Long ago there was a story about an emperor, a conqueror, a being with great power. His name was Emperor Sonic. In the end the Emperor succeeded at what he desired most: to gain immortality and become a god; an Eternal of Darkness. You could say that "evil" triumphed and the good guys lost. But what if that story was simply a could have been? What if that was not what happened? What if Emperor Sonic had not obtained what he wished the most and instead had lost? What then?
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1000 years have passed since the Last Battle. The Story of the Conqueror and how he was defeated by the Rebel Factions and how his sons managed to banish him are all but forgotten. Boom, Serenity and Turmoil had each become a full essence of the Triad and had restored the world, healing it with the help of Chaos Storme, the last of the Ancient. The Empire had been defeated and it was now a thing of the past. Southern Cross was now a way of life, a religion if you would like to see it this way. But most believe it is a dead religion. For you see after 1000 years of peace and prosperity many have forgotten the horrors of the past, the horrors brought by the Empire and its ruthless Emperor...
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Some say that if you forget the past you are doomed to repeat it. Nonsense I would have said. Or at least I would have said that, say a year ago. Nowadays I am not too sure about it. I was contacted by Knuckles... yes the same Knuckles from the legend. The General who betrayed his Emperor and aided in his banishment. Knuckles was no longer a living being as we know it. Instead he was an Eternal. A type of divine being that apparently are more like watchers then anything else. Or at least it seemed that way. I could have sworn I was going crazy that day. I mean who wouldn't think it if they see a ghostly apparition that claims to be Knuckles, General of an Empire that hasn't been heard for 1000 years?
So he tells me things that seem fit for a child's story. Emperor... yadda yadda evil... blah blah... war... yadda yadda... defeated... yippity yakkity... imprisoned... some more blah blah... I am chosen... a few eyes boggled out later... and some more blah blah that the Emperor claimed he would return in a millennium... some more blah blah blah... In the end it all summed up too: The Conqueror said he would be back in 1000 years time. And that I had been chosen by the Eternals too ensure that the Emperor does not get out of his imprisonment... or something like that. Well I guess I didn't do much of a good job. Or maybe it was my lack of belief...
A year ago there was an accident. A teenage hedgehog found this very old ancient burial thinga majig. I don't know the details but apparently the moron triggered something he shouldn't have. Something forbidden. Whatever the brute did, apparently has made him come in contact with the imprisoned Emperor... way to go genius. Some would say that I am imagining things, but I swear that hedgehog does look like the pictures I found in that old text book about the Empire and his Emperor. Whatever... anyhow the case is now I need to find a way to fix this or else the world as we know it is rather messed up and it will all be on my shoulders. I don't think I want people to remember me as the imbecile who didn't do his part and let an ages old threat out again.
The good news? Well the good news is the hedgehog, who nows claims he is now the Conqueror, is apparently not at full power like the dreaded Emperor of ages past. Nor does he have the amounts of resources the latter had. Southern Cross, which according to the Legend, rallied up all the factions under its banner and are now something of a "church", if you want to call it that, apparently have been waiting for this moment. Once they knew my story I was "allowed" well more like "forced" into their "church". Of course they had a fit when they heard the story. But like I said who would have, in their right mind, thought they had been contacted by a dead guy from 1000 years ago who claims he became an Eternal... yeah I know you wouldn't have either.
The bad news is that a bunch of dumb cult followers where awaiting there so called banished Emperor to bring back the golden glory of the Empire... Riiight. They call themselves the Neo Empire... terribly original if you ask me. Whatever the case is they believe the teenage dolt is there god or messiah or something like that. And will probably walk off a cliff if the so called Conqueror order them too. Yeah they are that loyal and brain dead if you ask me. However most of them are knowledgeable of psionics or apparently of the dead arts of arcanum... or what we would call "magic". A bunch of hulla ballula if you ask me. But after seeing it first hand I kind of changed my stance on it. It doesn't help that the Conqueror seemingly grows in power and unlike most of us is able to use various branches of psionics AND arcanum to boot. Not good I'd say. Currently, due to support from his group and this fact we haven't been able to pin him.
So yeah that's my story. My name? My name is unimportant. I am codename Frost. I am your average snow white tiger and a forced member of Southern Cross. I have been "awakened" into the psionic branch of cryokinesis, or cold control and I am the case agent, if you want to view it that way, in charge of stopping the target codenamed Sonic. And you have been chosen to aid your country, nay, your world and do your part to stop this threat. No, you don't have a choice. But hey neither did I.
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How long has it been? 1000 years? My, my how time flies by quickly. I promised I would return and so I have. I smile to think of how I will enjoy conquering the world anew. Just like old times, just like good old times. I was not stopped then, I will not be stopped now. Its good to see that there are those who know the value of being on MY side. You already know who I am. You have done well to come to me. You are curious to know the truth, no? After all I am fully aware of the propaganda the "church" has thrown out at you. The whole my Empire was a thing of evil. Rubbish! Lying words coming out of the mouth of the ignorant. My Empire was known for being a fair place. For being a place where great achievements where made. Great advancements in technology where done during my reign. Can you see this now? Of course not. This world has slowly devolved. Deprived of the technology it once had, of the great knowledge in science the Empire had brought. And why? Because the "church" terms it evil. After all Empire technology is a thing of pure darkness or whatever it is they wish to fill your mind with.
But you desire for a better world. That is why you are here today. You wish to see the glory of my Empire being reborn. As it will be. And when that time comes you will not be forgotten. You who have stood by my side will have a position in the new Empire, a position that will be cherished by many and only a few loyal ones will have. You will see the miracles my Empire was capable off: youth to the old, fatal wounds and sickness that where eradicated. And you will be able to unlock your mind and spirit to the powers that this world have apparently forbidden: psionics and arcanum. In your possession you will have what others covet. You will be different from the masses of mindless mobs who follow the "church" and its propaganda. You will be a special person and not just a normal person with a dreadfully boring existence. That is why you have come to me, because you yearn more to your life.
I am Sonic. The Conqueror. The Emperor. My power is absolute and my Empire forever lasting. You have joined the winning side. Because as history can prove I succeeded once and I will succeeded again. And when that time comes you will be greatly rewarded for your loyalty.
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OOC: Welcome to the story that never was. Many here won't remember Twisted World. It was an old rp that span a great epic story and was played for about two years. In the end Sonic got what he wanted, the bad guys won, end of the story. However this is story of how things would have been had Sonic lost.
As you can see there are two versions of the story. One presented by Frost, the case agent and "forced" leader of Southern Cross operation to take down the target codenamed Sonic before he grows in power. The other presented by Sonic's new "avatar" for want of a better term. Or host. He paints things very nicely and promises great rewards.
This means there are a few factions a player can join. Or they can simply be the normal people who have no idea of what is going on.
Race Options: Furries, Humans
Southern Cross, which is basically a church like organization. Their driving is the Eternals and the Ancients. They know a great deal but rarely do the people around know anything that is going on. Secluded in mystery all of their operatives are "awakened". Meaning they all have one branch of psionics or arcanum. But only one branch. Be it pyrokinesis, cryokinesis, telekinsis, fire magic, water magic, air magic, etc. The advantage to this is that operatives usually excel in their branch and have incredible power within it. Southern Cross has access to technology far beyond the conventional one found in this age. If a person wishes to defect from Southern Cross they will be mind wiped of all and any previous memory concerning Southern Cross itself. Southern Cross has various splinter groups within it: Red Tomb, Maud'Gib, Shadow Stalkers, etc. They all form part of Southern Cross but each has technological advancements or abilities that make them unique. For example Shadow Stalkers are seen as the information gathering and elite dispatchers capable of using cloak technology. Whilst the Red Tomb have access to high level technology and weapon.
Southern Cross Options
Character Specific: Psionics, Arcanum
Faction: Outlaw Galaxy, Red Tomb, Night Shadows, Maud'Gib, Southern Cross
Faction Specialties:
Southern Cross: The dominant faction. Southern Cross is the only faction that makes use of Ancient technology. Southern Cross characters always comes with one weapon of Ancient design. The weapon counts as a special case weapon which allows characters to "draw" on one additional branch. So for example if the weapon is designed for water magic it allows characters to draw on its powers to use water magic.
Red Tomb: The Red Tomb faction members usually have a do or die mentality and are usually seen as terrorists. They have access to powerful anti-matter technology and most of the mechs are of their design. Red Tomb characters make use of bio booster suits that enhance their speed and strength and has a special energy field for armoring.
Night Shadows: Covert specialists, assasins, information gathering, special ops, subterfuge... these are the realms of Night Shadows. Their technology uses a lot of cloaking and distortion. Any character of Night Shadows always has access to a personal cloaking field and psionic implants that allow them to use illusions, distort reality, make shadow clones and most of the fancy ninja illusion "magic".
Maud'Gib: The Maud'Gib are a special faction within Southern Cross and was created by Dr. Eggman. They specialize in Psionic based technology utilizing psy crystals. Maud'Gib have some of the more powerful psychics. Maud'Gibs can take two branches in Psionics and cannot use Arcanum.
Outlaw Galaxy: Outlaw Galaxy used to be Tails very own "Rebel faction". As such they posses extremely advanced technology of Tails design. They are the masters of trans-planar and phasing technology. Members of Outlaw Galaxy are androids and they cannot use arcanum or psionics relying instead on energy based powers for defense and offense. They can utilize personal phasing technology as well as trans-planar technology to "warp" in weaponry. Both have restrictions.
Upon choosing your faction PM me if you need help with the character options.
Neo Empire, the "dolts" who blindly follow the new host for the Conqueror. To them Sonic is almost deified. You could say they are the opposite of the Southern Cross and a religion as well, except they are based on Sonic. Neo Empire operates covertly as the Emperor got where he was based on smarts not on brawn. But that does not mean they don't have brawn. Their technology is quite powerful and all of their operatives are also awakened. However unlike Southern Cross, Neo Empire operatives can have up to three branches. The drawback? Due to having up to three branches in psionics and/or arcanum they take much longer to have mastery of any one branch. Usually operatives have a high level control of one branch and use the others for support. Once a person forms part of the Neo Empire only in death can they leave. Similar to Southern Cross, Neo Empire has within it Elite groups such as the Soul Hunters or the reborn Bloody Fist.
Neo Empire Options
Three branches in Arcanum and/or Psionics. The more branches the weaker the skills overall.
Unawakened/Thralls are the normal people and are termed this way by Southern Cross. Neo Empire simply calls them Thralls. No they are not aware of anything going on. The media terms any and all attacks from Neo Empire as terrorists actions and most of the populace is unaware that a very big threat is right under their noses. The unawakened/thralls have no powers but that doesn't mean they're useless. A law enforcer would still have his training. Technology access for the unawakened is similar to ours albeit a bit more technological. Unawakened/Thralls can be of any furry race as well as human.
Unawakened/Thralls Options
Can start in any real life job of choice be it lawyer, psychologist, law enforcer, etc.
Do not have Psionics or Arcanum.
Technology limited to modern technology high end. Options further limited by character profession.
Player Content: To me this is very important. I love player content. It makes for very complicated story lines. Player content however has to get the green light from me. If I don't know what you are planning how can I make it part of the story line?
Player Control: To help speed up with posting a forumer may take control of NPCs and PCs however they cannot use the PCs in any way or form that the original controller deems or sees as not fitting to the character nor put said character into harms way unless the original controller allows it. So for example if John and Mark are posting with their characters and to avoid one liner posts such as:
John posts Hey with his character
Mark posts How are you with his character
John may post instead
Hey with his character
How are you with Mark's character
To which Mark may interact with
All well. How about you? with John's character
Ok good. with his character
This is a simple example. By reading the posts you will find a feel of how to do this. Only I as the Game Master am allowed to actually take full control of characters at times to "lead" them in a similar fashion as a cut scene would in a game. However I would not do this for combat sections unless the forumer gives me previous concent as I do not like to use other people's characters unless necessary for story progression.
Character Elimination: If people stop posting and after I try to contact them a reasonable time passes by without any input I might just simply mind wipe their characters, if they form part of Southern Cross, or sadly kill them if they where Neo Empire. This is to avoid cluttering the rp with non played characters left by forumers who loose interest in the RP. I usually Player Control left behind characters to keep them in the story if they are of interest to me and the story, otherwise they might just get eliminated from the story so don't come back after three weeks and expect the character to be there if you haven't said anything!
More then one character: Make sure you know what you are doing before you intend to use more then one character. I usually prefer people to restrict themselves to at most two characters. Having too many characters can be detrimental.
Intro Post: Please use the thread where forumers post their characters. If you really must post the character here because his new then do so but do have an intro post as well. I seriously wish to have as very little ooc as possible.
OOC: In keeping with the above for every ooc post do try to have a relevant ic post as well. Please do not clutter the rp with ooc.
Other Rules and Regulations: I expect all forumers to follow the same rules and regulations for any rp found here. However I am a bit lenient when it comes to violence, bad words and sex just don't make it a scene please. Keep it pg 13 at all times if possible.
