Lunar: A Story Forgotten Session 21 Log Session Start: Sun Jun 29 20:16:10 1997 =============================================================================== Cast of Characters: Dragonmaster Lou as "Gamemaster, Johnny, Teal, Neo Pharosians, Neo Official, Nykhan, Neo Guard, Neo Decorator, Neo Tablesetter, Loudspeaker, Bernard, Dark Gladiators, Entertainer" Mia Ausa as "Callie" (Dragonmaster Lou as "~Callie") Ghaleon Dragonstar as "Zigfried" Ryouga Hibiki as "Kyoko" Scott Kroush as "Scott" Captain Blake as "Ebony, Nina" Michael Gibson as "Rand" Danny Capote as "Peons" =============================================================================== ===GAME ON!=== --Eight enemies prepare to confront the party in mortal combat...-- ---COMBAT!--- * Ebony snoozes in Zig's backpack, bored with the shopping * Nina pulls out her whip. "Someone wake up Ebony so we can get an ID?" * Scott assumes the Rudger stance, this time. * Zigfried looks in his backpack. "Ebony?" * Ebony yawns and pokes his head out "Huh? Oh, those are Four Balleyes in front, four Kombat Ninjas in back." Ebony: "Suppose I'd better let you fight huh?" Scott: "Ninjas. Just great. Haven't faced them since my first mission with Misa." * Ebony climbs out the backpack and flits into the air. Rand: "I don't think I've ever fought them." * Scott thinks. "Funny, I'm a monster hunter, but I did anti-terrorist work." * Zigfried is unimpressed. "Ninjas or no, they'll still die." Scott: "You're right, there, Zig." * Zigfried smirks. * Scott gets ready to unleash his Blade Anger. * Nina snaps her whip against the ground around herself a few times to loosen it up Teal attacks! Balleye A suffers 3 damage. Ebony attacks! Balleye A suffers 3 damage. * Rand starts summoning raw magical power. Johnny (the NPC with you) attacks Balleye A! * Scott is surrounded by a deep crimson aura.... First attack... 96 damage... Second attack... Miss... Third attack... 90 damage. * Nina sees someone besides her miss! Scott: "Not bad, kid. Not bad at all." Rand casts Duel! Swirls of chaotic magic float over Rand and the enemies, no one knowing who it will effect... The swirls converge over the enemies! Balleye A suffers 205. B suffers 193. C suffers 199. D suffers 185. Kombat Ninja A suffers 193. B suffers 209. C suffers 185. D suffers 193. Scott: "S***... Good hit, Rand." Scott: "Zig, I think you oughta follow that with Feathered Rage." Zigfried: "Well, maybe next round." Rand: "Thanks, now if I can only keep hitting them with it." Scott: "True... That is Chaos magic." * Nina wonders why people are always telling Zig how to fight, thinks he does a good enough job on his own * Zigfried doesn't know, but will proceed to beat the s*** out of the enemies anyway. Rand: "I never could get a hold on the more orderly magic." Zigfried casts Flying Owl! Zigfried can attack from any row and his Dod% is up 36. Rand: "Too many rules." * Zigfried drops into a crouch as white feathered wings unfurl from his back. "Eule, spirit of the owls, I call on your strength to aid me." * Scott doesn't care... but just wants to beat the s*** out of the enemies. Kombat Ninja D casts Poe Katana on Nina! Kombat Ninja D leaps high into the air and slashes at Nina! Nina suffers 41 damage. Kombat Ninja C tosses a Shuriken at Zigfried * Zigfried tries dodging. Zigfried is hit for 1 damage. * Zigfried is amazed at being hit and left relatively unscathed. Kombat Ninja B tosses a Shuriken at Callie... Callie is hit for 1 damage. Scott: "CALLIE... LOOK OUT!" Scott: "NOW YOU DIE, NINJA!" * Zigfried flaps up above the party, debating his next move. Balleye B attacks Scott. * Scott knows his move... "My BLADE shall vent my ANGER!" Scott is hit for 30 damage. * Scott hardly feels the attack... focusing on kicking ass. Balleye C attacks Callie. Scott: "CALLIE!" * Scott leaps at the Balleye. Callie is hit for 86 damage. Scott: "YOU SON OF A !%&(%)%@)&%)%@()! GET READY TO DIE!" Scott casts Blade Anger! * Scott fades in and out of reality, hitting all enemies. Scott: "YOU ALL DIE!" * Zigfried watches Scott do his work and anticipates some heavy damage. Balleye A suffers 47. B suffers 42. C suffers 47. D suffers 67. Kombat Ninja A suffers 72. B suffers 49. C suffers 62. D suffers 72. Callie attacks Balleye A! Scott: "Hmmmmm... I've got to work on my Hit% with this spell." Scott: "Go get em, Cals. :)" First attack... Miss... Second attack... 101 damage. * Nina senses misses coming... Balleye A attacks Johnny! Johnny is hit for 1 damage. Scott: "Look out, Kid." Balleye D attacks Nina. Scott: "NINA, HEADS UP!" * Rand is impressed by how high everyone's defense must be. Critical hit! Nina suffers 126 damage. * Zigfried flies near Nina to see if she's all right. Scott: "Nina, I'm gonna heal you." Kombat Ninja A tosses a Shuriken at Callie. Callie suffers 1 damage. * Nina waves a hand, whirls her whip * Scott begins to thank Althena for his healing magic. Kyoko casts Healing Litany on Nina! All HP recovered. Nina attacks Balleye A! * Nina readies to miss! Zigfried: "Come on, Nina! You can hit them!" Scott>: "Just think... 'I can hit them. I can hit them.'" First attack... Miss... Scott: "Dammit." Second attack... 101 damage! Zigfried recovers 30 HP. ---ROUND 2--- * Scott begins to concentrate on upping his Hit%. * Zigfried gets ready for some good ol' hack and slash. Scott: "Ready to rock and roll." * Scott is ready for some good old fashioned Kiai Slicing. Teal attacks! Balleye A suffers 3 damage. Ebony attacks! Balleye A suffers 3 damage. Johnny attacks Balleye A! * Scott changes his concentration over to Force Blade. First attack... 68 damage. Second attack... Miss... Third attack... 57 damage... Rand casts Duel! Scott: "Not again." Rand: "Why not?" The magic backfires and smacks Rand! Scott: "I'll bet we wind up casting Red Priest's Resurrection soon because of that Chaos magic." Rand: "Oh. That's why." Rand suffers only 22 damage thanks to his high MgE. Zigfried casts Owl's Strength on Balleye A! Zigfried: "Great predator of the night, grant me your strength so that I may strike my prey as swiftly as thee." * Zigfried dives at the Balleye! First attack... Critical hit! 248 damage! Balleye A is jelly! Scott: "Geeze, Zig..." Zigfried: "Rather... revolting mess they leave though." Second attack on Balleye B... Critical hit! 223 damage! Scott: "O_O" Rand: "Well, keep it up." Third attack... Critical hit! 219 damage! Scott: "It'd be higher if he'd cast Guided Blow first." Fourth attack... Critical hit! 198 damage! Balleye B is jelly! Zigfried: "Well, I can't spend an eternity boosting my power up, now can I?" Kombat Ninja A tosses a Shuriken at Callie! Callie suffers 1 damage. * Rand watches the second Balleye liquefy, "I don't think he needs anymore help." Kombat Ninja B tosses a Shuriken at Johnny! Johnny suffers 1 damage. Callie attacks Balleye D... Scott: "Get them, Callie." First attack... 101 damage. Second attack... 