no fighting Garrick. It is all over. This thing I use has almost served his purpose. Get out of his way."
Metal Man (GM): It sounds... like Metal?
Garrick: "...Metal? No.......Dark Metal... Dark Metal Man."
Nova: "And I must complete my goal. The universal goal of everything. I must destroy all which lives on this damn planet!"
Garrick: "Let him go."
Metal Man (GM): It raises its hand; it suddenly morphs into something like Denon, and speaks in his voice.
Garrick: "Let him go... NOW!"
Nova: "Let him go? No. We must finish the destruction before the other... can take control."
Garrick: "I won't let you control my friend like this!" *slowly reaches into a pouch on the back of his belt, removing a small, yellow cube...*
Metal Man (GM): He spins around like a pinball, and hurls terminals at Garrick, Denon-style.
Nova: "What are you going to do? His will... is weak."
Garrick kicks off a terminal, leaps into the air... and shoves the cube right at his head.
Metal Man (GM): *SLAM* It hits the thing in the head... but what is inside the cube? It flies backwards, wiping out many, many security programs. In fact, it causes the stairs to turn into a slide, which leads to the very bottom of the base; there the Questers go down, and an astonished Kuja yells out at a console. Nova stands up again; a black entity flies out of him. It... is not Dark Metal Man. However, it moves too fast to tell. It vanishes; the echo of 'You are not worthy' is heard. Nova seems to fade a little, and then becomes static-y. He falls on his knees, but appears to be alive.
Nova: "...Most of the data was lost in the destruction... there is not much left of me."
Garrick slowly moves forward to Nova... kneeling down next to him... "Nova..."
Nova: "...Regardless of what you have done... that thing is now on the loose."
Garrick: "What is it..?"
Nova: "...I can't tell. It constantly changed its identity, assuming that of many of the people you've killed before."
Garrick: "That I've killed..."
Nova: "And the Questers."
Garrick: "...Nova... you're... you're going to die... aren't you?"
Nova: "...Die? I was dead until now."
Garrick: "Well, you don't look so good now anyway..."
Nova: "These are the fragments you saved from that damaged base. The rest which you saw had become the newest puppet of that... thing. And Kuja believed I'd help him!"
Garrick kneels there, looking at Nova..
Metal Man (GM): He stands up, looking around, seemingly unbothered by his state.
Nova: "...The whole planet has been energized. There--"
Garrick stands with him, focusing just on him.
Metal Man (GM): The computers explode all 'round.
Nova: "...Is an energy surge....." *He shudders.*
Garrick: "Kuja is planning on destroying multiple dimensions with that cannon of his..."
Nova: "...Gerald has just unleashed a virus more destructive than anything Kuja will be able to do now."
Garrick: "A virus?"
Metal Man (GM): He points: One can see screens of Gerald appearing, and everyone in the city suddenly fighting one another.
Garrick looks... he scowls... "...is there a cure?"
Nova: "...He has unleashed chaos itself, destroying Kuja's own work and replacing it with destruction. I am afraid it is terminal; it has destroyed everything of Kuja's infrastructure. The planet was set free by it, but Kuja still holds the energy because it's in his cannon."
Garrick: "...then Kuja has to be destroyed."
Nova: "...The end is coming... we must do something to get the Questers to Kuja."
Metal Man (GM): He turns to a computer, which remains half-functioning.
Nova: "I can't access it, but you can. Short-circuit the keyboard on it. We need to rig open the elevator hatches. Gerald has an elevator under his control."
Garrick: "...r... right." *immediately starts to work, flipping out his multi-tool and easily short circuiting the keyboard, then hacking into the network to open the elevator hatches.* "...to think, I was planning on fighting Kuja myself."
Metal Man (GM): *Click.* Hatches begin opening.
Nova: "It is not too late."
Garrick: "...but I can't do anything, Nova. Every time I draw power to myself, I just end up falling more toward... evil."
Nova: "...That was what the evil being wanted... but Kuja has the power now."
Garrick: "Then what can I do, Nova? I've fallen behind."
Nova: "Hmmm..."
Garrick: "My goal was to find something to help me... to become strong enough to help defeat Kuja... but I doubt I can do much now. Just sit behind a console and try to undo Gerald's work. And even if I did that, it'd probably be for naught. Gerald is a genius. I don't know what more to do, Nova."
