Super Smash Quest - Story - Chapter 304: Edgelords of Turion
Date: 11:55:19 AM, July 26th, 2006.
Editor's Note: This is more of a short aside, containing mostly borderline parodically over the top edgelordiness, and is not in fact required to understand the plot. You have been warned! (...Well, it made me laugh a bit, both at and/or with various characters, but of course, EDGY TEENAGE ME would probably have been a bit upset at that reaction from present day me, hahahaha.)
Metal Man (GM): It has been so long since I GMed the lizardmen...
This is the best reference.
http://archive.metalman88.com/Turionmap.PNG
You are in the lower left corner, in 'Kales' village', where everything usually begins and ends on Turion.
Just down below, across a bridge, is a fully functional replica of the Stadium.
Turion
It is night, you can see both of the moons in the sky. The red and the blue one.
Lizardmen are everywhere, and the various buildings are the same as before.
However, a huge statue of the Season 5 Questers stands in the main plaza, with 'We salute those who destroyed our tyrannical oppressor' written below it.
Aetos being, naturally, in one of the many huts assigned to the Questers so long ago.
Aribar would appear in the main plaza, in front of the statue of the Questers.
It is so strange to be here...
Aribar looks about the town as he warps into existence on Turion. The elf looks about and sees the same old huts and such... And the new Quester statue.
Metal Man (GM): The Lizardmen who see Aribar bow in his presence before continuing their business.
The Elder appears, no worse for wear. He's wearing a far better outfit, now, though.
Aribar is a bit uncomfortable as he notices the Lizardmen bowing before him. He studies the statue for a few moments until the elder appears.
Elder: "Welcome back to Turion. Have you come for... the evil one? I have scarcely seen a being so malevolent since Kales."
Aribar looks over to the Elder. "Oh. Greetings... I have come to bring someone back, but I hope he is not the same as this 'Evil One.'"
Elder: "Aetos... he disagrees with you, the holy saviors of Turion. Only an evil one would do so. For only the Evil Ones disagreed back then... it is my wisdom that there is something broken in his mind, something... irreplaceable."
Aribar frowns as he hears Aetos's name. He was hoping this would be an easy venture... At the moment it doesn't seem like the elf will succeed.
Elder: "I will let you talk to him, but I doubt he will see your sense, oh savior. This way." *He begins hobbling towards the old Quester huts.*
Aribar nods and starts following the Elder.
"Might I ask a question?"
Elder: "Yes?"
Aribar: "Your tyrannical oppressor... I just want to make certain of this. It was Kales Brando, correct?"
Elder: "Indeed. It was his goal to use you to become the strongest being on the planet and rule us with a truly iron fist."
Aribar nods. "Life since then has been peaceful?"
Elder: "Now all that's left is his sword of evil, floating inside a volcano... Peaceful as can be. We built up our town and shut out invaders, and established trade with those other people you found across the way.
Only this... Aetos... person casts evil upon us with his presence."
Aribar: "What has Aetos done since he came here?"
Elder: "Not much, but his opinions... are not good. I see on his face bitterness."
Metal Man (GM): You reach the hut where Aetos is.
Aribar: "This is it?"
Elder: "Yes. You may go inside... I will not risk my life by interfering."
Aribar: "Thank you."
Metal Man (GM): The Elder backs off a bit, watching carefully.
Aribar proceeds up to the door and knocks on it. "Aetos, it is Aribar Hunter. I'd like to talk with you."
Aetos blinks and opens the door.
Aribar: "Greetings."
Aetos: "What are you doing here, wizard?"
Aribar: "I have come to try and help you."
Aetos: "Help me with what?"
Aribar takes in a deep breath. "I wish to help you get onto a better path. I have heard that while I was on Whaller you have plotted and schemed against your friends. And I have been told that since you came to Turion you have had an... Evil attitude."
Aetos shrugs. "All because I refuse to be a slave to that cyborg."
Aribar: "A slave to... Metal Man?"
Aetos nods.
Aribar: "What makes you think that the Questers are his slaves?"
Aetos shakes his head. "Just me. He tired to collar me a few times."
Aribar: "Think about what you've done in the past. You went against us and sided with the Void. If he did such a thing it was because he was concerned that you would do it again."
Aetos: "After he had Ivan banish me to the X-zone."
Aribar: "...What?"
Aetos: "I was trying to prove a point on how much of a baby Garrick was being that day. He had Ivan banish me to the X-zone. That's where the Void told me that Kuja is going to kill everyone if the Questers stil exist."
Aribar: "That... What happened after the Void told you this?"
Aetos: "He wanted me to get all the Chaos Emeralds."
Aribar: "Why did he want them?"
Aetos shrugs. "I can't recall exactly. Probably just power."
Aribar: "Did you know anything of the Void back then?"
Aetos: "Nothing."
Aribar: "Did you ever learn that the Void was evil before his defeat?"
Aetos: "Naturally. I looked him up in the library."
Aribar: "And you continued to follow him after you learned about what he did in the past?"
Aetos: "I only pretended to follow him, after I found out. Of course, I attacked you that fight because I didn't think we could defeat him so soon. I didn't want to give up my cover if he wasn't going to die then."
Aribar nods. "It makes sense now... But...
I was talking with Julian the other night and he said that after you were freed from Ivo you rejoined the Questers somewhat. You didn't sign the Manifesto and you worked with our enemies."
Aetos: "I only accepted a Spirit Alter from Bowser... He had Ganondorf's will, so I thought the Spirit Temple was really his. Only LATER did I find out that it wasn't a real will."
Aribar: "What about not signing the Quester's Manifesto under your real name?"
Aetos: "That was so I could actually have an adventure without everyone trying to beat me up. Same excuse for wanting a Mission Terminal."
Aribar: "...What?"
Aetos: "Ivo claimed he was going to make me a Mission Terminal like the Questers had. I wanted one so I could go help people, without the Questers on my back. That lard lied though... I would spit on his corpse if it wasn't obliterated in that explosion."
Aribar: "So all of this time you have been a victim of bad circumstances."
Aetos: "I... guess? I have to say that it is somewhat my fault for being so gullible too. And a horrible liar..."
Aribar: "Hm. Aetos, have you ever thought about explaining your actions to the others?"