Combat: Combat will be handled in the same way Gaia Online combat is. Because combat in that manner is rather complicated I will summarize it here.
a) I will usually be "referee" for such fights.
b) Players fighting Non Player characters of the "grunt type" can get away with writing what happened. These are termed low ranking fights. Fighting grunts or foot soldiers for example or low level demons.
c) Players fighting each other or Story Characters such as for example Psicosis must do so in a post by post taking "turns". Fighters will attack in succession, being the goal to inflict as much damage unto your opponent while managing to survive yourself. However it is a rather bit more complex then that. One thing however that is not allowed are auto hits. Auto hits means posting an attack as successful. All attacks are attempts. However there are cases when the attack is sure to hit. For example in the previous post you perform an attack and on the second post your opponent "ignores it" then that attack hits. Or in the previous post a person uses a stun ability which hits he can follow up with an attack that will hit. Because fights are complex in this form I will be judging them constantly as to what is legal or not. Usually via pms. If two players intend to fight they need to have a story reason for it and they should try to finish the fight on that same day.
d) Death is rather permanent unless the person can be brought back through several of the resurrection like abilities/technology found. This won't be as easy as it sounds. So if the fight isn't going your way don't be macho about it and surrender or run.
e) Any other thing not covered here I will deal with it myself.
On Ancients: Characters may be of Ancient lineage. Characters who are of Ancient lineage have complicated and convoluted story lines. They do not gain any extra options except for the ability to advance in experience faster then usual and drawbacks that are unique to the character which will be revealed story wise by yours truly and I do have a Twisted mind so be careful if you choose to have an Ancient lineage character.
On Eternal Avatars: If you want to gamble with your life you may choose to play an Eternal Avatar. Eternals access the mortal plane through their Avatars. Keep in mind again that you are also now under my Twisted jurisdiction and plot twists will plague you. Most Eternal add the Inspiration, Guidance and other special Eternal relevant options to a character. Such actions are directly controlled by the player most of the time. Inspiration and Guidance can be used for story purposes, Inspiration acts just as its name implies. Guidance is calling upon the Eternal to help out. Keep in mind that Eternals usually never offer straight answers. Sudden Empowerment is a special option that the character may call upon once a day. It grants them a boost by their Eternal patron. Transcendence is a special option where the Eternal grants full power to his Avatar by possessing him/her. Use this at your own risk. Your Eternal may be male or female and it matters not when you activate Transcendence. Eternals are a complex sort so do contact me if you plan on using an Eternal Avatar for guide lines.
It is over the hill... just over the hill... Seath reached the top of the hill. The intelligence reports that had come from Southern Cross had stated that the enemy had established an outpost in the valley, called Valley of Tears. I have always wondered why my grandfather called this place the Valley of Tears..."Alright men... I need you to relay that you have reached your positions and are holding." One by one the group of warriors that Seath commanded began to affirm they were holding their positions.
How long has it been since I was contacted by Southern Cross? Ah Yes... 3 months... I thought that the legends my father and my grandfather had made me memorize were just fairy tales, until I saw him..
"We shall wait for night to begin our attack..."- Seath cried over the headset. Before anyone could confirm his order a loud scream was heard over the headset. "Crap... whats going on?" The voice of one of his men screamed over the radio..."Ghosts...weird dark ghosts!" screamed a voice over the radio... suddenly the radio was dead.
What in the world? Ghosts? I better jump in and find out what is going on! Seath left his hiding place over the hill and rushed into the Valley of Tears. The place was eerily silent. The Neo Empire agents had vanished, or had they? Nothing... there was nothing left... only ashes.
Never ceases to amaze me how stupid the enemy can be. How easily people can be tricked with nary a few smoke and illusions. Well that's what I'm good at. Illusions is my specialty. The Neo Empire knew the Southern Cross would be here. And we awaited laying a very well crafted trap. Kind of like making a hole in the floor, covering it up and tricking your foe to walk right into it. Well that is exactly what we did.
"Well guess the fish took the bait. All units get ready. On my command we fire upon them with Shrapnel Despair, make sure no one makes it out alive. Unit 3 once the cover fire has started wade in and cut down any one." I barked into my comm link.
A bit of static and the reply came over. "Yes sir."
"I will employ yet another trick to keep the enemy occupied. Once I give the command open fire."
With that my eyes shone again. Not that I can tell but people around me can. They say that whenever I use my power my eyes shift to a whitish glow. I can craft illusions that are so real they are practically tangible. My favorite creations are usually nightmarish things like demons and ghosts from the Realm of Voracio. Not that I'm crazy enough to summon something from there, I leave that to those who have that talent. I just simply play with my opponent's minds.
My codename is Psicosis, I am one of the commanders in Legion of Despair, and I am damn good at what I do. With my power activated everyone in the vicinity, friend or foe would see nightmarish demons and wraiths. Difference being my allies know they aren't real. The enemy might not be so lucky. While they deal with the "monsters" we just repeat what we did to the first targets that cross the borderline. We exterminate them like rats.
Be tranquil Seath...There... Seath knelt... and took out Destiny.
Seath wasn't sure whether these things were real or not... he decided to call a bluff. Seath suddenly stood, threw his cape to the ground near him and light suddenly sparked out of his necklace. Fire... fire began to consume him! Even Destiny, his sword, was engulfed in flames. Suddenly... the flames stopped... Twilight had begun... Sheath was powerless...
Damn... I lost way too much time... I acted upon impulses when I knew I should have waited. Sheath felt an entity running towards him, and still with his eyes closed he managed to jump to avoid it. Still the entity came upon him. Sheath had to figure out a way to escape... if he could hold on for a couple of minutes, darkness would overcome and then he would be at full strength.
OOC: I'm currently waiting on a pm, but I have full intentions on joining this rp. So this is just a placeholder for the moment.
ooc: Seath I hope you have reinforcements. But I'll lend a hand either way. Because you just got yourself into nice little hot skirmish war. And everyone knows these things require numbers 
"Sir! We have a distress signal! One of our investigation units, led by Seath, seems to have encountered demons! We received this distress signal just a few minutes ago!" The officer exclaimed as he played the signal back. The setting was a room. It was one of those high tech gizmo NASA look alike rooms. The kind that has a lot of monitors, computers and people working on it. Except it seemed like taken out from some sci fi movie. The monitors seemed to be translucent and suspended in the nothing. The same could be said of the keyboards, that is if they called be called that.
The man who was in charge raised one eyebrow. Perhaps in complete and utter disbelief. Beings from the Realm of Voracio where unheard off. Ever since the Triad severed Twisted, now renamed Etheral, from Voracio only high class summoners could open a rift and bring out the unspeakable horros from that realm. And definitely not in such high numbers. At most one or two. Not to mention controlling or subduing said horrors to do ones work was not something that was lightly done. In other words the chances of a rift being opened and wraith, demons, undead and what not pouring forth was zero to none.
"Hmm... doesn't seem right. No one I know can call forth beings from Voracio in high quantities and I highly doubt a rift has been reopened. Not even the Conqueror had that kind of power. Only the Techno Magus achieved that."
"But sir perhaps the records..."
The man lifted his hand. A signal as if to silence the man. "The records are not mistaken. But just to be on the safe side send reinforcements."
The man nodded. Now basically if someone was to send reinforcements from where this setting was taking place to where Seath and his enemy Psicosis where engaged, it would probably take 5 hours or more. By that time the battle would be over. But you see Southern Cross special team Outlaw Galaxy where experts in trans-planar technology. After the disappearance of Techno Magus Tails, Outlaw Galaxy along with its mainframe Spirit God Destiny where unified under Southern Cross. Good thing too. Their technology was a blessing. It allowed to mobilize weaponry, support and reinforcements in the blink of an eye.
"Dispatch 30 men, one Devastator Walker, a Transport Skimmer with 20 additional men and one Galaxy Light Falcon for aerial support."
"Yes sir!"
The man crossed his hands behind him. Let us hope Sir Seath can make through.He had that gut feeling that these where quite probably not demons at all. It could in all probability be a trap laid out by one of Neo Empire's best agents in the matter. Someone who had been a constant spine int the side as they say: target codenamed Psicosis. And if that was true Sir Seath was in for one hell of a scuffle...
Seath continued to dodge the multiple attack coming from every direction. He was beginning to falter. Twilight seemed to be endless... he couldn't keep on using pirouettes, and martial art type dodging. This had gone far longer than Seath had expected.
Come on sun... go to sleep already! I need the power the moon grants me!
Suddenly, to Seath's surprise, the shadows began to disappear, twilight was ending; his natural wolven powers began to fluctuate as the moon began to rise. Fire again began to engulf him, Destiny too was engulfed in flames. He stopped and threw flames in every direction. The ghosts began to disappear... the agents were now visible.
Seath took a new stance. He began to slice enemy agents here and there... there were just way too many. It seemed intelligence reports had been wrong, this wasn't an outpost, this was a trap! Seath summoned up his wolven strength. He began to move faster, and almost seemed to be unseen. Thanks in part to his natural ability to see clearly at night he was able to move faster and more agile cutting down 3 to 4 agents at a time. There were just way too many of them...
Retreat is sounding like a very good idea right about now! Damn those people in charge of intelligence! They want to fight a war but expect us to do everything...! Seath was beginning to lose all hope of ever seeing the sun rise again...
Bzzzzzchhhhtttttt! It was the sound of an incoming transmission over static. It was being sent to Seath. "This is Commander Sparks. Retreat immediatly from that position. We have reason to believe you are confronting a high class Elite Neo Empire target. Codenamed Psicosis. Head 100 meters towards your south. You will get reinforcements there. Over and out."
Sparks hoped the transmission was successful. Sparks was an eagle or at least that was the general consent. However the fact he had four limbs IN addition to his wings would make him seem more like a griffin. "Get ready man. I expect heat to follow Sir Seath, lots of heat."
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His opponent must be a greater fool then he expected. The skunk smiled with his eyes still shining. He was easily distracting the target with his illusions. Up to this time Seath was seemingly attacking the agents, but this was further from the truth. There where no agents. At least none in the open. They'd have to be pretty stupid for that. Psicosis and his unit where safely hidden behind the hills and his men where aiming towards Seath. "Well this has gone long enough. Open fire men!" With that the men with fire arms, no less then 35, began to shoot. Shrapnel Despair was a weapon that shot hails of razor sharp shards in a propulsion of 150 me/s. Not a very nice sight when someone got hit by something flying at that speed. To make matters worse the ammunition used fragments of diamond and carbon broken up by a technology that was unknown to many and shot at that speed. The target had been lucky not to get within killing distance. But even at this range a few shrapnel might wound him. And if that happened he was in for a world of pain. Specially when the shards where imbued with a special venom of his making...
Seath was beginning to falter. It was easier said than done to order him to retreat amidst a torrent of enemy agents that for some reason seemed to be endless. They seemed way too many...
Can these agents also be part of the same visions... just like the ghosts...?
Seath had no time to figure this out. He fired up again and flames began to fill the area... then the shrapnel fell. It felt to Seath as if a thousand knives had just pierced his entire body. His body fell to the ground with a thump.
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Seath awoke with pain. A shinning light shone brightly and his eyes hurt. He tried to move but his arms would not cooperate. It felt as if something metallic was wrapped around his wrists.
What... were am I?
Seath suddenly came to the realization: We lost... I was captured...
The sound of a metallic door could be heard... steps approaching... the sound of an grumbling... and then pain. Such an excruciating pain that it made Seath pass out.
Seath laid on the ground. He was lucky on his delirium he had tripped and fallen over a ditch. Which meant he was sort of safe. The wolven had managed to get pretty far in his desperation, adrenaline and the desire to escape made it possible for him to had gone at least 40 meters south. The radio kept crackling but there was no response. You see Seath eyes where blank and crystalline in appearance. The effects of the Shrapnel poison: Keraisine, a potent hallucinogenic drug-like venom. Right now he was in a fairy land world of his own design. The "capture" being all in his mind.
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"No answer. Dammit! Men move in!." Sparks ordered. The platoon moved onwards due north with haste. The transport, a Stalker, being the fastest vehicle, moved onwards first. Although lightly armored and not heavily armed being a skimmer allowed it to move with incredible speed and grace. Plus it was outfitted with a few tricks. It had a special Amp Shock system to send piercing flash bang-like sound waves that could stun even the hardiest of foes. It was not easy to see the skimmer. It was also packing Night Shadows specially made Night Field. A cloaking device allowing it to go deep in enemy territory without being seen or detected with ease.
Behind the Devastator walker chugged heavily. Unlike the Stalker, Devastators where heavily armored and had loads of weaponry. They where not extremely fast but they could move at a sizable pace. Accompanying it up front where the 30 men all armed with Flayer Pulse Rifles a weapon that was from Red Tomb. And most of Red Tombs technology was based off anti-matter energy. Except these rifles where a special case. Instead it would strip the flesh of the target that was blasted. Hence the name.
In the air right behind the Stalker the Galaxy Light Falcon also with a cloak was going in. A light flying ship it was better suited for hit and run attacks. Which is why the cloak came in handy. Its machine guns where no joke though specially against light infantry.