110 damage. * Scott watches Callie do the attacking thing. :) Scott: "Good hits, Cals. Good hits." Balleye C casts Confusion on Nina and Zigfried! Nina and Zigfried feel a strange pull on each other as they are forced to exchange row positions. * Zigfried feels his brain getting fried. Balleye D attacks Zigfried. * Nina can attack just as well from back here Zigfried is hit for 14 damage. * Zigfried grumbles. Kombat Ninja C tosses a Shuriken at Johnny. Johnny suffers 1 damage. Kombat Ninja D tosses a Shuriken at Nina. Nina suffers 1 damage. * Zigfried flashes his claws at the Balleye. "You're really asking for it, aren't you." Ebony: "o/~ Johnny be good... o/~" Scott and Kyoko combine to cast Sword Blessing on Balleye C! * Scott casts Force Blade. Scott partially disappears, reappearing behind the enemy, slashing away with his blade. Scott's blade resounds with Kyoko's holy lyrics as he slashes at the monster! Scott: "Althena bless my blade." Balleye has critical weakness to holy combination attacks. Balleye C suffers 730 damage. D suffers 504. Kombat Ninja has critical weakness to holy magic. A suffers 513. B suffers 490. C suffers 438. D suffers 480. Balleyes C and D are utterly devastated! Scott: "And I thought Storm Front was powerful." Rand: "There is no end to your surprises, is there?" Zigfried: "I think you've pretty much murdered the lot of them." --The Kombat Ninjas are barely standing.-- Nina casts Tania's Whip! * Nina does a wing-assisted leap and lands in the middle of the bad guys, swings her whip around wildly * Zigfried thinks Nina will finish them off. * Scott thinks that Sword Blessing was a blessing from Althena... Kombat Ninja A suffers 167. B suffers 115. C suffers 160. D suffers 129. Zigfried recovers 30 HP... ---ROUND 3--- Scott: "Let me take it." * Nina leaps back to her row * Scott readies his Blade Anger again. Teal attacks Kombat Ninja A! 3 damage... * Rand summons forth more magic, hopefully to hit the enemies with this time. Ebony attacks Kombat Ninja A! 3 damage. Kombat Ninja A has been finished! * Ebony hums to himself and flips in the air lazily Scott: "Ebony got a kill... Way to go, Eb." Johnny defends... Nina casts Snap Whip on Kombat Ninja B! Kombat Ninja B is whipped into shape for 149 damage and has his spine ripped out! Rand casts Duel. * Nina thinks that's icky... The magic backfires and hits Rand for 12 damage. * Rand frowns, "Whoops." * Nina waves for Zig to kill the rest Zigfried attacks... * Zigfried darts forward with a smirk and claws at the ninjas. First attack on Kombat Ninja C... 93 damage... Second attack... Critical hit! 257 damage! Zigfried rips out the ninja's heart and shows it to him before he dies, by accident. :) * Zigfried chucks away the heart. Ugh... Third attack on Kombat Ninja C... Critical hit! 261 damage! Zigfried slices the Kombat Ninja in two right down his centerline! VICTORY! Scott: "YEEEEE HAAAAWWWWW!" * Zigfried flicks the blood of his claws. "This gets to be such bloody work sometimes." Rand: "Zigfried, you're quite... effective." * Nina cleans off her whip and hangs it on her belt * Scott cleans off his blade. Zigfried: "Thanks, I think." All gain 100 XP. 5000 S and 300 MXP gained Nina: "You're pretty good Zig." * Scott sheathes his blade. "Ky, that spell of yours kicks ass." Zigfried: "Thanks. I've had lot of opportunities to improve my accuracy." --Scott has reached level 17! HP up 37, rest up 18. Next at 2487.-- Nina: "I suppose I don't practice as much as I could." Scott: "Looks like we've got a new combo to use. Look out Zissel." Zigfried: "Well, accuracy is good for more than just hitting things." Johnny: "Well, that wasn't so bad..." * Zigfried smiles a little. "It's good to avoid tripping, good for finding your way around in the dark..." Scott: "Too bad that don't hold true on skis, Zig." Teal: "Those were some icky monsters though, huh Uncle?" Ebony: "I kicked butt! Almost like the old days." * Zigfried sighs. "Well, true... But I had never been on skis before." * Scott pets Ebony. Teal: "Reminds me of a movie I saw back in the twentieth century though..." Scott: "That you did, Eb." Scott: "Let's keep going. We've got a bride to rescue." * Rand looks down the halls of the labyrinth, "Johnny, I don't suppose you know the way through here?" * Ebony lands on Zig's shoulder. "The heart thing was a bit much though." Zigfried: "I couldn't help it. It got stuck to my claws." Johnny: "It's a long way, but we should be nearing the heart of the complex soon." * Scott continues forward. lead the way, kid. * Nina stretches her wings --As the party presses on through the maze, they come across various paintings of a rather distasteful looking man on the walls..." Scott: "Let's see." Johnny: "Hmm... I think I know who that is..." * Scott looks at the paintings, inspecting for writings. Zigfried: "Let's see what?" * Nina walks along, looking around carefully Rand: "Really, who is it?" --There are no writings of interest on the paintings.-- Johnny: "His name is Bernard, he runs this chapter of the Neo Pharosians..." Rand: "Great, a Bernard, how tough could a Bernard be?" Scott: "Looks like a powerful magician." Ebony: "How bad could a 'Lark' be?" Rand: "Sounds like a bird." Johnny: "Actually, he isn't well liked by the Neo Pharosians around here because of his poor recruiting job." Rand: "That's good news, we only have to worry about second rate thugs." Scott: "Let's go... Old Bernie is toast." * Zigfried shrugs and resumes walking. * Scott continues forward * Rand waits for Johnny, because he knows where to go. * Ebony pulls a little files out of the air and sharpens his claws --As the party continues onward, they come across an open doorway...-- * Scott goes through. * Nina pauses to see what's through the door * Zigfried cautiously follows. --The doorway is walk-in closet complete with a full range of Neo Pharosian clothing.-- * Rand follows Scott through. Johnny: "We may want to disguise ourselves..." Scott: "Let's go in disguise." * Scott disguises himself as a Neo Pharosian. * Nina smirks Johnny: "Yep... We could also perhaps try to mingle for a while and see what's going on..." Zigfried: "If we have to..." * Rand looks for a uniform that would fit him. Zigfried: "How's Nina going to fit in this stuff though?" Teal: "The element of surprise would be a good asset..." Scott: "Good thing I worked with the UIA... Old Misa's tips on disguises will come in handy." Johnny: "Get one of the baggier robes or something, I guess..." * Zigfried searches for an outfit. * Nina pulls some clothing and slips on a cloak to cover her wings, smiles at Zig. "I've had lots of practice trying to look normal." * Zigfried nods to Nina. "So I notice." Teal: "Misa... Was she the contact of yours you said helped you escape back in Seadragon?" Scott: "Yes." * Nina wraps her wings around herself under the cloak, making them unnoticeable Teal: "I see..." * Zigfried gets a new outfit and grumbles. "Stupid chafing robes..." * Scott is disguised in a guard's uniform. * Ebony crawls under Zig's robes, out of sight * Scott puts his blade on his belt and is ready to rock. * Zigfried's robe has a hood, and he's making sure he's using it! --After the party has put on their disguises, a Neo Pharosian walks into the room.