Super Smash Quest - Story - Chapter 93: Robotic Revenge
Date: October 29th & 30th, and November 1st, 2004.
Charles paces back and forth in front of the blacksmith office. He does not smoke, but has already drank 7½ cans of Coke from waiting for the past 125 minutes. He has asked for them to reforge the old mauler in hopes it will become stronger.
Metal Man (GM): The current smith, a shady fellow, is working on it. Locos has gone through many smiths in your search, since most of them were afraid of him. He seems to not mind the fact Locos has his own army, and have designs to control pieces of Nintendus.
Charles becomes more impatient by each passing second. A drop here and there trickles down from the back of his neck down his back. The heat from the smith's room adds to the tension he feels right now.
Metal Man (GM): The sounds of the hammer pounding the metal into shape can be heard, as well as the roar of the furnaces.
Charles: "Gotta remember to hire/create own blacksmiths... gotta remember ..."
Blacksmith: "It isn't that bad a weapon. Where did you first obtain it?"
Charles notices the blacksmiths words as he opens the door. The heat in the room has increased dramatically, making Locos even more uncomfortable.
Metal Man (GM): Garrick's in the town of Saffron city. It's overcast, and drizzling. The faceless buildings that line that street he's on seem to stare at him from behind.
Charles: "I got... (shoo it's hot)... bought it from the old HQ."
Blacksmith: "Old HQ? Sounds like it has a story behind it. You wouldn't happen to be one of my former customers, would ye?"
Garrick pulls his leather jacket a bit more closed, turning up the collar. His head is bent low as he makes his way through the town, searching for that one backwater shop that he was sent to find.
Metal Man (GM): The creepy man turns to face Locos for a moment, his one-eyed gaze piercing into his soul.
Charles gets a chill down his spine, though it feels, only very slightly, comfortable at the same time due to how hot the room is. "I had once been with the Super Smash Questers. How I became what I am now is a complicated story."
Blacksmith: "Ah, the Questers... they used to be fine fellows, until recently."
Metal Man (GM): As Garrick reaches the blacksmith's, he hears 'Questers' from the inside.
Garrick arches an eyebrow, his hands moving out from the pockets of his jacket and curling into fists. He moves to door and listens to the conversation.
Metal Man (GM): The Blacksmith returns to his work. He's been pouring some strange materials on the super-hot mashing device.
Blacksmith: "Ahhh... you know, I was once with them. Then I found something out... something that they burned out of my mind. ...As well as my right eye and my left arm..."
Garrick: .oO(...what now?)
Charles: "It was a truly melancholy incident, wasn't it?"
Blacksmith: "Indeed... all I can do is hammer out and straighten weapons in a mockery of how I want to straighten out my own life. Just too bad life is too fragile to undergo a reforging."
Garrick: "Interesting line."
Metal Man (GM): The Blacksmith takes the nearly-completed Masher and dunks it into a barrel full of oil.
Garrick moves into the smithy, looking to the blacksmith.
Blacksmith: "Who go there? A spy for those Apocalypse idiots?"
Charles: "Whoever they are, they have to wait in line."
Garrick: "Apocalypse? Hmmmm, that's a new one by me. Gotta look in to that one. Locos. Long time, no see, bud."
Blacksmith: "...Strange... so cheerful, and yet ye might as well have entered Hell's kitchen..."
Metal Man (GM): The Blacksmith chuckles and gets to doing some more things for the masher, now that it's cooled off a bit.
Charles gives a sharp look to the eyes of Garrick, then slowly looks back to the room.
Garrick: "Eh, I've seen worse places."
Charles: "It is only a matter of one week and five days, former ally. I still suggest staying away from the volcanic island that I said about six days ago."
Blacksmith: "Well, Magellean, yer masher is all ready. It's got some new qualities to it, so you listen up for a short bit."
Garrick: "Really, Locos, can't you even call me by my name? Just because we're on different sides doesn't mean you have to be all cold toward me."
Charles: "I am listening."
Garrick: "So am I."
Blacksmith: "Well, ye know it's a bludgeoning kind of weapon. But now, it's charged with the Ice Element, gives ye the most intimidating look of them all, and at the same time it's a bit lighter."
Charles: "Seems of a fine craftsmanship. But nothing is without its weakness."
Blacksmith: "I only do the best... learned from Pinach himself."
Charles looks with a sly smile. "In this case... price."
Blacksmith: "Yes, it'll cost ye 3000 coins. I don't need to cost ye for my work, your story was worth it."
Charles: "I believe in paying for work for more than just words. And I had with me 20,000 coins just in case it was this high."
Blacksmith: "Now then, you there, the guy who just came in. What does the likes of you want---- really? You'll pay me tha much? How generous. Then it be costin' 5000 coins to you, Rich man."
Garrick chuckles. "Bad move, Locos. Never flash the dough except to the ladies."
Charles pulls out three sacks, each holding 1,000 coins, from a secret compartment that he carries with ease.
Blacksmith: "But remember... I ain't no charity case. Eh. That works."
Metal Man (GM): He pockets the money and hands the weapon to Locos.
Charles grunts with a sigh, and pulls out an additional two sacks.
Metal Man (GM): Charles has received: FROZEN HATRED.
Blacksmith: "Now then, you there... the guy with the big mouth... what do yeh want from me?"
Charles: "Tis the way of a working class."
Blacksmith: "Indeed."
Charles: "I shall carry this with your condolences and may the gods give you many blessings."
Garrick chuckles again before moving over to the blacksmith, taking out a piece of paper and handing it to him. He turns back to Locos. "Well, I guess we'll see each other again in 12 days, huh?"
Charles takes the Mauler while he was saying the working class line.
Blacksmith: "What's this, err? A paper for me?"
Charles: "Sooner than that, I believe..." *He leaves the blacksmith's ...uhh..place.* "Sooner than you think."
Garrick: "Whenever you're ready, Locy. I'll be waiting." *He turns back to the blacksmith.* "I need about ten ingots of that."
Blacksmith: "??? Now, what is it ye want?"
Garrick sighs, then walks over and takes the paper from the blacksmith, flipping it over to reveal some hastily scratched writing, an order.
Blacksmith: "You want some of my best ingots of scallion? What're you paying with?"
Garrick unbuttons the sleeve of his jacket and pulls it back, showing a small red computer strapped to his wrist. He flips it open, hits a few buttons, then projects a small hologram with a picture of... ummmm... a large amount of money.
Blacksmith: "...Am I supposed to think that's real?" *He pokes the hologram.*
Garrick: "...crap, hold on. ...alright, my boss didn't give me any cash. Could I... erm... could I do a job for you?"
Blacksmith: "Hmmm... there's something you could do..."
Garrick: "Alright, shoot."
Blacksmith: "Here's the ingots. However, I also want you to take this..." *pulls out a key and sticks it with the Ingots.* "Go to my room in the stadium, and bring all of my stuff here."
Garrick: "That's it? You want me to move some stuff?"
Blacksmith: "Yes."
Garrick: "Well, alright. Sure. I'll bring you your stuff. I'll be back." *He turns on his heel, pulling up his collar again as he moves outside of the shop, opening up the Dex strapped to his wrist.* "Jackknife online, prepare for launch."
Metal Man (GM): The MTA is online.
Garrick hops in and launches, heading for the stadium. He gets there after a short time, hoping out and heading for Oak's lab. "...hey Doc. Where are ya?"
Metal Man (GM): Garrick has gotten back to the stadium. The sky is still overcast, but it has become significantly darker.
Garrick was on his way to Oak's lab to give him those ingots.
Metal Man (GM): The rain stopped, but now it's terribly windy. The stadium, as he sees, is full of life, ever since the big fight in Toad Town began. Oak is busy tweaking his newest invention... whatever that is.
Garrick: "Hey, Prof. I got your stuff."
Oak: "You did? Good. I need it for my newest invention. The Questers must be having a tough time out there. They've been taking a while."
Metal Man (GM): Oak takes the ingots and starts looking them over.
Garrick: "Yeah, I could have been out there with them if you didn't have me go be your damn errand boy."
Oak: "You will learn the importance of this soon enough..."
