Old Chateau, 18 minutes before sunset.

Phaz: Okay, girls let's split up.

Ashley: <Seriously?>

Phaz: Yeah, what could possibly go wrong? No, of course, i was sarcastic.

Cynthia: <Phew. I'm starting to hate this place.>

Phaz: Yeah. Ten best places for a ghost to haunt: number one, the Old Chateau, specifically that old dusty chidren room. Anyways, Cynthia, could you see if there is anything suspicious in, under or on the bed? Ashley, would you kindly look at this picture over there? I'm gonna look in theses drawers.

Ashley&Cynthia: <Okay.>

-Ashley then approaches the pictures on the wall, and stops at the red-eyed painting, searching for anything anormal besides the feeling this gives. Cynthia starts looking in the sheets for something she doesn't even know what it looks like, and Phaz just awkwardly looks in the drawers.-

CU, Rose Arena

-Dune and Galvani both sigh in relief. Seiten takes his pipe out to Slack Off a little while Yurlungur begins Stockpiling energy.-

CU, Theater

-Dune's eyebrows furrow.-

Dune: Now, there. There's that "music of the night" bit again. But now it's asking if we dare trust it. I bet you that we need to pick the quiet door this time.

-Blitz took a few moments to apply Revives to the remaining members of his team that where spent in his previous battle before this whole mess started. Then went to examine the bookshelf, pulling out any books that looked out of place in size or title. Mondo went to see if there was a closet to look in-

Shinobi: <Wait, you're-?>

-He stares at the Kyurem for a moment, then nods-

<...Thanks. Good luck>

-Shinobi lets a Bravairy out, and hops on before the pair start flying up and out the hole-

CU, Second Parlor, Friday

-Indeed, Shadow Ren never started back up after stopping to drop the music-fueled illusion.-

edited 12th Jun '16 6:54:24 AM by keys2tkingdom

Neo-Illusion Base

In a typical corporate-style waiting room in one of Neo-Illusion's scattered outposts, the usual crowd of silver-suited grunts is broken up by three familiar teenagers in colourful costumes. One of the trio, N1T3SL4Y3R, has his phone out and is engaged in a heated chat discussion with the Porygon occupying it.

At the same time, Helion is tapping her foot impatiently, occasionally glancing over at Batastrophe, who is humming cheerfully under her breath.

Helion: ...This is going to end badly.

Batastrophe: You just like being miserable. How else are we gonna make a career outta this? Stealing stuff didn't work out 'cause of those dumbass do-gooders, so we gotta find ourselves a job.

Helion: I never intended for this to be a career. I've already disappointed my parents enough without going the extra mile.

Batastrophe: Then don't think of it like that! We're still just messing around, only this way we get paid for doing it! Everybody wins~

Just then, the door at the end of the waiting room swings open.

???: Come on in!

The three supervillains head on through into what appears to be a large conference hall, with panelled white walls and a long central table. A young man in what appears to be a custom Neo-Galactic uniform and matching helmet is lounging on one of the chairs. At the head of the table is Mr Smith, resplendent in his silver suit.

Mr Smith: Ah, Batastrophe, Helion and... other person! We're all here! I must say, I knew this "cosplay" thing was something of a trend amongst today's youth, but I never realised it was this popular! This fine youngster I was just talking to calls himself Iapetus. One of those "leet" names, I'm assuming.

Helion: ...Charmed.

Iapetus: Likewise.

Mr Smith: Anyway, take a seat! We won't get anything done standing around here!

The businessman and assorted supervillains all sit down around the table.

Mr Smith: Before we begin, I just want to say one thing. I might be employing you to do a job, but I don't want you to think of me as your boss. Think of me as one of your "bros", or "homies". A "bromy", if you will!

Silence fills the room.

N1T3SL4Y3R:    ...Is this guy for real?   

Mr Smith: Real as a Seel! Now then, down to business. I need you talented young people to find a fellow who was key to a particularly important project of ours. My employer let him go in the middle of said project, which as you can imagine rather disrupted things. Since my employer doesn't seem to think this is urgent, I'm having to hire subcontractors from outside the company. I saw you two on the news, and I figured you looked like a suitable sort!

Batastrophe turns to Helion, grinning.

Batastrophe: Hear that, Heli? We're famous~!

Helion remains focused on Smith, her arms crossed.

Helion: What do you mean by "find", exactly?

Mr Smith: Just figure out where he's got to and bring him back here. In one piece, obviously! He's valuable company property, and we can't have him being damaged.

Iapetus: Pity.