-- * Scott says nothing. Neo Pharosian 1: "Hey, what are you doing here!? Get to the central auditorium for the ceremony!" * Rand turns and faces the Neo, "Right sir, right away." Scott: "Yes sir." Neo Pharosian 1: "Good. Get going before I report you to Lord Bernard!" * Scott heads toward the main auditorium. * Rand surpresses a snicker at the thought of a Lord Bernard. Johnny: "Not much further everyone..." * Nina follows Scott: "I just hope we can get there before it's too late." --As the party turns a corner, they come across two Neo Pharosians talking to each other. One of them appears to be grumbling...-- Nina: "It's not hard to guess what the ceremony is." Rand: "Don't worry, we'll make it." * Zigfried nods, but keeps quiet. Neo Pharosian 2: *grumble* "I can't believe Bernard treated me like that!" * Peon grumbles. Peon: "He's an ass! Don't bother listening to him!" * Scott records this conversation on his datalink. Neo Pharosian 2: "As if his stupidity wasn't bad enough... How are we supposed to recruit new members hiding out beneath the sewers!?" Peon: "Like I said, he's an ass! I don't see why we have to listen to him anyways... Just because he's our 'leader' doesn't mean anything!" * Scott whispers to Callie. "This is getting interesting. Maxxis will want to know about this." Neo Pharosian 2: "Just the other day, I contributed 50,000 S to the wedding expenses in exchange for luxury accommodations when I got here... You know what happened!? He said he didn't have any other rooms!" Scott: "Hmmm sounds like old Bernie's minions can't stand him." Peon: "How many times do I have to repeat myself?! Oh well, we should head off to the wedding..." Zigfried: "That could be to our advantage." * Scott whispers. "Let's follow them." Neo Pharosian 2: "So, I complained to Pharos... He ordered Bernard to give me a room. So he did... He gave me a room in the sewers!" Neo Pharosian 2: "You can get to the wedding... I'm going back to Seadragon. At least the guy who runs that place knows what he's doing..." * Peon laughs at the other Neo Pharosian. --The second Neo Pharosian runs off...-- * Peon heads off towards the wedding. * Scott snickers and whispers to himself. "Yeah, when he's not being outsmarted by the UIA." * Rand smiles, "It looks like Bernard will be out of thugs soon." * Scott follows the Neo Peon. Zigfried: "So it would seem." Teal: "Well, at least that would make our job easier..." Scott: "Let's use that to our advantage. Let's follow this prick." Scott: "Then we attack." * Rand follows Scott, "We're on our way." * Nina is about as quiet as usual * Scott sends the info he recorded to Maxis over his datalink's satellite communication link. Nina: "Maybe that's not so smart Scott... We don't want them to trace us." Scott: "Encoded, Nina... UIA codes." Nina: "They still might pick up the signal... We don't want them to know we're here." Scott: "Besides, they won't trace them... It's bounced over so many satellites that they won't be able to." Rand: "Couldn't they see the source though?" Scott: "Not with us on the move like we are. SC and Misa are more than likely monitoring all transmissions." * Nina glances at Zig. "We always seem to be going into the lion's den." * Scott shuts off the comm link when the trans is trough. Scott: "Now they won't be able to trace us. My signal is shut off." * Zigfried shrugs. "Not much we can do about it, other than ignore the Pharosian problem altogether." Nina: "I don't think they would ignore us much longer." Zigfried: "That's true, which is why we're going into the lion's den." Nina: "As long as we don't get eaten." Scott: "Crush the head of the snake... to use an old cliché." Zigfried: "Somehow I doubt that will happen." Rand: "Lions, that might be interesting." Teal: "Didn't they have lions back in Seadragon... I thought I heard them roar..." Nina: "With your impressive claw work..." Scott: "Not this time, though... We're not facing Kane." Nina: "Those lions were a tad less... metaphorical." Scott: "Ain't that the truth, Nina. Thank goodness for those mechs." --Eventually, the group comes across a large double-doorway. On the other side lies a grand auditorium, fully decorated for a wedding...-- * Zigfried remembers how pathetically those mechs got wasted. Scott: "Hmmm... Looks like they spared no expense on this thing." * Peon looks back at the group. Peon: "You're new here, aren't you?" Rand: "Let's hope they spared some expense on security." Scott: "No, idiot. We're the entertainment." * Zigfried thinks... "I could throw a more lavish wedding that this!" * Rand nudges Scott, "He's not an idiot, he's a peon." Scott: "What do you think, genius?" * Peon shrugs and enters the auditorium. Scott: "Man, these folks have a flare for the obvious." Teal: "At least he doesn't gloat like their head honcho..." Scott: "True... Too true." Zigfried: "Bernard probably doesn't leave room for anyone else to gloat." Scott: "That'll change... Quickly." Rand: "Why, less Bernard, or more room?" --Inside the auditorium, many people in Neo Pharosian garb can be seen. Bernard, the man in the painting, has not arrived yet, but several of his guests of honor have, including Nykhan, the Black Devil...-- * Zigfried grabs a secure hold on Ebony. Scott: "Wait a minute, guys...." * Ebony pokes his head out of Zig's cloak, growls lowly Scott: "Look over there." * Scott points to Nykhan. * Rand looks, "What?" * Zigfried pushes Ebony back into his hood. --Nykhan does not notice the party as he's too busy schmoozing with other high-ranking Neos...-- Scott: "We've got company... of the devil variety." * Peon approaches the rest of the Neo Pharosians and begins speaking with them. Ebony: "Phmph..." Nina: "Never seen him before..." Zigfried: "Stay calm, Ebony. We'll get your Aura back soon enough." Scott: "That's the Black Devil, Nykhan..." Scott: "A genetic construct. We found out about him in Dybach." Neo Official: "So, Lord Nykhan, we did not expect you to come to this wedding..." * Ebony mutters in Zig's ear. "Can't blame me for being a tad angry." Rand: "In other words, not good news." * Zigfried whispers back, "I don't. But a little dragon head sticking out of my hood is going to give us away." Nykhan: "Well, things were going very smoothly back at the mine I was overseeing, and we just got a good lead on those fugitives... I figured I deserved a break, so why not accept Bernard's invitation?" * Scott whispers to Rand. "No joke there, Sherlock." * Rand smiles devilishly, "Do you think he's magic resistant?" Ebony: *whisper* "Okay, okay, I'll stay out of sight." Scott: "Very, Rand. He holds Ebony's Aura." Rand: "Too bad." Teal: "However, he's also unholy..." * Zigfried would pet Ebony except that would look too weird. * Scott whispers... "True, Teal... Sword Blessing should do some good." Rand: "Any plans on rescuing the lady without the big bad devil noticing?" Scott: "Not yet... But I'm betting