Super Smash Quest - Story - Chapter 87: Attack of the Master Chief Clones
Date: August 30th and September 1st, 5th & 10th 2004.
Editor's Note: I have left out multiple chapters worth of Locos doing a bunch of random asinine nonsense. His own player agreed these should be left out, even, so yeah. Enjoy your less-annoyingly-crowded log experience!
Locos Docos has been able to do something that he hasn't done since he had the Doomship: walk. He is taking the grand tour of something he owns, yet never actually saw it. The doomship is bigger than he thought, and has been awed and had to bring a tissue with him to get rid of some of the drool that's been dripping from time to time. "...So what's the maximum speed of this airship of doomness?"
Koopa: "500 miles per hour. If we got rid of all extra cargo, roughly the speed of sound."
Locos Docos: "And that's the what time you had to tell me? 3rd? 5th?"
Koopa: "Only second."
Locos Docos: "Right... I was still stuck on 'this, sir, all belongs to you. Hmmm... you know, we're missing something. We need a back-up ship. And I know where we can get one!"
Koopa: "We steal one from Metal Sonic's base? It's been... uhh... abandoned for a while."
Locos Docos: "I'm not exactly back in the mood for taking over empty bases."
Koopa: "No, we just steal a ship. Sensors indicate it is a large launch pad."
Locos Docos: "Regardless, that wouldn't impress the masses. I'm thinking more along the lines of ...scavenging the ocean." *He has his hand spinning a couple times while saying "Scavenging the ocean."*
Koopa: "The ocean, eh? That sounds tricky."
Locos Docos: "Koopa, have you heard of the ship of Meta-Knight? I believe it was called... the Halberd."
Koopa: "Oh yes. Indeed! It crashed into the ocean. Hmmmm... it's a shame Meta Knight turned good..."
Locos Docos: "Aye; that be the one I set me sights on. Meta Knight has a complex personality."
Koopa: "Very well then. Shall I set coordinates for the great ocean?"
Locos Docos: "And a mind that also rivals mine. Yes! Set a course for the last known coordinates of the Halberd."
Koopa: "We have a perfect record. Full speed ahead!"
Metal Man (GM): The ship surges towards the ocean.
Locos Docos: "There maybe no other evil around, but I have to substitute so it can be tricked. Besides, I really can't explain my actions to my allies yet..." *He heads back to the bridge.*
Koopa: "This is a great time to build up our meager forces."
Locos Docos arrives on the bridge. "Hmm... I wonder if the Questers will be aware of our movement."
Koopa: "They can't do much right now. Metal Sonic's sonic-boom attack disabled their electronics. He also destroyed a whole lot of glass, which is STILL being cleaned up. That is why they aren't pursuing Bowser yet."
Locos Docos: "Still, set us on radio silence. Don't want anyone seeing us traveling. I wonder how much of the Halberd is left... How long it take to clean... how far off it is if the currents carried it..."
Koopa: "There is a quick and dirty way to fix it. The Master Emerald fixed up the Death Egg instantly. It also can make a ship fly without actual working engines."
Locos Docos: "Problem with that; Questers have some of the shards."
Koopa: "After all, it makes an entire ISLAND fly all the time. Hmmm... we'll need a scheme. Someone should impersonate Knuckles."
Locos Docos: "Then tell me. I would be stealing from my own honorable allies... I would be considered an outlaw since my poison is off..."
Koopa: "For a good cause. You could give it back when you're done. ...Or vaporize them."
Locos Docos: "How long would it take to clean the Halberd manually?"
Koopa: "Manually? At least a year."
Locos Docos: "..."
Koopa: "Another year just to fix up all that broken stuff."
Locos Docos: "Yes."
Koopa: "We have an army, but it would take yet another year to retrofit them to clean correctly."
Locos Docos: "The Halberd is definitely more larger and complex than the doomship."
Koopa: "It also, with the right power source, could take over Nintendus."
Locos Docos shakes his head.
Koopa: "Since Robotnik's evil craft is history, we'd have the largest guns on the planet."
Locos Docos: "I will have no intention of taking over something that is so mindless and reckless. We need to look competent, not like another regular run of the mill bad guy army."
Koopa: "Right. We need to scare everyone to death. ...By acting nice?"
Locos Docos: "We constantly challenge my party members. Show me the statistics of how long it take to 'Borrow' the Master Emerald. The problem is also remodeling the Halberd to our design specifications after salvaging it and cleaning up the mess."
Koopa: "Easy. About 3 days. A machine-made Knuckles remodeled to be perfect at impersonation takes 2. He drops by, gets the emerald, then we got the emerald."
Locos Docos: "...Mmmm... Yes... make it so."
Koopa: "Alright."
Metal Man (GM): He presses some buttons, types in a notice, and sends it off.
Locos Docos: "We take it, clean up the Halberd, then take it to the Floating Island."
Koopa: "Construction has begun. Sounds good. I've been wondering where Sonic and his pals have been hiding. They could easily have saved the day for the Questers... but even when the Master Emerald appears, Knuckles is nowhere to be found. There's some other things we need."
Locos Docos takes out some gum, chili-flavored, and begins to chew on it.
Koopa: "We need a good source of single-pilot fighters."
Locos Docos spins his index finger in the air. "What else?"
Koopa: "While there is no existing ships that can take us on, those Star Fox people could attack us. That and the Questers have a small fleet of those mecha."
Locos Docos: "...Don't remind me."
Koopa: "...And if Jeff Maxwell is still alive, he also has one."
Locos Docos: "...Lord I hate that one of mine."
Koopa: "The Venomian Armada are out of range, though... until the Halberd is ready. We'd have to do some space travel."
Locos Docos: "...What for? Isn't Nintendus suffice-able?"
Koopa: "Yes. But we need to get fighters. Nintendus has several fighter fleets, all of them hostile."
Locos Docos: "Toward me, Eggrobos, machine mades, and koopa troopas."
Koopa: "The Eggrobos can fly, but they're only suitable for engaging people with jetpacks. They could also defeat up to 4 comparable fighters."
Locos Docos: "True. we do need a better army."
Koopa: "But... The Cornerian military has hundreds of fighters."
Locos Docos checks several files, like he did with Robotnik, to see about any wills with Smithy.
Metal Man (GM): Smithy willed nothing to anyone. Everything that had not been transferred to an applicable person self-destructed... Except for one issue. Those invincible tanks and helicopters are hiding somewhere. They aren't invincible anymore, but they're tough. But Smithy hid them...
Locos Docos: "...Ahhh... so remnants of Kajidoh did survive. Now to check with Metal Sonic." *He types in on his keyboard rather quickly to check with him.*
Metal Man (GM): ...That's weird. Metal Sonic's base is still fully operational. ...And then there's an incoming satellite that recently escaped the orbit of the sun...
Locos Docos: "...ooohhh kaaayyy..."
Koopa: "...It looks like Metal Sonic's AI was not destroyed."
Locos Docos: "Of course. A backup! Well now... I guess there's something left after all. Still, we better not get directly involved yet. So then... he already tried to attack the Questers. How much of that percentage changed of him attacking us?"
Koopa: "Well, judging that you are no longer poisoned, and the Questers just destroyed his body... Wow. It's 999%. The missing 1% is from the fact he may be hit by a meteorite before seeing you. The only reason he hasn't done so is his lack of troops."