Garrick: "Sorry, but I think it's more important to keep my allies from getting smoked."
Oak: "Now then, run along. I don't need any rumors about this invention until it's done. You are free to go."
Garrick: "Wait. I'm looking for the old room of some blacksmith that used to work here. Where is it?"
Oak: "Blacksmith? Well, the only one here was Pinach. He disappeared. He has no rooms, that I know of. You should ask Mewtwo."
Garrick: "Right. Thanks anyway... oh, and here." *He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a very battered piece of machinery.*
Oak: "Hmmmmmm?"
Garrick: "My Z-buster got toasted. I overclocked it on accident last time I was in the holoroom. Take a look at it for me, would ya?"
Oak: "I will."
Garrick places the buster on a nearby table and heads for the Big Room.
Metal Man (GM): Mewtwo has a map out, and is plotting several different means of saving Toad Town.
Mewtwo: "What can I do to help you? Currently, Toad Town is outnumbered, outgunned... and in grave peril."
Metal Man (GM): Mewtwo rearranges the pieces some more, frowning despite almost never talking with his mouth. There are pictures of Aribar holding the sword of Darkness, Locos, and a whole troop of different freaks controlling the Apocalypse forces.
Mewtwo: "Currently, Toad Town is outnumbered, outgunned... and in grave peril."
Metal Man (GM): Suddenly, a weird face pops onto the comms screen behind Mewtwo.*
???: "Hahahahahahahahaha AHAHAAAHAHAHAHAHA. Hewwo Questars. I herve come to heap you."
Mewtwo: "...Why is it always crazy people?"
Garrick: "We seem to attract them."
???: "I hweard that! Anytay, uhhh... I have a sefcret mission for joo."
Garrick walks up to Mewtwo's side, looking up at the new, crazy person on the screen.
???: "To defeet the Apocalips, you mustah get the Masta Ball."
Garrick: "...Masta Ball?"
???: "Hee heeheheee. I'll call yeh back, hibye." *ZOOP* The screen turns off. All that was visible was someone in a black hood.
Mewtwo: "The Master Ball. Only one was made... and it was made to capture ME!"
Metal Man (GM): The room shakes a bit as he yells that.
Garrick: "Whoaaaa, calm down."
Mewtwo: "I'm sorry... hopefully, it's not in their hands anymore. I've got a mission for you. Collect the Questers from that city. They've done what they can do."
Garrick: "I can do that. That blacksmith will have to wait then."
Mewtwo: "We need them to get that Master Ball... I have a feeling that freak knows what he's talking about. ...Blacksmith? So that's the person you've been mumbling about..."
Garrick: "Oak had me go and pick up some ingots of metal for him. Since he didn't give me any money to PAY for it... the blacksmith wanted me to go to his old room here in the stadium and bring his stuff to him."
Mewtwo: "Yes... from what your mind shows me, he is a deformed freak. ...Magellean was there!!! ...Why didn't you capture him?"
Garrick: "Because, I'm liking what I'm seeing with all his enhancements and army stuff. I plan on taking Locos on and seeing what he can do."
Mewtwo: "...Just the thing for a crazy person like you... well, good luck. And the room you're looking for is the door across the hall from here. ...The Janitor's Closet." Mewtwo smiles strangely.
Garrick: "...o..kay." *He shrugs, then waves and turns. He heads over to the... Janitor's Closet, and opens it with the key the blacksmith gave him.*
Metal Man (GM): It opens... inside is... *dramatic Pause.* *Really annoying dramatic pause.* *Yet some more dramatic pause.* ...Mops and a bucket!
Garrick: "...what the..."
Metal Man (GM): ...And a huge red button.
Garrick: "...you've got to be kidding me..."
Metal Man (GM): Written under it says 'Press in case of Quester Hunter comeback.'
Garrick: "...hmmmmmm, well, it can't get any worse. Time to pull a Gibby." *He push-a 'da button.*
Metal Man (GM): *CLICK* The wall that the button was on slides down into the floor, revealing a far larger... but more dingy room. Inside this newly revealed room are brooms and vacuum cleaners... and drills... And a mysterious chest with a note on it.
Garrick moves to the chest and reads the note..
Note: 'To whoever is reading this... If you are reading this, I, Mack, have left the Stadium... and my treasured treasure! Oh horror of all horrors! Bring the chest to me... and DO NOT OPEN IT! Those who open it will be cursed! WoooOOOOoooOOOO!!!!'
Garrick: "...now, if I was Gibby, I'd open the chest right here and now."
Note: 'The one who brings my stuff back will get something special...'
Metal Man (GM): And under that, written is 'MaCk tHe RePaIrMaN.'
Garrick: "And knowing what I have seen so far, inside would probably be a pair of tube socks and a can of spray cheese or something... meh, I'll get something special. Special is good."
Metal Man (GM): The Chest is very heavy, looking at it.
Garrick tries picking it up. Another lesson learned as a Quester. Looks can be deceiving.
Metal Man (GM): It's like he's got a dead body in there... could it be some sort of coffin holding the body of an evil vampire? Or a life time supply of lysol? Or maybe, it's a magical carpet? It makes a lot of loud bumping noises when it is picked up. Must be something loose in there. There's another button, on the way out. 'Close Super Secret Room of Doom.' It's green.
Garrick: "Gotta remember this place." *He hits the button and heads back to the docking bay.*
Metal Man (GM): The room shuts behind Garrick. A few people stare at the treasure chest Garrick is carrying, but it's kinda normal around here. Garrick reaches the docking bay, which has been looking worn down for a while. It's been a very popular place. The MTA is ready, all shined up and polished.
Garrick shoves the chest into his MTA, then hops into the cockpit. He launches right after that. "It's about time I got to kick some ass."
Metal Man (GM): Toad Town is dead ahead. Thunder rumbles off in the distance. It starts raining again.
Garrick: "Computer, how many stadium members are fighting in Toad Town?"
Metal Man (GM): The Town itself is still a war-zone, covered with craters and stuff.
Computer: "Roughly 3 to 5, as approximated through the Quester-to-explosion ratio. We've been short on manpower ever since those two Questers left for their own insanity."
Garrick: "Heh, gotta love technology. Computer, pinpoint the Quester's location and find a suitable landing spot near their location. Put the chest in the cargo hold under double security."
Computer: "They're near a large, open plaza. The chest is secure."
Garrick: "Any hostiles?"
Computer: "Unknown. They seem to be using a sort of transceiver that cloaks them. But there are a lot. Nearest landing spot is in the plaza itself."
Garrick: "Set down. Prepare all weapons for an assault."
Computer: "Affirmative."
Metal Man (GM): The MTA lands in the nearly abandoned plaza. It's very quiet down here, with all the rubble and decay...
Garrick hops out of his MTA, glancing around, looking for any Questers or baddies.
Metal Man (GM): Gibby would see that an MTA has landed. He just finished thrashing some more bad guys. He's just up some steps. He has been separated from the group for a while. After a particularly loud and bright lightning flash, Garrick would swear a silhouette of something sinister was stalking him... This place is creepy, with all the death and destruction everywhere...
Gibby finishes off a bad guy, and then starts running to the MTA curious as to who it is.
Metal Man (GM): Garrick sees Gibby running up the steps to greet him.
Garrick glances back behind him suddenly, his eyes narrowing. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a pair of fingerless leather gloves, pulling them on and strapping them closed. He glances to the side and sees Gibby. "Gibby. No offense, but you look like hell."
Gibby wipes the sweat from his head, and nods. "Well its BEEN hell here."
Metal Man (GM): Something isn't right with all of this death and destruction. Garrick hears something right away doing something to the MTA. Gibby hears his stomach growling.
Gibby: "Boy am I hungry..." *He holds his stomach.*
Garrick spins and looks.
Metal Man (GM): A shadowy shape is trying to break into the MTA.
???: "What sort of fool brings TREASURE to a War Zone?"
Garrick: "The sort of fool that can kick your ass."
Gibby looks to the voice.
???: "Don't get cocky. I can destroy you in a few seconds."
Metal Man (GM): The shape walks out from behind the MTA. It's Metal Sonic.