a lot of his forces desert if we show up to fight." Johnny: "She isn't here now though... I don't see her anywhere... They probably still have her locked up somewhere." Nina: "If he's as strong as Zissel, I think we should just stay out of sight." Nykhan: "So, anyone else of notice here that I haven't met?" * Peon approaches Nykhan. Neo Official: "Well, Bernard also invited some of his closest friends to be part of the main wedding party, the Dark Gladiators, all six of them." Scott: "Oh, s***... This could get ugly. Cover your faces." Nykhan: "Interesting... Oh, hello there, what do you want?" * Zigfried already has the hood on. Rand: "Bonus points to whoever answers this question correctly, 'How do we rescue the girl without releasing this guy on the city?'" * Nina shrugs, Nykhan wouldn't know her by sight * Rand has never met the guy. * Nykhan turns to the peon Scott: "Hush, Rand. I don't want that guy to notice us." Peon: "I'm sure you'd like to meet the new Pharosians. I bet they'd love to talk to someone of your high position." --One of the guards approaches the disguised Scott.-- * Peon gestures to the group. * Ebony grumbles things lowly to himself Neo Guard: "Hello there, I take it you're on your break now?" Scott: "What do you think, genius?" Nykhan: "Hmm... Did you say new recruits? I heard Bernard was very weak at recruiting. This I've gotta see." Scott: "I've seen smarter Pharosians in the unit I transferred from." * Nykhan starts to approach the party * Peon follows Nykhan. * Zigfried hopes Ebony stays hidden. * Ebony isn't stupid * Scott comes to attention. * Nykhan begins to speak to the group, "Hello there. Welcome to our glorious movement." Scott: "Thank you, Sir..." * Nina smiles excitedly. "Thank you sir! It's an honor!" * Zigfried bows in greeting. Rand: "It is an honor to meet you sir. I've heard so much about you. Is it all true?" Nykhan: "Ahh, recruits who understand rank. Good, if you didn't I would get angry, and you do not want to see me angry." Nykhan: "It depends on who you asked, hehe..." Scott: "I transferred here from the New Saith division." * Peon stays back a bit watching Nykhan, the group, and other stuff of no interest. Nykhan: "New Saith did you say? Ahh, such a tragedy... The people there are so loyal to their ancient Dragonmaster that they drove us right out of that town..." Scott: "Yes... That's why I requested a transfer." Zigfried: "Really? I thought they would have less spirit than that." Scott: "Pharos granted me this post." Nykhan: "Good idea... Don't worry, one of our allies has plans for that town..." Scott: "Shall I make a guess? The Demonmaster?" Rand: "Good, when do we get to retake it?" Nykhan: "You'd be surprised... And no, the Demonmaster is busy with his own thing. He rarely follows orders from anyone, he just does what he wants..." Nykhan: "Our ally is going to destroy it utterly!" * Scott records the conversation again. * Rand is amazed, "We have a weapon with that much power?" Nykhan: "It was decided that New Saith just wasn't worth the effort to retake it. Our ally said he'd handle it while searching for an item of great value to him in that area." Nykhan: "Weapon? I guess you could call it that..." * Peon wonders who this ally is... * Scott thinks this ally is Zissel. Peon: "Sir, may I ask, who is this ally of which you speak of?" Scott: "May I ask about Lady Temna?" Rand: "When and where will this weapon be unveiled? Maybe I could get a transfer there to see it." Nykhan: "That information is top secret, you foolish peon!" * Nykhan appears to have a very short fuse * Peon cowers back and decides to not ask anymore questions. Scott: "I was under her command before New Saith... Just wondering." * Zigfried wonders if the short fuse is partially influenced by the instability in a black dragon's sanity. Nykhan: "Well, if you want to visit New Saith you can... Our ally works on his own schedule however." * Ebony "accidentally" scratches Zig * Zigfried wonders how/if Ebony knew what he was thinking. Scott: "Well, we'll be checking out the rest of the area. We appreciate your attention, Lord Nykhan." Nykhan: "You're welcome... Now, if you do not mind, I need to talk to someone else. Excuse me. LONG LIVE NEPHAR!" Scott: "Shall we check out the rest of the area, comrades? Nina: "Long live Nephar!" Scott: "Seig heil." * Peon decides to keep an eye on the group. Rand: "Bye." * Nykhan walks off to continue schmoozing, but whispers to himself, "Hmm... There was something familiar about that group... I also sensed a presence, one I haven't sensed since..." * Scott walks off. Scott: "Let's find that prison cell and get that girl outta here." * Zigfried nods. "How are we going to do that though?" Teal: "I don't know..." Johnny: "Neither do I... Maybe we should continue asking around..." Scott: "I have a plan. These Neo Peons are very trusting of their own kind." Zigfried: "I wish we didn't have to. Someone's going to notice something about me if I talk with them too much." Rand: "What's the rest of the plan?" Scott: "Let's use that knowledge to our advantage." Zigfried: "Advantage?" Scott: "One of them's bound to have a map pulled up on an access terminal." Rand: "You mean walk up to a random Peon and say, 'Where is the girl?'" Scott: "This is a big place." Scott: "No... just get his codes." Scott: "Then we can access the systems and get the info we need." * Ebony says in Zig's ear, "He's gone?" Zigfried: "I don't know about that... Shouldn't we know the codes if we're really part of the group?" Rand: "Understood." Teal: "Wait... Bernard isn't very popular though... Maybe we should wait for the wedding to start and perhaps try to do a daring rescue..." Scott: "If we're new to the area, we'll have to learn them... What better way?" * Zigfried whispers, "Yes, Ebony. At lest, he's no longer close to us." Rand: "We could tell them we're new here." Scott: "But I think Teal has a good idea too. And with Sword Blessing, we can damage Nykhan." Nina: "Daring rescue? Not if the Black Devil is here." Teal: "Well, we'll need a little luck, of course..." Nina: "Are you crazy Scott?" Scott: "A little, Nina." Scott: "But remember the White Knight's Defense spell." Rand: "You have to be a little crazy to do this job." Peon: "And what job would that be?" Zigfried: "Still, I would like to remain in one piece after all this." Teal: "Scott, you don't even know what it does yet, though!" Rand: "Err... working for Bernard?" Scott: "What do you suggest, Zig?" * Peon walks away from the group. Teal: "Close one, guys..." Scott: "I know we can do this... Just how is the problem." * Zigfried shakes his head. "I wish I knew. Why don't we split up. Maybe we'll overhear something. The girl is the 'guest' of honor after all." Scott: "Good idea... Three teams. Callie and me, Nina and Zig, Rand and Kyoko." Johnny: "Just be careful not to spill the beans about our plan..." Rand: "Sounds good." Nina: "Teal thinks we should just let them bring her here." Johnny: "I guess it'll be me and Teal..." Scott: "Good