Hewkii, Manhattan, Demon Hideout Throne Room
"You're right, this isn't working." Hewkii seemed to concede before again jeering: "So, I think it's only fair I beat the sand out of you!"
The Toa may not have had the advantage in terms of raw speed, but as an athlete and experienced adventurer he was no slouch on agility, enabling him to evade the energy wave with relative ease and begin to close the distance in that same motion—from the way Mr. Negative opted for a ranged attack after the brainwashing maneuver failed, Hewkii was confident he had the edge in brute strength, and thus felt it best not to give his foe breathing room to evade or maneuver.
As he closed in, he unfurled one of those lengths of chain he'd kept stowed and began to twirl it in his offhand as he held his warblade defensively. Then, after getting within a chain's length of no more than 6-7 feet, he would lash out with the intent of ensnaring Mr. Negative's sword with it should his foe try to block or parry. Were the blade at all conductive, its wielder would receive a painful electric shock, as well as a firm yank forward where he'd meet the blunt back edge of Hewkii's primary weapon in a forceful strike across the face.
Brutaka, Hyrule, Death Mountain Hot Springs >>> Caves
Truthfully, Brutaka loathed to leave the water at this point, but feeling it would have been a bit tacky to linger in the face of a visit with Goron leadership, he soon got up and collected his things before following along, surmounting the cliff up to the cavern with little issue—rather than a portal, a powerful leap or two did the job.
He was many things, but he wasn't lazy.
Patiently watching as the physically-formidable patriarch awoke, the warrior gave only a slight bow, more of a nod, having already deduced that Gorons weren't much for excessive deference (a fact he was more than okay with after the rest of the day's events). "Brutaka of Voya Nui, and my friend here is Pandora of the Underworld, your neighbor from beneath." he replied. "Initially, I came here to survey the land, to investigate who else is in this big, strange boat with us, but..."
Brutaka took a deep breath as he considered what to say next, then made a show of looking around, as if he was making sure that no one else was listening in. "Am I correct that you had a visitor here before me, one claiming to be a king? I know him as 'Ganondorf', and he was no doubt accompanied by an odd servant of his." he said, putting on a deathly grave tone. The warrior knew from his earlier eavesdropping that the pompous has-been had 'warned' the patriarch about him, but again, he couldn't begin to guess what had actually been said. Whatever it was, he strongly suspected it was a lie.
So Brutaka had decided in advance that he was going to do the next best thing: tell the truth. Or an approximation, anyway. Any response he received would surely be illuminating.
"I belong to the Order of Mata Nui, a peacekeeping organization, and I've been tracking him as soon as I caught wind that he was here in Hyrule." he explained, maintaining firm eye contact despite the massive calculated risk he knew he was taking. Gorons were, by his estimation, an open and honest people who he wagered would at least respect strong body language. "From my investigations, it's become clear to me that in Hyrule... or rather, the version of it he hails from, he once wielded considerable power. Power that I fear he seeks to reclaim at what may be a grave cost to the kingdom's people, including yours."
"Moreover, I know him to be duplicitous, manipulative." the warrior went on. "Whatever he may have told you, especially as it pertains to me and my pursuit of him, serves his ends alone."
Edited by Chortleous on Jun 19th 2025 at 12:11:17 PM
Athena, Mai & Yuri, Castelia Inn Pool
"U-Uh, thanks." Athena looked embarrassed from the compliment from Shemaal.
"Probably not airplanes since those need an airport to get into the sky, but Manhattan next door is certain to have helicopters which also fly," Mai explained to the trio. "Your island and your angel friend isn't exactly the only thing that can fly here."
When Taia offered the three Super Heroines to ride on the Sky Palace, Athena looked over at the other two as if wanting their opinion.
"Well, that island will have problems if it goes to cities closer to our time," Yuri nodded to Athena. "They will have to deal with things like air traffic control and the like."
"Yeah, I can't imagine that island landing anywhere in Manhattan except for Central Park, for example," Mai also nodded to Athena. "And we can repay their generosity by helping them out while we're their guests."
"You know, I think that might work," Athena nodded as well, agreeing to join up with them for now.
Trevor, Sypha, & Grant, Harlem Construction Site, Manhattan
'Alright, we need to..." Trevor Belmont turned around to see that both Sypha and Grant had decided to do their own thing instead of waiting for Trevor to give them orders.
"I request that you all stand the fuck down!" As soon as Fisk's men tried to start firing at her, she would hide behind the Sable Carrier and fire off icicles to destroy the weapons in their hands. Sypha did not particularly want to kill humans, so she was trying to be a bit more focused with her magic.
Meanwhile, Grant Danasty had decided he would rather not deal with the firefight right now so he climbed up onto the Sable Carrier and started hopping from vehicle to vehicle to see if he could figure out what was going on from Mr. Red and Mr. Black. For once, Grant felt like he was in his element here as he jumped from vehicle to vehicle while dodging hazards.
"Uh," Trevor frowned as if realizing that he, the vampire hunter of the group, was more out of his element in this fight than the magician or the thief.
"Is this where the party's at?"
Trevor turned as that was no one in their group. Who he saw was a green-haired woman, wearing a purple cropped jacket, a black leotard, fishnets, and thigh high boots. She was dressed like she was looking for a different type of party. This random woman then joined in fighting Fisk's men, though Trevor thought he had seen her somewhere before.
Carmilla, Ozpin's Office, Vale
"Agreed," Carmilla nodded as even she knew the whole Maiden business should be kept secret. Then Arcueid asked if the young lady was even in Vale, which led to Carmilla turning to look at Arcueid, wondering why she was asking that question. Regardless of if this Maiden-To-Be was sent out or not, she's human. It'd probably be better for her to be well-rested before the exhibition match given how late it was. Then again, perhaps Arcueid wanted to ambush the Maiden-To-Be since enemies won't just wait for her to be well-rested before attacking, especially if she is going to have threats on her life from women wanting the Maiden power for their very own.
Alexia, Beacon Courtyard, Vale
"Uh, well, uhh..." Alexia looked over in the direction that Irene Ellet and Velvet Scarlatina were looking at. "Well, if this 'magic door' is anything like the 'magic doors' that existed on Battleworld, we theoretically could just walk through the door and visit any land on this planet including Castlevania, Gallia, and... well, Vale."
"If we assume it connects to every land on the planet, we have one of two options..." Alexia decided to pet the kitten she had with her. "Either we wait for someone to poke their head into Vale and ask them what's going on, or we go in and join the inevitable party happening in the sidebar of reality."
Maria, Spiral Staircase, Anor Londo => The Painted World of Ariamis
"Yes," Maria nodded, not being all that surprised that Captain Ornstein found their skill impressive. "That, uh, certainly sounds like Trevor and Grant."
What was Maria Renard to say to that? They were legendary in her own time, but saying as much right now would make things complicated. Thus she remained silent as the two goddesses and Priscilla worked out what seemed to be an equitable deal over the Painted World of Ariamis.
Maria was probably the one most nervous about touching the painting. After all, she once had to avoid a painting that tried to trap Richter and her within it. However, Maria steeled her nerves and touched her hand to enter the Painted World of Ariamis.
Maria took a good look around the Painted World of Ariamis. It did look like it had seen better days, so hopefully Amako could help renovate it.
Wizard Needs Food BadlyDeath Mountain
Pandora followed at a much relaxed pace, floating until she reached the cave.
Of course the big one was the leader. It were always the big ones. Between Medusa and Hades, who could both grow humongous size to directly lay waste to cities, she was used to it. Unimpressed, the goddess of calamity still kept up the facade with a very friendly (if not slightly unhinged) smirk.
"Why hellooooo there! I'm indeed from far below your precious little mountain. Nice place, by the way." she said, just as casual as before. Clearly these people hardly cared about formalities.
Then, she stepped back to let Brutaka speak. Of course, that was Bruty's claim. Ganondork made his own earlier, maybe against the warrior. It was really which lie the Goron would be too stupid to fall for. And if he attacked, well... the Gorons could make good snacks.
Speaking of which, it was a shame she didn't have some souls to snack upon. Like popcorn. Mortals really were complete idiots. The lots of them. Either way how this was going to end, this was going to be fun.
Edited by Scipion3 on Jun 18th 2025 at 9:15:05 PM
AND I'VE STILL BLOCKED OFF MY BALL!! FUCK!!Starkiller — Hill of Origin
When the Trailblazers reached for their lighters, the man's — Galen's — eyes flickered to their hands, quickly, almost imperceptibly so. For a moment he merely observed them, his sword held loosely in his hand. Then he sighed and its blade vanished into nothingness.
"We might be in the hells," he finally said. He didn't sound too convinced. "Though I must noted that I feel rather alive for one who is supposed to be dead," he added dryly, "and you lot do not look particularly demon-like."
Absentmindedly, the man started tossing the hilt of his sword up and down, which, surprisingly enough, was not dissimilar to a katana hilt.
◊
Trailblazers, Hill of Origin
The Trailblazers (Hecuba excluded) visibly relaxed when Galen withdrew his sword, though his comment about "the hells" seemed to cause some of their anxiety to return immediately afterwards.