Gibby: !!!
Metal Sonic: "You will make a great tribute to my power."
Garrick: "I'm sure."
Metal Man (GM): Metal Sonic laughs, and coincidentally, lightning strikes his upraised hand... apparently he can control lightning.
Gibby: "Oh THAT'S great..."
Metal Sonic: "You can run away now, and the only victim will be the MTA and all of its contents."
Garrick cracks his knuckles, dropping into his usual Ali style stutter step fighting stance. Gibby would notice he has no weapon.
Metal Sonic: "I may not have the Chaos Emeralds, but I have my intelligence. My sensors indicate Gibby is wounded from battle... and you... sir... have no weapon!"
Gibby looks to Garrick. "He's right. We'll die if we try to fight him."
Metal Sonic: "So... you wish to engage me? I'll make you regret this."
Garrick: "Gibby, go find the others. I'll hold him off."
Metal Sonic: "I will beat you at your own game... seeing as my fists are superior to your own."
Gibby: "Without a weapon? At least take my gun."
Garrick: "I'm fine. Go!"
Gibby: "If you say so..." *He turns, and runs the other way to try and find the others.*
Garrick pulls the sleeve back on his jacket, flipping open his Dex. "Mewtwo, come in."
Dex: "Scanning enemy... 20% complete."
Garrick: "Dex, contact Mewtwo, ASAP."
Dex: "Affirmative."
Metal Sonic: "I'll even let you scan me with that pathetic calculator!"
Garrick: "Come on, Mewtwo..."
Dex: "Communications are slowed while scanning. The fastest way is to send a message. What is your message. 40% scanned..."
Garrick: "Mewtwo. Bit of a problem in the plaza. Metal Sonic is here. I'm holding him off but I need some help, paticularly the closest Smasher. Hurry."
Dex: "Affirmative."
Garrick: "...so... what's your take in this?" *He looks at Metal Sonic, making quiet conversation while the scan is going on.*
Dex: "...Scanning is finished. 1/3 of Metal Sonic's structure scanned."
Garrick: "What's the story, Dex?"
Dex: "Displaying results. Metal Sonic - E Model. HP: 100%. STR: 18. SPD: 23. INT: 12. AC: 16. Defense: 1 | 1."
Metal Sonic: "It's finally time to show you Questers who's the king of the ring! Take this!"
Metal Man (GM): Metal Sonic runs up to Garrick and smacks him with the back of his iron hands.
Garrick ducks under the move automatically, even with that low roll "Dude, chill out."
Metal Sonic: "Drat... this rain must be effecting my accuracy. I'll defeat you, sooner or later!"
Garrick spins around and fires off a jab to the side of Metal Sonic's head.
Metal Man (GM): Miss. It appears this miserable rain is causing everyone to miss. Metal Sonic slides under the punch. Meanwhile, Gibby has found both Digi and Deloth.
Gibby runs up to the two waving his... fins... frantically.
Digifanatic follows Gibby. "What's going on, dude?"
Gibby stops, and catches his breath. "It's Garrick... he... and... Metal Sonic... fighting... he needs help..."
Digifanatic: "Metal Sonic? Oh boy. Come on Del, let's hit it."
Deloth: "Hoo, boy. Let's go, Digi."
Digifanatic follows Gibby to the fight scene.
Deloth follows Gibby back to the battle.
Gibby sighs, and runs BACK to Garrick.
Metal Man (GM): Back at the battle...
Metal Sonic: "...Now... take this, worthless bag of flesh!"
Metal Man (GM): Metal Sonic runs at Garrick, trying to grab him.
Garrick: "Hey, I take offense to tha-OOF!"
Metal Man (GM): Garrick takes damage. Metal Sonic combos it with a thunderpunch. Er... flip. Miss.
Garrick spins out of the way, sweeping Metal Sonic off his feet with a sweep kick.
Metal Sonic: "Why won't you give up? It's inevitable that I will win!"
Metal Man (GM): He backflips over the kick.
Garrick: "Are you so sure?"
Metal Man (GM): Gibby, Deloth abd Digi enter the battle.
Metal Sonic: "It is a 99.99% possible event."
Garrick: "You need to get a better processor, tinhead."
Metal Sonic: "What do we have here? More targets?"
Garrick glances behind him, seeing the incoming three Questers.
Metal Man (GM): Metal Sonic rubs his hands together.
Deloth: "C'mon, we're gonna take a byte out of your chip."
Metal Sonic: "A cliche? Ha ha ha ha!"
Garrick: "Oh, shut up with the corny lines!"
Digifanatic: "Now's not the time, dude."
Metal Sonic: "Take this, unbelievers!"
Metal Man (GM): Metal Sonic tries to kick Gibby like a football at Garrick... and his foot is sparking with electricity!
Gibby: "...this'll hurt."
Metal Man (GM): *SMACK* Gibby takes more damage due to rain. But the actual kick's aim misses. Gibby flies a little bit beyond Garrick, and lands on his head. But Metal Sonic's combo is broken.
Gibby: @_@ "Owie..."
Digifanatic looks at the slightly dazed Gibby, and says, "Us, unbelievers? After seeing the Red Sox break the Curse I believe we can win this!"
Garrick rushes up to MS and tries a roundhouse to his metal head.
Metal Sonic: "OOF!" *2X DAMAGE.*
Garrick ducks low and continues to combo, kicking Metal Sonic's legs out from under him.
Gibby: "...Red Socks? How odd..."
Metal Man (GM): *SMACK* Another hit.
Gibby: "I prefer white ones myself... then again, I don't WEAR socks."
Deloth: "Gibby, focus on the battle."
Gibby: "Huh? Oh right... battle... yeah..."
Garrick spins up and raises his foot into the air, dropping his heel straight into Metal Sonic's abdomen. The ground cracks in several places from the force.
Metal Man (GM): Metal Sonic seems to be getting angrier.
Garrick drops his fist straight into his face, causing, if it hits, Metal Sonic to see lots of purdy stars.
Metal Sonic: "You can't kill a machine!"
Metal Man (GM): *Miss.*
Gibby shakes his head, takes out his gun, points, and fires a shot at Metal Sonic.
Metal Man (GM): *Scrape.* HALF damage. Metal Sonic: 83% energy left, he has taken 27%.
Editor's Note: That's % as in energy units--not what would make sense, which would be literal percent.
Digifanatic: "Alright. Thanks guys." *He steadies himself and runs up to MS--giving him a jumping punch a la SMB.*
Metal Man (GM): Hit.
Digifanatic: *After landing... he steadies himself, and does a Karate Double--a kick and a punch, but classified as one attack.*
Metal Man (GM): Miss.
Digifanatic walks back to the Questers.
Deloth dashes at Metal Sonic and performs a Blaze Swipe on him.
Metal Sonic: "I refuse to lose... OOF."
Metal Man (GM): Another hit.
Garrick: "You're not that much of a badass, Digi, so stop trying to be like it."
Digifanatic: "Okay..."
Deloth follows up the slash with a kick.
Metal Man (GM): Miss.
Deloth strafes back to the group.
Metal Sonic: "You... dare... to fight ME? Secret weapon, activate!"
Gibby: "Secret... weapon?"
Digifanatic: "Oh boy..."
Metal Man (GM): Metal Sonic glows... he's sped up... and Yurie joins the battle!
Metal Sonic: "And now, to finish you off!"
Yurie: "I don't think so..."
Gibby: "Is that it? You can glow now? THAT'S your big weapon?"
Deloth: "Oh, dear."
Digifanatic: "Quiet."
Metal Man (GM): Metal Sonic points at Gibby, and a lightning bolt flies at him. Metal Sonic accidentally explodes his own hand.
Garrick: "Yurie, so glad you could join us."
Digifanatic just drops his jaw.
Metal Man (GM): He takes more damage.
Gibby starts rolling on the floor laughing.
Metal Sonic: "...Let's try that... again!" He tries to hit Gibby with another bolt.
Gibby: "EEP!"
Metal Man (GM): *BZAP.*
Gibby gets fried. "...I smell burning..."
Deloth: "Ooh, that's gotta hurt."
