Genosha Palace, Medical Ward: Not To Put Ya On A Pedestal or Anything, But...
Amber held a cautious silence, out of respect for the histories and out of fear of saying something wrong. After the "multiuniversal racism" comment, Amber had found the hook she'd sought to turn this depressing talk around.
"Perhaps Ren, but you could also say compassion and empathy are also 'multiuniversal.' Weird as it seems, Battleworld can be a blessing if you let it. It's a chance to bury old grudges, or leave a hostile state for a more welcoming one. You can start over here, unlike anywhere else."
Amber had kept Maki in her peripherals since his latest...unsettling comment. The boy liked to speak his mind, or parrot the thoughts of someone else. Understandable, considering his age, but he seemed oblivious about how dangerous that language could be. The Hunters were virtuous and idealistic, and King Asgore was likely no different. They wouldn't take the thought of "bowing down to the dominant species" lightly.
So when Maki went to unwittingly spill the beans, Amber was ready. The boy could only open his mouth before his Etiquette Teacher butted in.
"I believe His Majesty King Magnus would be better suited to answering that, Nora. I have only stayed in Genosha for a day now, and Maki has been here even less. Neither of us are equipped to tell His Majesty's story with the truth it deserves. Better to hear it from the source, don't you think?"
Amber didn't wait for an answer. With a brisk bow to her guests, staring with Asgore, the would-be Contractor departed for the King's quarters.
It took less than ten minutes for Amber to return, walking close behind a white-haired man in black military garb..jpg/revision/latest?cb=20061123124447){kind=small}
Genosha's founder and king approached the strangers with the same warm and sincere welcome he had given Agent Vicket that same morning. It was a shame that Jaune wasn't there to notice.
"Greetings, my friends!" Magnus smiled, even through his stone-cut eyes. "My apologies for my absence; I was unaware we had such remarkable company!"
Given the context, the Mutant King clearly meant Asgore, but his open arms and bright tone suggested he had dubbed everyone present his "most welcomed guests," including the mercenaries he had hired less than twelve hours ago.
"Miss Nora, Mister Ren," he addressed the Hunters with a touch more formality, "you both have my deepest gratitude in your part defending Genosha. While your service at my son's wedding is still requested, rest assured that you and your captain Jaune will be greatly rewarded for your efforts today."
"I heard it was Jaune who formed the plan that toppled the AT-AT," Amber smiled, "and that Ren moved so fast, he could sprint vertically up its legs as he shot the descending troops."
"And Nora used her faunus strength to crush a tank!" Maki added, his hand squeezing Nora's with pride.
Magnus raised his lower lip along with his eyebrows, as if to add one of the Dreemurr's signature "Golly!"s.
"Well, should Team Juniper decide to leave the sell-sword profession, I'm sure we could convince Commander Shaw to recruit them. Goodness knows we need experienced young warriors these days; most of the Hellions were deployed to New York when we were taken here, so their wing at SHIELD has been dreadfully quiet."
With one last regal smile, Magnus turned away from the Hunters to face his fellow monarch.
"King Asgore Dreemurr, it's an honor to meet Your Grace. Miss Amber mentioned how you arrived to Genosha to aid and protect two of our own—for that, Your Grace too deserves my deepest gratitude."
He bowed to the Monster King, perhaps a bit too low for someone of equal rank. "I suppose we have much to discuss, and while I would love to speak with you all, there are some matters that must be kept private."
Magnus gestured to the door, and prepared to leave with Asgore.
Did you know this section has a character limit?
Nora, Ren, Blake, Yang - Gotta Go Fast, Genosha Palace Medical Wing
"Actually, your Majesty, I have a question."
This time the heads turned towards Nora. They'd not actually heard Nora's question the first time, so her want to repeat it came as a surprise.
Especially since she'd spent half his and Amber's speech staring at Maki. As soon as he'd called her a faunus, in fact.
"Maki here said that you went to war with the human countries back home, you won, they bowed down to you and the Homo Superior became the dominant species. I was just wondering what exactly that meant."
Realisation dawned quickly on the three others, and Blake was the first to continue Nora's line of questioning.
"How exactly are humans treated here, and back in your world?"
"Yeah, that'd be pretty nice to know. Because, y'know, we're human." Yang shot a glance at Blake, who shook her head. "All of us."
Jaune - Staring Down Darth, Death Star
At Henry's suggestion, Jaune instinctively looked back over his shoulder, but even from here he could see the rise and fall of her chest.
He could also see when someone was trying to do the "shush kid, adults are talking" routine.
He leaned in to the Irishman, and whispered.
"You do know this is a trap, right?" They do have medals for almost, and they're called silver!
Vampire Hunter
Death, Castlevania
"You may have met a Death, but you have not met me before," The Grim Reaper clarified to Wolf as Crow had left, apparently to find this other Death that existed. "It is... concerning, but not unexpected... I have seen evidence of a possible third Death sealed within a being on this world, and have met a few lesser beings who are similar to myself."
Sypha, Confrontation With Darth Vader
Finally, it seemed like one of the main commanders of the Death Star, Darth Vader, had shown up, and it seems like Darth Vader was going to lead them to the Emperor. Jaune and Henry seemed to disagree on whether to follow Vader or fight him here.
"Even if it is a trap, we neither have the time nor the positioning to fight both Darth Vader here in this cramped hallway and then hunting and fighting the Emperor ourselves afterwards," Sypha frowned, obviously distrustful of Darth Vader, but not seeing too many good options for their group here now that he had shown up. "They will destroy the world below in less than two hours, so it is best that our fights here be as quick and decisive as they can be."
The fact that Sypha gave a glare at Henry meant that she was not happy to be taking his side, but his side was the better option given what they knew.
Wizard Needs Food Badly
Eternal Princess
The tv played out in front of Sylvia. She payed only enough attention just to make sure the giant robot wasn't down town destroying her penthouse, but other then that, mostly ignored it. She was watching the room after all.
Information about her new neighbors up north flowed easily now. They coversated normally, unlike before, and since that lamb thing came along were quite open about themselves. Youkai. She didn't really know all that much outside of fairy tails and the such, but she knew what they were now. She heard the story of Izanami and Izanagi, but they didn't seem to be from that legend. Seems people sealing monsters in caves has become in season as of late.
In either case, if they were anything like the denizens of underground, then she had nothing to worry about. While underground's chosen champion seemed a capable fighter, she was chained by a weak leader. Forfeiting a nonlethal battle because he could not deal with the sacrifice that comes with victory. This kid seemed no better. If the purple hair child really was the leader of former hell, perhaps she had nothing to worry about. Still, the woman with the horn unnerved her. If former hell's denizens were more like her...