thinking, Johnny." * Teal eyes Johnny a bit flirtatiously Ebony: *muttering* "Sure... No mention of little old me." Scott: "Let's get moving. Come on, Cals." Scott: "Eb, you're with Zig and Nina." * Nina drags Zig off * Zigfried feels sorry for Ebony, but doesn't say anything. Can't look like he's talking to his hood or anything. * Rand heads off in the remaining direction with Kyoko. * Zigfried hurries to keep up with Nina. * Teal and Johnny walk off * Scott sets his datalink to record, but not transmit, low power settings. * Scott walks off with Callie. * Peon looks back at the party and sees that they're starting to separate. He thinks something's going on and decides to follow Scott and Callie. * Nina tries the ditzy blonde routing, hoping someone will overhead and say something, looks at Zig Nina: "Ooh a wedding, isn't this exciting?!" Scott: "We've got a trailer, Cals... Let's pick this prick for everything he knows." Nina: "But where are the bride and groom, I just can't WAIT!" ~Callie: "Okay..." Scott: "Hey, peon... Get over here." * Peon looks at Scott. Peon: "What do you want?" * Rand looks for lone Neos at a terminal. Zigfried: "Yes, I'm never seen such a lavish celebration before. They really have spared no expense." Scott: "Yeah, you, genius. Get over here." --There are apparently no terminals in the auditorium.-- * Peon approaches Scott and Callie. * Rand looks for lone Neos. --One of the Neo Pharosian decorators approaches Zigfried and Nina.-- Nina: "Isn't it pretty?" Scott: "You've been here a while. So you probably know your way around." Neo Decorator: "So, you like our work, huh? Thank you." * Zigfried nods vaguely. Peon: "Yeah, I do. What about it?" Zigfried: "Yes, it's really a work of art." Nina: "Oh, you did it? Wow..." --There is a lone Neo setting one of the tables.-- Scott: "We've been transferred here as prison guards and still haven't found our way to our posts. Could you show us on a map?" Zigfried: "All we need now is the couple themselves and the picture would be perfect." Neo Decorator: "Well, not by myself, but I did come up with the theme... We decided to go with black roses in honor of the Demonmaster... Unfortunately, he could not make it." * Rand and Kyoko approach the table. * Nina claps. "Yes, where are they, if *I* we're getting married I couldn't wait to come!" Zigfried: "Really? That's such a pity." Neo Decorator: "Well, they should be here within the hour, I think." Peon: "I'm sorry, I've never been in that area so I don't know how to get there." Neo Decorator: "Yes, I know... Too bad..." --The Neo Tablesetter turns towards Rand and Kyoko.-- Neo Tablesetter: "Yes?' Rand: "Hi! We were just wandering around and wondering, where are the lucky couple?" Scott: "Okay, but we've been granted high security clearance too as former members of special forces. Do you know the access codes to the terminals around this joint?" Neo Tablesetter: "Well, right now, the bride is being drug-- er, dressed up for the wedding... As for Bernard, I think he's screwing more Neo Pharosians out of their silver or something..." * Zigfried glances around, trying to think of some other way to gather information. Peon: "Nope, I forget really important stuff like what you want. What is it that you want again?" Scott: "The access codes, punk. Look at my rank. I outrank you greatly." * Scott shows him a major's insignia. Rand: "Do we get a chance to see her before the wedding, I've heard she's beautiful." * Nykhan looks over at the commotion near Scott, Callie, and the Peon. Neo Tablesetter: "Well... She should be out soon for preliminary festivities." Neo Tablesetter: "There is going to be a feast before the ceremony itself." * Peon looks back at Nykhan and calls out to him, "Can you help me with this, sir? The new people need some help here and I can't seem to help them." Rand: "We would like to get a good view, do you know where she's coming from?" * Nykhan approaches Scott and Callie... * Zigfried leads Nina off in search on a Neo who might be a little more out of it and willing to talk. Nykhan: "What's the problem here!" * Scott thinks to himself, "...Great, Nykhan." * Nina mutters to Zig, "I prefer to be myself." Scott: "Nykhan, we have need of a bit of information and this buck private is of no help." Neo Tablesetter: "Well, you see that large altar with the doorway behind it? The one with the Statue of Nephar? She should be coming out of there." Nykhan: "Hmm. What kind of information?" * Zigfried whispers back, "You and me both. But you put on a good act at least." * Rand looks over to the alter, "Out of the altar?" Neo Tablesetter: "Well, the door behind the altar." Scott: "We just transferred here and have security clearance. We need the access codes to the terminals in this joint." * Nina laughs a little "I found a lot of ways to try and make myself fit in" Rand: "Ahh, sorry about bothering, and thanks for the assistance." Nykhan: "I think you'd better review your security handbook. You apparently forgot that our lowest rank members are given no such access codes for security reasons..." * Zigfried swipes a fishy hour d'oeuvre and feeds it to Ebony. Neo Tablesetter: "Anything for a fellow Pharosian. Enjoy yourself." Scott: "Well, he's the one who was following us..." * Peon leaves Scott, Callie, and Nykhan and walks towards Zigfried and Nina. * Ebony chews on the fishy thingy * Rand looks over towards the alter to see how well it is watched. Nykhan: "Not anymore... Now, I hope you do not disturb me again..." Scott: "Call me paranoid, but I don't like being followed." * Nykhan walks off * Scott looks for a higher up Pharosian. * Zigfried hopes the food will help lower Ebony's tension. --The altar has a few guards around it, but it not particularly secure.-- * Rand looks around for the rest of the group. * Scott decides to inspect the altar. * Zigfried mutters, "There most be something we can do around here." --One of the guards approaches Scott.-- Neo Guard: "Hello there, friend..." Scott: "Hello, guard. Major Blackhawk... Transfer from New Saith." Neo Guard: "I'm impressed. You actually survived the New Saith massacre!" * Scott extends his hand for a handshake. --The Neo Guard shakes Scott's hand.