Metal Man (GM): Metal Sonic combos it with a powerful punch. And misses.
Gibby rolls away from that.
Metal Man (GM): For his final attack for now, he fires off some orbs at Deloth. Miss and BOOM.
Yurie rushes in, passing the others as she does so, then quickly segues into a flying kick to Metal's chest.
Metal Sonic: "You... won't... defeat... me!"
Metal Man (GM): Miss. He leaps outta the way.
Yurie lands, skidding to a halt behind MS and drawing her sword.
Metal Sonic: "Energy low... must kill infidels..."
Garrick rushes in after Yurie, moving to his jump point and sending his fist flying into Metal Sonic's face.
Metal Man (GM): Metal Sonic is starting to generate static electricity. Miss.
Metal Sonic: "Must... hold on... cannot lose to losers!"
Garrick skids as well on the wet pavement and stops next to Yurie.
Deloth: "Uh, static plus Metal Sonic usually equals self-destruction."
Digifanatic: "Especially in this weather..."
Gibby runs up to to Metal Sonic, and delivers a running kick to his shin!
Metal Man (GM): BARELY miss.
Gibby does a Charlie Brown. "UUUGH."
Metal Sonic: "Just a little more... then I can smite you with more lightning!"
Digifanatic: "Really? Taste Thunderstorm."
Yurie: "No, wait!"
Garrick: "Digi, stop!"
Digifanatic stops. "I know it's risky, but if it hits it could be the knockout blow."
Deloth: "DON'T."
Digifanatic: "Okay."
Gibby: "Yeah... what he said."
Garrick: "It's electricity, Digi! ELECTRICITY! Think!"
Digifanatic: "I understand. Alright..." *He does the same Super Mario Jump from his previous turn.*
Metal Man (GM): Metal Sonic has been lucky... he dodges again.
Deloth runs up and hits Metal Sonic with an explosive kick.
Metal Man (GM): *KICK.* Deloth hits him square on the head.
Deloth follows up the kick with an uppercut.
Metal Man (GM): Deloth slips on the ground and into Metal Sonic's first. Hit.
Deloth: "OOF!"
Metal Sonic: "It is time... for my next secret weapon! Behold!"
Metal Man (GM): Metal Sonic becomes enveloped in electricity.
Gibby: "You know, if you keep showing secret weapons, they won't be a secret anymore."
Metal Sonic: "Only a stupid person would touch me with their firsts now! And now, to finish you off!"
Metal Man (GM): Metal Sonic doles out a dark punch at Gibby.
Deloth gets up and shakes the cobwebs out of his head slowly.
Metal Man (GM): He combos that with a lightning bolt. Hit. Then he smacks Gibby again. Miss. For his second set of attacks, he fires orbs at Yurie. Both miss. For his final attack of the moment, he launches a lightning bolt at Deloth. *ZAP*
Deloth slowly walks back to the group. "Ouch..."
Metal Sonic: "I will crush you all!"
Gibby now looks like he's about to collapse.
Digifanatic: (to Gibby) "I wish I had a Life Shroom for you..."
Gibby: "I wish you did too."
Digifanatic: "But I got nothing."
Gibby: "Ugh..."
Deloth: "I wish I still had Divine Cure."
Gibby: "I wish I had a cheeseburger right now."
Deloth wipes some blood off his arm.
Gibby does some fancy gunn flipping before taking a shot at Metal Sonic's head.
Deloth: *CRIT!*
Digifanatic: "YEAH!"
Gibby: "Wow... that actually WORKED!"
Metal Man (GM): Hit. Will Gibby land the final blow?
Gibby does a dramatic gun toss in the air before grabbing the end, tilting it sideways, and shooting at the chest of MS. -_-; "...I guess I should practice that more..."
Metal Man (GM): *Dramatic tripping and sliding into MS's electrified armor.*
Deloth: "Oh, this is not good."
Gibby: *twitch.*
Yurie shakes her head, then steps back, quickly flicking her fingers in a circle before swinging her arm downwards, like she was throwing something. A ring of light slices out at MS.
Metal Man (GM): *SLICE.* Metal Sonic is now at critical. His shield burns out, and he's shooting sparks.
Deloth: "We almost got him! Keep it up!"
Metal Sonic: "...It can't be... I CAN'T LOSE!!! ...I will get my revenge!"
Metal Man (GM): Metal Sonic suddenly starts running away.
Gibby: "Sure you can."
Yurie continues the string by following her blast, laying into him with a swing of her sword.
Gibby: "HEY!" *He runs after him.*
Deloth: "Gibby, shoot!"
Metal Man (GM): Metal Sonic slides under the sword attack while running.
Deloth starts chasing MS.
Gibby: "I can't get a good aim."
Metal Man (GM): MS is really fast.
Deloth: "SHOOT!"
Yurie: "Gah! FIRE ALREADY!" *authority!*
Digifanatic: "Where's our MTAs?"
Gibby: "ALRIGHT ALRIGHT! Sheesh..." *He takes careful aim, and fires a shot at MS.*
Deloth crosses his fingers.
Metal Man (GM): Gibby hits one of his heels as he disappears into the darkness.
Deloth: "Rats, we lost him."
Yurie: "Obviously..."
Deloth screeches to a halt. Then he victory poses.
Metal Man (GM): Gibby gains a random item! It just keeps on getting more random! We pause the Questers and move to Aribar, who is still aboard the flagship. Aribar's in one of the many hallways, when he sees a rather beaten up Metal Sonic walk in. All wet from the rain, too... some mud on his otherwise shiny feet.
Metal Sonic: "Those Questers will pay for this... catching me unprepared out in the rain!"
Aribar: "Looks like you got into a fight with... A large lawn mower... Huh? What about the Questers?"
Metal Sonic: "They freed most of the Toads, beat up a lot of the troops sent out to them. One of them, named Garrick, landed his MTA in the plaza."
Aribar: "Hrm... Are they gone now?"
Metal Sonic: "I decided I'd steal his large treasure chest, fragrantly displayed on the back of his MTA. No... but they have great treasure! It's the lost treasure of Ilodia! It has to be!"
Aribar: "... Ilod-what?"
Metal Sonic: "Well... there's a legend that long ago, some weird king who hated money stuck it all in a chest and buried it beneath the sea. The treasure chest he has looks just like the picture. We must capture him and the treasure!"
Metal Man (GM): The ship starts moving.
PA: "Toad Town has surrendered. We will begin building our new base here. A few rogue Questers are all that's left of this town. The others are only nuisances."
Aribar: "Hrm... Do what you want. I'm not interested in cash. Only to conquer part of Nintendus... With your help, of course... Right..."
Metal Sonic: "I don't mind. I'll dispatch my troops to deal with them later. Now, if you can excuse me, I must... get repaired."
Denon(PA): "All crew, report to the bridge."
Aribar sighs and heads up to the bridge... He keeps wondering why Robotnik ever decided to team up with these two-bit idiots.
Metal Man (GM): Denon is there, apparently with an announcement. The whole crew is beginning to assemble.
Denon: "Loyal Apocalypse Group members! We have taken over Toad Town! Even with the meddling schemes of Magellean, the native Toads have decided to surrender to our infinite power!"
Metal Man (GM): This gets a big cheer from the crowd.
Aribar taps his foot impatiently... He would cross his arms if the elf had two of them.
Denon: "Our next target is Smithy's Ruins! We HAVE to crush those worthless old timers! Even if they refuse to die, and they fight with stuff made from the ruins of his great nation, they must be annihilated!"
Metal Man (GM): *More cheers.*
Denon: "There are going to be two groups. One will police and control this town, and the other will be set to invade."
Aribar blinks, confused... .oO(What could be at Smithy's Ruins? Doesn't he realize we'd fly right over the Quester HQ? Plus the distance is great...)
Denon: "Metal Sonic, SA-X2, Dark Link, and... Eldorado will guard the base. Everyone else, get ready to move out! I have the Wing Fortress ready for takeoff."
Metal Man (GM): Suddenly, everyone hears some static... a strange thing starts materializing next to Denon.
Denon: "What is that?"