Aetos: "I tried, when they asked, when they gave me those 'choices'."
Aribar: "Why did you choose to come here instead of joining with the Questers?"
Aetos: "Because I don't want to be a slave to that cyborg! And Julian constantly tries to kill me."
Aribar: "Julian is past that now... As for Metal..."
*He sighs.* "Aetos, you will just have to build up your trust with him again."
Aetos: "That's fine, but I still don't want to sign that Manifesto."
Aribar: "Why?"
Aetos: "It's not about what's on it, it's about what it represents to me. Loyalty to a crazed robotic soldier who often is possessed by an ex-chaos manipulator, who now often makes the Questers do things against the Law which is ON the Manifesto."
Aribar: "Against the law? Huh?"
Aetos: "Attack the Mage Council, Destroy large corporations owned by Shadow..."
Aribar: "As far as I know he has never asked us to attack the Mage Council. As for the IIF... They were an Anti-Quester organization basically. When it comes down to it the Manifesto is just red tape that stops us from doing some more destructive things, but it doesn't change the heart and spirit of what the Questers are.
We still strive for justice. We still strive for peace on Nintendus. And right now we need all the help we can get against evils such as the Fury and Ivo Robotnik."
Aetos: "...But the Lard is dead!"
Aribar shakes his head. "The Questers were unwitting pawns in his plan. He is alive and kicking. And he stands a serious threat to Nintendus. He meant for us to destroy the Time Stones to power his newest machine.
Aetos, come back with me to Nintendus and show the others that you've always had the spirit of a Quester in you."
Aetos narrows his eyes. "I don't know. I'm still not up for purely following Metal's rule."
Aribar: "You wish to help others. What good can you do stuck here on Turion and remembered as a traitor? If Metal could he would abolish some of those rules. I'm sure of it."
Aetos: "I need some way around it. Being alone without any device to tell you who needs help doesn't work. Following orders from Metal and being in with a huge group of people doesn't work. This place doesn't HAVE trouble. Clearly, trying to befriend people [Kappa] and/or trying to get help from anyone doesn't work."
Aribar takes out his Dex and shows Aetos the Manifesto. "The Loyalty and Governance and Former Smashers and Questers sections is just to make sure no one turns on us. The Prohibitions on Dangerous Magic and Technology are so we don't use things that are better left unused. The same goes for Limitations on Magic... To an extent. We don't need to worry about the Wholeness of Nations."
He steps back and pockets his dex.
Aetos opens the DEX terminal on his Spear and reads a part out loud. "6. Former Questers are to be immediately destroyed if they betray the APN, though they are otherwise not bound by the rules of this document."
He whispers "I don't get the meaning of this."
Aribar: "The Questers are some of the strongest people on Nintendus. If a former Quester such as you or Mr. Monster began to attack APN-sanctioned parts of Nintendus... They'd have to be stopped."
Aetos: "Uh huh. And the second part of that?"
Aribar: "It is as simple as it says. If you quit the Questers then none of the other rules apply to you anymore."
Aetos asks the Dex. "What are the drawbacks of not being a Quester?"
Smash Dex: "Inability to revive after death. The First death is permanent. Growth of special moves is slowed down considerably.
Inability to have diplomatic immunity, political immunity, or otherwise. If you kill the wrong people you will be arrested and executed for murder.
The Questers and others would have no reason to let you take their missions, and might shove you out of the way.
Furthermore, equipment is far harder to get, as well as items, armor, and such."
Aetos continues reading all the manifesto rules over for the third time.
Aribar: "Aetos... if you wished to help Nintendus without being a Quester I will try to help you, but you could do much more good if you were with us. Or you can remain here."
Aetos shakes his head. "I will do neither. Take me back and we should discuss it there, if you don't mind?"
Aribar takes out the beacon. "To Nintendus, you mean?"
Aetos slowly nods.
Metal Man (GM): The beacon has a note on it.
'Will only accommodate one person.'
Aribar: "Do you have anything to do here before we leave?" *The elf looks down at the note.*
Metal Man (GM): Also...
'Call Metal if you wish to send Aetos back, otherwise you're going to be stuck on Turion for letting him back on Nintendus.'
Aribar: "Just for fair warning, you may have to deal with Metal for a little bit before I get warped back."
Aetos: "Just go to see the Elder. It's strange though, I am so polite around him, yet he seems rather suspicious of me."
Aribar: "He can sense that you are troubled I believe... Well, go see him now. By the time you get back everything should be ready."
Aetos exits the hut.
Aribar steps out of Aetos's way and calls up Metal on his Dex.
Metal Man (GM): Err... hmmm.
Aetos or Aribar first...
Okay dokey.
Aetos walks out. The Elder is nearby, staring.
Aetos waves to the Elder and walks over to him.
Elder: "Hmmm?"
Aetos: "I just wanted to say thank you for having me here. It's been a rather dull blast."
Elder: "You are at least less annoying than the one named Julian. I can't help but forget when he hurled Amnesia dust on me. I still cannot help but suspect there is something... wrong...
You don't seem quite who you say you are."
Aetos blinks. "...What do you mean?"
Elder: "A Quester? You are too free willed to say that... but you have this will at your own peril... but... this doesn't seem to meld with the impression I get from you. It is very confusing. As if the mind does not match the body.
My psychic powers have never failed me until now..."
Aetos scratches his chin. "Very... confusing."
Elder: "If I had the knowledge of the ancients, I might be able to say more... but they are dead and their temples robbed. You're right, nothing bad happens here anymore. Because every trace of evil was destroyed."
Aetos twitches slightly. "You could always create new temples..."
Elder: "We lack the power and the engineering. It would take us twenty years to rediscover this thing called 'Masonry' and 'En-jin-earing' Kales was our brightest and evilest leader. Had he survived, we may have wound up with them earlier... hmmm."
Aetos: "Unfortunately, I'm not much of a technology expert either. I often blow up touching electronics."
Metal Man (GM): Meanwhile...
Aribar has his dex, and is in the hut.
Aribar tries to call up Metal on the dex.
Metal Man: "...Hello?"
Aribar: "Aetos wishes to come back and discuss some things there. I think I might be getting through to him... Right now he's talking to the Elder of Kales' Village and then we'll be ready."
Metal Man: "So he pledges to sign the manifesto?"