"Men get ready. We might be dealing with illusions. Loads of them. Those who have Thermal Optics, Magnetic Resonance or Radar Sensors use them."
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"Incoming."
Psicosis grimaced. Not only had one of the targets escaped but now their position was being assaulted by a full unit. They might not get away with just sniping them off.
"Ready the Gargoyles and the Tarantula."
The Gargoyles where bio-like armoring that was half way between a mecha and a suit. It was piloted by one man and was designed for deep strikes. Its jump packs, designed like gargoyle wings, allowed it to do quick "jumps" in and out of enemy attacks. Usually equipped with Dark Matter Cannons or Heavy Shrapnel Despair weaponry. because of their mech-like design they could carry these weapons with ease without losing their speed.
The Tarantula was a walker. Designed to look like a Tarantula just like its name. It was equipped with dangerous bio-organic weaponry such as the Spider Fangs which shot out virulent acid that could eat through armor and flesh and induce into a horrible slew of afflictions.
The stage was set...
The two forces clashed with a roar. Casualties began mounting on each side.
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Seath awoke again. This time the pain was gone and he appeared to be in a white room.
"Hello there, Seath, I have been expecting you." Said a voice coming from behind him. Seath immediately turned around. There in front of him stood a female wolven. she was similar to him; her fur was white, yet she wore a complete white cape, with nothing else but a solid white staff of light that she held. "My name is Sahaer, I' am the guardian assigned by the ancient sages of long ago to watch over the Keeper and his descendants. You are the current Keeper..."
"The Keeper? What are you talking about... first I'm in a cell and then suddenly I'm in this place between places? My head hurts!" said Seath with a slight groan and while he shook his head, after removing his cloak and chain mail.
"Yes Seath. Your father, your grandfather, and your great-grandfather have all been the Keepers of the Legacy. That chain you were is key to protecting and remembering the Legacy. The spirit of the dark emperor seeks this legacy even as we speak... if he gains the Legacy he will have the power to restore Twisted, ad his empire. Seath... you must return to your home... your home island, the island once known as Angel, is where the Legacy resides. Return there and fulfill your task as the Keeper of the Legacy." The guardian, after saying this, disappeared.
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"Sir Seath! Sir Seath! Control we found our missing commander!"- cried the voice of a soldier, who slightly slapped his face trying to wake him up. The battle continued to rage.
A hissing sound. A door opens in a sliding fashion. A room, a very dark room with panel lights deep within. In the middle of the room a large container can be seen. Even in the darkness off the room it is very hard to miss. Someone entered the room. In the shadow it was hard to tell who it was, but then his eyes opened and his emerald green eyes shone with an inner light. A tinkling sound could be heard slightly. It was from the beings ears. Two earrings to be exact made out of a green smooth crystal. When the light shone the right way skulls could be seen instead.
The being walked up to the container and smirked in the darkness. "1000 years, how time flies by. Does it not? Brother?" Inside the container was another being. But it did not responded. It was hovering in a viscous liquid of some sort with an unnatural glow. "Ah yes how time has passed. And you who once was so great now reduced to this." The being looked around for a moment, then smirked again. He walked towards his left with a decisive stride. "No matter brother I will save you. I will bring you back. And together we can return in kindness what the Ancients and those pathetic rebels did to us."
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"Sir we have located Sir Seath!"
"Thanks the Triad. Get him out of there and sent him back to Outlaw Galaxy main frame HQ." Sparks press his headset once more. "Frost we've recovered Seath."
"What was the numbskull doing there anyway?"
"He was investigating the reports sir!" Sparks answered back.
"Well then get him back and return with your men ASAP."
"But sir I believe Psicosis is in this sector, we can take one of the Neo Empire's Generals right here and now."
"No can do. Knowing the Neo Empire they probably have more reinforcements on the way. Retreat for the moment. We will get Psicosis but today is not that day."
"Understood." As soon as he finished Sparks barked some new orders. "Men retreat. We are heading back to HQ."
The skirmish was in full force but then suddenly the Southern Cross agents vanished like a blink of an eye and the familiar zooming and crackling sound of the trans-planar technology was heard.
Seath opened his eyes. To his surprise he was floating, naked, inside a medical ward tube. The liquid was not water, it felt more like a jelly mixed with gooey substance that even he dind't know what it was made off. The breathing mask that had been placed over his face kept pumping oxygen through the tube that had been inserted through his mouth. The sliding door of the medical ward opened and a panther-like being with a white coat entered the room. He had a sphere board, sort of like an energy made clip board, in which he was reading something. He got to the panel in front of the tube and turned the sphere into the panel's main computer.
"Don't worry Sir. Seath... We will have you out of there ASAP... High Command wishes to debrief you, so they ordered me to unplug you from the rehabilitation tube."The doctor continued to work in the panel. "It appears that you are almost at full health. I'm sorry to say that due to the gravity of your injuries we had to replace you left eye with a cybernetic one, and your heart had to be replaced also to be able to clean the body from the toxins. Anyways we found you a donor, and now you have a new heart."The doctor finalized the procedure. The tube began to drain the liquid and the goo out, the machine began to remove the tube from inside Seath's throat. It was, uncomfortable so to say. With the mask off, Seath took his first breath of fresh air since the battle of the Valley of Tears. The doctor then helped Seath put on his Southern Cross uniform.
"Come Sir Seath..." the doctor helped his patient unto a wheel chair-like contraption that came out from behind the tube once it had been opened, "the council awaits..."
Ivie. did you see what the news were saying? There has been another terrorist atack.... Ivie? IVIE?
By this time Nixie had already reached her twin sister's room and to her surprise it was empty.
IVIE?!!!!!! IVIEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!! WHERE ARE YOU?!
Nixie continued looking and screaming all around the house, desperate, her sister never went anywhere without first telling her about it. She tried calling her mobile videophone, but didnt get an answer either. She then decided to go out looking for her. The young koala walked around not really knowing where she was going. She knew something had happened, for some reason her and Ivie had always been connected and they knew when the other one was in trouble. What she didnt understand this time was why this time the feeling had come so late. She kept walking and walking and walking, she must have walked all night when the young koala realized she didnt have a clue of where she was. Nixie decided to check the GPS in her mobile video phone but then discovered it was out of battery.
Great.... Why do I always forget to charge this stupid thing? Well.... Lets see... I'll just walk into that store and ask for help.
Nixie headed towards the store, it was kind of creepy looking and she could see that the place hadnt been cleaned for a long time. She didnt care she was desperate.....
ooc: Creeepy how you knew SC has a council...
"Elders, Justicator, Sir Seath has arrived." exclaimed a female fox with a flourishing bow.
"Thank you Kamila. Let him in." A familiar voice said. Once Seath passed the double doors he found himself in a large circle room. On the top of it what seemed to be a dome with beautiful crafted painted glass. It seemingly depicted the constant struggle against the Conqueror. On the ground below there where three high chairs with their respective tables, like the ones you see in a court. There was a female human, a male rabbit and a female possum sitting there. They seemed to be in their 30's. In front of them was a smaller chair with a table and sitting on that one was a snow white tiger. He seemed to be in his high 20's.
"Well the numbskull returns safe and sound!" exclaimed the tiger.
"Justicator Brahms, please." the rabbit said.
"Please my ass Allen, you know full well what he did was idiocy. Pure and simple. Did you forget what the records state? Don't tell me you went and got amnesia all of a sudden." Brahms countered with sarcasm.
"Brahms. More respect to Elder Allen." the female possum cut in. Visibly annoyed at Brahms.
"This isn't about whether I respect him or not Naminia, you should know that by now. After all it where you people who got me into this. So I am playing my part. What Sir Seath did was moronic and all of you know it." Brahms directed his attention to Seath.
"Night Shadows exist for a reason. Their ability makes it easier for us to CONFIRM any report. Neo Empire have a penchant for spreading false information and setting up traps like the one you just walk in and lost more then 50 good men. You are from now stripped of your Sir title. And will no longer have command of any unit at your disposition."
"Brahms isn't that a bit extreme?" The female human now spoke. Her voice was soft and calm.
"No Lynia, it isn't extreme. His blunder cost us 50 men. If he can't be responsible about what he does or doesn't do he is better off starting as a "low grunt" and re learning responsibility. I am transferring him also, you will be assigned..."
"Brahms, although the Council admits what he did was wrong I believe we should give him the opportunity to explain before we judge him, don't you think?" It was Lynia again.
"Fine! Go ahead. Tell us why you did such a moronic act. What where you trying to prove? Why didn't you go to Night Shadows and followed a confirmation procedure? Well don't just stand there! Talk!"
Seath maintained himself calm. He had once before been almost stripped of his Sir status. Though in that particular incident it had been his superior officer whom had err... the same officer who he had replace. Seath closed his eyes... the vision of Sahaer was still livid and vivid in his memory.
"If the Council does allow me to explain I will. I received an encoded message, early the day in question, in my unit's communication center. We were, as you know stationed in the plateau ridge that overlooks the forest next to the Valley of Tears. We had been stationed in the outpost awaiting orders from High Command. The transmission seemed legit, it even had your encoded signature Justicator Brahms." Seath paused looked at the councilors faces, and then looked at Brahms. He took a deep breath and since no one interjected he continued addressing the Council.
"The communication stated and I quote 'confirmed enemy presence in Valley of Tears. Night Shadows operative has concluded the information to be reliable and has given the go ahead for a scouting surveillance. If enemy numbers are low proceed to attack if confirmed in high numbers commando unit will be stationed nearby to give support.' The sign off was the exact same sign off Justicator Brahms has used in previous communiques. I radioed back to HQ to confirm, and the radio operator confirmed that he had been ordered to send the communication. I found his voice odd, and that it sounded out of place but since I had read the memo that was circulated by HQ I didn't give it much thought. I asked the radio operator his codename and he replied: 'Phinenoes'. I asked codenamed Phinenoes to verify the code and a couple of minutes later the confirmation arrived with the signature of the Night Shadow operative who had given the go ahead."
"My unit then proceeded to follow as ordered. We awaited the fall of night, since the majority of my unit used to be of my same species, we are more powerful at night. Just moments before twilight my unit began to report it was being attacked by ghost like beings. We had no information that could specify that codename Psicosis was the leader of the outpost. What happened after I rushed to help my fellow comrades I cannot remember... What I do remember is being in a white room like place between places. It was a white wolven female named Sahaer... she claimed to be a guardian assigned to Keepers who guard the Legacy. She said my great-grandfather, my grandfather, and my father had all been former Keepers and that I was the incumbent Keeper. She said that the dark emperor was searching for the Legacy." Seath finished, took a deep breath and waited for their verdict.
The blue eyed koala walked towards what looked like an abandoned building. Every part of her body trembled, she knew that she shouldn't be out at night at times like this. She had been well taught by her mentors. Two tigers who had raised her sister and her after their parent's mysterious disappearance's. The female koala took a deep breath and opened the creaking old door. She looked inside and saw a bunch of what apparently looked like soldiers, all stared in amazement at her.
Uhhhhh.... Where am I? Was the only thing that Nixie could say at the moment. She got no answer, instead what looked like the bartender, since he was behind the counter and there where some drinks behind him, started walking towards her.
Young girl, this is no place for someone of your age. He said to her.
Sir, I totally understand the dangers, but I got lost looking for my sister and have no idea of where I am.
Well, nothing we can really help you with. He said and turned around.
WAIT! YOU HAVE TO HELP ME!!!! PLEASE!!!! There's terrorists out there, and who knows what they will do next, it's the middle of the night and you said it yourself, this is no place for someone of your age. She said while stopping him with her hand. The old bartender then proceeded to take her hand away from his shoulder. This while he turned around. NO ONE TOUCHES SGT BOOMER. I SAID NO ONE! All of a sudden he was facing her with a gun in his hand, Nixie was terrified. Luckily for her one of the other soldiers ran towards the two and grabbed the gun. Boomer, she's just a young koala, she wasn't trying to hurt you. Some others then proceeded to take him away.
Hi, Im Lt Light, pardon my old friend here, but he had to retire because of Post-traumatic stress, he has been through a lot. The young white tiger told her,
Hi, thanks, but that was WAY too much for me, I think i'll just find my way home alone. Nexie started walking away still terrified when she saw two men standing at the door. She then turned around, Or maybe not, please dont hurt me.
We won't do anything to you, we are an anti-terrorist group and we are going to help you don't worry. That is, if you still want it. Lt Light said.
Yeah, I want help. The young koala replied. Good, said the Lieutenant and asked her she was from. Nixie started telling him everything that had happened that day and how she had gotten to the bar. But the lieutenant noticed there was something weird about this koala and her sister so he decided to report back to HQ.
ooc: Good lord what is it with tigers!
A few minutes passed by as Lt. Light reported. But he wasn't reporting to the local militia. Lt. Light was in fact an agent of Red Tomb. He had been given a particular mission: to secure two young koalas, identical twins. Being a member of the actual militia made some missions easier. Specially since he had access to the militia resources. However at times it also complicated matters. How would he secure the girl without raising suspicion.
