Super Smash Quest: Infinity - Story - Chapter 29: Metal Razor & Mushroom Politics
Date: 4:07:49 PM, March 7th, 2011; 4:16:00 PM, March 11th, 2011.
Metal Man (GM): The Questers got Captain N to normal, but not in a normal way. In fact, Captain N was possessed by Psycho Mantis, and thus, beyond Mr. Patch's help. Nothing a bit of arguing couldn't fix, however. Captain N is now back to normal, and in the process an alternate solution was found--warp Evil Wolfman to the SG1 realm, then blow him up with a rebuilt fighter remote. Of course... The Brawlers are at the assembly room. Mewtwo appears to have a mission for them as well... Continuation
Mewtwo: "As you heard, Captain N was... mind controlled. We have no choice but to assume the same for Razor. Metal Razor. Whatever he is, or has become."
Starr: "I miss having an army at my command and you haven't even told us to do anything yet."
Kraela: "Hush, Princess, and pay attention."
Mewtwo: "How can you like that sort of responsibility?" *He seems puzzled.* "It seems to take days off my life just to keep this place, this 'army'... afloat."
Jason: "Hey, hey, let's hear the boss out, girls."
Mewtwo: "You're much more intelligent and mature than... those fools of the past... but there's still a lot of paperwork..."
Valentine: "..." *Valentine just seems to be staring at Jason.*
Kraela just nods.
Mewtwo: "...Metal Razor has been 'healed' but we've sealed him away in Dr. Light's lab for now. Given that he may not react well to Questers, your mission is to figure out whether or not he is possessed, and how to heal him if he is."
Valentine: "If he is it wouldn't be by the same person."
Mewtwo: "We require knowledge of the Alternate Questers from him, so that we can either re-find the Sword of Light or find a way to destroy Evil Wolfman without that DOESN'T make me break out in a cold sweat to contemplate it."
Valentine: "I don't see you as the type to sweat, Mewtwo."
KitOrbel: "I hope I'm not one of those fools." *She pokes her head out of the ventilation shaft.* "By the way, it's dusty in here and security hazard. Also..." *Notes fall besides Mewtwo.* "Here are the locations where the Sword of Light is not." *She goes back in... Apparently to sleep or whatever she does in there.*
Mewtwo: "Not usually, but the Fighter Remote destroyed reality and deleted minds."
Jason: *Looks at the vent* "Uh, alright, Kit..."
Starr: "..." *She just looks at Mewtwo.* "So, this Fighter Remote is that bad?"
Mewtwo: "Hmph. No, 'those fools' were these people."
Metal Man (GM): He refers to an image of Aetos, Locos/Charles, Glyph Phoenix.
Mewtwo: "More interested in damaging reality than doing their job."
Valentine: "So where are you sending us for this mission?"
Kraela: "Dr. Light's, right?"
Mewtwo: "To Dr. Light's lab, down the hallway. Don't scoff at it, if Razor has been possessed you will all have to fight him. Or figure out how to remove it."
Starr: "... Wonderful." *She sighs softly.* "This will be pleasant."
Valentine: "I figured it out last time so I can do it again."
Mewtwo: "I know Razor's psychic profile. He will probably be able to prevent anything which possesses him from just instantly killing you, but the fact he has been compromised physically by mechanical alterations..."
Metal Man (GM): Mewtwo reaches to one of his ears, which has a metal plate behind it.
Mewtwo: "Those worked even on me, and I am the strongest mental being in the area."
Valentine: "Unless you want the brawlers to do this themselves, Mewtwo."
Starr: "I'd like a bit of competent backup..."
Mewtwo: "Given that you did not fall for Psycho Mantis' Proctor-like lies, I do not have any worries of you falling into foolish behavior. However it will be up to them whether you are worth paying."
Jason: "Heh, I'll be up for it..."
Mewtwo: "If I were them, I'd question why you think you're better than them and require so much more money, when smarter people have been paid less and served here."
Valentine: "I should be charging you."
Mewtwo: "I am not that stupid."
Valentine: "For a number of things."
Mewtwo: "You are less intelligent than me; your only advantage is being in the field with them."
Kraela: "I should be demanding payment, too, but I'm not. Some things are bigger than individual gain."
Mewtwo: "Do take care not to annoy me with invoices, Val. I may just repay you by warping you out of this place entirely."
Valentine: "You're just more aware, Mewtwo." *She would look over at the group.* "Shall we get going?"
Jason: "Yeeeeah, I'm good."
Starr: "Heck, if nothing else, the kid is worth more than you Val. She doesn't run when the chips are down. I personally think you're a consultant at best and your prices are too high for the service you offer."
Mewtwo: "I will not tolerate anyone distracting from the core mission." *He crosses his arms and floats off, a red aura around him.*
Starr: *She stands,* "Let's go."
Valentine: "Send me to Anthon the day you do, Mewtwo."
Kraela: "Whoever wants to help save the world, let's go."
Mewtwo: "I know a much better place for you." *He mumbles as he floats off.*
Metal Man (GM): The way down the hallway leads to the lab. Dr. Light's lab is next to Oak's. And not much larger, either.
Kraela: "Doc?"
Metal Man (GM): Dr. Light walks out from a different door.
Dr. Light: "Ah, I wasn't in my lab. It was locked down by Mewtwo."
Valentine: "He has that habit."
Dr. Light: "The specimen within is an interesting fusion of machine and mammal. And also refuses to talk despite being alive and awake."
Jason: *Grits his teeth a bit.*
Dr. Light: "The door will open for you, but, ah... it won't let you out if you enter. Security precaution. Not until we know Razor isn't contagious or something. Of course, he won't talk to us out here because he can't hear us. Bit of a... catch 22. So... I'm guessing Mewtwo decided to plug the gap with you."
Kraela: "Or going to go into a berserker rage." *She looks at her halberd.* "How much space is in there?"
Starr: "Don't worry, if we're trapped in there without food and drink, we can just eat Val." *Hey look! Snark! From a brawler! That's a new one.* =D
Dr. Light: "Er... hmmm..." *He makes some gestures with his hands.* "It's about 20 by 50 by 10... subtract a 4 by 10 by 3 worktable... .and some parts..."
Kraela: "Eh, big enough. Everybody ready?"
Dr. Light: "Don't worry about breaking anything. I've had so many labs explode before, I don't keep anything important out where it might be blown up by that annoying Dr. Wily."
Starr: "Good to go."
Jason: *Nods.*
Valentine: "Sounds like the usual custom where you're from, Starr. Pity you can't eat non-human parts."
Jason: "Eh, she'll go down and dirty enough to pick the cyborg ends off."
Starr: "I'll figure something out. Anything left can be fed to my general."
Valentine: "I wouldn't put it past her."
Kraela: "Just shut up, would you? Mewtwo said that he might be disagreeable towards Questers anyway and you're the most disagreeable one I know."
Valentine: "I'm not a Quester. But for once you are right." *He looks over at Dr. Light.* "Any special equipment we need?"
Dr. Light: "Er, uh... no. No, the lab has anything you might need, but right now it seems very... very calm in there."
Kraela opens the door to the lab and walks in.
Starr: "..." *She follows Krae in as well.*
Valentine: "I'll scan the area and Razor to let you know if its safe to lets us out."
Metal Man (GM): Inside the lab is the table, some science fictiony beakers, some random bits of circuitry laying around, a tube, and...
Dr. Light: "Oh. Okay, that sounds acceptable."
Metal Man (GM): Razor. Metal Razor, to be specific.
Valentine: "Be ready for out return." *And she enters.*
Jason: *Walks in and looks around.*
Metal Man (GM): He is man of some sort, with wings. He looks not entirely human, sort of 'engineered' like Mewtwo. His eyes are lit up, and vaguely like Metal Sonic's, only they're yellow-on-black LEDs instead. He's leaned up against the back wall with one foot against it. He'd look at you, and speak in a synthesized version of his normal voice.
Metal Razor: "Well... can't say I didn't expect visitors... who are you guys, and... what do you want?"
Starr: "It's time for your therapy session and we drew the short straw."
Kraela: "More or less that, yeah."
Valentine: "...I'll be checking things out. Watch what you say, Brawlers."
Metal Razor: "Oh goodie... another mess." *He sighs.* "Look... I didn't want to talk to him because... everything has changed. No one seems to be a... Quester anymore. My memory is... not in the best order. Someone... tampered with it..."
Kraela: "What do you remember?"
Valentine: "I'm going to check that out if you allow me to."
Metal Razor: "Well, I... wait..." *He looks at Val.* "You... aren't a Brawler, are you? What ARE you?"
Valentine: "No. I'm not. I'm that same as I was when I first arrived."
Metal Razor: "...You're forgetting... I wasn't HERE when you arrived..."
Valentine: "Or have you forgotten?"