"Well, I'm definitely not a demon, but-" Hana sputtered for a moment. "Hell? We can't be in hell! I-I'm a good person! And I think I'd know if I'd died! Besides, we can't have all died at once!" She gesticulated in the direction of her friends. "There's no way! We'd remember if it was in combat, and it can't have been like, a heart attack in our sleep or something! Not on all of us at once!"
Jun'ichi began frantically touching his arms and pinching himself, trying to feel the sensation of his own skin.
"Oh my god, no, that can't be true, this can't be happening-"
"Nobody panic! I'm sure there's a perfectly rational explanation for this!" Daisuke asserted, trying his best to stand tall and confident. "We just need to stay calm."
"Hey, I'm calm." Hecuba snorted, still grinning. "I don't believe a word of that bullshit. Little miss pretty girl over here's got a point." She pointed towards Hana. "We'd definitely remember if we got killed by a Shadow or something, and I don't think I'm even capable of having a heart attack." She put a hand over where her heart would roughly be and chuckled. "It's not like I can't die, but that kind of lame way of going out's only for you humans." She gestured back at Galen. "This guy clearly doesn't know what he's talking about."
Something's Fishy Here...Starkiller — Hill of Origin
Galen gave Hecuba the stinkeye. "I know for a fact that I died," he said, "but then again I might truly be one with the Force, and the old man was just full of banthashit when he explained the concept."
He shrugged, turning his back on the alien and the younglings and putting them out of his mind. Sitting down cross-legged, he put his lightsaber on his lap, his hands palm-up on his knees, and closed his eyes.
His ability to sense things with the Force might've been... less than developed, but to Galen's mind, giving it a go first was better than just picking a direction at random and starting to walk.
He calmed his breathing, let go of his control of his thoughts and emotions, and let the Force flow through him.
Small pieces of debris picked themselves up and started orbiting him and one another, as though they were planets and moons and he a star — which was fitting, considering that this sort of brute-force Sensing broadcasted his Force presence as brightly as a signal fire.
On empty crossroads, seek the eclipse -- for when Sol and Lua align, the lost shall find their way home.Trailblazers, Hill of Origin
Hecuba merely shrugged.
"Oh well, suit yourself."
However, for once she seemed just as shocked as the rest of the group when Galen sat down and began broadcasting his energy, her eyes widening and her fur standing on end as if static electricity was running through her. Normally, she'd have to use a scanning spell in order to pick up on someone's energy signature, but right now, Galen was emitting such a massive amount of magic power at such a close range she had to spend virtually no energy to sense it. And it was nothing like she would have expected, the signature completely different from Shadows or Personas, more similar to the kind of energy emitted by a being like herself of her brother, though it still wasn't quite the same. It was...unique, fascinating, and honestly a little terrifying.
"Uhhhh...Hecuba? What's he doing?" Jun'ichi asked, his finger twitching as it rested on the sparkwheel of his lighter.
"He's gotta be using his Persona, right?" Hana suggested, similarly ready to spark up a flame at any moment should things go south. "I mean, what else could this be?"
"But...we haven't seen its form yet." Jun'ichi pointed out hesitantly. "If he does have a Persona...he must only be using, like, only a tiny little fraction of its power." The idea made him shudder at how powerful Galen's Persona would have to be. "We've gotta-"
"No." Hecuba interrupted, her tone suddenly serious, her previous smug grin completely gone. "I don't know what this is, but it's not a Persona. It's not the same kind of energy. This is something more...pure, almost primal."
"W-what on earth does that mean?" Daisuke asked, a quiver to his voice despite his attempts to suppress it.
"It means the rest of you should get on out of here." Hecuba sighed. "I'll stay and talk to him, but you all need to go. If shit goes south, there's a good chance he'll end up being out of your league."
"Then why are you staying?" Hana asked, sounding baffled and frustrated. "I thought you weren't a fighter?"
"Hey, I don't plan on throwing hands!" Hecuba snapped. "I just want to talk to him. He might know something about my brother."
Daisuke blinked.
"You think he knows something about Caliban?"
Hecuba let out a long exhale.
"I dunno for sure, but his aura feels similar to him. Anyway, enough talking." She huffed. "You guys, head that way and stay at those ruins over there." She pointed towards the ruined city in the east. "If I'm not back in an hour, come back here to get Atsuko, but bail if you see the other guy. Got it?"
"Hey, who died and made you leader?" Hana snapped.
"Atsuko isn't here, so until she's back, I get to take charge for actually knowing half a shit about what's going on here." Hecuba huffed. "Now are you idiots going or not?"
The others paused, deliberating on whether or not to follow her sudden orders. Eventually, they all reluctantly nodded.
"I don't like the idea of leaving you here alone, but...I trust you." Daisuke said, bowing respectfully. "I'll make sure the others are safe, at any rate."
"Hey, me and Jun'ichi can take care of ourselves." Hana huffed, Jun'ichi nodding. "But, I appreciate the sentiment, I guess."
They said their goodbyes, and headed off for the ruins. Meanwhile, Hecuba turned around, took a deep breath, and cleared her throat before putting a hand on Galen's shoulder.
"Hey, dude." She said, clearly and firmly. "You know anything about a guy named Caliban?"
Something's Fishy Here...Ordon Village
Makura flushed, slightly, at Conan's joke, and grinned at him. "Well, you're welcome to cuddle with me too, handsome. Eheheh."
Kongara and Seitaka shared what appeared to be an exasperated look, before scampering off towards the river, clearly interested in Elaine's catch and seeking to get some for their own, though they seemed to be much less skilled at fishing, grabbing at the water only to come up empty.
"Oh, don't worry about feeding those two, by the way. They prefer to nab their own food when they can." Makura said, unbothered by her companions running off on their own. "Also I don't always know if it's safe to give them people food."
As they entered the house, she kicked off her boots out of habit, settling down in a seat. With her hearing she easily overheard the conversation about the cheese, and debated opening her mouth to say something, but she decided against it. She'd find a way to repay them later.
"Thanks for the meal!" She briefly clapped her hands together before digging in.
Painted World of Ariamis
Following his goddess, Yoriichi enters the painted world without hesitation. He does not blink at the frigid land or its strange creatures, though when Priscilla quickly leaps off the bridge, he follows suit, not wanting to risk stressing the bridge's weight limit.
Unlike the crossbreed, when Yoriichi leaps to solid ground his motions do not cause the planks to so much as shake - a testament to the sheer control the swordsman possesses over his body's movements.
He lands in a crouch, bowing in greeting to the odd creature, and awaiting his Lady's word. He doubts he will be necessary here, but perhaps his sword forms could double as a kagura if need be...
What is so amusing about this? Why do you take lives? How can you forget?Dracula's Castle, Hallway: Doppel-what?
Ganondorf blinked in surprise. He knew the Count commanded a diverse company of monsters, but a changeling? The closest Ganondorf could muster was a single imposter created to take a single form, such as his phantom. The façade was easy to break, and would convince no one so long as they had their wits about them. For a monster to take the form of anyone—even by description—was a truly impressive asset. Apart from himself, Chief Raven Beak, and possibly Death, this "doppelganger" might be the most versatile tool at the Count's disposal. It could prove invaluable in sewing doubt and division in Hyrule and beyond.
It could also prove devastating to Ganondorf, should he and Dracula part ways in animosity. He would need to be more careful of who he spoke to from now on...
"Could my lord direct me to this library? I wish to meet this esteemed Master Xehanort."
Ziekeden Fortress: Spilling Blood
Ramza's return to the battlefield brought out a shift in Argath's face. A hint of surprise, suggesting the lesser nobleman had either not noticed Ramza before now, or had assumed the young Beoulve had been preoccupied with his assault on the fortress. A "brick-by-brick" assault, from the looks of it. If Argath had any thoughts on the strategy he certainly didn't show it; Ramza reinforcing a commoner whelp was by-far the greater absurdity.
"You would betray the orders of your Lord Brother, Ramza?" Argath asked. He didn't need to wait for an answer, as Delita rushed to Ramza's side so they could assault the Northern Sky forces together.
Argath's surprised flipped to a frown. "Then out of respect for your noble Beoulve blood, I promise to loose it swiftly."
The lesser noble motioned to the mages behind him, and Ramza would hear familiar chants uttered from behind the edge of Argath's cliff.
"Freezing wind, speak of forgotten truths..."
"Heavenly bolts, come bring God's judgement..."
"Silent light, shield from evil..."
Meanwhile, Argath himself retrieved his crossbow and aimed it at Delita. He grinned, amused by the idea of killing two sibling urchins with the same weapon, even as Delita charged his position with rage in his eyes.
From the bridge in Ziekeden Fortress, Tietra's body slowly grew colder.
Akiba Ruins, Dead Zone: The Sith Secret Stash
Scratch frowned at the armory's empty racks, but he wasn't surprised. If this place had been raided, the blasters and lightsabers and whatever would've been the first things anyone would grab. How else would a thief enforce property rights while seizing said property? So with his hands in his pockets, the creature of Darkness strolled down the second floor, whistling a little tune as he made his way to Ren's office.
Sure enough, the Head Honcho's room was as ransacked as the rest of the place. After a quick sweep of the office Scratch would've moved on with a huff, but he noticed something out of place in the back of the room.