Nova: "Correct... it is a fact that he totally subverted Kuja's systems despite being his slave.....You can continue working; there is a way to send you to the fight, though it may take a while. I shall work on it."
Garrick: "...it's good to see you again, Nova." *stops his typing to look at him, smiling grimly, but still smiling.*
Nova: "...It has been a while, though it'll take me a while to regain all my information."
Garrick: "...you don't know me."
Nova: "Incorrect. I know pieces, enough to know what you've done and who you are, but ones with holes."
Garrick: "...right." *turns back to his computer, continuing his typing. Opening more doors for the Questers, getting them closer so they can do what needs to be done.* "...there. That should do it."
Nova: "They should be able to get the whole way now."
Garrick: "...so, what now?"
Nova: "I work on getting you up there." *Begins accessing computer systems.*
Garrick: "What can I do if I do get up there, Nova?"
Nova: "The Questers consist of many; it is not so much the pieces but the whole which are able to fight."
Garrick: "But a house with a weak foundation can't stand strong."
Nova: "A house which doesn't believe in itself is a bad metaphor; a person who shoots themself in the foot isn't."
Garrick: "And just how did I shoot myself in the foot?! I just want to help, and I don't think I can help by running in and getting killed!"
Nova: "No, but you can put fist to face against the person who hurt me in the first place."
Garrick: "...I hate it when you do that."
Nova: "It's merely an illogical revenge fantasy. I was designed for what I did, and this man took my place... perhaps the fragmentation is really getting to me."
Garrick: "...I'll do what I can, then... it might not be much... but I suppose it's something."
Nova: "I have created a warp to Kuja. The Questers have reached him. It may take a while for you to actually do something,though."
Metal Man (GM): A golden circle appears on the floor.
Garrick: "...you coming with me?"
Nova: "I will ensure the tower itself does not explode while you fight on it; the cannon is... unstable."
Garrick: "I expect you to get out alive this time..."
Nova: "That will not be the tricky part."
Garrick moves over to the golden circle, taking a deep breath, then looking to Nova once more. "Wish me luck."
Nova: "Good luck, it is, then."
Garrick nods, then turns and steps into the ring.
Metal Man (GM): *WARP.* Back in the throne room... Kuja is standing atop his dead throne, facing all of the Super Questers. He sees their allies, and the devastation... and his own cannon, disabled.
Kuja: "...I shall have to do things the HARD WAY, then... for you cannot appreciate subtlety."
Metal Man (GM): He stands up, and faces to battle the Questers. He's rather impressive; he stands tall, wearing imperial robes, and glowing fiercely.
Kuja: "You have come far... but I will kill you all for your pride."
Metal Man (GM): Charles goes first.
Kuja: "What? Nobody can be faster than me. You'll die first for that, Lunarian!"
Charles: "It is merely the initiative, Genome." *He begins the battle by running towards Kuja, making a short jump, and impaling his kneecap into the God.
Metal Man (GM): He barely blocks Charles' kick, smiling.
Kuja: "You never could hit anything right, could you?"
Charles leans forward, using one of his arms to thrust into Kuja's chest.
Metal Man (GM): Aaand Charles just barely misses; Kuja deflects with his left arm.
Charles jumps back as far as he can.
Kuja: "This is clever... people trying to hit ME? I'll make you pay for that..."
Metal Man (GM): Kuja raises a palm, mutters something under his breath, and a gigantic pillar of flame rises from the floor, from under Charles. Alas; Charles is too weak to resist it. He is burnt horribly.
Aribar unsheathes Moonlight and holds the blade before him. It looks like this shall be the Final confrontation... The Questers either save all of existence, or everything is doomed... "We shall not fall to you, false god!"
Digifanatic decides to launch a Light Punch (notice that ol' Elemental Will) and also a Forward Slam to boot.
Metal Man (GM): Hit!
Kuja: "Ack! Hit by the lowest Quester I've ever seen!"
Metal Man (GM): He evades whatever was related to the attack, though he takes damage. He looks at the bruise Digi caused, and stares at it almost like some sort of impossibility.
Kuja: "...Those emeralds... how I loathe them."