Metal Razor: "...So you could be anyone, as far as I know... because someone tampered my memory. And I'm not about to let someone make this... any worse."
Valentine: "It's already worse and about to get worse. We're here to make it better. Well, the brawlers are."
Metal Razor: "Uhh... huh... and what are you here for, then?"
Jason: *Nods.*
Valentine: "Supervise and to fix anything else."
Metal Razor: "... You're still not telling me WHO you are. I can understand the... Brawlers. They... are sort of like the Questers... Mewtwo changed their name or... something, but... you. You don't make any sense..."
Metal Man (GM): He stares at Val. Val would determine he is trying to scan her. Of course, he doesn't seem to be getting much information of use.
Kraela: "She's a mercenary. She works for Mewtwo if she gets paid. I still don't know why she came along on this mission."
Metal Man (GM): He looks suspicious.
Starr: "... Her name is Valentine. She's a hired field strategic consultant."
Valentine: "Valentine Kilmer. Tactician for Hire."
Metal Razor: *Sigh* "...And you need a field strategic combatant when you visit me... why?"
Kraela: "We don't."
Metal Razor: "..."
Starr: "Because she gets paid every time she helps us. Thus she tries to come along every time we do anything."
Valentine: "I'm more or less the voice of reason anywhere."
Kraela: "She has no soul, but she insists on following along with us."
Starr: "You're not the voice of reason, you're the voice of petty self desires and greed."
Metal Razor: "Well, excuse me, but... you're not doing very well at that right now." *He then gets off the wall.* "My memories were tampered with, and I... was made into a machine. My orders were... to kill all of you... but then... they were deleted by that machine." *He points at Dr. Light's machine.*
Jason: *Holds his hands out, trying to calm the group down* "Alright, that's progress, Razor."
Starr: *She goes quiet.*
Kraela: "Thanks for not killing us all. How are you feeling now?"
Valentine: "Hmm. Jason, do explain the Brawler's purpose here."
Metal Razor: "But now I can't tell if... this isn't another simulation... like the ones which... made me believe you were evil. If it is one of those, then... I would have to destroy you... or face torture... and while I DON'T want to harm anyone..." *He sighs again.* "I need to make sure I'm NOT imprisoned before I can so much as... leave you alone."
Metal Man (GM): He scans the area and pokes the table, as if unsure if it is really there.
Jason: "Okay. We Brawlers are here as a group of fighters like the Questers. We're trying to heal you, or at least exorcise whatever it is that's stuck in your head."
Kraela: "If there's anything still stuck in your head."
Metal Razor: "...You could say that... something is wrong with my head." *He places a hand on his forehead.* "I remember serving... with the Questers... then being thrown... across space and time... ...and then... flashes of blurred memory... then... tortured and... forced to kill Questers and Brawlers in simulations. Now... this... with the programmed commands to kill you missing."
Jason: "When was it when the commands were planted?"
Metal Razor: "I... don't know... a... few weeks ago?"
Jason: *Nods* "Alright."
Metal Razor: "Dr. Light is... as I remembered. But he couldn't FIX all the problems with... my head."
Valentine: *Meanwhile, Valentine was doing her own scanning, first checking out the lab for anything offsetting it.*
Metal Man (GM): Nothing unusual, as far as Val could see, except for Razor looking at her like she was some sort of mystery being.
Kraela: "What do you feel that's wrong? Besides the memory?"
Metal Razor: "I can't tell if this is real... or not."
Valentine: *She's used to the looks. She looks small and frail though.*
Metal Razor: "The... new body I have... everything is virtualized... I had... implants before... but they never were like THIS."
Jason: "What couldn't he cure?"
Starr: "... Hm..."
Kraela: "Sometimes you just have to have faith. Nobody knows for sure if what they see is real."
Metal Razor: "...What I just said. It's hard to tell what is real and... what is not. The problem is... most of those simulations punished me whenever I took existence for granted..."
Valentine: "Sounds like a simulation burn as we called it."
Metal Razor: "And I'm... not sure if I could trust any of you... Or even the Questers... especially not them... cripes... Ari was EVIL half the time I knew him!"
Valentine: "How do you feel about Mewtwo?"
Metal Razor: "Mewtwo? Hardly saw him... it was Metal who did most of the commanding..."
Kraela: "Yeah... that'd be a disaster."
Metal Razor: "Metal was... a bit of a nutjob... to put it lightly. ...I'm sure you know of him."
Kraela: "We met him. A little unhinged, yeah."
Metal Razor: "He was a good fighter, but... little things drove him crazy. He was a good leader for a while, though..."
Jet enters Dr. Light's room and joins the others listening in on the conversation.
Valentine: "He is no longer with us."
Metal Razor: "..." *He looks to Jet.* "Who are you?"
Valentine: "Mewtwo commands the Questers now."
Jason: "He's another Brawler among us, he just walked in late."
Metal Razor: "Well, that's a bit of a relief... I was afraid Metal would eventually lose it sooner or later."
Valentine: "He did. And other Questers were barred as well. One of them being the Ninja."
Jet does his best to give a calm face. "Yea, just another dude hired by Mewtwo."
Metal Razor: "... So... what do you want from me? I... guess this has gone on longer than most of the simulations... but I'm a Quester, not a Brawler."
Valentine: "Continue, Jason."
Jason: "The instructions to fight us... was there a projection of someone telling you to do it? Could you hear Evil Wolfman's voice, or someone else besides yours, commanding you to do so?"
Metal Razor: "It was just... there. I had the compulsion to destroy any Quester or Brawler... it was unnatural."
Jason: *Nods.*
Jet: "As if someone had added the thought to your mind?"
Metal Razor: "Well... yes. My mind is a machine now, so... it was put in that way. Or so Dr. Light told me..."
Jason: "I ask because some of us had recently come from another battle from which one was possessed by an outside agent. Does the name Psycho Mantis sound familiar?"
Metal Razor: "Heh... Garrick mentioned him once, I think..."
Valentine: "I met Mantis the other day."
Jason: "Okay, but not necessarily in terms of anyone you saw while you were imprisoned?"
Metal Razor: "No... I hardly remember anything from then... I think I'd... know if someone mind controlled me. Others have tried it... before."
Jason: "Fair."
Kraela: "But you're still not sure if this is real?"
Jason: "Do you know if there's a place where Dr. Light has left your data?"
Metal Razor: "No. Everything has this... cyber gloss to it... like you're all a video game... Dr. Light hasn't left my data... it's all in here, what's left of it... except for the Evil Wolfman commands... heh... Evil Wolfman. We've already fought one before..."
Jason: "May we examine it?"
Metal Razor: "My mind, or... the commands? Only Dr. Light has the... commands."
Valentine: "You have several damaged data slots."
Metal Razor: "...Yes, because Evil Wolfman DELETED a lot of data..."
Jason: "I wonder if Light would have an idea what he deleted."
Metal Razor: "You'd have to ask him... I don't know."
Valentine: "I could try to restore them as well. With Light's help it would be easier."
Metal Razor: "...Well, I guess it is worth a try."
Metal Man (GM): He'd walk over to the door.
Metal Razor: "But... I can't leave, right? The simulation never let me do that... either."
Jason: *Nods.*
Valentine: "We'll have to do it over the radio. If it can reach out."
Jason: *Glances at the objects in the room... the circuits, the beakers, etc...*
Metal Man (GM): They seem pretty mundane to you.
Metal Razor: "...Sounds fine to me."
Valentine: "If you can back onto the table I'll link up with you."
Metal Razor: "...I think we can skip that... more than enough bad things have happened from people touching my circuits..." *He sighs.* "The more I look at this... the more I see that I am in some... strange new world that... isn't the one I left years ago. I'm going to... just accept it and move on."
Starr: "That's a good idea actually..."
Metal Man (GM): And the Brawlers have radios on them.
Kraela: "And nothing bad's happening because of you accepting that. Isn't that nice?"
Jet: "We all are in some way or another in the end."
Metal Razor: "...Yes, it is nice NOT to be violently ripped apart for that..."
Kraela: "Jason, want to call Mewtwo and tell him things are alright?"
Jason: "That's fine." *Rings Mewtwo up.*
Valentine: "Alright. I'll do a quick check up to make sure of a few things, then we'll go."
Mewtwo: *R* "What is your status?"
Valentine: *And first she does scan Razor.*
Jason: "So far, unscathed... Valentine's doing a diagnostic on him, I think. Aside from that, he's not hostile."
Starr: "Confused, but resigned."
Jason: "We want to see if we can analyze the data Dr. Light retrieved a bit more..."
Mewtwo: *R* "I see. I'll unlock the door then."
Metal Man (GM): Razor's scan indicates a vast amount of power, and... Robotnik-esque machinery merged with cybernetic implants of unknown origin.
Kraela tries the door.
Metal Man (GM): The door opens. Dr. Light is outside.