"The floorboards?" Scratch mused with a hitched brow. "Really? Bit of a cliché don't you think?"
He doubted his ghostly companion would comment, but it didn't matter. Broken floorboards were one thing, but a pair of lone dislodged boards were something else. Wasn't like the wood was warped in the other places in this room, or even on this floor.
No matter. With a quick point and a lazy flick of his finger, the loose floorboards were surrounded in a dark blurred outline and flung violently against the far wall. Scratch watched the planks strike the wall out of idle curiosity, as if wondering if they would strike his invisible friend by sheer luck. He was disappointed, and walked over to the hole in the floor to examine what lay inside.
Free City of Bervenia, Inn: The Force Awakens (Somebody)
Qilby stared out the window of his room at the inn. By a stroke of luck, he had landed a room pointing Southwest, which he used to great effect to investigate an anomaly from that direction. The teal glow of his half-lidded eyes made a glare in the glass, though what he saw was lay beyond what his own reflection could interrupt.
"This force..." he mumbled to himself. "Could it be...?"
He said nothing else. Having made up his mind, Qilby raised his hand and opened a portal in his room. For the exit, he pictured the lone hill where he and the others had woken up this morning—the same direction he detected the anomaly.
It might take a few jumps, but he could make it. A smile graced his face as he took a step through the portal.
"This planet truly is fascinating."
Hill of Origin: The Last Jedi Eliatrope
The growing tension between Galen and Hecuba would face a brief disruption as a large teal-colored ring appeared just ten feet from where they stood. Flat, white in the middle, and roughly seven feet in height, the ring remained just long enough to cast an obvious glow in the evening light, before a figure walked through it and was seemingly dismissed.
The stranger
was an older man, perhaps half a decade younger than General Kota. He was tall, and his somewhat lanky frame was a poor fit for the white baggy shirt and brown trousers he wore; at least his well-worn sandals seemed to fit. His light brown beard focused at the chin, and was braided down the front till it reached his sternum. He his headwear was almost too large and too absurd to simply be called a "hat." Sporting a pair of buttons at the top, long and horn-like ears, and flowing down to the small of his back, it would be the most notable part of his attire were it not for how his left sleeve swayed empty in the breeze. A pair of pince-nez rested on his nose, slightly covering his chestnut-colored eyes. The stranger studied the latest arrivals with weary eyes—tired not from fatigue, but from the weight of so many sights seen in his presumably full life.
In short: while there was no robe or lightsaber in sight, there were few people in the galaxy whose appearance screamed "Jedi" quite like this man.
"Good evening!" the stranger greeted Galen and Hecuba with an amicable smile. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything. It's just that I noticed a strange phenomena emanating from this vicinity, and I thought it best to..."
The stranger noticed the broken branch and the splinters scattered on the grass. He frowned. "Ah. How unfortunate. Neither of you are the vandal, I hope?"
Edited by TheodoreHastings on Jun 18th 2025 at 6:46:54 AM
Castlevania
Raven Beak stoically nodded at Dracula, remaining unfazed.
Not that he dismissed those doppelgangers, far from it. He knew exactly their full potential, all thanks to the sinister X Parasites. In fact, the doppelgangers seemed less dangerous on paper. The X did more than impersonating, they could assimilate completely. They were the reasons why the Metroids were made in the first place, why the Mawkin got decimated. Unlike the Thoha's creations, the creatures were far too dangerous to control. No matter who it devoured and mimicked, an X was only concerned with its species' survival.
The doppelgangers were far less dangerous, but at least the Count had them under control.
"Unfortunate... Then the Sages remain our best course, until this Hero is found." the avian chieftain conceded.
Raven Beak thought to himself for a moment, then snapped his finger. A figure moved in the ceiling, avian, and with a golden armor.
Of course, at least one Mawkin was going to stay near Raven Beak's shadow.
The Chozo elite guard dropped on the floor impeccably, then kneeled without a word, weapons in hand.
"Still, the Hero hides somewhere in this land, If not, he will return, eventually. It's best to keep an eye over his next course of actions while we terminate the Sages. When he is found, he will be tracked down." Raven Beak said.
AND I'VE STILL BLOCKED OFF MY BALL!! FUCK!!Hill of Origin
Galen would find that broadcasting his presence through the Force had certainly drawn attention, beyond that of the strangely Jedi-like man... but perhaps not the positive kind.
Suddenly appearing with swirls of dark energy in a wide but dense circle of bodies around Hecuba, Qilby and Starkiller were two
types
of odd creatures, one variety of which had a strange emblem on their chests. The smaller ones without emblems moved forward in a confusing weaving motion before striking out at the trio of people with their sharp, pointed limbs! Meanwhile, the larger ones, which did have emblems and were the size of a fairly short person, reeled back with their hands before charging forward and attempting to swipe at Hecuba, Qilby, and Galen with their talon-like claws!
To Qilby's sense for Wakfu, the creatures would appear slightly odd, in that all of their energies were exactly identical, despite ostensibly being separate beings and some being different sizes. But Hecuba and Galen, attuned to the energies that they currently were, would be able to sense that these were something like the manifestation of raw negative emotions. Made of something like pure Dark Side energy, and yet also reminiscent of Hecuba's brother...
At the same time, before they could get far from the Hill, a similar mass of creatures of the same two types materialized in the same way around the party of Persona users headed for the ruins, and began trying to attack them in identical fashion as what the three atop the Hill were being forced to deal with!
Akiba Ruins, Stables
With the projectiles being fired much faster than he could react, L.L. could only groan and palm his face as the situation escalated... and then de-escalated? Thank goodness for you, Nel, he thought with a quiet sigh.
"I will thank you all to not attack the gigantic cat who we have just declared we will help," he pronounced wearily. "Now, if we could please stop assaulting one another, it would be good to get going, rather than continuing to waste time fighting each other here."
For her part, C.C. drove her green chocobo, Verte, over next to Link, and reached out to grasp his bowstring-drawing arm in a surprisingly strong grip.
"Just because that cat looks and sounds like a monster does not mean he's a monster in his heart, Link," she rejoined in a whisper meant just for him and Tatl. "And even those who are monsters can redeem themselves. I've lived for many centuries, much longer than L.L., and I've seen it happen many times before. But if someone had killed them before they changed their ways, they never would have reached that point."
Meanwhile, Nel noticed CatNap's curiosity and turned so that he had a better view of her back.
"Are you curious why I'm not hurt?" she asked cheerfully. "The short explanation is that my spiritual energy is very dense, so only something of the same or greater spiritual power can break through my skin, and there aren't many things that can! Certainly not bullets! I bet even if you tried to scratch me with those big ol' claws of yours, they wouldn't leave a scratch!"
That said, she continued, addressing Haruka, who she didn't need to even turn to face, given she'd already pivoted 180, "As for you, Missy, you're going to help me fix my sweater later! Don't judge books by their covers, and don't shoot people just 'cause they look funny, got it?" She emphasized her words with a light poke to the girl's forehead.
Akiba Ruins, Dead Zone
What Scratch found after digging under the floorboards was what looked something like a model of some kind of temple or religious building, small enough to be held in one hand. As he inspected the curious object, however, a faint light shone out of its top, quickly forming the shape of a miniature, armored man. A Star Wars hologram. Typical.
"Ah, good, a presence strong in the Dark Side. You will make an excellent new pupil after the last disappointment of a man," it spoke in a powerful baritone. "I am Darth Revan, Dark Lord of the Sith. Those who use the Dark Side are also bound to serve it. To understand this is to understand the underlying philosophy of the Sith. The Dark Side offers power for power's sake. You must crave it. Covet it. You must seek power above all else, with no reservation or hesitation. The Force will change you. It will transform you. Some fear this change. The teachings of the Jedi are focused on fighting and controlling this transformation. That is why those who serve the Light are limited in what they can accomplish."
Death Mountain
"Hrrrrmmmmm..."
Darbus narrowed his eyes at Brutaka, as if trying to inspect him for any sign of falsity. Then after a long moment, he spoke:
"Those are ill tidings, indeed, much as those that the one you call 'Ganondorf' brought myself and the Elders. And yet, he also cautioned that you were a person of deception, much like you claim him to be. He also said that you were after our sacred ground, the heart of the volcano which lies behind me. Clearly, one of you is a liar. Can you offer me any proof that would show me the truth of your side of the story, or the falsehood of his?"
Anor Londo, Painted World of Ariamis
"'Tis not a question of centrality, so much as altitude, or interior versus exterior," Amako answered Priscilla with a cheerful shake of her wolf-eared head. "Though We art capable of seeing the current locale from all directions, we cannot perceiveth what lieth beyond walls of a certain depth, nor can we seeth the whole of thy home at once. 'Tis no trouble to simply traveleth throughout the Painted World until We hath completed Our mission, however! Ah! We knoweth not whether Ornifex canst heareth Our voice. If not, please transmiteth Our words to her and let her know We art here to restoreth her home, Yoriichi-kun. We would not wisheth for her to feeleth left out! Now, to begin... Please be still and moveth not for a moment, everyone!"