Aetos holds his hand out and the One-Winged Angel shimmers into his hand. "Now I think I'm ready."
Kuja: "Try again, speedy Lunarian. You can miss me faster than I can hit you."
Charles: .oO(Dammit. He's right about that.) *takes out the Sword of Order.*
Kuja: "Hahahaha! That stick won't even scratch me."
Charles: "Tis only the beginning." *comes forward, moving towards Kuja... and using a horizontal slice to his face.*
Metal Man (GM): He deflects it with a sleeve.
Kuja: "What a fool you are."
Charles: "..." *begins to breathe with a little more intensity.*
Metal Man (GM): Kuja turns to Digi, points at him, and speaks.
Kuja: "GRAVIGA!"
Metal Man (GM): Kuja's smirk slips for a second; he appeared to have had trouble in making the spell hit Digi.
Digifanatic: .oO(Yeah, I bet you wanted to hit me.)
Metal Man (GM): Kuja's spell fizzles into thin air when trying to hit Digi. Kuja looks dumbfounded.
Kuja: "...That's never happened before."
Aribar: "Take this! Bolt!" *The elf thrusts his sword up into the air and a bolt of lightning cracks from the tip towards Kuja at an unbelievable speed.*
Metal Man (GM): He turns around and gets one of his feet snagged into the rug.
Aribar: "Hah! Nice 'dodge.'"
Metal Man (GM): He blitzes with electricity; obviously not being used to taking damage.
Kuja: "I'll make you eat your words."
Digifanatic attempts an Air Attack, segueing into a Fire Punch without the elemental manipulation.
Metal Man (GM): Hit, miss. Digi punches the side of his head, then misses as he ducks.
Digifanatic: "We shall not be underestimated."
Aetos runs up ta Kuja and delivers a blow with the keyblade.
Metal Man (GM): He blocks it with another sleeve.
Charles: .oO(Remember why you're fighting him...) *nods his head. He goes forward, and goes to one side. He uses this closeness to try a gash with the sword into Kuja's chest.*
Metal Man (GM): Charles hits Kuja... too bad for Charles, as Kuja is healed by it.
Kuja: "I told you so."
Digifanatic: .oO(But that's order... and Kuja's anything but orderly!) "Charles, that makes no sense."
Kuja: "What did you expect? I brought your entire planet into order... under my command."
Charles: "It does to those who think."
Digifanatic: "Okay, okay, I get it."
Charles: "I... had to see it for myself." *sheathes the sword.*
Kuja: "...That sight-seeing may have cost you the chance of victory. So then, Mage, I see you smiling... perhaps I should BURN that smile off! FLARE!"
Metal Man (GM): Aribar barely fails the attempt to resist the magic, taking nasty damage. Ouch!
Aribar lets out a cry of pain as the energy sears his body... Yeah. Ouch. Aribar then has been biding his time for when he can unleash a deadly spell on Kuja and it looks like the elf is ready. Aribar quickly gets into a position so he won't hit one of the melee fighters near Kuja and points the tip of Moonlight at the god. A pinpoint of electricity forms on the tip and slowly grows as Aribar summons up more energy from himself and his magic reserves. Aribar then waits until the orb of energy is about the size of a baseball before pulling Moonlight back and thrusting the blade into the magical energy. This sends a beam of electricity slamming into Kuja... Hopefully hurting the God a great deal.
Metal Man (GM): The attack fries him; he stares at Aribar.
Digifanatic: "Ari, you okay from that?"
Aribar coughs. He's close to death now... "Nope. Never felt worse."
Kuja: "I never knew you were capable of that..."
Charles: "...Talk about indignation."
Digifanatic decides to launch a string of attacks as such--Light Ray, Fire Punch, another Light Ray.
Aribar smirks at that statement. Praise from a god!
Metal Man (GM): Hit. Hit. Miss.
Aetos charges Kuja with another swat with the keyblade, this time the blade is imbued with wind energy.
Metal Man (GM): Miss. Kuja stares at the damage done to him; he seems... completely amazed.
Kuja: "...You'd all be dead by now... defeated, no less... I would have asserted my power... but no. None of you have even lost a life yet!"
Digifanatic: "You thought you could just sit back and relax at all the things bowing to you and your power..."