Helion: So by "find", you mean "kidnap".

Mr Smith: Oh, no no no! We prefer the term "assisted relocation". The PR department's very insistent about that one.

He slides a folder across the table.

Mr Smith: His name is Lucius Cain. There's some information - or "intel", as the hippy stairs are calling it - on him in there, if you need it.

Iapetus: I am familiar with Cain already. I doubt there is anything you can tell me which I do not already know.

Batastrophe: Let's say we take the job. What are we gonna get paid?

Mr Smith: Well, given your interests, I assumed you would be more interested in some of our inventions than a cash infusion. I've been meaning to put the energy from the Obscura Generator to good use. This'll be an excellent chance to field test some prototypes!

N1T3SL4Y3R:    I'm not convinced.   

Mr Smith: Now now, give me a chance! There's something you might be especially interested in. See, we're an equal-opportunity employer, and we're legally obligated to provide you with some form of mobility aid. I think we have just the thing.

He presses a button beneath the table, and a door on the right-hand wall slides open to reveal a room adjacent to the conference hall. A sleek black battlesuit stands in the centre of the room, protected by a bulletproof glass case.

Mr Smith: This is the Obscuric Superlative Combat Armour - or OSCAr, for short! The marketing boys are pitching it as a lower-priced competitor to the YMCA, but we need someone to take it for a spin first. It can duplicate most Ghost Obscura powers, and it's fitted with thrusters and servomotors that'll let you zip all over the place! Also, for added social media synergy, there's a "Share" button built directly into the suit's control systems! Is that groovy or what?

N1T3SL4Y3R:    Oh my Arceus that suit looks awesom-   

He realises himself, coughs, and starts again.

N1T3SL4Y3R:    Hrmph. It will suffice, though I may have to make some modifications.   

Mr Smith: Go ahead! Just be careful with it. That suit's worth more than your life! And I mean that quite literally.

N1T3SL4Y3R:    What?   

Mr Smith: Nothing! Just mentioning that you'll have to sign a disclaimer before giving OSCAr a try.

Helion: Okay, that's the edgelord taken care of, but what about the rest of us?

Iapetus: I require no payment. The opportunity to avenge myself against Cain is reward enough.

Batastrophe: Speak for yourself, Spock. We're gonna be wanting something cool too~

Mr Smith: Not to worry. We have you covered.

He presses another button beneath the table, and a panel on the left-hand wall slides open to reveal a window that overlooks a much larger room with a much larger centrepiece.

Helion: ...Holy shit.

Batastrophe: Is... is that what I think it is?

Mr Smith: Yup! We call it the Nyneve. And the keys are yours if you agree to take this job.

Batastrophe turns back to Mr Smith, eyes glowing.

Batastrophe: We're in~!

Helion: ...Sure, why not. Might as well see this thing out.

Mr Smith: Excellent! I look forward to a long and fruitful partnership! We'll send you another message, or possibly even a "chat", if anything else comes up. Right now, though...

He smiles.

Mr Smith: I imagine this new team is eager to test their new toys.

edited 12th Jun '16 9:42:53 AM by Herbert40k

CU, Theater

Dune: ... Oh. Well then. Erm. Gal, got any ideas?

Galvani: <Sorry, I'd probably have one were these neon lights over here being super distracting.>

Dune: ... Wait, what if the emphasis is on the "night" part, not the "song" part? That would explain the emphasis on the lights in here.

Training Meadow

-Dune is reading through an old scroll, one he acquired from a tomb some time ago, and has been studying for some time.-

Dune: ... Wait, what's this?

-In a corner of the scroll section describing theoretical stances with bladed weapons rather than the usual Hagane no Tsume gauntlet/unarmed style is an illustration of two people wielding blades, one in a crouching position using what appears to be a battleaxe, and the other standing at his side using a longsword. They both stand against what fist looked like a watchtower, only to be revealed as a man in titanic armor.-

The Heaven and Earth style is my response to the common sight of Champions - soldiers and warriors with more scars than an entire squad and instincts like an Absol - dominating the battlefield. Going up against one of these juggernauts alone would, at best, leave both parties battered and bruised. At worst, you'll be sent home in a box. Heaven and Earth is a way for two fighters to sync their actions and fighting style to take advantage of the Hagane no Tsume's natural speed and aggression while keeping both fighters alive against opponents who are much more experienced at armored combat.

Note to self: Find another person to practice this with.

Dune: ... Huh. These are some interesting exercises... Might as well give 'em a shot.