Raising her hands in a motion that those of Anor Londo might find oddly familiar
, the Sun Goddess sent tendrils of flame in each direction along the ground to melt the snow, the streams of fire appearing suddenly and then petering out and vanishing. Once that was finished, she painted on the Celestial Canvas that only she could see once again, and fresh, healthy grass and flowers sprang up on the earth throughout the immediate area, even beneath the feet of those assembled.
"Ahhhhh, much better! Heehee!" the Mother Deity breathed in contentment. "Now, shall we moveth on to repairing the structures themselves? If thou wouldst please describeth what the buildings ought to looketh like, it shall be much simpler for Us to restoreth them, rather than guessing at their forms."
Edited by darksidevoid on Jun 20th 2025 at 7:04:21 AM
GM: AGOG S4 & F/WC RP; Co-GM: TABA, SOTR, UUA RP; Sub-GM: TTS RP. I have brought peace, freedom, justice, and security to my new Empire.Brutaka, Hyrule, Death Mountain Caves
Order of Mata Nui training fostered in its agents a stronger poker face than most, so despite Brutaka's pleasure at how well this was going, he would give little outward tell—partly because of his decision not to lead with an outright lie, partly because he'd faced down larger and tougher beings than Darbus (some of the Steltian labor caste would give the Goron patriarch a run for his money), and partly because he was wearing a very literal mask, but that was neither here nor there.
The warrior simply nodded. "He's regrettably at least halfway competent at covering his tracks, but I can offer a second account." he replied, gesturing toward Pandora. "While she hasn't dealt with Ganondorf directly, her people are fully aware of him and his scheming as I'm sure she's eager to tell you. Defensible as their domain might be, even it may be at risk should he find what he's after."
"What's more, he still wields a remnant of that old power, however small." he said, making a glance aside toward Gorthree. "I'm sure some of you must have seen that 'servant' of his, more a puppet, animated through crude necromancy. You didn't think that thing looked at all natural, did you? Dragged along, as if secondary to the mask it wore, an arcane abomination of his make... and I know masks of power, if you believe nothing else I say here."
"Thirdly," he recounted, eyes narrowing. "why do you think he left before I arrived? Despite the setting sun and the graciousness of the Goron people in a land familiar yet foreign, he just up and leaves, no doubt making up some excuse or another, because he knows justice isn't far behind. And his 'warning'? While I can't begin to fathom what other tall tales he rattled off..."
His mask shimmered then, and beside him appeared another of his signature portals. Through it could be glimpsed the moonlit island of Voya Nui, seen from someplace along its craggy frozen coast and gazing up toward the central volcano, its fuming crater glowing fiery orange in the night. Though he would only hold the portal open long enough for Darbus to get the point, a brief ice-cooled wind wafting through would cast doubt on any notion of this being a mere illusion. "This was a lie, and an idiotic one even for him. I have a volcano at home."
Voya Nui, Chamber of Life
Looking beyond the confines of its chamber, it had lost track of the one who called himself 'Wulfrik' some time ago, but in the meantime its primary candidate, the one in green, was faced with another monstrous foe, and in his defense of others he was yet again decisive, loosing a gleaming projectile... which was then intercepted by another of those present, plucked from the air.
Why? Had those others been trying to communicate with this creature? Were they in league with it?
What was going on?
Before it could question things further, though, it felt something toward the west, in that place that new arrivals to this world seemed to appear.
It was... life.
Elemental life like the power it wielded, or else something very, very close. Here sat a being steeped in it in a way that few others were, in a way that few others could be. Not even Toa wielded this power. The last one who did burned.
Others soon arrived to greet this being, and while they reacted defensively to this, confused as most new arrivals were, they seemed to gather their bearings, and hostilities did not commence. What's more, as they spoke, they seemed to believe that... they'd died? That shouldn't have been possible.
Then they did something that would have caught its attention if it hadn't already been looking in this direction—what was to its extrasensory perception a near-blinding beacon, a sudden wellspring of that lifeforce, which then attracted another, one who by its estimation had already been here for a time. This one seemed a bit disheveled, cloth armor ill-fitting, but perhaps watching the scene further would be illuminating.
Edited by Chortleous on Jun 20th 2025 at 4:56:12 PM
Hecuba, Hill of Origin
Hecuba jolted a little at Qilby's sudden appearance, but afterwards actually appeared to become more laid-back, settling into more of a relaxed position once again now that her attention was drawn away from Galen for the moment.
"Well, you didn't do it and I didn't do it, so not to be a snitch, but I'd say process of elimination only leaves one culprit."
However, before the conversation could progress any further, all hell immediately broke loose as the mysterious shadowy beings attacked, causing Hecuba to yelp as she just barely managed to duck and weave out of the way of their attacks.
"AGH! Okay, nevermind, pocket that idea, we gotta deal with this ASAP! Cover me, I'll try and see if I can detect any weaknesses!"
She positioned herself firmly behind both Qilby and Galen, and thrust her hands out forwards, glowing green Instant Runes appearing in front of them as she scanned the attackers in order to determine what kind of attacks (if any) would be particularly effective, and which might instead be worth avoiding.
-4 SP
Hecuba's Current SP: 11/15
Trailblazer Trio, Path to the Ruins
The other three Trailblazers immediately screeched to a halt as they found themselves confronted by more of the same kind of shadowy beings that were attacking Hecuba.
"EEK! What the hell, jeez!" Jun'ichi screeched as he hastily procured his lighter. "There's Shadows already?"
"Apparently!" Hana huffed, pulling out hers as well. "Whatever, this shouldn't be hard." She mustered a grin. "Let's show them the true definition of hurt!"
"En garde!" Daisuke cried, procuring a match and lighting it as the others flicked their sparkwheels, all creating small blue flames at the same time as they shouted their battle cry.
"PERSONA!!!"
Three simultaneous bursts of much larger blue fire summoned forth peculiar yet powerful looking beings beside each combatant. Hana was accompanied by a mannequin-like figure in a blue dress held suspended in mid-air by ropes around its arms and a noose around its neck. Jun'ichi's guardian was a well-dressed figure in a dark suit with a flaming head, sitting in the palm of a huge, jet black, throne-like hand. Daisuke stood beside a bulky figure in white robes wielding a thick golden lance, long spikes jutting out from its gold pauldrons, with a similarly colored head shaped like a king piece in a game of Chess. All wore silver tragedy masks, and all seemed to emanate strong energy.
"Macduff, Kouga!" Daisuke bellowed, and the being beside him thrust out one arm and unleashed a wide beam of golden light that struck one of the dark enemies.
-2 SP
Daisuke's Current SP: 10/12
"Hamlet, Agilao!" Jun'ichi commanded, and his own being snapped its fingers, the shadow closest to him getting engulfed in a sudden burst of orange fire.
-2 SP
Jun'ichi's Current SP: 13/15
"Desdemona, Assault Dive!" Hana cried, her protector lunging forwards, twisting around and slamming its lower half directly into a final enemy, Hana wincing and staggering backwards for a moment as she suffered a penalty to her own health and stamina.
Edited by SushiKraken6414 on Jun 20th 2025 at 6:32:35 AM
Something's Fishy Here...The Dark Place, Roast Stage: That's Quite the Mouthful!
Though he tried to taunt the specters, Wulfrik would find this strange place had other plans. The words had form seamlessly in his mind, but when he opened his mouth to speak them...
"cuhM ikle eth onwem nad shbnsuad fo yrou ilvagle whne yuo rnedrtue lvaie ofrm a t,ipr I cn'ta ysa mI' lesadpe ot ese uoy an,gai Se.aekbynll- uBt uelkin met,h I atn'c aclmi ot eb spedriurs eire.th nHiavg enrve ahd eth htmacos rfo tbelta, ti si ton usreanenabol rof uyo ot rernut lgdinewi sdwor sa yruo apeow,n ngaiclk sa yuo od obth het nhgetrst adn eth kllsi rof ds.sokwro-w"
As the wanderer waved his hand at the other speakers, the guests and audience members looked to each other in silent anticipation. Had he noticed yet? He was still talking like he made sense. There were murmurs in the faceless audience wondering if this was part of the show, or if Wulfrik truly was this clueless.
"hTere is osoemne igsnmis omfr ihts lteilt eyblmsas of npseosr hwo itmhg shiw em l,li woh is ont renetps ni hte sf.e.l.h ubt ni the e.obn"
Wulfrik gestured to a skull by his crotch. Seems he was that lonely.
"aeHv uyo no owdr fo ngireteg fro ryuo eedsemet ahfret? ,eYs oyu onsrceipd ot ehva mhi dl,kiel btu htat si no sornae ot eb lpm.iteio uYro nrnamse rea sa entstdu sa royu onmodha."
Sveinbjorn raised an eyebrow and gestured for Wulfrik to continue. "...oh, is that all? You're the man of the hour, Wulfrik. I'd hate to interrupt."
The Aesling Prince turned to the audience with a grin. "Please forgive him, ladies and gentlemen. Poor Wulfrik lost an ear in Alfheim—
"You're welcome for that!" cried the starry-eyed figure in the horse hair cloak.
"—but it seems his other ear has gone deaf. And here I thought Viglundr liked to hear himself talk."
