Lunar: A Story Forgotten Session 4 Log Session Start: Sun Feb 16 20:17:14 1997 ============================================================================= Cast of Characters: Dragonmaster Lou as "Gamemaster, Mayor, Scientist, Teal, Alys, Teleport Station Girls, Doctor, Weapons Clerk, Magic Clerk, Armor Clerk, Shop Bunny, Neo Pharosian, Hooded Man, 'Lou,' Pharos, Nephar, Voice, Kane, Pixies" Mia Ausa as "Callie" Ghaleon Dragonstar as Zigfried Fonzerely as "Sage" (Dragonmaster Lou as "~Sage") Dragonmaster Lou as "~Darkside" (Formerly Davidh) Ryouga Hibiki as "Kyoko" Scott Kroush as "Scott" Special Guest Star Captain Blake as "Ebony" ============================================================================= --The group confronts to the huge slime monster as it prepares to attack.-- ===BOSS COMBAT=== * Scott draws his sword and prepares for battle -The Megamoeba! * Zigfried peeks out at the big slime thing behind a control panel. Zigfried attacks! First attack... 12 damage! Second attack... 16 damage! * Zigfried smirks. Scott: "Great shots, Zig!" Third attack... Critical hit! 32 damage! Zigfried: "Yes!" Callie uses Flip Kick! Megamoeba suffers 5 damage. No dazing effect... Scott attacks! Scott: "Feel my steel, slime!" First attack... 14 damage! Second attack... 12 damage! Zigfried: "Good hits, Scott." Scott: "Thanks, Zig." Megamoeba attacks Callie! Scott: "Your turn, Kyoko!" Hit! Callie suffers 15 damage! Kyoko users Supersonic! Zigfried: "You okay, Cal?" Callie: "@#$%#!@%@?@!*(^@##$#!$%^&@!()?*!@%^@$#!!@$%^&@#!!@%!(!@# !@!@" Scott: "That had to hurt." * Zigfried smirks. "Guess not..." * Kyoko inhales deeply, stares at Megamoeba. Kyoko begins singing, pleasant at first, then turning shrill 'til the song forms waves of sound impacting into Megamoeba! Megamoeba suffers 15 damage! ===ROUND 2=== Scott: "Not bad, Ky." Scott: "OK, what will he try next?" Callie: "This Jell-O mold is making me more then a bit uneasy..." Zigfried attacks! Scott: "The sight of this thing makes me a bit uneasy..." First attack... 15 damage! * Zigfried doesn't care what the Jell-O makes him feel like; it's gonna die! Second attack... Critical hit! 31 damage! * Zigfried looks confident. Third attack... Critical hit! 30 damage! Callie: "How can you put bullet holes in Jell-O anyways, Zigfried?" * Scott is gonna kick this slime's ass good. Zigfried: "Yeah!" Callie attacks! Scott: "Smooth moves Ex-Lax." First attack... 10 damage! Second attack... 7 damage! Scott attacks! First attack... Critical hit! 30 damage! Scott: "Feel my sting of my blade!" Second attack... 19 damage! * Scott smirks. "This guy's as easy as the Roboto64s" Megamoeba uses Life Absorb! Zigfried: "Uh oh..." 4 HP is transferred to the Megamoeba from Kyoko! Scott: "WHAT?!?!?!?!" Kyoko uses Supersonic level 2! Megamoeba suffers 26 damage! ===ROUND 3=== Zigfried: "Go Kyoko!" Callie: "RRRrrrrrrrggggg!!!!!!!!! STUPID THING!! DIE!!!!!!!" * Kyoko inhales deeply, stares at Megamoeba. Kyoko begins singing, pleasant at first, then turning shrill 'til the song forms waves of sound impacting into Megamoeba! * Scott feels his rage building to a berzerker level * Callie snarls at the vat of slime. Callie uses Fastcut! Megamoeba suffers 6 damage! Zigfried attacks! First attack... 15 damage! * Zigfried keeps the slime creatures dead in his sights. Second attack... 14 damage! Third attack... 18 damage! Scott attacks! Scott: "Not bad, Zig." * Zigfried nods. Scott: "Now you die, monster!!!!!!" Callie: "TIME TO MAKE THE DONUTS!!!" First attack... 14 damage! * Scott leaps in with his sword Second attack... 13 damage! Scott: "A'ight. Next!!!!!" Sage gives Callie his Short Sword :) Callie equips it (ATK + 15)! Megamoeba attacks Callie! Callie suffers 14 damage! Callie: "WHY ME ALTHENA?????" Kyoko uses Supersonic Level 2! * Kyoko inhales deeply, stares at Megamoeba. Kyoko begins singing, pleasant at first, then turning shrill 'til the song forms waves of sound impacting into Megamoeba! Megamoeba suffers 15 damage! ===ROUND 4=== Scott: "Time to heal Callie, Ky." Zigfried: "This thing should be about ready to die soon!" Scott: "Should be and are are two different cases entirely, Zig." Zigfried attacks! First attack... Critical hit! 34 damage! Second attack... Critical hit! 34 damage! Scott: "Smooth move, Ex-Lax!" * Zigfried grins. Third attack... 14 damage! Callie attacks with her new sword! Scott: "Honestly, Zig. Not bad at all." First attack... 16 damage! * Zigfried smiles. "Am I hot or what?" Second attack... 21 damage! * Callie cackles, "MUHAHA! THANKS SAGE!!" Scott: "Smooth move, Callie." * Scott leaps into action. Megamoeba uses Sleeping Gas! * Zigfried holds his breath. A cloud of noxious gas floats to Kyoko! Kyoko is asleep! Scott attacks! First attack... 13 damage! Second attack... 15 damage! ===ROUND 5=== Callie: "OH NO YA DIDN'T, STICKY!!!!!!!!!!!" Callie: "Let's make this pile of Vaseline cringe!!!!!!! MUUUUAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAA!!!" The Megamoeba starts to quiver violently... * Callie tosses her head back and cackles. Huge bulges start to form in its outer membrane... Scott "What the hell is this thing doing?!??!" Zigfried: "Scheisse... What's it doing?" The Megamoeba explodes, spewing disgusting icky slime all over the place! VICTORY! * Callie snaps out of her insanity. Scott: "Great. Now my new armor's all a mess." Callie: "*CLiCk*" * Zigfried sighs, and flicks away the slime. --All earn 30 XP! 75 Silver and 15 MXP gained!-- Zigfried: "Anyone gotta comb? I think some of this stuff got in my hair." Callie: "Oh what a bloody mess!!!" * Scott wipes the slime off his sword with a handkerchief. Callie: "It got in all our hair... You don't have to worry, Zigz." Scott: "I'm wearing a helmet, Callie. It didn't mess mine up." * Callie shakes some slime from her long hair. Callie: "Well goodie gumbo for ya then." Kyoko: "ZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzz" * Scott shakes Kyoko to wake her up. * Callie lifts Kyoko up off her feet and shakes her. Callie: "Um..." Callie: "Heeeelllloooo...?" Scott: "Time to wake up, Ky." Callie: "Sleeping beauty? You going to snap out of ya little nap?" * Zigfried smiles at Callie's antics. --Kyoko has reached Level 4! HP up 5; MP up 7; ATK up 2; DEF up 2; Wis up 7; MgE up 7; Hit% up 2; Dod% up 2; Rea up 2! Next at 321-- --Scott has reached level 5! HP up 6, rest up 3! Next at 318!-- Scott: "Well, that's one more boss that bit the dust at our hands." Scott: "Are we a great team or what?" * Zigfried nods vaguely. Callie: "Feh. ;b" * Kyoko sits up groggily. Kyoko: "I REALLY hate that thing..." Zigfried: "Well, it's dead now..." Scott: "Well good morning, Ky. Have a nice nap?" Callie: "Ahh....the princess is awake. Good morning." --Zigfried has reached level 5! HP up 4; MP up 2; ATK up 4; DEF up 1; Wis up 2; MgE up 2; Hit% up 5; Dod% up 3; Rea up 3. Next at 318-- * Zigfried looks around at all the mess. Scott: "Let's get the hell out of here." Kyoko: "Who needs a zap of the old healing juice?" --The group finds a chest nearby...-- Scott: "Callie." * Scott opens the chest. -Scott acquires "Miniporter" * Zigfried creeps over to the wall through which the Megamoeba burned through. --Behind the wall lies a completely solid room, devoid of exits.-- ~Sage: "Looks like they tried to trap that thing in there..." * Scott walks up behind Zigfried. "Let's check it out." * Kyoko starts chanting... "In the name of Althena, calm this soul and heal their wounds..." Callie is suddenly engulfed in a blue light and starts healing... * Zigfried turns back to the lab. Scott: "What say we make like a tree and leave?" Scott: "We have what we came for." Kyoko: "Good idea." --Callie recovers all HP-- * Zigfried nods. ~Sage: "Think we should just use that Miniporter and blow this joint, in case there are any more booby traps?" Callie: "Traps... Feh... Just what we need... I agree... No more traps. Let's book." Kyoko: "Lets port!" * Scott uses the Miniporter. --The group disappears and rematerializes just outside the front door of the lab.-- --In the near distance lies the small town of Stow.-- * Zigfried looks to see if Teal's around here somewhere. Kyoko: "Lets hit town and find Teal!" ~Sage: "I think Teal's still at the Teleport Station." * Zigfried starts walking back towards Stow. --It is a very short work to Stow. As soon as the group arrives, they get a warm welcome from the mayor. Beside him stands a police officer with a man in cuffs. The man is wearing some sort of lab coat.-- Mayor: "Welcome back! Did you find out what the hell those Neos were doing back there?" * Zigfried nods and motions for Scott to speak. * Scott addresses the mayor of Stow. Scott: "Sir, we've got the log book you asked about." Mayor: "What did it say?" Scott: "Here, read it." * Scott hands the mayor the log book. * Kyoko eyes the prisoner. Kyoko: "Who is this?" Mayor: "I see... Well, do you see that man over there we have in custody?" --The mayor points towards the man in cuffs and a lab coat.-- Scott: "Yes. What about him?" Mayor: "Turns out he is the one survivor of that lab. He escaped and we caught him here. He may have some more answers for you." Kyoko: "HE BETTER HAVE!!!!!!!!!" Scott: "Zig, you conduct this little interrogation." Zigfried: "Sure." * Kyoko stares at the prisoner angrily. * Zigfried turns to the prisoner. --The scientist looks tired and frightened.-- Scientist: "Please don't hurt me! I swear, I didn't do it!" Zigfried: "So just what exactly were you people trying to breed down there?" Scott: "Do what, sir?" Scientist: "I'm not even a Neo Pharosian! I just wanted to raise my family and needed the money!" * Zigfried nods. Zigfried: "Still, that doesn't mean you can't provide us with some answers." Scientist: "Those Neos wanted to create some genetically engineered monster. That's all I know!" Scott: "Did you know that the lead scientist was responsible for the deaths of a lot of families in Dragon City twelve years ago?" Scientist: "I did not. Things were strictly on a need-to-know basis for non NP scientists there..." Zigfried: "So what was your part in this matter?" Scientist: "I swear if I didn't need the money, I wouldn't have worked there! That place was a death trap!" Scientist: "I was the one that extracted DNA from the animal subjects we kept..." Scott: "What do you mean a death trap? Did they keep it booby trapped so you couldn't escape?" Scientist: "Nearly got myself killed too due to all the bites I got! The NPs know nothing about safety!" Zigfried: "Animal subjects? How the heck do you get giant amoebas from animal subjects!" Scientist: "It wasn't booby trapped, but it was very unsafe to work there!" Callie: "What animals would that be? Horrid Jell-O animals? =b" Scientist: "Well, those amoebas were created by leftover DNA that just kinda sat around and mutated..." * Scott looks at Zigfried and the others. Scientist: "The NPs did not take proper precautions to dispose of it!" Scott: "This don't sound good, guys." Scott: "Are you hurt in any way, sir?" Callie: "No bloody kidding Scott. =b" * Zigfried doesn't look very convinced about this explanation of just mutating DNA. Scientist: "This wasn't the first accident of theirs either. I checked some of their documents when they weren't looking! Turns out a magic refinery that exploded near Drachenburg a few years ago was run by the NPs!" Scientist: "Thank you, but all I need is some rest..." Scott: "How many years?" Scientist: "Maybe 10 or so? All I remember is that an animal trainer family that was passing by was killed by the explosion, leaving only their son." * Zigfried pales. Callie: "Who is their son?" Scientist: "Are you OK, sir?" Scientist: "Sorry, there wasn't any names in the document." * Zigfried brushes the matter off. "Yes, I'm fine." * Scott is putting two and two together as he turns to look at Zigfried. Scientist: "May I go now then?" Scientist: "I really feel much safer in that padded cell they locked me up in than here..." Scott: "Let's let him rest for a while, folks." * Zigfried nods. Scientist: "Thank you thank you thank you!" :Kyoko: "...." --The police officer takes the scientist back to his padded cell.-- Kyoko: "I REALLY don't like this..." Kyoko: "Something doesn't click with this one." * Zigfried looks off to one side, thinking. Scott: "That's an understatement." ~Sage: "Well, he's obviously been under a lot of stress..." * Callie swears softly as she ponders the situation. Kyoko: "I think out scientist friend will be of use to us in the future." Zigfried: "True enough." Zigfried: "So where should we go from here?" ~Sage: "Besides, didn't that logbook say the NP leader would be in Dybach? Maybe he's still there?" Kyoko: "Good question." Kyoko: "OK, then to Dybach!" Callie: "Ah, good. Let's go... Maybe they have a bloomin' shower there..." * Scott turns to the Mayor. "Sir, please take care of that scientist." * Callie takes some more slime from her hair. Mayor: "Yes, but only if I ask a favor of that guy in the sunglasses..." Scott: "Zig, he means you." Zigfried: "I know that." Zigfried: [to the mayor] "What can I do for you?" Mayor: "I know who you are. May I please have your autograph for my kids? They're big fans!" * Zigfried gets an anime sweat drop. Zigfried: "Uh... Sure." Mayor: "It wasn't easy with those shades, but I recognized you..." * The mayor hands Zigfried two autograph books Zigfried: "Do you have a pen?" Mayor: "Oh yes, sorry..." * The mayor hands him a pen now... * Callie snickers, hiding it so no body else in the group sees her laugh. * Zigfried signs the two autograph books. * Zigfried gives them back to the mayor. Mayor: "Thank you for everything you've done, and good luck in Dybach!" Zigfried: "We'll need it." ~Sage: "So, on to the teleport station?" Callie: "What else can go wrong for this group?? Never mind.....I don't wanna know until I have some coffee..." Zigfried: "Yeah. Let's go." --The group heads off to the Teleport Station. They are greeted there by Teal and Alys.-- * Zigfried heads off to the teleport station before anyone else figures out who he is... Kyoko: "Teal!!!!!" Teal: "What the hell happened to you guys? You look like you've been swimming in Jell-O or something!" * Kyoko smiles at Teal. Kyoko: "How are things? Callie: "Why it's the little sword slinger! 