WHAT HAS SCIENCE WROUGHT
Kribnefka cast Sending as they walked toward the tents. It vaguely reminded him of some of the celebrations they'd happened upon in human cities. And of course the Unification Festival, but really nothing could compare to that.
Look, Doctor, I'm sorry about this, but we need to stay in disguise. And your disguise draws less attention if you're near another adult.
...and that's terrible.
Stealth Bomber
We followed Sheik to the tents, running rather than walking to get there. It was not as fast as floating over, but we had to make sure we were in character at all times. We never knew who could be watching.
J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS!
Screw the Lion!
Jack decided to go explore the various stalls of the festival while making sure to vaguely follow the beeping of the crystal. The Chaser figured out pretty quickly this new crystal was the thing that would be used to track down that Sifuri piece Sec told him about. At the moment Jack did not really care, wanting merely to chill a bit before any big fighting happened.
As he was looking around, someone huge, bigger than even him wearing all black minus a pair of eye obscuring glasses with blood red lenses. "Excuse me," the man said. Jack usually would not mind, but the fact that there was this very tall being of pure black in the middle of all this color and cheer flew up a few red flags. Not to mention the bright blue ring he had on his left hand that was blinking in tandem with his own red crystal........
Atrocitus paused after bumping into someone that was large and well-muscled, the sudden rush of visions hitting him. This man.......was a marine......the Red screamed.......the center of so much Rage, both towards him and caused by him.........much of the Rage the Red Lantern felt came from the cries of the deserving whom were rightfully murdered in droves by this man, but there was a few innocents whom felt despair.......
Many were those whom actually loved the dogs that were slaughtered, whether friends, family, or lovers.......
There was one in particular, a young woman held for ransom, her death caused by the man's mishandling of her case.......
The Ryutian also glimpsed into the man's personality......a man far too desensitized by the blood on his hands to truly care about anything outside his own limited morality...........
He took a moment to turn his head back, noticing the blinking red crystal on the man's metal right hand. Both the crystal and the false appendage were clear indicators to Atrocitus this man was a new rival.......one to most definitely watch out for.......
Soon Atrocitus reached the entrance to the largest tent on the bottom of the hill. He leaned upon a nearby pole, the first one of his team to arrive. The Red Lantern looked up to see Zelda and Ermac approach. "Took you long enough," the Ryutian said to Zelda. Aside from the choice of dark attire clashing with the festive colors and bright sunny day, the Hylian would easily identify Atrocitus from his own voice.
"Well before, I did it with reckless abandon. Now I can't control myself!" ~ Jesse Cox, 2014
Bitch pills
Kane merely moved with the rest of the Magic team, glancing around at everything, scowling deeply as he surveyed it all. "Something about this place makes me uneasy..." he grumbled, though he, as usual, seemed more irritated than ill-at-ease.
Easing back into life one step at a time
The area the Teams were in was surrounded by large tents. It was obvious why this was set aside from the plaza on the hill: even if there was enough room for all these tents, there would never be enough room for anything else. Each of the tents bore a sign declaring some form of contest, everything from archery and swordfighting to dance and poetry. Each tent had a trophy displayed in a small case in front of it, clearly meant for the winner.
The locators took the Teams to a set of four tents that all marked "Martial Arts Contest". The trophy, sitting in the middle of the four, was what all the locators pointed to.
As they reached the tents, catching up with the rest of the teams (did Atrocitus really think that wouldn't be suspicious?'') Shantotto sighed lightly as she began to send her reply.
I understand the reason, and I intend to obey. We should just hasten and get this over with as quickly as we… oh those utter
She ran out of words at this point, sparing Kribnefka whatever she was about to say on the sight before them. Standing on the other side of the clearing, with the trophy between them, were several recognizable members of the Science team, as well as some unknown faces.