Dr. Light: "So... nothing unusual to report?"
Valentine: "Well, I don't detect anything. Was going to port into him but no need."
Kraela: "He was confused, and we helped him with that. He should be fine."
Jason: "Not yet, doc! We just want to see if you can let us access the data you've picked up on him. That okay?"
Dr. Light: "That data is very... very dangerous. It's in programming code... I'm not sure if you'd understand it... or if you read it with a machine, it might take that machine over."
Jason: "Even everything that... doesn't coerce stuff into blowing us up?"
Kraela: "It's probably better to make sure it's isolated, actually."
Valentine: "So I was right."
Jet: "This explains the reluctance to getting on the net. Erm I mean, getting plugged in."
Kraela: "We can let Mewtwo decide what to do with that. He's not far."
Dr. Light: "Yes. There was only one thing which may be of use..."
Jason: "What do ya got?"
Dr. Light: "The program mentioned Evil Wolfman's 'Computer Central', which appears to be an installation hidden deep in Oddworld's marshes."
Jason: "Oooh, something for us handle?"
Dr. Light: "Data to restore Razor's memory could be there. Or perhaps more... but it's incredibly dangerous, especially since we still haven't found Thryne and Crazy Hand's Artifact is still recharging."
Valentine: "Be the least of dangerous things we done around here."
Jason: "Heh... okay. One more thing. Razor said Wolfman deleted a lot of data. You have any idea what might be missing, maybe from the data around it, that kind of thing?"
Dr. Light: "I suspect he was supposed to become a mindless killing machine, so... many of his memories with the Alternate Questers appear to be missing, now that you mention it."
Jet: "Huh. If I may ask... how did that parallel universe differ from hours?"
Jason: "Ah."
Dr. Light: "I still don't know the entire story, but Wolfman was evil, and the Questers his unwitting tools. It took all their might to stop him, but he blew up that world anyway."
Metal Man (GM): Razor would casually walk out of the room.
Metal Razor: "...So what's stopping them from going there if I'm with them?"
Dr. Light: "Ah... uh... they might hack you again?"
Metal Razor: "Look, doc... your help has been nice, but I'm not even an... employee here anymore."
Dr. Light: "I... guess... Brawlers, your thoughts?"
Starr: "I don't mind him sticking around."
Kraela: "He helps us there, we keep him from getting hacked. It works out."
Jason: *M to Starr* "If something happens to him and he snaps on us, we're right there."
Dr. Light: "Mewtwo says it's fine, so... I have the warp here." *He turns on a panel on the wall and it opens up, revealing a warp.*
Metal Razor: "Right... let's get this done with, then..." *He walks into it.*
Starr: *M* "Think of what happens if we leave him to his own devices. He may get hacked again."
Kraela walks in after Razor.
Jason: *Follows.*
Metal Man (GM): You'd warp in front of a squat, box-shaped fortress, surrounded by a moat of toxic marsh water.
Starr: *She follows as well.*
Metal Man (GM): The front door is guarded by no less than three Ghost Metroids.
Jason: "Aww no!"
Jet is several steps from the moat looking towards Razor, trying to not draw any attention.
Kraela: "Deja vu. How's your aim, Razor?"
Valentine: "I wish Mewtwo would hurry up with my order. Someone use light if they have it."
Metal Razor: "I think we can handle them in a straight fight..."
Jason: "Hope so..."
Metal Razor: "I've fought worse."
Valentine: "You have point then."
Metal Man (GM): He would walk directly at them, not remotely bothered by them.
Starr: "They weren't entirely bad. We managed to kill one."
Metal Man (GM): They would enter combat stance... ...so would he, however, revealing his 'upgrades'--now even MORE of his body is weaponized! What in the world was Evil Wolfman thinking?
Valentine: "Jason did make a good shield that one time against two of them."
Starr: "..."
Kraela: "Glad he's on our side," *Kraela says as she follows him.*
Jason: "Heeey now, Valentine, we're supposed to be fighting together."
Valentine: "We did. You held them off and I picked them off."
Jason: *Shrug.*
Metal Man (GM): Init Order: Jet the Speedy, Razor, Kraela, Ghost Metroids, Val, Starr, Jason.
Jet tries to light them all up to give easier targeting to the group.
Metal Man (GM): Hit. Miss. Miss, miss.
Metal Razor: "All right... let me show you what I can do..." *He charges up, his wings and hands glowing. He floats before the three Metroids, before finally projecting a hail of meteorite-shaped beams of green energy, which explode violently on contact and threaten all of the metroids. Then he does it again, for good measure.* "METEOR STORM!"
Metal Man (GM): Each Metroid takes a whopping 112 damage. The entire area near the front is still burning from the destruction.
Metal Razor: "...Yes, this feels a bit more like it used to be..."
Jason: "I'm already feeling better." *Smirks.*
Metal Man (GM): The Ghost Metroids still live, but look like they were Kentucky Fried.
Kraela: "Let's finish this, then." *She runs forward and uses a Flash Slice on Metroid 1.*
Metal Man (GM): Hit. Yes. That one is now almost dead--just a tap would kill it. The Cleaves juuust barely miss it. Ghost Metroids The Metroids take out all their fury on Metal Razor, firing a cloud of lightning at him. Metal Razor is hit by only one of them.
Metal Razor: "Damn... almost dodged them all..."
Jason: "Wow!"
Starr: "Holy crap."
Metal Man (GM): Seeing him move is strange, as he rockets and flies around everywhere, faster than lightning anyway.
Metal Razor: "Yeah... there's a reason The Void threw me across space and time... given the chance, I would have killed him... especially for what he did to Yurie..."
Metal Man (GM): The facility makes various alarms, but no one comes out... yet.
Metal Razor: "Let's... finish this then."
Valentine: "Just a bit more. They're weaken thanks to Razor." *And +2 to attacks for everyone! EoT.*
Starr: "Well then." (Melee range?)
Metal Man (GM): Yup. All of them... she spent an entire turn, so that's some TP eating there. Hit, hit, hit, hit. Mega hit. Chain hit. Yes... ...it hit, anyway, even with the bonus removed. Hit, hit, miss. Lots of whipping. #1 dies. #2 is near death. Press X to Jason!
Jason: *Indeed! He wastes no time on #2, going straight for a 1-TP charged Sonic Slingshot...*
Metal Man (GM): Ahhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!
Metal Razor: "...Nice shot."
Metal Man (GM): #2 is dead.
Jason: "Appreciate that..." *He'll be Bach on #3! EOT.*
Metal Man (GM): #3 is near to hearing a funeral march...
Jason: *Gives the last Metroid a bit of a stare, he feels good...*
Jet grins and opens a flurry of fireballs at the last Metroid.
Metal Man (GM): It becomes a very toasty Metroid, although it avoided one of those... ironically the higher numbered roll... 32... and he's dead. The door is unguarded. Razor casually opens the door and peeks inside.
Jet follows behind by a few steps.
Metal Razor: "I think... we can enter. I don't see anyone stupid enough to challenge us head on..."
Jason: "Hopefully not." *Walks up.*
Metal Man (GM): Inside is... man, I've GMed so many buildings, you guys could probably guess what I'd GM when I speak of a computer fortress. It's a wide open room filled with EVIL looking computers, with EVIL keyboards, and EVIL mice. Not joking, as the brand of all the computers is literally EVIL. In all caps... with a blood red font.
Jason: "...whoa."
Metal Man (GM): EVIL Computer Corporation, a Subsidiary of Evil Wolfman Corp.
Metal Razor: "...Somebody left subtlety at the front door..."
Metal Man (GM): Suspiciously, the room is empty.
Kraela: "At least he's honest."
Jet: "Umm... Razor, hold back one sec." *Jet says as he goes to see if he can find some sort of interface.*
Metal Razor: "...Yes, although... I can't help but... okay." *He waits, crossing his arms.*
Metal Man (GM): Jet would find an entire field of keyboards to use as an interface.
Kraela: "Val? Now might be a good time for one of your infamous scans."
Jet tries to boot into one of the computers.
Metal Razor: "I'd... check, but you know what happened the last time one of those touched me."
Valentine: "...Its just a normal scanning. But that one seems to want to touch them first."
Metal Man (GM): Jet opens up a computer. The interface boots up. It's an image of Evil Wolfman sticking his tongue out at you.
Computer: "NYAH NYAH NYAH NYAH NYAH NYAH NYAH NYAH NYAH NYAH."
Metal Man (GM): It keeps playing that audio clip. Over and over again.
Jason: "Oh come on..."
Valentine: "Nice of you to trigger a trap."
Metal Man (GM): And there are no other floors or anything. There is a back door, which was left open.
Jet ignores Val and sees if their is anyway to hack the interface.
Metal Man (GM): Sure. Keyboard, USB ports...