She felt like she gathered enough information on her neighbors. It was time for her to get to work. The french woman stood up from her booth, taking a quick moment to get into character and remove her sunglasses to take advantage of her natural blues eyes. She walked toward the center of the room and the young pink haired Mitakahara girl there, being sure to show some slight hesitation in her step. She slowed to a stop nearby, a look of uncertainty on her face, before taking the last few steps, waving and calling out to the girl.
"You are...from Mitakahara correct?"
Of course she was, Sylvia just watched her walk out the portal with Mega-megumi. But it helps put others at ease if you seem more clueless then you really are. Sylvia put a hand on her cheek and gave a weak smile in an attempt to hide her apparent embarrassment.
"I was really hoping that someone in a more...official capacity would eventually show up, but with things as they are...Oh, how rude of me."
Sylvia pulled out her business card and handed it to the young girl, giving her a more genuine smile this time.
"I'm Sylvia, from Santa Destroy. A representative of the UAA, though these days I find that I hold the interest of many companies including the BCN, a subsidiary of Zaka TV, K-entertainment, the SD tourism board, and the Pizza Batt Corporation. Many of which have an interest in the east coast chunks, the Pizza Batt CEO particularly. He is something of a philanthropist you see. Santa Destroy was lucky enough not to have received much damage in the current war and he wishes to spread that good fortune by helping out chunks that were hit harder then our own."
The french woman studied the girls face as she said this, trying to figure out what the girl was thinking. Incredulous? Thankful? Confused?
"But there is in fact a great many things that must be discussed. We are all in this together yes? And the only way civilization hopes to continue is if we work together to patch the short comings that come from being separated from our parent nations. Establish an agreed upon economy, open trade, decide on international laws. The problem is, we have no contacts in Mitakahara. It is a bit embarrassing to ask a child for help, but would you know who I can get in contact with?"
How do you kill that which has no life?
In love with an Uptown Girl
Wolf-Santa Destroy
Wolf chuckled. "Death is death, no matter what world it comes from or what form it takes. The death I know is one of the Four Horseman of the Apocalypse. I would say that puts him higher up than you, reaper." Wolf would see what the Reaper's was to this information. However, the idea of there being a third death sealed away, and several very similar beings, was discomforting. He knew what the Horseman could do. What of these others?
Please allow me to introduce myself, I am a man of wealth and taste. Nice to meet you, hope you can guess my name.
Vampire Hunter
Death, Castlevania
"The Horseman... Hmm, I am not to become the Horseman until the year 1999
." Death contemplated what Wolf was saying. "I assume his War, Famine, and Pestilence are here as well?"
"I am not so sure the Horseman would be able to defeat me on this particular world," Death noted to Wolf. "The being who had kidnapped us all had left me at a much weakened state than usual and the same would be true for your Horseman."
"It would not be a fair assessment of our abilities," Death concluded to Wolf. "I would still like to speak with him, though."
Wizard Needs Food Badly
One Brunch Man
Ikebukuro Russia Sushi
"Okay, now I see the yearning," Tom said with an affirmative nod, turning a page in the borrowed text as he leaned back in the kitchen chair. A stoveside ding! shook the loan shark from his Tolstoy ruminations with a start, and he set the book on a nearby table in order to somewhat sheepishly don pair of comically oven mitts more fit for someone of Simon's robust size. While he might not have had any training in chemical warfare, temerity in strategic poisoning, or even really that great of a grade in highschool chemistry, Tom had babysat kids of relatives once or twice in the past. As a result, combined with the good ol' fashioned collection of homebrew recipes he fondly referred to a 'The Bachelor's Cookbook', he knew more than a few tricks for getting the under-twelve set under control through their stomachs. I'd feel like I'm going to hell for this, Tom thought to himself with a grimace, lifting the milk concoction pot off of the curlicue heat ring to give it a hearty blow, if I didn't think we weren't there already—!
Setting the pot down on one of the wood sushi platters so as not to ruin the plastic countertop, his hands began the busywork of opening a suitable bottle, banging it against the side of the rapidly-cooling mixture, and scooping a up a swig. He gave the concoction a whiff, nose wrinkling at the faintly sour undertones, before nodding in approval and screwing the top on tight. It was barely more than seasoned milk, but assuming July had the same metabolism as other kids his age, it would hopefully make his supernatural eyes and ears just a smidge harder to keep open. Then all we need is an opening, and we can make a break for it...
"How is going it!" A voice called from the doorway, sending the concoction on a trajectory from one palm to the next before Tom managed to slapp it secure between his mitted hands.
"Great!" Tom said, glancing at the large Russian out of the corner of his eye before carefully setting the container down counter-side and stripping off the oven mitts. "Just about done here, I think. Thanks again, for letting me use the kitchen."
The Russian responded with a wave of his hand, a dismissive gesture that looked like it could kill a man if it connected. "Is not a problem! Apologies are like snowflakes; rest better on tongue!"
Tom nodded like that made sense (almost! I think he's getting better) and looked to him with a smile as he responded: "Yea, I thought this would be a pretty good way to make up for our..." Tom rolled his wrist non-commitally, trying to think of the most polite way to say 'pencil-stabbing incident'. "...disagreement, before."
"Of course." Simon's expression settled into seriousness. "But just remember, pitcher is only good as batter. So, make sure homerun doesn't burn up ball!"
Tom stared at him blankly, before giving in. "I'm sorry, what?"
Simon pointed to a grill in the corner. "Your okonomiyaki batter, it is burning."
"Oh, shi—!"
With Simon's thumbs-up at his back and a questionable sense of balance holding plate and drink steady, Tom would announce himself in front of July with a soft ahem and the clack of the plate setting down on the counter. "Hey there, little guy," Tom said with a light smile, courting a vague sense of apprehension as he dropped a fresh set of chopsticks next to the plate. "I think we might've, ah, gotten off on the wrong foot, back there. So, consider this a peace offering." Setting the milk in the traditional drink area almost as an afterthought, Tom bunched up his forearms underneath his torso as he leaned on the counter. "So, what was your friend like? April's partner, I mean. Tell me about him."
If I had that kind of power, I'd have dropped a meteor on your house ages ago~
Besides, Satori insisted on only doing it while she was a cat. Well, fully cat. They unilaterally agreed it was kind of weird otherwise.
She tried to say, over the extreme loudness of their strange foreign music, "Sis, I don't wanna be rude, but can you hold off on the petting until we're safe?"