Soft laughter filled the space again as Sveinbjorn turned his head back to Wulfrik. "I'm glad you brought up your favorite drinking cup, Wulfrik. The skull of my father means nothing to me now, and it meant little to be before. I suppose it's just a visual reminder of what a good hunting hound you can be. You're so proud of it, it's almost endearing. I suppose dogs do love their bones, but there's more to it than that. If I had to guess, you adorn yourself with corpses for the company—the dead are the only people who can stand you for long. After all, they lack eyes to look at your hideous face and ears to listen to your exhausting boasts. They even lack a nose, the lucky bastards."
Seems the trial of wits would be trickier than Wulfrik assumed. Nothing stopped him from thinking of what to say, but this place twisted his words into unintelligible gibberish. He could not beat these phantoms at their own game, so what else could he try?
Akiba Ruins, Stables: "I Go for ONE Headshot and Suddenly I'M the Bad Guy?!"
Link's jaw fell in shock. Nel hadn't been that close to the arrow's path, and yet she caught it like it had been a ball gently tossed to her. In another situation, and in a lighter mood, the little hero might've admired how fast (and strong!) the Guardian truly was. The one and only experience Link had with magic pebbles had hit hard enough to bruise Darmani's hide. To see Nel take the shotgun fire without even a scratch was...well, a little scary.
But Link didn't focus on Nel. He barely registered Kayoko's warning, though a low growl from a nearby wolf suggested she might want to reconsider her tone. Truth be told, he wasn't even focused on CatNap that much anymore. The little hero's eyes were locked onto L.L., his dumbfounded expression saying more than he could spell out.
"You've got to be joking." Tatl said through a frustrated sigh. "Kudos for all your patience and immortality, but if you think we're overreacting here, do you really want to test how others are going to treat this thing?! You're just BEGGING to slow us down! Just leave the Lizalfos and his new pal here with Nel. I'm sure we'll all be MUCH happier if we don't need to worry about the giant bloodthirsty feline looming over our shoulders!"
The firm grip on his arm snapped Link out of his one-sided staring contest. He turned to look at C.C., and jumped at the opportunity she'd gifted him. So long as they were in contact, he could think-talk freely:
We didn't have to go through any of this, C.C.. Mister L.L. chose to go through it. He brought us all back when we could've split up and gotten to the rescue faster—and now he's acting all mad about everyone wasting time when HE is the reason we're wasting time?! That's so unfair!
Link clutched C.C.'s hand, as if to insist she hear him out. You think I can't take care of myself, but I can be really careful! And I can use my head, too: I don't see why we should think we'll be rushing into a fight. A call for help could mean a lot of things! And I've got lots of experience helping people out of all sorts of trouble, not just the kind that involves monsters. But you jumped straight to thinking this is something I can't handle—and THAT'S unfair, too!
But you know what's worse than that? Mister L.L. said he would use the machine—MY machine—to talk to whoever's calling for help, and he STILL hasn't done it! That's unfair to THEM, C.C.: the people we're SUPPOSED to be rescuing! And instead of paying attention to them, Mister L.L. is busy talking our ears off and acting like we're the ones slowing him down. It makes me want to rip my hair out! I WANT to get going. I WANT to help people. But I can't do ANYTHING without Mister L.L. because he's the only one who knows where to go! And if any of the people sending the signal aren't okay...if any of them get hurt because we took too long coming to the rescue...
Despite his best effort, the pressure on the dam was proving too much to bear. His lip quivered, he sniffled, and the hand gripping C.C.'s began to tremble. The tears pooled in his eyes, and started to fall with an involuntary shudder.
Then I don't know what to do!
Akiba Ruins, Dead Zone: Just Don't Call Me "Padawan."
"What the fuck?" Scratch blinked. He wasn't surprised about the hologram itself—though he was half-expecting to see a young Carrie Fisher talk about helping her father in the Clone Wars—but more that it seemed to respond to him, specifically. As if it were a live feed, like a video call. But then this Darth Vader wannabe started going off like this was a pre-recorded lecture? Pick a lane, dammit.
Guess it could be worse. thought Scratch. I could be learning from an old goblin who talks backwards.
"The Light is overrated anyway." he shrugged. "Hey, is this going to be on the test? I left my notebook at home."
A nameless little devil had found herself in an odd place, indeed.
The recent months in Gensokyo had passed without notice by most people, let alone someone who almost never leaves the manor. Last week, a burst of excitement came over the red house's denizens after someone accidentally delivered an electric mixer here instead of Mayohiga - such was the minor ripple that is felt in this tiny pond. Today's developments are like if you dropped a 500 pound rock in that pond and then shot it a few times for good measure. Things weren't going to return to normalcy any time soon, and just as if a rock had scattered water, some drops managed to fly out of the bounds of this body of water...
Koakuma (for lack of a better name) had spent these last couple of hours in disarray, like everyone who couldn't fake a firm grip...
...though Sakuya, of course, seemed ever elegant as usual...
...and unlike them, she didn't have anyone to look up to in the immediate moment. Patchouli was gone! She left the house once every year or so, rarely on her own accord. Koakuma was nothing without her dear leader...no orders to fulfill, no direction in her life, nobody to talk with about how light pollution was already ruining their divination records. She'd gone to go visit the space king and his weird potato-shaped dog. Poor little devil was left behind.
With today's quota of books sorted (in the thousands) and shelves dusted (miles), she was left with this stark loneliness rarely experienced. Wandering the halls of the mansion as the lesser staff ran around in a hurried panic that hadn't settled from the fright of earlier, the look in her red eyes was equal parts sadness and boredom. Nobody was really going to be in a 'talking' mood, especially after all hands were ordered to prepare for more introductory tea parties that'd inevitably come when some of the city's millions of inhabitants came over the land bridge.
She walked, sighed, and pondered: Why don't I ever get involved in Incidents? Everyone else has gotten to go on an adventure, even Ms. Flandre...
The only thing she had was the same hallway as ever with its red carpet, red furniture, red doors but one door was blue, red curtains...
Hey. Wait.
Koakuma stopped, looking up at the blue, marble-lined door that almost evaded notice for how well it was placed. If it weren't for the color, it'd fit in perfectly with every other door here; placed in the right gap of wall and just about the same architectural style, it was the kind of aesthetic the architect of the mansion liked. Minus how not-red it was. Now this was odd. Just having gone over the sameness of this place, wouldn't one door being painted wrong cause a bit of a stir? Sakuya would've punished the responsible parties in a public fashion!
"Now, what's going on here," she said to no one in particular. Her dainty hand pulled at the golden knob placed oddly in the middle, but surprisingly, it didn't budge. It didn't budge no matter what she did, actually. Not even a jiggle! Odder still! She stepped back and looked at this strange constructed intruder when she noticed a just-as-blue butterfly hanging above. It flew down, and she reached up to give it a finger for a perch...
...only for it to fly right through her hand and land on the much rougher one of the gatekeeper, Hong Meiling. She smiled for some-odd reason and said "Man, that was a hoot, that one Setsubun...did somebody leave a window open, Ms. Devil?"
Koakuma stared at her own hand for a second with an odd look before remembering to respond: "Oh, no. It's not that, it's a...look, right in front of you, it's a weird door. It's really weird, isn't it?"
Meiling looked up and, sure enough, this was one weird place for a non-red object to be. "Don't tell me you turned this door blue somehow..."
"Of course not! What would I even gain from that?"
"I'm sure there's a pun you could work out of it. It'd be a way-too high effort prank just for one jo—"
"Ms. Gatekeeper, I'm sorry, but don't you think this could be something that'd be connected to the outside world? The new outside world?" She demonstrated the door's unwillingness to move and added "I can't even go check what's inside, it's all—"
"Don't you worry, missy," Meiling stepped up and, once the butterfly had flitted away from her hand, cracked opened the door a smidge without any effort at all. "See? I know you got a bit of a weak handshake, so it shouldn't be too much of a surprise...though I don't mean it in a bad way."
Koakuma, at this point, was just confused. Blinking, she pointed to this door and said "Can you go inside and check what's the issue, Ms. Gatekeeper? The Lady's already in a weird mood with the situation, so I wouldn't want her to see this and think someone's messing with her house..."
Meiling smiled even brighter. "It's a door and it leads to this house, so as far as I'm concerned, it's a gate I gotta keep. In the job description! And the Lady's not all that psychotic about her color theory business..." she said as she entered some kind of whacked-out crazy alternate dimension psychic manifestation blue room without even realizing it.
Everyone looked to Tannhauser, who observed his fellows. "Excuse me?"
"Go on, everyone knows you've been waiting to ask the big question," Baldric said crossing his arms.
"It really is kinda obvious Tanny," Vaali said. "Come on, don't need to be a drinker to see that."
Tannhauser huffed. "Very well. If my comrades are that aware of the content of my character, I shall waste little time. If I must ask, what is the political relation between your nation and the one you are at war with, how did this conflict exactly come about?"
"Oh you'll need to check with our Chef and Bartender!" Ziliana replied. "I'm justa waitress!"
Reeb let out a heavy annoyed sigh as he picked up a menu and set it down. "We really need to get more people."
The bartender, a wisened looking old man with glowing eyes in a hood nodded. "Yeah, we do. I can't cook fer shit!"
"Yes, that's why we let you blow things up or handle the alcohol, Lorn," Reeb replied.