Aribar: "Ahh..."
Metal Man waggles his finger. "I can't legally trust him without that."
Aribar: "He wishes to come to Nintendus so that he can dis... Metal, legal garbage aside, do you trust him? As a person, and not some political figure."
Metal Man: "No further than I am able to get an accurate shot at him with my pistol. He has repeatedly allied with enemies and quarreled with other Questers. Having him is like having a square tire.
I ask you how much you would trust Ruvyn if he had a change of heart, was alive, and wanted to join us.
Though that's a bad example, Aetos didn't even stick to one person."
Aribar: "My time on Whaller recently has shown me that people can change."
Metal Man: "For the worse."
Aribar: "He said to me that he stopped following the Void after learning how evil he was. He wanted Ivo to make him a mission terminal so he could help people on his own. He got the Spirit Alter thing from Bowser without knowing that he was stealing."
Metal Man: "So that time he attacked us in the name of The Void on the last stand with him was a fluke? He stopped following him only after he was dead.
Ivo... making a mission terminal... not only is Ivan a criminal, but it's illegal to try to outsource our top-secret technology."
Aribar: "No... He did that because he doubted that we could destroy the Void. He didn't want his cover to be blown, and possibly the last chance to save Nintendus to end, if we failed."
Metal Man: "Phbbbt. That's why I don't trust him, he turns to the other side when we need him most."
Aribar: "He may not have always done the right thing, but he has always been thinking of Nintendus and helping others."
Metal Man: "I'd like you to explain how you'd feel if he turned to Zio's side because he was stronger and left you to die as a result. Sure he might save Nintendus by betraying Zio, which would be yet more untrustworthiness, but you'd be dead.
He thinks of doing it by himself. Thus posing danger to himself and others.
If I let him do it, who else? Maybe Julian will decide he wants to kill everyone who insults him, and will split off. Then we soon have Charles Magellean's third empire trying to kill us all.
He is the symbol of what the Manifesto was made to contain. Only if he abides by it can I consider him an ally."
Aribar takes the verbal beating... He isn't sure what to say.
Metal Man: "Otherwise it's my fault if he runs off and kills people 'in the name of good'. Having been responsible for at least ten such people in the past, I'm not going to let it happen again."
Aribar: "Metal, may I say something?"
Metal Man: "Yes."
Aribar: "Do you remember Orlando Florida, a Jentanian mage who we've had to deal with on a few occasions?"
Metal Man: "Of course."
Aribar: "He betrayed the Protectors of Whaller long ago. Unlike Aetos, he did do it to go to the stronger power. When I went back to Whaller I learned that he defected back to the Protectors of Whaller. It was with his knowledge and power that they were able to put an end to the Thief's Guild and put a good part of my world at peace."
Metal Man: "But does Aetos have any knowledge or power?"
Aribar: "He has power to help us. He was in Ivo's council for a while as well. He might have knowledge."
Metal Man: "Perhaps. In which case you can ask him to tell me it over the dex, so it's perfectly safe. I may consider making a remote-controlled body for him as well... but his body? Here? Not without the manifesto."
Aribar: "Orlando and Aetos are somewhat similar. They sometimes choose the wrong paths. But they sometimes pull through and help when it is needed the most. Thus, before he comes back and the discussion starts I'd like to ask you something."
Metal Man: "Yes?"
Aribar: "If Aetos cannot be a Quester then could he could back and work on his own?" *The elf knows Metal basically just said no to this, but...*
Metal Man: "Well, I could say yes, but the chance of him dying would be high enough to make it a phyrric victory for him. So no. Reminds me. People who don't sign will not get the benefits of being a Quester anymore."
Aribar: "What about calling him in as a mercenary?"
Metal Man: "The chance for him to die is still extraordinarily high."
Aribar frowns, but nods. "Well... I guess I'll wait for him to come back here and then the discussion can start."
Metal Man: "Do you wish to reform him, or kill him?"
Aribar: "I don't think he needs to be reformed... Just trusted more and to learn to use methods a little less unsavory..."
Metal Man: "That would be reforming him. Well, you can talk, but he sounds completely unchanged to me."
Aribar sits down somewhere in the hut and awaits for Aetos to return.
Aetos thanks the Elder again and parts back to the hut.
Aribar: "'allo, Aetos... Things have to be handled a bit differently. Metal wishes to discuss this over the Dexes, and not on Nintendus at the moment."
Aetos shrugs. "Fine by me. I've got my own standards I want known, as well."
Metal Man: "I cannot let you onto Nintendus without a signature, otherwise I have no clue if you're going to try to kill me. There are protocols and things to be used. Without them we are bandits."
Aetos shakes his head. "The Manifesto I wont, but I have my own legitimate contract." Holds up a piece of paper out of no where.
Metal Man: "I'll look at it, but I doubt it's good enough for me."
Aetos kinda scratches his head. "Well... it's blank right now... But I could still list the terms."
Metal Man: "Tell me them, then."
Aetos clears his throat. "Rule number one: Aetos shall not break any rules listed on the Manifesto of Questers."
Metal Man: "Well, that's equal to signing the actual thing. What else?"
Aetos: "Rule number two: Aetos shall not be forced to sign the Manifesto so long as all terms on this paper are met. Rule number three: Aetos will not participate in any activities that may cause harm to the planet of Nintendus."
Metal Man: "Forced? No need to. I can have you sit there forever. It's your coins, not mine. So... that doesn't really bother me."
Aetos: "Aetos will enforce the laws of the APN and Magic Council to whomever it concerns."
Metal Man: "Sure thing. I have a feeling what that's aimed at, but luckily it can't affect me."
Aetos: "Rule Five: Aetos will not have conversation with any persons of evil alignment."
Metal Man chuckles. "Good idea, they trick you too easily. Just don't talk to yourself too much."
Aetos: "Rule Sic: Aetos will not be seen as one of Evil alignment."
Metal Man: "Okay, I can see you as the Pie Alignment."
Aetos: "Very well."
Aribar hrms, thinking things over... "A question here, if you don't mind me interrupting."
Aetos: "Rule Seven: Aetos has the right to leave the Questers any time so long as this specific contract is maintained at all times."
Metal Man: "That is a paradox, as it says you obey all the Manifesto rules. Thus if you have that clause it breaks itself.