Locos Docos: "Ohhh goody."
Koopa: "If we had a way to keep him from infecting our computers, we could take over his base."
Locos Docos: "...How could he tell that the poison has worn off? Besides, I'm still in control. And I'm worse as ever now that I have full 'sanity.' As of right now, I'm not a Quester. Sides, I did nothing against him why would he attack me?" *He looks to his computer again and begins looking up various topics. He also looks at trajectories, possible theories, etc.*
Yurie sighs, gently rubbing her left eye, which is now covered with a black eye-patch. Her right hand is scarred slightly from the shockwave of the blast she had suffered in the X-Zone. She was in the mess-hall, as usual.
Locos Docos assumes yes. "So then... despite all that has happened, I'm still considered a Quester... by an evil foe. Though I'm still an outcast. Koopa, tell the technicians to install the best firewalls that they can. We're due for an upgrade anyway."
Koopa: "Fine. These plans should be perfect."
Locos Docos: "Let's see if we can set 'friendly' establishments." *He does to see what he can do to contact Metal Sonic without being disruptive.*
Metal Man (GM): Locos immediately gets Metal Sonic on his screen.
Metal Sonic: "What is it you want to say to me?"
Locos Docos: "I will be brief since you are extremely busy."
Metal Sonic: "I'm not in the mood to crush you, so I'll listen."
Locos Docos: "I do not want any war with you or your armies. We have done nothing against you on a personal level."
Metal Sonic: "Is that so? Why shouldn't I take over your forces and assimilate them? Should I not do it because it would inconvenience you?"
Metal Man (GM): Metal Sonic laughs.
Locos Docos looks down, sights heavily, and looks up again. "To be blunt, yes. That's all I can say."
Metal Sonic: "Well well, I may leave you alone merely because you should be pitied. And it would make me look like a fool to think your pathetic armies would help me at all. However... there are three things that are mine, and only mine to control."
Locos Docos: "Say them, and we will stay out of them."
Metal Sonic: "I will be the one who destroys the Questers. I will regain the Master Emerald. And I will be Robotnik's main enemy. Anything to the contrary shall be found out, and resulting in a dispatch of my armada."
Locos Docos: "The first one may be a problem concerning I'm a temporary outcast since the Mega Mack has worn off. The third... ehh..yea, no problem."
Razor sits inside one of the holorooms in HQ... but for once he's actually NOT training. His armor has been replaced by very casual clothes... black pants, a white t-shirt, and a gray short-sleeved button-up shirt overtop of it, unbuttoned. His feet are bare. The simulation shows a beautiful landscape. He sits on the edge of an overhang, looking out over an overgrown, lush valley. In the distance, a desert can be seen. A constant breeze blows his hair up to the side as he stares out, deep in thought.
Locos Docos: "I had originally thought of helping you accelerate your plans to gain perfection, by the way, but since you said it, I'm convinced not to help."
Metal Sonic: "And what of the second? The Emerald is my possession..."
Locos Docos: "I did see your fight yesterday by nanocameras."
Razor's wings are strangely nowhere to be seen...
Metal Sonic: "Oh, yes, and I want you to destroy Metal Man."
Locos Docos clears his throat.
Metal Sonic: "He and his buffoonish friends are a mockery of machines."
Locos Docos: "First thing first, sir." *He opens his hand to his side.* "First, to be honest, we had intend to 'borrow' the Master Emerald, use it to clean up the Halberd, then return to the floating island before tensions rose."
Metal Sonic: "Then there is a compromise in the making."
Locos Docos: "Second, though I am an outcast, I still consider them my allies... and ...friends..."
Metal Sonic: "I'm not in the right state to outright destroy you for such evil ideas."
Locos Docos: "Mm-hmm. I guess I should be thankful. But I'm not really. Anyway, as of right now, what I consider doesn't matter to them."
Metal Sonic: "So, if you use the Halberd to destroy Metal Man, or at least that pathetic temple out in the desert, I shall consider you able to borrow the emerald... then give it to me."
Locos Docos gulps. "You see, we needed to use the emerald first to clean up the garbage from the Halberd so we could use it. Then put it back."
Metal Sonic: "E Li Three is the only program of my level in existence... if he is destroyed, all technology... but yours, per se, would be mine."
Locos Docos: "Hmmm... the guy of many bananas..."
Metal Sonic: "That's all fine, but... why put it back? Knuckles and his friends have been... dealt with."
Locos Docos: "That doesn't matter."
Metal Sonic: "Nobody but wild animals live on that island."
Locos Docos: "I have no further use of what's not mine."
Metal Sonic: "Then give it to me."
Locos Docos: "There's one of two ways that can be gone about."
Metal Sonic: "The further the emerald is from me, the less powerful I am."
Razor slowly pushes himself up from the ground, his feet gripping the grass for a moment. He runs a hand through his long brown hair before deactivating the program and stepping out of the holoroom. He stretches his arm and cracks his back before turning to wander through the hallways. He eventually finds himself in the cafeteria...
Locos Docos shakes his head.
Yurie: "..."
Locos Docos: "Um-bud-e-ah-go."
Yurie is sipping a glass of cranberry juice, as usual...
Locos Docos: "Why do I have to be Lunarian and have to suffer withdrawal..." *He types in some keys.* "This can be done privately... but neither of us can tell them how you got it... or... I can 'conveniently' place it nearby and one of your guys just 'happen' to 'steal' it."
Metal Sonic: "Very well."
Razor turns towards Yurie, blinking a few times before making his way over. He's thin, almost to the point of scrawny if it weren't for the toned muscles of his legs and arms. "Hey..."
Locos Docos: "Uhh... one more thing before this conversation is ended. Despite me and our army posing of little to no threat to you, and not doing anything, why did my percentages say there was an guaranteed chance you strike against me?"
Yurie: "...hey." *She glances at Razor with her good eye.* "...you look like a walking stick man, you know that?"
Metal Sonic: "You're a Quester. A possible good guy. Good guys always find problems with me, thusly killing me. Death = painful."
Razor chuckles softly and eases down into a chair. "Heh... not often people see me without combat gear..." He looks over her current condition. "...so, how are you feeling?"
Locos Docos: "Tell me about it. Feeling a fatal blow by a Ganondorf with the Four Sword and being mutilated by two swings by a Heartless Ganondorf ain't so pretty either."
Yurie: "Bleh... considering I leapt into the X-zone, used an attack I never knew I could do, got exploded, one of my eyes burned shut and scarred on my hand and lost my sword? Pretty good..."
Locos Docos: "Sides, I don't bother with people unless they bother with me... that, and I'm intrigued by how the tainted minds work... that's why I refused to fight his monsters while he held the Four Sword that one time."
Razor: "Speaking of which... don't do that again... you really scared me back there." He leans forward, against the table, turning his head towards her and smiling.
Locos Docos: "We have a deal, and eventually you'll get the chance of reclaiming 'your' Emerald. E li three and/or Metal Man will be dealt with."
Yurie: "You know Razor... there was once a time in my life where I would have said screw it... it's not my world. It's not my problem. So what... but then, at that moment, I realized something..." *She smirks at Razor.*
Locos Docos: "And one more thing... once you have the Emerald, I or none of my comrades can be held responsible of what happens to you or it, understood?" *He gives off a glare at the pause.*
Razor: "Oh? What would that be?"