The two Teams had entered the clearing from opposite sides, and would only slowly make each other out from the crowd surrounding them; the place was packed. There was no way anyone was not going to notice if they began to fight. But don't let that stop you. }:3
A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they will never sit in.
The Mighty Pen
Urza halted at the edge of the clearing. Their objective was clear, but his sharp eyes, used to noticing minute details of everything, had spotted one of the other team on the opposite side. And where there was one, there were probably more, maybe all of them. If he tried to simply snatch it up, it would touch off a massive conflagration and if the fight was prolonged enough, that would be trouble, depending on the law enforcement methods of this world. His mind went to work figuring out the possibilities. Option 1: Begin the fight and hope we win before law enforcement arrives. Option 2: Enter the contest and hope to win. Option 3: Enter the contest and cheat. Option 4: Attempt to pit the other team against the local law enforcement. Each course of action offered its own advantages and disadvantages, but he alone could make the decision and he needed to make it fast, before someone started the fight.
"Nobody attack," he said quietly but firmly, to the others, his words going out over their shared communications channel. "I think those of us who qualify should enter this contest. I will go and speak to them about it. If the negotiations go poorly, though...kill them."
Without waiting for anyone to answer, he set off across the clearing towards the few members of the opposing team he recognized, taking pains to make it clear he was not heading directly for the trophy.
edited 15th Apr '12 9:54:24 PM by RedCedar
A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent upon arriving. -Lao Tzu
Sam was surprised when Jack walked off, apparently not hearing him. He was left standing awkwardly next to the tent, unsure of what exactly to do. He'd never seen anything like this but some vague memory told him it was an event for entertainment, though what kind he had no idea. He was still getting fearful and confused looks as people noticed his outfit and large knife. He turned to the nearest person in the Science team. "Uh, where are and what are we supposed to do?"
edited 15th Apr '12 10:40:44 PM by Alleydodger
Organized Canine Bureau Special Agent
"That's a good question."
Sky muttered as he slowly went to get his morpher from the right pants pocket.
"Exit muna si Polgas. Ang kailangan dito ay si Dobermaxx!"
(Avatar by Coffee)
Ratheln looked at Urza. Something about that man made him uneasy... and he was headed straight toward the other members of his team. Slowly shuffling as though he was much older than his true age, the Silver Mage intercepted Urza.
"Excuse me, good sir," he said, "can you help a humble scholar with his quest for knowledge?"
Did you know this section has a character limit?
Behind Team Magic, Sec simply walked into the tent.
Looking at the trophy, and then the locator, he sighed, signed up, and walked out, without ever noticing the teams.
Hiding the blinking locator, Mercer circled through the crowd, trying to get closer to those he was guessing were their opponents as Urza indicated.
The Mighty Pen
Urza had not seen Ratheln before as a part of the other team and certainly didn't recognize him now. But his question seemed...out of place in a festival like this. This was a place for competition, not study. However, the artificer couldn't afford to take the time to investigate.
"I'm sorry, but I'm quite busy just now. Perhaps some other time," he answered curtly. Such words were the entirety of his pretense at politeness. He continued on towards the magic team member whose identity he was almost certain of. Even disguised, Atrocitus stood out in a crowd.
A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent upon arriving. -Lao Tzu
huzzaaaaaaaah
Crocker stared at the trophy, then at the other team, then at his magic tracker (which he thought was pointing towards the other side of the clearing- that's actually his locator). If one were to look at the teacher, they could clearly see he was putting the pieces together:
"Hm... there's this thing that tells me that trophy is important... it also tells me that those people are important too... and its also telling me not to freak out and run after them like a crazy man."
He immediately pulled out his butterfly net:
"Good thing I don't listen to my brain! HEY GUYS! I found the fairies!"
And with that, he skipped towards the nearest Team Magic member Kribnefka, waving his butterfly net around like a tribal spear, and laughing like a madman.
WHAT HAS SCIENCE WROUGHT
Kribnefka herded Shantotto behind him as Crocker got closer.