???: "Denon... Apocalypse group... all of youuuuu!!!!! I am a ghost of the paaaast!!! I warn you... do not disturb the graves of your fore-founders!!!"
Denon: "...Why does that matter? We'll create more anyway."
???: "You may not realize it... but there is a TRAITOR in your midst!"
Denon: "...Now you're really crazy. NOBODY would betray me!"
Aribar: "..."
???: "If this continues... you will soon meet me... BEYOND THE GRAVE!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!"
Metal Man (GM): The ghost disappears.
Aribar mutters, "Is that Locos? Only he would be crazy enough to do this..."
Denon: "...Aside from that ghostly intervention... let's kick those worthless Machine Made twits into the ocean!"
Robotnik: "What if we're cursed?"
Denon: "...Nice joke, Robotnik. There's no such thing as ghosts!"
Eldorado: "But he looked real enough..."
Aribar chuckles at that...
Denon: "SILENCE! I won't be having any insubordination! Especially when a phony ghost tells me about it! Get moving before I MAKE you move!"
Metal Man (GM): The people who are not set to guard the town immediately rush to work.
Denon: "Now then... Aribar... you killed Smithy before... are there any ghosts or such brickabrack that I should be worrying about being cursed?"
Aribar: "Well... Hrm... Machines don't have souls so they couldn't have ghosts... But ghosts are as real as you or me!" *He mutters, "Especially koopa holographic ghosts that send huge mechas of doom at you..."*
Denon: "...Well, you'd think I'd know that, since I am one! ...It's just a secret between you and me and that Eldorado freak. I am from thousands of years ago, back in this form to take over the world. Remember that. No ghost would curse its brethren..."
Editor's Note: Yeah, that's just completely stupid right there. I just had to call it out. Moving on...
Aribar: "I see..."
Denon: "...Or would it? I have no time for such nonsense. Let's get moving! Come with me. We can plan the attack."
Metal Man (GM): Denon starts walking to the docking bay.
Aribar: .oO(Note to self: Get some weapons tor magic that kill ghosts...) *He follows Denon.*
Metal Man (GM): The two walk across several minibridges and stuff, until they reach the interior of the Wing Fortress. It practically takes off the minute they walk aboard. He shows Aribar to a planning room, where Robotnik already has a map.
Robotnik: "So nice to see you here. Why, I found out those Smithy people are just wimps that fled when the Questers killed him!"
Denon: "Nonetheless, they can operate weapons the same as we can."
Robotnik: "Yes... yes... you see, these ruins used to be Toad Town 3."
Aribar: "So we still have to conquer a dead town?"
Denon: "Yes. We do... our plan is to encircle the Quester HQ."
Robotnik: "Smithy's sword, Exor, lays dead at the foot of a crumbled tower."
Aribar: "... Please don't tell me you plan to create a giant robot to wield it..."
Robotnik: "Many people died there. Only a few cursed machines wander about, still acting for their dead master..."
Denon: "That's a good idea, Aribar!"
Robotnik: "...You assign Metal Sonic to build it, I'm not touching a CURSED weapon!"
Denon: "What is it with you scientists and curses? Can't you see it's just a stupid preconception made to keep you from getting full power?"
Robotnik: "..."
Aribar: "... ."
Robotnik: "It's your life... not mine. Now then, we have to destroy several units of robots."
Denon: "Let me guess. They're cursed too."
Robotnik: "...No. They're just robots. In order to defeat Smithy's powerful armies, we need to hit them from two sides at once."
Aribar: "Uhh..."
Denon: "Yes, Aribar?"
Aribar: "I still don't see why we need to conquer it, even if we do plan to encircle the stadium. Aren't those robots there neutral?"
Robotnik: "...In the way that they attack everything that attempts to enter, yes."
Aribar: Oh... Well, couldn't you (Robotnik) just create a wide-range mind controlling device to control all the robots there and reduce casualties on our side?"
Robotnik: "The problem is that Exor is still controlling them at the moment. They aren't defenseless. In fact, they're tougher than Toad Town!"
Denon: "We need to just obliterate the entire city."
Aribar: "... That works for me!"
Robotnik: "Fine. I'll begin planning out the attack so that we destroy everything before they can react."
Denon: "You are dismissed, Aribar. You may go to your quarters to pass the time."
Aribar: "Hrm... Okay..."
Sword Of Darkness: (In Aribar's Mind) "Aribar, this is the time to begin our own plot."
Aribar exits the room and heads to his room.
Sword of Darkness: "Smithy's armies could be ours! Those idiots neglect your great ideas."
Aribar: "Excellent. I thought you'd never say anything..."
Sword of Darkness: "It took a while to think of something... We must out-pace them to the armies, and convince them that we are Smithy's heir. Then, we can attack those foolish Apocalypse Group morons with Smithy's superior power!"
Aribar: "Hrm... That is easier said than done..."
Sword of Darkness: "Yes... we need to find the fastest fighter ship aboard this wretched ship. Or, we could convince the fat fool to help us again..."
Aribar: "Either that or possibly recruit Oak... He can be easily bribed with enough money I think."
Sword of Darkness: "There are many ways to crack an egg. However, I am afraid you will have to start now."
Aribar: "I mean... We should try and get Oak if we want to betray Robotnik in the future as well..."
Sword of Darkness: "There's a communicator in your room."
Aribar: "Hrm... I see..."
Sword of Darkness: "There's also the docking bay, and Robotnik's room. Many ways to crack an egg. Just whether or not it favors us is the problem."
Aribar: "... To the docking bay now... Lets try to 'brain wash' those robots first." *He changes his course to head to the Wing Fortress's docking bay.*
Metal Man (GM): Aribar reaches the docking bay. There are many vehicles here.
Aribar tries to look for one not made by Robotnik. Just a standard craft.
Metal Man (GM): The Arminator Mach 2, Stolen CACs, Jeff Maxwell's MTA... Stolen Arwing, and a Wolfen.
Aribar: "I'm thinking the Wolfen or MTA..."
Metal Man (GM): The people at the docking bay act as if Aribar is allowed to do whatever he wants.
Aribar: "You have any opinions, sword?" *He continues mentally communicating.*
Sword of Darkness: "The MTA belongs to a former member of Smithy's Gang. It would be an appropriate choice."
Aribar decides to take it then.
Metal Man (GM): Aribar gets in the strange MTA. It's primitive, and he would remember how much they've upgraded them over time. However, it still works. Someone opens to dock doors for Aribar. All systems are functional.
Aribar attempts to try and fly it out of there... Probably scraping the walls.
Metal Man (GM): Aribar gets out without a problem. The thing is really fast.
MTA: "Choose your target."
Metal Man (GM): It shows a map of Nintendus, with all of the locations.
Aribar: "Wow... This is easier to fly than the mine..." *He chooses Smithy's Ruins... And attempts to activate a stealth mode if this MTA has one.*
Metal Man (GM): The MTA has no stealth mode, however it does quiet down the sounds of the engine. After a short bit, Aribar sees the ruins, now neatly organized into rows and it looks almost rebuilt... but all the buildings are 1 story high. A large landing-strip like area is in front of the ruined tower and Exor. A comms thing turns on.
???: "Hello, Jeff Maxwell. You are clear to land."
Aribar starts to slow down and land... Hrm... Jeff Maxwell? This may be difficult...
Metal Man (GM): The thing quickly and smoothly lands on the grass. An entire row, no, two rows of robots on either edge of a large path are waiting patiently. They seem peaceful, even though most of them have signs of wear and neglect.
Aribar: "Sword of Darkness, can you put a glimmer on my so that I appear like Jeff Maxwell?"
Sword of Darkness: "Yes. Although, any and all living beings will notice it's fake. ...Which isn't much of a problem, since this place is full of robots."
Aribar: "... Fine by me." *He waits until the glimmer is set in place and gets out.*
Metal Man (GM): Aribar is now cloaked to look like Jeff Maxwell. He gets out, and the robots salute him.
Robots: "Right this way, lord Maxwell."
Metal Man (GM): They point to the base of Smithy's tower, now ruined.
Aribar: "Yes... Of course." *He heads towards it.*
Metal Man (GM): Aribar walks down the long path, and reach the door, which opens automatically. Inside is a ruined control console... that's being put together by... BOTH Phantom clones!