Yurie: "... I realized that maybe, just maybe, there was something worth fighting for, something worth dying for..." *She snorts, giving a soft chuckle as she sips her drink.*
Metal Sonic: "Yes."
Locos Docos: "Very well. This side off... oh and MS? ... Have a wonderful enlightenment to perfection."
Metal Sonic: "Yes? Very well."
Locos Docos signs off.
Razor raises an eyebrow. "Really? I suppose we all fight... for something." He leans back in the chair. "May I ask what was running through your mind when you pulled that stunt?"
Locos Docos takes a heavy sigh of relief.
Yurie: "I know that sounds corny and such... even to me it did. Me, Yurie Ginsei Rakateur, daughter of an air pirate king, professional swordswoman... being a romantic fool."
Locos Docos: "Koopa... that was the most tense negotiation I have ever done."
Koopa: "Oh well. At least it worked."
Metal Man walks into the room where Razor and Yurie are. "That is why you succeeded."
Locos Docos: "Just take note to never piss him, or his armies off; via verbally or physical assaults."
Razor: "...hardly..."
Metal Man: "Machines and evil men alike don't think of an irrational attack onn their plan."
Yurie: "...anyway... I need to get a new sword... I gave up my old one when I used that attack..."
Metal Man: "It may be a good time to look for more than just a regular sword... you know, since there's time to do more than just save the world."
Locos Docos: "...Hey, koopa... before I go... three things I wanna know..."
Koopa: "Yeah?"
Razor: "...I've found a few relics in my day... is there any way I could help?"
Locos Docos: "First: What the heck is your name!?"
Ricky: "Ehhh... just call me Ricky."
Locos Docos: "It's disrespectful to just call you ko--ohh, thanks."
Yurie: "Well..."
Metal Man: "Yes, there is a lot we could do. All three of us. The Deathmachine is not a weapon for normal battle either."
Locos Docos: "Second... Ricky..."
Metal Man: "This planet is rather bare. I have some ideas of going to... a nearby planet. You see, this solar system is home to more than Nintendus. It's the most well-guarded secret of recent times."
Yurie: "We could always try my home planet... since Smithy's dead, his factories there should be dead as well..."
Metal Man: "I and Locos and some others most probably have ancestors on the moon. My armor was made there, and so have been many weapons... as well as a few smiths."
Razor: "Your home planet, eh? You never really told me much about that place..."
Locos Docos: "Second: Did I display any kind of affinity or became amorous toward anyone? Withdrawal always does that to us... and shows us... deep... DARK... SECRETS..." *He voice became very low at the pauses... eyes kinda become swirls.*
Ricky: "You seemed to like Smithy."
Locos Docos: *and reveals... *sweatdrop.* *He clears throat.*
Ricky: "Oh, and you hated the Questers. A lot. And killed a few too!"
Yurie: "I chose not to... it's a place called Saga..."
Locos Docos: "...affinity! amorous! IT MEANS AFFECTION FOR SOMEONE. In most cases... the opposite sex. ...I killed... oh dear..."
Razor: "Mmhmm... what's the place like?"
Metal Man: "Yeah, what is it like?"
Yurie: "It's mostly ocean... with a lot of small continents floating around, all autonomous from each other..."
Locos Docos: "Lemme ask this; did I blush several times when I was around and/or speaking about someone?"
Razor: "...a lot different from the place I call home..."
Ricky: "No... you seemed to hate everything."
Locos Docos: "...Impossible. We Lunarians always have fits of blushing about someone in particular when in a state of withdrawal."
Yurie: "Most of the travel is done via region ships... airships."
Razor raises an eyebrow. "Doesn't sound like too bad of a place..."
Ricky: "Nothing I can think of that you did anything else but yell at."
Yurie: "It isn't... at least, until before Smithy came."
Metal Man: "I come from the moon."
Locos Docos: @_@ "...well at least no secrets were let out."
Metal Man: "...Well, technically, from another dimension."
Locos Docos: "Third... where ..." ^_^; "...are my quarters?"
Ricky: "...The door to the right."
Metal Man: "I hail from Earth... the year was 3010..." *He figured it was a good enough lie as any.*
Yurie: "Smithy pretty much smashed a number of the regions... Irpo went down first, then Kyo, Owmi, and Baccarat... the other Regions, however, protected themselves very well."
Razor: "I'm not even sure if my world exists on this plane..." He sighs. "Well... perhaps, then, it'd be best if we were to investigate the place... see what kind of condition it's in?"
Metal Man: "Yeah."
Locos Docos gets off from the captains seat and goes to his place.
Metal Man: "We... uhhh... kinda had this ship made for interplanetary travel 10 years ago."
Locos Docos: "Gya-night, Ricky."
Ricky: "Good night."
Metal Man: "The REDITS. It's in some pretty bad shape. Maybe we could attempt to use that."
Yurie: "We could... they've probably started rebuilding."
Razor: "Perhaps we could head out tomorrow? It's up to you..."
Metal Man: "Tomorrow sounds good."
Yurie: "Luminous, Mosperiburg, the Magic Kingdom and Facinataru had their mystical defences, Nelson, Manhattan, and Shrike had their military, Wakatu is haunted, and Koorong is pretty much indestructible."
Razor: "Where, specifically, are you from?"
Yurie: "Koorong."
Razor nods slowly. "I see... well I suppose we'll see how things held up when we go back. Do you think we'll get a warm welcome?"
Yurie: "I seriously doubt it..."
Razor: "Ah... so it'll be just like home..."
Metal Man: "Well, my home kinda exploded. So... does that make me lucky? You see, I left via dimensional teleporter right before my home continent imploded."
Metal Man (GM): A bit later...
Locos Docos: "The construction of the Halberd... the drafting of Ozzie... and the mining of Phazon... At last... my ultimate goal can be within my grasp!"
Metal Man (GM): Locos also stole the Master Emerald from Quester HQ during this mess.
Yurie is busy in the hanger, looking over the REDITS...
Metal Man (GM): It's very old. Ancient, even. There's wires and stuff hanging out of it. Several of the bleached-white panels are broken or even missing. The glass is full of cracks. Oh, yeah, and the rear of the ship has one of the propulsion units hanging out on the floor.
Garrick is in the holorooms, blasting away at various creatures and targets.
Metal Man (GM): It is, fittingly, surrounded by all of the old CACs. It's roughly airplane shaped, and it could fit 20 people.
Garrick wanders into the hanger, towel around his neck as he dabs away at the sweat, looking at the... thing...
Metal Man (GM): ...There's a name scratched into the glass. 'Denon.'
Garrick: "..." *whistle* "...this thing sure is an antique..."
Metal Man comes out of it, yawning.
Yurie: "..."
Metal Man: "...Hey, what's so interesting about my hom-I mean, frie- I mean... uhhh..."
Garrick: "Yeah, whatever..."
Yurie: "Metal..."
Garrick walks up to the REDITS, whatever it is. He looks at it for a while... then kicks it.
Metal Man goes to close the door... it falls off.
Metal Man (GM): Garrick's foot gets stuck in a panel.
Metal Man: "Isn't it beautiful?"
Yurie: "METAL."
Metal Man: "Yes, that's what it's made of..."