"Can I help you sir?"
...and that's terrible.
sword of promised halp
"Wait."
A bandaged hand stopped Urza from going any further. Sheik had stepped out in front of the far-too-visible Atrocitus at the last moment, and was now regarding the Planeswalker with a calm, cool gaze. As much as she recognized the Red Lantern's passion for justice and his essentially upright intentions, she also knew that his temper was not something to be trusted. His powers were fueled by rage, after all...
"If this is what the decider shall be, friend, then so be it," she muttered, not shifting an inch from her previous position. Her muffled, lilting voice held a strange authority, one that showed that she knew exactly what she was talking about... almost as if she had read Urza's intent at a glance, even without the use of magic.
"Let us choose representatives for each of our respective teams, and have them fight in this tournament. During that time, they will be bound by the rules of the event itself..."
"The victor ,if he is indeed one of ours, shall take the ship piece for his side, with no questions asked."
"A battle between champions. That is my proposition." Her crimson eyes came to rest on the Artificer's own, full of understated, sincere confidence. Here was a powerful being, one who could outpace and outmatch her own strength in every aspect - and yet she was unafraid.
She had reason on her side. Here was a reasonable man.
"Please. No-one attack."
'Being around you guys makes me go "wtf" instead of pondering the ever increasing dread of time' - EchoingSilence, 2023
huzzaaaaaaaah
Crocker immediately attacked Kribnefka with his butterfly net, trapping him in it:
"No magical creature can escape this butterfly net! I order you to reveal yourself, you little FAIRY GODPARENT!"
The teacher had another spasmic seizure, but continued to hold on to the butterfly net.
WHAT HAS SCIENCE WROUGHT
Kribnefka sighed as he removed the butterfly net.
"Please calm down, sir. You're scaring Shannon. I'm just a magician here for the fair."
...and that's terrible.
Screw the Lion!
Atrocitus entered the tent and into the clearing with the rest of the team, found his locator blinking furiously at the trophy in the center stage, and found the prize was for a martial arts tournament. He then saw members of the opposing team, the Red quickly identifying them and finding out nearly half were recent arrivals.
He groaned at the sheer cosmic convenience of all of this.
Zelda, in her Sheik form, jumped in front of the Red Lantern was the self-appointed leader, Urza, stepped forward to confront the team. Atrocitus knew what she was trying to do, and was disappointed by how underestimated his own ability to control his rage. He personally would never willingly put civilians and the innocent in danger and cause collateral that would do such unless his target started striking first. Now, if they were all in an environment completely devoid of life like most of the previous missions, THEN he would go hog wild......
Atrocitus was about to enter himself in the tournament anyway but paused when on of the newer Science team members, a pasty, greasy looking hunchbacked twig of a human started bounding towards Kribnefka screaming about "fairies".
The Ryutian would almost laugh, if it was not clear enough this man was so much of an idiot that it was sad.
He then turned to Zelda and Urza. "I shall sign up to represent my group," he said.
Jack looked at the trophy and at his blinking locator on his right hand. He easily put two and two together. Then he heard it was a martial arts tournament. That clinched it for him. The Chaser grinned in excitement. He was about to go over and sign up anyway when Urza said to kill the opposing team if negotiations went sour.
Jack then quickly glanced over at the magic team. Unlike Atrocitus, he had no way of knowing their true forms, but even being fooled by the disguise the Chaser could tell that most of them looked like fairly decent people, civilians almost. He really started to doubt Urza's leadership at this point, especially with blatantly ordering the killing of civilians in such a crowded public festival that could quickly spiral out of control just because they were rivals in basically the same fetch quest to save the multiverse.