'Ello little lady!" Teal: "Well, OK, though it's not easy taking care of a newborn..." Kyoko: "This amoeba-like thing attacked us." Zigfried: "We ran into some slimy problems..." Alys: "Ga gaa!" Teal: "Whatever... Guess you'd better shower at the hospital or something. Where are you guys off to now?" Kyoko: "These NP's are REALLY beginning to PISS ME OFF!" Zigfried: "Dybach." Kyoko: "And that's a BIG thing for me." * Callie pats the girl on her head and slips her a pixie stick. ;) Teal: "Ahh, OK, however, might I suggest a stopover in Seattle to get supplies first?" Scott: "Well, Ky, looks like we're all getting pissed at the Neos. * Alys smiles at Callie and winks :) Callie: "Feh... And a shower..." Teal: "Yes, a shower! You really need it!" Zigfried: "Sure, Teal." * Callie grins at Alys. Scott: "Tell me something we don't know." ~Darkside: "I'm sorry, but I can't go. I'm getting off here. This has just become more than I can handle... Sorry..." Kyoko: "OK back to Seattle. A nice hot shower and a change of clothes!!!!!!" Zigfried: "All right. It's been nice, Darkside." Callie: "So long..." Kyoko: "Farewell, Dark... May your journey be well." Scott: "Farewell, Darkside. May the light of Althena shine brightly upon you." ~Darkside: "Thank you, and good luck in your mission..." * Darkside split! :) Teal: "As my aunt Ruby might say, let's get this show on the road!" * Teal enters the teleport station * Scott walks toward the teleport station * Zigfried enters the station. Teleport Station Girl: "Welcome to the Genome Valley Teleport Station. Where would you like to go?" * Scott enters the station Scott: "Seattle." Zigfried: "Dybach, please." Teleport Station Girl: "Make up your mind first, please..." Kyoko: "Seattle, please." Teal: "Here are the passes..." Zigfried: "Yeah, Seattle." Teleport Station Girl: "Thank you! Please step on the pads!" * Scott steps on the pad. * Callie steps on reluctantly... "Damn machine oped-" Teleport Station Girl: "Teleport on! Bye-bye! :)" * Zigfried gets on the teleportation pad. Scott: "You weren't so reluctant to teleport back in the Neo high tech lab, Callie." --The group is surrounded by a bright light and finds them once again at the Seattle teleport station.-- Kyoko: "Home again, home again." Teleport Station Girl: "Welcome to Seattle! I suggest you look at our wonderful shops in this neighborhood! There is also a hospital nearby!" * Teal exits the station * Zigfried thinks these shades must be giving him a headache. A stop at the hospital might be nice. * Scott exits the station and looks toward the magic shop. * Zigfried follows Teal out. --The hospital looks warm and inviting... :)-- Scott: "This might be a good time to check into another update on Vane's happenings." * Kyoko looks around. ~Sage: "After we've healed and stocked up first though..." Scott: "But first, let's go to the hospital." * Callie glances in the weapon shop. ;) Zigfried: "I don't think much has changed in the past few hours, Scott." Callie: "OK... OK..." * Callie goes to the hospital. --The group heads for the hospital. Inside they find several patients wearing polyester for no good reason :)-- Doctor: "Welcome. How may I help you?" Scott: "OK, Zig. I'm just anxious to find out more on why Marina is so damn reluctant to fulfill the dream of the Ausa dynasty for several generations." Doctor: "Well, obviously you could use a shower for starters..." * Zigfried nods to Scott. Scott: "Of course, genius." Zigfried: "No kidding." Doctor: "Nurse, please show this group to the showers and treat their injuries." * Callie sits down and looks consumed in thought -- then grumbles, holding her head. --All HP/MP recovered. All slime washed off :)-- * Kyoko showers gladly! * Scott pulls a book off of a nearby shelf and starts reading. Teal: "OK slowpokes, up and at 'em! We have shopping to do!" Callie: "Grraah... Can't -- I -- oh f*** nevermind it. Scott: "This pre-unification literature is great." * Zigfried's hair is back to it's snowy white color, rather than a nasty greenish-gray. :) * Callie stands up and walks out, still looking disturbed. * Scott is clean as a whistle and reading Edgar Allen Poe. --The group leaves the hospital and sees the weapon, armor, item, and magic stores all open for business.-- Teal: "Where to first?" * Scott follows the party after placing the book on the shelf. Callie: "Weapon first. ;)" Scott: "I agree with Callie." Teal: "As you wish Callie." --The group enters the Weapons Store.-- Weapons Clerk: "Hello again, how may I help you?" * Scott points to Callie. "Ask her." Weapons Clerk: "Would you like to see my inventory?" * Zigfried will simply follow everyone along, being that he has most of the stuff he already needs that's available in Seattle. Callie: "Show me your strongest. ;)" Scott: "OK, let's see what you got." ---Weapons Store Inventory--- Short Sword (50 S) Bear Claw (45 S) Sharp Dagger (20 S) Boomerang (30 S) Shotgun (50 S) Tisai Katana (50 S) Kyoko: "I want a new weapon!" Scott: "We'll go to the magic shop next, Ky." Weapons Clerk: "I'm sorry miss, but these things aren't geared towards priestesses." Weapons Clerk: "See anything you like?" Callie: "Hhhmmm..." Callie: "What's that katana like compared to the Short Sword?" Weapons Clerk: "It's just as strong in battle, but you need to be a trained assassin to take advantage of its other abilities..." Scott: "Let's book to the magic shop." Teal: "That OK with everyone?" Kyoko: "Yeah, let's go!" --The group leaves the weapons store and enters the magic store.-- Callie: "All right..." Magic Clerk: "Hello again! How may I help you?" Scott: "Hello again, sir." Magic Clerk: "Care to see my wares again?" * Kyoko does the quick scan of the place. Scott: "I think our resident priestess needs to see what you have." ---Magic Store Inventory--- Wooden Cane (35 S) Cool Robe (40 S) Copper Amulet (15 S) Starlight (200 S) Magic Clerk: "Anything interest you?" Scott: "Kyoko?" Kyoko: "First, that cane looks good." Kyoko: "And I could use the robe too." Kyoko: "The others would be nice, but not needed." Magic Clerk: "One at a time please, I'm all alone here. :) Which first miss?" Kyoko: "'K, I need one of those too. =)" Magic Clerk: "OK, one item at a time though. The cane first?" Kyoko: "Yes, please." Magic Clerk: "One sec..." * Scott turns to Callie and Zigfried. -Kyoko acquires and equips Wooden Cane (ATK + 2, Wis +2) Callie: "Yes?" Scott: "Guys, I know of only one person who can give us any information on Synthetica's weaknesses." Zigfried: "Who?" Callie" "Hmm..?" Magic Clerk: "What next, miss?" * Callie looks confused. Scott: "The Premier of Vane. The Unification War is written in the history books of Vane in great detail." ~Sage: "You mean Marina Ausa?" Callie: "Hmmm... That would make sense." Scott: "Right. Besides, I owe her one." Zigfried: "But how much alike are these two Synthetica's? We're not sure of that." Callie: "I believe you have a point there, Scott--" Callie: "What?? Owe her??" Kyoko: "Uh, the robe." Magic Clerk: "One sec... Sorry, I'm alone here and it's not easy doing this sometimes..." -Kyoko acquires and equips Cool Robe (Def +6) Magic Clerk: "Anything else?" Magic Clerk: "Still want that amulet?" Kyoko: "The amulet please. Then I'm done." Magic Clerk: "Lemme get it for you..." * Callie sits back down -- distressed. -Kyoko acquires and equips Copper Amulet (Dod%+2) Magic Clerk: "Would you like to sell that old stuff? That Garbage Can Lid, for example, can't be of much use to you now :)" Callie: "......@#$%!?*.........*%@?!......" Callie: "..$#&*$%!#?*!&$@??!!>!?!..........." Kyoko: "Yes, please take it." -Kyoko's Priestess Clothes, Walking Staff, and Garbage Can Lid sold for a total of 11 S Magic Clerk: "Thank you and have a nice day." * Callie shakes it off and gets up. Scott: "I think we oughta hold off on facing Temna and head toward Lunar. Marina might hold the only answers to this puzzle." Callie: "First armor." --The group enters the armor store. The clerk is reading the magazine "Metallurgy Times."-- Armor Clerk [puts down magazine]: "How may I help you?" Callie: "We'd like some armor... Show us what you have." * Callie looks stern like she's trying to cover something up. ---Armor Store Inventory--- Polymer Armor (65 S) Cotton Wrap (35 S) Denim Suit (35 S) Polymer Helmet (25 S) Plastic Gear (15 S) Carbonshield (45 S) Shell Guard (30 S) Armor Store: "What'll it be?" Callie: "That polymer armor... Is it too expensive?" * Callie looks to the party. --The issue of "Metallurgy Times" is open to a page on new metals research.-- * Kyoko checks out the research. Armor Clerk: "Is your life too cheap? :)" Callie: "OK....just seeing if the rest of the group objected to me buying it." --The research seems to concern new alloys being created at the ghost town of Rashana before it was abandoned.-- Kyoko: "Guys... Check this out." * Callie didn't look at the magazine yet. * Zigfried turns to Kyoko. Zigfried: "What is it?" Armor Clerk: "One sec..." * Kyoko points at the magazine. Callie: "What is it? What does it say? Probably some mechanical thing I'd hate..." --The magazine mentions combining high-tech metals with magical and holy materials of both Lunar and the Blue Star.-- * Scott was reading over Kyoko's shoulder. "Aren't you from Rashana, Callie?" * Zigfried looks roughly in its direction. * Callie's ears perk up. Callie: "What does that thing say?? =I" * Callie pushes to look. -Callie acquires and equips Polymer Armor (Def + 10) * Callie turns very very pale....... Callie: "*gUulp*" Kyoko: "Um, this is NOT a good thing." Zigfried: "Are you all right, Cal?" * Callie reads the article.... ~Sage: "I don't know about that... It might be useful." Scott: "What's wrong with you? You look like I did when I read that scientist's log book." Callie: ". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ." --The article mentions something about a test item, a mallet of all things, being forged from this metal just before the town was abandoned.-- * Zigfried smirks in a self-condemning fashion. Armor Clerk: "Would you like something else?" Zigfried: "This just isn't a day for all of us." * Callie suddenly looks more distressed then she did all the time in Seattle. Armor Clerk: "Well? We have some nice helmets and shields you may be interested in..." * Callie falls to her knees and roars, "WHY CAN'T I REMEMBER!?!?!!?!?!?" Zigfried: "Er... We'd better leave before we make a scene here..." * Zigfried helps Callie outside. Kyoko: "Anyone want anything else here?" * Scott places his hand on Callie's shoulder. "It'll come to you in time." * Callie tries to shake it off momentarily.. Teal: "Umm, I'll take a Polymer Helmet and Carbonshield for Callie, please. Anyone with me?" Callie: "OK." Zigfried: "C'mon Callie. Don't worry about it." Scott: "I'm with you, Teal." -Teal acquires Polymer Helmet! * Callie still has the shakes... This isn't just going to go away... She's sustaining herself while in the shop. -Teal acquires Carbonshield! * Teal exits the store Teal: "Callie, are you OK yet?" * Callie snarls and books out the shop -- not good to distress a half-beast chick. =b * Scott follows Teal. "Where to now, Chief?" Teal: "Well, first, I'd like to give this stuff I got to Callie, if she settles down..." Kyoko: "OK, let's get this moving, then lets stop these NPs!" Teal: "Callie, you want this stuff or not?" * Callie again roars, "ALWAYS!!! DAMN MACHINES!!!!!! IT'S THEIR FAULT MY LIFE IS HELL!!!" * Zigfried pauses for a second, wondering how in the world he got mixed up with these people, but thinks better of it and pushes the thought away. * Callie huffs and puffs. She looks up at Teal and tries to restrain herself. Callie: "OK... Good. Give me the armor and thank you Teal for getting it." Teal: "Will you take these goodies now then and behave yourself like a good little beast girl? :)" * Scott places his hand on Callie's shoulder. "I know how you feel, Callie. That's why I'm so wild against these monsters." * Callie runs her fingers through her hair and shakes it off again. -Teal gives Callie Polymer Helmet (Def + 4). Callie equips it... -Teal gives Callie Carbonshield (Dod% +5). Callie equips it... Callie: "OK... "Let's get out of here... I found when I'm like this the best thing to do it fight -- no idea why..." Kyoko: "Now, before this gets worse, let's stop these creeps." ~Sage: "First we should hit the item shop though..." Callie: "OK... OK..." ~Sage: "We may need some herbs or something..." Kyoko: "OK..." * Callie walks in the store. Scott: "Sage, many of us can heal with magic. Why the hell do we need herbs." --The group enters "Ramus's of Meribia" and is again greeted by the shop bunny.-- ~Sage: "Better safe than sorry..." Shop Bunny: "Welcome to Ramus's. :) How may I help you? :)" * Callie buys one herb. * Callie gives a scary look to the bunny girl and she starts to get nervous. ---Item Store Inventory--- Herb (10 S) Medicine (5 S) Rubber Mallet (15 S) Miniporter (100 S) Silk Ribbon (7 S) Kyoko: "I'll vouch." -Callie acquires Herb. Scott: "I'll take three herbs." -Scott acquires 3 Herbs Kyoko: "I'd like the Silk Ribbon please." * Callie walks out the door and puts her back up against the outside wall of the store. Callie: **You hear Callie's familiar swearing outside. ;) * Scott walks out of the store and stands beside Callie. -Kyoko acquires and equips Silk Ribbon (Def +2) Scott: "What's on your mind?" Shop Bunny: "Wanna sell anything?" Callie: "Nothing... That's the problem..." Callie: "*snarl* Wait. I have to sell my stuff." Scott: "I just want you to know that I know how you feel, Callie. Machines messed up your life and monsters messed up mine." * Callie walks back in and first slams her garbage can lid on the counter. * Zigfried goes outside as Callie comes back in. Shop Bunny: "1S. Anything else?" * Kyoko ties the Silk Ribbon in her hair and places her old Ribbon on the table. Callie: "One minute Scott." Shop Bunny: "5S" Shop Bunny: "What else?" Callie: "Umm..." Callie: "My dagger and civilian clothes." Shop Bunny: "10S for both. What else?" Callie: "That's all." Shop Bunny: "OK, thanks for shopping Ramus's! *blown kiss*" * Callie sighs and slowly walks out the door. At the doorway she asks, "We done?" Teal: "We're done." * Callie continues on. * Scott thinks about his mission as he waits outside the shop. Kyoko: "Now, it's time..." Teal: "We're gonna need to teleport to Arctic Central, it's the closest station to Dybach" Scott: "Let's go, Teal." * Callie, still distressed, begins to shake her head and swear again. Zigfried: "Where exactly is Dybach, anyway?" * Teal heads off towards the teleport station. Kyoko: "Let's move!" * Scott looks at Callie. "What's the problem?" * Zigfried follows Teal. * Scott follows Teal. Teal: "It's in northern Europe, north of the Arctic Circle, not far from the Ural Mountains." Callie: "EEEEERRRRGG! Why doesn't it click??? All of you...even if it's bad can speak of your pasts!!!!" Callie: "But me -- Callie... I made t'is name up you know!" Zigfried: "'Can' is one thing. 