Garrick grunts, then growls. He tries to yank his foot out of the panel.
Metal Man (GM): It comes out, with the panel.
Yurie steps over and grabs Metal by the chin. Her eyes are flaming.
Metal Man: "What do you want, exactly?"
Yurie: "Metal... I was assuming we had a -functioning- inter-planetary transport. NOT A HUNK OF SCRAP!"
Garrick tries to yank his foot OFF the panel.
Metal Man: "Oh yeah, it works."
Garrick: "Barely..."
Metal Man: "You just need to wear space suits the whole trip."
Garrick: "Can we..." *grunt* "...fix it?"
Metal Man: "Sure, a few screws here or there. Oh, yeah, and possibly a hyperdrive system."
Yurie: "Metal, the bloody ENGINES are nearly falling off!"
Garrick hops up and down on one foot, trying to get his foot unstuck.
Metal Man: "Well, it is only thousands of years old."
Metal Man (GM): The panel finally falls off of Garrick.
Garrick: "There..."
Metal Man: "You know. I got it from that E Li of Three guy. He said it was his first car, or something like that." *He pulls out his Dex.* "I'll get Oak and Dr. Light to fix it." *He types some stuff into it, then closes it.*
Yurie: "How long will it take?"
Metal Man (GM): Oak and Light come in with a lot of tools.
Oak: "...Not too long... if we all work on it for 24 hours straight."
Metal Man (GM): They start working on it immediately.
Metal Man: "Oh yeah. E Li Three could help."
Metal Man (GM): *BEEP BEEP BEEP.*
Garrick: "You know, we could help. Be go-fors or something..."
Dex: "Locos Docos is sending his invasion fleet to E Li Three's temple."
Metal Man: "Well, that might be a problem."
Yurie: "...um... I think we have bigger problems..."
Garrick: "..." *sigh.* "...well, let's go deal with that then..."
Oak: "This thing you call an interplanetary ship isn't even able to fly!"
Metal Man: "Uhhh... not unless you count it being launched into the air with a catapult."
Metal Man (GM): Garrick has left to do whatever.
Metal Man: "Well, there's another problem... what are we supposed to do about the Shadow Temple? We can protect the seal... but it has been weakening by itself. The ones who sealed it are long dead. Their soul energy has departed to the point of complete absence. Without the seal, the door will open."
Light: "...This hyperdrive system predates electricity... Yet to replace it would make it too slow. So it has to be repaired."
Metal Man (GM): Light and Oak go about quickly replacing panels and putting things back together. Later...
Yurie: "...how're things coming you two?"
Oak: "Just fine... this is a lot of work."
Yurie: "Why don't you have Fox and his group help you?"
Oak: "Oh... they're out on vacation."
Yurie: "...vacation. ...they're on vacation. int he middle of a crisis they're on vacation..."
Oak: "Sensors indicate the attack against E Li Three failed."
Yurie: "...why am I not surprised."
Metal Man (GM): ...*sigh.* Yet... Later... And after MULTIPLE Locos things that don't matter...
Locos Docos: "Ricky, fire a random missile at anywhere your heart's desire!"
Aribar: GAAAH! NOT ANOTHER LOCOS MISSION!
Metal Man (GM): *A missile hits a 'Toad's Burger Shop.'* *BOOOOOOM.*
Toads: "Oh no, the burgers! The great burgers are burning! AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!"
Ricky: "...You just destroyed 100 dollars of burgers."
Locos Docos: "Was it your hearts desired?"
Ricky: "I guess so, since burgers are so boring."
Locos Docos: "Then there's nothing to worry about. By the way, what's the report for?"
Ricky: "Some ancient ruins. They are home to what appears to be the most sophisticated computing devices on this planet."
Locos Docos: "Interesting. I'll not stop it."
Ricky: "The only problem is that some weirdos with bombs have taken hostages and threaten to blow the building up."
Locos Docos: "Uh-huh... Listen, you get the carrier up and running, I'm gonna take up something with the jokers."
Ricky: "Very well."
Locos Docos disengages the part of the doomship of his platform and heads for his destination...
Deloth is working on a leather sheath for his katana in his room.
Metal Man (GM): Locos heads towards the destination, in the midst of a large field.
Locos Docos has his platform waiting in the pathway about 10 meters away from the Quester's front doors. He pops open a can of Coca-Cola Remix.
Metal Man (GM): The Questers' dexes start beeping.
Deloth puts the sheath on his dresser and takes out his Dex.
Aribar looks up from a pile of books he was sleeping on and opens it up.
Dex: "Locos is waiting outside the door for an unknown reason."
Deloth: "Hmm." *He puts away his Dex and unsheathes his katana, then heads for the front door. He opens the door and looks at Locos.*
Locos Docos: "...*Hic*" *He gives a thumbs-up.* "Whhhaazzup!!?"
Aribar trudges towards the front door... He's been at the library for a long time now looking for a way home... In fact since the whole Smithy thing was over. The elf walks out the door unequipped and wearing the same clothes for about the third day in a row. He's practically asleep.
Deloth raises an eyebrow. "How many beers have you had this time?"
Locos Docos: "...Yeah I know it's early, but I've been wondering if you mind that I come in."
Aribar: "... Tired... Working day and night... What is sleep again?"
Deloth: "Sure. Take what you want from the fridge and lock the door when you leave."
Locos Docos: "Bah."
Metal Man: "Hi Locos. Do you come to sell lemons?"
Locos Docos gets off from the platform. He gets out a little device, presses the only button, and the platform goes spiraling into his back pocket. Then passes by Deloth, Ari and Metal with a straight face, and a slow nod to each. "...Guys." He walks inside Quester Headquarters.
Aribar: "Huh...?" *He blinks and shakes some of the sleep off...* "Who...? Whaaaa...? Is that Locos?" *The elf turns to look at Locos.*
Metal Man: "You haven't tried to kill us yet..."
Deloth hands Ari a cup of espresso to keep him awake.
Locos Docos goes to the Big Room, and waits for them.
Deloth follows Locos.
Aribar takes a sip and looks a little more awake. "Tastes like... Chicken..." Then he begins to follow the others taking a sip from the espresso every once in a while.
Metal Man: "So... what do you have to say?"
Locos Docos sits down with a smug smile, and arms extended to behind his head. "What about?"
Metal Man: "Well, didn't you come here for a reason?"
Locos Docos: "Do you have to question everything that I do?..."
Metal Man: "Nah. Just thought it a bit weird."
Locos Docos: "I've come to drink from the fridge, and be with my friends. Isn't that what normal friends do?"
Aribar: "So... We're allies? No more bounty hunter nonsense?"
Locos Docos: "...When did I call you guys that..."
Metal Man looks at his Dex. "Strange... there's some ruins somewhere. Supposedly they're sending us a message for help."
Aribar: "Eeh... When you ran off to your doomship I think... When you sicked Machine Mades on us... When you... You get the point, I hope. "
???: (Dex) "...Hhelp... us... attackers... ruins... Mushroom Field..."
Locos Docos: "What a coincidence... that's what Ricky was doing a report on."
Metal Man (GM): It cuts out.
Metal Man: "I see."
Aribar: "Ricky?"
Locos Docos: "My Koopa advisor. Pretty good guy."
Aribar: "... Ah..."