Jason: *Groans a bit, muttering* "Keeping calm right now..." *Walks over to Jet* "You think you need help?"
Jet: "Sure, go for it."
Valentine was did scan around the back door area.
Metal Man (GM): The door is still warm. Someone left in a hurry. Their trail leads into the swamp. Razor is busy ensuring no one sneaks in the front door, while keeping a good berth from the computers.
Jason: "Hmm, Val was checking the back area. I'd like to keep that an option."
Metal Man (GM): It seems to be in no danger of not being an option, although...
Valentine: "Someone just left. Either we can chase after them or stay here."
Metal Man (GM): Whoever left that way is probably getting further and further away.
Starr: "Chase."
Jason: "If we want to do that, we gotta do that now. Jet? Krae?"
Valentine: "I'll stay here then and hack into the computer."
Kraela: "Let's move."
Metal Razor: "...We should probably get after them. The computers here don't look willing to give us their secrets..."
Valentine: "Be quick."
Jet: "You're probably right. Might be worth it for you to avoid the building altogether if you can."
Kraela goes to the back door and looks for a sign of where the person went.
Metal Razor: "I'll fly on over to the other side."
Jason: *Immediately follows Kraela over.*
Metal Man (GM): The person went down some dirt path, into the swamplands. Razor alights on the ground by the path and looks at the footprints.
Metal Razor: "For some reason... those look familiar."
Valentine: "And don't kill them, Razor."
Jason: "Let's hear it while we're running."
Metal Razor: "Heh... who do you think I am, Aribar?"
Jet follows the others.
Valentine: *She moves over to the computer.*
Jason: "Val, are you staying here?" *Is ready to bolt out and follow the steps.*
Metal Man (GM): He walks down the path, chuckling.
Kraela starts heading down the path.
Jason: *Sighs and follows.*
Kraela: "She's hacking, Jason. Don't worry about it."
Jason: *Nods and keeps going* "Not worried."
Metal Man (GM): Down the path, you see a number of people. Val: Hacking is going to take a while, so we'll get back to you in time. There's a number of robotic scientists, but most important is their leader... a man with two huge shoulders with capacitors sticking out of them, and white hair, and mad scientist eyes. He whirls around to face you.
???: "Hmph. We want nothing of your violent ways. If you've come to interrupt our research, you have failed. YOU may not see Evil Wolfman as a savior... but for us, he has granted immortality and employment. That is much more than you could give any of us."
Jason: "Oh, we're not planning on giving you anything."
Metal Razor: "...You ERASED parts of my mind... if you don't want to explode, then you should kindly give us those parts back..."
???: "It was all for a good purpose. The Questers destroy everything they touch. And you, my fellow, would destroy even more. Sigma and Vile couldn't touch your hateful destructive capacity. Evil Wolfman has a plan, however, and one we have followed."
Jet: "A plan for what?"
Metal Razor: "I don't really CARE about his plans... why can't you give me my memories back?"
???: "Both questions have one answer. We will do what no one else has--CREATE a sentient, unstoppable drone. Razor was just the prototype. We will have our delivery models ready tomorrow."
Metal Razor: "..."
Jason: *Glances at Razor for a moment, back to the ???s.*
Metal Razor: "Dr. Robotnik tried that before... you're just going to make a mess..."
Dr. Doppler: "Bah! Evil Wolfman told me you might be difficult to provoke. Fine. If your emotions won't be controlled, I'll just have to destroy you. I've dealt with trickier machines before. You should know who I am, anyway. Dr. Doppler... professional Reploid Researcher."
Metal Razor: "...You're not going to accomplish anything by doing that. If you really HAVE created copies of me, then they would easily destroy me... but you haven't, have you?"
Dr. Doppler: "...HMPH! Presumptions mean nothing! You WILL be deactivated, or my name isn't Dr. Doppler!"
Metal Man (GM): BATTLE! Order: Dr. Doppler, Razor, Starr, Jason, Kraela, Jet
Dr. Doppler: "You interfere with me at your peril, Brawlers! This is between me and him!" *He projects some sort of force field.* "There. Now your meddling instruments won't touch me!"
Metal Razor: "...I'm not going to be fooled by you. Give me back my memories... or I'll just have to TAKE them from your burnt corpse! ANNIHILATION!"
Metal Man (GM): He charges all his energy in one hand, then tries to immolate Dr. Doppler in green energy. Dr. Doppler's shield violently explodes.
Dr. Doppler: "...Hmph! Useless!"
Jason: "Oh, there you go."
Metal Razor: "...Is that all you can say, Doppler?"
Jason: "Too arrogant to say much else, probably."
Metal Man (GM): He dodges but one, though hitting him is like kicking a giant slab of steel.
Dr. Doppler: "You will achieve nothing from these gratuitous shows of violence. Evil Wolfman is the way to immortality and knowledge!"
Jason: "Alright, let's see what goes on here..." *Starts off with the T&F on Doppler.*
Metal Man (GM): Hit.
Jason: "No sweat." *Pings Razor with the Echoes buff. +1 to his Will, Technology and overall accuracy until Jason's next turn. EOT.*
Metal Razor: "Heh... I guess your generation can actually do more than just explode things..."
Jason: "I try..."
Metal Man (GM): Miss. Dr. Doppler shows you how TRUE WARRIORS FAIL. Cue Kraela botching and dropping her weapon. And Dr. Doppler standing there, thus causing said weapon to lodge in his face.
Dr. Doppler: "...I really should have uploaded a better combat program onto my body..."
Kraela: *She grabs hold of her halberd again and shifts to a defensive stance.*
Jason: *Snickers* "You go, girl..."
Dr. Doppler: "This is what I get for not signing up with Evil Wolfman on the first day. I get to be stabbed in the face by teenage punks. While my escaped lab project is about ready to break me in two and hurl me into the swamp."
Jet takes the opportunity while hes a big bullseye to try to blast him.
Metal Man (GM): He seems rather irate now, but not just about you. Jet flies out-of-range and gets stuck in the swamp. 2x movement needed to get back in-range. Also, dodge -2 while stuck in the swamp.
Jet tries to calmly as possible pull himself out of the muck. (Don't have enough TP left this turn, so +3 Ref)
Dr. Doppler: "This travesty is yet another of my many mistakes. Bah! BAH! Fine! I'll just electrocute all of you!"
Metal Man (GM): His Electrodes power up and rake you with lightning. Both threaten all, deal 36 damage if hit. Metal Razor dodges them again. While Dr. Doppler idly shakes his fist.
Jason: *RES point on one of them.*
Metal Razor: "...Look, we're here for the data. If even you admit that your plan was stupid, why don't you just give us the data?"
Dr. Doppler: "Evil Wolfman would destroy me."
Metal Razor: "...Won't we destroy you any way?"
Dr. Doppler: "You have a point, but it isn't even in my hands."
Metal Razor: "Huh?"
Dr. Doppler: "Evil Wolfman took the data for himself, mumbling about how his 'Master Plan' involved reverse engineering what made you and other beings tick. So I can't really give it to you. It's not here. It's not mine... anymore. Shove me in the mud, but I can't give it to you."
Metal Razor: "...Why are you fighting us then?"
Dr. Doppler: "...You never cease to annoy me."
Metal Man (GM): Razor sighs and goes to attack again, when Dr. Doppler is suddenly shoved in the mud. Evil Wolfman stands where he once was, facing all of you. He takes out his smash dex.
Garrickdex: "What he says is correct. And so it would seem, this battle is pointless."
Metal Razor: "Dammit... I'm not going to be stopped just because YOU say no..."
Starr: "Well shiitake shrooms... This won't end well."
Garrickdex: "Even your power is matched by mine. And soon, exceeded by a vast army of others like you."
Metal Razor: "...Do you KNOW how overused that idea is?"
Garrickdex: "Yes. Precisely why we will not fail in utilizing it this time. We are not Quester Hunters, or fake Quester Hunters, or Eggman, or The Void. We are better than all of them put together."
Metal Razor: "..."
Starr: "You missed Time Cops in that list."
Garrickdex: "They didn't try to make a Metal Razor. I'm afraid that makes them twice as intelligent as anyone I listed. Without the proper technology, any attempt to make a Metal Razor is a debacle. But of course, we're not here to speak on that. No, rather, here to tell you just how this is going to end. We have the knowledge to take this realm and make it our own, like was originally intended. Originally we planned for you to destroy the Alternate Questers, but another one did that mostly for us. You have a week to make up your mind what you are going to do. Past then, if you do not leave this realm or surrender, we will use our powers to destroy you utterly. Time Cops be damned, no one can stop us. To help you decide, we have given you an example."
Jason: .oO(I feel I'm on a roll...)
Metal Man (GM): Dr. Doppler is energy-grabbed off the ground and brought before Evil Wolfman.
Garrickdex: "You have done well in copying Evil Razor's data. Now... do you go with us, or do you not?"