Which then means the contract is not maintained... so... well. You can keep it, but it won't do you any good. Using it breaks the contract which breaks that clause which means you can't leave anyway."
Aetos: "At the bottom here you see a clause which states: 'Any laws specifically posted here may overcome the rules of the same order in the Manifesto"
Metal Man: "Not gonna happen. I must remind you the one about remaining a Quester is the golden rule. Otherwise all the other rules are playthings."
Aetos: "It means leave Quester HQ. Not abandon Quester-ship."
Metal Man: "Then it must be re-worded."
Aribar: "All you need to do is ask permission to leave the HQ."
Aetos: "That is the one it would override."
Metal Man: "I will sign it if you reword that to say 'Aetos may leave Quester HQ at any time he pleases but not quit the Questers whenever he pleases.'"
Aetos restates rule Seven to make it more specific.
Aribar: "Well, I've a question. How can you stop evil people from talking to you?"
Aetos: "By not talking to them."
Aribar shrugs. "Okay then..."
Aetos: "A conversation is when two people discuss a topic mutually."
Metal Man: "So... will you sign it with those terms?"
Aetos: "Rule Eight: 'Aetos may do actions overriding the Manifesto, but not this contract, so long as it is clearly, and positively for the true good nature of Nintendus an it's inhabitants.'"
Metal Man: "That, too, is a contradiction. If you obey the Manifesto you cannot randomly override it. So you may have that clause but it won't do ya any good."
Aetos: "Right... more specifically again. Aetos may use whatever tools necessary so long as it's for the true good nature of Nintendus and it's inhabitants, so long as it doesn't break any terms in this contract."
Metal Man: "Of course."
Aetos: "Lastly: Aetos first goals on Nintendus is to dispose of Ivo Robotnik. If something stands in the way, he may surpass it."
Metal Man: "I dunno what that's doing on a contract, but it sounds fine. Now... sign it."
Aetos: "That term is void once Ivo is permanently gone."
*He signs the blank paper??*
Metal Man: "And write down all those terms on it."
Aetos nods... taking several minutes to write it down with his only writing utensil, chalk.
Metal Man: "And I can see from here, so don't write anything funny like 'Aetos is allowed to steal Metal's shoes when he is sleeping.' Okay. Now, Aribar, take the contract and press the warp button.
I must also sign it, to make it law."
Aribar stands up and takes the contract from Aetos before pressing the Warp button. His hand is full with all of that.
Metal Man takes the contract, and signs it... and grins. Madly.
"I can now force you to do anything I want by saying you're harming nature.
To test this, I first command you draw a smiley face on Aribar's head. Or else you're harming nature."
Aribar frowns. "Now, that's just wrong!"
Aetos: "How is that harming nature?"
Metal Man: "It is unbalancing the nature of reality by there not being a smiley face there. According to knowledge I received three days ago, if you do not write on there, an entire forest will burst into flames."
Aetos: "Liar."
Aribar: "And I suppose that he must destroy the Neo-Earthians because they're destroying the natural ecology of the magnetic wastelands?"
Metal Man: "Furthermore as the executive officer it is my job to enforce the contract, and thus I am allowed to tell you what is harming nature and what isn't."
Aetos: "Only if it's true."
Metal Man: "He also must destroy himself if he steps on any plant life."
*He giggles.*
"Also, there are microscopic organisms which need chalk that are natural and on Aribar's forehead.
Without chalk, they will die."
Aetos: "Mutant creatures such as that are not members of Nintendus."
Metal Man: "Your contract also says... hmmm... You cannot be seen when you become evil."
Aribar: "He never was evil."
Metal Man: "Correct, he is of the Pie alignment."
Aetos: "To you."
Aribar: "I think you're abusing this, Metal."
Aetos: "I've done that to avoid being totally controlled by an insane commander."
Metal Man: "It's merely to point out how silly this is. Ahah! Here we are.
The manifesto says you may not debate my authority."
Aetos: "It allows me to prove to you that I'm not evil, but I'm not one of your warriors."
Metal Man: "That would be breaking a rule. And then one of your own rules."
Aetos notes. "You forget the last rule."
Metal Man: "Furthermore, if you persist in this... I don't have to warp you home... oh... wait. I can't. It harms nature. Electricity is generated by burning fossil fuels and radiation, which harms Nintendus' environment. A huge amount of it is used to warp people... which causes more trees to be destroyed, areas polluted... radiation..."
Aribar: "Next you'll be saying he has to kill anyone who takes a shower!"
Metal Man: "It does harm nature, you know."
Aetos feels Metal ignored his last statement.
Metal Man: "The last part insists that your laws go over mine. Which means I cannot harm nature to help you. Because you would be participating in harming nature.
Warps really do hurt the environment. It takes a lot of trees, a lot of dead animals, and a lot of radiation to do it."
Aetos: "That doesn't matter until Robotnik is gone."
Aribar: "You know, I'm beginning to regret warping that contract to you."
Metal Man: "It says 'on Nintendus.' You are on Turion. I cannot obey it until you are on Nintendus, because then it is your goal.
But as long as it is on Turion it is not your goal. Now if you signed the Manifesto I could just let you here, but it may take me a few days to see if there's a loophole to let you here.
Perhaps... Ivo harms nature... so... nature is less harmed by you coming here... but! You have to be on Nintendus first..."
Aribar: "Maybe he'll have to steal your helmet and get some air to your head? It is a natural head still, after all."
Aetos whispers to Aribar.
Metal Man: "I'm only doing my job." *Stares at it* "There's so much red tape... I may be harming nature just talking to you!"
Aribar whispers back.
Metal Man: "And... god forbid Ivo dies... then I can do anything I want with you! Is that good or bad? The contract doesn't say. It says you are allowed to override everything if you are on Nintendus and hunting Ivo.
But you are on... Turion...
Perhaps if I proclaim Turion to be Nintendus you can come back."
Aetos: "You have no right to do that."
Metal Man: "You're right. Back to square one."
Aetos: "So, I'm stuck here unless you actually care."
Metal Man: "I do care... but... this... thing... it... headache... argh... Trying to do anything requires me to go one by one. Let's see. In order..."
Aribar: "Why not just say to heck with the legal mumbo jumbo and trust us?"