Metal Man: "Well, since you seem to have recovered from the poison you drank, maybe we could go out and explore the ruins?"
Locos Docos: "Anyway, I was suffering from withdrawal; I couldn't help it. hmmm... I dunnnnooooo..."
Deloth: "You'll get pay."
Locos Docos: "...That's not the problem. The boys would be concerned for my safety. That and the Egg Carrier's being remodeled and repaired... so I have to oversee that as well."
Aribar: "... I'll go get prepared for the mission... Will we be teleporting there via the Warp Room?"
Locos Docos: "You guys go. I'll stay a bit and check up on some stuff, then I'll report to the EG and make sure that my third ship is properly secured."
Aribar takes the silence as a yes and heads to his room to change into some fresher clothes as well as equip his armor and other items before heading to the Warp Room.
Metal Man goes to the warp room as well. "Anyone else?"
Deloth heads to the warp room.
Locos Docos: "Maybe someone from the 600 A.D. perhaps?"
Metal Man: "Maybe."
Locos Docos: "I mean someone to join you from the 600 A.D. era."
Metal Man: "Well, we're off. You can watch us on the dexes. Yeah. I meant that too."
Locos Docos gives off a small glare from the corner of his eye. "You have a machine that can bring people from other dimensions?"
Metal Man: "Yup. But we don't use it that often."
Deloth talks over his shoulder as he heads for the warps. "Temporal cans of worms and such."
Metal Man (GM): *Warp.* The group arrives at none other than a green field, where it's always 70 degrees. There's a round building just barely jutting out of the ground. It's 1 story high.
Deloth: "Well, that deserves investigation."
Aribar: "Whew... A little on the hot side compared to an air conditioned building..." *He heads towards the building and examines it a bit.*
Metal Man (GM): It's made of blue stone. It's got various lines and runes running through it, but has been long deactivated.
Deloth walks towards the building.
Metal Man (GM): The door is open.
Deloth walks inside.
Aribar follows Deloth.
Metal Man (GM): There are computers in here. And a lot of control modules and electronics. All of it dead. There's a door that goes... downstairs... This room is boring, and empty.
Deloth: "Looks like hacker heaven. Let's head for the basement." *He runs down the stairs.*
Metal Man follows, dragging his huge mythril sword.
Aribar sips the last bit of espresso from that cup and puts it into his pack to return to the stadium when they get back. He attempts to examine the room to search for evidence of what the place was used for before following the others.
Metal Man (GM): Aribar discovers that this was a computer laboratory of the ancients.
Aribar: "Huh... Hrm... Nothing useful here after all... *Follows the others."
Metal Man (GM): The next floor is the same... However, a weird man wearing futuristic armor is blocking the door.
???: "What are you people doing here?"
Metal Man (GM): He has a rather large laser gun.
Aribar: "Errm... Who are you?"
QH: "I am a high ranking Quester Hunter. You?"
Deloth: "Hoo, boy."
Aribar doesn't want to tell their purpose here until he can can guess weather this person is a friend or foe... Yup... Foe. "Oh... So you hunt Questers? Ones with katanas? One-armed ones? Ones carrying gigantic swords?"
QH: "Yes I do. Anything that's a Quester. Are you a Quester?"
Deloth: "Battle stances, people."
Aribar: "Yup!" *Unsheaths Mage Masher.*
QH: "Prepare to die." He rips out his gun.
Deloth takes out his katana and gets into a battle stance.
QH: "I'll take off that other arm for you!" He fires a stream of Magnetically guided slugs at Aribar's arm.
Metal Man (GM): *CRIT!*
Aribar: "Eeeeh!" *He also forgot to memorize his spells... Eheheh.*
Metal Man: "Well... now's a good time to test the newly retooled Deathmachine!"
Deloth: "Ari, you're an idiot."
Metal Man whips it outta nowhere and fires it at the QH.
Aribar: "Oooooow..."
Metal Man (GM): Hmmmm... the Deathmachine glows, and Metal violently thrashes the guard with his sword.
Aribar blinks and slooowly steps back from the mayhem.
Metal Man (GM): 3 hits. Ouch.. The attacks kill the man instantly. He's first cut to bits, then thrown on his back with a resounding CRACK.
Metal Man: "That takes care of that."
Deloth: "Ooh, that is going to hurrrrrrt." *He Divine Cures Ari.*
Aribar: "Ooooooh... That sounds like it hurt... Ow... Ah, thanks, Deloth! Now... Why is a Quester Hunter still alive? I suppose we keep on our toes..."
Metal Man continues down the next set of steps, over the dead body.
Locos Docos continues to search for it...
Deloth takes the armor and gun off the corpse before following Metal.
Metal Man (GM): Both the gun and armor were broken when he was thrown on his back.
Aribar follows Metal and hopes that guard doesn't wake up... If he is even still alive.
Metal Man (GM): Such a powerful attack unfortunately broke his stuff as well. He's pretty dead.
Deloth shrugs and kicks the guy into a corner, then follows Metal.
Metal Man (GM): The next room is another replica of the first room... but the computers are throwing sparks. There's a weird message on the screen of one of the computers.
Deloth: "Whoa."
Metal Man (GM): There's also some stuff, mostly junk, scattered about.
Deloth looks at the message, then digs through the stuff.
Aribar: "Hrm... In the first room I found evidence that made me thing this was a computer lab for ancients or something to that extent... If you find anything let us know, Deloth."
Metal Man (GM): Deloth reads the message... it says these things: 'Denon and the Dark Riders have returned...' 'Computer systems are at 40%' 'Climate Control at 100%' It's just been scrambled by some bad display lines. Deloth then finds a bottlecap. Deloth then finds a disc. It glows when he handles it.
Deloth takes the disc.
Metal Man (GM): Alas, there is nowhere to play or use it for now. The rest of the room is covered in junk. The way down is clear. This is one weird tower...
Deloth puts the disc in his pack and heads down.
Metal Man follows silently.
Aribar follows the others. He whispers to Metal, "Why the silence act?"
Metal Man: "Eh. This place has some sort of vibe in it... like it's a holy place. Like a cemetary, but more like a temple or church."
Aribar: "Oh..."
Metal Man: "It's a temple of technology... but strangely without the evil of Metal Sonic."
Metal Man (GM): The next room has three Quester Hunter guys. One of them has a larger gun.
QH Leader: "Hello. What are you doing down here?"
Aribar: "Why are you people still in existence?"
Deloth starts to sweat a bit.
QH: "We have returned. The great Denon has summoned us to revive the dark ones. All we need is to find the Shadow Temple... This place might be it."
Aribar: "Denon...? Dark ones?"
Deloth: "The dark riders!"
QH: "The great Zio, for example. Robotnik and Eternal Darkness, too. Then we can rule the Universe... You wouldn't be a Quester, would you? Because for some weird reason we have to kill them."
Editor's Note: Final notice... these guys be talkin' mumbo jumbo. :p
Aribar: "No. We're the Easter Bunnies..."
QH: "You've brought us candy?"
Aribar: "Yes..."
QH: "Well, then fork it over."
Aribar: "Not unless you close your eyes and spin around three times!"
QH: "If I do that, I'll set of the proximity explosi--- ooops! You're not supposed to know about those."