Solaceon Ruins

-Gilgamesh gives a much more genuinely concerned frown-

Gilgamesh: ...Your friends are stuck down here?

Zrone Zone, past

-The Kyurem waits for the Administrator's approach as the others leave-

Solaceon Ruins, past

-Shakes head-

No, merely beyond my Sight.

-Shadow Lisa snaps and another Moh Shuvuu appears-

Lisa: <...Oh great, she can make more?>

Moh Shuvuu: <You could put it that way, yes.>

-He then attempts to launch a Sucker Punch at Yurlungur-

-Gogie is here, talking with Ruby and Tale-

Ruby: <So, what was facing those robots like? It's been pretty long since I faced those Illusion robots with Liliendolch.>

Kaisei: "...Not as pleasant as you're making it sound. I'm just glad my head still doesn't ache from that..."

Ruby: <Still, too bad I wasn't here, though.>

Tale: <I was there and he didn't let me fight!>

Kaisei: <...Yeah, that wave cannon took out Akim'bleer in one hit. I don't think you would have done much...>

Tale: <Hm.>

-Ruby looks in the background and notices a Primeape approaching-

Ruby: <Oh, hey, Raser!>

-Raser is a bit startled and waves awkwardly-

Raser: <Oh, erm, hello.>

Kaisei: "Uh, hey..."

Raser: <You doing alright, Gogie?>

Kaisei: "Yeah, more or less."

Tale: <I'd be doing better if he had let me join in.>

Raser: <Er, trust me, it would have been a bad idea.>

Ruby: <It's okay, Tale. You can come with Liliendolch and me if we ever fight robots again!>

Kaisei: "I'm... not sure about-"

Tale: <Come on, Kaisei!>

Kaisei: "Ngh..."

Raser: <...Anyway, I noticed you didn't seem to be as afraid of me in battle.>

<...Or now for that matter.>

Kaisei: "Oh, uh, yeah... I've been working on that a bit."

"Even if Herbert's... Herbert, I'd rather not have him affect my relationship with you more than he already has."

Raser: <Er, thank you. I appreciate it.>

Kaisei: "Uh, something else up?"

Raser: <...Well, Venomous still isn't back yet.>

Kaisei: "Right, yeah..."

"Well, hopefully it'll be soon and we can still talk to them sometimes regardless."

Raser: <Yeah...>

Ruby: <Oh, I'd love to talk to her about those robots when she gets back. She doesn't like talking about them much on Hasslemon, unfortunately.>

Raser: <You... might want to just not ask her about them, then. Or talk to Wirrbelle.>

Ruby: <Eh, alright.>

edited 12th Jun '16 11:45:05 AM by CorvusAtrox

CU, Rose Arena, Past

Ren: I believe that was our cue! -Ren swings his cane, Shattering his Pokesona card- IZANAGI!

-The Aron Pokesona at high - but not full - health ans summons his spear-glaive and then then srapes his claws along the blade in an attempt to lower Shadow Lisa's special defense.-

Mendel: -through the groups accessories- Finally! Shadow Lisa, a Fire/ Psychic-type Shadow Self. She has Flame Body as her ability and can use a variety of Psychic moves and Thief. And she can keep summoning Moh Shuvuu infinitely with her signature move "Butler's Aide".

CU, Second Parlor, Friday

-Ren goes back to looking at the lyrics.-

Ren: From that perspective, the line "Hard as lightning, soft as candlelight" is the line that should tell us which door to pick...

-Ren goes back to thinking in silence.-

edited 12th Jun '16 11:51:26 AM by keys2tkingdom

Solaceon Ruins

Gilgamesh: Oh, so why are we here, then?

-As Belinda's Mystic Arte ends, Blitz closes his eyes and concentrates, a silver gleam running slowly along the eldge of the blade from hilt to tip before he dashes at Futility.-

"The hidden blade that cleaves through evil"

-it's unclear if the voice is from Blitz or some effect of the mindscape as the area goes dark, save for the area immediately around Futility which is illuminated by a full moon as shadowy blurs slash the creature as they pass from nearly every direction before Blitz can be seen again standing with his blade still outstreched at the end of his run. Moments before the shining outline of a slash appears along Futility's torso as the moon and shade disappear-

CU, Rose Arena

"Okay, please work please work..."

... Aaand Arahabaki summons another rock over its own head.

"Fucking-"

CU, Theater

".. It says trust the music of the night.. night is dark.. maybe we should choose the door that's less well lit?"