Phantom: "You have returned, my lord."
PhantomII: "Once we complete the computer, we can revive Smithy's A.I."
Aribar looks surprised for an instance before saying, "Yes... Yes I have. You must put that project aside for now... We have a very pressing matter."
Phantom: "Hmmm? What stresses our lord and master?"
PhantomII: "We will act as quickly as possible."
Aribar: "We shall be under attack soon..."
Phantom: "...WHAT? It can't be... attacking ruins?"
PhantomII: "We've just barely begun rebuilding!"
Aribar: "We will be attacked by the Apocalypse Group. They wish to destroy the Questers and us with them."
Phantom: "That Skunk Magellean deserted us and took our only machine factory..."
Aribar: "We have two options... Prepare for battle or run to hide... "
PhantomII: "We have one way of defeating them."
Phantom: "Exor."
PhantomII: "We must revive it using Smithy's AI... we can program him to listen to us, as our servant..."
Aribar: "Ah..."
Phantom: "AND RULE THE WORLD!"
PhantomII: "...Again. Let's finish up, right now."
Metal Man (GM): They finish plugging in cables and stuff.
Aribar's eyes gleam at that... He quickly asks. "It won't take long, correct?"
Phantom: "We are ready to begin reboot... now."
PhantomII: "We will begin at your command. Without your help, we would have surely failed to finish it, without the urgency."
Phantom: "We were going to take another year just making sure the contacts weren't corroded!"
Aribar: "I am here now... This will succeed... Hurry now!"
Phantom: "Affirmative!"
Metal Man (GM): They press the button. Lights flicker on across the city, as well as the pathway. The Computer begins lighting up... shooting a few sparks, though.
Computer: "...Stststartup check comcomcomplete." *spark.* "System... comprooororormized... rerady."
Metal Man (GM): It continues, the screen flashing once or twice.
Phantom: "I hope it works..."
Metal Man (GM): *BZAP* The computer finishes, and a picture of Smithy's head appears on the screen.
Aribar: "It must! Or we will be doomed..."
Smithy: "I'm... alive... again? ...You dolts haved revived me... good going. ...Except... WHERE IS THE REST OF MY BODY?"
Phantom: "...Scattered around the world, I'm afraid."
PhantomII: "And your head is only a simulation. The real thing isn't ready yet."
Aribar lets the robots talk amongst themselves... He is unsure what to do now.
Smithy: "...You dunderheaded thunderbolts! How am I supposed to go anywhere?"
Phantom: "...We have some important news. We're going to be attacked."
PhantomII: "By some of your former allies."
Smithy: "...GRRRRRRR. I'll crush them, once I find some way to either get out of this box... or use my soldiers. My factories are gone... and where is Magellan?"
Aribar: "He turned traitor..."
Smithy: "TRAITOR? THAT TRAITOR! HE MUST BE DESTROYED FOR BEING A TRAITOROUS TRAITOR!"
Phantom: "...We're still working on your language module, your majesty."
Smithy: "...Well, we have no time to just sit here. I'll contact him. My machine army will move to activate a secret robot factory and protect the town. Phantom I, your job is to reactivate Exor. Phantom II, you need to get at least 1 satellite functioning."
Aribar hopes that Smithy somehow doesn't see through his disguise...
Smithy: "And you... Jeff Maxwell... must re-recruit all of those traitors! ...If any of them are alive. Are there any of them left besides Magellan?"
Aribar: "... Recruit traitors? That doesn't make sense... What about taking over the world?"
Smithy: "Alys, Ruvyn, Digifanatic, Skyhigh, Linkbot, Robotnik... We'll get to that after we re-mind-control those traitors! ...And destroy that incoming invasion."
Aribar: "Ah... I suggest going after Robotnik first... I have already... Infiltrated his base you could say. Plus he is part of this attacking group."
Smithy: "Excellent, Jeff Maxwell. You get him first. Now then, all of you, get to work! We have no time." *Everyone scatters off.*
Metal Man (GM): *Meanwhile, in Locos's HQ..* Locos get an urgent comms. ...FROM SMITHY??? The subject line is: 'You traitorous traitor traitor! I oughta blow up your traitorous traitor trait right traitorous traitor now!'
Charles was preparing for the redezous point that Ricky and himself set upon the apocolypacta-whatever ship when he recieves the call, he becomes startled, sits down in the chair, and activates the comm-link... perplexed and shocked by who is sending a transmission.
Smithy: "Well well, if it isn't the traitorous traitorwagon!"
Metal Man (GM): Smithy's face distorts a bit, as if he's a program.
Charles: "!!...Lord... Lord Kajidoh!!?" *He bows before the face, despite no body or physical manifestation.* "Milord, I had thought you were destroyed."
Smithy: "My... more loyal servants came back and put me back together."
Charles: "..."
Smithy: "Jeff Maxwell himself supervised my reconstruction!"
Charles stands up, slowly, and raises his head. "Forgive me. I had thought you were permanently destroyed. The military's focus was also divided by events such as new forces and the still constant meddling of Questers."
Smithy: "Well, if you want to help me, here's the situation. I am soon going to be attacked by some weird people of a group... the Apocalypse group! Those even MORE traitorous traitors demand to rule MY world!"
Charles: "...The Quester Hunters never sided with you."
Smithy: "Except... for Ruvyn, and Robotnik! There's some other fallen Questers who appear to have died."
Charles: "Ruvyn will pay for his treason against the Smithy Gang. Furthermore, may I ask who revived you?"
Smithy: "Well... Phantom I and II put me back together."
Charles: "!?"
Smithy: "They survived the satellite crash."
Charles is surprised with a pale face.
Smithy: "I built them better than myself!"
Charles: "I thought they did not survive as well... Anyone else involved in your resurrection?"
Smithy: "Yes... they said they escaped by jumping out and landing into a nearby farm... Lon Lon Ranch, the site of the original Pha--oh. Hmmm."
Charles: "...Convenient."
Smithy: "Well, there's my still-loyal armies, who guarded my dead body and Exor. We're getting ready to destroy those WORTHLESS Apocalypse people."
Charles: "The ones who mindlessly hoped for your return..."
Smithy: "Maybe you would want to talk to Jeff Maxwell?"
Charles: "He wanted a new life... I can't see why. I best not, milord. Speaking of defectors, are there any I should know about as well?"
Smithy: "Well, everyone who isn't dead or back on my side are defectors. ESPECIALLY Metal Sonic."
Charles: "E Li Three wants him dead."
Smithy: "I'm also concerned about Jeff Maxwell..."
Charles: "Now as for the people who come to attack you, fear not. I have business aboard their flagship as well, so now we will head out post-haste."
Smithy: "Excellent. We may have been destroyed once, but they won't stop us again!"
Charles: "Yes sir!" *He salutes.* "LONG LIVE THE SMITHY GANG AND MAGELLEAN MILITARY!" *He signs off.* "..." *He sighs of relief.* "This will be a helluva lot harder to pull off now. Since I'm in control of my actions now, things will be different, though..." He chugs down the last of his coke. "Ricky! Send the doomship and the fighters so we can initiate our plan!"
Ricky: "Affirmative."
Metal Man (GM): Meanwhile, the Questers have returned to their HQ... to news of Smithy's return..
Deloth: "He's baaaaaack..."
Digifanatic: "WHAT IN THE WORLD?"
Metal Man (GM): Aribar receive a comms update from Smithy.
Smithy: "Jeff Maxwell, we have the traitorous Magellan back on our side! We will be unstoppable!"
Aribar: "I see..."
Charles sets off the doomship to attack the flagship head on. He attaches to himself a jetpack to sneak aboard the ship.
Aribar communicates with the Sword of Darkness. "This is not going so well... If Locos sees me... I think we're in over our heads..."
Sword of Darkness: "Remember, Locos is doing the same thing you are. I doubt he serves his former master so readily. Only personal hatred could make him turn you in."
Aribar: "... Piffle."
Sword of Darkness: "Our only other worry is... the real Jeff Maxwell."
Aribar: "He's long gone... I think Smithy is a real threat to us."