Aribar: >.> <.< *He whispers to the others, "Guys... Back up a bit."*
Metal Man nods and backs up.
Aribar: "Okay, okay... Just close your eyes then!"
QH: "I have no eyelids. We are supposed to stare constantly, searching for Questers."
Deloth: "Cover your eyes with your hands."
Aribar: "... Then somehow make it so that you can't see me, a Quester, cast Thordain on you thus shock you and explode the mines!"
QH2: "Hah hah. Good joke."
QH3: "What's a Thordain?"
QH: "Those mines are not on this --- you shouldn't know that either."
QH2: "I'm hungry though... maybe we should steal your candy for fun."
QH: "Yeah..." *points gun at Aribar's head.* "Gimme the candy!"
Deloth tosses his stash of candy to the QHs. "There ya go."
Aribar: "... This is Thordain!" *He raises his sword into the air and bolts of electricity zap down from the ceiling to the Quester Hunters.*
Deloth grinds his teeth.
Metal Man (GM): Aribar hits the subordinates with it.
Deloth: "Ari, you are a LUNK!"
Aribar: "... I perfer Elf!"
QH2: "Ow! My eye!"
Deloth stomps Ari on the foot.
Aribar: "Owwies!"
Deloth: "NOW, you're a cripple."
Metal Man (GM): They all open fire on Aribar. The Plasma Trooper's gun shoots a stream of plasma. Aribar -barely- avoids the plasma ray.
Aribar: "Eeeeeh!"
Deloth gets hit in the chest and coughs, thankful for his Heart Ring.
Aribar is a little shocked he was shot and definitely doesn't take the initiative...
Metal Man (GM): The Plasma Trooper does another stream of energy at Deloth and Aribar.
Deloth: "Eek!"
Metal Man (GM): Both Questers avoid. The Railgun Man fires at Deloth. These guys are like Halo guys except wearing black armor and glowing creepy visors. 3 hits.
Editor's Note: ...Ahuh... yeah...
Deloth: "Uhhhhnnn..."
Metal Man (GM): Each one of those minus DR damage.
Metal Man throws two mushrooms, one to Deloth, one to Aribar. He then runs up and slashes the heck out of the Plasma Trooper.
Aribar: "T-thanks!"
Deloth has the hits bounce off his armor, then catches the mushroom.
Metal Man misses. big time.
Metal Man (GM): The other Railgun guy shoots at Metal. 2 hits.
Deloth eats his mushroom, then blasts the troopers with a Venom Shooter.
Metal Man (GM): It only hits one, since they're in a triangle formation. The Plasma Trooper. But it still hits. He is not effected by the poison. He aced a Save.
Aribar dashes towards the Plasma Trooper and attempts to stab the gun and short-circuit it with his sword.
Metal Man (GM): He laughs and then AOOs Aribar. Aribar dodges it.
Aribar rolls to the side... Probably into Railgun fire next turn.
Metal Man (GM): The Plasma Trooper fires at Deloth and Ari yet again with his gun. Both avoid. A Railgun guy fires at Deloth. 3 hits.
Deloth: *attacks bounce off armor again.*
Metal Man attacks with the Deathmachine again.
Metal Man (GM): An Accurate Gerudo Heatray. The Trooper is NAILED. The other Railgun guy hopelessly fires at Metal Man. He only hits once.
Deloth runs toward the railgun trooper who fired at Metal and delivers a slash to the chest.
Metal Man (GM): *CRIT FAILURE*
Deloth runs back to the group.
Aribar scans both Plasma Trooper and Railgun Guy.
Dex: "...DING! Railgun Man 1. HP: 96/100. STR: 18. DEX: 22. CON: 18. INT: 20. WIS: 16. CHA: 18. Defense: 22. DR: 10. SR: 20. Weapon: Railgun 3d10 +6 to accuracy Multifire fires 3 shots without penalty. Attack Roll: 3 d20+16. Plasma Trooper. HP: 112/200. STR: 26. DEX: 28. CON: 20. INT: 22. WIS: 20. CHA: 18. Defense: 26. DR: 15. SR: 40. Weapon: Plasma Ray (Reflex Save 20) no DR Effects two people. Secondary Weapon: Dual Railguns 3d10 +6 to accuracy Multifire fires 3 shots without penalty. Railgun Attack Roll: 6 d20+20. Railgun Man 2. HP: 90/100. Desc: Superadvanced Quester Hunters. It is possible that they came from the future. Someone has been ripping a hole in space time." ~End Dex entries~
Aribar blinks and just casts Elven Protection on himself... He's gonna prepare something.
Metal Man (GM): The Plasma Gun Guy fires at Ari and Deloth yet again. These people are too stupid to know anything else than to fire guns blindly.
Aribar attempts to roll away but gets caught in the blast.
Metal Man (GM): Ari is hit. The Railgun people reload.
Metal Man does the Deathmachine on the Plasma Trooper.
Metal Man (GM): Flaming Sandbomb Solution. It insta-hits. It does so much damage, it deals the maximum damage allowed.
Deloth winces.
Metal Man (GM): The Plasma Trooper is almost dead.
Deloth Shadow Warps to the Plasma Trooper and attempts to finish him off with a pair of slashes.
Metal Man (GM): Those attacks are blocked.
Deloth Shadow Warps back to the group.
Aribar dashes towards the center of the group of Quester Hunters. Once in the middle he throws the Mage Masher into the air and time seems to slow as Aribar summons forth a massive store of arcane energy. The room darkens as two electric portals are summoned above the railgun men. Aribar sends all his arcane energies into the portals causing two pure white bolts of energy to crash down upon the doomed railgun men and create a deafening roar! "Zhennu B'luthel (TerrorBolt)!!"
Metal Man (GM): They suck at dodging d00m.
Deloth: "Ari, I forgive you."
Aribar: "Gaah... Okay..."
Metal Man (GM): They both asplode.
Deloth: "Dibs on Plasma Trooper's gun!"
Metal Man (GM): The Plasma Trooper shoots at Ari and Deloth yet AGAIN.
Aribar drops to his knees... Avoiding the blast as well.
Deloth: "Does this guy have ANY other thought processes?"
Metal Man (GM): *Plasma Trooper ASPLODE* (As well as his gun) He's hit by sand and the sword from Metal.
Deloth takes his creme eggs from the floor.
Metal Man (GM): The way ahead is clear. ...And a note is on the floor.
Aribar huffs and puffs for a bit and slowly stands up. He looks a bit better now. "Whew..."
Metal Man (GM): It says, 'Destroy the Tower. Immediately.' And is signed 'Denon.'
Deloth grabs the note.
Metal Man (GM): Suddenly, there's an explosion. The way back is blocked with rocks and debris.
Deloth: "OUT!!!" *He runs through the door ahead.*
Metal Man (GM): The tower wobbles, then stays still. The next room is full of dead troopers and flames.
Deloth casts Divine Cure on himself, too.
Aribar: "Piffle..." *The elf sheaths sword and continues down the steps breathing heavily.*
Metal Man (GM): There's also a disc player... and the door ahead is locked.
Deloth puts his disc in the player.
Metal Man (GM): *Blip.* It turns on.
Player: "GORRNDDISBWIEWBFOW DOWHFOWENH METAL SONIC EIFHEW. FOPEBNFIOW! FISBNE SOWBR METAL SONIC! ROEIFBEIF."