'Will' is another." Scott: "It'll all come back to you in time. Trust me." Callie: "I remember NOTHING. I only remember what I was told of what happened in Rashana!!" Callie: "IT HASN'T COME BACK IN TWENTY YEARS!!!!!!!!!" * Zigfried nods sympathetically. Scott: "Look at me. I've been trying to forget for twelve. I haven't yet, but I do understand your dilemma." Callie "RRRRRRRGGGGGGG!!!!! THIS IS SO ANNOYING -- I -- I --" Kyoko: "I'd kill to know my father, Callie, you're not alone..." Teal: "Settle down... It'll be all right..." Scott: "I'd kill to be able to save my parents from their deaths." * Callie runs to the transport station with Teal. "OK!! Fine!! I NEED TO FIGHT!! Let's go!" Callie: "Well, not only do I not remember them -- but they all died too!!" Teal: "Not until you settle down a little Callie... You're in no condition to fight like that. I've dealt with your kind before..." Callie: "I was the only one left in Rashana -- and I can't even tell about it!!!!" * Zigfried sighs. This mood needs to lighten up. Callie: "I have to!!!!" Teal: "Will it make it feel better if I tell you that after this is all over I'll personally go to Rashana with you to see if we can find out what happened and get your memory back?" Kyoko: "My parents are as good as dead to me, I never knew them." Kyoko: "But, for them, I must help save this world." Kyoko: "So let's go!" Callie: "*sigh* But it was -- flooded over!" Scott: "You're lucky, Kyoko. At least yours are alive. I watched mine die when those monsters killed them." Zigfried: "Look, let's get off this topic of parentage. It just seems to be making everything worse." Callie: "There is nothing left! I'm sure of it!" Zigfried: "We've got to pull ourselves together." Callie: "OK... OK..." Callie: "You're right." Teal: "Good... Yeesh a couple mill... er decades, and people never change..." Callie: "*sigh* I can handle this... I can handle everything..." Teal: "You ready to go then Callie?" Callie: "Yes... And... Um... You were just kidding about not letting me fight, right?" * Scott is getting close to berzerker rage again, so he tries to calm down by humming an old pre-unification rock song. Teal: "Of course... :)" * Teal enters the teleport station * Kyoko heads off to the teleportation station. * Scott follows Teal into the station. Teleport Station Girl: "Welcome to the Teleport Station? Where would you like to go?" Scott: "Great." Teleport Station Girl: "I can take you to Arctic Central, the closest station to Dybach, how's that?" Scott: "Fine by me." Zigfried: "Close enough." * Teal hands over the passes. Teleport Station Girl: "You know the drill. Onto the pads. :)" * Scott walks onto the pad. * Teal steps onto the pad * Kyoko gets on the pad. * Zigfried hops on to the pad. Teleport Station Girl: "Teleport on! Bye-bye!" --The group is bathed in the familiar white light before rematerializing.-- Teleport Station Girl: "Welcome to Arctic Central! Our duty-free shop has many useful items, and we're near the town of Dybach!" Teal: "OK guys, shall we hit the road?" Zigfried: "Yes, indeed." Kyoko: "Let's go!" Scott: "Let's book." * Teal exits the station and heads towards Dybach... * Scott follows. * Kyoko follows. * Zigfried looks at the arctic scenery as they go along. * Kyoko pulls up her hood and shivers. * Scott is used to the cold, but this is ridiculous. Zigfried: "We should have thought to buy some heavier clothing..." Kyoko: "Just stick close, everything will be fine." Teal: "Naa, it's not THAT cold... Besides, there's Dybach up ahead!" Zigfried: "Good!" * Callie nods. --It is currently after dark. The group enters the town of Dybach. It is filled with Neo Pharosians and their sympathizers.-- * Kyoko looks angry as hell! Neo Pharosian: "Welcome to Dybach! Have you come here to join us?" * Zigfried tries to remain inconspicuous. * Kyoko mumbles under her breath "Heathens, murderers, blasphemy." * Callie looks up and says bluntly: "No." * Zigfried is in the back of the party. * Scott doesn't say a word. Teal: "Sorry, we're just passing through..." * Teal motions the group to the side, away from any people... Callie: "Yes. Excuse us." * Scott looks intently for Temna. * Teal wants the group to form a huddle around her... * Zigfried gets close to Teal. * Callie follows Teal's commands. * Scott gets close to Teal. "What's up, Chief?" * Kyoko huddles. * Teal whispers, "OK, this'll be tricky as this town is still full of people and not abandoned. Here's what we'll do. I distract them over at their barracks over there while you storm their lab, got that?" Callie: "Got it." Zigfried: "Sure, I think we can do that." Scott: "Got it, Teal. Let me at them." Zigfried: "What about Alys though? Won't she be in danger?" * Teal whispers: "Good, don't enter the lab until you see my signal. I assume you'll know what that'll be, hehe..." Callie: "Be sure the plan will be executed." Teal: "She should be safe enough. I'll do some long-range distracting..." Zigfried: "Good." Teal: "You guys with me?" Scott: "Let's get to it." * Zigfried nods. Teal: "Good. Break!" * Scott races toward the lab. * Callie pretends to be casually walking as she heads for the lab. --Teal heads off towards the barracks while the rest of the group heads for the lab.-- ~Sage: "So, how long do you think it'll be before we get the signal?" * Callie makes sure nobody watches her as she sneaks to the lab. Scott: "I think we'll know when we see it." Zigfried: "Hopefully not long." * Zigfried stays hidden in the shadows. * Scott takes cover at the door. * Zigfried takes off his shades so he can see better. * Callie tries not to look suspicious. --Suddenly a female voice is heard shouting "Dragon Tear!" in the distance. An enormous ethereal blue dragon attacks the Dybach barracks, followed by a barrage of ice boulders!-- * Kyoko is still murmuring something about heathens and how Althena will judge all these people. * Callie puts one foot up against the building and whistles. Callie: "Now." ~Sage: "I think that's the signal..." * Zigfried races into the building! "Let's go!" let's do it! * Callie heads in. --The group heads into the lab.-- * Scott races into the lab, sword in hand. * Callie swiftly makes her way through the lab. * Scott races through the lab. --Cloning tubes similar to those in the lab near Stow are found all over the lab...-- * Callie warns Scott to keep it down and rush, but rush quietly. ;) * Zigfried glances at the tubes cautiously. * Scott rushes quietly, but a little faster than the others. --Suddenly the group is approached by a hooded man. The hood is so low that you cannot make out his face, however he appears like the hooded man that was at Dragon City during the festival...-- Hooded Man: "Why, hello there..." * Scott stops suddenly. * Callie looks up. * Zigfried pauses as he hears the man's approach. Callie: "Hello..." Scott: "Who the hell are you?" Kyoko: "Hello?" Callie: "We don't want any trouble from you, sir... Don't I know you?" Hooded Man: "My name is... Lou. I'm here to help take care of these NPs. I found a short cut while exploring this joint..." Scott: "Lou?" Lou: "Yes, that's my name... Got a problem with that?" Scott: "This is getting interesting." * Zigfried listens, but doesn't react at all. Callie: "Nice to meet you, Lou... How do we know you aren't a spy? * Lou casually flashes his large sword... Kyoko: "As in Dragonmaster..." Lou: "Trust me, I'm not a spy... And I'm sure my skill with a blade will be very useful to you here..." Lou: "Mind if I join you?" Scott: "Not at all, Lou." * Zigfried shrugs indifferently. Lou: "Thanks. I appreciate it. Follow me then!" * Kyoko follows Lou. Callie: "All right... I don't know why I trust a man in a hood..." * Scott follows Lou. * Lou leads the group through the complex... Kyoko: "Althena smiles on us today!" Callie: "Maybe..." Callie: "Maybe not..." Scott: "Ain't that the truth, Ky." Lou: "Just one warning, this place is crawling with rejects from their cloning research and security bots..." Zigfried: "I'll bet." --Suddenly, footsteps and mechanical whirring can be heard coming around a corner...-- Callie: "What... Is... That..." * Scott prepares for combat. Lou: "Bad news, maybe..." * Zigfried turns towards the sound. Callie: "It's a machine... Lunar's demise..." Lou: "I've seen some of their rejects... I'm warning you, they're UGLY!" * Callie snarls and rubs her head again then goes normal again. Scott: "You don't have to tell me twice, Lou. We've seen their robots and clones." Lou: "Yeah, but these take the cake!" Callie: "I'm fine... I need to fight... Let's handle it..." * Zigfried doesn't really care *what* they look like. --The noises around the corner stop temporarily...-- * Scott peers around the corner. "You're right, Lou. Those things are ugly." * Callie draws her sword. * Callie closes her eyes and swears. Good ol' Callie! ;) --Suddenly the noises start back up and the enemies turn the corner. There are four robots in the back row. In the front are four apes wearing blonde wigs and cheap sunglasses...-- ===COMBAT=== -4 Monkey-Boys and 4 PowerSentryX's- Callie: "M -- M -- Monkeys??" Callie: "Screw this! I'm hitting the bloody can openers!!" Scott: "I've got the apes." Lou: "I'll take the first ape, for now..." Zigfried: "I'll help you." Lou: "Thanks, but that may not be necessary..." Lou uses Poe Sword! Scott: "Hey, Callie A hand here?" Lou leaps high in the air and slashes downwards against Monkey-Boy A! Monkey-Boy A suffers 9999 damage! Monkey-Boy A is decimated! Callie uses Fastcut on PowerSentryX B! PowerSentryX suffers 24 damage! Callie: "Feh. ;)" Scott: "Not bad, Callie." Zigfried attacks Monkey-Boy B... Scott: "Hey, Zig. Give me a hand with Monkey B." Zigfried: "Whaddya think I'm doing!" First attack... 25 damage! Second attack... 25 damage! Third attack... 24 damage! Scott: "Not bad, Zig. :)" Zigfried: "As always. :)" Scott attacks Monkey-Boy B! First attack... 23 damage! Second attack... 21 damage! Scott: "Feel my steel, ape." Scott: "Not bad if I do say so myself." * Callie fehs: "Not bad. ;)" Monkey-Boy B uses Blue Shadow! Scott: "Thanks, Callie." A cloud of darkness surrounds the group. Everyone is blinded except for Zigfried and Lou... Monkey-Boy C uses Frame Loss! * Zigfried fehs. Zigfried is bombarded by waves of strange energy from the sunglasses of the Monkey-Boy! Hit% down 5, Dod% down 5 Zigfried: "Argh!" Monkey-Boy C attacks Callie! Callie suffers 1 damage... Callie: "Feh. ;)" Monkey-Boy D attacks Zigfried! Zigfried suffers 5 damage... * Zigfried growls. Scott: "Hey, these things are rather weak." PowerSentryX A attacks Zigfried! Zigfried: "Uh oh..." Zigfried suffers 1 damage. Callie suffers 1 damage. Scott suffers 1 damage. Lou avoids the blow... PowerSentryX B attacks Callie! All suffer 1 damage except for Lou, who takes none... PowerSentryX C attacks Scott! All suffer 1 damage except for Lou, who takes none... PowerSentryX attacks Lou! The attack misses by a mile... ===ROUND 2=== Lou: "I'll finish them this time..." Lou uses Schitzo Blade! All enemies are decimated for 9999 points of damage! VICTORY! * Zigfried sighs. Scott: "Cool." * Callie eyes Lou and grins. Callie: "Uhh..." Callie: "Not bad. ;)" --All earn 19 XP. 300S and 76 MXP gained-- * Callie appears to seem less distressed. Zigfried: "Feeling better, Callie?" Callie: "A bit... I still didn't have much of a chance to get into it..... The battle went too fast with Lou over there... Feh. Heh. ;)" * Zigfried turns his look away from the corpses. * Scott looks at the corpses and let's out a very loud "YEEEE HHAAAAWWWW!" --Callie has reached level 4! HP up 6, MP up 4, ATK up 3, Def up 2, Wis up 4, MgE up 4, Hit% up 3, Dod% up 3! Next at 338-- Lou: "I've always wanted to do that to a Monkey-Boy..." Scott: "I'LL BET." Callie: "I'm sure you did, Lou." Lou: "Shall we press on?" Scott: "Let's get going." Zigfried: "Sure." * Lou continues to lead the group deeper and deeper inside the lab --The group eventually comes across a shelf with labeled test tubes...-- ~Sage: "Hey, check out these tubes... I wonder what they say..." * Scott looks at the tubes. --Scribbled on the labels of the tubes are names like Charles Manson, Napoleon, Vlad Dracuul, GMHahn, Adolf Hitler, Genghis Khan, etc...-- * Kyoko examines the tubes. ~Sage: "Good Goddess! Don't tell me they're doing what I think they're doing!" Zigfried: "Cloning?" Lou: "I'm afraid so. They're combining the DNA of these madmen to create the ultimate general..." Scott: "I think your assumption may be right, Sage." Kyoko: "No..." Lou: "Lets press on, maybe we can get more info on this..." * Scott follows Lou further. Kyoko: "Indeed." * Kyoko follows Lou. --Lou leads the group into another room. There is a document on a desk in this room, and a staircase leading outside on one end...-- Zigfried: "Great... It looks like we've traveled straight through this place." * Kyoko checks out the document. Lou: "Looks like it..." * Scott checks out the paper. --The document reads as follows: "Project Nykhan is a success! This being has been created and has already been dispatched to the rendezvous point for the ceremony..."-- Scott: "Whatcha see, Kyoko?" Callie: "What does it say?" Lou: "Damn, we're too late to stop them!" * Kyoko reads the document out loud. Zigfried: "What's Project Nykhan?" Lou: "I think it is the name of the being they created here..." Scott: "Stop them from releasing that clone, and Temna?" Lou: "Well, I guess I need to split up with you guys now. It's been great adventuring with you. You can get out of here via those stairs. I have my own means of exit..." Lou: "Farewell!" * Zigfried waves good-bye. * Scott bows to Lou. "See ya later, Lou." * Lou disappears in a swirl of dark magic... Callie: "Good bye, Lou!" Scott: "Let's get outta here." ~Sage: "OK, let's do what that blade freak said and get out of here!" * Zigfried puts his shades back on and heads up the stairs. * Scott follows Zigfried. * Kyoko heads out. * Callie shruggles and heads the same way. * Kyoko looks for some kind of self destruct switch on the way out. --When the group exits the building, they see Teal imprisoned within some sort of magical cage. At her side is a middle-aged man in dark armor. This man is holding Alys in his arms!