Metal Man: "Because contracts like this clearly show he wants to do things willy-nilly. I know what can decide this.
First, this contract is more broken than my last MTA. Unless you want to be trapped in red tape purgatory, I have a better idea.
The only person who ever kept Aetos in line was The Void.
Let's see about doing it again."
Aetos blinks.
He whispers to Aribar again.
Metal Man snaps his fingers. The contract violently explodes and he turns into The Void.
The Void: "What is this? You're trying to use paper and words? Bah! Those mean nothing!"
Aribar gives a small nod to Aetos.
The Void: "The only sure way is to brand a Q into your forehead! Then... whenever you are compelled to do evil deeds... it shall harm you!
Increasing in power... until your very head explodes!
Then... uhhh... unless you can do evil deeds without a head, all is fine."
Aribar: "He's never done evil deeds on purpose so... He won't really be affected by it."
Aetos: "That's worse that your stupid collars and signing the manifesto. This is why I WONT sign the manifesto."
The Void: "Then why did you accept the first tattoo? You are a hypocrite!"
Aetos: "That was by a gift from the Mushroom King."
The Void: "This has nothing to do with the manifesto!"
Aetos: "I didn't know it had to do with you."
The Void: "Kill, crush, destroy. I don't care. Just that if you help bad guys, it will burn you! You don't have to obey anyone!
That is. Help them intentionally."
Aribar: "Why not just give him the abilities of a Quester without the paperwork?"
Aetos: "It's still a leash with you and Metal holding it."
Aribar: "Or other forms of showing loyalty on useless pieces of paper."
The Void: "I can replace the paperwork with a tattoo, but I cannot delete the paperwork. Do you know how many evil Questers there were? Only one who wishes to be another evil Quester would find anything the least binding to be so repulsive!"
Aetos: "You have a very narrow perspective, then."
Aribar: "Name the Questers that turned on us."
Aetos looks at Aribar.
The Void: "Phantom, Ruvyn, Zio, Skyhigh, Lynk... Jeff Maxwell... Linkbot...
Alys..."
Aribar: "...Alys turned on us?"
The Void: "Heck, we had an evil Digifanatic too! She nearly joined those nobodies. Feel lucky that she was killed by an inexplicable hole in reality.
We also had an Evil Mewtwo...
Panzer was always on the brink of turning on us...
You turned on us... Charles did..."
Aetos's ears twitch.
The Void: "Do you really want me to go on? It is a foregone conclusion Questers without boundaries can be easily taken in by evil. Oh, yeah, Tridus, too."
Aribar: "Half of those people you mentioned never really cared about helping people; just the money. Ruvyn, Charles, and I were cursed or controlled somehow. Zio was evil. Most of the time bringing in bad Questers who didn't really want to help others was the problem."
Aetos: "I thought Charles was compelled by greed?"
The Void: "Nevertheless, we cannot trust Aetos. That is the bottom line.
You cannot erase that without him serving some sort of probation.
That is why your voyage to Turion only hurts nature.
The whole issue is silly, for if he signed the Manifesto we could trust that.
Then we would never have to bring this up again.
If he thinks our intent is to control him, he does not trust us, and we him. You cannot magically fix that."
Aetos: "Void, and Metal. You've both proven that you only want to control me already!"
The Void: "Whatever you think. It isn't our business to harass you. Unless you have anything else to say, this connection will be terminated for now."
Metal Man (GM): *Connection cuts.*
Aetos looks to Aribar. "Speechless."
Aribar sighs. "I don't know what just happened, but..."
He just shakes his head. "I guess you won't want to go back now."
Aetos: "I'd go back, but still, not if I'm to be branded."
Aribar: "Well, then you've several choices. Go back and accept the Manifesto. Go back and accept your contract and Metal's... Views of it. Or go back and try to be a mercenary who could very easily die while helping Nintendus.
Or stay here for the rest of your days... I doubt there will be many more comings and goings between Turion and Nintendus."
Aetos: "I'm not allowed to go back to Nintendus so long as I don't sign the Manifesto, which means I'd be stuck with them and unable to do anything. So the third one is out of question."
Aribar: "...Well, there... Ah, nevermind."
Aetos: "I'm not signing the manifesto. And as long as The Void is there to blow up papers, the second choice is out too. It's hard to believe that he actually thought I'd ever listen to The Void, too...
You just explained that I wasn't truly 'with' The Void..."
Aribar: "There is a way that I could get you back on Nintendus without the Manifesto, but it would break a few laws and possibly just end both of us up in jail or dead."
Aetos: "No doubt the broken laws of Metal would keep you safe from punishment, though. Still, you are bound, correct?"
Aribar: "Well... I am bound by the rules... In the end it comes down to breaking my word or helping a friend with something that might not even work."
Aetos: "Your leader's laws are supposed to govern your actions. Do they?"
Aribar: "Not often. Most of the time my own code and feelings tell me what to do."
Aetos nods...
Aribar takes out the beacon. "I am not sure how these things work entirely, but it calls a warp for person to head back to... I'm guessing the HQ's warp room. If I warped back with it, got another one, and came back I might be able to get you back on Nintendus. But... I don't know if the warp requests are monitored or what. There is too many unknown facts to try it."
Aetos: "SIMBER is always watching."
*He scratches his head and pulls out the Turion Warper.*
Aribar sets the beacon aside and looks at Aetos and the device a bit before scanning through the Manifesto with the dex again.
"...Aetos?"
Aetos: "Hm?"
Aribar: "I see a loophole that could get you back on Nintendus in the Manifesto, but... Then you'd have to be a bit dishonest..."
Aetos lowers his eyes. "I'm a bad liar, but explain..."
Aribar shows Aetos the very bottom of the Manifesto. "10. Former Questers may return home through a portal in Atlantis. You could say to Metal that he'd be breaking his own laws by not putting you on Nintendus to use that portal... But you would just use this as an excuse to get back to Nintendus, and not go home... Unless you wanted to, that is."
Aetos: "We'll... have to see."
Aribar sighs. "Well, what do you plan to do for the moment?"
Aetos: "I'm unsure. Nothing on this planet appears to be doing bad. There must be something."
Aribar: "Will you need time to think on this? I could always stay a few days in my old hut, IF it's still there, if you need time to decide."