-- * Zigfried taps his foot and then notices Scott's mucking around near the altar. * Scott pats his blade. "I'm pretty good with this sword." * Rand and Kyoko head over to the alter near Scott. * Nina scans the crowd * Peon approaches Zigfried and Nina and nods at them as he comes near. Neo Guard: "I should hope so... You'd need to be to survive that place." * Zigfried nods in return to the peon. Scott: "Also, I was in special forces there. Elite Silencer Corp." Neo Guard: "Hmm... Never heard of it, but they usually don't tell us much about special forces. Why the demotion to guard duty, however?" Scott: "A lot less hectic. Needed a break." Scott: "Besides, after the massacre, I requested a transfer, and no other post was available." Neo Guard: "Understood. Well, guard duty is pretty easy, at least away from New Saith... The combination of people who remembered the old Dragonmaster and immigrants from Lunar makes it very hostile for us there." * Peon begins talking with Zigfried, "So, why are you here? Besides for the wedding of course. But why were you transferred here out of all places?" Scott: "So... Just what is the status of security around our 'special' guest?" Neo Guard: "Well, you have my condolences. Bernard has got to be the most egotistical jerk I've ever had to work under... If it wasn't for his friends, the Dark Gladiators, most of us would have left." * Zigfried glowers, adding a stronger German accent to his voice. "Bad luck I think. I was hoping to go to Drachenburg after the uproar in Dragon City." Neo Guard: "I don't know to be honest." * Rand looks to see how many guards aren't watching Scott. Peon: "How about your friend there?" *gestures to Nina* Scott: "Hmmm... fine. Just keep up the fine work, soldier. I'll be watching you and your team." Nina: "Oh, I just want to serve Nephar." Nina: "Isn't he like soooooooo cool?" Peon: "Of course..." * Scott thinks to himself... "This is getting us nowhere. Where is that sonofabitch Bernard." * Peon whispers to Zigfried, "Where'd you pick up the ditz?" Zigfried: "Yes, dear, but don't get too carried away or you'll start ignoring me." Nina: "I mean he's like... a god!" Peon: "And that he is." * Zigfried whispers to the peon. "I found her lying around the slums. She's useful enough though." * Peon nods. "Well, it was nice talking with you... I'm gonna go see what those other two are up to..." *he begins walking towards Rand and Kyoko* * Scott walks off. "Come on, captain, we'll find someone else to talk to." Scott: "I wonder who the entertainment would be?" * Nina mutters to Zig, "If people don't think your smart enough to answer questions... they stop asking them." * Rand walks toward the door behind the altar. --The door is locked from the other side.-- * Zigfried chuckles and gives Nina's hand a reassuring squeeze. * Scott thinks. "These pricks are no help at all..." * Peon walks up behind Rand and taps him on the shoulder. * Nina smiles slightly, squeezes back * Scott approaches Zig and Nina. How goes it? * Rand turns around quickly, "What!" Ebony: *whispers* "Got anymore of those fish things?" Peon: "Nothing, I just wanted to see what you were so interested in." Nina: "We haven't found out anything useful... except decorating tips for Demonmasters." * Zigfried hunts around a bit and then feeds Ebony another fish hors d'oeuvre. Scott: "Hehehe... I see. The guards are about as sharp as a basketball too." * Ebony hops no one sees Zig feeding his hood * Teal and Johnny rejoin the group * Zigfried hopes so too. Teal: "We came up with nothing..." Johnny: "Yeah... No idea where my cousin is..." * Peon decides to leave Kyoko and Rand and go mingle with the other Neo Pharosians. Scott: "Then we have only one choice. The daring rescue idea of Teal's." * Rand heads back to the rest of the group. * Zigfried wonders when Rand plans on coming back to the group. * Nykhan appears to be very upset all of a sudden * Scott continues recording. * ~Kyoko follows, eventually Nykhan: "Dammit! Those morons back on Lunar let the fugitives escape again! There goes my vacation. There will be hell to pay once I get back!" Scott: "This is getting interesting. Let's keep an eye on Nykhan." * Rand points to the door behind the altar, "She'll be coming through there, but the door is locked." * Nykhan walks over to one of the other officials, then teleports out in a swirl of dark magic Zigfried: "I think Nykhan's about to explode." Scott: "Good intel work, Rand." Nina: "Even better... He's gone." Teal: "I kinda feel sorry for those guys that let that fugitive of his escape though..." Rand: "Any of you know how to pick locks? Quickly?" ~Callie: "I could, I think..." Scott: "Yee haaww! Let's wait and rescue her when she gets here. Bernard should be no trouble." --Suddenly, trumpets begin to blare over the loudspeakers.-- * Peon looks up. * Zigfried starts, somewhat surprised. * Scott looks toward the door. Rand: "Too late, this would be the grand entrance." Scott: "Then, it's time to rock and roll." Loudspeaker: "Attention, everyone! Ladies and gentleman, Bernard and his lovely bride, Lina, will be entering the auditorium soon, accompanied by the Dark Gladiators." Scott: "Dark Gladiators? I wonder about them." Rand: "Dark Gladiators? Nobody said anything about Dark Gladiators?" * Nina hides her hands under her cloak Rand: "What's a Dark Gladiator?" Scott: "Could they be part of that project I read about in Redmond?" Teal: "I think I heard someone mention that they were very loyal friends of Bernard." Teal: "They could be trouble..." Scott: "Let's keep an eye on them. Maybe they're as unholy as Nykhan and have a critical weakness we can exploit." --The door opens, and a blindfolded, semi-conscious, yet beautiful young woman walks out, accompanied by several guards. She is immediately tied to a pillar.-- * Zigfried has a dour look. * Peons cheer. Scott: "So this is a Neo wedding. Quite frankly, I'm not surprised." Rand: "This looks more like a sacrifice than a wedding." Nina: "Gee... The bride look so happy." --Following the young woman are six warriors in similar armor. The suits are all in different colors - black, red, white, blue, gray, and gold...-- Scott: "No s***, Nina." Scott: "Hmmmm... Those must be the Dark Gladiators." * Peons cheer for the Dark Gladiators. Rand: "Scott, do we act now?" Scott: "Yep... They certainly are unholy." --Finally, Bernard enters, but not without a lot of lubrication to the door frame.- * Zigfried snickers. * Scott yells... "NOW!" * Zigfried blinks. * Scott leaps into action, drawing his sword. Peons: "What?!" * Rand jumps into action. * Nina smacks her head --The White Gladiator parries Scott's attack!-- * Zigfried groans quietly. * Peons run around in terror. Bernard: "Guards! Seize them!" Scott>: "Time to die, punk..." White Gladiator: "I wouldn't talk if I were you..." * Zigfried is sitting off to the side with a "we don't know him" attitude. Scott: "Hehehe... You're mine, white prick." * Nina glances at Zig, "Can't let him get himself killed, can we?" Peons: "You seize them!" * Scott shows him his crest. "White Knight here... Wanna die?" --The other gladiators close in to assist their white comrade.-- * Zigfried whispers. "Let's see what happens first." Scott: "Hehe..." * The White Gladiator pulls out a crest of his own... "Big deal, I have one of those as well... The White Fiend's Crest here..." Scott: "Okay, Rand, it's you and me." * Rand starts to summon magical energy. Zigfried: "We have wings, we can fly to his aid if there really is anything we can do to help." Rand: "I'm with you!" * Peons approach the group and try to get a hold of them. Scott: "Kyoko, let's give them a blast off holy magic." * Bernard panics. "Stop them! Stop them! They are going to ruin the wedding!" Rand: "Let's show these gladiators the light!" --Several peons surprise Callie and Kyoko and subdue them before they can help.