Before they could tell Braig what the special was, Zedek let out a loud "ahem" to catch everyone's attention. He was staring at Ritzfist and Havoc. "Excuse me? What do you think you're doing?"
Ritzfist was now staring at Havoc as well. "I'd fess up, ya don't wanna see what the hooded one will do."
Said hooded one, Pi, had turned his head 180 degrees to stare at Havoc.
Leon blinked a bit, and stood up. "Lt. Ors, yes I suppose I do."
He gestured to the Battlemech being looked over. "That's my Warhammer, Brutus. Served me well during a major campaign to help recover a section of space known as the Auregian Reach. Myomer with a General Motors fusion generator installed, it's served well. I'm just wondering what technologies out of it you could want."
Starkiller — Hill of Origin
Galen did learn some things from General Kota, so thankfully Hecuba disturbing his meditation did not startle him enough to send the various pieces of debris orbiting him in random directions at high speed. Instead, he took a short moment to open his eyes and let the debris gently fall down.
That done, he got up, brushing Hecuba's hand off his shoulder. "Can't say I have," he replied.
He'd have said more, but the appearance of the teal-coloured portal caused him to turn to it, his lightsaber already ignited and on guard position by the time Qilby stepped out of the cut in the air.
The former Sith assassin looked at the new arrival with narrowed eyes, which became even narrower as he sensed the man in the Force. Despite his unassuming appearance, the bearded man shone with the Light Side, and brightly at that, brighter than any Jedi Galen had ever met.
"What do you want, Jedi—" he began to ask, but then another set of new arrivals appeared.
Not only did the black creatures have the stench of the Dark Side — something Galen was intimately familiar with — upon them, they also attacked with nary a word.
"Nevermind -- stand back!"
he instructed Qilby and Hecuba.
The first order of business was defense. The smaller creatures that tried to impale him and the other two, he simply cut through with contemptuous ease. While doing that, he set to work on the slightly bigger one. Picking one up with the Force, he electrocuted it with Force Lightning, then flung the now-Lightning Grenade at its fellows, where the Lightning would explode, damaging and briefly stunning whichever enemy it hit. Others that ventured too close to either of his temporary companions — assuming they didn't prove themselves able to handle themselves, that is — found themselves flung away by powerful Force Pushes.
As Starkiller fought, Qilby and Hecuba would perhaps sense a change in Galen's presence — while his expression merely hardened, inside he was channeling his rage and anger into his attacks, especially the lightning-infused ones.
On empty crossroads, seek the eclipse -- for when Sol and Lua align, the lost shall find their way home.Ziekeden Fortress: Speaking of Forgotten Truths...
And so Ramza prepared for the battle to begin anew, knowing that the mages would be by far the most troublesome of his foes. Argath may have talked a big game, but all the blue blood in the world wouldn't protect him from Delita, especially not when his friend was roaring mad. Even knowing Tietra was long dead, Ramza still felt an urge to drive his fist into the blowhard's face. Zalbaag may have given the order, but it was this man in particular who'd ruined both his and Delita's lives. Tietra was as good as a sister to Ramza, and if there'd been any chance of rescuing her from this phantom world, he'd have done it without hesitation. He was sure Alma would have approved, but he still had to find her and get out of here.
It was as Ramza prepared himself to advance upon the mages and endure their magicks that a thought hit him, a thought that hit with all the subtlety of one of the lightning bolts the mages hoped to strike Ramza with.
("If these battles and people are a trick of the mind...when did the tricks start?")
Given what he was now wrestling with, it was a miracle that Ramza hadn'd stopped dead in his tracks and left himself wide open. Unfortunately for his foes, he was too well trained and honed for battle for that, and his body moved on its own as his mind processed this thought and came to a startling and frankly upsetting conclusion.
("I am a thrice damned fool, and Alma is NEVER going to let me live this down.")
Clarity filled Ramza's eyes as he knew what his objective was at last, but first, he had a fight to win. Putting on a burst of speed, he lunged for the mage preparing to blast him with an icy spell that promised pain, Ragnarok coming right for them.
Southern Ivalice, Orbonne Monastery
After a moment's deliberation, the door opened, and a tired cleric regarded Koki briefly before nodding and standing aside to allow her entry.
"Welcome to Orbonne Monastery, traveler. I apologize for the scrutiny. It is no reflection on your character, but these are uncertain times, and we must protect ourselves." He told her, shutting the door behind the girl and beckoning her to follow. "Might I have your name?"
Manhattan Border, Henry Hudson Bridge
Before she realized what was happening, the girl abruptly had a picture taken of her, which meant that the picture would show her looking just a bit bewildered on her ID card. Shaking her head a few times to get the light out of her eyes, Alma spoke up.
"My name is Alma Beoulve, and I'm...17, yes, 17 years of age. Assuming time works the same here as it does at home." Alma explained, and pulled out her staff. "You could call this a weapon since I could strike someone with it, but its purpose is for healing magic." Left unsaid was what other magic could be used with it, but as Alma was no Black Mage, she saw no reason to disclose that fact.
Castelia Inn Pool -> Bedroom
"Yay!" Taia replied, sounding like she quite enjoyed the thought of having her friends come to visit. This was followed by a yawn, with her slowly clambering out of the pool, with Shemaal and Migrana following suit.
"It has been a wonderful evening, ladies. But I do believe it's time we retired for the night, so I must bid you good night." Shemaal said, offering a bow before he and the others left to head back up to their room.
Castelia (Mausoli's)
In truth, Maleficent should not have been surprised by what she'd been greeted with, but seeing rodent people running the establishment was a bit of a new one for her. Sure, rodents were often present at dining tables, but having them be a part of the process felt like a flight of fancy a child would ask the fairies to make happen. Still, she would reserve judgement until she was served. Verbal judgement, anyway. She would be all too happy to speak her mind internally in the meantime. Once seated, the sorceress turned her attention to Tyra, thinking about how best to answer the question before finding her words and speaking, a smile upon her face that was surely as genuine as her words.
"The world I hail from is one of untamed wilderness laid claim to by humans who fancy themselves lords of all they see, and claim whatever lies before them as their domain. Kings rule from their castles whilst lords oversee affairs from their estates, and the peasantry ekes out an existence whilst trying to find some meaning in it all. I myself stayed out of their business, save for when I had business with them. As for what I plan to do here, well, there's no limit to my choices, now is there? I do at least plan to meet the different rulers of each domain, so that I may know who to trust and who to give a wide berth."
Proud member of the AGOG community.A smug smile formed on the rabbit's face as her shots all met their mark. If she realized the trouble she was making for the Black Reaper, she didn't show it. As the remaining thugs went to rush her, she would raise her eyebrow.
"Ehh...? Did you guys draw the short straw? Not enough guns to go around? Or are you really dumb enough to bring a stick to a gun fight?"
She would shrug and toss her two pistols aside. The bunny eared weapons magically evaporated in the air before they could hit the ground. With her hands free, she would then raise her fists and begin hopping on the balls of her feet like a boxer. To add further insult, she would raise her chin and curl her fingers in a come get some motion.
But she had to be the one underestimating them now, right? They had at least a hundred pounds on her, each, and now she was the one unarmed! But she showed no hint of backing down. She had a steely gaze. A dangerous look in her eyes. A really dangerous look. It was practically glowing! In fact...before the thug could finish that thought, lasers would erupt out of Reisen's eyes and send the vanguard of the melee thugs flying back.
She would then leap a good twenty feet in the air and just hover there, out of range of the thugs various blunt instruments. She had no intention of engaging them in melee! Of course not. She wasn't dumb like these guys. If she had an advantage, why wouldn't she exploit it! She would get her hands in position and in them would appear another bunny eared gun. This one shaped like a blunderbuss with a shotgun pump. After giving it a good cocking for effect, she would rain down indiscriminate bullet hell from above.
Confident in her position, Reisen would take a glance to see how the other two were doing. Only to find that they were at each other's throat! Wait, what!? She thought that they were all on the same side, or at least all against these thugs. She suppose she did just kind of assumed that. Now that she thought about it, it made sense that the Oni would go after whatever seemed strongest. She turned back toward the entrance, again considering just taking off. She did not want to be here when an oni really starts letting loose. Her escape path however was blocked by even more of these thugs pouring in.
"REALLY!?"
Her eye would twitch. These guys were going to make this as annoying as possible weren't they!? If that was how they wanted to play it. She would turn toward the approaching reinforcements, her gun turning into a browning 50. cal almost as big as her. She leveled the behemoth at hip level and pointed it at the approaching mooks.
"If you are ready to die for an empty stupid half finished building, then..."
The oversized gun would let loose. It was loud, sounding closer to an auto cannon then the pop guns you usually find on the streets. Which was the point. To get them running for cover, if not all the way home. To make an impact with sound, sense the impact of the bullets was actually just regular non-lethal danmaku, not that the thugs knew that.
But on top of that, she was trying to make enough noise that the local law enforcement couldn't ignore it. Seriously, why were they doing their job in taking care of these thugs!? The only reason these goons were so brazen was cause who ever was supposed to be keeping the law was slacking off! Then again all she might be doing is attracting more of the wrong element, or just goading them to bring out their own big guns. In fact, even law enforcement coming was sure to just add to the chaos and complicate things for all parties involved.