Sword of Darkness: "Well... yes. However, he hasn't been... reprogrammed... yet. I think if Locos helped you, you could reprogram him to follow your orders... or end up being killed by your own armies..."
Aribar: "Hrm... I... I... Think we shouldn't have done this..."
Sword of Darkness: "We don't have to worry. Remember, I control all the evil. They will destroy each other."
Charles: "Now... we have now catched up with the Quester Hunter ship... detach the chair, open a full-scale assault, and deploy the recon team with me. After the deployment, I will detach myself from the chair while you turn on the hologram of me in the chair so while their distracted by the holo-me and the Doomship, we'll sneak on board and find the Emerald Chamber."
Computer: "Affirmative."
Metal Man (GM): The chair is detached, and a full-scale attack of Machine mades attack the Quester Hunter ship. Aribar gets yet another communication.
Denon: "Aribar, you need to come to the ship! We're under attack!"
Charles: "My minions! Fire at this abomination in the name of the Magellan Military!"
Robots: "Affirmative."
Metal Man (GM): The Wing Fortress fires many huge lasers, but the robots are too close to take many casualties.
Charles jumps off from the chair after debuckling himself. He immediately turns on the jetpack.
Metal Man (GM): The Hologram leads the robots, and the recon team follows Locos. Locos see the place where Sonic entered... a small platform below the ship.
Charles: "We'll enter there. Three of you come in front of me, but no more than 5-7 meters away."
Aribar just ignores Denon.
Koopas: "Affirmative."
Charles takes in a huge breath, and divebombs to the place where Sonic entered the Wing Fortress so long ago. He readies his Frozen Hatred Magellean Mauler with both hands.
Metal Man (GM): There's but a few guards, and they flee upon seeing Charles. Most of them are knocked out with hammers.
Charles: "...How strange. Yet the blacksmith did say that I easily intimidate with this hammer."
Metal Man (GM): The way up is clear. There's a ladder that goes into the very bottom of the Quester Hunter Fortress.
Charles eventually lands on the catwalk. He deactivates the jetpack as he comes closer to it. He signals for two of the recons to head up and check to see if the coast is clear.
Metal Man (GM): They go up first, and signal that it's empty.
Charles heads down and signals for the rest to follow. He leads the way again, but moving a bit slow, and checking all around every few seconds. He enters the QH base.
Metal Man (GM): Inside here is the room for... Aribar. Outside is a hallway. It sounds noisy.
Charles: "Where are we now?"
Koopa: "...This looks like Aribar Hunter's room. It's got those Truland things we've heard about."
Charles: "...As much as I'd like to snoop around in here, we'd best get going."
Koopa: "Yes sir."
Metal Man (GM): They open the door out, and ambush some attendants and guards in the hall.
Charles: "Let's move."
Metal Man (GM): Then... on the other side of the hall, the door is blasted open. It's Robotnik, in his walker mecha.
Robotnik: "What? Starting a party without me? How unfashionable!"
Charles: "Ivo..." *He signals for them to pre-load their guns.*
Robotnik: "You cannot stop me. I am the ORIGINAL genius!"
Charles: "Stay out of our way, doctor. That emerald is ours to take. Eleven days left, and we will not be stopped!"
Robotnik: "Emerald? Where? I haven't seen any lately! You're insane. Even more so than I!"
Charles shows him the emerald locator that he brought along.
Robotnik: "Nonetheless, I must crush you before you can steal the nearest paperweight! ...Whaaaaaat?"
Charles: "Unless I'm impaired, this works like a charm... yes?" :D "So if you'll excuse us, we need to be moving." *He takes a few steps forward."
Metal Man (GM): Ruvyn comes in. The locator blip is... following Ruvyn himself!
Ruvyn: "Let's take him down, Dr. Robotnik."
Robotnik: "But... but... you have an emerald!"
Ruvyn: "No I don't."
Charles: "Ruvyn..." *He makes a knife slink sound come out of his mauler..* "Smithy's been looking for you..."
Ruvyn: "Smithy? Ha ha ha ha ha. I don't have his Sword of Darkness anymore."
Metal Man (GM): Ruvyn draws his sword, Cala.
Charles: "Yes yes, Aribar being possessed, blah blah blah... I've heard enough. Koopas, fire at these interlopers!"
Robotnik: "Hmmm... I have a great idea."
Charles backflips into the crowd.
Robotnik: "Ruvyn, my secret weapon is inside that closet."
Ruvyn: "Huh?"
Metal Man (GM): Ruvyn turns around... to a window. Robotnik pushes him out... grabbing something at the same time.
Robotnik: "Ha ha ha! The emerald is mine! Take that, possible traitor!"
Charles: "I still don't want to cause a mess... allow me to have the gray Chaos Emerald, and I'll leave you people alone for a long while."
Ruvyn: "I'll get you... AHHHHHHHHH!!!!"
Charles: "That... was unexpected." o_O;
Robotnik: "The emeralds belong to me. Even if I have to kill my own teammate for one. Do you want to be next?"
Metal Man (GM): Robotnik sticks the emerald in his mecha.
Robotnik: "Long live the Eggman Empire!"
Charles: "Do you want to risk it?"
Robotnik: "Why not? Getting pieces of you stuck in the carpet would be worth it."
Charles makes another knife slinking sound. "So be it. And to think I've had great respect for you..."
Robotnik: "Even better. I can say you killed Ruvyn! I'll be a hero, getting revenge... FULL POWER!"
Metal Man (GM): Robotnik starts firing turbo-charged shots at Locos.
Charles: "Koopa Pack! Attack!"
Koopas: "Chaaaaarge!!!"
Metal Man (GM): Locos takes 4 hits. That hurt. A lot. But the Koopas manage to beat Robotnik back a lot. 6 hits by the Koopas. The machine is looking bashed up.
Charles grips his left shoulder.
Robotnik: "Cursed army! Where is mine to be found? Take this! And this! And this! And this! AND THIS!" He fires into the Koopas.
Metal Man (GM): All but one hit.
Koopas: "He's outnumbered. Give him a good whack, Charles!"
Robotnik: "This emerald is mine! Don't make me kill even more people over it!"
Charles: "With..." *He runs to the Robotnik, and tries to hammer time the mecha.* "...pleasure."
Metal Man (GM): Charles totally misses, and bounces off of Robotnik's mech instead.
Charles lands face first before the mecha. He didn't take into account how much lighter the mauler is.
Koopa: "Uhhh... don't worry! We'll take care of him!"
Charles slowly rolls to the left and gets back up.
Metal Man (GM): 3 hits. Robotnik starts fleeing.
Robotnik: "You can't catch me! I'm the Eggman!"
Metal Man (GM): Robotnik is running away, down the lowest deck of the Wing Fortress.
Charles: "Stop running, Ivo! Otherwise, we might be running into a trap!"
Robotnik: "Hahahaha! Sounds like a good idea!"
Metal Man (GM): Robotnik presses a button, and the floor falls out from behind him. The Koopas stop JUST before falling over the edge.
Robotnik: "See you later, Locos the LOSER!"
Charles begins to stop on the floorless space...
Metal Man (GM): He laughs and continues running. There's a large pit blocking the way to him. The alarms are currently blazing.
Charles begins to step back a few steps and not look down.
Computer: "Heavy damage to bridge. Rudder has been destroyed. Left Wing is heavily damaged. Fire in Engineering. Danger. Danger. Danger."
Metal Man (GM): The ship tilts a bit.
Charles looks to the koopa that gave him bad advice.
Koopa: "???"
Charles: "...'Chase after him' you said... 'He'll know where to find the pretty stone' you said." *He sighs a loud moan.*
Computer: "Systems are compromised. Intruders are making a lot of damage."
Charles: "How about we go by my plan for a while again? Like to follow a map that would be conveniently behind us and check to see where some parts of the ship are."
Koopa: "We must hurry, either way."
Metal Man (GM): Through the pit, Charles sees the ground. It's coming up rather quickly... and it's Smithy's fortress of DOOM!
Computer: "Altitude 1000 feet. Altitude 900 feet. Danger. Altitude is too low. Danger. Reactor Core is ready to explode."