Turning to talk to her managed to distract from her chance to glimpse at the shinigami above the car, or much anything, 'cause the next bump brought her head firmly into the ceiling and back into cat form, dazed and confused.
She looked up expectantly to Yuugi, nudging her slightly. If there was anyone in this room qualified to talk about this, it was The Shining Leader of The Underground Oni, Hoshiguma. The oni nodded her head sagely to the young goat.
"I don't think anyone's ever taken a census. Never felt the need to. Well, it's mostly oni like me, some look different, some don't. But then there's the rest, and I'd think it'd be hard to name even a portion. Some look like humans," "Or perhaps humans look like them," "Whatever, and then some don't, just like oni. You got your Tenome, your Momonjii, Uwabami, Katawaguruma, Fairies, Nuppeppou, Kejourou, Ohaguro Bettari, your..."
She stopped when she realized that this goat quite possibly didn't speak a single word of Japanese. In all likelihood, he didn't understand a single word she said in that whole paragraph up there. Well, for all she remembered of the conquering tendencies of Japan in the old days, it was a shame they didn't spread their language to foreigners.
"...It's easier to say which ones aren't down with us, like Kappa and Tengu. They range from giant skeletons to pretty much anything you can think of," she finally concluded.
edited 24th Feb '17 11:33:59 PM by wikkit
In love with an Uptown Girl
Wolf-Santa Destroy
Wolf put a hand on his chin, thinking things over. "Actually, the other Horsemen......well, things are....rather soiled between Death and the other three. And we do not have Pestilence in our world. Instead, we have Conquest. They are not here either. We came here from New Shanghai, which is ruled by Premier Mao Xiaolion, Death's wife." Crow wondered if he should reveal the rest of what had happened with Death back home, and in the end, didn't see the harm.
"Which brings me to the source of the conflict between Death and the other Horsemen, as well as the Chosen. On our world, we have the Message, a prophecy of sorts, which states how the world will end. And in it, certain verses have been interpreted as to mean that Death's son is the Beast of the Apocalypse. Death.....wants to prevent that."
Please allow me to introduce myself, I am a man of wealth and taste. Nice to meet you, hope you can guess my name.
Ikebukuro Hospital, Fourth Floor: Knock Knock, Who's There?
With all the chaos, Hei could weave through the halls quiet as a shadow. His blood-soaked yellow scarf stained his upper sleeve crimson, and he clutched the feigned injury during his search. In this scenario, an uninjured young man might get more attention than a wounded one.
Finding the Medical Director's office wasn't difficult, not that Hei expected it to be. Finding Hoshigawa would be easy, it's getting him out would be tough. The Empire was trying to keep the hospital staff hostage, and that meant dealing with all the guards, escorts, and officers who would recognize Hoshigawa in an instant.
Though so far, things were working in Hei's favor. Imperial presence was minimal on this floor, thanks to the chaos happening down below. The MD's door was even unlocked, though Hei found that more suspicious than the lack of guards. Someone was inside, clearly, so why keep a door unlocked in the middle of a war zone?
The thought occurred to Hei that it wasn't the Director inside that room—why give him a potential escape route by leaving him in his own office? Perhaps he wasn't alone in there, which would explain why Hei could hear voices. If only he could get rid of the white noise.
No time. He had to act before the Imperials found him, or the Suicide Squad went so crazy they blasted the building's foundations. Somehow, both scenarios seemed likely. Grabbing a metal clipboard from the nearest nurse's desk, Hei knocked loudly on the director's door and waited for someone to answer.
He held the knob tightly, and would continue to hold it with his "non injured" hand if someone opened it. If that "someone" was wearing an Imperial uniform, a violent burst of electricity would flow through the door knob.
Genosha Palace, Medical Ward: House of M History 101 with Professor Magnus
The king's regal light never flickered, not even while facing suspicions of committing (at best) monstrous prejudice.
"I understand your concerns, but before saying anything else I must stress that Team Juniper and their associates have nothing to fear. Human or not, you have risked your lives to defend Genosha, and for that you shall always be welcomed here."
Magnus shifted his weight and took a shallow breath; even with Amber's warning, this question was almost impossible to answer neatly.
"I waged war against the humans as a matter of self defense: for myself, my family, and my entire species. As our population bloomed, so did our enemies. The world governments sought to suppress our natural talents, to assimilate us into their species. For a Mutant like myself, this might not have been an impossible task, but for countless others there were no safe havens in human society. If you were unfortunate enough to be born with three eyes, or a tail, or a skin color the narrow-minded brand 'unnatural,' then a swift death was the best you could hope for. As a boy, I witnessed the worst acts humans can possibly commit against other humans; imagine what they did to someone of a different species?
"I couldn't bear it, no more than you would. So to save my species from extinction, I turned against mankind and fought the world I loved as much as anyone. The gifts evolution gave us turned the tides, and after more bloodshed than I care to mention, Homo Superior was finally acknowledged as a species equal to humans, and were protected under their laws with equal rights. From there, our talents simply propelled many of us to high positions in the world: business, medicine, politics, many of the greatest contributors to our world's progress are members of Homo Superior.
"Humans still play an irreplaceable part of our world; once the war was over, my advisers and I agreed that no human deserves to be treated the way Mutants were, and I have kept to that promise to the best of my power. Genosha is the only nation dominated by Homo Superior, yet we have welcomed friendly humans with open arms from the beginning. Overseas, much of the planet is ruled by humans, just as before: the inventor Tony Stark stands as one of the wealthiest men on the planet, Bruce Banner governs the entire continent of Australia, and the Latverian King Victor von Doom remains one of my closest advisers and dearest friends. Humans and Mutants live side by side. There is no bowing, only the joining of hands."
"But that's wrong!"
Amber stared wide-eyed at Maki, burying her strong impulse to smile. Even without her powers, she could still predict actions and behavior better than most. Experience with perfect foresight had left her that much.
"If Mutants can beat them, humans don't deserve to be in charge! One of you can destroy human armies, right? It's not right to work for an inferior species, even if some of the better ones realize that themselves. You're going against evolution by letting them rule!"
For a moment, Magnus said nothing. He took his sweet time turning his bright face dark, even though he wanted to pick the boy up and hug him like his own son. Truth be told, Magnus couldn't have asked for a more perfect pawn. The boy's sincerity shined bright in those glaring mismatched eyes; the boy genuinely believed what he was saying! What a perfect chance to drive this peaceful message home!
Amber's scolding paused his response. "Maki! You can't talk to His Majesty that way!"
The Mutant King noted the name, pleasantly surprised at how much the little girl by his side had manipulated this meeting.