"Well its settled. Guys I'm taking her home. Its not safe to walk back at this hour."
"I'll go with you Light."
"Nah, no need. It shouldn't take too long." He put on his winning smile. "Here boys get a round on me. I'll be back in a few. Boomer can you give the boys a round of drinks? Put it on my tab."
Boomer scowled then huffed. The rest of the men jeered and went to get their beers. Light looked towards the koala girl. "Well should we get going?"
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Brahms rubbed his chin thoughtfully. Seath didn't seem like he was lying. Thing was he was sure he didn't sign anything. "Elder Allen, Elder Naminia and Elder Lynia permission to bring Athena Furia, Head of Night Shadows in."
"You're thinking the same thing I am Brahms?" Elder Naminia said in a tone of voice that meant she was deep in thought.
"Depends."
"You think there might be a mole?" Allen questioned what everyone in the room was probably thinking but dared not ask.
Brahms Frost shrugged. "Probably. Won't be the first time. We better flush it out and quick if its true."
After a few minutes Athena came inside. She was a sultry bat. Dressed in a deep dark red suit. Her fur color was gray and her dark hair felled loosely covering her right eye. Her eyes where the color of blood. From Brahms and Athena sudden expressions anyone with a shred of intelligence could tell they where more then just comrades in arms.
"Frostyyy how nice of you to call me up."
"Cut it Athena we're here on business. Now tell me is it true there was a confirmation for Valley of Tears? Why was I not informed?"
Athena raised an eyebrow quizzically. "Confirmation? Valley of Tears? I'm sorry Frosty I have no idea what you are talking about. I should know I verify confirmations before I pass them on to you."
Brahms nodded. "And I received none either." Brahms returned his attention to Seath. "Care to explain again what you just stated to the council to Athena?"
Seath began to recount to Athena his testimony word for word. For some reason every time he was in Athena's presence he felt powerless, and unable to breath.
"I thought the speed with which it was confirmed was strange, but it s not my job to question an order, especially one that come certified with the Justicator's sign off." Seath finished... He began to feel heat beginning to emerge from within him... Could he be losing control of his own powers? No... this heat was not coming from within him, just nearby him. His necklace had begin to glow. Those present were all in awe and puzzled. Seath did not remember putting the necklace on at the medical ward; it was not with the belongings the good doctor had given him.
Sahaer's image began to be seen in front of all to see. Seath's eyes were glowing white...
"It's been a while since I have been in front of this noble Council... I usually don't come into this world unless its of the utmost urgency. My name is Sahaer, I' am an angelic guardian spirit who serves the Eternals. My task is before you... this Council in the past made it clear to us guardians that the Legacy would be protected, I come to make sure you fulfill the promise you did to the Keeper and foremost to the Eternals." Sahaer walked and stood in front of Brahms. She placed her hand over his head... a white light, and then she disappeared.
Seath passed out... his eyes had return to normal, his necklace had stopped glowing. No harm had come to either Brahms or Seath... Sahaer had just shown Brahms the truth about the Legacy, and the hidden secret of Southern Cross.
"Ya know I'm beginning to believe those Eternals have something against me. First Knuckles and now this. Of course its easy for them. They're up there doing nothing and I'm down here busting my back off!" Brahms said breaking the tension.
"We are aware of the Legacy Seath." Elder Naminia said. "However we were not sure you where an Avatar."
"The last one was Kellie Van Kinkor I believe. Avatar of Maud'Gib herself, the prophet of the Eternals." Allen interjected.
"Bah guess they have nothing better to do. So Ancients leave one hell of a weapon and we have to get it before Sonic does. Why I'm not surprised..." Brahms responded mildly annoyed.
"You do know what the Legacy was used for right?" Lynia asked the Council in general. Silence for a few moments. "Yes we remember very well." Naminia finally answered.
Seath finally stopped feeling dizzy. He touched his neck and the necklace was still there. He was a bit freaked out with the whole episode. His forefathers never had told him anything about a Legacy or especially about this weird feeling when one of those "guardians" comes out... especially when a family heirloom necklace rematerializes out of nothing except thin air.
"Okay... can anyone explain to me, what this Legacy is? My father and grandfather told me the stories and the legends of the Dark Days, but... they never revealed to me or told me anything about the Legacy. My father was murdered before I was to come of age... I guess that is probably why I don't posses the knowledge of the Legacy... all I know that resembles this 'Legacy' is the Power of the Ancients that was guarded by the Elden in the Eternals Temple in my homeland... the same homeland that I may not reveal its location. So mind explaining to me what the Legacy is? And also lets not forget that there might be a spy within our midsts..."
Allen nodded. "Not to worry, this place is safe."
"And I can vouch for Athena." Brahms said with certainty. "There's no one else in this room. And we know for a fact that this room is safe otherwise everything we have constantly discussed here would be moot." he said with a nod. The rest of the Council agreed. "Well then I believe we can tell Seath a bit of what is going on. Seeing as he has been chosen to be an Avatar and his a Keeper." Allen said this as he started pressing buttons on his table with his left hand. The room darkened and the dome became what seemed to be a display of sorts.
"Long ago when the Rebels where going to face Sonic something unprecedented happened. General Knuckles seemingly defected from the Empire and decided to turn against his Emperor. The reasons are not exactly known but what do we know is that he entrusted the Legacy to Shakuras, land of the Ancients and perhaps one of the only remaining places Sonic was unable to conquer along with the hometown of the Guardians Sahir. The Legacy was placed under the protection of the Keepers, people devoted to protect the Legacy at all costs and of the Ancient lineage of Lycantrux. As a safe measure the Legacy was placed on an island temple in the midst of Abyss Lake. The island was known as Angel Island and it is only reached through Shakuras."
The narrator ended the story and the dome returned to normal, the room brightened again. "Well that was a good story wasn't it?" Brahms said in his usual demeanor. "So blah blah blah we could let it remain there and hope for the best. Or we could do the sensible thing and retrieve it just to be on the safe side." Brahms looked at Seath with a twinkle in his eye. "Since wolfie boy here was chosen by an Eternal, and comes from a long line of Ancients who where none other then Keepers of said Legacy, who best then him to go retrieve the Legacy and come back in one piece before Sonic gets it. Still he shouldn't go by himself. I'm assigning you to be leader of a small unit of my choosing to accompany you in your quest."
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Seath was dismissed and sent to a waiting room where he would rendezvous with the rest of the team. His task was clear: retrieve this Legacy before Sonic or any of his agents could. The sliding door opened and in went a rather big dark gray elephant. He had a strange scar on his left eye, which now had some sort of bionic implant for an eye. He was wearing a rather large Punisher Axe and a combat wardrobe that seemed taken from mythical times. From the marking on his chest plate it was evident he was from Red Tomb. Another person was a female vulpix. Her fur was yellow and seemed to be soft. She was dressed in a tight black suit with purple outlines which seemed like dragon patterns. She wore a dark purple cloak. The insignia denoted her as a member of Southern Cross. She had no visible weapons although her gloves had strange rune markings. Another was a white echidna. He was dressed in what seemed like an acolyte uniform in gray with blue runic symbols and wore purple shades at the bridge of his nose in the manner as if he where a noble man. He seemed to be more of a scholar then anything but the insignia on his uniform said otherwise marking him as a member of Night Shadows. He too and had no visible weapons. The final member was a female kangaroo. She was dressed in uniform similar to the echidna except hers was deep blue and had no runic symbols and seemed like oriental in design. Her chestnut hair was tied in two buns to her left and right side of her head ending in loose bangs that flowed from said buns. Her insgnia marked her as a member of Maud'Gib.
"Ares Thalos, Desiree Kendra,Shinzu Yan and Xian Feng." it was the same female fox from before, Kamila. She kept on talking paying no attention to Seath as she introduced the members of the unit.
"Ares here is a weapon expert. Although from Red Tomb we have been given explicit permission by Outlaw Galaxy to let him have an OG beacon to trans-planar in weapons. Unfortunately as he is not a member of OG he cannot tans-planar himself or any of you as he was giving only a limited beacon. Not surprising as OG do not trust their technology with non OG operatives, the fact alone they gave him a beacon was on Judicator Frost command." Ares had a bored expression on his face and said nothing.
"Desiree is one of our very own talented Arcanum users. She excels in wards and enchantments. Her knowledge of the Ancients will be a great deal of help in your quest. She has also studied much of the history and records and will be a great source of information and advice. She was recommended directly by Elder Lynia and is a candidate for Elder herself being a direct disciple of Lynia." The vulpix smiled brightly. Her dark wine colored hair was tied back but even then her rich curls fell over her shoulders.
"Shinzu is an Elite Dispatcher. He also has one gift that sets him apart from many Night Shadows. He has the power of an artificer capable of creating weapons and items with arcanum infused power. No doubt his abilities will come in handy given he, like all Night Shadows, has personal cloaking and psionic implants to use Ninpo." Whoever looked at Shinzu and his soft smile would never guess they where looking at one of Night Shadows Elite Dispatcher. His "hair" was tied back in cornrows ina pony tail behind with one single braid hanging out from the right side. The air he had was one of superiority. He adjusted his purple shades and said in a rich voice "Pleasure to meet you good sir."
"Xian is of the Maud'Gib. As such she has two Psionic powers and is very adept at using Psytek. She will prove invaluable as one of her branches is telepathy, the other being biokinesis. She is also a martial arts expert and aided by her biokinesis and telepathy is a force to reckon. Also her biokinesis allows her to shape shift so if you need a scout or a spy she, along with Shinzu, is your girl." Anyone looking at Xian would never believe such a petite nice looking girl could be as deadly as she really was. As Seath looked at her smiling she suddenlly blurred and Seath was suddenly looking at a mirror image of himself! It only lasted five seconds as the other Seath blurred back and became Xian again.
"Well that would be all. You will all be leaving in half an hour. Get to know yourselves as you will be spending a lot of time together. Oh and Seath you should codename your unit." With that said Kamila left the room leaving Seath in the company of these new arrivals.
"I dind't choose you so... that means I don't have to like you but since the wise Council has decided to entrust this mission to me that means we have to work together. From now on collectively as Silver Phoenix." Seath couldn't believe he was finally going to Shakuras... I wasn't supposed to go until I was strong enough to defeat Keiran... that's really the only reason I joined Southern Cross... that murderer!
"I need to know everything you know about the Legacy, Shakuras... and the Ancients. Our destination is Shakuras, the homeland of my forefathers, and before you ask... no I was not born in Shakuras but I know the location of the entrance. I was born on a frozen island in the Thorian sea, my tribe were the guardians of the entrance to Shakuras. My grandfather was an original Shakurian... the Keeper of the Legacy. My father was murdered by a human called Keiran who wanted by any means to enter Shakuras." Seath closed his eyes... tears began to fall from his face; he quickly cleaned them away.
"So... if you may, I need to know every bit of information you know about the things I have already mentioned... oh and one last thing I forgot to mention. Though we may all come from different branches of Southern Cross, while you are members of Silver Phoenix your allegiance is first and foremost to me and then to your respective Praetors. If you are unable to trust me or any of your comrades of Silver Phoenix I suggest you leave now and I will ask for someone else to replace you... so what will it be?"
Ares huffed. Then he spoke in a gruff voice. Like the kind you hear from dwarfs. "I'm here for one reason only mate and thats to swing and hack anything in our way. I dont' back down from any mission and Im not backing now ya hear mate? As for allegiances just be happy my axe is watching your back instead of IN your back."
"Calm down Ares." The elegant tone of voice gave away the interlocutor as Shinzu. "As the good sir here states we do well to give our allegiance to him. After all he is our commander." For some reason it was hard to tell if he was mocking Seath or being downright truthful. "But commander I'd like to point out Praetors are the caste society of your Southern Cross. No offense seeing as you are from Southern Cross and are used to that kind of stuff but we from different Factions could care less about Praetors. Just some friendly advice."
"More respect Shinzu, it is due to Southern Cross all the Factions now stand. Don't forget the records. They clearly stated Sonic wiped out the Factions HQ, if it weren't for Southern Cross none of you would exist right now." This was the calm and soothing voice of Desiree.
"I digress." said a female voice with a cheery accent. It was Xian speaking now. "Maud'Gib had a huge hand in the efforts of the Factions without Maud'Gib none of the Factions would have made it too far."
"Who cares about Factions and such." Ares huffed again. "What we should care 'bout is wiping Neo Empire." For a gruff sounding elephant his words where most true. The group agreed by silently nodding their heads.
"Well I guess we should talk a little about what we can do." Desiree cut the silence and spoke. "As you heard I am very good with wards and enchantments. These gloves..." she showed her gloves which where one green and one sky blue with strange patterns. "... are earth arcanum and air arcanum respectively. With them I can draw upon said magics but only for a limited time every day. Other then that my natural gifts are all defensive and healing in nature."