Dr. Doppler: "...That's not a choice. You're a stereotypical villain. Anything I say will be judged wrong and used against me!"
Garrickdex: "...I knew I shouldn't have hired people out of the yellow pages."
Dr. Doppler: "First Sigma, then Serges, now you! Do I get any recognition? NO! You just take me over, make me do bad things, then you sacrifice me to the hero of the week. Me and others like me."
Garrickdex: "Well, Brawlers and Razor, here is the fate that awaits you and everyone who does not leave our realm."
Metal Man (GM): Dr. Doppler is thrown to the ground, then a dark energy... infests him. He stands up, his eyes glowing yellow, like a Final Smash, and the rest of his form cloaked in shadow...
Starr: "A week? Can that time be extended to, say, a month from this time next year? If your victory is so assured, then clearly there's nothing wrong with giving us time to, you know... Pack our things... Move the stadium... Go find new lives..."
Garrickdex: "The Negative Smash Energy will corrupt all who oppose us. Decide well, or enjoy your new forms given by us. Nice try, but I wrote the entry on delaying things to escape 'inevitable' situations."
Starr: "Eh, I tried."
Garrickdex: "The one week is so that you and your friends can attempt and fail to--...I mean, realize your doom is inevitable."
Jason: *Scoffs* "Ain't 100%..."
Garrickdex: "Know this: I, er, Evil Wolfman is merciful. Darker Doppler will not attack you... ...yet... ...So prepare yourselves for it to happen soon, along with your destruction."
Darker Doppler: "...You fools, we should kill them now! They'll figure it out and beat us in a week! And another thing, the dark scheme will cause me to be hit by traff--"
Metal Man (GM): *WARP.*
Garrickdex: "You have been warned. You WILL have to listen to him whine at you if you do not flee. And now, farewe--"
Metal Razor: "...No."
Garrickdex: "Yes."
Metal Razor: "I've seen this before. You're... you're just as much a blowhard as Eldorado..."
Garrickdex: "That wasn't me."
Metal Razor: "Time recurs... in patterns... we have to break the pattern."
Jason: .oO(SOMEONE is.)
Garrickdex: "What?"
Metal Razor: "The pattern is the villain telling us of our doom... then... bad things happening..."
Garrickdex: "Duh."
Metal Razor: "...What if... the heroes decided to not sit by and listen instead?"
Garrickdex: "You can't beat u--"
Metal Razor: "ANNIHILATION!"
Evil Wolfman: "Argh!"
Metal Man (GM): He is knocked backwards, his field taking some damage.
Evil Wolfman: "So you are right... I am not totally invincible... but neither are you."
Metal Man (GM): Evil Wolfman goes to attack Razor... ...but appears to be completely ignoring the Brawlers.
Starr: "Patterns..." *She pauses,* "Patterns." *She looks like a lightbulb turned on in her mind.*
Metal Razor: "...Ru--no... don't ru--"
Evil Wolfman: "Shut up." *He fires two plasma beams.*
Metal Man (GM): Razor uses one SP to dodge one of those. He's burnt by the other one. Evil Wolfman encroaches on Razor, who tries to hit him with another Annihilation. You gonna do anything?
Starr: *She tries to do what she does best... She giggles and winks at EW.*
Jet attempts to barrage Wolfman before.
Evil Wolfman: "Annoying pest. You can't break my barrier."
Metal Man (GM): Roll barrage, Jet. He ignores the incoming attacks, but they send him off balance. He gets stuck in the swamp.
Evil Wolfman: "Keep trying. I dare you."
Metal Man (GM): Evil Wolfman powers up some other attack, glowing violently.
Jet tries to drain him or his shield by stealing vigor from him.
Metal Razor: "...We're not going to just sit back and let you do your evil genius crap anymore. I've... seen it happen too many times before."
Jason: *Sure, Toccata and Fugue on EW...*
Evil Wolfman: "Insolent PEST!"
Digifanatic: *29 Dark to EW.*
Metal Man (GM): He's hit by both of those, then Metal Razor violently attacks him with another ANNIHILATE. Metal Razor spends 2 more SP to make that one hit.
Starr: *She takes out her whip and lashes him twice.*
Metal Man (GM): The field eats all of it, but the field ain't perfect. It momentarily flickers and one of his glasses crack. He furiously dodges Starr's attacks and leaps out of the swamp.
Jason: *Grunts a bit, giving Razor a bit of a look, as he's been trying to help him out all this time Not a bad look, just an acknowledgement.*
Evil Wolfman: "You aren't behaving the way you're supposed to... no... the very pattern of existence could unweave if you dare test reality any further."
Metal Man (GM): Evil Wolfman charges up and then finishes his charge.
Evil Wolfman: "The power of my melee moves will teach you why you can't change your fate. EXPLOSION!"
Metal Man (GM): Threatens all. Metal Razor leaps out of the way with his godlike ease. 250 damage, piercing--can be resisted, but takes twice as many resist points due to piercing. So you can only halve it, using 2 resist points.
Jason: *He's dead, man.*
Starr: *She's gone.*
Jet hits the swamp having taking the earlier damage.
Metal Man (GM): Any survivors of explodeageddon? The Brawlers defeated, Evil Wolfman adjusts his broken sunglasses.
Evil Wolfman: "One less life for them to use against me, all because of you. They will loathe you for what you brought upon them."
Jason: *He could revive now, but that's not a wise choice.*
Metal Razor: "...The last time I let a villain tell me anything, I wound up half-way across the galaxy. Begone!"
Metal Man (GM): Evil Wolfman dodges, easily.
Evil Wolfman: "It isn't that easy. It never is. You were a pawn once, and by denying it, you have simply harmed others."
Metal Razor: "I'll find a way to shove my fist down that annoying mouth of yours... maybe blowing up your vocal circuits will improve your thinking ability..."
Evil Wolfman: "I don't have anymore time for this... annoying aberration."
Metal Man (GM): Evil Wolfman warps away, moments before another lethal attack would have barely dented him.
Metal Razor: "...Dammit."
Metal Man (GM): Quick question: Who doesn't have enough SP to revive? Yes, you were. Jinx. Since, you now, Luck-enduced death of doom would be unfair. If everyone is okay, then, you can revive without worry of being annihilated.
Kraela: "That... that stung a little."
Jason: *He starts waking back up* "Ohhh... I blacked out..."
Jet pulls himself out of the muck. "Dammit..."
Metal Razor: *Sighs* "...Sorry. I'm just tired of seeing history repeat itself..."
Jason: *Helps Kraela up, hugging her.*
Metal Man (GM): He picks up the broken off piece of Evil Wolfman's sunglasses.
Jason: "I hate it when that happens."
Metal Razor: "All we managed to do was break this off of him... dammit..."
Starr: *She gets up, groaning.* "Ow... We tried, right?"
Kraela: *She hugs him back, pressing herself against him.* "Yeah, Starr, we tried."
Jason: "We did, but it's gonna take a lot more juice."
Metal Razor: "Since you exploded, and not I..." *He hands Jason the glass piece.* "Keep it... maybe Oak or Light can find something useful of it... or something..."
Jason: *Takes it* "Alright..."
Metal Razor: "We left that... mercenary... back at the computer building. I think we should check it out..." *He goes to walk back.*
Starr: "... Razor... Stay with us. You can get stronger, help us beat him..."
Jet nods and follows Razor back to the computer room.
Jason: *Walks back, keeping an arm around Kraela's shoulders.*
Metal Razor: "...I'll help you, but... I'll also want to figure out how to keep you safe and not just... myself. It was... that which led to Yurie's death... which was ALSO my fault..."
Metal Man (GM): You go to the computer room.
Starr: *She glances around for... Someone... But remembers they're not there... And sighs before going back with the others.*
Metal Man (GM): Val has hacked the computers there. She would discover... most of the data was deleted. Also, eight computers going NYAH NYAH NYAH is annoying. What remains is trace data on 'Negative Smash Energy', explaining that Evil Wolfman is apparently a master at wielding it and they juuust discovered a way to propagate it across the world. How? Who knows. That memory slot was filled with the NYAH voice sample. Helpfully, this data is on the computer screens too.
Jason: *Sighs* "Negative energy..."
Starr: "Mewtwo's going to flip out."
Valentine: *But she would silent as she was busy with making sure something was overlooked.*
Metal Man (GM): Nothing left to look at, Val; you have seen every single bit of memory and hard drive in here. But it was a good effort, and did get those morsels of data.
Metal Razor: "...Guess it's going to take a lot of positive energy to annihilate it..."
Jet: "So is Red Text from what I have heard."
Valentine: "I got all I can."
Kraela: "Another massive power we need to find. Great."
Valentine: "So what's the story? Did anyone find the one who ran off?"