She'd be trouble later, if he wasn't careful.
Magnus brushed Amber's concern aside with a hand, before taking a few stiff steps towards Maki.
"Young man," he began, using the same parental tone he'd used on Pietro years ago, "this is not a biology lecture, these are human lives we're speaking of: something as precious as any Mutant's or Contractor's. I have no right to usurp an entire species, even if I wanted to. No good can come from throwing billions in chains, and to suggest we should is a disgrace to those who died defending our basic dignity!"
"But Kurt said humans don't belong—"
"Kurt Darkholme is a boy who has never known our suffering!" Magnus cut the child off. "An admirable young man and a gifted soldier, but one born into the comforts his mother bled to provide. He has never been hated, tortured, or scorned just for being what he is; what does he know of such pain? Any ideas he's been filling your head with are the childish dreams of vengeance against an enemy that no longer exists; an enemy that must never exist again! I suggest you learn to bury that grudge, boy, or you'll become a despicable human yourself!"
He could feel his blood rise with his voice. The boy he barked down inched away, lip quivering with a growing fear.
Understandable, thought Magnus, even I half-believe what I'm saying.
"My...apologies." the Mutant King sighed as he addressed the group, "This is...not the first time I've needed to defend the human race. Homo Superior has many unique gifts, but we share more traits with humans than not, tempers included."
His regal composure regained, Magnus turned to Nora with a sad smile. "I hope my answer was satisfactory. If there are no others, please excuse His Grace and myself: there is much we ought to discuss."
Things started cordially enough. Asgore returned Magnus' bow with a smile, still hopeful for forging a better future with mankind, mutant kind and whatever other kind there was out there. However, the Huntresses weren't content to let Maki's remark lie. Rightly so, of course, but Asgore knew the mood could only turn sour from there. Happily, though, Magnus made it quite clear that humans would never be treated as disdainfully as mons...as mutants once were, and Asgore chose to take his platitudes at face value. Maki's little outburst, however, earned a slightly more baleful glance. Once Magnus shut him down, Asgore composed himself, and spoke.
"King Magnus, you have my sincerest condolences for the way your people have been treated. Shocked, too, that the only provocation was that mutants simply looked different to humans. Not even my people were attacked for such a reason, but...because they feared what we might become..."
Well, everyone else had laid out the whys and hows of their discrimination. In for a penny, in for a pound.
"Monsters are innately inferior to humans. Our souls are far, far weaker, and the vast majority cannot last outside the body after death. What's more, if a monster with no will to fight faced a human with a strong drive to kill, the outcome would be instant death. So it was that we stood no chance against the humans that drove us into exile. But, on the other hand, if a monster were to claim a human soul, they would become a being of immense magical power. More than one soul at once, and...well, the world may never know. But so it was that the humans struck against us in the first place."
He glanced at Maki. "So, what do you say to that, young man? Did the weak rise above the strong, or did the strong rise above the weak? Something to think on when you deem any one race inferior to another. Be that monster, mutant, faunus, or even humankind."
The words would probably be lost on the boy, but it felt quite good to say it all the same. He shrugged lackadaisically, then looked to all the Huntresses and Contractors once more. "It was a great pleasure to meet you all, and I hope to see you all again in times to come. But for the meantime..." He turned back to his fellow king with a happy nod, and the two departed from the ward.
"Giant skeletons?" Wow, Asriel was impressed already. It was true he didn't understand a single name that was given, but we could probably find out some other way. "Well, the skeletons back in my Underground are about regular size, for humans that is. Matter of fact, though, they're pretty much the closest any monster gets to looking pretty human. There's plenty of animal monsters- mammal, reptile, fish, bird, mythical beast. Then you've got monsters that are ghosts, abstract shapes, inanimate objects, or made out of fire or snow. They're pretty much every shape and size that you can imagine...though technically they're all the same kind. The other kind is a really rare breed called Boss Monsters, like me and my dad. I don't think Boss Monsters have to look like goats, but the one thing we have in common is that our souls can last outside our bodies a little more. Any other monster would just turn into ash when they die, but me and dad, if we ever passed, our soul could hover there a second or two before poofing into nothing."
Undyne bounced her spear impatiently. She was still riding on the adrenaline high from the fight, and right there was one of the biggest bads she was ever going to meet. Every nerve in her body was itching for her to put this leather clad monolith in the ground, but unfortunately, Sypha and Trevor both had a point. "I'm all for quick and decisive here."
edited 25th Feb '17 2:55:37 PM by LizardOfAus
The Grand Re-Vizier
If everything Bruce had read about this 'Darth Vader' was correct, then fighting him in the confines of this hallway would be tantamount to suicide for most of them. Oh, it was all almost certainly a trap, after the apparently requisite-for-villains-and-egomaniac gloating and attempting to sway them all to the side of evil, but it was also likely their best opportunity to take out both of their targets in the fastest amount of time possible.
"Even if it is a trap, I say we follow him. We're here to see the Emperor in any case, doing things this way just guarantees we get to him faster. Besides, a trap is only a trap when you aren't expecting it." Bruce was, naturally, always expecting a trap. The fact that life generally proved him right was both comforting and irritating by turns. Besides, it was almost always easier to flee from the enemy's base complex after the leader had been defeated and the enemy's plans were in disarray.
It happened nearly every time with Ra's.
Not that the defeats ever stuck.
Red Hood laughed, partly out of amusement, partly out of annoyance, and partly just to shake the feeling his clown-induced flashback had given him,
"Ain't it just like a super-villain to move up the big dramatic countdown. Well, it'll just make stopping it in the nick of time and blowing everything to hell more entertaining."
He scoffed as Bond handed him the C4, but took the block and the detonator anyways, it never hurt to have more. "Here I thought you wanted me to burn it as fuel for a nice cup of tea and talk the Empire to Death instead. Just watch your ass, prettyboy. If you're fast enough maybe you'll make it in time to see me save the world."
Jason glanced over at Obi-Wan. "So, you're some kinda mystical old man-type, huh? I guess maybe we could use one of those. Just...don't try to give me any life-changing, wise advice any time soon, got it?"
With that, Red Hood walked off toward the corridor of impending white hot death.
He had some issues to work through, and provided he didn't get vaporized, he intended to take all of them out on the Empire.
Eternal Princess
A few moments earlier.
The blades hummed as it swung in the air, clashing with sparks and loud electric crackles. It was the sound of clashing beam katanas, something she had become intimately familiar with in her life. Her mind raced as it desperately tried to find an opening in the dark lord's defense. She needed to be faster, stronger. Her focus narrowed until only this battle existed to her, taking every minute detail and adapting her action in accord.