-- Zigfried: "Scheisse!" Callie: "WTF???" Scott: "What the hell?" Callie: "#$^@@^&@%#@!?@#&*!@!@&*(!@" Kyoko: "LET HER GO, RIGHT NOW!" Scott: "Let's get him!" Dark Man: Greetings, looks like you've been trying to put together the pieces of our plan to prepare this world for Nephar's arrival." Dark Man: "However, you are too late as I have now captured three of the Four Dragons as well as baby Alys. Your meddling in the affairs of my Neo Pharosians have all gone to naught..." Callie: "Nephar... What an evil sounding name... Why am I not surprised? =b" * The Dark Man laughs the trademark evil laugh all villains laugh :) Zigfried: "Three of the dragons?" Scott: "Well, we're about to free them." Teal: "Yes... I lied, I really am the Blue Dragon..." Scott: "Let's kick his ass, guys." Dark Man: "Don't make me laugh!" Callie: "You know... I can laugh like that too so don't feel special." * The Dark Man uses a magical force field to keep the group away from him! Kyoko: "BY ALTHENA, I WILL PUNISH YOU!" * Callie solemnly looks at the man. Dark Man: "Fools, do you not know who I am?" Scott: "Upon my honor, you will die!" * Zigfried remains wary. Dark Man: "Do not anger me, or I will squash you like the insect you are!" Zigfried: "Feh." * Kyoko looks at the man with steely conviction. Scott: "Who the hell are you, a******?" Callie: "Ahh... And he uses metaphors as well..." Zigfried: "I don't think you need to be so full of yourself." Callie: "What a villain... Where you an English teacher as well?" Dark Man: "Why, don't you read your history? If it wasn't for me Lunar and the Blue Star would still be separate worlds, for you see I am Dr. Zachary Oliver Pharos, better known as, the Dark Pharaoh!" Kyoko: "........." * Kyoko faints. Scott: "WHAT?!?!?!!??!" Pharos: "Gwa ha ha ha ha ha!" Scott: "You were killed 1000 years ago by Dragonmaster Alex II." Callie: "So... WERE you ever an English teacher?" [n/m] Pharos: "Yes, but Nephar has brought me back to assist him!" Pharos: "No, I was an archaeologist!" * Zigfried flashes his claws dangerously at Pharos. Callie: "Feh." Zigfried: "We don't need to listen to you boast about yourself." * Scott has his sword in hand and ready. Pharos: "Fool, try and hit me now!" Pharos casts Stealth Mantle! Pharos it totally invisible! Zigfried: "Let's get this over with!" Callie: "You know, Nephar spelled backwards is Rahpen." Pharos: "Try and hit me now, insects!" * Kyoko is down on the dirt fainted. * Zigfried doesn't care. * Scott looks around for any sign of distortion. * Zigfried closes his eyes, listening for other signs of Pharos's location. Pharos: "Enough! I'll end this my way!" Pharos casts Tyrant Wave! Callie: "Feh... What a spell..." A wave of black magic assaults the front row! Callie suffers 876 damage. Callie has been defeated... * Zigfried raises his claws in front of him to try blocking the worst of its effect. Scott suffers 898 damage. Scott has been defeated... Zigfried suffers 874 damage. Zigfried has been defeated... Kyoko remains fainted * Kyoko sits up slowly. Teal: "Kyoko! When the others wake up, tell them to get my Uncle Ebony, the Black Dragon! He'll know what to do!" Kyoko: "Pharos..." Pharos: "Yes... Get the Black Dragon for me. I'll see you all at Lunar's Mystic Ruins!" --Pharos's voice, Teal, and Alys disappear from sight...-- * Callie, Zigfried, and Scott come to... * Kyoko heals all. * Kyoko starts chanting... "In the name of Althena, calm this soul and heal their wounds..." Scott is suddenly engulfed in a blue light and starts healing... * Kyoko starts chanting... "In the name of Althena, calm this soul and heal their wounds..." Callie is suddenly engulfed in a blue light and starts healing... Scott: "Where is he? PHAROAH, WHEN NEXT WE MEET, YOU WILL DIE!" * Zigfried sits up groggily. --Everyone's HP fully restored...-- * Kyoko starts chanting... "In the name of Althena, calm this soul and heal their wounds..." Zigfried is suddenly engulfed in a blue light and starts healing... Callie: "Yes! And you will learn some better metaphors!! You'd make a horrible English teacher!!" * Kyoko looks distraught. Callie: "'Insects.' It was cute the first time but it got old fast. =b" ~Sage: "Wha... What happened?" Scott: "He was stronger than anyone I ever fought in my life. Let's get to Lunar. I've got to ask Marina about him." Kyoko: "Pharos... It's... All..." ~Sage: "Kyoko, do you know what we have to do now?" Callie: "You know... Insignificant grains of sand... Pathetic droplets of water in an ocean... I'll have to tech him a thing or two!! >=)" Callie: "And then he'll die with something to think about!!!" Kyoko: "We need to head to Ebony, the Black Dragon... Before it's too late for him... If it's not already." ~Sage: "The Black Dragon? I heard he lives in a temple near the Aztec Central teleport station!" Callie: "And how about some alliteration? Oh, nevermind..." Kyoko: "Let's move!" Kyoko: "NOW!!!!!!!!!" Scott: "Let's get gone, guys." * Zigfried gets up. --Kyoko heads towards the teleport station.-- Zigfried: "Yeah. We'd better get back to the teleport station." * Scott follows Kyoko ~Sage: "I can't believe Pharos still lives!" Kyoko: "Believe it." ~Sage: "But how?" Kyoko: "Nephar is as bad as his brother." Scott: "Well, he won't live long." * Callie goes as well. Kyoko: "If he gets Ebony, it's all over!" ~Sage: "Neither will we if he zaps us with that spell again..." Scott: "I'm gonna kill that son of an unnamed goat if it kills me." * Callie mutters, "Like butter-brained bimbos... That's always been a good one..." * Callie looks up. Callie: "Uhm... Where are we going?" Scott: "The teleport station." Callie: "Oh. OK." * Kyoko is heading to the teleport station at warp 9.9999999 * Scott is racing towards the teleport station himself. * Zigfried is right on Kyoko's heels, figuratively speaking of course. Callie: "It better not scramble my genes or anything... Is it safe to ride that as often as we are?" Scott: "Perfectly, Callie." Zigfried: "I've used the teleporters many times. Don't worry about it Callie. It's safe." Kyoko: "Now... Now... We end this NOW!" ~Sage: "Too bad Lou left us, I bet he could kick Pharos's ass!" Kyoko: "We stop him from killing Ebony, we kill Nephar's plans!" Zigfried: "Maybe Lou left because he knew Pharos was out there." Scott: "I have a feeling we'll be meeting him again." Kyoko: "So do I." Callie: "And foolish fizzle-finned fops... No. That's tacky..." --Suddenly, the group is thrown into battle against some of this region's indigenous creatures ;)-- ===COMBAT=== -2 Ice Mutts in front, 2 Tundra Hawks in back...- Zigfried attacks Ice Mutt A! First attack... 22 damage! Second attack... 27 damage! Third attack... 23 damage! Scott: "Smooth move, Ex-Lax" * Zigfried nods. Callie attacks Ice Mutt A! Callie: "Damn... Your fast... Wish I could hit as many times as you!" First attack... 32 damage! Ice Mutt A is dead! * Zigfried is a blur of claws! Second attack on Ice Mutt B... 29 damage! Scott attacks Ice Mutt B! Scott: "Feel my steel, Mutt." First attack... 21 damage! Callie: "Die, perilous pimple on the bloated butt of Borgan!!!!" Second attach... 26 damage! Ice Mutt B casts Ice Slivers on the front row! Callie suffers 14 damage. Scott suffers 22. Zigfried suffers 27 * Zigfried shudders. Scott: "Time to heal." Kyoko casts Supersonic Level 2 on Ice Mutt B! Ice Mutt B suffers 42 damage! Ice Mutt B is dead! Tundra Hawk A casts Winged Hawk! Scott: "Great shot, Kyoko." Tundra Hawk A can attack any row... Tundra Hawk B casts Winged Hawk! Tundra Hawk B can attack any row... ===ROUND 2=== * Kyoko look of determination in her eyes. Callie: "OK... Confusion time..." Zigfried attacks Tundra Hawk B! * Callie buffs her booties. ;) First attack... 20 damage! Second attack... 23 damage! Third attack... 26 damage! Scott: "Smooth move, Ex-Lax." Callie casts Flip Kick Level 1 on Tundra Hawk B! Callie: "Where did you learn to be so fast?? Running from groupies?" Callie tumbles through the air and gives the hawk a boot to da head :) Callie: "Let's get them dazed now!!" * Zigfried smirks. "That's one way!" Tundra Hawk B suffers 5 damage. Tundra Hawk B barely resists dazing... Callie: "YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYA -- Ah f*** this..." Scott casts Heal Litany on himself! * Callie swears and walks back to her place. Scott regains 21 HP Tundra Hawk A attacks Scott! Zigfried: "I could probably use some healing next round if someone would oblige me." Scott suffers 4 damage... Tundra Hawk B attacks Callie! Callie suffers 5 damage... Kyoko casts Supersonic on Tundra Hawk A! * Kyoko inhales deeply, stares at Tundra Hawk A. Kyoko begins singing, pleasant at first, then turning shrill 'til the song forms waves of sound impacting into Tundra Hawk A~ Tundra Hawk A suffers 43 damage! ===ROUND 2=== Zigfried attacks Tundra Hawk B! First attack... 21 damage! Second attack... 20 damage! Tundra Hawk B is dead! Zigfried: "Yes!" Scott: "Good move, Zig." Third attack on Tundra Hawk A... 25 damage! Callie attacks Tundra Hawk A! First attack... 33 damage! Tundra Hawk A is dead! VICTORY! Scott: "A'ight!!!!!" --All get 18 XP... 126 Silver, 36 MXP gained-- * Zigfried chases after Scott. * Kyoko is heading to the station at warp 9! --Finally, the group arrives at the teleport station.-- Zigfried: "Phew!" Teleport Station Girl: "Welcome to the Arctic Central Teleport Station, where would you like to go?" Callie: "Hell, please... No wait... I'm already there..." Scott: "Aztec Central." Callie: "We are going... To... Yea." Teleport Station Girl: "That will cost 60S..." Kyoko: "Look, we need to get as close to Aztec Central as we can!" Scott: "Let's go." Kyoko: "FINE!" * Kyoko doles out the money. Teleport Station Girl: "Step onto the pad please..." * Zigfried gets on the pad. * Scott steps onto the pad. * Callie steps on. Callie: "Gene splicing time!" * Kyoko runs on. Kyoko: "HURRY!" Teleport Station Girl: "Teleport on! Bye-bye!" --The group soon rematerializes at Aztec Central Station-- Scott: "Let's head to Ebony's cave." Zigfried: "Great. So where is the Black Dragon's cave?" Teleport Station Girl: "Welcome to Aztec Central. We have an item shop here, and the Temple of the Feathered Dragon is due south..." Scott: "Let's head south." * Kyoko runs south. * Scott races from the station toward Ebony's temple. --The group enters a burning desert...-- Zigfried: "Shall we... Okay... I guess we won't go to the item shop." Zigfried: "Great. First the arctic, then the desert. What next?" Scott: "Now I know how a frozen pizza feels." * Callie wipes the sweat from her face and pulls at her shirt, trying to air it out. ~Sage: "Careful guys, I hear some really big worms live in these parts..." * Zigfried will try to be careful. * Scott keeps on his guard. --Suddenly, the sand is swirled into whirlwinds and the ground begins to shake...-- * Kyoko readies herself. * Zigfried staggers to keep his balance. Scott: "Oh No. What now." * Scott prepares for battle. * Callie sighs and takes out her sword. * Zigfried lowers himself into a battle crouch. --The whirlwinds take almost solid form, and two enormous worms emerge from underground!-- ===COMBAT=== Callie: "How did I know..." Zigfried: "No matter what the desert... They've just got to have worms!" -2 Sandworms in front, 2 Dust Devils in back...- Scott uses Fastcut on Sandworm A! Sandworm A suffers 20 damage! Zigfried attacks Sandworm B! First attack... 22 damage... Second attack... 22 damage... * Zigfried is gonna cleave these things in two! Third attack... Critical hit! 44 damage! * Scott is gonna slice this worm until it fits into his Tequila bottle. Callie attacks Sandworm A! * Zigfried cheers! First attack... 29 damage! Second attack... 28 damage! Scott: "Smooth move, Callie." Sandworm A uses Tremor! Callie suffers 8 damage. Kyoko suffers 1. Scott suffers 12. Zigfried suffers 15. Zigfried is defeated... Dust Devil A casts Silent Breath on the back row! Kyoko is muted! Dust Devil B defends === ROUND 2 === Callie attacks Sandworm A! First attack... 26 damage! Second attack... 23 damage! Sandworm A bites the dust! Scott attacks Sandworm B! First attack... 23 damage! Sandworm B is history! Scott: "Get ready to die, monsters!" Second attack on Dust Devil A... 26 damage! Dust Devil A defends Dust Devil B casts Silent Breath on the front row! Callie is muted. Scott is muted... Kyoko casts Purity Litany on herself! Kyoko is no longer muted! ===ROUND 3=== Callie attacks Dust Devil A! First attack... 30 damage! Second attack... 27 damage! Scott attacks Dust Devil A! First attack... 20 damage! Dust Devil A is defeated! Second attack on Dust Devil B... 20 damage! Dust Devil B casts Silent Breath on the front row! Callie and Scott are re-muted, as if it matters. :) Kyoko casts Heal Litany on Callie! All HP recovered! ===ROUND 4=== Callie attacks Dust Devil B! First attack... 30 damage! Second attack... 26 damage! Scott attacks Dust Devil B! First attack... Critical hit! 45 damage! Dust Devil B is dead! VICTORY! * Kyoko starts chanting... "In the name of Althena, calm this soul and heal their wounds..." Callie is suddenly engulfed in a blue light and starts healing... * Kyoko starts chanting... "In the name of Althena, calm this soul and heal their wounds..." Scott is suddenly engulfed in a blue light and starts healing... Scott: "Yeee Haaawwww!!!!!" * Zigfried wakes up... * Kyoko starts chanting... "In the name of Althena, calm this soul and heal their wounds..." Zigfried is suddenly engulfed in a blue light and starts healing... * Zigfried is sprawled on the ground. --All get 12 XP. 190 Silver, 46 MXP gained-- --Scott recovers all HP...-- --Zigfried recovers all HP...-- --The group moves on towards the temple...-- * Kyoko looks drained. Kyoko: "All this drain on my power..." * Scott looks exhausted. Kyoko: "I'm afraid if I keep flinging spells like this, I'm not going to be much help much longer." Kyoko: "Warp 9.99999 to the temple!" --Soon, the Temple of the Feathered Dragon appears in the distance...