Metal Razor: "It seems... like we always need more massive power objects..." *He sighs.*
Jason: "We did... and then Evil Wolfman interfered. Corrupted him with the Negative Energy and then wiped all of us but Razor out."
Metal Razor: "...I tried to stop him, and they helped, but he was too much. We... only broke part of his sunglasses off. His field isn't invincible... just mostly invulnerable."
Jason: *Takes the piece out.*
Valentine: "Evil Wolfman? Well, you're alive so were just going to have to use what we got."
Metal Razor: "...He seemed very upset when we hit him... it's something, I guess."
Valentine: "Means he's still hittable. he doesn't want that."
Jason: "Yup."
Metal Razor: "Yes... he was hiding behind the idea he was invincible. Any way... we got what we came for, right?"
Valentine: "Of course the smart thing to was to not fight him, but I figure you didn't have a choice. Yes. I got the data. I'll give it to Dr. Light to look it over."
Metal Razor: "...We didn't HAVE to fight him, but I had enough of evil villain monologues... next time I'll do it when the Brawlers aren't around... he can't easily hit me, as much as he tries... And maybe... just maybe... that glass might be important." *Sighs.*
Jason: "Hope it is..."
Valentine: "We'll look into it. Don't worry, Razor. Shall we go back then?"
Jason: "I think a warp back will do fine."
Metal Razor: "...I'm ready to go back, myself."
Jet: "Same here, could really use a shower."
Valentine: "The mission wasn't a total failure. Razor didn't kill us and we got some data."
Metal Razor: "I'll radio back..."
Metal Man (GM): A warp opens.
Jason: *Repockets the glass and hugs Kraela again, before taking the warp in.*
Metal Razor: "It's good to have a radio in my head... at least THIS time. I could really do without it though..."
Metal Man (GM): He takes the warp.
Jet walks through the gate.
Metal Man (GM): You return to HQ, and... see Dr. Light at the Assembly room, with Kaine.
Kaine: *Looks up as the group comes back.*
Dr. Light: "Oh. Uh. Mewtwo is busy talking to Captain N, he said he'll talk with you later. From the sounds of things, you managed to get some useful info, though."
Jet: "Yes... and a deadline..."
Jason: "Somewhat." *Takes the broken glass out.*
Metal Razor: "Figures... I'll be off in..." *He looks around.* "...Wherever they put the R&R restaurant..." *He wanders off.*
Kaine: "Well, it wasn't ALL bad, at least."
Dr. Light: "Hm... yes."
Metal Man (GM): He holds the glass.
Dr. Light: "This is very special glass."
Kaine: "Down the hall and to the right, I believe, Razor."
Metal Razor: "Huh? Oh... thanks." *He waves and walks off.*
Dr. Light: "I will study it in my laboratory, to find out exactly why it is in such an unusual color, seems to feel unusually heavy, and..." *Puts on goggles* "Seems to emit light in the dark..."
Kaine: *Nods and waves to the robot* "Sorry I didn't join you guys tonight, I had something to do at home and was late getting here."
Dr. Light: "Er, uh, you are dismissed for now, Brawlers." *Hurries off.*
Jet nods and heads for the showers.
Metal Man (GM): +3 EXP to Jet the Speedy, Kraela, Starr, Jason; +1 EXP to Kaine, +2 EXP to Val.
Jason: "Understood, Kaine... It wasn't pretty, trust us."
Kaine: "Yeah, I guess you guys came face to face with Evil Wolf?"
Starr: "..." *She wraps her arms around Kaine.* "Jerk. I told you how to get back just fine. Don't leave me along out there again. It's not gentlemanly." *She lets go of him and goes off to clean up as well.*
Kraela: "I just need a drink."
Kaine: *Returns the hug* "Sorry, I took longer than I thought I would... you... want company, Princess?"
KitOrbel: "You guys saw E-W? What's his plan?" *She holds up her notebook.* "C'mon! I wanna know~ I'm trying to outsmart the jerk. Tell me everything!"
Starr: *She pauses, and nods.* "Alright. You may follow."
Kaine: *Nods and heads out with Starr.*
King Demon: *Walks in* "Evil Wolf was here again?"
Valentine: "Don't you have an organization to work for, Kit?"
Jason: *Sighs* "Negative energy... Smash energy, you used that, right, Kit?"
KitOrbel: "..." *She sticks her tongue out.* "Hey. They told me collect info on Wolf. I sent them the thing about Mantis. That should satisfy them. I want to know what else Wolf is up to for my own personal gain."
King Demon: "All of us who've been here for a while have used it, yes."
Valentine: "Well, I do have some info I found on the computers."
KitOrbel: "Yeah... I know what Smash energy is..."
Kraela: "Jason?" *She reaches up to kiss him.* "I'm going to the bar. Will I see you there soon?"
Jason: "Probably a good idea, Kraela." *Returns it, and speaks back to Kit* "Well, we're looking at the dark form of it..."
Kraela: *She goes to her room to drop off her weapon before leaving the stadium entirely.*
KitOrbel: "..." *She nods,* "Anything else? What was with Razor, is he not crazy now? Is he fixed? I wanna know everything!"
Jason: "Razor's fine right now. But this corruption energy, oh man, that's nasty stuff."
KitOrbel: "... Let's try this. You tell me everything, I give the copy to Mewtwo so you can go off with your girl and not wait around to give him your report."
Jason: "Kit, I've been telling you most of it already. Razor was commanded to kill us, Dr. Light wiped those commands out, and Evil Wolfman is trying to corrupt everyone with the bad Smash Energy. He's found a way to spread it, but the computers didn't show how."
KitOrbel: *She nods,* "And what's his plan? Like, you mentioned a deadline?"
Jason: "Basically, one week for us to get out of here or face his wrath. Looks like it might take more artifacts of power, or even the Smash Energy you guys used, to counter it."
KitOrbel: *She nods and finishes writing.* "Okay then... Val, I wanna know all your info too. Just to be thorough."
King Demon: "Oh, great... wasn't that sealed away a long time ago?"
Jason: "Probably... might need to unseal it. It'd be fun if I knew I could control it." *Smirks.*
King Demon: "Yeah... that's PROBABLY going to be difficult, if my memory serves, it was one of the many things that caused the chaos that doomed Nintendus the first time around."
Valentine: "Mewtwo will tell you about it, Kit."
Jason: "Anyways, I need to relax. See you around..."
KitOrbel: *She nods,* "Kay then... I'll bring these notes to Mewtwo." *She nods softly and climbs into the air ducts again.*
King Demon: *Watching her go* "One of these days, she's going to get too big to do that..."
Valentine: "...Jason. Over here."
Jason: *Sighs* "Val? Please make it quick."
Valentine: "Just like your taste in lifestyle. I'll be brief."
Jason: *Sighs* "Yeah, alright..." *Groans a bit and heads out.*
Valentine: "That boy is too trusting." *And there she goes to take her findings to the boss.*
Metal Man (GM): Recap: The Brawlers helped console Metal Razor, who then helped them try and chase his missing memories. Unfortunately Evil Wolfman held them and also an evil plan: to destroy the world using 'Negative' Smash Energy. The Brawlers and Razor tried to injure Evil Wolfman, but they only broke off part of his glasses. They returned to HQ, minus some SP due to Evil Wolfman blowing them to bits. The group is now in the Assembly Room, waiting for the newest bad new--er, briefing from Mewtwo.
Mewtwo: "Greetings, Questers and Brawlers..."
Starr: "Augh... I ache in places that shouldn't exist."
KitOrbel: "Eh. Deal with it. Dying is part of the job." *She's leaning against the wall.*
Mewtwo: "I've had the same feeling before." *He again feels the metal plate behind his ear.*
Kaine: *Sighs* "Another day, another headache..." *Sips from a water bottle.*
Jason: "I'll be fine."
Metal Man (GM): And the Evil Wolfman hand scar on his neck.
Kraela: "I'm actually feeling better about it. Like she said, part of the job."
King Demon: *Shrugs* "Well, at least all of you are still up and about."
Jason: *Patting Kraela's back* "Yeah, we are..."
Mewtwo: "We have some problems today. First, for those of you who care about Alsa..."
Kaine: *Pats Starr on the back* "Sorry I wasn't there to help out."
Metal Man (GM): He shows a map of Alsa, and points to the Mushroom Kingdom.
Digifanatic: "If we have to bail you guys out, we'll do it... we might not be happy, but we'll do it." *Smirk.*
Mewtwo: "Anthon Tark has invaded. The Quester-based delegacy there has sent a distress call to us."
Starr: "You'd have done nothing but die too."
Mewtwo: "Normally I wouldn't care, but the Alsa Questers set this up. Shall we leave them to their fate, or help them?"
KitOrbel: "Wait, a distress call, to us?"
Digifanatic: *Shrugs.*
Jason: "Tark? Ugh, I could stay away from him for a day or two..."