"I dunno much bout magic and such nonsense. I sacrificed arcanum and psionic stuff to be the best in my particular field relying more on the efficiency of cold adamntite and the effectiveness of anti matter weaponry. Not much to say here mate. I'll be your tank. But push it bub and I might be the tank steam rolling yer ass." Ares stated matter of factly.
Shinzu sighed wistfully. "Well let's see I'm not some strong tanky walking berserker." He glanced at Ares. "And certainly not a magician or sorceress." he now glanced in Desiree direction. "But what I do I excel at. Some say I am the incarnation of the grim reaper. I don't blame the ignorant. I am just that damn good."
Xian giggled. "Well you already saw what I can do unless you want to have a little brawl with me?" Xian said in a cheerful voice.
-"Save your energies for the wild packs of Aagardia. The ruthless wild black wolven packs are ruthless and merciless and will not think twice about killing either of us." Seath paused, a warm smile could be seen shining from his lips... his eyes sparkled... his eyes began to glow and suddenly he disappeared and reappeared behind Xian.
Seath paused, a warm smile could be seen shining from his lips... his eyes sparkled... his eyes began to glow and suddenly he disappeared and reappeared behind Xian.
At that point Xian's reflexive ability triggered. It was never a good idea to move behind a biokinesis user. It was the same as coming up behind someone who was trained to counter being sneaked upon. So Xian twisted her waist when incredible speed without moving her lower legs as Seath re appeared into view and immediately lunged her right arm and hand in a snake like action with a palm strike directed to Seath face. But stopped short of hitting him. She giggled again. "You shouldn't really sneak upon a martial artist. Had you been an enemy you'd taken one hell of a palm strike to your nose." The manner she had done this seemed quite sickening. I mean who can actually twist her whole upper body without moving her lower part and breaking her bones and spine... definitely only a biokinetic user. Shinzu chuckled. "Good sir, if I where you I wouldn't try sneaking on Xian like that. Biokinetic users usually have reflexive triggers. Not to mention telepathy allows them to read ahead as well."
-"I'm impressed... but as I was about to say..."- Seath moved back to where he was... -"Aagardia is a frozen island... we will be transported to as close as we can to the ancient ruins. It is impossible to transport there directly... the ruins and the village are inside the Ice Range. outside the ice range tribes of nomadic primitive wild wolven packs roam around hunting and warring for territory. The island itself has no vegetation except evergreen trees. Most of the time... these tribe spend weeks without finding food. The islands population of wild beasts has dwindled thanks in part by raids of pirates who hunt the wild wolven as trophies and slaves. Aagardia is a dangerous place..."- Seath paused; looked at each of their eyes and exhaled hard. -" So... what do you each know about the Legacy, Shakuras, and the Keepers?"-
"I think it is best we consider these things along the way." The smooth calm voice of Desiree. "But to answer your question..."
"Shakuras is a land that is known as the Land of Ancients. It was never conquered by Sonic due to Sonic being to evil to even enter it not to mention not being able to influence a "key". For to truly find Shakuras the person must have a "key". Southern Cross entered it at one point when Boom, son of the Emperor, led them there. Anyone can enter so long as a "key" has opened the way. In this case Judicator Frost believes that you, Seath, are one of those "keys" just like Boom was. It is believed that only those of Ancient lineage are "keys" but this was proven wrong at one point when Swift entered by means of a "key" who was a spirit. So we believe that as long as there is a "key" the person can access Shakuras.
You are correct. No one can be transported directly to Shakuras. Only way points the Ancients created. Which are "doors" to Shakuras. To be sure Shakuras is believed to be in our realm of existence and not. Perhaps some long forgotten magic of the Ancients. As for the Legacy the records don't really talk much about it. It could be anything. All I know is that its found in a temple in Angel Island. That is the good news. The bad news is that the island seemingly floats over the Abyss Lake... I have no idea what that lake is. But it is seemingly not a very easy place to reach. As for the Keepers, are they not the Lycantrux? I believe they are a wolven race who have the power of night. Capable of even calling out to the moon temporarily."
Shinzu whistled. "Talk about a walking encyclopedia. I feel a lot better traveling with such a well versed lady such as yourself."
Ares huffed again. "I might add that Abyss is a form of energy, we at Red Tomb have handled it. A lake of that we aren't talking abou' a lake of water but of Abyss energies. And that will be bad because Abyss is quite anti materia in properties."
Shinzu nodded. "Yes but Abyss is not just about anti materia energies. It has various properties. Abyss is also used in distortion technology. So this will be tricky."
After they finished discussing... the Silver Phoenix were given the go ahead to embark, and were transported via transplanar technology to the frozen landscape of Aagardia. They reappeared in a clearing... dead trees lined the surroundings intermixed with giant evergreen trees. Howls could be heard at a distance... the blasts of guns and the howling of the wind could also be heard. The Silver Phoenix were not alone.
-" I don't think we are alone... We should head out, follow me, I know this forest as my own home... I came hunting with the other wolven here many time. We are close to the mountain pass that leads into the caves were the ruins are hidden... make as little noise as possible... we move in one speed mine!"- Seath said as he dashed into a seemingly pathless clump of trees. A mile into their trek Seath stopped. He placed his finger upon his lips motioning the group to be silent.
Seath motioned for the group to crouch and began to whisper: "We're being followed by a pack... Xian I have need for those talents of yours..."-
-"What do you have in mind?"-
-"I was thinking of using you as bait..."-
Mr Light, sir? said Nixie as they walked along some kind of airport.
Yes? Light replied.
We are going int he wrong direction..... she said as she stopped.
Hmmm... I think my GPS is damaged, let's wait here for a moment. He replied and stopped along side hers.
They must have waited for at least half an hour, Nixie was already becoming anxious and suspicious. She was planning how she could leave Lt Light behind, perhaps if he fell asleep. But as she was planning all this in her head some kind of weird looking ship landed right besides them.
Well, now its when you start trusting me, said Light as he extended his arm towards her, come on, we dont have a lot of time to board.
Nixie was shocked and scared, she couldn't say anything, and she couldn't move. The young koala just stood there looking at Light and the ship. When she saw Light turn away and tell her that its all up to her, but if she wanted to live, she better go with him. Nixie then followed Light and boarded the ship, not even knowing how or why and certainly complete lost.
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Ma'am Ivie, permission to approach you, said a being that looked like a lizard.
Yes, come in, Brownie, said a female voice from inside the room.
Ma'am... my name is Hermes not Brownie, said the lizard as he came walking in.
So? What's your point? said the female voice from behind the chair, not yet facing the lizard.
Nothing.... I have come to give status report on Koala 1.
Yes, then proceed, said Ivie in a desperate voice, still not turning around.
She has escaped.... But before he could finish Ivie had turned around and was holding the lizard in between her claws. Ivie was a young koala, who looked exactly like Nixie except she had green eyes. HOW DID THIS HAPPEN? she said infuriated.
Well... *gulp* she started becoming immune to the poison that was sedating her, so she suddenly woke up confused looking for you, the lizard replied trying to escape the long claws of the koala, terrified. The more he tried to escape, the more Ivie would crush him.
You should have reported her immunity when you first noticed it, fool.... she suddenly let go of him, whatever, now we have to look for her, before those idiots at Southern Cross get a hold of her. Now.... what should I do with you, you piece of failure? She said this looking straight at the lizards eyes.
hmm... assign me the mission to look for her? said the lizard avoiding her eyes, he knew that if he stared long enough into her eyes, he would fall into a state of confusion.
WRONG! she screamed while she slashed him, you have 5 minutes to live, but after 3 minutes the poison would have reached your brain and you will start seeing horrible things, too bad it will only last 2 minutes and then you will be dead, goodbye, she turned and left him lying on the floor.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, he screamed, AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.
Xian stayed completely silent... listening to the wind. Her thoughts drifted here and there but she was calm; the knowledge that her comrades were a stones throw away kept her calm. Not everyday were you used as bait... but... bait for what? What was following them? and why... soon it would all be revealed.
..........................................................................
He watched her from the treetops... He smell the air...Why doesn't that kangaroo move... the gray furred wolven, cloaked in a special refracting cape, was calmly camouflaged in the treetops unseen by his prey... or so he thought. A couple of minutes later, since he figured his prey had accepted its fate, gave the signal for his pack to jump in for the kill.
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-"Very unusual...."-
-"What do you mean Moonstalker?"- asked his subordinate, a young wolven, probably a teen coming out hunting for the first time.
-"That kangaroo... she's so serene; her confidence tell me we might just be falling into a trap..."-
-"But Master Moonstalker... how can we be falling into a trap when we were the ones who planned this ambush.. we even herded them into this precise clearing, and isn't my brother Sephyre the greatest hunter of our tribe the lookout?"-
-"Indeed young one... still, when have you seen a kangaroo around these parts? Them folk are not from these parts of the world... and I doubt she's a pirate!"- replied master Moonstalker, a wise, old, elder of white coating, and sky blue eyes.
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It was Sephyre who jumped out from the treetops... he soon found himself unconscious against a tree trunk. Xian had moved... the other hunters soon followed only to be stopped by a rushing Ares... Seath came out of the shadows and was about to kill Sephyre when a familiar voice was heard...
-"Brother Seath?"- called out Moonstalker...
-"Master?"-
-"Indeed it is you! Careful you wouldn't want to kill Sephyre now... would you!"-
-"Silver Phoenix stop... we have ambushed friends!"-
-"I thought it was you... only I couldn't be sure young brother... only a member of our tribe could pull a counter trap in exactly the same place were we entrap our preys..."-
Moonstalker held his hand for his fellow clans mate to stop as well. "My apologies Brother Seath, we had thought you where from one of the rival tribes. As of late they have grown most bold in their excursions into our territory." He nodded sagely and then added. "Why are you around these parts? Last I know you had left a few months ago on your journey."
Seath nodded with crossed arms. "I'm on my way to Shakuras." was his short reply.
Some of the tribesmen opened their eyes wide. A murmur could be heard. Moonstalker raised his hand and signaled for silence.
"A grave matter is that. What you state is almost suicide. The path to the Ancient Gateway can only be reached by the Shiverpeak Crevice. Not only is Shiverpeak Crevice is an extremely dangerous place but it is also inhabited by Clan Ravaging Fangs. They control the whole Crevice area. If that was not enough you would have to contend against the strange creatures that roam that area as well as some of them tamed by Onyx Claw and added to their ranks. They hold the crevice path all the way to the Gateway. You best not trouble yourself going there."
Silence fell for a few seconds. Only to be broken by Shinzu. "Perhaps that may well be true old man. But if we don't make it there first, them Ravaging Fangs would be the least of our worries. We need to get there independent of the circumstances, there is no other option. And we are not turning back."
Seath gave a glare at Shinzu, but he shrugged and adjusted his shades, "Hey we don't have time to be worrying about every little detail Seath." he said in his "I'm too good to worry about this" elegant uppity voice as he smiled confidently.
Seath shook his head. "You might be good at what you do but you lack knowledge of this here parts. Ravaging Fangs is one of the most dangerous tribes in this area. Their tribe lives only for warfare. They are fast and strong even by wolven standards. So aggressive are they that there sports is a bloody combat one they engage since they are mature enough to enter it. this constant "sport" has developed their adrenaline to the point they are fast and strong no matter what time of day it is. Not to mention they all have the ability to regenerate. Our tribe, the Howling Night, have confronted them multiple times. And it was never pretty."
"Who won?" Desiree questioned in her soft calm voice.
Seath sighed "More like a draw. Although we don't have regeneration our speed and strength increases at night time. Even more so when there is a full moon. They on the other hand do not increase in power at night."
"Sounds like my kind of people." Ares said with a grin. "But I doubt them Claw's can take a full Dark Spear blast and live to tell the story."
Seath raised an eyebrow quizzically.
"I done told you mate I pack anti materia weaponry. Regeneration does no good when you have been annihilated from existence. And Dark Spear lets out a blast that explodes with a radial effect of fifteen yards. That's fifteen yards where anything in its path goes bye bye."
"I don't understand Brother why is it so important that you go there?" Moonstalker was a bit confused. Not anyone he remembered knew how to activate the Gateway, in fact no one had for generations. Only one time did he recall the Gateway working and that was quite a long time ago.
Seath explained to the wise wolf in a short version why it was imperative that they made it to the Gateway. Moonstalker studied the faces of the small group. They looked determined. But was determination enough? "Very well. If you seek to go there then you will need some help. We can create a good diversion for you to slip by. We have a few things to reckon with the Fangs might as well be now."
Seath shook his head. "I don't want a full blown war..." but Sephyre interrupted him. He had recovered consciousness and had heard enough. "Raid. You know full well tribes do Raids on each other. See it as a Raid brother." He laughed as he slapped Seath on the back. "You worry too much. Some things don't change. You always where more careful then the rest of us. Guess that's why ya went and joined them army thing." He walked a bit and putting his hand to his mouth he whistled. A group of men rallied up.
"150 wolven of the Howling Night. I'd say tonight them Ravage Fangs won't know what hit them."