-- --The temple appears to be a large pyramid of Aztec or Maya origin.-- Scott: "Let's get in there." --The only entrance is at the top of the staircase on the front size...-- * Kyoko starts climbing.... * Scott climbs the stairs. --At the top of the stairs lies a small doorway, and the remnants of an onyx altar.-- --The doorway doesn't even have a door :)-- * Scott heads through the door. * Kyoko checks the altar. * Zigfried looks around the chamber. --The altar was destroyed 1000 years ago by the Dark Pharaoh.-- * Kyoko stands at the foot of the altar. Kyoko: "By the light of Althena, Guide our way..." --Inside the doorway lies another steep staircase...-- Scott: "Follow me, guys." --The staircase heads down...-- * Zigfried goes down the stairs. * Kyoko heads down the stairs. * Scott heads down the stairs. --At the bottom of the stairs lies the entrance to a large cave.-- * Scott heads into the cave. Zigfried: "This must be his lair..." * Kyoko heads into the cave. * Zigfried follows Scott. --The cave is long and treacherous, and descends several levels...-- * Scott continues on --Finally, the group approaches a doorway in the walls of the cave with no where else to turn...-- * Zigfried keeps a hand along the walls to keep from stumbling. * Zigfried peers into the doorway. * Scott passes through the doorway. * Kyoko heads in. --Inside the doorway lies the enormous, majestic reptilian form of Ebony, the Black Dragon!-- * Zigfried follows them. Kyoko: "Ebony, You're in great danger!" * The Black Dragon lies curled up in the middle of the chamber, sleeping * Zigfried isn't sure exactly how to nicely wake up a sleeping dragon. Kyoko: "Ebony..." Kyoko: "Ebony..." Kyoko: "EBONY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" * Scott Yells at Ebony. "EBONY, WAKE UP!!!!!!" * Ebony jumps and bangs his head on the ceiling Ebony: "OUCH!" * Zigfried jumps back from the falling stalactites. * Ebony grumbles and looks down Kyoko: "Ebony, I am Kyoko Ayukawa, a priestess of Althena. I am here to warn you. Pharos is on his way to KILL you!" Ebony: "Oh... Visitors..." Scott: "This is no time to be nonchalant, Ebony." Ebony: "Of COURSE... No one ever visits Ebony unless there is a psycho trying to take over the world..." Ebony: "I thought the Dark Pharaoh was already defeated." Scott: "My name is Scott. We're fighting against Pharos and Nephar." * Ebony absently rubs his head his a paw Scott: "Well, he's alive now." Kyoko: "Nephar revived him!" Kyoko: "He has Teal and the baby!" Ebony: "Oh OK... New psycho reviving old ones... I know the drill." Ebony: "And I suppose..." Ebony: "WHAT?!" Zigfried: "Anyway, Ebony, you're the last of the dragons." Zigfried: "Pharos has all the others." Scott: "Yes. He's captured Teal and Alys." * Ebony whirls to look at Kyoko * Ebony growls, the cavern rumbles Ebony: "Teal..." * Ebony stands, his large form dwarfing them Scott: "Will you be able to help us get to Lunar?" Ebony: "I'll help you..." Kyoko: "The Mystic ruins... He took them to the Mystic Ruins on Lunar!" * Ebony mutters "I'll rip him into little chunks too." * Ebony seems sad "Teal is all I have left..." Scott: "Wait, Ebony. Let us handle Pharos. He wants to kill you." Kyoko: "We need Alys." Kyoko: "She is fated for greatness, I can tell." * Ebony turns slightly to look at the back of the chamber. A group of life sized statues is revealed, some men, a couple of women, and a cat with wings carved from a blue stone Kyoko: "Ebony, we need to protect you at all costs." * Zigfried looks curiously at the statues. Ebony: "I won't lose Teal too." * Kyoko examines the statues and uses some of that priestess lore to see if she remembers anything.... Ebony: "Fine fine, you protect me, I squish him." Scott: "We'll make sure that Teal lives. Remember Hiro. He and his friends defeated Zophar with the power of humanity. We can too." Ebony: "Yea yea, with Ruby's help." Ebony: "And ahem... Mine." Zigfried: "Of course." Ebony: "Remember, I am the second oldest, wisest, and most powerful creature on the planet." Scott: "Let us take care of Pharos. I've got a little score to settle with him." * Zigfried blinks... * Ebony lowers his head to look at them "I don't know, you look like a bunch of wimps to me..." Kyoko: "I... Will... Totally... Decimate... That... A******... PHAROS!!!!!!!!!!" Zigfried: "Lucia's still here... Do you think Pharos will go after her once he's gotten all the dragons?" Ebony: "At least you've got the spirit." Scott: "We're fighting, not for ourselves, but for the lives of all humanity." Ebony: "Well, to get to you Lunar I'll have to use the power of the altar." * Ebony looks, "Those doors shrink on me?" Kyoko: "Heck, we'll put Nephar's butt in a sling!" * Ebony sighs "I hate doing this..." Scott: "I think you've grown." * Ebony waves a paw and is surrounded by a black mist. Out steps a human male with black hair. * Kyoko blink-blinks. Ebony: "Well... Are we going to stand around here all day talking about how cool we are and who we're gonna kill?" * Scott does a double take. Zigfried: "We shouldn't." * Ebony stretches a little and starts walking Scott: "Let's get going, Ebony." * Scott heads to the onyx altar. * Kyoko heads back to the altar. * Ebony stops to look back at the statues, turns and continues on Ebony: "So who are you all?" Ebony: "Kyoko" Scott: "I'm Scott, traveling adventurer." Ebony: "You told me your name." Kyoko: "I am Kyoko Ayukawa, Priestess of Althena." Zigfried: "I'm Zigfried, and this is Callie." Kyoko: "Assigned to help protect Alys." Kyoko: "With my friends." Ebony: "And I'm the great and modest Black Dragon Ebony." * Zigfried gestures to Callie Scott: "Right. Swore on my honor that I would." Kyoko: "AND TOTALLY NUKE THE PHAROSIANS!" Ebony: "Who's this Alys person anyway?" Scott: "Lucia's only remaining descendant." * Ebony thinks of a certain spaceship Ebony: "And the Dark Dork has her as well?" Scott: "Right, but we're gonna get her and Teal back." * Ebony growls, even though he's in human form, "You'd better." * Scott pats Ebony on the back. "Trust me, Ebony. We will." Kyoko: "I MUST SAVE ALYS..." Scott: "I haven't gone back on my word yet." Ebony: "Well, do you know what it's like to be alone for more centuries I can count?" Scott: "I have been for twelve years." Ebony: "Twelve years, HA!" Scott: "For a human, that's a long time." * Zigfried looks at all the carvings in the temple as the party heads back to the altar. Kyoko: "Scott, that's chicken feed for Dragons." Ebony: "Nice place isn't it?" Ebony: "Used to be a nice little tribe around here..." --The group finally exits the temple and stands next to what's left of the onyx altar, the same altar Pharos created his armor from...-- Ebony: "At least then I had someone to talk to." Scott: "Well, I can see how you'd get lonely." * Ebony walks over to the altar, lies his hands on it * Kyoko looks at Ebony with a pitiful look. Ebony: "Hmmm... there might be just enough power left here to get us to Lunar." --The altar begins to glow with a purplish light...-- Kyoko: "I feel sorry for you, Ebony, I really do." Ebony: "Well then, when all this is over you can visit me from time to time." * Zigfried smiles gently. Zigfried: "We'll do that." Ebony: "All of you gather around." Scott: "Sure will." * Scott gets closer to the Dragon. * Zigfried moves closer to Ebony. * Ebony closes his eyes and speaks under his breath; the altar glows with a light * Ebony is surrounded by a black aura which turns to the same color as the altar's glow Kyoko: "o/~ When I was alone as one, my heart was as ice... So cold... o/~" * Ebony extends his hands and the glow extends to cover everyone * Zigfried gets a tingling feeling. * Scott thinks how lonely Ebony must have been over the centuries. * Ebony opens his eyes and gestures... And of course... Everything goes black Kyoko: "So..." * Scott closes his eyes and prepares for travel, --When the group awakens, they find themselves appearing near a monument. After 1000 years of wear, the only letters that remain on the monument are M, K, and O.-- >>>>>>>>>>> Welcome to Miko's Monument :) <<<<<<<<<<< Ebony: "Welcome to Lunar." Scott: "A friend of yours, Ebony?" Ebony: "Oh, you recognize my work?" * Ebony steps over to it and pulls off a few vines * Ebony says quietly "I can't believe I still miss you... After all this time..." Kyoko: "Welcome to my home planet." * Zigfried watches Ebony clear away the vegetation around the monument. * Ebony leans against the monument and talks quietly for a few long moments * Ebony stands straight, wipes his eyes Ebony: "All right, so where is he?" Scott: "At the Mystic Ruins." * Ebony shoos everyone away from him * Scott steps away. * Zigfried is already a good distance from Ebony, gazing off in some vague direction. * Ebony becomes himself again, the Black Dragon * Ebony extends his wings Zigfried> [softly] "o/~ But who will leave the light on, waiting for me? o/~" Ebony: "It'll be good to fly again." Zigfried: "o/~ Cuz when I turn around... I'm alone. o/~" * Ebony kneels "Everyone on board!" Zigfried: "Thank you, Ebony." * Zigfried climbs on. * Scott jumps on Ebony's back. * Kyoko jumps on. * Callie climbs on Ebony. * Ebony kneels and prepares to take off... pauses Ebony: "Right... Who knows the way to the Mystic Ruins?" Kyoko: "I do." Scott: "Try on the Madoria Plains." * Ebony says "Hang on" a little too late and he leaps into the air with a downthrust of his wings * Kyoko grabs on. * Zigfried hangs on tightly. * Scott points in the direction of the Madoria Plains. * Ebony circles a few times gaining altitude Ebony: "Ahhh Lunar, planet of my birth..." --The majestic Black Dragon takes to the skies, the new heroes on his back...-- * Scott hangs on for dear life. * Ebony turns and glides in the general direction of the Mystic Ruins --Below the group can see Eastern Katarina...-- Ebony: "You're lucky... Not maybe people have ever ridden on me." * Callie grins and shouts: "YA HOO!!!" Zigfried: "I'll bet." * Scott looks down. "Look down there. There's Vane." Ebony: "Hmm... I guess this means I'm the oldest creature on the planet now." Ebony: "Well, you're only as old as you feel..." --The flying continues. Nota can be seen below now...-- * Kyoko points at the temple. "There's my home!" --The Mystic Ruins are just in visual range...-- * Zigfried looks down at the sights. Ebony: "I used to be a pretty good fighter, I'll rip what's-his-name into... Wait... I already used that one." Scott: "There they are, Ebony. The Mystic Ruins." Ebony: "Down we go." * Ebony starts to descend --Suddenly, a rope of black magic ensnares Ebony and pulls him towards the ruins!-- * Zigfried holds on carefully, not wanting to fall off. Ebony: "Argh!" Callie: "WTF!?!?!!?!?!" Kyoko: "Ebony, fight!!!!!!!!!!!!" * Ebony thrashes in midair Zigfried: "Ebony! What's happening?!" --Ebony's thrashings are to no avail...-- * Scott draws his sword. * Ebony begins to fall as he is struggling and not flying Callie: "This is so -- %^@$&@#*(&@!?#$&*(!@%*^" Kyoko: "Goddess Althena, if you can hear me, HELP US NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Ebony: "Will... Not... Let... You!" --The roof of the Mystic Ruins gets closer and closer. Three glowing magical cages, one person, and a statue can be seen upon it now...-- Zigfried: "Scheisse!" Callie: "Who's down there??" Scott: "Oh, no!!!" Zigfried: "It's probably Pharos!" Callie: "Gazuntight?" Scott: "It looks like Pharos." Scott: "Only his magic is that strong." Kyoko: "Ebony, If you're going down, at least land on Pharos!" --The roof of the Mystic Ruins comes into full view. Pharos is the human. Teal, Ruby, and Hiro (the White Dragon) in their human forms are contained within the cages. The statue resembles those of Zophar, except with bat-like wings and a more sinister and masculine appearance...-- * Ebony admires these guys' ability to have a conversation while riding on a thrashing dragon Scott: "I'm gonna charge him. Guys, wish me luck." Ebony: "This is gonna hurt..." Kyoko: "I'm with you Scott..." --Ebony finally has a rough landing on one corner of the roof. The heroes on his back are thrown clear of him before the Black Dragon and his human companions are trapped in separate magical cages...-- * Scott draws his sword and prepares to leap off the dragon. Kyoko: "Until we meet again, in Althena's light, my friends." Callie: "F*** THE FLIPPING PHAROHS!!!" * Scott leaps at Pharos. * Zigfried groans. Pharos: "Greetings! Glad you could make this ceremony..." * Zigfried didn't like being flung to the ground. * Callie asks bluntly, "Would you like to hear my poetry?" * Scott descends to the Dark Pharaoh with sword in hand. * Ebony growls something obscene and throws himself against the side of the cage * Pharos points to the statue. "I would now like to present, Nephar..." * Kyoko charges the statue. --Scott cannot penetrate the magic bars of the cage...-- --Kyoko is stopped by the bars as well...-- * Zigfried looks at the statue. Ebony: "Fine fine, I don't need to be near you to kill you!" Kyoko: "Supersonic the thing!" * Scott throws his dagger at Pharos. * Ebony takes a deep breath and sends a stream of acid in Pharos direction * Callie explains to DP about the many poetic devices.... --The dagger misses...-- Kyoko: "F.U.B.A.R." Scott: "S***!" * Ebony "eeks" as the acid splatters against a field between the bars and some hits him * Zigfried stands near the edge of the cage to watch what happens. Ebony: "Teal... Are you all right?" --Suddenly, a loud deep voice can be heard coming from the statue...-- Scott: "Anyone have a shuriken or something?" * Ebony proceeds to glare Scott: "We've got to fight this thing, folks. Come on!" Nephar: "Greetings, all of you. I am Nephar, heir to Zophar's throne and the next destroyer of your miserable worlds! However, I do not intend to make the same mistakes my older sibling made, and therefore I am biding my time until the situation is just right for destruction!" * Zigfried has his gun hidden on him. But bullets probably aren't going to do anything right now. Kyoko: "OVER MY DEAD BODY, NEPHAR!!!!!!!!!" Nephar: "Part of the plan involves this infant you call Alys... Through her I intend to acquire Althena's power for my own, though I do not need it to destroy your worlds. I have bigger proverbial fish to fry thanks to her... Now then, Pharos, would you please do the honors and complete this ceremony? I have planning to do..." Callie: "Now Dark Pharaoh... If I were to call you a name I wouldn't just call you an insect -- I'D CALL YOU THE MISQUITO BUZZING AROUND MY HEAD THAT'S BEEN BITING MY ASS!!!!!" * Callie suddenly hears Nephar. --Nephar's voice fades away...