Metal Man (GM): It ends.
Deloth takes the disc out. "Well, that was helpful."
Metal Man (GM): The door has a riddle on it.
Aribar walks over and leans on the wall next to the door to catch his breath. "Really? Sounded like gibberish to me. "
Deloth looks at the riddle.
Metal Man (GM): It says 'You are one. I am none. You are fun. I am dumb. You control. I record.' 'What am I?'
Aribar: "Oh..."
Deloth: "Hmm."
Aribar: "... A pen?"
Metal Man (GM): Nothing happens.
Aribar: "Waitwaitwait... Gravy!"
Deloth stomps Ari on the other foot.
Metal Man (GM): Nope.
Aribar: "Ow!"
Deloth: "A computer?"
Metal Man (GM): No response.
Deloth: "A computer's hard disk?"
Aribar: "... Why don't we just bust the door open?"
Deloth: "Okay, Ari. You can guess along with me."
Aribar: "Okay, Deloth... Tape Recorder?"
Deloth: "How is a tape recorder none?"
Metal Man (GM): The door flickers, but does not open.
Aribar: "Ummmm... Fine... An echo?"
Metal Man (GM): The door still does nothing.
Aribar: "Hrm... Reflection? Mirror?"
Metal Man (GM): Nada.
Deloth: "Silence?"
Aribar: "Hrm... Camera? Scribe?"
Metal Man (GM): It beeps, and opens.
Aribar: "!!"
Metal Man (GM): At the mention of Camera.
Aribar: "Yay!"
Deloth shakes his head and gives Ari a creme egg, then heads through the door.
Metal Man (GM): Well, this scene isn't too good looking.
Aribar: "Ooh... Yummy... Thanks!" *Eats it and heads through the door.*
Metal Man (GM): There's a bunch of those troopers, and some hostages, all attached to a HUGE EXPLOSIVE.
Deloth: "What're we going to do?"
Aribar blinks and wishes he had an Invisibility spell.
Plasma Trooper: "Halt, or we'll blow this place down!"
Rail Gun Man: "You really need a better vocabulary, Phil."
Plasma Trooper: "SHHHHH!"
Aribar: "... We're Quester Hunters, though!"
Plasma Trooper: "Oh yeah? Where's your Smash Dexes?"
Metal Man (GM): He pulls out a Smash Dex.
Deloth shows them his Smash Dex.
Plasma Trooper: "Tricked yah! Works every time..."
Deloth: "*beep*..."
Aribar: "Wait... "
Plasma Trooper: "Now then, don't move, or... yes?"
Aribar: "We have these to fool those Questers!"
Plasma Trooper: "Like that guy?" *points at Deloth.* "Only us Plasma Troopers are allowed to have Dex lookalikes."
Aribar: "He's not a Quester... We got these from the Internet."
Plasma Trooper: "You did? Could I look at it?"
Aribar: "Yeah. Oh, bought it from some 'Aribar.' Has his info on it still and stuff." *He walks over and hands it to him.*
Deloth: "Yeah, you can get anything on Ebay these days."
Plasma Trooper: "Thanks. I'll just be... confiscating this..."
Metal Man (GM): He sticks it in his pocket.
Plasma Trooper: "Now then, run along, you don't want to be exploded when real Questers come along, don't you?"
Aribar: "... Look! A distraction!" *Points behind the trooper.*
Plasma Trooper: "Look! A Quester!" *points behind Aribar.*
Aribar: "... Like the ones behind you in Quester Hunter outfits?"
Metal Man: "Just let me handle this."
Aribar steps back.
Metal Man whispers to Aribar "You keep him distracted, and all the others, while I snatch the hostages."
Aribar: "Every single trooper behind you is a Quester!"
Metal Man (GM): They all believe there are hundreds of Questers around, and panic.
Aribar: "They got all their certificates and uniforms from the internet."
Metal Man noisily snatches the hostages, but they don't realize it... He steals the Dex too.
Plasma Trooper: "That's a Quester! Detonate the explosive!"
Metal Man (GM): *BOOOOOOOOOOOM* The troopers explode.
Aribar: "No!"
Deloth: "Run!"
Aribar: "Uhh... No way those Questers will escape that!" *He heads downstairs.* "There's... More down here I bet!"
Metal Man (GM): Short story, they all are dead, and the hostages are free.
Deloth follows Ari.
Metal Man (GM): The hostages follow the Questers.
Man: "Thanks for saving us! Those maniacs caught us digging up various archaeological artifacts."
Aribar: "Heh... Those guys were Grade-A idiots... No problem!"
Man: "We'll just have to follow you, I guess."
Aribar: "Okay."
Deloth: "If you wish to."
Metal Man (GM): This next floor, the computer stuff is activated. There's holograms of people floating about... but they're obviously not paying attention.
Deloth: "Odd... the computers up a few floors were only at 40%."
Metal Man (GM): These computers also are adjusting the gravity... very slowly, but the target is the asteroid belt...
Aribar: "Ummm... Can any of you tell us what this place is?"
Man: "An ancient civilization's computer building... that's all we know."
Aribar: "Oookay..." *He walks over to a hologram and pokes it.*
Metal Man (GM): Aribar's finger feels kinda like it's poking a slimy ghost.
Aribar: "Hrm..."
Metal Man (GM): It does not react. The next floor is open.
Deloth walks over and checks out the computers.
Man: "This is a marvel of technology."
Metal Man (GM): The computers do not respond. There is some light down there.
Aribar attempts to poke one with his sword now... If it doesn't respond then he slashes it.
Deloth walks down the stairs to the next floor.
Metal Man (GM): No response. The sword goes right through it.
Aribar: "... Ah well..." *Begins towards the next floor.*
Metal Man (GM): This floor... has cryo-chambers.
Deloth: "Whoa..."
Metal Man (GM): Several people, similar looking to E Li Three, are inside. There's windows on all sides, which show a massive amount of computers and electronics operating.
Man: "How could a civilization so old do this? These machines date to the beginning of this planet!"
Aribar: "... Isn't it simple?"
Editor's Note: No! It is not simple! It is nonsensical! Argh!
Metal Man (GM): Suddenly, three holograms appear. In front of each of the three cryo-cells.
Aribar: "Technology killed them all after a point. Then things slowly rebuilt." *He looks at these new 'grams.*
Metal Man (GM): They look the same as those in the chambers. The middle one speaks.
???: "Welcome to Ordoth, the last citadel of technology from the age of reason."
Aribar walks over and... Pokes the speaker.
???: "We are the last of our great race, and the creators of the marvelous technology here."
Metal Man (GM): The speakers are not on. The hologram is actually talking. It's solid-ish. Like E Li Three.
???: "We have been awakened because a great evil is manipulating the gravity above. They plan to send the meteors and asteroids into this planet. The Quester Hunters who you met also originated from here."
Deloth: "That's not good..."
???: "They are from an earlier generation. The Questers before there were Questers. That group saved the universe from a madman's deathray, on a ship called the MMS."
Editor's Note: Yeah right. Keep making up nonsense, past me's plot people.
Aribar: "... What? Wait... It can't answer me..."
???: "Yes I can... just only in a limited sense."
Aribar: "GAH!"
Deloth: "Is there anything we can do to stop the meteors?"