Aetos: "The problem is that I have nothing to decide on."
Aribar: "If Turion has nothing for you, and Nintendus won't accept you... Why not go home?"
Aetos: "One moment... hmm... Ivo."
*He opens the terminal on his Dex and calls Leon Yetch's dex. While it rings or whichever he explains his plan.*
Metal Man (GM): Ivo picks it up.
Ivo Robotnik: "Ho-ho! Someone calling me? What gall! What do you wish to have from the unstoppable Eggman?"
Aetos: "I'd like you to place the Dex inside my old helmet, if you have it, please?"
Ivo Robotnik: "Why should I help you? The helmet belongs to me now."
Aetos: "Because I almost went to help you get that time stone from Knuckles."
Ivo Robotnik: "...You're backwards, aren't you? They all exploded. I have all the power I need... The Master Emerald is useless without its counterparts.
Once I conquer Nintendus, I shall come for Turion."
Aetos: "Just put my dex into my helmet! I'll give you any more information you need!"
Aribar: "..."
Ivo Robotnik: "How can I know that is not a trick? It sounds... too easy.
Perhaps if you asked me to destroy a mountain, or perhaps write your name on the moon, I would believe you."
Metal Man (GM): He looks at the helmet, which is just to the side.
Aetos: "Well... I'll... I... What exactly do you want, to prove it's not a trick?"
Ivo Robotnik: "What makes this special?"
Aetos: "It's got a radio insi... de..."
Ivo Robotnik: "I wish to know... so that I can better do whatever it is you want. A radio? Hmmm. So simple. Then there is the other problem.
I tore your dex to pieces and integrated it into my computer systems."
Aetos slaps his forehead.
Ivo Robotnik: "I cannot put my entire console inside your helmet."
Aetos: "You you have communications with your old... bounty client?"
Ivo Robotnik: "...He vanished off of the face of Nintendus. How am I supposed to find him? I've tried."
"I have scanned the planet entirely."
"So you see... I cannot help you very much. What about something else?"
Aetos: "Nevermind that... I have two contacts through my radio... Could you figure out a way so I could speak with them?"
Ivo Robotnik: "Who are they?"
Aetos looks to Aribar...
Ivo Robotnik: "I do not wish to speak to people who might try to stop me, the glorious Ivo Robotnik!"
Aribar points to himself and then the door.
Ivo Robotnik: "Only such delightfully twisted people like you."
Aetos: "Uh... No worries. they are people much like Skyhigh."
Ivo Robotnik: "Dummies? Beautiful. Their names?"
Aetos winces one eye. "I call him Trev-dog."
Aribar guesses he interpreted Aetos wrong. The elf just looks down at the dirt floor of the hut.
Ivo Robotnik: "Okay... uhhh..." *Sound of radio crackling* "Calling... Trev-dog? Trev-dog? Hello? Huh? I'm trying my best to tune it to find whoever this is."
Aetos: "Maybe... Trevor, is it's real name..."
Ivo Robotnik: "Hmmm... isn't that odd..."
Aetos: "Purely coincidence to the one from Valhalla, of course..."
Ivo Robotnik: "He's vanished as much as the other fellow. Oh... wrong one, right."
Aetos: "...Wha..."
Ivo Robotnik: *Tunes it again* "Other person named Trevor! Tune in! This is going to take a while."
Aetos: "Try... Sar-cat. She's known as Saria sometimes..."
Ivo Robotnik: "Sar-...cat? Huh? I'm getting some sort of interference... what is this?"
Saria: *Radio* "I will not speak to villains such as you." *Click.*
Aetos growls. "After all I did to try and help her..."
Ivo Robotnik: "Well, it appears she doesn't want to talk to me... how sad. The soon-ruler of Nintendus turned down by some mage? Oh. Uhhh... she didn't know it was you. Remember, I was the one using the radio."
Aetos: "How about... Shad-hedgehog?" ;;
"He's not on the radio..."
Ivo Robotnik: "...If I call him he's going to come and shoot me. Really. He's been prone to teleporting around and attacking people.
I don't feel like deceiving him into thinking he's my android again.
Also he is hard to fool."
Aetos: "...I've... Got a hostage! An apprentice of his!"
*He grabs Aribar.*
Ivo Robotnik: "Yes! That's it! We can take Aribar hostage! Brilliant!"
Aribar: "...Aetos..."
Ivo Robotnik: "Make sure to threaten him with a knife while I find his location."
Aetos whispers.
Ivo Robotnik: "Let's see... S is for... shoes... shampoo... Ahah! Shadow. Now to find his location..."
Aribar whisper back.
Ivo Robotnik: "Okay... let's seee... Here we go!"
Metal Man (GM): *Ring ring ring.*
Shadow: "I told you I'd hunt you down and kill you if you called me again."
Ivo Robotnik: "Uhhh... we have Aribar as a hostage!"
Shadow: "...I see. I will have to kill that person instead."
Ivo Robotnik: "Wait! Uhhh... I have... weapons of mass destruction!"
Aetos: "Come to Turion, Shadow! Quick!"
Shadow: "Do I look like I care about Nintendus?"
"It's a ball of rock, nothing more."
Ivo Robotnik: "...You're on your own, Aetos. At least I will be safe!"
Aribar: "I'm going to die somehow, aren't I?"
Metal Man (GM): The connection abruptly quits as you hear an explosion outside.
Aetos shakes his head. "Not unless a fly hits you. SHADOW!! TURION!!"
Metal Man (GM): The door simultaneously busts open.
Aribar: "At least Turion just got a bit of excitement."
*He looks towards the door.*
Editor's Note: At this point, the ludicrousity goes off the scale. You have been warned. You can safely skip this part unless you want to facepalm at high speeds!
Metal Man (GM): Shadow walks in, pointing his guns at Aetos.
Aetos lets go of Aribar. "Thank goodness you came..."
Shadow: "It is one thing to call me, and another to hold my property hostage. Any last words?" *Click* *Click.*
Aribar: "Property?!"
*He steps back.*
Aetos: "Help me?"
Aribar: "This was just a trick to get you to come here."
Shadow: "...Help you? You have one of my people as a hostage. You are supposed to be threatening me."
Aribar: "He didn't really hold me hostage."