CU, Rose Arena

-The Sucker Punch fails, as Yurlungur continues to Stockpile and makes no directly hostile actions toward either Shadow Lisa or the new Moh Shuvuu. Seiten as well continues to Slack Off.-

Galvani: <Saw that one coming!>

-Dune taps his chin, pondering how they could get a clean shot at Shadow Lisa.-

CU, Theater

-Dune ponders the lyrics as Galvani stares at the neon lights. She appears to be mimicking the sounds it's making.-

Galvani: <Bvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvt. Hehehe.>

-Dune nods his head.-

Dune: I vote using the neon door.

Jasonscape, past

-Futility stumbles back, bleeding out light from the attacks-

Jason:My turn!

Mystic Arte

-Jason taps down his right arm four times, releasing four lights-

-The lights turn into 4 human figures. The first, a woman with icy blue eyes and short black hair holding a dagger. Second, a woman in a black dress-suit holding a staff. Third, a bald monk with a morning star. Last, a man looking like a scientist also with a staff-

-Celcius, Shadow, Aska, and Volt charge at the Aspect, using slashes and magic to attack. All the while, Jason charges up a strike-

Jason:Disappear!

-The Elementals jump back as he too charges-

-Jason dashes through, sheathes his katana, the clenches his fist-

-The aspect explodes in a burst of light-

-Futility begins to dissolve into her original form, albeit more dull purple than her usual dark-

Pessimism:N...No...

edited 12th Jun '16 1:01:19 PM by Skyzerk

Jasonscape

(Uzuri redraws her pistols, looking steely and determined.)

Uzuri: Alright. Time to land the killing blow.

(She casually unloads a volley of pistol shots into Futility. She's barely concentrating on where they land; all that matters is the 5x combo that will unlock her Mystic Arte.)

(Once she stops firing, Uzuri goes to unload one pistol. Instead of ejecting its existing ammo, however, it splits in half, revealing a ball of dark red energy inside. As the red glow envelopes Uzuri, she jams her remaining pistol inside the hollow husk of the other, and both abruptly vanish.)

(In their place is a large, downright evil-looking sniper rifle. Thin and pointed, decked out in rust-red paint and oozing a vile tarlike substance from its barrel, it looks more like one of Giratina's crueler instruments of torture than a real gun.)

(Again, Uzuri barely seems to be concentrating as she pulls the trigger - nor does she need to be. A jet of grimy black material aims itself right between pessimism's eyes, connecting with an explosive effect that resembles nothing more than a bomb being detonated inside a tar pit.)

-Ren blinks at Galvani making the sound and chuckles a bit while thinking.-

Mendel: -through the accessories- But what about all the synonyms?

Ren: What do you mean?

Mendel: Softly, gently, tremulous, tender, and soft. All these words are used to describe something weak. The word "hard" has no synonyms in that verse and is also used to describe something strong. Isn't possible that the safe way would be the "weak" door?

Ren: But if you factor in the "music is deceiving" that means that any theory we come up with can be reversed... Of course that leads to a whole new can of Wurmple about double and triple bluffs... Almost might be easier to figure out which lines are filler lines to obscure the truth like there was in the first verse...

edited 12th Jun '16 1:36:14 PM by keys2tkingdom

CU, Theater

Dune: Well, we can't second guess ourselves until the end of time.

Galvani: <I wish Anja were here. She's always been good with lyrics.>

-She starts humming under her "breath", something along the lines of "understand, understand the concept of love".-

Chapter 3: Unlucky 7

???

-Oog, nyan... What did that thing do?-

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away...

-...Please don't tell me- -

-...Out of the fandom frying pan into the fandom fire, nyan.-

THE SEARCH FOR MORE UMBRA

Joseph Nox has vanished. In his absence, the sinister FIRST DISORDER has risen from the fragments of the Glitch, and will not rest until Nox, an Obscuric with a powerful soul, has been assimilated into their forces.

The First Disorder is led by the mysterious PROMETHEUS, one of two current cores of the Glitch, who seeks to infect as much of the galaxy as possible.The SPACE AMPHAROS REPUBLIC, desperate to stop them, has been forced to shut down its teleportation network, the NINTENDIUM WI-FI CONNECTION,and start quarantining the galaxy.

With the support of the Republic, however, General Titanic Thwack leads a brave RESXANCE. He is desperate to find his friend Joseph and gain his help in restoring hope and stability to the galaxy. Thwack has sent an old friend of friends on a secret mission to Totally Not Tatooine™, where a familiar face has discovered a clue to Joseph’s whereabouts . . . .