Charles: "You 15 evacuate. There's no need for 16 casualties."
Metal Man (GM): The computers continues yelling danger things in the background.
Koopas: "Yes sir!" They run off, to evacuate.
Metal Man (GM): There's hallway to your left. It's a bunch of stairs.
Computer: "Diagnostics report widespread destruction. Emergency procedures activated."
Metal Man (GM): Another set of klaxons go on, and the lights turn yellow.
Charles takes a panic feel to his heart, but then regains his composure. He readies Frozen Hatred again, and makes 6 in. leaps between steps to the stairs on his left. He skips every other step to hurry.
Metal Man (GM): Charles is now in engineering. This place looks toasty. There's fires scattered about, and some unearthly destruction. The only way he can go is right, down a dimly lit hallway. The ship still bumps around, but the so-called emergency procedures have kept it from crashing... yet. One can hear that it's slowed down.
Charles feels more sweat going down his back, and desperately sees only one way... a dim passage to the right of him. He goes that way whilst still running.
Metal Man (GM): Charles finds a simple door at the other end of the passageway. He opens it... and see a dead-end. A large balcony overlooking vast destruction. A man is looking at it, laughing.
???: "Hahahahahaha... step one of my plan is nearly complete! Those fools won't know what hit them... And soon, I will rule the world!"
Charles is a bit perplexed.
Metal Man (GM): This... man... looks rather burly.
Charles: "...Sounds of the blue-haired dark magic... it doesn't..."
???: "Why, if it isn't Locos."
Metal Man (GM): The man turns around. Or I should say... thing.
Charles can't make out the figure.
Metal Man (GM): It's roughly a man, but both cybernetic implants and a blazing gold mask obscure any traces of humanity other than its rough shape.
Charles: "I'll remember this encounter..."
???: "You have seen my master stroke. Unfortunately... no man who has seen this will live. I, Eldorado, will ensure that you die!"
Metal Man (GM): Eldorado's right hand turns into a buster saber. A dark red one.
Charles is puzzled by this figure's appearance, but wanders around until he hears that he will die.
Metal Man (GM): It flickers a bit, and is cruelly twisted and sharp.
Charles: "...Your master... stroke. Talk about poor language skills." *He prepares Frozen Hatred.*
Eldorado: "I will rule Nintendus while you and your enemies are killed fighting each other. There is no hope for you. Surrender, and you will meet a merciful death. If you dare attack me, you shall die a THOUSAND deaths!"
Charles: "Then dare not attack me and leave me be. I have no quarrel with you, despite your death threat. Unless I knew of this master of yours..."
Eldorado: "I AM my own master. And, rightfully, yours. Although you have strayed from your original path... you will always be mine."
Metal Man (GM): Eldorado pulls out none other than the fighter remote.
Eldorado: "I stole this from your idiotic leader. With it, I can control the Questers and destroy the world!"
Metal Man (GM): Eldorado presses a button. A strange rune on the wrist of Locos's right hand glows.
Charles mocks the words of "Control the Questers and destroy the world!..." Then he begins to feel the sensation.
Eldorado: "Let me give you an example! It would be so unkind of me to leave you uninformed before you die."
Metal Man (GM): Eldorado moves his fist, and Locos's moves in coordination with his... against his will.
Charles: "I never knew of that control having so much... control."
Eldorado: "However, using you like a puppet is so... lame. I will give you the mercy of death. Unless you will forsake yourself for a third time and become truly evil. Now, then. Any last words?"
Metal Man (GM): Meanwhile, down behind Eldorado, Eggman is walking with the emerald.
Charles: "A last request...?"
Robotnik: "I finally lost that weird fool. What is it with goody-two-shoes and emeralds?"
Eldorado: "..."
Metal Man (GM): Eldorado is distracted. The rune on Locos fades, and he turns to face Eggman.
Eldorado: "Your emerald belongs to me! Surrender it before I destroy you."
Robotnik: "This emerald belongs to Ruv-- I mean, the Eggman Empire! I will not give it to you for both the Sun AND the Moon!"
Charles breathes a sigh of quick relief... despite it being very hot. He attempts to make a leap of faith from where he is to where Eldorado is. He lands with a thud to nearby Eldorado and gets up slowly.
Eldorado: "I summon the powers of the Super Smash Questers... to destroy this infidel!"
Metal Man (GM): He presses buttons on the remote, and all sorts of magical runes surround Eggman.
Charles: "I usually don't do this, but for you, exceptions are made..."
Robotnik: "You can't scare me with a bunch of superstition! Take this!"
Charles takes this chance to make a whack to the El boy's head.
Eldorado: "You---" *THUNK.*
Metal Man (GM): He's hit from behind... so he turns to face Locos. Only to get nailed by Eggman's supercharged lasers.
Eldorado: "...!!!!"
Metal Man (GM): He gets up, despite the fact those lasers almost brought down the ceiling on everyone.
Charles stands in front of the golden-masked man to avoid being hit. "Putting people as puppets is not honorable."
Eldorado: "Nor is hitting me from behind... and then setting me up to be hit from behind again! ...But I cannot tarry here... you have damaged my circuits. In order to serve the Quester Hunters, all I can do... is THIS!"
Metal Man (GM): Eldorado floats up, and glows, surrounded in green energy. He fires a beam at Charles... erasing his name (but nothing else) from both Robotnik and Charles's minds. Then, he disappears.
Charles: "..."
Robotnik: "...That was strange. But now, to escape with the emerald!"
Metal Man (GM): It's prime time to chase Eggman again, as he runs through a door downstairs. There's a path of rubble leading down there.
Charles: "Excuse me, but how many emeralds were there on this ship?"
Robotnik: "...What? I have the only one! Hahahaha!"
Charles chases after the Robo guy that's in a mecha.
Metal Man (GM): Charles reaches the next room. It's both empty and quiet. The door locks behind him.
Charles: "You bluff! My scouter picked up multiple emeralds on this ship!"
Metal Man (GM): Robotnik is... missing. Then... the room lights up, revealing a familiar thing on the ceiling. A laser cannon.
Charles: "Ehh... geez... uhhh..."
Metal Man (GM): Robotnik's laughing can be heard in the background. ~BOSS: WING FORTRESS LASER~ Only jump attacks can hit this turret... normally.
Charles: "...ohhh boyy..." *He aims and attempts to throw the hammer at the Laser Turret.*
Metal Man (GM): Hit. *BONK.* Charles cracks the focusing lens. The Laser Turret moves above Charles, and fires at him. *KA-ZAP*
Charles: "Charles vs. Robotnik... I never thought I'd see the day..."
Robotnik: "I can do everything you do... but better!"
Charles absorbs the shock, kneels to the ground, and gets up again. He retreives his hammer, aims at the center of the gun again, and throws it upward.
Metal Man (GM): *SMACK* The gun is not only hit, but it falls down.
Charles gives it a good right left punch, and a swift kick in the antenna..
Metal Man (GM): *Miss.* So much for that. The thing sparks and tries to bonk Charles.
Charles kneels down again. He begins to breathe more deeply. His aim begins to wobble, and he's about to throw the hammer again. But loses strength. Then he musters energy for about 3 seconds and launches it at the weapon again. "I'm not the blue hedgehog... I guess..."
Robotnik: "Yes... soon, you shall be exploded!"
Charles smiles briefly with one eye closed..."I guess... I'll be outdone."
Robotnik: "I mean... annihilated!"
Metal Man (GM): The weapon goes back into it's socket and charges for a powerful attack.
Charles tries to bluff to stall for time. "Robot... Robotnik... you kill me right here and how, and you'll destroy the Emerald shard that's in my pocket. Do you want to risk that?"
Robotnik: "Whaaaa?"
Charles slowly, and struggles a lot to get up. "I got this little shard from Knuckles while I was still part of the SSQers. Perhaps we can work on an agreement... It's part of a much stronger one... one that I think you'll want. So... What do you think?"
Robotnik: "Hmmmm."
Charles: "Or you can just kill me... right here and now... and have one less enemy... The choice..." *ack.* "..is yours..."
Robotnik: "Hmmm..."