It is perhaps why the muffled sound of an explosion through the door had caught her so off guard. It was not part of her duel. It was like the popping of a dream, a rude awakening. Her desires seeming to be so very close until reality reveals it was never really within her grasp. She saw the movement, but she was not fast enough to stop it. Again an invisible wave slammed into her chest. But unlike before, the force did not release her from its grasp. Denied her weapons, denied mobility, denied even breath, it was a complete and udder defeat.
It was strange, even as the flow of life ebbed, it was her pride that took the biggest blow. To be remembered for breaking her honor as a warrior, unable to voice her protest to the contrary. The sacrifice and toil she put to become a warrior of her caliber, and failing to measure up. She was to die here, availing the people of Battleworld nothing. But the fates were too cruel to allow her even that small boon as she felt the sudden impact and lost consciousness. Alive, that hand of death still taunting her, forever just out of reach.
Seeing the kid lean close, Henry did the same and whispered back.
"I think he can hear us. I mean he is right there."
The Irish man gave the kid a smile before standing straight again. Even if the kid managed to keep hush on the matters, the others made the need moot. Besides, talking about someone behind their back is a bit ill mannered, doubly so if you do it in front of them. He continued the conversation at a normal volume.
"Besides, as I may have mentioned, our man here braved behind enemy lines to face warriors of skill single handedly. No tricks, just strength. A real warrior, and it would be good on ya if you had the composure to treat him as such. Don't they teach you this crap knight school? Honor, good sportsmanship, the like? Its like you never had a philosophical debate with the enemy before clashing swords before..."
How do you kill that which has no life?
Shirley - Death Star Engineering - Taking a shortcut
Shirley slowly came to her senses. That had been one fast encounter, yet her ears were ringing. Fighting on the ground was somehow more confusing than in the air. Thankfully, she had been able to hang back and provide cover fire. So if she had actually killed anyone, she didn't know about it...
Now then, it was time for her area of excellence!
"Alright! Stealth group, let's make like lightning and bolt! Try to keep up~!"
Cheerful as always, Shirley slipped into the small maintenance corridor, moving along with great speed and agility. And stealth.
Join us in our quest to play all RPG video games! Moving on to disc 2 of Grandia!
Did you know this section has a character limit?
Jaune - Death Star Vader Standoff
Jaune frowned as everyone else made their opinions known. They wanted to walk into the trap, and made a lot of good points about better positioning, a trap not being a trap if you know it's coming, and the chance to get the Emperor at the same time as Vader.
His shoulders sagged, and he sighed, his sword hanging loose.
"Fine."
Henry's words caught his attention though, and his head turned to look at him. He then spared a glance downward at himself, and then back at Henry.
"...I'm not actually a knight, y'know. Just kinda... ended up looking like one."
Trish shrugged at the question. "For the most part, at least in our world. Sure, a few of the more powerful ones are able to talk, but almost none of them are good at long term planning. In the demon world, strength is valued far more then brains. So most demons are stupid brutes who react to entering the human world by slaughtering and blowing up anything in sight. Mind you, if what we're seeing here is any indication, that's not the case everywhere. There's someone I know, name of Lady, she was saying yesterday that she investigated a place called Hades, and found a bunch of quirky demons who were lead by a vampire who was a veterinarian. Or a fishitatian, I guess? Apparently the guy only ate the blood of sardines. So ya, you're gonna see some weird things here."
Harley clasped her hands together. "Awww, that's a sweet love story, really brings a tear to my eye." And indeed, it would seem Harley was on the verge of happy sobbing. "But if you cheat on her with someone else, you've got my word that I'll be coming back to teach you a lesson, buster!"
Then she looked over at the Yellow Scarves. "Alright, so this bozo's your teacher, I guess you guys can make the call, do we let em go, or should I see how much I can crack his skull in a single swing?"
Vader did not react as the group openly discussed their plans in front of him. Once a majority seemed to agree, he spoke.
Very well. Follow me, the Emperor awaits, and he does not wish to be kept waiting.
Turning, he walked into the room behind him and passed the knocked out Alice without so much as a glance as he entered the large turbolift elevator, stepping to the far back and then turning to face the front as he waited for the group to make their way inside.
Common Room
Madoka hadn't been totally prepared for Sylvia’s sudden solicitation - she hadn’t really expected to be so much the center of attention so quickly, especially when her mind had more been on the situation where she had just come from. “Erm, yes, I, um…” Madoka took the moment Sylvia needed to offer a business card to recompose herself in a more proper manner - well, as proper as a young teenage girl carrying a backpack with the handle of a bat sticking out the top can be. Madoka did her best to pay proper attention to Sylvia’s spiel about Santa Destroy, but frankly the loads of sudden information about hitherto unknown organizations of a chunk literally on the other side of the continent kept her preoccupied with just trying to keep up - it took her a couple moments to realize that Sylvia had asked her a question. “Um…Something like that...um, maybe...” Madoka scratched the back of her head in thought. “Uh, I guess City Hall would be the most logical choice. I, um, don’t have their number or anything, though…oh!” Madoka started as she almost instinctively took the business card with a small bow.
Admittedly, part of the hesitation was Madoka remembering the words Homura had left her before she left, the words Mitsuru had sent as a warning just before Sylvia approached. “Nice to meet you, Sylvia-san. I’m, uh...Shinju! Maruko Shinju.” She smiled somewhat tentatively, hoping the name she just made up would work.
Industrial Area portal
Only silent glances were exchanged as Mami led the others the rest of the way to the portal, where Homura was waiting. “Kaname-san is alright?”
“For now. I had to leave her instructions for what to say to other people - the Room was occupied.”
“Other people? You know who they are?” Kyoko asked as she brought up the rear.
“Might they be potential allies?”
“I caught a glimpse of someone from SEES - other than that, the others weren’t familiar.” Or particularly trustworthy to Homura, in the case of that woman again at the Santa Destroy booth. “More importantly, at this point we are about down to perhaps an hour before that fires.” She pointed up at the Death Star, then turned her finger down one of the alleyways. “That way is where the Empire had landed - there may still be landing craft that they used to arrive here. At this point it is the only craft we know of that can actually reach up there at all.”
“So we gotta go there, then?”
“That is what I want to ask. If there aren’t any that are still in operation or we cannot figure out how to fly one in time, we may not get back here before we all die. This-” Homura used her thumb this time to indicate the portal “-is the only place that would escape certain death.”
“And condemn everyone in Mitakihara to die?” Mami seemed almost offended at the notion.