Mewtwo: "Yes."
Kenku looks at this. "I'm Biased here, so Ill leave it to you all."
Mewtwo: "According to this message, Princess Peach of Alsa and the remaining Mushroom Kingdom delegates are holed up in Peach's Castle and Toad Town. Anthon Tark's forces control Sarasaland and Bowser's kingdom."
Digifanatic: "I wouldn't mind getting ourselves out of that mess."
Kraela: "Bloody Tark. I'd consider going just to fix my screw-up."
Jason: *Chuckles to Kraela* "Uh oh, our decision is split again..."
King Demon: *Sighs* "We probably should go help them out... we did kinda get him started..."
Kraela: "Any leads on the Evil Wolfman thing that we might choose against this?"
Kaine: "I imagine you'd want to help your cousin, right, princess?"
Mewtwo: "Razor says if we have enough components, we can take out Evil Wolfman's field, and thus destroy him."
Starr: "..." *She growls softly.* "I'm not going. There is no way I'm bailing her prissy little behind out of this one. She needs to learn to save herself."
Kraela: "Somebody has family issues."
Kaine: "... Or not." *Shrugs.*
Mewtwo: "Now as to where we are to get more help, is a good question. My files indicate Garrick could help, but not where he is."
Kenku: "Enough components?"
Mewtwo: "Tools. If we can gather our past abilities together, it might overwhelm his field."
Jason: *Chuckles.*
King Demon: "Garrick? Didn't he blow me up last time we met him?"
Mewtwo: "...Unfortunately most of the remaining tools are such as Ivan Robotnik's fake technology, Kuja's evil technology... Turion's nonexistent technology..."
Digifanatic: "We need to dig deep, huh?"
Kaine: "Past abilities? You mean that Smash energy that someone mentioned?"
Mewtwo: "Yes. Negative Smash Energy is weak against its opposite."
KitOrbel: "I'd assume the opposite is true as well. Like Ghost type Pokemon."
Kenku: "Interesting."
Kaine: "All right, so how do we get the positive stuff?"
Kraela: "Or rather, they cancel each other out, I'd bet."
Mewtwo: "Noticeably, there is one source of energy on Alsa. But it is in Tark's hands. Energia. If you could somehow make him change his mind..."
Digifanatic: *Nods* "That'd be tough to get it off his hands."
Kraela: "Yeah, I'm not expecting to be in his good books anytime soon."
KitOrbel: "This is going to be like convincing Demon he's really a water spirit. Painful, complicated, and too much hassle."
King Demon: "Thank you."
Mewtwo: "But if it is key to saving the world, it may be worth it."
Jason: *Bobs his head* "Yeah, that's always nice."
KitOrbel: "I'll do it if it will keep you from getting hurt because of what I told you... Mister Mewtwo. As Starr refuses to go."
Starr: "I. Hate. My. Cousins."
Kaine: "Aw, come on, they aren't THAT bad, are they?"
King Demon: "You ever met Mario?"
Kaine: "... I take it back."
Digifanatic: *Laughs.*
Kraela: "Starr refuses to go against Tark, actually. The save the world plan is getting on his good side."
Mewtwo: "So. I'd advise you go to Alsa, and discover what Tark's up to, then you can make your choice... ...Which could even include throwing the Mushroom Kingdom under the bus to save our world. That is up to you."
King Demon: "Sounds simple enough, long as nobody gets trigger-happy." *Glances at Krae.*
Kraela: "Aye aye, sir. We'll try not to embarrass you this time."
Starr: "Wait... Throwing my cousin under the bus?" *She pauses, looking interested again.*
Kaine: *Snickers slightly at Starr.*
Digifanatic: "Ohhhh man..."
Mewtwo: "The Alsa Questers gave the Mushroom Kingdom their democracy and their space safety. They weren't operating under the official Stadium, so... We could demand they surrender and help arbitrate it for Anthon. Giving him what he wants in exchange for us using Energia."
Kraela: "We'd need to arrange it first. Assuming we can talk to him without him bringing out the robo suit again."
KitOrbel: "... Actually. I think we should send Starr. She might be able to convince her cousin that she can bail them out with her army later and make them more... Easily persuaded."
Mewtwo: "Even though he hates you, he knows I disavowed your action. He would gladly overlook it if offered the Mushroom Kingdom to make him 'forget' what happened."
King Demon: "He keeps the Energia on him or in his base?"
Jason: "The way I see it, we double agent ourselves for Anthon so we get Energia, and then we can use it against him if and when necessary!"
King Demon: "I like THAT idea!"
Kraela: "He won't give it up unless he has a way to defend against it, though."
Mewtwo: "It's up to you. I don't think he'll be that easy to fool."
King Demon: "Give it up, no, hence us TAKING it."
Mewtwo: "First, I'm thinking you should observe from near the Toad Town area, to make up your minds."
Kaine: *Shrugs.*
Kraela: "Fair enough. Time to go, then?"
Mewtwo: "Yes." *He opens the red warp.*
KitOrbel: "Starr, can you do this without letting your little rivalry stop you from doing your duties?"
Starr: "Are my duties convincing my sister to give over her kingdom?"
KitOrbel: "... You're staying here. I'm going." *She stands.*
Kraela: "You won't see me complaining. Have fun where it's safe, Princess." *She goes through the warp.*
Jason: .oO(Let's take a chance...) *he follows Kraela in.*
KitOrbel: *She smiles and goes through the warp.*
Starr: "... Why that little brat..." >.<
Kaine: *Pats Starr on the back* "Hey, I'm sticking around too, I guess." *Shrugs.*
King Demon: "Yep, see ya." *Heads through da warp.*
Kenku follows the others through.
Digifanatic: "Take care."
Metal Man (GM): You head into the warp. And... one moment. You arrive on Alsa. You're outside an encampment of Mushroom Kingdom forces. Beyond it is a town south of Toad Town. You can see war mechs walking through it. Anthon Tark's GUN men lead around Toads in chains.
King Demon: *M* "Well, this looks familiar..."
Metal Man (GM): Anthon's GUN flag, which is a rifle with the GUN logo on it, flies above the town.
KitOrbel: "Hm... It's probably a good thing we left the princess behind..."
King Demon: "Yeah, she would have been throwing confetti and shooting off fireworks."
Kraela: "Probably. What do we do first?"
Jason: "Yuuuuuuup."
Metal Man (GM): You have your choices. You can approach the Mushroom Kingdom side and talk to them... Or Anthon's side, where you see some new additions to his soldiers.
Jason: "Anyways, I think we need to watch from the sidelines for a little bit. As long as we don't provoke Anthon, we'll be fine."
Metal Man (GM): Actually, Toad Town is to the north of you. And not obliterated. A town south of Toad Town. In fact, when Sloan took it over, months/years ago, he didn't blow it up. Just kidnapped the people. Koopas with GUN logos on their shells walk around in the occupied territory. Seems Anthon has converted multiple Mushroom Kingdom troops to his side--a lot of Bowser's men, too. Apparently they preferred 'Guaranteed Healthcare and Retirement Ages' over 'One day, a plumber will brutally kill you.'
Kraela: "We should probably go to Toad Town first. Even if one of Tark's catches us, we can just be captured and wait for him to come gloating."
King Demon: "Whatever works."
Metal Man (GM): You see a few lone Toadstools wearing Tark's insignia. Much fewer.
Kenku: "Your probably right Krae, sides, they sent the signal."
Metal Man (GM): They look rather imposing in body armor with machineguns, though.
Jason: *Nods* "I think we should."
Kaine: "An armored toad... that's a new one..."
Metal Man (GM): The area is peaceful, and barriers block it off from the north. They aren't in battle or anything at the moment.
King Demon: "An armored toad... that's a new one..."
Kenku slowly heads in the direction of Toad Town.
King Demon: *Heads for TT.*
Metal Man (GM): You walk over, and see the barricade. A few Toads, holding shells and hammers, are all it has for defense. Tark hasn't fired a shot though; the buildings remain unscathed.
KitOrbel: "This is... Pretty... Interesting."
Metal Man (GM): Almost immediately Bowser walks over to you.
Bowser: "It's you punks! Thank the infernal magma below!"
Jason: "Hello, King."
Bowser: "We're in big trouble! Anthon caused half of my men to secede to his side! He hasn't fired here yet, but he says he'll take the other half soon enough, and something about 'Eggman' I didn't catch!"
KitOrbel: *She puts her hand over her gun,* "Eggman?"
Jason: *Twitch* "Didn't you Questers kill him?" *Sigh.*
King Demon: "Frickin Eggman!? Didn't he suicide?"
Jason: "This don't sound good at all!"
Kraela: "Maybe it's just something the guy made. Beside the point, though. Peach called us, right?"
Bowser: "I don't know. He said something about 'Nice Eggman parts' or something."
King Demon: "Eggman... parts?"