Seath thought deeply trying to remember the teachings of his ancestors, trying desperately to keep his clan out of it. Besides, the less blood shed the better.
-"Master... have you ever heard about the secret pathway to the gateway?"-
-"Brother Seath why do you ask me this! You know that way is forbidden! No one is strong enough to fight that abomination! Now you speak nonsense!"- was Moonstalker's response in a grave and alarmed voice.
-"what lies in this pathway Master Moonstalker?"- asked Desiree positively curious.
-"An abomination! A half wolven, half machine creature... it was driven out by the patriarchs! He had served the evil whom was forgotten... a dark wizard some called him! All whom have ventured up that path have never been seen again. Legends say he feeds of his prey's soul... Not even your magic weapons will be able to stop him. The only person to have passed through, that we know off, and has come back is your father's murderer."- replied Master Moonstalker first addressing Desiree, and then turning and addressing Seath.
-"Brother... you know it is forbidden..."- Sephyre began to say, -"but, since I can sense it is urgent maybe, with Master Moonstalker's permission, I could accompany them. I'am our clan's greatest hunter, maybe I can help them sneak by unseen."-
-"No Sephyre, this is our task... you are needed here with the clan."-
-"I bet is one of the toys left behind by the empire... it might be useful to Southern Cross... Outlaw Galaxy was unable to retrieve much of 'his' research data..."- whispered Ares to Xian.
Nixie stepped into the craft and as soon as she did she was blown out of her mind. She couldn't believe how much technology this "airplane" had. Light was sitting right besides her, Nixie's chair was a window chair which soothed her. She knew that by contemplating the planet's beauty her stress would slowly disappear. Half an hour into the trip she couldn't stop her curiosity anymore and said: "Lt Light, where are we going?"
"I'm taking you to HQ" he replied.
"I don't think I know where that is, could you please be a bit mire specific." the koala kindly said.
"All I can tell you is that we have been looking for you and you will be taken to the Council." the tiger told her.
"Council? What Council? And why were you looking for me? You are not helping much you know."
He turned towards her and showed her a picture of a koala who was identical to her except for the eyes. "Recognize her?" He asked her.
"That's Ivie!!!!" she said surprised.
"That's why we were looking for you, she has a high position with our enemies. And that's all I am going to say, now lay back and enjoy the ride." He turned around, closed his eyes, and within minutes he was snoring.
Nixie had a lot more questions but she knew he wasn't going to answer anymore questions for now. The young koala was amazed at how the Lt could easily fall asleep, she was highly stressed so she decided to continue looking out the window and wait to arrive at this Council, Light spoke about. But what was really bothering her was what he had said about her sister....
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"Permission to land"
"Granted"
The ship landed in the hangar, and as soon as it did Ivie stormed out of the ship, leaving the hangar at an accelerated pace. As she passed by the agents working at the base the vowed their heads toward her. She soon arrived at the emperor's room. There was a long stairway and at the end there was a door. At each end stood a guard. One was a Rhino with a golden armor, the other a human with a chain mail armor.
"I am expected," said Ivie.
"Identify yourself," said the Rhino.
"Madam Ivie," she replied.
As soon as she said her name, the human talked into his telecomunicator on his wrist. Then he said "come in, you are expected." With this the door opened and Ivie walked up the stairs and into the dark room.
Inside was very dark. Or at least it seemed that way. But once Ivie crossed the threshold and into the present throne room there was a clearing. A room that was lit with various orbs of light floating in a circular fashion. They all had a greenish glow to them making the room look like it was bathed in an eerie green light. In the room was a throne it was covered in fine jewels. Anyone inspecting the jewels closer would found they where macabre in form rather then just pretty jewels. In fact upon closer examination everything about the room was wrong. It seemed like the room of a noble man in design. But something made it seem awkward. Not just the jewels but everything about it. As if it where a masque of some sort to some hidden evil.
The being on the throne room opened his eyes. They where green with an inner light. From his to ears where two earrings that seemed to be made out of jade and looked very pretty with a spherical design. When the light shone right one could see they where skulls.
"I expect good news. You retrieved her correct?"
Ivie gulped a bit. She was choosing what to say and choosing her words carefully.
"Your highness Southern Cross intervened."
"Oh?" He simply said in a bored way. "And you managed to get her anyway am I right?"
Ivie remain silent.
The being stood up and walked a few steps. He could be seen now more clearly. It was a blue hedgehog with black streaks upon his quills. He was wearing what seemed to be a royal cape of midnight blue with intrinsic runes. He walked a bit more until he had passed Ivie and laid his hand on her. Ivie felt pain immediatly and forcibly knelt. The Emperor's eyes where glowing.
"It was a simple command. Retrieve your sister. It was not to be very difficult. Why then did you not do it?"
Ivie was in too much pain to answer. The Emperor let her go at that moment and kept walking. He sighed.
"I did not expect much from you. Just a little bit of gratitude after all you really are not suppose to exist. Does your so called "sister" even know the truth?" Ivie didn't answer.
"Of course she does not."
Sonic was returning back to his throne then stopped midway and looked at Ivie, his eyes glowing eerily.
"I will give you another chance. Retrieve the other one."
Ivie got up and began to leave in haste. Her body still wracked in pain. As she passed by the threshold she heard the Emperor's voice behind her.
"And do please try to make your life of value to me."
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"You never change do you, sweetie?" A sultry voice came from behind the throne. Sonic smirked. The interlocutor moved towards the front. It was another hedgehog but female. However once in the light one could tell something was wrong about this hedgehog. It seemed as if she where a half breed of some sorts. She seemed to be wearing an armor like carapace that made her look naked in the dim light. The armor was dark green and from the back four long limbs that ended in claw like tips could be seen. The hedgehogs fur was pale pink but her skin tone was of a greenish gray complexion as if she where some sort of alien specie. Her eyes where of a deep wine color with strange swirls of black. It made it seemed like the eyes where constantly swirling.
"Seems 1000 years have treated you very well Queen."
"Oh you know me Emperor, I have my ways. But look at you, all young again! Just like when we met for the first time!"
"How did you manage to evade Southern Cross all these years?"
"After the Sealing I went underground. Came up only to feed when I had too. I lured the victims." she winked at this comment.
"And the children?"
The female shook her head. "Dead."
"All of them?"
"All of them."
The Emperor rose and walked towards the hedgehog and extending his right hand he caressed the chin of the female all the while still smirking. His eyes glowing. "Worry not my Queen. Soon you will have new siblings." The smirking Emperor drew her close and kissed her.
The Silver Phoenix were escorted by the Howling Night clan hunters through the forest. Moonstalker had departed the group taking the youngest members of the hunting party back to the village. Their pace was one; running as fast as possible through the marshes that led to the backside of the mountain. The wolven feared the backside of the mountain, mainly and for the most part, because of superstitions and legend of old. but one thing was clear, they were weaker behind the mountain because the moon was hidden behind it.
-"Why is the pathway that you spoke off so cursed?"- asked Desiree.
-"It is because the moon, the source of our nocturnal powers, is blocked behind the mountain. We become weaker, that is why no tribe dare claim it as its lands. The shadow path, as its called, is the path only fools and reckless beings would take. The backside of Moon Mountain is cursed; which is why the shadow creatures make their residence there. We are taking you through the marshes, away from their nesting grounds. Those beasts are dangerous these days, during their mating season."- replied Sephyre.
-"Could we take a break, I need a breather! I'm not made for long distance sprints!"- exclaimed Ares.
-"We can slow down the pace... but we mustn't moor in these parts... aside from the shadow beasts... evil ghost-like things dwell in these marshes, the animas; the restless souls, victims of most unspeakable crimes. No we mustn't delay here any longer..."-
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The Silver Phoenix finally gave their farewell to the Howling Night. Seath contemplated his clan as they disappeared back into the moon sided part of the island. he had always been warned to stay away from this part, but he knew it was for the best if the Howling Night clan stayed home tonight instead of risking their men on a raid that might eventually break the little stability of the island, if such peace was actually real and not based on promises that were rarely kept.
-"SO... were to now boss?"- asked Shinzu.
-"Follow the light..."- replied Seath, pointing towards the ledges of the mountain that were right in front of them, -"through the path of shadows... its really more like a rock faced stair pass... but thats how the ancients called it."-
They where about to move when Shinzu moved up a bit up front and shushed everyone by raising his left hand to his lips. Unlike his usual demeanor he seemed dead serious now. No one moved for like a second. Suddenly as if in a blink of an eye Shinzu right arm was extended and he had what seemed like a gun in his hand, apparently it had some sort of silencer because nothing was heard however it was obvious he had fired it when a thunk was heard a few meters away. Something laid writhing on the floor all bloody. Well that is if it could be called blood. The black thing was jumping up and down while a gush of black liquid came forth from it. It had been shot on what seemed like its head. The thing seemed to have many eyes, multiple tentacles and four extra limbs that seemed to be its legs. One could see it had also two big mouths lined with razor sharp teeth.
And a few seconds later another one appeared. And then another one. And yet another one. The place was being filled with so many of these tentacled things that it seemed to cover the landscape. And they scuttled quickly towards the small team. Shinzu fired a few more shots and soon enough ten of these things fell hard on the floor writhing in agony.
"WE HAVE TO MOVE!" Seath shouted as he signaled towards the rock like stairs. As the ran in that direction Shinzu fired a few more shots. Suddenly Ares flung something in their general direction and a muffled sound was heard as if an explosion underwater. A sort of orb of energy came forth and swallowed the things, some tried to scuttle away but many of them fell victim to the explosions effect. Just as quickly as it begun it stopped and in the midst there was nothing except a crater the size of the explosion's effect, cleanly cut. There was no residue of there ever being an explosion as the crater looked natural in form. The things began to scuttle back but this time they approached more carefully. However the bomb had bought a good amount of time.
Suddenly a sickly noise was heard against a wall in front of Seath. Sliding down was a thick black like substance with an acrid smell. "TAKE COVER!" Seath ordered as they started to roadie run as more of the thick substance hit the walls. Desiree was heard for a brief moment whispering something and soon enough light began to shine for a brief moment and weaved itself into what seemed like light fields with colored glyphs circling around the team. The team finally made it through the cavern entrance. Ares and Shinzu where the first to look back ready for the things to come up the stairs. But nothing came up.
"No need. They won't come up here." Sheath said calmly. "For good reason too. There are natural like predators leaving in these caverns."
"Oh how nice, from one thing to another more worse thing?" Shinzu said scoffing. "So what is worse then horrible looking squids that vomit acid."
Sheath simply said "Flesh Skinners. We better move."
"Flesh Skinners?"
"Yes." Seath pointed in front of them. The path through the caves was lit by rods that seemed like trees coming from the underground with large crystalline like artifacts on top that provided light. However not all of the cavern was lit. When one looked carefully it seemed like there was definitely a path to follow. Although in some parts of the path there where patches of darkness but where short enough that one could quickly pass them.
"Whatever you do stay in the light." The team had moved now to the beginning of the path, the entrance although dimly lit had enough light to warrant protection from whatever was hiding in the darkness. But inside it was pitch black save the lighting posts. "Flesh Skinners are medium sized bat like things that dwell in complete darkness. They usually come out at night to feed. They devour things with a rapid velocity almost like a piranha would except they can fly. So fast that they where named Flesh Skinners because of it. Thankfully they avoid the light. Some believe that they are actually protecting the path. Or maybe the Ancients used this path and placed the lighting posts for that reason."
"Will these posts fail in giving light?" Desiree asked as she touched one of the nearby posts.
Seath shook his head. "For as long as we know these posts have never stopped shedding light. The areas with dark patches simply have no lighting posts."
"Ah I see. Was that on purpose?"
Seath shrugged. The team fell silent and continued their travel.
The team began to "hop" from light areas to light areas. As they went along, Seath's natural night vision abilities allowed him to see the Flesh Skinners all around them. They were ugly brutes, them Flesh Skinners, they had a hammerhead shaped head with their three eyes, two on the sides and one on the middle, that allowed them to see 360 degrees without having to turn or move. Their wings were bat like, attached to their lizard like hands. They had no tails, and their razor sharp claws allowed to hold on to the cavern walls. They were blinded by light, so they stayed primarily away from the safe zones of the light.
-"can you see them Sir. Seath?"- asked Desiree, staying very close to the wolven's side.
Seath nodded, -"I can hear them too..."-
The team stopped when Seath signaled them to stop. Before them laid a chasm, with a wooden bridge that had no light covering.
-"We have a problem..."- said Seath as he saw the swarm of Flesh Skinners that hovered above, and were precariously perched on the chasm walls, -"Any suggestions?"-
-"We can make a run for it..."- replied Desiree.
-"They would grab us before we made it to the middle of the bridge..."-
-"What we need is light!"- replied Xian.
-"I got this..."- said Shinzu as he took out a contraption that began to emit electricity that generated light.
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The group was halfway through the bridge when it began to rattle. Flesh Skinners had landed on it and were rattling the bridge as to make the light emitting contraption fall. Shinzu tried to hold on to the light but the shock waves had made him lose his balance and the energy stopped flowing. The Silver Phoenix huddled together to fight off the Flesh Skinner attacks from the air and from the bridge itself.