-- * Peons look back at Bernard and scream at him, "WHY DON'T YOU GET OFF YOUR FAT A$$ AND HELP US?!" Scott: "If I go down, then I go down fighting." Bernard: "I'm the leader, that's why!" * Zigfried grimly watches what is happening, but can only believe what he's doing is better than fighting. --The Gladiators and the few peons loyal to Bernard soon subdue the actively fighting members of the party.-- Peons: "Well then, we don't want to do anything for you!" * Scott watches the Peons. * Rand doesn't get subdued easily. Scott: "I don't get subdued that easily, punk." --The Gold Gladiator holds a sword to Lina's throat. "Surrender now, or the girl gets it!"-- Bernard: "Hey, what are you doing!?" Scott: "You wouldn't do it." Gold Gladiator: "What needs to be done!" Peons: "KILL THE GIRL! KILL THE GIRL! KILL THE GIRL!" Teal: "Help!!!!!!!" * Rand glances at the Gold Gladiator, sighs, and drops his sword. * Ebony growls "Teal..." * Peons begin to chant, "Kill the girl!" * Scott sheathes his sword. Blue Gladiator: "Hmm... If you don't trust my gold friend, trust me. This girl will lose her head if you do not surrender!" * Scott begins to glow bright blue with his Mizuno Ring. Rand: "We get the point." Bernard: "Gold Gladiator, please, take your blade away from my bride..." Scott: "Have a blast, guys... AN AQUA BLAST!" Ebony *whispers* "If Teal gets a scratch... I'm killing Scott." * Zigfried hopes Ebony keeps his temper down. Peons: "Kill the party poopers! Kill the girl! Kill the party poopers! Kill the girl!" Johnny: "Scott, I'd stop if I were you... We don't want Teal hurt!" Zigfried: "Don't worry, Ebony. We'll stay out of this for now and help them later." * Scott stops fighting, but won't go down easily. --By now, the majority of peons, not loyal to Bernard at all, have left. There is still a sizably annoying crowd left though.-- Bernard: "Well, well, well, party crashers... What on Earth should I do with you?" Rand: "Let us go?" Peons: "Kill them! Kill them! Kill them!" * Rand smiles innocently. Scott: "How about fight us your frickin' self, a******?" Rand: "Scott, he won't do that, he's too much of a coward." Scott: "Give the Gladiators the boot and fight your own damn battle." Bernard: "Flattery won't help you... Now, where are your friends? I saw you in a crowd with two more..." Ebony: *whispers* "I can't stand Teal being in danger..." Scott: "I'm not gonna talk..." Peons: "Hey Bernard, fattery won't help either! Why don't you lose some weight, fatty?" Bernard: "All in due time... Especially as the entertainment ran off when you started the commotion here..." * Rand points to Peon, "He's one of them." Bernard: "He can't be... He's too stupid." Scott: "Consider this the entertainment. You get to get your ass thrashed." Bernard: "I have a better idea... But first, the others must surrender." Single Peon: "Yeah! I'm too stupid! You guys saw how stupid I was!" Rand: "No wonder half of your army left, you treat them like idiots." * Rand hears the Peon's chant, "Never mind." Scott: "And the others are soon to revolt." * Zigfried whispers to Nina, "Maybe we should act stupid too." Nina: *whispers* "He wants us to surrender..." Bernard: "Hmm... What should I do to convince your friends to surrender..." Rand: "This is all of us there is. You've captured us." * Nina wonders how Bernard saw the group when he barely had time to walk into the room before Scott flipped * Rand lowers his head, "We've lost." Zigfried: *whispers* "What? And you want us to do that? We can't rescue them if we're in the same hole as they are." Bernard: "Lost? Naa, I am a sporting individual, and I will give you a sporting chance, provided your friends surrender." Nina: *whispers* "I didn't say I like it... but it sounds like he's going to do something bad if we don't." * Rand shrugs, "We have surrendered." * Scott does not admit defeat. "You can either fight us or prove yourself a coward." Scott: "It's your choice, coward." Peons: "Why don't you hold one of them for hostage? How about that blue-haired girl..." Bernard: "That's a good idea. Blue Gladiator, bring that blue-haired girl up on the altar!" Zigfried: *whispers* "He can't do anything. If he kills them we'll never come out. I won't let him force our hand." Rand: "Hey Scott, you could mention he's a coward, that might help." Scott: "Hiding behind these hulking dumbasses?" --The Blue Gladiator brings Teal up on the stage, sword still at her throat.-- Peons: "Sporting? That Borgan fellow in the history books is more sporting than you can be!" Ebony: "I'm not letting them hurt Teal, Zig..." * Zigfried lowers his head sadly. "I know, Ebony..." Rand: "Blue! How quick do you think your reflexes are?" Bernard: "Surrender at once, or the blue one dies." Nina: *whispers* "If he wants two people... maybe we should give him two people... Ebony can sneak off." Zigfried: *whispers* "Still..." Rand: "You'll kill the Blue Gladiator for us? Thanks!" Zigfried: *whispers* "What if it's a bluff?" Peons: "You fool! He meant the blue-haired girl!" --The Gray Gladiator bonks Rand with the hilt of his sword.-- Ebony: "Zig... she means more to me than my life... I'm not going to take the chance." Rand: "Ouch! What did you do that for?" --The Blue Gladiator just slightly cuts into Teal's throat, a small line of blood forming...-- Peons: "Kill the girl! Kill the girl! Kill the girl! Kill the girl!" Zigfried: "I know. Maybe if we only had a distraction..." Scott: "Teal!" Blue Gladiator: "Don't make me cut deeper!" Scott: "Ahh... I got it." * Ebony slips down Zig's cloak * Zigfried feels a slight tinge of rage building. * Ebony pads into the crowd, takes his human form and steps out. "I surrender." Peons: "Slit her throat! Slit her throat! Slit her throat!" Nina: *whispers* "He'll only be looking for one more person now." * Rand notices Ebony, "Oh yeah, I forgot about him!" --The Black Gladiator cuffs Ebony's hands and takes him up onto the stage.-- Bernard: "Interesting... Very interesting..." * Ebony is dragged forward Zigfried: *whispers* "I know. What can do?" Peons: "Where's the other one? The all-mighty fat one said there were two!" Bernard: "Hmph, how boring, this one looks too weak to make a suitable entertainer..." Nina: *whispers* "One of us can surrender." * Ebony smirks, "Oh? Sorry to disappoint you." Black Gladiator: "You! Where are your friends?" Peons: "We want the other one! We want the other one! We want the other one!" Zigfried: *whispers* "I know that. But I don't what either of us to split up." * Scott steps up beside Ebony. "But if you try to cuff me, punk, I'll personally break your neck." Black Gladiator: "Or should I say friend?" * Ebony looks around the crowd Scott: "Eb, I hope you have a plan here." Nina: *whispers* "You know how he feels about Teal... If one of us doesn't choose... He will." Ebony: "Yea Scott... It's called 'Teal doesn't get hurt.'" Bernard: "Hmm... All right. All Neo Pharosians, please raise your identification cards where we can see them!" Zigfried: *whispers* "Scheisse. Well, we'd better split up then. We shouldn't be caught next to each other." Zigfried: "That does it." * Peons raise their cards Rand: "Not exactly the brilliant plan I would have hoped for, but, it'll do." * Zigfried begins to chant the words to his Flying Owl spell! * Nina curses, backs away from Zig and holds up the card she found in her pocket Scott: "This a****** is getting on my nerves. I wish I could just convince him to fight us instead of hiding behind the gladiators." * Zigfried flies up and makes a break for it. Zigfried: "Nina! Come on!" * Nina hopes they don't notice that it's a Visa Gold Peons: "Hey! Look at that! " --The doors to the auditorium shut closed before Zig can escape.