-- Scott: "WE WON'T LET YOU WIN THIS ONE!" Pharos: "My pleasure, my lord..." * Zigfried growls. * Ebony knows better than to think yelling at the bad guy has any effect Kyoko: "ALTHENA, GIVE ME STRENGTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" * Zigfried searches for a way out. Pharos: "Welcome to the Mystic Ruins of Lunar, humans, beast people, and Dragons alike... We are here for a special ceremony, the transfer of power from Althena's Four Dragons into Nephar's Four Devils, my lord's equivalents of the Four Heroes of legend. Let me introduce them..." --A large, male, mechanical being teleports in. His design is similar to that of "Prototype 2" back at the Neo Pharosian Headquarters.-- * Zigfried will keep looking for a way out. He can listen to Pharos and do both at the same time. Scott: "I remember that thing. It's the mysterious prototype!" Callie: "Hmm... I hope you created a better name than Dark Pharaoh for it... That's kinda bad..." Pharos: "I am proud to present Mechanotron, my greatest mechanical creation and the result of years of Neo Pharosian research based on the original design of Synthetica, my first android. He is destined to be the White Devil and to once again lead the Mechanized Army of the Vile Tribe to victory!" * Zigfried mutters "Trite old stuff again..." * Pharos says some strange words, and a beam of white light appears between Mechanotron and Hiro. Hiro is reduced to a flying cat... Mechanotron: "Thank you Lord Pharos. Failure is an illogical result of the mission you have granted me." * Scott wishes he could escape from this damn cage and kill that son of an unnamed goat Pharos * Callie gulps but stays in her blunt, emotionless tone. --Another being teleports in. She is female, with large horns and fangs...-- Scott: "Temna!" Pharos: "I would now like to introduce to you Temna, the greatest creation of our top Neo Pharosian geneticist and monster maker. She was created by combining the skill and cunning of a human with the strength and power of predatory animals and monsters. She would make a perfect Red Devil, don't you think?" * Zigfried huffs. Callie: "She should see my dentist..." --This time, a beam of red light appears between Ruby and Temna. Ruby is reduced to the form of a flying cat...-- Scott: "Preferable a perfect DEAD DEVIL!" Kyoko: "He's taking their auras!" Kyoko: "NOT AGAIN!!!!!!!!" Temna: "Thank you my lord for your warm greeting and for the power of this pitiful excuse of a protector. You can depend on me conquering this world in the name of Nephar!" * Ebony hisses, acid drips to the floor of the cage, he is not a happy camper --Another being teleports in. He is wearing some sort of tight black uniform with a dragon imprint on the front...-- Scott: "The clone?!?!?!" Pharos: "Now I'd like you to meet Nykhan, whose genetic make-up you learned of while you were visiting our lab in Dybach. His destiny is to become the Black Devil, and that he will do very well with his power over gravity spells..." Callie: "How lovely and generic... Oh well. It's his creation... What is this? Oh dip... Ebony..." --A beam of purple light now appears between Ebony and Nykhan. Ebony is reduced to the form of a flying cat...-- * Callie looks distressed again but calms herself down. Nykhan: "Lord Pharos, I thank you for your kind gesture in granting me the power of this furry lizard. It should make my gravity spells all the more powerful! Glory to Nephar!" * Scott looks major league pissed. * Ebony pretty much knew this was coming, glares silently * Kyoko rushes to Ebony's side. Kyoko: "Are you... OK?" --Finally, a strange humanoid being in a black cloak appears... He somehow appears somewhat alien...-- * Callie still stands at the edge of the cage with an unreadable expression. * Zigfried watches this last one. * Scott can do nothing more than watch. Pharos: "Finally, I'd like you to meet a dark wizard Nephar met during his long journey to become more powerful than Zophar ever could be. He chooses to call himself Zissel, and he is the only naturally born human among this group. He will lead the Four Devils of Nephar as the Blue Devil!" --Now a beam of blue light appears between Teal and Zissel. Teal is reduced to the form of a flying cat...-- Zissel: "Thank you for welcoming me to your worlds. I will give you an equally warm welcome to my world after my work here is done. I find it odd though that this infant is named 'Alys.' The name is familiar somehow..." Scott: "Pharos, I'm gonna rip your friggin' heart out!" Pharos: "Now, in case you think this strategy sounds familiar to Zophar's Four False Heroes of so long ago, let me remind you that loyalty to me and Nephar has been implanted at the lowest levels of the three Devils that we created." * Ebony growls dangerously, for all the fact that he is a cat Callie: "Yes... I believe it failed, Pharaoh as well..." * Zigfried isn't impressed. Pharos: "Unlike those Four Heroes that served Zophar long ago, their loyalty is guaranteed, as well as that of Zissel, who has no reason to want this planet to live anyway. However, you may ask, 'What about the power of humanity?' Nephar has that covered as well." Kyoko: "Pharaoh, Alex II beat you once, We'll do it again, MARK MY WORDS!" Callie: "I am afraid that is un-coverable." Pharos: "Nephar has chosen three humans to lead his forces, knowing that the odds of all three betraying him are almost impossible. Zissel was the first human. He was chosen to lead the Four Devils. I was the second, and it was my job to lead the Neo Pharosians and make the necessary preparations for Nephar's arrival." * Ebony says in a markedly higher voice than the one he had before, "I don't think yelling will help." Scott: "YOU'RE FINISHED, PHAORS! UPON MY HONOR, I WILL KILL YOU!" * Zigfried leaves the front of the cage as the others spout insults to look for a way out. Pharos: "Finally, the third human was meant to lead Nephar's legions of monsters and demons, including the legendary Four Fiends that are even now guarding the Dragon Crystals within the lair of each of Althena's Dragons. This human is a Demonmaster!" * Ebony growls louder Callie: "They are fighting simply for you... Yet this world and the blue will fight for their lives... You cannot win, sir, I am afraid... Actually I am not." Pharos: "He could not be here though as he was away on other business. I'm sure you will meet him soon enough, gwa ha ha!" Scott: "To my dying breath, Pharaoh, I will resist you." --Pharos now teleports away, Alys in his arms. With him gone, the cages fade away. Ruby, Hiro, and Teal have just enough power to retake human form...-- Ebony: "I can't believe this!" * Teal is in tears... * Zigfried plops down on the ground. * Ebony turns into a human, walks over and puts his arms around Teal * Kyoko looks to the heavens, "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!" * Scott turns to his friends. "Guys, could the Demonmaster's business be Lucia?" Teal: "Uncle Ebony?" Ebony: "I'm here Teal..." Ebony: "For all the good I was..." Teal: "I failed Uncle Ebony! I failed! I let them get Alys!" Zigfried: "I had wondered about Lucia earlier... But no one said anything." Callie: "I have seen this too many times... Heard too many legends... This man will not succeed with his evil god..." * Kyoko walks up to Teal. Zigfried: "I guess it wasn't anything on your mind at the time." Kyoko: "No, I failed." Ebony: "There wasn't anything you could have done... Nothing I could do either." * Ebony looks over the humans * Scott looks to the skies. "I can't believe this. I failed to protect the one I swore to defend. I have no honor left." Teal: "It was my responsibility to do that! Centuries ago, to repay Dragonmaster Lou for looking after me after my mother died, I promised to look after his descendants too! I failed!" * Kyoko looks up, all the hope in her eyes gone. Ebony: "You can't dwell on that..." Hiro: "And now with all the Dragonpower gone, no one stands a chance against those clowns!" Teal: "But what do we do now then Uncle?" Ebony: "She was taken, now we worry about getting them back." * Zigfried's face remains unreadable, perhaps even emotionless. He gets up and walks to the edge of the ruins. * Scott gets a sudden surge of inspiration. * Ebony glances at Hiro * Callie walks to Kyoko. "This can still be won... I am sure... Evil will not succeed." Ruby: "Well, Nephar did say he needed her alive, for the time being..." Scott: "Hiro, remember your namesake." Ebony: "Nall's kid hmm..." Ebony: "Your a bit young, but I'm not." Ebony: "This isn't the first time the Dragonpower has been taken>" * Ebony paces Hiro: "What happened last time Uncle Ebony?" Scott: "All we have to do is defeat the Four Devils." Ebony: "First Nar, then Ghaleon, then... Ghaleon..." Scott: "What about Ghaleon?" Ruby: "He had a knack for taking Dragonpower away from us..." * Ebony points at the "gang" Kyoko: "According to legend, the aura needs to be returned to the dragons by way of the crystals." * Callie looks outside the cage, "We will succeed... And that dear little girl will face her destiny..." Ebony: "You all have to release the Dragonpower." Hiro: "Well then, will anyone tell me how they were able to release the Dragonpower last time?" Callie: "She WILL be the Dragonmaster... And we WILL restore your Dragonpower." Ebony: "Simple Hiro." Ebony: "Number one, defeat the person who holds the power." Ebony: "Number two, defeat the fiend that guards it." Scott: "Second, defeat the dragon fiend." Kyoko: "Then return it to your crystal." Ebony: "See, you all aren't that dumb." Zigfried: "Hmph... Simple, but not easy. How fun..." Hiro: "Yeah, but I don't these guys stand a chance against those Devils. They're only human after all..." Ebony: "So was the original Hiro." Scott: "Hiro, remember your namesake." Ebony: "So was Lou." Ebony: "So was Alex." Teal: "Human... Lou... Alex... I got it!" Kyoko: "Hmph, I'm no match for Pharos..." Ebony: "Geeze I've lived through a lot of heroes..." * Ebony sits down and mopes Callie: "This... This all sounds familiar... Like an old story... Geez.. No time to regret about your memory Callie... *talking to herself*" Scott: "The original Hiro wasn't a Dragonmaster, but he defeated Zophar. I know we can defeat Nephar." Teal: "I know how we can beat Pharos! How could I have forgotten!?" Callie: "Not now we aren't... But we will have to make ourselves be a match for them." * Zigfried looks at Teal. Teal: "We can call upon the power of the 'Heroes' Crests'!" Scott: "You mean the Four Dragon Crests?" Kyoko: "But only the Dragons can bestow those." Teal: "No, the Dragon Crests were lost after the battle with the second coming of Magic Emperor Ghaleon. The Heroes' Crests were created to replace them..." Callie: "Hmmm... Another familiar thing!! ERG. Oh well.. It isn't bad tho'. I know that..." Teal: "You see, these crests were creating using the power of humanity of the original Five Heroes of Lucia. However, the legend says six were created..." Kyoko: "But look at me, I'm just a priestess, not a warrior like Scott or Callie..." Zigfried: "Six?" Teal: "I don't know where the sixth one came from. I just know it exists..." Scott: "Look at Jessica of Meribia. She was a priestess." Callie: "Priestesses at times can be far more useful then warriors..." Teal: "However, to get these crests you must pass tests of the virtues of humanity..." Ebony: "And before that you have to get down from these ruins." Scott: "Let's go." Ruby: "Leave that to me! I remember how Lucia did it all those years ago! I wanna hear Teal finish her story though first!" Callie: "Anything. We must save the dragon girl." Teal: "These virtues are Wisdom, represented by Black Mage Lia; Compassion, represented by Red Priest Luke; Honor, represented by Blue Master Ken; Courage, represented by White Knight Alexis; and Resolve, represented by Dragonmaster Lou himself." Teal: "The last one is Justice, but I have no idea who that virtue is represented by or even how that crest came about as there were only five heroes..." Scott: "And the sixth?" Teal: "Anyway, to take these tests we need to visit the final resting places of the corresponding heroes. Fortunately, there are memorial shrines in the home towns of all the heroes we can visit. Shall we get going?" Scott: "Let's go." Ebony: "Ahhh... Adventuring, just like the old days." Kyoko: "Let's do this thing!" Ruby: "Wait a sec now. You guys do realize that without our magic, the only way you people can get to the Blue Star is via the Star Dragon Tower, don't you?" Zigfried: "Yeah, let's go." Ebony: "With Lou, Bulix... Miko..." * Zigfried nods. Scott: "I haven't felt like this since my mission started." * Zigfried chuckles. Callie: "I really wish I had my memory... I was a wiz at this stuff!!" Zigfried: "My agent's probably gonna chew me out for being gone so long. But if we pull this off, I'll be bigger than ever." * Kyoko walks to the edge of the ruins and looks lost in thought. Scott: "Wait, Ruby. What about the Blue Spire?" Ruby: "OK, too bad Ronfar ain't here. He'd give us the odds at whether or not I can sweet talk the Star Dragon to let us go back to the Blue Star..." Ruby: "Only members of the Goddess Tribe and those accompanying them can use the Blue Spire..." Ebony: "Teal's cuter than you are Ruby... Younger too." Ruby: "If we had Alys, we may be able to use it, but not now..." Ruby: "Shut up Ebony!" * Ebony smiles slightly Ruby breaths a small puff of flame at Ebony Ebony: "Watch it, I remember you when you couldn't say a word besides 'Mufu.'" Scott: "Mufu?" Ruby: "Hey, if it wasn't for me Hiro'd have left you aura-less when Borgan took it from you!" Ebony: "OK, OK..." Zigfried: "....." Zigfried: "...." Scott: "Great. Now they're fighting." Hiro: "Enough! Let's just get outta here. You guys sure you wanna challenge the Star Dragon though?" Ruby: "Shut up Hiro! This is none of your business!" * Zigfried stays away from the arguing dragons. Ebony: "Haven't felt this alive in centuries!" Ebony: "Too bad I had to get my power stripped away..." Ebony: "Maybe a little adventure will do me good." * Ebony stands Teal: "Can we just get going now? We'll deal with the Star Dragon when we come to him, OK?" Ebony: "Travelin' form!" Zigfried: "Good enough for me." * Ebony turns into a flying kitty Scott: "Let's get gone." Ebony: "I hate to walk..." * Ebony alights on Zig's shoulder "You get to carry the Black Dragon, feel honored." Teal: "Yeah, but you're a lot more conspicuous like that..." Zigfried: "Why thank you." Ruby: "Right! OK, here goes nothing!" Ebony: "Hey, at least until we get out of the ruins." Ebony: "What's an adventure without a flying cat?" * Zigfried chuckles. * Ruby says some ancient magic words, and the magic seal on the roof transfer pad is broken * Ebony bats his eyes at Teal "Besides, I'm cuuuuuute." Zigfried: "Yeah, we need our flying cat." Ruby: "On to that pad now!" * Zigfried steps on to the pad. * Scott walks onto the pad. Teal: "You're also a few thousand years too old for me, and my uncle..." --The Dragons also step onto the pad...