Shadow: "...I hate tricks... give me a reason not to kill both of you."
Aribar: .oO(Piffle.)
Shadow: "You should have listened to the doctor. I kill whoever wastes my time."
Aetos: "...No! No, we aren't wasting your time!"
Shadow: "Aribar, being a Quester, will probably survive. I can't say the same for a thief and a rogue."
Aribar: "Well, if you help Aetos get back to Nintendus then he can help the Questers kill Ivo instead of having you waste time for it."
Shadow: "I don't care about Nintendus. Ivo is too dumb to threaten anything.
If I wanted to kill Ivo he'd be dead now."
Aetos: "You could still help. I'd make it worthwhile however possible?"
Shadow: "Your screams and death would make this very worthwhile." *He shoots a bit, over your heads.*
"I see you want to get back there. If you want back there, through me, you will become my property yet more."
Metal Man (GM): He shoots over your heads again.
Aetos blinks, alarmed. "Stop!!"
Shadow: "It is either that or your death."
Aribar lowers slightly into his fighting stance. "What do you mean 'Your Property'?"
Metal Man (GM): He makes a point of shooting up the roof, the walls, and then the floor.
Shadow: "I tell you what to do, and if you disobey me, you die. Nobody can help you out here.
I work for a very worthy cause..."
Metal Man (GM): He smashes a vase off to his side.
Aribar: "And that cause is?"
Shadow: "The cause of not telling Aribar what the cause is."
Aetos: "And that cause is?"
Metal Man (GM): He shoots so close it brazes Aribar's shoulder.
Aribar: "Gah!" *The elf quickly mutters a spell to coat himself with rock.* (Stoneskin.)
Shadow: "Now... you have your choice. Go to Nintendus and ensure The Fury is revived at full power or die."
Aetos: "...The Fury?"
Shadow: "If you betray me at all, I will kill you."
Aribar: "You wish to ensure that the Cycles repeat forever."
Shadow: "That is a bit oversimplifying it. But that's all you're going to know. I am very busy. The Questers, naturally, will attack you on sight.
But that's your choice, if you're so desperate to sell your souls for it..."
Aetos shakes his head. "Please, give one more option."
Shadow: "Oh, right. Aribar would survive dying. He's off the hook. No. You held him 'hostage', now I will hold you hostage."
Aetos: "...Wait! You've traveled all over Nintendus in record time, right?"
Shadow: "All over it, everywhere. That is why betraying me gives you five seconds to pray before you die."
Aetos: "Where did Charles Magellean, and TREVOR of Valhalla go to? They've apparently left Nintendus altogether... but..."
Shadow: "Beats me. That may very well be true."
Aribar: "May I have a word with Aetos about this real quick?"
Shadow: "Try to escape and you die." *He backs out of the room and walks out.*
Aribar starts whispering to Aetos.
Metal Man (GM): You hear him violently shooting trees and windows out everywhere.
Aetos cringes.
Shadow: "I CAME HERE BECAUSE AETOS TOLD ME TO!"
Metal Man (GM): *BLAM* *BLAM* There goes a tree.
Aribar unsheaths Moonlight.
Shadow: "ARIBAR SAYS I MAKE THIS PLACE MORE EXCITING!" *A house explodes.*
Metal Man (GM): Quite the psychopath, he is.
For every moment you talk he shoots up something.
Better hurry up. You swore you heard him say 'I'm quite a blast!' and then something catching on fire.
Aetos rests Talon on his back, and One-Winged Angel appears in his hand.
Metal Man (GM): Now all you need to do is walk outside.
Shadow: "Are you done talking yet? I've already burnt down half this village."
Aribar: "Well. Shall we?"
Aetos nods and begins walking out the door.
Aribar: "Oh, wait."
Aetos stops.
Aribar mutters out a spell and Aetos is also coated with a layer of rock. "It will help a little." (Stoneskin. +5 DR.)
Aetos: "Thanks."
Aribar follows Aetos out of the hut.
Metal Man (GM): You walk out. Shadow points his gun at you.
Shadow: "Yield or die. I can kill you in far less time than it takes to make a sandwich."
Aribar: "You shall let us go or face our might, Shadow."
Shadow: "I shall kill you all."
Metal Man (GM): SHADOW BATTLE
Aetos: "Not gonna happen. You hurt innocent beings, you call some Void successor... You die yourself."
Metal Man (GM): *Cha-chik* *Cha-chik*
AGIs?
He puts away his burnt up RPC-90 and takes out... an Ivantek Laser Machinegun.
Order: Shadow, Aribar, Aetos
Then he also activates his cloaking device.
Shadow: "Well, Aribar, I really didn't want it to come to this, so I'll let you live longer."
Metal Man (GM): He raises his machinegun and opens fire on Aetos.
Aribar tries to get between Shadow and Aetos.
Metal Man (GM): He uses his chaos control to stop Aribar in his tracks.
Aribar is moved like an object, draining 10 CP and sending him flying behind Aetos.
Aribar: "Gah!"
Metal Man (GM): 10 of Shadow's, not Aribar's.
The attack itself deals 41 damage, pierces armor, and has 2x machinegun.
Aribar is sent back into the wall of Aetos's hut...
Shadow: "Now show me all this might you have hallucinated."
Metal Man (GM): Aribar is 2 TP away from Shadow.
Shadow: "Consider it an honor. Lesser men killed themselves in my presence. And knowing you will survive, Aribar, you will get a reward if you prove to show some combat prowess."
Aribar points Moonlight at Shadow and an explosion of fire and embers rains down around Shadow. (Lava Blast for 37 Fire Damage and half DR for 3 rounds. Turn not over yet.)
Metal Man (GM): Miss
Shadow: "It's too flashy. I can see it from a mile away."
Aribar gets up and rushes forward ten feet. (Turn over.)
Metal Man (GM): Aetos' turn
Shadow: "You're right... you couldn't even take Aribar for a hostage."
Aetos snaps his fingers. "Endure..." his body becomes wind, in a very thick manner. "And live long, Aribar!" he then waves his hands over to Aribar as a small glowing breeze flows into Ari.
Aribar: "Thanks!"
Shadow: "Watch as the fool is annihilated."
Aribar: "What? Too afraid to fire at your former student?"