They managed to fight off several attacks but Seath could see that the more they stayed put, the more Flesh Skinners that joined in the attack. They had to break the siege but how?suddenly the Flesh Skinner that had blocked their rear gave out a howling screech and fell to the side, its body falling into the dark chasm with a thud. Seath looked up and saw Sephyre standing with the traditional Howling Night clan hunting blade all bloodied up.
Seeing that one of their own had fallen, and the smell of their own blood slowly filling the chasm, the air attacks began to decrease; some Flesh Skinners had dove and attacked their injured brethren and had begun to fight over its carcass. Ares managed to gather strength and speed and pierced the Flesh Skinner that blocked their pass through its middle eye. Blood began to gush out and sprayed upon the group. Ares then threw him down the chasm were it too was attacked by its fellow Flesh Skinners.
The team began to hurry out of the bridge and into the safety of the light post on the other side. Just before Sephyre, being in the rear, was to reach the safety of the light post, a Flesh Skinner, drawn by the smell of blood that was all over him swooped out the sky, grabbed him and the Flesh Skinner and Sephyre were lost to the darkness.
Seath fell on his knees, punched the ground and gave out a howl that pierced the night. Tears began to flow from his eyes, his best friend had rescued him from death, giving his life in exchange for Seath's. Desiree knelt next to Seath and began to comfort him.
Ivie left the throne room, exactly as she had entered. She stormed through the base until she reached the hangar, where one of her underlings came to report the status of the ship. As he vowed before her she slashed him and poisoned him. Everyone around them just ran for their lives.
"WHO DOES HE THINK I AM?!!!! I AM WORTHLESS TO HIM!!??? I'LL SHOW HIM!!!!!!!! NO ONE MESSES WITH IVIE, I SAID NO ONE!!!!!!" she screamed. Then Ivie walked into the ship and screamed at everyone to just get the hell out of there. All her underlings were so afraid they all went to their stations, and in less than five minutes the ship blasted away.
Meanwhile, the emperor's words echoed in Ivie's head. "I did not expect much from you. Just a little bit of gratitude after all you really are not suppose to exist. Does your so called "sister" even know the truth?"
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The ship landed in the hangar and Light was the first one to come out, followed by Nixie. Light would talk to everyone as they walked through the hangar. Apparently he was a very famous guy and nice too. Or at least that was what Nixie could conclude. They kept walking through halls and more halls, which were filled with guards and people walking around.
"Lt... Where are we going?" asked Nixie.
"Don't worry just follow me, we are almost there," then he stopped. They were in front of two enormous golden doors with a silver cross drawn in the middle. There were two lines of guards, one on each side. Light then signaled Nixie into going inside.
"Go, you are expected," he told her.
Nixie looked at him, then looked at the doors and then at the two lines of guards. She was feeling very afraid. The young koala took a deep breath and started walking towards the doors, they opened on their own. This startled her, she stopped walking and tried to take a peek of what was inside. She could see nothing. The guard closest to her pushed her and so she continued walking inside. Once inside there were four empty seats.
"Great..... There is no one here...." she said.
-"Guys... we have a serious problem..."- exclaimed Xian, -"these 'things' are attracted to blood..."-
-"Yeah, and we are covered in this $#*%!"- exclaimed Ares.
-"I beleive you are stating the obvious... I think we all know we are covered in this blood, my dear Xian."- replied Shinzu.
Seath had finally come to his senses. He took a deep breath, was helped up by Desiree and they both joined the others in the discussion.
-"So what now Sir. Seath?... I'm beginning to think we should have taken the other path..."- said Desiree.
-"The other path would have meant the sacrifice of more than one life!"- said Seath, with a certain spark of anger on his voice, -"Either way, we need to proceed... there's no turning back now."-
-"What do you suggest Sir?"-
-"Well we need water... we need to clean as much of the blood as possible. Shinzu, how do you suggest we deal with this little problem."-
-"I could create a moisture absorber but in this enviorement only magic can create water."- replied Shinzu. He looked closely at Seath's sheath and then he a puzzling look came upon his face. -"What type of abilities does your sword have Sir. Seath?"-
-"Destiny? Why Destiny has been on my family since I can remember. It's nothing special really, it enhances my fire powers"- replied Seath.
-"Well, well... I beleive you are mistaken Sir. Seath. You see upon your sword's sheath I can make out a faded water rune... this means..."-
-"Lemme see that!"- exclaimed Desiree as she grabbed Seath's sword, unbuckling it from his back. -"It's faded but yes, Shinzu, you're right it is a water rune! Sir. Seath you can use the sword's power to clean our bodies off this blood!"-
Seath looked at Destiny. He examined it, touched the rune, and even smelled it our of disbelief. He breathed deeply, concentrating on gaining the energy from his sword. Suddenly his sword began to engulf him in water. Soon all the blood was washed out, and Seath was as clean as a shining moon on a clear black sky night. Seath went one by one, touching the other members of the Silver Phoenix and one by one were cleaned from the blood of the Flesh Skinners.
The Flesh Skinner could still be heard all around them, Seath could see they were keeping their distance and that some had perched on the walls of the crevice were the bridge had led them too. The stars could now be clearly seen, and the wind was blowing towards the cavern they had just come out off.
-"Well that solves our problem... let's keep moving. We're being stalked by more than one thing and I don't refer to Flesh Skinners. Theres a shadow that has been observing us since we exited the cave."-
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The group began to rush from light post to light post. Soon the rays of the sun began to shine, dawn had arrived. Seath began to feel drained once again, but managed to conceal it and put on a brave face. As they ran from light post to light post sometimes Flesh Skinner would make a run or a dive against them, but Seath would see them and this allowed for the group to counter effectively.
With dawn in full glory, the morning twilight hit. Seath began to feel out of breath.
-"We should rest here for a few minutes..."- he exclaimed, his voice was cracked, and he was having trouble breathing.
-"Hey boss are you okay?"- asked Ares.
-"Yes, Sir. Seath, you don't look so good."- said Desiree as she rushed to Seath's aide as he knelt on the floor.
-"The Twilight moments, they weaken me... We haven't rested in a while and the fatigue has exploded full force. I will be fine once the twilight passes."-
The rest of the group looked at each other in wonder. As the sun rose, they began to see what laid around them. Red blood skeletons belonging to different races and species laid where the Flesh Skinners had feasted upon their bodies. Black ravens, and some cat like rats could be seen at distance feasting on the remains of a large, recently dead Dark Octupi, one of the creatures that attacked them int he swamp. Apparently, Flesh Skinner did not limit themselves to the caves and would roam around the swamp at night.
Morning finally came in ll its splendor. The rays of the sun began to strengthen Seath's muscles, and his breathing began to normalize. He stood up as if nothing had happened.
-"Let's go... we shouldn't linger in the blood path. We're being followed, and I wouldn't want to be ambushed within these stone walls. Up ahead, about 2 leagues from this spot there's a stone star up to an ancient temple. There we will find the entrance to the path that leads to the backside of the ruins. I should warn you, the temple is a relic from the past... it was made by the ancients as a labyrinth to confuse the unworthy. My father told me stories of when he first traversed it, he said to not trust your instincts and have faith in your heart. I don't know what that means but when we get there I hope it does in fact mean something."-
ooc: yo i gots to get in this i'll write my character later but for now enjoy.
btw:
Loud music can be outside this door within the halls of NeoEmpire. A black bat could be seen playing the air guitar and headbanging to his loud music. A strange aroma is noticible within the air as he reached out and grabbed a lit spliff and take a long deep pull seeing whats left of the spliff turn to ash and breathes. *coughs horribly* "Yea..." *coughs horribly* He puts the bud out and flicked his hand and what seems to be a huge gun materialize out of thin air, he cocks it, checks the clip pops it back in and aims it at a nudy magazine poster and squeeze the trigger. *knock knock* "Valentino the Emperor wants to see you" Valentino then grabs a ciggarette and lits it takes a pull as walks to the door. The door slides open as Valentino blew smoke all over the guards face. "The Emperor will like to see you" repeats the guard. "Is that right" exclaimed Valentino. Closing the door in the guards face Valentino grabs his headphones, another spliff and his boots. As he walked out the room smoke came out while the guards begins to walk behind him.
ooc: i hope this rp kicks off
ooc: Welcome aboard Valentino. Just try not to double post. And udnerstand this isn't earth so there is no WWE or Maria 
Anyhow I'm writing this on behalf of what we discussed.
Some time ago...
"So whacha wanted me for?" The black bat said with another puff of smoke.
"You are one of Tails toys correct?" The cloaked Emperor said with gleaming green eyes.
"Pfffft. That damn fox was put away last I remember, I'm no ones toy. I'm my own master." The bat answered with a drawl.
"Indeed you are. Or at least you believe you are." The Emperor eyes glowed bright green now and a smirk played on his face. "Well dear Brother it seems even your own toys have lost all respect or fear of you."
In the darkness to the Emperor's side was a single eye glowing, glowing purple. The eye began to hover forward into the dim green light in the room's center. Once he came into view the bat gasped as the unfinished cigarette stub fell from his mouth.
"Your own master? Oh really is that so? Last I checked you are still one of my toys. That hasn't changed and it won't change now!" Now in the light the fox was clearly seen. Not only did he had two tails but he had one half that seemed to be completely cybernetic: the right side, exactly where the purple eye, which now was clearly a cybernetic eye, had been seen. His good eye had a frown on it but then suddenly brightened up. "Black!" Now his mouth turn into a half smile. "How nice to see you are still... operating." Tails extended his hand and the bat fell crippled from a sudden energy flux, on his knees with both hands on the floor and gasping for air. "And good to see you still ARE one of my toys after all! I mean you have no idea how hard its been since my dear Brother brought me back to find I have lost Destiny and the Outlaw Galaxy to Southern Cross meddling." Then looking back at Sonic "Not that it matters that they where one of the Factions. After all, you know me, always coming up with ways to help you dear Brother." Tails said with a shrug.
Sonic raised one eyebrow. "By making a Faction that opposes me?" He said as his eyes shone suddenly to put emphasis on his words. "Thats heresy Brother." But Tails waved his hand dismissively. "Nah I am not trying to kill you or anything dear Brother. How could you even imply something of the kind! It was simply a group of rebels that where working as double agents. Jeez Brother how could you be so suspicious of me after all this years helping you out!" his voice dripped with sarcasm. At that moment the black bat had recovered some of his air. "My name... is... Va..." but he was cut short when Tails extended his hand sending yet another flux of energy. "Your name is Black. And that is how it will stay. Now Black be a good boy and fetch your Master something for him."
The bat grimaced, his hands turned into fists. Damn you Techno Magus. he thought to himself. "Yeah? What the hell do you want anyway? And how is it you are alive you damn freak!" Sonic was smiling now clearly amused by the shenanigans of Black. "Details, details." Tails said in a bored voice. "Now be a good boy and go get us...."
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Back to Present Time
"F*^$kin fox." Black had been tailing the strange group for a while now. He had managed to keep himself unseen by hiding in cover or in extreme cases assuming his cloak to hide. But apparently the wolf who was seemingly the leader of the team had heard him. Luckily Black had kept a good distance. He was wearing a full black stealth suit with very small red outlines. It was clearly of Tails design as some of the red outlines formed a small two tail pattern on the back at the nape of the neck of the suit. The suit increased his efficiency including his cloak and dark matter energies. Black knew a few things, a few things most others wouldn't know. For example he knew enough about the Factions that brought Sonic down. He was not activated at that moment. But he was fed with the information through his chamber in case he was needed. Most of the technology of the Factions came from two people: Tails or the Eggman family: a line of super genius who worked for the good of mankind. He also knew how to know which agent of the Faction he was facing due to their particular insignias. So basically he was up against two Southern Cross operatives, one Red Tomb, one Maud'Gib and one Night Shadow. And he knew going against all of them was straight up suicide. But he had also been fed with information on Ancient lore. Not a great deal but enough to know soon the group would find themselves preoccupied and he would get his chance... good thing he had that Psionic Veil implant... otherwise the Maud'Gib would have read him by now. As long as she didn't overtly focused on him, he was safe from detection or being read.
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Xian stopped everyone. As a Maud'Gib her senses where altered enough to pick something, like a sensation at the back of her head. It was soft but suddenly her senses shot up. "Something is coming our way!" Seath drew his blade ready as the others prepared. "Dammit we have lingered to much in here, we must move quickly. The Blood Dolls are coming!"
To punctuate his statement from the floor gushes of a dark red liquid sprouted suddenly. As it flew up in the air it began to seemingly mold into forms, humanoid shapes. The shapes had no real face and the bodies seemed as if they where an elemental of water, except they where made out of something that resembled blood. Fifteen of them stood in their way.
Shinzu extended both hands, the gun he had used back was there but now he had another one that seemed like a cross between a revolver and a Gatling gun: a Repeater Pistol. Both guns fired but apparently they where muffled as no bang was heard. The shots broke a Blood Doll but in a matter of seconds its body seemingly recovered...