-Ergh, fine, might as well roll with this, nyan...-

-Cut to Totally Not Tatooine™-

-A village of space-dwelling mons seem to be doing peacefully during the desert night. Amid them, however, a lone Metagross-y human exits a UFO-like ship and enters a tent on the edge of town, finding a Golurk-

Human!Chrome: Mata Nui! It really is you...

Mata Nui: <Chrome! Finally, someone got to me all the way out here!>

-he twiddles his fingers nervously-

<Why are you human, though? You stand out more...>

Human!Chrome: Human physique is better for piloting those Space Ampharos ships, plus smaller target. But it doesn't matter right now... You apparently have the key to solve this mess?

Mata Nui: <Oh! Right, yes!>

-Pulls out a strange, flash-drive like device and hands it to Chrome-

<This is a map to Umbra! Me and Nandi have been guarding it!>

Human!Chrome: -blinks- Did you just say Nan-

???: <CHROME!>

-Chrome is suddenly glomped by the fins of a Mantine-

Human!Chrome: Nandi! Didn't Arika trade you to a Flying monotyper so you could learn how to fly?

Nandi: <I did! But then I got separated from him trying and got stuck in a white place with a Drilbur for who knows how long before winding up in this horrible hot dry place! But Mata Nui found me!>

Human!Chrome: Glad he did at least...

Nandi: <Do you know where Arika is?>

-Chrome's expression grows grim-

Human!Chrome: ...I do not. And Lina... They've already taken her.

-Suddenly, the sound of incoming ships and screaming villagers echoes throughout the tent-

Mata Nui: <The First Disorder! They've found us!>

Human!Chrome: -grits his teeth- They likely know both of us are here.

Nandi: <W-What about me?>

Human!Chrome and Mata Nui look at each other before looking back to Nandi, Chrome handing her the device.

Human!Chrome: Nandi... You're the only one with a chance of getting this to where it needs to be. We're not the only ones stuck here. Find someone, anyone, who can get this to someone that can help.

Mata Nui: <There's another village with water nearby! Go there, stay safe, get help! Now!>

-Nandi stares at them a bit, then nods-

Nandi: <G-Goodbye...>

-She flees on a jet of water out of the tent-

-Shortly after, three Glitched Ampharos in armor burst into the tent, grab Chrome and Mata Nui, and drag them outside-

edited 11th Jul '16 2:57:01 PM by AgentPurrloinmence

CU, Second Parlor, Friday

Silent gives his thoughts.

Solaceon - Present

-After the past few days were spent recovering, Jacob, now in a mere leg cast, is riding atop Argentum around the town, grumbling-

"I had hoped never to use this chair again."

Zrone Zone - Past

-As everyone leaves, the Administrator tromps out of the hallway and looks up at the Kyurem-

Administrator: "I assume you want something."

Stormchaser, Main Deck

-Anja the Lilligant spins and stretches as Flanagan the Krookodile snaps his teeth. Standing counter to them, Hildr the Delta Donphan and and Vega the Excadrill similarly prepare themselves.-

Anja: <Thanks for picking me, Flanagan! I promise I'll hold my own!>

Flanagan: <I know you will, lass. I got money on ya.>

-Hildr and Vega both give each other slightly worried looks.-

Vega: <Er... right. Ready on the mark.>

-A little Gollett standing at the sidelines points upward.-

Norm: <The rules are a standard two versus two, four moves, no Fissures, and the most important rule: everyone have fun!> =D

-Norm points skyward before signaling the match with a Thunderbolt.-

Flanagan: <Now, Anja!>

-Music starts playing over the ship's loudspeakers.-

-Hildr looks around in confusion as Vega dashes at Anja with a Bullet Punch... only to swing and miss as Anja ducks and spins on a stream of petals.-

Vega: <Mierta.>

-And then she kicks Vega into the air with a Petal Dance to the rhythm of the music, where she juggles him with blow after blow of petals.-

Hildr: <Woah, that's cool! ... OH CRAP! VEGA!>

-Hildr moves to help the Excadrill and it intercepted by a Sand Tomb that stings her steely hide.-

Flanagan: <Gotcha.>

-Hildr swings her tusks at Flanagan, flinging a lightning-fast Icicle Shard his way. The Krookodile take the blow to his leg, putting him on a knee.-

Zrone Zone, past

Kyurem: <<Well, first off, can you understand me?>>

Near Jacob

-Someone may attempt to plaster a "Love Seat 4 Lyfe" bumper sticker on Argentum's backside-

edited 12th Jun '16 3:54:50 PM by Umbramatic