-- * Peons point to Zigfried flying. * Zigfried curses and flaps up near the ceiling. Scott: "Zig... Feathered Rage... NOW!" * Peons jump up to try to get Zigfried. Bernard: "Thank you for revealing yourself... Also, guards, check out the one holding the credit card... It looks suspicious..." Nina: "Crud..." * Zigfried whirls around spreading his wings wide. Feathers sheath themselves in steel and explode from his wings in a massive barrage of sharpened blades. --The Black Gladiators approaches Nina...-- * Nina drops her cloak, extends her wings "hey there big boy" --The Peons are fairly badly wounded by the attack, but the Gladiators and Bernard shrug it off.-- Peons: "We think that hurt..." Black Gladiator: "Bernard! I think we found another intruder!" Scott: "Hehe... Maybe I can help Zig a bit." Nina: "Li'l ol' me?" Black Gladiator: "Yes, you..." * Scott looks over to Bernard. He walks over and power bombs the big a******. Rand: "I think our glorious victory has been temporarily delayed." --Bernard is too heavy for Scott to pick up.-- * Zigfried is hacking limbs off the peons and prepares for a dive against Bernard. * Peons wonder if they are too wounded to be annoying. Scott: "Man, I have four words for you. Phen Phen and Redux." Nina: "Would you believe I lost my ID card?" Zigfried: "The angel of death has arrived and he calls for your soul!" Bernard: "Nice try, 'White Knight.' You, the flying one, surrender now!" * Zigfried attacks Bernard! Black Gladiator: "Well, I hope you wouldn't mind coming with me for us to do a background check on you..." Peons: "Hey, his fat paid off for something!" --Zigfried's attacks bounce off of Bernard's gratuitous flab.-- Nina: "Okay, how about this one, I'm a member of the Vile Tribe here to talk about an alliance with Nephar." * Zigfried curses. Peons: "Sit on them! Sit on them! Sit on them!" Black Gladiator: "A likely story..." Scott: "Sit on THIS!" Bernard: "There's an idea..." Nina: "You have a neat black fiend crest?" * Zigfried flies back up to the ceiling. There's got to be a window to break through somewhere. * Peons get up and try to catch Zigfried again. Bernard: "Both of you, surrender! If you can beat the Gladiators in one-on-one combat, I will let you go! If you refuse, you will be tortured and then executed by being fed to piranhas!" * Zigfried laughs darkly. Peons: "How about you sit on them? That's more of a torture than being fed to fish!" Rand: "Do we get to pick which gladiator?" Bernard: "What did you think the torture would be?" Scott: "One on one combat? I always liked a good fight. Give me the White Gladiator and you're on, a******." Ebony: "Please... Don't make them hurt Teal..." Bernard: "Thanks for reminding me... The blue-haired one will be the first to die if you do not surrender!" * Zigfried wishes Ebony would stop whining. It grates on his conscience. Scott: "Zig, get your ass down here." * Zigfried growls. --The Black Gladiator attempts to force Nina up onto the altar.-- Scott: "I'll Aqua Blast you down if I have too." Peons: "Yeah, well we were the ones who thought of capturing her!" * Nina leaps to the altar * Nina swings her wings around her. "Keep back, or else." Scott: "ZIG!" * Zigfried flies down near Nina to try driving the gladiators away. Peons: "Kill the girl anyways! She has no use to be with them! We let her live and Lord Nephar will have more trouble than just seven!" * Rand turns to Bernard, "So, when do I get to duel the gladiator?" * Nina hits the Peon who just spoke in their face with her whip * Scott grabs one of the entertainment's guitars... "How about I play a bit?" Entertainer: "What the heck, just don't do anything foolish..." Peons: "How about you don't? It's bad enough that we have to suffer with the fat one trying to sing all the time!" Johnny: "Zig, Nina, just surrender for now... We can defeat these Gladiators, but not while they have Teal!" * Peons jump Scott and take away the guitar. Nina: "I'm not having chains put on me!" Zigfried: "Like they'll let us go afterwards!" * Zigfried nods fiercely. Bernard: "You will not be chained... You have my word of honor..." * Scott wonders... "What honor." Peons: "Yeah, right." Rand: "That's not worth much..." Bernard: "Perhaps not, but then again neither is the honor of your allies if they let you and your friends die..." Nina: "Fine then... I'll fight your gladiator." Rand: "Bargained well, and done." Peons: "Hey Bernard, how come you haven't promised us anything?" Scott: "Zig, Nina, get down here." * Nina is standing on the alter Scott: "We can kick their asses..." * Zigfried looks at Nina, eyes still bright with anger. * Scott glares at the White Gladiator. "Give your soul to Althena... YOUR ASS BELONGS TO ME." Bernard: "The flying one is the only one left... Do the honorable thing and try to challenge the Gladiators in exchange for the lives of your friends." * Nina glances up. "Zig... There's no way out of this room... We'll just fight these wimps." * Zigfried spits. "All right, but the man who tries to restrain me will find himself breathing through his gut." Bernard: "You will not be restrained. As a gesture of good will, we will free your friends that have been." --The Black Gladiator removes the cuffs from Ebony.-- Peons: "Don't free them! Don't let the fat get to your head! What's wrong with you?!" * Zigfried lands on the ground, wings hunched and ready, gaze still wild. * Ebony rubs his wrists and moves over to Teal Teal: "Uncle... Are you okay?" * Scott taps Bernard on the shoulder. "You really oughta consider Jenny Craig. That ain't healthy." Rand: "We've only been informally captured, so we're not really free." Ebony: "Yea Teal... It's you I'm worried about." Bernard: "Now, clear the floor for the tournament!" * Zigfried glowers. * Nina puts on hand on Zig's shoulder Teal: "I'm fine, it's only a flesh wound..." Peons: "That's what we've been telling him for a long time!" * Scott leaps down to Zig and Nina. * Zigfried turns towards Nina and seems to calm a bit. --The Gladiators eye their opposition with bloodlust...-- * Peons leave the auditorium. Bernard: "Ahh, what a wedding... And such good entertainment as well..." Scott: "Give your soul to Althena... YOUR ASS BELONGS TO ME!" Bernard: "Let the festivities continue!" ===SESSION END===