Metal Man (GM): He suddenly vanishes, using 30 TP to freeze time for three rounds, then using that time to fire at Aetos one, two, three, four sprays of lasers from his laser machinegun while time is frozen.
CRIT
CP, actually.
41 damage, 2x machinegun, pierces armor, per hit.
Typo. Clearly, if you used TP to it, Chaos control would be worthless.
Then he levels his laser machinegun and keeps on firing at Aetos.
Shadow: "You. Do. Not. Bother. ME!"
Metal Man (GM): 32 damage per hit, machinegun, laser.
After that, he stands clear of the destruction and points at Aribar.
Shadow: "Is that enough of a lesson to make you not become like him?"
Metal Man (GM): He blows out a small fire on his machinegun.
Aribar comes out of the time freeze watching a field of lasers pierce windy body...
"I shall not bring the Fury to full strength! Nintendus's cycles must be ended!"
Shadow: "Good, good. You don't have to help me. Perhaps we can do something positive with this waste of time.
You know some of chaos control. Do you want to know what its purpose is?
In the scheme of things."
Metal Man (GM): He puts the machinegun away and writes something on a notepad under a sleeve of his armor.
Aribar: "You... I wish to learn nothing more from you!"
Shadow: "Fine. Be that way. By the way, all the other destruction was only staged to make you come out... I didn't expect you to fight me, though."
Metal Man (GM): He waves a fist.
Shadow: "CHAOS... CONTROL!"
Metal Man (GM): You may attempt something in the 4 TP as he vanishes.
However I doubt it would do much, with him direly equipped and you alone.
As you prepare to attack, though, you see the town repair itself.
Aribar: "By Whaller, I wish my friends were here..." *The elf rushes over to where Aetos's body is and stands near it defensively.* (Moving 10 ft. Defending.)
Shadow: "So be it." *Vanish.*
Metal Man (GM): Aribar's dex beeps.
Aribar drops Moonlight and quickly opens his Dex. "Make it quick!"
Metal Man: "It appears Shadow has notified me of what happened by hurling a tape at my head. That is all. Unless you have time to talk."
Aribar glances all about and wonders what Shadow's doing...
"I'm currently trying not to get killed here!"
Metal Man: "My sensors indicate the area you're in is now peaceful. He said he wouldn't come back unless further called and agitated."
Aribar drops his guard. "I'll get back to you in a moment."
Metal Man: "Ari, we need you. Ivo Robotnik, after being scared of Shadow for a few moments, continued his attack... okay." *Is put on hold, or whatever Aribar does with the dex.*
Aribar kneels down and sets the dex down. He tries to check Aetos's vitals...
Metal Man (GM): They are heavily pierced by lasers and altogether gone.
It appears those lasers also hit him in the soul, so that he could not be revived without divine powers.
A note appears before you.
'The machinegun was Astral.'
Aribar looks at the note...
Metal Man (GM): Not only was he hit by a machinegun, but he managed to irradiate the guy with... astral connections?
Also. 'P.S., Will explain theory of chaos to you eventually.'
Aribar tosses the note aside and looks over Aetos. "... There must be a way to bring you back... A cleric or someone..."
He stands up and rushes towards the elder's house, ignoring his dex...
Elder: "The demon told me himself. It would take some weird man's house. Erm... help."
Aribar: "Is there any clerics or priests here who have god-given powers?"
Elder: "None have enough power. Only a demon, an angel, or a God can revive him.
Didn't you kill that Cookie guy?
Cookie Tribble?"
Aribar: "I see... Kuja Tribal is gone, but I do know of another god. I doubt he would help with this though..."
Elder: "It also has to be a God from this dimension. IF you're thinking of teleporting somewhere else. I only know this after reading his mind."
Aribar: "...A Turion god?"
Elder: "...Erm... yeah... too bad we don't have any. Kales tried to become one, and that other fellow sort of escaped.
Maybe if you tried to become God you could revive him."
Aribar: "Do you know how I might accomplish that?"
Elder: "100 years of contemplation. Your friends need you. You can try to save this guy later.
He won't get any more or less dead with time."
Aribar: "I originally came here for Aetos's help... You can think of no other ways on how I can ask the gods for a miracle?"
Elder: "It might be wise to avoid it, though... the evil still permeates from his grave. None which you could do, none which I could do. Some which Kales could have done, but he's dead.
Maybe that insane dumb fellow named Chai Pie and served Cookie could do it.
The underwater dying guy who survived."
Aribar: "...Ivo Robotnik?"
Elder: "Not Rebook! Chai Pie!"
Aribar: "Hm... Chai... Sky High?"
Elder: "He had something called a lazyshack... yes! Him! His connection to the holy realm is tenuous but existent. Perhaps if you gave him some holy grapes and the remnants of the holy staff he could do it."
Aribar: "Grapes? Staff?"
Elder: "The grapes are guarded by ice-breathing dragons, the staff buried in magma... but you'd save your friend!"
Editor's Note: I wish this had been decided upon first, we could have skipped Shadow the Edgehog entirely.
Aribar: "Has anyone attempted to gather these items before?"
Elder: "No. Kales did make the staff, with your help...
But godlike powers? He wanted mortal powers."
Aribar sighs. "I shall have to come back with help to overcome these challenges. Thank you, Elder... And... Sorry for bringing this upon you..."
Elder: "As long as our village doesn't re-explode, more power to you!"
Metal Man (GM): The warp thingy is usable now.
Aribar shudders at that and bends down to pick up his dex.
"Err... I'm back..."
Metal Man: "...Okay, then. What's your plan?"
Aribar gets a slightly insane smile on his face. "I'm going to make Skyhigh a god."
Metal Man: "...Great idea! Now come here and help us take down Ivo."
Aribar: "Yes... I'll be there shortly. Let me just finish up here."
Metal Man: "...Okay."
Aribar closes his dex and tries to pick Aetos up to carry him back to his hut. He would lay the Quester down on the bed in there and pick up that beacon.
"I'm sorry... I will right this."
*He activates the beacon to head home...*
Metal Man (GM): *WARP* *PAUSE*
Mission coming soon. Need to rest my hands from that epic.
Editor's Note: That was about 5 seconds of text, past me! Ah well, at least it's over. OR IS IT??? ...It is.