Eh, she will worry about it when they cross that bridge. Worse case scenario, she leaves the visible light spectrum when things hit the fans. Sure the others might not be able to do that, but that's their fault for not being able to turn invisible!
If all the van's with thugs weren't a dead give away, it sounding like a reenactment of D-day would clue the taxi party they were in the right place. It was hard to tell who was more suspect, the rent a thugs or the hooded bunny girl with a huge machine gun. To the kids in the constructing building listening, it sounded who ever was out there was bringing in the big guns. The type that shreds places like the one they are hiding in like swiss cheese. Why it hasn't yet was a mystery, but it sounded like their safe place was no longer safe.
How do you kill that which has no life?Athena, Mai & Yuri, Pool, Castelia Inn
"Yeah, if we stay in this pool any longer, we'll prune," Athena said as she and the others got out of the pool as well.
"Have a nice night!" "Hope you sleep well!" "See ya tomorrow!"
The Super Heroines waved off their three newest friends as well as Charlie and the Squirtle Squad as they dried off and grabbed their clothes before heading off as well.
Athena, Mai & Yuri, Hotel Room, Castelia Inn
"This would have been a great place to be with Andy!"
Unfortunately, the three martial artists had ended up having to stay in a Honeymoon Suite which only had a single heart-shaped bed. The bed was thankfully large enough for the three of them to sleep on, but they would have rather had separate rooms or separate beds. They had washed up as well as using the Inn's washer and dryer to clean their clothes again.
Mai, who seemed to be fantasizing about being with Andy again, was lying on the bed wearing her white t-shirt and red shorts combo looking at the other two. She looked a bit too comfortable in that bed.
"So..." Athena began to ask the other two. "Now what? It's not even 10 yet."
"Maybe we could watch TV and wait for the news?" Yuri asked Athena, as she turned on the television with the remote.
"We could, but..." Athena frowned a bit. "We have the time. We could explore more and get back here in time for the local news."
"Explore more of Castelia?" Yuri looked over at Athena, ignoring whatever was on TV. "We won't be able to go far... not on foot at least."
"It doesn't feel right to just stay here," Athena said as she put on her boots, once more the outfit she was wearing when she was brought to the Frontiers.
"Fine, I'll come with you," Yuri nodded as she was once more in her karate gi. "What about you, Mai?"
Mai was sleeping in the bed, out cold much like Reisen was before she had been rudely interrupted.
"I guess the alcohol finally got to her," Athena shook her head and sighed. "Let's go."
"'Kay," Yuri nodded as she and Athena left to explore Castelia a bit more.
Dracula, Halls of Castlevania
"Xehanort has retired for the... err, 'night,'" Dracula stated to Ganondorf, knowing the irony in retiring for the night in a land of eternal night. "But I could take you to the Long Library if you still wish to meet him. The castle is large enough to keep guest bedrooms in multiple areas, which I think Xehanort is using."
Dracula simply nodded to Raven Beak, as it seemed they had settled the plans for tomorrow.
Wizard Needs Food BadlyCastelia
Wallace and Gromit followed Tyra into Mausoli's, with Wallace idly looking over his surroundings with a head-empty smile. Once they noticed their hosts, a pleasantly surprised Wallace gave a friendly wave, then leaned over to Gromit while Tyra sorted them a table. "Looks like we're in luck, lad. A restaurant run by mice is bound to know their cheeses, hm hm!" Gromit just nodded back uncertainly, not quite as ready to take a restaurant run by giant mice in his stride.
Not long after, the four got themselves a table, and the duo took their seats opposite the two women. Tyra opened up the conversation with asking about the worlds of her guests, and what they planned to do next.
"Rubbing shoulders with royalty, eh?" said Wallace, "Ho ho, very grand. Bit above me own station, but I wish the best of luck to you in the regal courts."
Gromit certainly didn't. He just gave an annoyed look to some random spot on the ceiling and shook his head.
Wallace turned to Tyra. "While I can't speak for me whole world, I suppose it's a lot more like yours by comparison. Though my little corner on West Wallaby Street's a lot less big and, er, rambunctious. There's far more humans gadding about, and animals only really show up in the wild or as pets... Mind you, though, you do get the occasional cyberdog, or a penguin stealing diamonds while disguised as a chicken. Still, nothing quite as bright and lively as you'd get out here."
Gromit shrugged. Their adventures were pretty spectacular as far as he was concerned.
"Gromit and I were off for a bank-holiday trip out when we found ourselves here. Suppose the best thing now is to carry on with that. See the sights and sounds of exotic new lands, enjoy the attractions, snap some photos for the album..." He stroked his chin. "And you know...maybe I'll find some inspiration for a new creation."
Gromit suddenly looked very worried.
And a Strange Figure Emerges.Hill of Origin: Thinking with Portals
Qilby's narrowed eyes shifted from Hecuba to Galen.
"You should be more respectful to your elders, young man." the sagely man warned. One might think he was referring to Starkiller's tone...until Qilby pointed to the trunk of the tree: "This flora has lived several of your lifetimes by now, perhaps half a dozen by my estimation!"
It was tough to decide if the misdirection was a joke, or just awkward sincerity. Qilby didn't clear up the mystery as he turned his eyes to the tree and studiously stroked his bearded chin. "Of course, I cannot confirm that claim without the proper equipment. Its Wakfu exceeds that of most bidepal mortals I've encountered on this planet, so for now I trust that metric to base my estimation. Examining the rings of the trunk would also prove effective, but that's quite inefficient work and would kill the plant in the process. We wouldn't want—"
The dendrochronology lesson was cut short as a swarm of strange monsters emerged from portals of their own. Qilby frowned as his brown eyes turned a glowing teal, and studied the creatures surrounding them. "Combat is not my forte—though something tells me our new guests care little for our preferences." That said, he turned to Hecuba with a reassuring smile. "I can hold the defensive line. So long as I'm standing, they will not touch you."
As if spurred by a silent order to attack, the monsters quickly drew in. One of the smaller creatures dashed for the makeshift team's strategist, only to find itself intercepted by a portal and spat out another sixty feet away, on the opposite side of the tree. Another small creature tried to take Qilby by surprise with a jab to his back, only for a portal to block the blow and warp the creature thirty-eight feet from the hill, facing the Last Outpost. Each new portal accompanied a wave or move of the sagely man's single hand. The palm of said hand appeared to be coated with the same teal hue that formed the portals' outer rings.
One bold monster (the larger variant) decided to charge Qilby from the front. The would-be victim sighed, opened a portal in front of himself at the last moment, and shouted to his companion:
"Young man: strike near your left shoulder in three, two, one..."
Qilby flicked his hand in Galen's direction, and a new portal opened to the Force-user's left, less than three feet from his shoulder. From that portal dropped the would-be attacker; how Starkiller chose to deal with the little delivery was up to him.
All in all, the sagely man was holding his own. The monsters could not get the jump on him, and their movements—while frantic and confusing—had only three targets in-mind. Judging by the growing smirk on Qilby's face, playing "keep-away" with portals seemed like child's play to him.
That said, he wasn't contributing much to the kill count. Perhaps he didn't want to steal Starkiller's thunder, or uhhh...lightning, in this case.
Anor Londo, Painted World of Ariamis: Less "Restoration," More "Renovation," But Who's Checking?
Ornifex tilted her head towards Amako. "Is comprehension of thy tongue bizarre, stranger?"
"Ornifex is a Crow Demon, and thus is a servant of Velka." Priscilla explained to the party. "One of the more...controversial members of Lordran's pantheon." She shot a nervous glance towards Gwyndolin, who made no sign of objection. Seems there was some unspoken tension among the gods, though this was not the first time the name "Velka" had been referenced in association with the Painted World. If they agreed on nothing else, Gwyndolin and this seemingly absent deity believed in charity.
Amako's little plot of summertime surprised Priscilla and Ornifex, who weren't expecting the flames. Gwyndolin, however, simply stared at the gesture and clutched their scepter with the same strain they'd used back in Princess Gwynevere's chamber. A frown pressed on their lips, but they said nothing.
Priscilla proceeded to describe the Painted World in its previous glory, with the occasional correction from Ornifex. Even Gwyndolin spoke up to illustrate how this structure connected to this other one, or the intricacies of walkways, grand halls, and even kitchens. Unless the Sun Goddess required anything else, she was free to proceed.
Outset, Debt Collector: Coming Clean
Havoc cursed under her breath. Not only was her silent question unanswered, it was noticed by someone else. Finding herself back on the defensive, the Contractor sighed and pointed her jade eyes sharply at Zedek:
"He don't look right." she told the barkeep flatly, her head tilting towards Braig. "Uniform, but no badge. I was asking the Cap'n if he might've misplaced his badge, like some other Tyrant's Guild folk we met."
The Contractor showed her palms to Zedek and Pi, as if to ask "happy now?" Though she tried to keep Braig in her peripherals, just in case he took the suspicion as an invitation to cause trouble.
Havoc's Persuasion roll result: 10. One of the least interesting results!
Anor Londo, Lautrec's Safehouse: Meeting the Big Cheese
After saying farewell to the Champions of Light (and wishing them "safe travels" in his signature sneering tone), Lautrec turned his full attention to the Huntresses.