-- Ebony: "Ah well, alone again." Kyoko: "Teal, Would you like me to carry you?" Teal: "Callie, Kyoko, hurry up!" Teal: "No thanks, I'm happy walking in my human form..." * Callie goes on the pad. * Kyoko walks onto the pad. Ebony: "She's more used to it than I am... And dating humans... No taste." * Zigfried is beginning to enjoy Ebony's sense of humor. --The group is teleported below the roof. They are within a room containing the same magic recorded used by Ghaleon eons ago... The recorder still appears functional.-- Teal: "Uncle!" * Scott is beginning to enjoy the Dragons' constant arguing. Callie: "That reminds me. -- How many other half-beasts are left on the face of Lunar? =b" Ruby: "Wow, I remember this thing... Do you think it still works?" Ebony: "Hey, I'm just kidding." Zigfried: "It would be interesting if it did." Ebony: "Go try it out Mufu... I mean um... Ruby." * Kyoko walks up to it. Ruby: "It had a, well, sorta great clip of Vane being destroyed by the original Grindery..." Zigfried: "I know I would like to see it." * Ruby breaths fire on Ebony again Ebony: "Yipe!" Ruby: "Here goes nothing..." * Ebony jumps to Zig's head * Zigfried jumps back. * Callie fehs. * Scott turns to Ruby. "Get to it." * Kyoko tries to activate the record. Zigfried: "Hey, Ruby! Ebony's sitting on ME you know!" --Ruby activates the recorder. However, the images that appear are not those of Vane's destruction...-- Ruby: "I got good aim! Now let's watch this thing!" Ebony: "I named Ruby you know..." * Zigfried turns to the recorder and blinks. * Ebony watches --The landscapes appearing in the recorder are more reminiscent of the Blue Star...-- * Kyoko walks up to the screen. * Zigfried watches it. --First is one of a large mechanical fortress on the ocean firing waves of dark energy.-- Zigfried: "The Neo Grindery..." --Second is one of a greenish crystal imprisoning Lucia."-- Ebony: "Hey... I remember this..." Kyoko: "This is..." --Third is one of a white crystal in an icy cave.-- Kyoko: "Oh my..." --Fourth is one of a red crystal inside a volcano.-- --Fifth is one of a black crystal inside an onyx cavern.-- Ebony: "I remember THAT too..." --Sixth is one of a blue crystal in a watery cave. The final image displayed before the recorder stops playback is one of a dark sword shattering the blue crystal...-- * Ebony sighs, knows what's coming... Teal: "Mother!!!!!!!!!!" * Teal breaks into tears... Ebony: "Azura..." * Ebony looks away * Scott watches in interest. * Callie sadly watches the dragons in misery. * Zigfried pats Ebony reassuringly. --Teal's crying is interrupted by the sound of footsteps approaching from the darkness...-- * Zigfried turns towards the sound. * Ebony quickly runs his eyes before anyone notices * Kyoko looks toward the steps. Teal: "Who... Who goes there?" Callie: "HooOooOoh boy..." Voice: "That... Was a record... Of my best work..." Teal: "That voice... It can't be... I was there when Dragonmaster Lou..." * Ebony simply... has to... --A hooded figure emerges from the shadows. He is the same figure that called himself "Lou" in Dybach...-- Scott: "It can't be... I thought you died... Ghaleon?" Voice: "Ghaleon? No, I am not Ghaleon..." Callie: "Oh no... Mr. Poe Sword... Don't tell me he's--" Voice: "Now, now Teal. Don't tell me you've forgotten my voice already. Two thousand years isn't very much for a dragon, is it?" --The man removes his hood and cloak revealing a dark suit of armor, shield, helmet, and sword...-- Teal: "Kkkk... KANE!" * Ebony growls menacingly, his eyes turn from green to blood red "KANE!? IT WAS YOU! YOU TOOK AZURA FROM ME!" Scott: "The Demonmaster!" * Zigfried just stares. * Ebony throws himself at Kane Kane: "Well, well, well Teal. It's nice that you finally remember me. And my, how you've grown. I remember when you were just a little flying cat crying after I killed your mother..." Scott: "Ebony, calm down." * Kyoko is right next to Ebony. * Teal is stunned into silence... * Ebony calmly waits to be swatted aside like the kitty he is Ebony: "Bastard!" * Teal finally regains some composure. "But how! I was there when Dragonmaster Lou defeated you... When he KILLED you... How can you be here now!?" Kane: "Let's just say I got a new employer... Nephar needed someone to lead his demon armies, and he felt I was best for the task... He decided to bring me back much like he brought Pharos back. That's how I met your companions here." * Callie rubs at her head. Zigfried: "Then why did you help us?" Callie: "This is -- too much --" Kane: "I figured they would be the kind of people you would hook up with, and I followed and watched them. When they met me in the Dybach lab, it was part of a plan to keep them occupied as we had no idea at the time just how strong they were." * Scott looks at his friends. "I don't believe this?" * Ebony hisses, growls, fssts and other such noises, quite gone Kane: "Now it's obvious they are a bunch of weaklings... It's too bad he made me take all of you alive. I was hoping to add to my collection of Dragon trophies that I started with your mother..." * Ebony yells obscenities Kane: "Now now Ebony, my old friend, flattery will get you nowhere..." Zigfried: "Calm down, Ebony!" Ebony: "HE KILLED AZURA!" Teal: "Well, how or why you're here doesn't matter! We're gonna stop you dead in your tracks, and I mean DEAD this time!" Kyoko: "KANE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HOW DARE YOU!" Scott: "Well, you're gonna die, Kane. Mark my words." Kane: "Big words from such a small... hahahahahaha! Very well then, let's see what your so called heroes here are made of!" * Kane points his sword at the group! Callie: "Like a flashback of a story I once read... RGG!! Oh $%@*!#(@#34?@@#&!#$!@&~^!@$#$@^n EVERYTHING!!!!! Sorry... Sorry... This is all so confusing!" * Zigfried takes a defensive stance. * Scott draws his sword. ===BOSS COMBAT=== * Callie shakes herself free from her confusion. Zigfried: "Only one thing to do now...!" * Ebony is so... well... pissed he forgets he has a human form Kyoko: "Kane, I will give my life to end yours!" Kane casts Phasor! Kane can attack regardless of row! Scott: "Get ready to die, Kane." Zigfried attacks! Kyoko: "May Althena have mercy on your tortured soul!" First attack... 1 damage. Second attack... 1 damage. Zigfried: "How the hell are we supposed to beat this guy?!" Third attack... 1 damage. Scott: "Not good!" Callie defends... Scott attacks! First attack... 1 damage. * Ebony hisses wildly Second attack... 1 damage... Ebony attacks! * Zigfried skids to a halt as he finishes his attacks and gets ready to defend. Ebony is batted away by Kane without even hitting him! Kyoko uses Supersonic! Kane suffers 1 damage... * Ebony hits a wall with a dull thud sound and slides to the floor ===ROUND 2=== Zigfried: "Get behind us, Ebony!" * Ebony responds with the famous "...." * Zigfried looks for a way out. Scott: "Dragons, take your human forms. We can use some help here." Kane uses Blade Vigor! Kane can attack more often next round! Zigfried defends... Callie defends... Scott attacks! First attack... 1 damage... Second attack... 1 damage... * Ebony lies limply on the ground Kyoko casts Blue Litany on Callie! Callie's Dod% up 5... * Callie eyes Ebony, the creature she is defending. ===ROUND 3=== Zigfried: "There's gotta be some way out of this! Callie: "Zig!!!" Callie: "The crest!!" Zigfried: "What about the crest?" Kane attacks Zigfried! Callie: "I thought Ebony gave it to you! Doesn't it have some magic?" Zigfried: "Uh oh..." Zigfried suffers 9999 damage. Zigfried is defeated... Callie: "DAMMIT!!!" Kane attacks Callie! Callie suffers 9999 damage. Callie is defeated... Scott: "S***!" * Zigfried slumps to the ground, motionless. * Ebony doesn't remember giving out any crests... Besides the fact that he's unconscious Kane attacks Scott! Scott suffers 9999 damage... Scott is defeated... Kane attacks Kyoko! Kyoko suffers 9999 damage. Kyoko is defeated... Scott: "Not good at all." --The entire party is unconscious...-- * Kyoko looks up, before passing out, says, "Althena... forgive..." Kane: "Pathetic weaklings! To think you actually believed you stood a chance at defeating me... Ha ha ha! We shall meet again, and then perhaps next time you will actually pose a challenge..." --Kane vanishes in a swirl of dark light...-- --The group slowly regains consciousness...-- * Scott starts to get up as Kane leaves. * Kyoko starts chanting... "In the name of Althena, calm this soul and heal their wounds..." Callie is suddenly engulfed in a blue light and starts healing... * Callie gets up wearily. * Kyoko starts chanting... "In the name of Althena, calm this soul and heal their wounds..." Kyoko is suddenly engulfed in a blue light and starts healing... * Kyoko starts chanting... "In the name of Althena, calm this soul and heal their wounds..." Scott is suddenly engulfed in a blue light and starts healing... * Zigfried groans, but doesn't get up. Scott: "Don't count your chips yet. This isn't over." * Kyoko starts chanting... "In the name of Althena, calm this soul and heal their wounds..." Zigfried is suddenly engulfed in a blue light and starts healing... --Everyone regains max HP...-- * Zigfried sighs. * Zigfried turns his head to look at Ebony. * Ebony lies where he fell * Scott turns to see Teal, Ruby and Hiro. Teal: "Help! Someone help my Uncle Ebony! He's hurt!" * Zigfried crawls over to Ebony. * Callie goes to ebony. * Scott casts Heal Litany on Ebony. Zigfried: "Ebony? You awake at all?" --Ebony is a-OK :)-- * Kyoko falls to her knees after healing Zigfried. * Zigfried shakes Ebony gently. * Ebony stirs, calls out "Azura!" Scott: "KYOKO!" Callie: "Kyoko??" * Ebony breaks down crying * Zigfried turns to look at Kyoko. Kyoko: "All my power... Is gone..." * Teal is also in tears... Ebony: "I wasn't there for you..." * Zigfried then looks back at Ebony. Ebony: "And I can't even avenge you." * Callie looks between Kyoko and Teal and Ebony. "Shoot." Callie: "This really sucks." * Ebony is the picture of a dejected kitty Callie: "Don't you have any Starlights on ya, Kyoko?" * Zigfried gently picks up Ebony. "Don't worry, Ebony. There was nothing you could have done." Kyoko: "No..." Ruby: "Don't worry, there is a Statue of Althena nearby!" Ebony: "Azura... My..." Kyoko: "Where?" Scott: "I'll carry her there." Hiro: "Well, looks like we've got ourselves into another messy situation..." Callie: "I have GOT to find some way to get this memory back... I know all this stuff!!!" * Scott lifts Kyoko and carries her. Ruby: "Just down the stairs from which Kane entered..." * Ebony just lets Zig carry him * Zigfried walks down the stairs, still carrying Ebony. * Kyoko weakly goes with Scott to the statue. * Scott walks down the stairs carrying Kyoko. Hiro: "Things look pretty grim, don't they?" Callie: "Oh well... I can leave the dragony stuff to the Dragons. To the statue..." * Ebony says quietly to Zig "She was my only companion over the years... I loved her... Like I loved only one other." * Scott proceeds toward the statue. --The group finally enters the room with the Althena Statue.-- * Zigfried nods to Ebony. "It's all right. I think I know how you feel." Ebony: "How can you? I've been alone for so long... So long." * Kyoko touches the statue. --All HP/MP recovered for the entire party...-- Ebony: "Teal..." * Zigfried touches the statue. * Kyoko looks MUCH better! Teal: "Yes Uncle?" Zigfried: "Ebony, I might not be able to completely understand. But I know what it means to be alone." Ebony: "I don't want you trying to fight any of these crazies..." Kyoko: "THAT was what I needed!" Ebony: "I can't lose you as well..." Teal: "I have to Uncle! I gave my word!" * Kyoko yells up: "Come on guys!!!!" Ebony: "I understand... You're all I have left to love in this universe... Promise you won't leave me." Ruby: "Well, we best be heading outta this joint... I wonder if this place is still haunted..." Callie: "Oh jeez... Sadness this and hardship that... At least now I am with company that shares my *AMAZING* luck.." Teal: "I promise Uncle!" * Ebony smiles a little sadly Ebony: "I think I'll leave fighting to people who aren't useless from now on." * Zigfried chuckles. Ebony: "I haven't been this weak since..." Ebony: "...before the Blue Star had life." * Scott lays Kyoko in front of the Althena Statue. * Ebony climbs to Zig's shoulder and cheers himself up with thoughts of Kane being impaled with various objects Scott: "Let's just get going. I know some people on this world that can help us." * Zigfried nods. Ebony: "Um Ruby..." Ebony: "Isn't this place filled with a maze of magic mirrors?? Zigfried: "I don't suppose someone knows the way out of here..." Kyoko: "Guys?!" Ruby: "Yes Ebony?" Scott: "Let's face it. You don't travel twelve years over two planets without making a few contacts in high places." Ruby: "Don't worry. I've been here a bunch of times before. I know my way out..." * Ebony gestures with a paw Ebony: "Lead on." Ebony: "And I still think your cute." Scott: "Lead on, Ruby." Kyoko: "I always wanted to see the garden at the base!!!" * Scott follows Ruby through the ruins. Ruby: "Why, thanks..." * Kyoko follows Ruby too. * Callie fehs. "That sounds familiar, too... Oh well.. At least I haven't forgotten anything important that no body else knows... " * Zigfried glances at Ebony and then follows Ruby. * Callie follows of course. ;) * Ebony wonders if he has a chance with Ruby since Nall died... He can't replace Nall and she can't replace Azura... But they wouldn't be alone... Ruby: "I just hope this place isn't still haunted..." Ebony: "Oh you know better than that" Ebony: "Of course it is!" Ebony: "They ALWAYS are." * Kyoko glances at Ebony. Scott "It might not be since the Mecha-Viles one thousand years ago." Kyoko: "DON'T jinx it!" --Suddenly, some of the hauntings Ruby was afraid of appear!