Bowser: "Beats me! Anyway. You gotta kill him! Mario will help you. He's in the town south of us. Filled with weird people with guns. You can handle it, right?"
Kraela: "Is he still on shrooms?"
KitOrbel: "But you won't help us, will you?"
Bowser: "I er, have to stay here to lead the remaining troops. I... don't know if Mario is still on them. You'll have to ask that punk."
King Demon: "Right, lead the troops, sure..." *Yeah, not believing a word of the turtle.*
KitOrbel: "..." *She rolls her eyes.* "Wonderful."
Metal Man (GM): Mario stumbles in.
Mario: "It's-a me, Mario!"
Jason: "Okaaaay..." *Glances to Mario.*
Kraela: "Speak of the high little devil."
Mario: "Oh-a no! The town has been taken over by-a Smithy!"
King Demon: "Hi, Mario."
Mario: "I need to-a find a Lazy shell!"
King Demon: "..."
Metal Man (GM): He snatches a Toad up and holds him up over his head, SMB2 style.
Kenku: "A smithy?"
King Demon: "Bowser's right here."'
Mario: "I have-a the Lazy Shell! Now I can just-a defeat Smithy!"
KitOrbel: "Think pistol whipping him will set his brain straight?"
Mario: "Yes! Bowser's-a keep has been taken over by Smithy! Bowser can-a help us!"
Kraela: "Not a chance, Kit."
Mario: "And you, Peach... your-a pistol powers will help us! Give-a me a hug, I-a need some health!"
Jason: *Shakes his head.*
King Demon: *Snickers* "Go ahead, hug him, Peach."
Kenku shakes his head as well.
KitOrbel: "..." *She twitches softly,* "I hate you all."
Mario: "Don't look-a at me that way, Geno!" *He looks at Kenku.*
Kraela: "Even me?"
Mario: "We-a need your puppet machinegun powers!"
Kenku just makes a look of confusion. "Ummm... guys... what should we do here?"
Kraela: "Well, it's our duty to help. We were called, and we came."
Jason: "Yup."
Bowser: "Yeah. We gotta rock that Anthon sucker!"
King Demon: "Fun..."
Mario: "Mallow will lead the way! Just don't cry too much. It-a gets on my nerves!"
KitOrbel: *She smiles softly,* "Now you wanna help, spike-shell? That's a twist"
Metal Man (GM): He points at Kraela.
Kenku: "I actually am thinking trying to bring the groups to the table might be better."
Mario: "Now, Bowser 1 and Bowser 2, help us fight Anthon."
Bowser: "Bwah?"
Mario: "There's two of you, right, Bowser?"
KitOrbel: *She nods to Demon.* "He's got fire powers too."
Kraela: "He's defending. Just in case we don't succeed." *She starts walking towards the southern town.*
King Demon: *Shrugs.*
Mario: "Yippee! It's-a Smithy beating time!"
Metal Man (GM): He follows Kraela.
KitOrbel: "I thought our plan was to do this the diplomatic way. Not march an army on him and hope we don't die." =.=;;
Jason: "Yeah, I dunno though, Kraela!" *Follows.*
Bowser: "I'm staying here. To make sure we aren't destroyed when those two get blown up."
Jason: *Tries pulling her back.*
Metal Man (GM): He walks over to the garrison and rallies his pathetic, rag-tag remaining troops.
Kenku follows a short distance behind the two.
Kraela: "There's other ways to do this. Trust me for a sec."
Metal Man (GM): Mario is almost there. Following him still, Kraela?
King Demon: *Sighs and follows the others.*
Jason: "Alright. You better hope you're walking back with me instead of being slung over my shoulder."
Kraela: *I thought he was following her.*
King Demon: "She's YOUR girlfriend, Jason." *Smirks.*
Metal Man (GM): Well... Mario is following Kraela, yes.
Jason: "I know, that's why I'm warning her." *Smirks back, continuing as well.*
Metal Man (GM): The two of you, with some others following, meet the no-Man's land, then approach the barrier. The men at the border pull out their rifles and aim at you. A man walks up to the border. It's... MARLEY?!?!?! He takes out a PA.
Marley: "Stop where you are!"
King Demon: "Woah woah woah! We come in peace?"
Kraela: "We're not here to fight."
King Demon: "Well... 'cept for the red one..."
Kraela: "We're here to deliver him, Demon."
Marley: "Long story short, Anthon decided to rehire me after hearing my hatred of you for betraying me. Now it's going to be yer turn to be betrayed." *He laughs softly.* "So what in the world do you think you're doing, huh?"
Kenku: "Trying to defuse a conflict at the request of another."
King Demon: "If we aren't working with you to begin with, how do you expect to betray us?"
Marley: "Simple. I know how you work."
KitOrbel: "Please, mister Marley." *She curtsies to him,* "Would you mind informing us how we operate?"
Kraela: "How's that?"
Marley: "And yer here to do something, so, tell me what this is you're doing. If it helps us I might agree to it, otherwise... you'll have 10 seconds to run away before we kill you."
Kraela: "We came to offer you the hero of the Mushroom Kingdom."
Kenku: "Umm... wait... what?"
KitOrbel: "We're here to deliver Mario to you, of course."
Marley: "That maniac? We don't want him."
Mario: "You can't-a take me! I am-a the star!"
Marley: "We want Toad Town. Peacefully."
KitOrbel: "It's for demoralization." *She smiles,* "Peach can't have her protector, how will she defend herself? The kingdom falls gracefully into your hands because her only plans are to have this lunatic save her."
Marley: "And then what do we do about Warrior Princess Daisy, hmmmm? She's the REAL threat."
Jason: "You think so?"
Marley: "She put her dead weight over here so she could get her Echidna Warships ready."
Kenku snerks.
Kraela: "Get Mario out of the way, and we can cut a deal with Peach."
Marley: "Peach? Forget Peach. She's too frail to oppose us. Get a deal with Daisy instead."
Kraela: "And what would we get in return?"
Marley: "Not dying. Anthon says if you don't cut a deal with us, we'll come to your realm for you next. And Evil Wolfman too. We aren't afraid of him. Red Text and Dyne's magic can reduce him to nothing."
King Demon: "Yes, it can, but since when is Red helping YOU?"
Jason: "Ah."
Kenku: "Come now Marley, you and I know Red does not help anyone unless the planet is at risk."
Kraela: "You're not afraid of Evil Wolfman, but you think a princess is a threat? Honestly, get your priorities straight."
KitOrbel: "Evil Wolfman could kill you with his freaking sunglasses."
Marley: "Red would help me. I was a part of the Alsa Questers. And you don't know Princess Daisy. She played you back when."
King Demon: "You were a Quester? Huh..."
Marley: "Not a Quester, but I helped keep you sorry children in line in those days. He acknowledges that I am responsible. So. You give me Daisy's surrender so we can then imprison her, and lock up her ships. Then your world will not become a GUN protectorate."
KitOrbel: "You did it then, I do it now." *She holsters her gun,* "Please, Marley. Let's talk about this... After all, you have her husband cowering in his shell already."
Marley: "You want to trick me."
Kenku chuckles "I wouldn't disagree with you there actually. You were a good ally." he sighs.
Marley: "I'm not going to fall for it again, b@tch."
KitOrbel: "Nope, I don't trick. I consider the options."
Marley: "Get me the options I asked for before I shoot them out of you."
Metal Man (GM): He seems quite furious.
Kenku sighs and begins to walk off.
KitOrbel: "..." *She nods softly,* "Alright. We'll talk to Daisy." *She turns around, and smirks.*
Marley: "And if it's a trap..." *He snarls.* "I'll personally choke you to death."
Metal Man (GM): He spits to the ground and walks off.
King Demon: "Right..." *Shrugs* "Have fun with your... friends, Marley, and don't forget to watch your back."
Kraela: "Threats. That's original." *She leaves.*
Metal Man (GM): You can hear him shooting windows out of the Southern town in the distance.
Kenku: "Really Demon, that was uncalled for..."
Mario: "I'ma-confused. What's-a going with Daisy?"
Metal Man (GM): He follows you. You reach the Toad Town area.
King Demon: "Honestly, Kenku, I don't think it's US he should be worried about."
Metal Man (GM): Bowser walks over.
Bowser: "No one got exploded... so what happened, punks?"
Kraela: "Things are a little hot on the border. We're going to need to talk to Daisy about this."
Jason: *Nods* "Just taking it in right now..."
Kenku: "Still not the time or place, as it only feeds Marley's Paranoia"
KitOrbel: *She's still considering the options.* "Bowser, how good are you at talking to your wife when she's upset?"
Bowser: "Daisy has told me she won't come here. I can call her, but... She says it's tactically inadvisable, whatever THAT means!"
Kraela: "What if we go to her?"
Bowser: "I can call her for you, you guys are our only hope anyway!"