"From my experience, there are three things that turn men into fools faster than you can blink. The first is facing the unknown." he replied to Weiss' criticism of the guards at the city's gates. "The second is a mountain of gold. The third is an eager and voluptuous woman."
He let out that slow bass of a chuckle again, and turned his helm to Ruby. "Never underestimate the stupidity of arrogant louts with power, lass." he warned. "If you bring ill-tidings from beyond the city's walls, you will be dismissed before your words can reach anyone of import. Your words may be true, but that truth conflicts with their comforting lies, and they will seize any excuse to silence those words. Your youth, for instance; 'if these Grimm truly did exist, why send children to send word of them?' Sometimes there is no fault in the message, but in the messenger."
The Knight of Carim braced his knees as he stood from his chair. "Worry not; tis a simple matter of finding the right recipient. Someone willing to listen, and who cannot be overruled by those who would preserve the status quo."
Lautrec grabbed his sickles and placed them securely at his sides. "We speak to Lord Gwyn himself. If you can convince him of this dire threat, Princess Gwynevere and the Dark Sun will not question it."
Edited by TheodoreHastings on Jun 27th 2025 at 5:33:23 AM
Death Mountain
Well, that was her cue. And without the Gerudo King here to counter both Brutaka and Pandora, the goddess of calamity was pretty much free to spill out whatever she wanted.
"I'd say if you want a proof, you've got one right in front of you. Aren't I an amazing one?" Pandora chuckled before sighing.
"See, there's that certain someone living in a big castle west from here. Dracula, Draculo, whatever his name is, it's barely important. You just need to know he's a vampire. Old idiots who found nothing better to do than suck people's blood. Your little Ganondorf just happens to be his lackey. Both he and Tity were actually trying to find my realm, right underneath yours. Quite the curious little mortals, aren't they all?" she continued with a smirk.
"Surely you've noticed a tiny little earthquake earlier? It happened when we arrived. That lured them in, with your cozy little cave being near our doors. Tity here just happened to be the luckier one, or the better explorer, depends on how you see things. It's telling he managed to find us without passing by first while Ganondork got stuck here without finding nothing."
AND I'VE STILL BLOCKED OFF MY BALL!! FUCK!!Jupiter X, Southern Hangar - A Door To A New World (Leos, Sthesia, -EX-, Pigna and Adonis, accompanied by Haros)
"How fascinating. To think that there are those outside our respective realms that would do this to seemingly random worlds," -EX- ponders with a hand upon his chin.
"Battleworld? A little on the nose, huh?" Pigna lampshades as the butterfly lands on Leos' shoulder. The latter's eyes grow wide as the encounter leads him to recall something that he only experienced days ago...
GENERAL ANSWER DATABASE
ORIGINAL MARKED DATE OF UNALTERED EVENTS: April 7, AC 195
Historical Combatants Involved: Heero Yuy, Duo Maxwell
Jupiter X Combatants Involved: -EX-, Leos Alloy, Pigna Hershey
It was supposed to be a routine data hunt for Leos Alloy and Pigna Hershey, where they would both fight the legendary Gundam pilots of the famed Operation Meteor, the operation that involved five Gundams being sent to Earth to destabilise the Order of the Zodiac, or OZ's, secret control over Earth's military. The objective, in that light, was supposed to be simple. As part of the rules surrounding G-Diving, no two G-Divers were supposed to meet up in the same simulation, nor were they supposed to use Mobile Suits originating from a different era. But this situation was different: After Pigna was forced to Dive Out after an unlucky encounter with the God of Death, Duo Maxwell, Sthesia had decided to send her to where Leos was, and inform them both that -EX- was running amok in the simulation with his newly-developed Extreme Gundam
◊.
Pretty soon, the two of them would face the rogue administrator himself, with Heero leading the charge. "Target, locked on. I'll destroy him." A blast from his Wing Gundam's
◊ Buster Rifle would normally destroy any unlucky Mobile Suit, but those of the Extreme Gundam's line were far more powerful, the paint barely scratching the prototype's anti-beam shield. "No way! That was a direct shot...!"
"Stop this, -EX-!" Leos had called out from his own temporarily-acquired Gundam Geminass Unit 01
◊. "We're supposed to gather data, not destroy our enemies in a fight!"
"Clearly, you know nothing. This world is already full of despair. There’s no reason for G-Divers to be here," -EX- countered, his smug tone evident through his comm channel.
"You're wrong! Our actions are necessary for mankind's evolution!" Leos shouted back, annoyed at -EX-'s smug indifference.
"That guy’s -EX-...?" Pigna asked herself in a mutter, beside Leos, having been forced to tag along inside his cockpit after she was sent in by Sthesia. This guy was insane…
"Leos Alloy, you should dodge," Heero’s voice came through next, alerting him seconds before another massive golden blast from Heero's Buster Rifle enveloped the Extreme Gundam again, Leos managing to dodge at the last possible second. Despite that, there was still minimal damage on -EX-'s Gundam.
"We were in the middle of a conversation, boy. You clearly have no manners," -EX- simply told the Gundam pilot, somewhat amused by Heero's defiance. “But if you insist, then I will show you extreme marksmanship."
Since General Answer was simply a database that simply recorded historical events in an intimately-detailed simulation, it was all too easy for -EX- to summon some new equipment for his Gundam: namely, the heavily-armed Mobile Armour extension
◊ designed for total obliteration:
"Ranged-Focused Form! Carnage Phase!" -EX- announced with a confident smirk, his Mobile Suit integrating itself into the massive machine that was almost a mech suit for the Gundam itself. The two massive double-barreled cannons on his backpack swung downwards towards the angelic Gundam that Heero piloted, intending to pay him back, with interest. "Burn in the Flames of Hell!"
"I won’t let you hurt Heero!” Leos barely had time to shout as -EX- fired his Carnage Phase's cannons in a bright blast of blue energy, and despite Pigna's protests, Leos only had seconds to take the blast.
He was successful, but the Geminass' flight unit was completely blown apart, crippling the Gundam's ability to fly. "Leos! You okay, man!?" Pigna called out as both of them began freefall, the two of them rattled, but otherwise okay in the flaming hulk of metal that was the Geminass Gundam. "We have to leave the Dive! You could die!"
"N-No! Not yet! Heero!" Leos could only cry out in defiance, still wanting to fight despite the Gundam Geminass' inability to actually fly now. But Pigna wasn't having it, especially when Heero was still engaging the powered-up Extreme Gundam.
"The Gundam won't work anymore! We have to go!" she said while pulling an emergency lever that, for G-Divers, would kick in an emergency shutdown procedure for the links that G-Divers used for engaging in Dives within General Answer. Despite Leos protesting this time around, Pigna only had one thing to say: "Sthesia sent me here to bring you back safely!"
With a blink, the Gundam Geminass Unit 01 disappeared from the data world of After Colony 195, forcing Leos' connection to be safely disconnected and, in the real world of Jupiter X, opening his Diving capsule, the Gundam pilot exhausted from all the stress the simulation put him through, with Sthesia running quickly to his side.
"LEOS!"
"...Leos? Is everything okay?" Sthesia gently waves in front of him, trying to get his attention.
"Huh?" the ash-brunette Gundam pilot blinks back, seemingly breaking out of a trance he seemed to be having the last few minutes. "...Oh. Sorry, Sthesia. I was kinda thinking back on something..."
Jupiter X - Western Hangar - How Do You Solve a Problem with Gun? (Keith, Boyd and Various Members of Jupiter X’s Engineering Corps)
"Yes, sir," Keith says as he stands at parade rest. "As it happens, we currently have a situation growing to the north of our current location. Our station's leadership is looking into securing alliances to combat this potential threat, of which I'm inclined to believe you would want to be part of. That being said, I'm personally curious about what kind of weapons your Warhammer is carrying."
Off to the side, Boyd puts a couple fingers near his ear as he receives a transmission from Team III. "...The hell do you mean it suddenly disappeared?!"
"We all fail. We all make mistakes. That is what makes us human."

Trailblazers, Hill of Origin
The Trailblazers flinched and recoiled at Galen's sudden violent movements, including seemingly ripping a branch off the tree without ever touching it himself, reaching into their pockets and each pulling out a small lighter- with the exceptions of Daisuke, who procured a box of matches, and Hecuba, who barely reacted at all, merely raising an eyebrow.
"Whooaa there, partner." She chuckled. "Be careful! You coulda ripped our heads off or something."
Jun'ichi looked incredulous.
"W-was that his Persona...?" he whispered to the others, trying to keep his voice as quiet as possible, though it was likely Galen would still be able to hear without too much difficulty.
"I don't know, I didn't see anything next to him...but we definitely need to be careful." Daisuke whispered back in response, his tone nervous and his stance now a lot more tense.
"W-well, it's nice to meet you, Marek-san!" Hana managed, still giving her best smile, though it was now significantly more strained, and she stepped backwards a few feet to put some space between her and Galen. "Real cool sword you've got there, heheh..." Her anxiety towards the current situation was clear in her voice. "Do you, uh, know where we are? Or how we got here, by chance?"
Edited by SushiKraken6414 on Jun 17th 2025 at 4:43:28 AM
Something's Fishy Here...