???: "You must first destroy Metal Sonic."
Aribar: "... Done. I think."
???: "Then venture into the heart of the X-zone, and destroy the king of evil. Then the world will forever be safe. We can only aid you in a limited sense... how should we help you?"
Aribar: "... Forever? Safe? Impossible!"
Deloth: "But no one's ever come out of the X-Zone without almost dying!"
???: "If you destroy all evil, then there will forever be no evil. To destroy evil will destroy the X-zone and send you home."
Aribar: "... What about the common thief that robs someone's house? Or a leader who is starting to eye up another nation?"
???: "They are all powered by the evil one's black heart. That, and... there is a second thing."
Aribar: "... I doubt it will work... We can tr--Hm?"
Deloth: "What is that second thing?"
???: "The resulting void will send all but the native Mushroom Kingdom inhabitants back to their home realms. Bowser will return to his normal role."
Aribar: "!!!"
Deloth: "Kidnapping the princess?"
???: "It has been prophesised. So it has been written."
Aribar: "Wait... Wouldn't that mean he would still be doing...? Ah, nevermind... I can go home! Help us however you can!"
???: "I have thus."
Metal Man (GM): He points, and in a blue-greenish electric haze, the Questers are healed. Then, a book appears.
Deloth: "Wow..." *He picks up the book.*
???: "This is the book of prophets. Study it long, for it will prophesy events exactly 10 days from now."
Aribar: "... Deloth, look up the lottery numbers!!"
???: "I can do many other things. What else do you need?"
Deloth: "Ari, shut up."
???: "Do you need money?"
Deloth: "This is not to be used for personal gain."
Aribar: "... N-no... I was just acting stupid... Sorry. "
Deloth: "This is to be used for SAVING THE WORLD!"
Aribar: "Okay, okay!"
???: "Is there any enemy whom you need help destroying?"
Aribar: "... Ummm... I think so... Perhaps you could better equip us?"
???: "Hmmm... Metal Sonic and the Dark one are both tough."
Deloth hands the book of prophets to Metal.
Metal Man puts it in his pack for now.
???: "I shall equip you with the proper ability... and a special item."
Aribar: "Hm?"
Metal Man (GM): He waves his hand, thus causing more mist. Everyone gains a new special attack. Zwech Hnai: ??????????
???: "This ability is dependent on what is in your heart. It ignores all resistances, and always hits."
Aribar: "Oooooh..."
Deloth: "Amazing..."
Metal Man (GM): He then waves his hand again, warping in... a pure light cube.
???: "This cube can only hurt purely evil enemies. But when used, it has a smiting effect."
Aribar: "Sounds good..."
Deloth: "I have a question for you."
Metal Man (GM): Cube gained: Smite (Mega Holy damage to Evil elemental enemies; when used, the person who uses it can't use Special Attacks until the next day.)
???: "You want answers?"
Deloth: "You have given us so much, and yet I do not even know your name. What is it?"
Aribar: "Hrm... Are the Fallen Questers and Heartless part of the Quester Hunters?"
Shaun: "I am Shaun Teron. No. The Quester Hunters are a special type of evil."
Aribar: "Ah..."
Shaun: "They are only evil against Questers. I have a little magic left for you three. Each one of you may get one object."
Aribar: "Did we drain you too much? Errm... Sorry..."
Shaun: "No. I just am forbidden to use too much energy on individuals."
Aribar: "Oh... "
Yurie: *KABOOM!!*
Shaun: "Then I will take you home for a short bit to spread some more power..."
Yurie a portal promptly opens up above the floor... as Yurie tumbles in and lands on her face, ungracefully.
Aribar: "... I would clap at your... Graceful landing... If I had two hands."
Shaun: "Hello. I see you managed to come in through the warp system we invented for you."
Yurie: "...ow... ugh... where am I..."
Shaun: "Ordoth, the citadel of technology."
Yurie slowly gets to her feet, blinking her eye.
Aribar: "In a place where you are about to receive shinies!"
Yurie: "...say what?"
Metal Man (GM): Yurie would see that there's a hologram above a cryogenically frozen person, talking.
Yurie: "... okay, this is weird, first the warp system fritzes out, then I land here..."
Aribar: "Hrm..."
Yurie: "Alright... would you mind bringing me up to speed?"
Aribar: "Basically, Yurie, we came here accepting a help call. Quester hunters were swarming over this place. With my cunning wits we rescued all these hostages and came down here... And now we're going to try and stop all evil."
Yurie: "...Stop all evil?"
Aribar: "How good are your warping abilities? Yes."
Shaun: "Good enough to see through time as well as warp. Locos is planning a surprise for you."
Aribar: "Locos?! What is that ra... Err... What is he planning?"
Shaun: "I do not know. He has hijacked your inter-dimensional matrix."
Aribar: "Goodie..."
Yurie: "Great... and I happened to sacrifice my sword to destroy Robotnik's machine... our what?"
Shaun: "I can recover your sword."
Metal Man (GM): Shaun glows, and shows a ghostly hologram of Yurie's sword... in one piece.
Shaun: "All I need is your wish for it, if you want it."
Aribar: "Hrm... Could you happen to recover my sword as well? About 10,000 years in the future... Planet Whaller... Town of Zord... Yellow house... Third doo--Well, can you recover my short sword, Moonlight, for me?"
Shaun: "Yes."
Yurie: "Nah... that blade deserves its rest..."
Metal Man (GM): He glows, and Moonlight itself lands in front of Aribar.
Aribar: "!!! Thank you!!!"
Shaun: "That is all I can do for you, Aribar."
Metal Man (GM): Shaun dismisses the image of Yurie's old sword.
Shaun: "Now, you can think of me as the good version of E Li Three."
Yurie: "...finally, we get a break for once..."
Shaun: "He uses our technology for... greedy endeavors... He stockpiles nuclear weapons, super nova bombs, legendary weapons, and rocket launchers, and all sorts of things."
Yurie: "Actually, there is a favor you could do for me... since you apparently can see everything..." *He reaches into her coat and pulls out the mysterious black box.*
Shaun: "The box! ...Where did you get that?"
Yurie: "This weird shadow gave it to me..."
Shaun: "This box is pandora's box. However, there's a bit of a joke on it."
Metal Man (GM): Shaun opens it. Nothing is inside.
Yurie: "...huh..."
Shaun: "It was opened by one Denon 1000 years before the Questers existed. The Shadow who gave it to you came from that box."
Editor's Note: Nice try, past self, but that dog won't hunt either,
Aribar: "Hrm... I think Link might like this..." *He sheaths his Mage Masher and takes Moonlight... Ahh... Its shining blue blade seems to sparkle a bit... With poisonous dust, that is.*
Yurie: "...so this thing held the Shadow?"
Shaun: "Yes."
Deloth suddenly realizes that Shaun could bring back a dragon from their mass destruction in his village.
Shaun: "It doubles as a container. Anything put inside will not age or escape until the box is opened."
Yurie: "It told me that it was the source of darkness... okay, now I'm getting the cold shivers..."
Deloth drops his head... the memories of his village are faint and terrifying. "They all gave their lives that day..."
Editor's Note: Yes, it ends right here. Yes, that's abrupt. Yes, I wasn't good at this. Yes, this is some whacked out plot. @_@