“Can your Tiro Finale even damage something that size? Much less from all the way down here.” Homura took a moment to look at their guests, silently asking for their opinions. Mami joined in the quiet plea as well, looking for allies to back her up.
Hanger 105
Sayaka’s head snapped towards the open door as the warning from the loudspeaker echoed in. “One hour?” she whispered aloud, like she couldn’t quite believe the words.
<I believe this Empire uses the same measurement of time as used on Earth.>
“Yeah, thanks for that.”
<I would think you should be relieved it wasn’t shorter, Sayaka Miki,> Kyubey replied, apparently not nothing the sarcasm.
Sayaka crept to the door and peered out as quietly as she could without being noticed, trying to get a count of how many enemies were still out there. This waiting game was grating on her nerves - she was up here to help, not hide. At the same time, Transfer Student’s words ran through her head. Much as she tended to wear on her nerves, Sayaka knew Homura was right about having to be smart about this - these guys didn’t look as simple as the Witch Familiars she was used to fighting. She looked around as best she could, trying to memorize everything that might be useful to know like entrances or what might be power boxes or communication stations, first from out the door then through the cockpit windshield. Once the fighting started, she wasn’t going to have much chance to look for them...assuming the odds weren’t suicidally stacked.
Salute the freedom fairy! ._.7
Harry, in a sexual elevator encounter
I'd have said that this was a terrible idea, but you can only say that so many times in one day before it just becomes redundant. This whole invasion was a bad plan, but that hadn't stopped anyone yet.
Though this, this in particular was an incredibly bad idea. We were the little mice happily walking into the snake's mouth, because the snake was nice enough to ask us to walk in so surely it wasn't going to bite down, right? Sure, and I'm the queen of Britain. But once everyone else started to go along with it, I didn't exactly have a lot of room to argue, both literally and figuratively. Not if I wanted to try to keep everyone else out of danger while also looking out for my own skin.
I threw up my hand behind me, before anyone else could approach. "Stay behind me", I growled. Before anyone could protest, I gripped my staff, steeled myself, and stepped into the elevator. With Darth Vader. Hells. Bells.
And that's how I found myself standing just a few feet away from a childhood icon. I would probably look back on this moment and be excited. Hell, I'd have a story to trump everyone elses for the rest of my life.
But I sure as hell wasn't now. It wasn't despite how many times I had seen the walking legend on screen, it was because of it. I knew exactly how dangerous a situation this was for all of us. We were locked in a cage with one of the most dangerous men currently on the planet, and when the trap broke, I would be the first one to take it.
I got into place, making sure I stayed in between the Sith and everyone else, and gave him a jolly smile. "Well, Inspector Gadget, take us to Doctor Claw already." Or maybe he was the doctor claw in this situation? I didn't exactly write any lines out for this situation beforehand. No time to stop and brainstorm, unfortunately.
I grinned, but my body told a different story. Every muscle was tight, and a bit of frost came out of my mouth when I exhaled. I was ready to throw everything out there at a moments notice, and the build up of magical energy in my head was enough to make it ache.
Then, for one brief moment, I crushed my eyes. I couldn't just rely on my wizard senses for this; no assumptions when you were dealing with a sith. I had to use every possible perception that I had, so I could intercept any force strikes before they came. Otherwise I might look up one second to find that my neck had already been snapped before I had realized it was coming.
When I opened them again, I opened my third sight, and took everything about the man that had once been Anakin in. For better or worse, he wasn't going to be able to sneak anything on me while we were here.
—-
Molly, heading to engineering
I glanced down the chute then gave the stealth team what I hoped was an encouraging smile. "Don't worry, I'm sure the idiots who run this place don't have much security down there." I paused. "And uh...do me a favor and avoid any pools of water while you're running through the chutes."
I glanced at it one more time, then shook my head. No Molly, no taking the coward way out. You can do more to help from the front lines, they'll need illusions far more than the others. "Good luck".
Then fucking obi wan konobi came in. I squeaked. "O-O-Oh hey, more people!" The clowns poofed into the air, and if I had a habit of praying as hard as I was praying right then for him to not make the connection between them and me, my Mom probably would have been actually proud of me growing up.
He was going with the stealth team. "Of course he goes the way I'm not heading", I grouched to myself before joining the others. When's it gonna be Molly's turn to hang out with cool childhood heroes?
edited 1st Mar '17 10:27:22 AM by tvtropesnoob
"Your Sig is now charmingly out of date" — Vox, 7/6/2016
One Brunch Man
Genosha Palace Staircase
Sparing Amagiri the storm of bullshit sure to follow wading around in the kiddy pool musings of angsty teenagers and existentially despairing salarymen (seriously, how the hell did I fall in with these people again? Was it Celty? Or Shinra? Rrrrr...) the former bartender left the Contractor to finish his drink in peace before floating about the vaunted halls and gilded passageways of the palace fit for King Paleto, or somebody. If they were good enough for Amber, they were good enough for him.
Someone he wasn't so crazy about, however, awaited him at the bottom of his latest flight of stairs, the side of his face like chewed plastic and his smirk like the smirk of a person who was about to get punched in the face for being a fucking jackass. Easy. Don't mess up all the nice furniture. "You looking to rack up the near-death experiences or something?" Shizuo shot across the bow, adjusting the bag of his own belongings he had slung over his shoulder. He then looked back down to his phone, swiping past another dramatically-named thread up in arms about some apparent surrender. "What do you want, I'm busy."
The Offices of Izaya Orihara—Main Office
Izaya had taken to flipping open one of his pocket knives, then closing it, then opening it, several times in a row, as the Syndicate Representative relayed his answer. Truly, one of his own apartments would be a prime vivarium to see how a master of industry really ticked when they thought no one was watching, but, he had little hope of that particular request playing out. It saved him from playing housekeeper, at any rate, as he wasn't exactly swimming in the sort of penthouse a man of that standing would likely be accustomed to. What's the point of climbing to the top of the heap, if you can't look down on everyone else?
"My primary concern," Izaya said, settling his knife closed with a leisurely snap, "is our resident calendar girl taking the fruits of my labor and putting them on the open market. If I see any pics on Instagram, I should hope you have more in common with the Men in Black than their fashion sense~"
If I had that kind of power, I'd have dropped a meteor on your house ages ago~
Eternal Princess
In a single glorious slash, the imperial droid split cleanly in two. The heroic figure of Glastonbury stood poised past its opponent, the girl the clear victor. The battlefield sat in stunned silence. Regardless of the actual make of the imperial droid, the thing would suddenly explode. It seemed like it was a rule of the land, things must explode in an awesome fashion.