The Chaser was further distracted by Crocker attacking one of the Magic team members with his butterfly net. It was funny at first, but it confirmed Jack's theory that Crocker was both stupid AND dangerous. He did not even realize he said "Good thing I don't listen to my brain!" out loud. Jack merely face palmed. He was seriously contemplating murdering the dumbass in coldblood if his shenanigans ever led to seriously jeopardizing the team and the mission......
edited 16th Apr '12 8:35:21 AM by UdtheImp
"Well before, I did it with reckless abandon. Now I can't control myself!" ~ Jesse Cox, 2014
Leanbow also entered the tent and saw the trophy, as well as an odd locator on his right hand, blinking furiously at the trophy. If it was their job to obtain it, he'd probably snatch the trophy right away. However, this was for a martial arts tournament... He had to win this the old fashioned way. "I'll sign up as well." Leanbow said.
huzzaaaaaaaah
Crocker looked at the butterfly net then at Kribnefka. He scratched his finger as he pulled out his magic tracker:
"I don't get it. This thing is supposed to point me towards magical beings. But it's not working. The last time this worked, I had to pull a hair—"
He then raised his finger, almost as if a light bulb just appeared on the top of his head. He immediately went and pulled a string of hair from Kribnefka's head, and immediately inserted it on the magic tracker:
"I'm sorry, my good man, I just wanted to check on something. Seems like it's not working. I'll leave now."
Crocker turned around, walking away, strapping his butterfly net to his back and grinning to himself. He soon approached Jack, and pointed to the tracker, whispering:
"Those FAIRIES can't hide from me! My years of fairy hunting have revealed to me that if I pull a piece from a fairy or magical creature that changed its form to a human one... I can simply track him once he returns to his original form!"
edited 16th Apr '12 9:52:01 AM by Stratofarius
Liberty Prime stood nearby, and took in Crocker's ramblings. Obviously, "Fairies" could only possibly be some new code word for Communist Invaders...
WE SHALL BE EVER WATCHFUL FOR SHAPE-CHANGING COMMUNIST INFILTRATORS!
Screw the Lion!
THAT'S IT, Jack thought, thoroughly freaked out by Crocker by now.
The Chaser then did whatever sane person in his position would do: Punch the sucker out.
"Well before, I did it with reckless abandon. Now I can't control myself!" ~ Jesse Cox, 2014
Shantotto played her assigned role when the madman approached, cowering behind Kribnefka and looking nervous. In truth, she was rather curious about this new addition to their enemies; and what were these "fairies" he kept babbling about? The loser needed to be taught something, Princess's orders be damned.
When he turned to leave, she raised her arm towards him (with her staff hidden up it), and whispered, "Ardor". A small spark flew from out her sleeve and hit the back of his pants. It might take a while for the fire to set in, or for him to notice. Kribnefka would probably be the only one to notice her action; any inquiries would just be met with a sweet, little girl smile.
After this, she looked to see what else was happening. She recognized Urza, of course, and she decided to leave the negotiations to the Princess. "Looks like some of us will compete." she remarked to Kribnefka. Then she looked up at him with an impish grin. "Well then, let's figure out how we're going to cheat!"
At the sound of Prime's booming voice, several of the people in the plaza looked around. It seemed to have come from that girl with the rainbow hair... but there was no way that could be possible, right? It didn't take long for them to return to their own business.
Might want to fix the voice, Science Team. Weirdness Censor will only go so far.
edited 16th Apr '12 10:40:58 AM by Anura
A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they will never sit in.
WHAT HAS SCIENCE WROUGHT
Kribnefka looked down at Shantotto, returning the grin.
"Are you sure you're not REALLY my daughter? Because I was thinking the same thing. Step one is seeing the arenas. Step two is giving out magic items."
edited 16th Apr '12 11:15:02 AM by Krautman
...and that's terrible.
I take it that Krib's gone through the portal as well?
Shantotto's new face didn't change, despite the fact that she was gritting her teeth. She reminded herself that blending in was (apparently) of the utmost importance, and took Kribnefka's hand with minimal hesitation. "Well then, let's be on our way." she said, motioning towards her locator.
A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they will never sit in.