-- Scott: "S***!" ===COMBAT=== * Ebony says "Told ya so." Callie: "Well... Answers OUR questions!" Scott: "Tell me about it." -4 Undead Warriors. Undead Warrior A is a different color than the rest... * Zigfried sighs. "Yes you did, Ebony!" * Ebony flies behind everyone where he will be safe Kyoko: "Songs at the ready!" Callie: "Unless those are very short NPs in disguise..." Kyoko: "Everyone attack Warrior A!" Ebony: "Oh, by the way guys." Zigfried: "I'm on it!" Kyoko: "I heard of these guys!" Ebony: "Those are Undead Warriors." Zigfried: "Yes, Ebony?" Scott: "Got it." Callie: "Sounds familiar, too!! !@#$(!@#*#!@ OK. I copy." * Ebony salutes, "Just doing my duty of naming the bad guys, just like the old days!" * Zigfried gets an anime sweat drop. Scott uses Fastcut on Undead Warrior A! Scott: "Eat this!" Undead Warrior A suffers 18 damage! Teal attacks Undead Warrior A! Teal spits a bolt of lightning at the mummy! 3 damage! Zigfried attacks Undead Warrior A! Scott: "Not bad short stuff." * Ebony cuddles up to Teal and Ruby while everyone else fights for their lives First attack... Critical Hit! 43 damage... Zigfried: "Ha!" Scott: "Smooth move, Ex-Lax." Second attack... 19 damage! Third attack... 25 damage... Callie attacks Undead Warrior A! First attack... 24 damage! Second attack... 23 damage! Undead Warrior A is dead and is joined by his comrades! VICTORY! Scott: "All right, Callie!" Kyoko: "The rumors I heard were correct." Ebony: "Eh..." * Callie cheers. Ebony: "I remember battles being much harder than that..." --All earn 15 XP. 240 Silver, 60 MXP gained...-- Kyoko: "Ebony, my bet is these are to stall us." Ebony: "Why in MY day you had to fight battles for at least 24 hours..." Zigfried: "Uh oh..." Ebony: "...and you had to walk 5 miles though snow just to reach them!" Zigfried: "I have a bad feeling about this..." Callie: "...." Callie: "....." Callie: "Feh." Ebony: "NEVER say 'I have a bad feelings about this.'" Scott: "You too, Zig? I've got a feeling something's waiting for us at the bottom of these ruins." Ebony: "Haven't you seen Star Wars?" Zigfried: "Sorry, Eb." Zigfried: "I did once. But it was a long time ago." Callie "Man Ebony... You ARE old!" Kyoko: "Lets get outta here before we find more guests." Callie: ";}" Ebony: "No duh!" Ebony: "I'm probably the oldest being on the planet." Ruby: "Well, OK, at least we know we can handle the spooks. What about the vermin though?" Zigfried: "We'll deal with them when they come." * Ebony flies around a little * Ebony lands on Kyoko's head * Zigfried watches the flying cat. Ebony: "Priestess of Althena huh?" Kyoko: "Yep." Ruby: "OK, now I think we need to go through this mirror..." Ebony: "I met her." * Scott walks through the mirror. Ebony: "In fact I met her in two forms." Kyoko: "I hope she is still alive..." * Zigfried jumps through the looking glass... * Callie proceeds as well. Callie: "She is alive in spirit, Kyoko." Ebony: "I met her when she defeated Zophar and brought everyone to Lunar." Ebony: "Pretty neat huh?" * Kyoko walks through the looking glass murmuring something about "I'm late for a date." Kyoko: "I know, Callie." --The group continues through the mirror maze, trying to find the exit...-- * Ebony jumps to Zig's shoulder and looks in his backpack Zigfried: "Looking for something?" Ebony: "Yea, food." Ebony: "I haven't eaten in ages." * Kyoko hands Ebony some of her jerky. Zigfried: "What does a dragon like you eat out there in the middle of nowhere anyway?" Ebony: "Hmmm... Nothing." * Ebony grabs a piece of jerky Ebony: "Thanks" * Callie sighs as she looks around, "I wonder if my old memories will ever come back...." Zigfried: "You're welcome." Kyoko: "You're welcome." Ebony: "I sleep a lot... Kinda like suspended animation. Ebony: "So I don't needa eat." * Ebony chows down Zigfried: "I see." Ebony: "You all have to buy me a fish at the next town we stop at." * Zigfried smiles. Scott: "At the next town, I'm buying a room at the inn." Ebony: "So, who's the ditz of this party?" Ruby: "That would be Nota or Takkar, depending on which direction we go." Zigfried: "I'm not sure if we have one." Teal: "I don't know yet Uncle. Makes you miss Lou, huh? :)" Scott: "I would suggest Takkar. The best inns are there." * Callie fehs. ;) Ebony: "Which one, yours or mine?" Zigfried: "Scott and Kyoko seem heroically inclined though." * Kyoko trips over her robes. Teal: "Either :)" Ebony: "They were both ditzy..." Kyoko: "Ouch..." Teal: "Exactly :)" Ebony: "Mine could beat yours up though." Teal: "What makes you say that? I don't think yours could do Dragon Blade. :)" Scott: "Thanks for the vote of confidence, Zig." * Ebony gets slightly depressed as he thinks of the old days and all his friends who aren't around anymore Kyoko: "I got an idea, folks..." * Zigfried gets an anime sweat drop from the Dragon fight. Scott: "What is it, Ky." * Kyoko at the top of her lungs: "LETS GET OUTA HERE!!!!!!!!!!!" Ebony: "Eep!" Callie: "Feh... At least you have a past to get sad about... Or at least can remember it!" Scott: "That's where we're headed." Zigfried: "Yeah, good idea Kyoko." Ebony: "Tone it down madam priestess." --The group finally gets down to the final doorway in the maze. However, there is some indigenous vermin in front of it :) -- Scott: "Not again." Ebony: "Wait wait... I know this one..." Teal: "OK, do we fight these things or pass?" Zigfried: "Oh darn..." Teal: "Or something..." Scott: "No choice. We fight." Kyoko: "Toast them." Zigfried: "Maybe we can scare them off. They're small enough." * Teal prepares her thunderbolts... Ebony: "Gee... I'm out of practice..." Ruby: "Nuh uh. These rats don't scare easy..." Scott: "Neither do I, Ruby." Zigfried: "We shouldn't have to kill *everything* in our path though." * Zigfried sighs. * Callie perhaps...someone could be a distraction... Ruby: "Do you know how fast these things breed? It won't matter..." Callie: "Perhaps someone could be a distraction." Ebony: "Why not Zig? It seems to be a trend." --The vermin turns towards the group, not looking very friendly or scared...-- * Scott draws his sword. Ebony: "BOO!" --The vermin don't flinch. They are drooling as if they are rabid...-- * Kyoko raps her staff on the floor creating a racket. Ebony: "Ahh well, told you." Zigfried: "Maybe they'll leave us alone. They don't seen hostile." Zigfried: "Or... Maybe they do..." Callie: "Suuuure they don't." --The rats start to snap at the group.-- Scott: "Yeah, right." * Zigfried frowns. Scott: "Let's kick ass." ===COMBAT=== -2 Cave Rats...- * Ebony suddenly yells out "Cave Rats!" Callie: "Wait!!!" * Ebony looks sheepish "Told you I knew it..." * Zigfried looks at Callie. Kyoko moves to the front row... Callie: "Scott, you use you're Fastcut... I will too. We'll hit them..." Callie: "Fast." Scott: "Got it, Callie." Ebony: "Can't let Teal be heroic and not me..." Kyoko: "Time to get personal!" Scott: "FAST!" Callie uses Fastcut on Cave Rat A! Callie: "I hope they aren't that strong!" Cave Rat A suffers 19 damage... Scott uses Fastcut on Cave Rat A! Scott: "CUT!" Cave Rat A suffers 15 damage... Callie: "Dammit!! Too weak!! Stupid rats..." Zigfried attacks Cave Rat B! Scott: "Let's get 'em." First attack... 16 damage... Scott: "Callie, try your normal attack. We'll double-team them." Second attack... 22 damage... Callie: "Hmm... Right! I thought we were in a rush to kill them! Well... Maybe we WILL be later..." Third attack... Critical hit! 34 damage... Scott: "Nice shot, Zig." * Zigfried nods. Ebony attacks Cave Rat A! Ebony spits a stream of acid for 3 damage! Teal attacks Cave Rat A! Teal spits a thunderbolt for 3 damage! * Ebony has flashbacks of the 'good old days' Cave Rat A casts Rabid Bite! * Ebony flies around above the parties heads Kyoko is bitten for 2 damage. Kyoko avoids being dazed... Cave Rat B attacks Kyoko! Scott: "Callie, the second rat is mine." Kyoko suffers 17 damage... Zigfried: "The second rat is already mine. >:)" Callie: "OK Scott." Kyoko attacks Cave Rat A! Cave Rat A suffers 1 damage... ===ROUND 2=== Callie: "Scott! Do we double-team the number two one or do you want that one?" Scott: "I want that one." Zigfried: "I'm killing the second one." Ebony: "Kyoko Kyoko..." Zigfried: "Keep going for rat A." Ebony: "Flying cats are doing more damage than you." Scott: "OK." Ebony: "That has to be embarrassing." Scott: "Cal, we double team Rat A." Teal: "Well, I'm in my human form Uncle..." Ebony: "I'm not." * Ebony hums and does a loop Ebony attacks Cave Rat A! Cave Rat A is hit with an acid stream for 3 damage... Teal attacks Cave Rat A! Cave Rat A is hit with a small thunderbolt for 3 damage... Zigfried attacks Cave Rat B! First attack... 16 damage... Scott: "Callie, we attack at the same time." Second attack... 15 damage. Cave Rat B is dead! Zigfried: "Got it!" Third attack on Cave Rat A... Critical hit! 35 damage. Scott: "One more notch on the tally for you, Zig." Callie attacks Cave Rat A! * Zigfried nods. Callie: "Great work Zig. He'll be weak for Scott and I..." First attack... 15 damage. Cave Rat A is dead! VICTORY! Ebony: "You know I used to be able to do more than this." Ebony: "Even before I got my power." Ebony: "That stinking Dark Fart drained me dry." --All gain 8 XP. 110 Silver, 26 MXP gained.-- * Callie rubs her head. "OOogg... Oh bloody hell..." --The doorway is finally cleared of vermin.-- * Ebony lands on Ruby's shoulder * Zigfried passes through the doorway. Scott: "Well, let's book." * Scott follows Zigfried. --The group is in a chamber filled with pixies!-- Pixie 1: "Hi there? Who are you and what were you doing up in the ruins?" Ebony: "You know... We're the only Dragons of comparable age left..." Scott: "Getting out of the ruins." Callie: "Pixies?? Hmm... Like another story... Ahh f*** this..." Callie: "Uhh... Sorry for my language pixies. =b" Zigfried: "Yeah, we were pulled to the top of the ruins by Pharos." Ebony: "I've only know you a few hours and already I'm sick of hearing you say that." Pixie 1: "Pharos? He was here too? We only knew about Kane..." Scott: "What do you know of Kane?" Zigfried: "Do you know where they've gone?" Pixie 1: "I don't know where they've gone. As for Kane, he claims Ghaleon told him to come here and watch us! I don't believe it though, no matter how many ABBA records he brings us!" * Scott heals Kyoko with his Heal Litany. Callie: "I don't wanna know... Does he like ABBA?" Pixie 1: "He hates ABBA, but somehow he knew that we liked them..." * Zigfried shudders.... not ABBA! Pixie 1: "ABBA reminds us of dear, sweet Ghaleon..." * Scott hands the Pixies a Don Henley CD. Scott: "Just as good as ABBA." Pixie 1: "Geesh, you look a bit stressed. Mind if I heal you guys?" Zigfried: "Go ahead." Ebony: "Dear sweet 'Take your power and seal you in a crystal' Ghaleon." Callie: "YES. WE DO. Errmm... Sorry. No we don't ;)" Scott: "We were stressed long before we got here." Kyoko: "o/~ When I was alone as one, my heart was as ice, so cold... o/~" --The Pixie heals the group. All HP/MP recovered...-- Pixie 1: "Don't talk about Ghaleon that way!" Ebony: "Geeze... Not alone songs... Please." Scott: "Does he live again?" * Zigfried has a hit single of his from two years ago called "Alone." VERY nice song. :) * Ebony sticks his tongue out at the pixie Pixie 1: "I wish he did. Then maybe he could kick that jerk Kane out of here!" Ruby: "Umm, please don't sing that Kyoko..." Scott: "Wait, Ghaleon's grave is in Vane. Marina showed it to me when I was there 5 years ago." Callie: "Ah good... They have a common goal as us. ;)" Kyoko: "Why? It's such a beautiful song!" Ebony: "Eh... Sooner or later these guys will kill $#!^master Kane." Pixie 1: "Yes... He's buried in Vane, which is too far for us to visit. :(" Ebony: "I'm betting on later..." Scott: "Not for us." Ruby: "It brings back bad memories..." * Kyoko looks at Ruby confused... Then looks sad... * Ebony rubs against Ruby's cheek "We have a bit in common." Kyoko: "Sorry... I forgot..." Pixie 1: "Why don't you relax here a bit, perhaps practice your skills? :)" Callie: "Feh..." Scott: "What do you guys say?" * Zigfried nods. "That would be a good." Callie: "Skills? My skill is fighting but maiming pixies is not." Zigfried: "We could use some practice." Zigfried: "Not against the pixies, Callie!" ---Magic Leveling Mode--- Scott needs 17. Anyone confirm? Scott's skill "Blade" has reached Level 2! Needs 20 for next... Anyone confirm Kyoko? Kyoko's skill "Healing" has reached Level 2! Needs 24 for next... * Zigfried would like Owl to level 3. Confirm? Zigfried's skill "Owl" has reached Level 3! Acquired new spell: "Winged Owl." Needs 18 for next. Callie needs 27? Confirm? Callie's skill "Blade" has reached Level 3! Acquired new spell: "Wide Slash." Needs 31 for next. Scott needs 20. anyone confirm? Scott's skill "Blade" has reached Level 3! Acquired new spell: "Wide Slash." Needs 23 for next. Kyoko needs 24. Confirm? Kyoko's skill "Song" has reached Level 3! "Supersonic" is now "Hypersonic." Need 28 for next. Zig needs 18. Confirm? Zigfried's skill "Owl" has reached Level 4! Needs 21 for next. Callie: "OK... up acrobatics to level 2. ;)" Needs 23. Confirm? Callie's skill "Acrobatics" has reached Level 2. Needs 27 for next. ---End of Magic Leveling Mode--- * Kyoko leans up next to a tree after singing her heart out. Pixie 1: "Why don't you guys spend a night here and really rest a bit, you look exhausted..." * Zigfried yawns and nods. "o/~ When I was... Alone... As... ZZzzzzzzz o/~" --The group spends the night in the pixie chamber, relaxing and wondering what their adventure holds in store for them in the morning...-- ===SESSION END===