As the erupting fire ball lit the onlookers, the assassins on the ground had already turned away. They're job was not done until the Imperial threat was gone once and for all. With steely eyes, Ryuji, Nathan, and Skelter looked at their next target, the artificial moon in the sky. When the light subsided, the British school girl could not help but cry out over joyed.
"Did you see that!? It was so awesome! With the strawberry shortcake signature move, and the droids on her heel, and did you see explosion! So cool! And pretty! Don't really think of explosions as being pretty, but it was like a giant blooming fire flower!"
Hearing this, the mono-chrome youth turned back to see the lone assassin who decided to watch the droid's demise. Kimmy was hopping up down, excited to no end. Skelter could not help but appear flustered as he wondered if he missed out on something amazing just to look cool. The other two kept their gaze however, completely transfixed on their next battle, or perhaps realizing that they were on camera.
The awe that had gripped the crowd suddenly ended in an erupting cheer from all in the desert. Not even the falling drones could dapper the mood. In fact, dead or concussed, the thud of the falling drones on the head of their supposed friends and allies seemed to result in laughter. In certainly didn't help that many were kind of dicks, and it was hard not to laugh at a guy face first in the sand, pants around ankles and hips in the air after he spent the fight mooning the mech.
The BCN crews turned off the music, letting the cheers instead fill the air. All except one guy who couldn't resist playing the victory music from his favorite video game. To make matters worse, some other guy decided to edit a blinking pixalated YOU WIN message on his feed.
Death Parade stood with its arms out stretched. With the enemy dead, the pilot could only think of one thing.
"TOUCH DOWN!"
Victory howl was cut short as the light of the mech flicked out once and for all. The arms fell to its sides lifeless as the mech's knees cracked and broke under the immense weight. The behemoth collapsed backwards, crashing onto an empty area in the desert sands. For a moment the shell simply laid there unmoving, dead. Then in a sudden burst from different openings came what appeared swarm of cheerleader shaped missiles, and one large foot ball player shaped one. They twisted and twirled in the air and once they reached a certain height flipped as the fell back to the earth. The cheer leaders all fell an equal distance from each other around the fallen mech, all facing outward toward the crowd. The big guy himself did the hero landing on top of his mech, before standing up and giving the Japanese mech an outstretched thumbs up and a smile befitting a toothpaste commercial. That was their cue. The girls had some small bruises and cuts from having the engine room breached, and judging from the sweat and heavy breathing were obvious fatigued, but they had pride as cheerleaders. There was no way there were letting the celebrations proceed without them.
"Okay, ready, go!"
The BCN helicopters played out the music requested. Alittle something for the girls to shake their poms poms to as the joined in the celebrations. Up, down, left, right, left, left, kick, right. The girls all moved in unison, which made one wonder when they had the time to choreograph all this.
In the BCN helicopter, the young man stopped begging Budda to save his life by smiting the youkai. Tell you the truth, the young man wasn't even sure smiting was in the guy's MO, he did only started worshiping a couple minutes ago. The cheers of the crowds and lack of lasers being fired caught his attention. He took a quick moment to peek out form the helicopter.
"Oh, did we miss the war...?"
The director meanwhile was still very fascinated by their flying companion.
"Ah, prease forgibe me. Engrish is not my native language."
That bit of information may make a more inquisitive mind become lost in thought about the exact algorithm the Cure was using to translate language barriers between different universes. On the other hand, the youkai thought process seemed to be...unique.
"If I may ask, why has a youkai crossed the ocean?"
The younger man gaining interest in the conversation again piped in
"Probably because the meat here is thicker. Sensei, we should call for help now that the robot is dead!"
How do you kill that which has no life?
Did you know this section has a character limit?
Jaune - Awkward Elevator Music, Featuring Darth Vader; Death Star Red Team
Sighing once more, Jaune sheathed his his sword into his shield, shrunk it down into his sheath mode, and clipped it to his belt before following after Vader.
Said following came to an abrupt end when he spotted Alice's prone form next to a wall. Recognizing from pattern recognition that what she was wearing wasn't typical get-up, he rushed over to the unconscious woman. After checking her pulse and other signs of life, confirming that they were present, Jaune was left with a choice.
Either leave the half-naked unconscious woman in the middle of enemy territory or bring her along with them.
...really, there wasn't a choice.
Jaune hefted Alice Twilight onto his shoulder, one of the ARGUS-6's arms swinging directly into his face as reward for his good deed. He followed the group over to the elevator, and put her on the floor, before turning to Darth Vader and glaring daggers.
If anyone was watching him closely, they'd see that the weight of an adult woman didn't actually encumber him that much.
The Deceived Quartet - Bullshitted Into Complacency, Genosha Palace Medical Wing
The Huntresses and Huntsman remained silent for Magnus' explanation and fight with Maki, though Nora dropped Maki's hand at his outburst.
Their worlds were a lot more alike than they'd first thought. It seemed Magnus had lead his own version of the Faunus Rights Revolution, and this Genosha was his Menagerie. A vastly more successful Menagerie, with vastly more successful results of the Revolution.
It sounded like they still had potential for their own White Fang, though. Blake made a mental note to look out for this "Kurt Darkholme", as he seemed to have the potential to become an Adam Taurus.
"We have... no further questions, your Majesty."
The quartet watched him and Asgore go, before Yang piped up again.
"He looked pretty nor- human. I wonder what his mutation is?"
"From what we've been told, mutation tends to convey abilities not unlike semblances. King Magnus appears to be able to move metal with gestures."
"Polarity." Yang winced, earning a sad nod from Ren.
Meanwhile, Nora was kneeling down once more to face Maki once more. This time, however, instead of looking stern, Nora was looking... hurt.
"Maki... you do know that I'm human, right?" They do have medals for almost, and they're called silver!
There would be a pause of about 30 seconds before the newcomer to the Stormtrooper comms got a reply.
"Attention unidentified rebel scum. This is Agent Thrax. This is not a line for children who wish to play at war. Remove yourself from our communications system at once, and have your "Yellow Scarves" organization surrender themselves at once. Should they do so, I will ensure that you survive the impending destruction of this planet safe in Imperial custody. Refuse, and I promise you will all be dead within the hour along with the rest of this misrible rock."
Once everyone was on board the elevator, the door closed, and what might possibly be the most awkward elevator moment in the history of the multiverse began. Vader ignored the incomprehensible words of the wizard who blocked his way. The door opened, and the group would see the Emperor's Throne Room
◊.Two unmoving Imperial Guards stood on each side of the elevator, with another two next to the throne. The throne itself was turned away from the group, staring out at the planet before it. Vader motioned for the group to step toward the throne, staying at the rear of the group as they left.
And yet, as this happened, everyone would feel a stillness in the air, a vague unsettling feeling that there was something else lurking in the room, something far stronger and more malevolent then even the dark warrior currently flanking them. Those magically inclined would feel it more then others, with Aigis and Sypha the most able to feel it, but to an extent, everyone would feel it.
Suddenly, a voice would come over the loudspeakers, this one familiar to everyone from earlier in the day.
"Attention intruders. I do not know what it is you believe you can accomplish in attacking this battlestation, but all you have done is throw your lives away. You may do as you wish, but know that nothing you can do will change what is to come. As for those currently fighting the intruders, be assured, your sacrifice will be recorded, and your next of kin notified."
Suddenly, the blue clear shield that had been blocking the opening into cold space fell, and air began to be sucked out. Those imperials closest to the exit had no chance, and were tossed screaming into the void. Others tried to grab onto ships, walls, anything around them, but all would quickly slip and fall toward the opening. As this happened, a series of flashing lights would come on over a switch right next to the door to Engineering that the combat group was about to leave. It was marked in unreadable symbols. However, one man would quickly make it clear what the thing did.
"The emergency switch, hit it, quickly, before-gah!" Said man was then also sent screaming away.
Meanwhile, those entering the tube would, if they stopped to wait and test the timing of the laser, find that it seemed to fire every 30 seconds, give or take, and that while there was gaps large enough for them all to jump in to avoid being hit, it was not going to be the easiest of approaches, as they were going to have to run at full speed to get to each one in a timely manner and not risk getting hit by the laser.
edited 2nd Mar '17 6:40:23 PM by Meanken
someone
Piper, Death Star In Elevator
Her crystals weren't used for fights like these. She was so much better in open spaces. So she stayed out of it, watching and waiting for an opportunity. But she didn't find one. Then the fight abruptly ended. And the person described as the fighter of the enemy duo arrived. He was large, and imposing.
Be calm, Piper. You have trained with a giant. Someone much larger than that robot monster. Be calm.
She entered the elevator. It was so awkward. She fidgeted with her staff, digging in her bag of crystals for...something. She wasn't sure what. But something. When they arrived, she stepped out into the Throne Room and immediately felt something wrong.
It felt like...like...like...like Cyclonis' Throne Room. Like there was something else there. It was depressing.
Aerrow, Common Room
Aerrow wondered how Piper was going.
[TOP SECRET]
Vampire Hunter
Trevor, Hanger 14 Blowout
If Nightcrawler was noticing in his game of Teleportation Whack-A-Mole with two Navy Troopers, he would see Trevor Belmont climb up into the Command Room right behind the two Navy Troopers. The vampire hunter threw his Cross Boomerang at the two guys and knocked the two out in one throw of it, even catching the boomerang after hitting the two. After putting the Cross Boomerang away and before Trevor could confront the disguised Nightcrawler, Tarkin, the biggest of dicks, vented the entire hanger. Trevor quickly grabbed onto the Command Room's Control Panel as the two unconscious Navy Troopers flew out into the starry abyss of space. Thinking quickly, Trevor found and pressed the button to close the door to the Command Room which saved both Trevor and Nightcrawler from joining the two Navy Troopers flying off into the starry abyss of space. Soon standing up and regaining his composure, Trevor basically ignored Nightcrawler and went over to the window to see exactly where the emergency switch is.
"I saw your teleport," Trevor stated to Nightcrawler without looking at him. "Do you think you can teleport yourself to the emergency switch and press it?"
edited 3rd Mar '17 1:50:06 PM by GameGuruGG
Wizard Needs Food Badly
The blade pierced right through. Henry could feel the death quivers of the man he ran through as the guard's life spilled out onto the floor at his feet. With a tilt the corpse slid off his blade and onto the floor with a thud. He didn't need to look to know the battle was won, the silence was proof enough. But it was hardly time to celebrate, their work was far from done. Showing no emotion at their victory, the Irish man simply lowered his sword, checked his watch and grimaced. It was that late already? If need be, they need to be able to take on a million to succeed in their mission. Just eight had ate up half their time already. This wasn't good. They needed to move, now.
Before they could decide on their next action, the door opened and out walked him. It was both a blessing and a curse. Just like before, his objective had the good graces to come to him. However, this Vader was no push over, and fighting him in a narrow hall way just seemed like bad idea. Their numbers worked against them here, mean while the Sith could simply force hold one their own to be used as a shield while he slowly advanced killing each and every one of them. They needed room where they could each go all out and overwhelm him through multiple angles. His mind raced on what strategies they could use here, but their choices were rather limited.
That left the Sith's offer. There was always the natural inclination to be skeptical, but as he said before, this Vader fellow was old school. Honor before reason, not unlike king Arthur girl really. Hell, him standing before them alone was proof enough of that. Rather then set up an ambush and bring all of imperial might to trap them in like rats in these halls, he was offering an express ride straight to the Emperor himself. They didn't have the luxury of turning down an opportunity when it presented self.
Even if it wasn't a trap however, that still pits them at least against both Vader and the space wizard at the same time, which made things that much more difficult. They didn't have time otherwise however. Even if they defeat Vader here, there was always the chance that the Emperor would then lock them out, screwing them any chance of victory. Especially now that he knew they were here. Take the invitation, get both targets in arms reach, and risk it all in a final confrontation. Yeah, that might be their only chance. Hell he wouldn't be surprised if their hosts fully expected them to try that, and were simply fully prepared to show why they were feared.
His charge had put him right next to the knight, giving him a front row seat to the kid's brash actions. This kid was going to get them all killed. No finesse what so ever. In stark contrast to the knight next to him, Henry stood straight, turned off his blade and holstered it.
"I was beginning to think that the Emperor had no mind for hospitality. After you."
It was a completely contradictory response to the knight beside him. He had to. Keep their options open rather then letting this little prick decide for the whole group. At least Vader would know that they were not of one mind, giving some time to let the group come to a consensus, pick a fight here and now or follow his lead and try to take out the Emperor and Vader in a single swoop. Henry did have his own preferred outcome though. With a slide glance, he looked at the battle ready teenager beside him.
"Hey, boy. Why don't you go check on little miss tangerine back there. I don't think I've seen her move since getting shot protecting your sorry arse. Might want to make sure she is ok, give her thanks, before going off and doing something stupid."
How do you kill that which has no life?