"You really have to love the kind of things we encounter along the way." Shinzu said with a smile. He retracted the guns, which seemingly vanished and one his right hand he was holding what seemed like a sword. Its edges glowed ominously in glowing purple energy.
At his side Ares had brought out the Punisher Axe and touching a button the axe edges flared with energy as well. "Heh I doubt those things stand a chance now." Ares scoffed. But as they where going to move forward Seath stopped them briefly. "No, stay in group. Those things are far more dangerous then what they seem. We will move in a tight formation. Desiree cast a protection Ward."
Further behind a lone bat smirked.
OOC: Ok...I think I may finally have something. Just PM me if you need to discuss anything, Hardcore.
IC:
Prolouge
They were twins. An onlooker would never know it just by looking at them, however. The only similarity between the two was their color and gender. Both were purple and female. But that was where the similarities ended. They weren't even of the same species. One was a cheetah, one was a hedgehog.
They had no set home. Orphaned from a young age, they had looked out for each other as they scrounged out a meager existence on the streets. Somewhere in their history was shrouded a deep dark secret...though they did not know of it. Only time would tell if it would remain that way....
TBC
OOC: Haven't thought up names for them yet...so no interaction just yet. Just wanted to get them in here at least.
Seath and the others watched as the Blood Dolls barraged the protection ward. Desiree power was beginning to falter, the ward would not take much more of the barrage. I have to do something, otherwise... I don't even want to consider it.
-"Desiree... on my command you will drop the ward, so that I may go out, as soon as i'm out place it back up."- said Seath with authority and a sense of urgency.
-"Seath, there has to be another way! We can work together... we're a team!"- cried Desiree
-"Desiree... that is an order not a request!"- exclaimed Seath.
Desiree, unwilling, relented and allowed Seath to exit, but in a hurry made the ward go back up. Seath knelt down on his knees; the Blood Dolls slowly began to surround him, believing they were going to gorge upon his flesh. Suddenly Seath began to be engulfed in flames. yet, his sword instead of becoming fire, became ice. Seath began to laugh out loud. He smiled.
A cloud of steam began to engulf the area... the Blood Dolls began to lose their shapes... Heat, makes their particles go faster, and they, as any liquid, began to transform into a gas. Seath managed to pull the water in them to destroy their bonds.
ooc: Welcome aboard Violet. Heh seems Katriel and you thought something similar seeing as both are using twins. Will like to see how all that plays off.
The koala was quite nervous by now. Ten minutes standing there and no one had shown up. The circular room was quite bare excepting for the four chairs: three tall ones and one medium sized one directly in front of the first three. The walls where well lit and the room seemed a washed in a white glow. She was about to open the door and walk out thinking this might be just a bad joke when suddenly the upper ceiling, which looked like a dome, lit up. In it was an image... the image of what seemed to be herself or her sister.
"Hey that looks like..." She got cut short when a sort of medical looking file popped up. It now showed her sister as well as herself having split off from the first image. Now the images showed two identical koalas in a much smaller size, side by side. More data kept popping out of the side of the images.
"Project Geminis." Came a voice.
"Huh?"
"That's what that is. Project Geminis. Looks familiar right?" The interlocutor was a snow white tiger. He was sitting on the front chair. But the koala had not seen him get in at all.
"Excuse me, what is going on here?"
The white tiger simply motioned towards the monitor. It now clearly showed a full blown picture of her sister. "Hey that's...!"
"Poison Ivy."
"Poison huh? What are you talking about?! That's my sister! Where is she?! What have you done with her??"
"Us? Nothing at all. I thought you was aware of your sisters activities."
"Activities? What activities?"
"Your sister is involved with a some very dangerous people. If she was to, say get caught by law enforcement, she could easily face execution. That's how deep in trouble she is now."
"But why? How is this possible?"
"Well let me tell you a little story..."
The tiger began to tell her about a long story about an Empire and someone called Emperor Sonic. How his Empire had taken over the world and enslaved all the beings within it. How the Factions fought him off and how upon his defeat he vowed he would return. And how 1000 years later the Emperor had come back and was intent in destroying everything and forming his Empire once again.
"Sounds just like a fairy tale doesn't it?"
The koala didn't answer.
"Well the bad news is, it isn't a fairy tale. You might have heard or read about it. People chalk it as a myth, but its damn real. And its going on now. Ever seen the news? Them terrorists?"
The koala nodded. "Well that's them. The bloody Neo Empire. And your sister forms a part of it. And they want you as well. You are best to stay here where is safe. Safe from them."
"NOOOOOOOO! YOU ARE LYING!!!! MY SISTER WOULD NEVER DO SUCH A THING!!!" The koala shouted and unable to cope with anymore thrust herself towards the door and ran off.
The tiger pressed a button. "Let her pass, don't try to stop her."
"But sir..."
"She has nowhere to go. I'll handle this matter personally." With that he got up. And began to walk out of the room calmly. As he did so he tightened the dark blue gloves he was wearing.
Within a safe enough distance from Seath's group Valentino becomes inpatient and begins to talk to himself in a low tone voice. "They wake my ass up from the dam freezer for this, this is some bull$h!t. Techno ass*&%# got me here climbing rocks, crossing rivers, cutting up some weird $h!t, dodging these flying things... they were F&*%#ing everywhere no pudia ver nada dam and these f&*%ing gelatin things what kinda island is this.... I bet you Tails wouldn't like to do this $h!t thats why he calls me he's to scared to this $h!t himself i would like to put one right in his celebro... you know what... you know what i feel like doing I feel like grabbing one of those F&*%ing bendejos and pull him right here behind that rock right there and just slit his dam throat... dam i need a cigarette when is this going to be over... O' $h!t" Valentino quickly lays himself on the ground before the Kangaroo can spot him, suddenly a mist arose. "Ha how u like that you b&%$ you can t see me do this now can you ha... for a minute there i actually thought i had to use cloak... let me shut up before they hear me talking smack"
ooc: well if u dont like it i could try to change it, i just thought it would be funny that's all
Nixie stormed out of the council room and outside was Lt Light drinking what looked like coffee. He saw her but as he was to ask how did it go, she passed by running and crying.
"Well I guess that answers the question on how it go?" he said to one of the door guards. "Better follow her..."
Nixie ran around the halls, but after 5 minutes she realized she was just going around in circles. She knew Lt Light was following her, but she didn't want to talk to anyone. She searched for somewhere she could hide.
"I think I'll lose him if I go into this dark room" the koala said as she opened the door to what seemed to be some kind of storage room. When she tried to close the door she was surprised to see Lt Light standing there. Nixie was surprised but she didn't ask any questions, she just sat down on a box and hid her face in between her claws.
"What happened in there?" asked Light.
"Nothing...." the koala answered in between her sobs.
"Hmmmm... I didnt know young brave koalas like you cried for nothing. But that's ok, if you say nothing happened, then nothing happened. Im just wondering why Frost came walking after you." he said sitting down besides her on the floor.
"WHAT? WHO?" Nixie said surprised and confused.
"You know... the white tiger" he replied.
"Oh no... Get me out of this place please! This is all just a bad joke, I shouldnt have trusted you" the koala said standing up and wiping her tears.
"Joke? What joke? I ain't playing no joke on you...." said Light.
"No one is..." said a voice behind them.
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"We are here" said a blue and gold macaw.
"Good" said Ivie. "Now help me search my home for anything useful."
Ivie entered the house with four others, a chimpanzee, a cat and two humans. They started looking everywhere, not knowing exactly what they were looking for they would once in a while ask Ivie if they had found something useful. This was annoying Ivie, but she knew they were being useful for now so she tried to be patient. After an hour they had searched everywhere in the house not finding anything useful. Ivie was about to order the search to be over when she noticed something she had never seen before.
"All these years living here and I had never noticed tile is out of place" Ivie said while pushing the tile. When she did this a secret room was unveiled before them, the fireplace lifted up and revealed a small dark room in the dark. Ivie looked for a flashlight and entered the room. Inside there was lots of ancient writings and a huge old chest in one of the corners.
"Do any of you know how to read this? Or even what language its writing in?" she asked her underlings. They all came in and shook their heads. "Useless.... well then take pictures of this." One of the humans then started taking pictures with his eye piece, a device used for video calling and other useful things like taking pictures. "YOU" Ivie pointed at the chimp. "Open the chest."
The chimp tried to open it with no luck. Then Nixie pointed at each of the other underlings, all had the same luck. The young koala then decided she would try it herself, but not here, she would take it back to her base. She ordered her underlings to take the chest to the ship. When they tried to raise it they couldn't.
"Great" Nixie said. "Well I will have to do it here." The koala walked towards the chest to attempt opening it. This time it opened and inside laid some kind of weapon. She took it out and felt the power rushing through her hands into her body. Then she noticed it could separate. It was made of two identical pieces that fit together to form what seemed to be a circular bladed boomerang. Or at least that's how Ivie would describe it. Each piece could be held in the center and the blades would extend from it, one to one side the other to the opposite side. They both had some writings and symbols written on them. But Ivie couldn't figure them out, and neither any of the underlings.
"Well not exactly what I was looking for, but it's something, let's go".
"... its reality and you will have to deal with it just like I did." It was the white tiger again. Or as Light put it, Frost. "I'm not going to sugar coat this for you Nixie, your pink world is gone. You either walk away from here and risk getting captured on sight by the Neo Empire and maybe even tortured. Or stay here with us and learn how to fight because if you do stay here I assure you, you won't be treated any differently then everyone in this organization. Makes no difference to me. Being captured by the Neo Empire would be the best possibility for a whiny crying kid who doesn't accept reality. Of course before you leave back to your miserable existence we will have to perform a mind wipe of this place. So you can return back to your "pink painted-sugar coated" life without being the wiser." Frost walked away now without even waiting for a reply.
"Yeah thats Frost for you. Even his codename lets you know how cold he is. But many people here think its more of a put on. He actually cares for people he just doesn't show it." Light shrugged. "Anyway if you do want to leave, its okay with us. But like Frost said we need to mind wipe you. It won't hurt or anything and its safe. Its your choice."
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Once Ivie boarded her ship with her crew the first thing she did was sit in front of her seat and contact the only person she knew who had brains.
"Armando, take a look at this. What is it?" Ivie transferred some of the picture files of the weird writings.
The skunk looked at it. "Hmm. Seems to me its of Ancient design. Actually its Ancient language. Where did you find this?"
"Nowhere in particular."
"Heh like if I didn't know you better then that. Stop lying."
"None of your business."
"Pffft. well then why did you contact me if you can't trust me."
"I trust no one Psicosis. You should know that."
"Whatever. Want me to look into this or not."
"Yeah. But I don't want the Emperor to find out."
Armando faked a surprised look. "You know that's heresy!" He then laughed. "He ALWAYS finds out about +%@+ like this. Kind of make me wonder how he keeps tabs on everything we do."
"Well I am not going to hide it from him forever. I just want to make sure I know what it is first."
"Sure you do. I'll look into it. But I'll probably won't be able to use the databases in here."
"Then how?"
"Oh I got my connections. There are a few scholars in the world of the Thralls, they don't know much about everything going on now but they do know their history."
"You mean like those crazy archaeologists types?"
"Correct. I'll tell you about it later. Over and out"
Ivie closed the comm link. And sat to think on her way back to Neo Empire's head quarters.
Somewhere else someone smiled with a dark smile. His green eyes glowing.
The stone stairs were harsh. They were carved out of the side of the rocky ridge, upon which the Ancients had built their city. The stairs were especially hard on Ares, whose body size made it hard for him to climb them. Xian was the first to reach the top, she then helped Seath and Desiree, followed by Shinzu, and a couple of minutes later Ares made it up. Once they were all up they followed a path that led them to a derelict wooden-iron gate. The gate had broken flags of a reddish color that waved and moved into the wind. Ares pushed the gate with might, but his strength was so, that the derelict gate broke off its hinges and fell to the floor. Ares motioned the group to follow him.
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-"It is said by my people that the forefathers built this city a millennial ago, before the dark ages of the Conqueror. The city, rumor has it, was the pearl of their civilization and that it was here that the forefathers found the Primary Door into Shakuras."- told Seath as they walked towards the ridge that led to the city, but was interrupted by the view of the ruins.
The ruins covered the valley, its form suggested it was an impact crater from a comet that had fallen there long ago. Most of the buildings roof had caved in, except for the central tower which had a large sun disk that reflected light, but no longer was reflecting due to its angle, and the sun's position in the sky. Immediately the group noticed the obvious... the city was a giant maze like structure, which was divided into three rings: the outermost, the outer, and the inner rings. Each ring had a massive gate that enabled the former citizens to pass from ring to ring.
-"I had to open my mouth..."- exclaimed Shinzu.
-"By the triad!"- exclaimed Xian.
-"We can try just ramming the walls they probably are as weak as the gates we just passed through."- said Ares.
-"It isn't as simple... these walls have withstood the test of time. They witnessed the rise and fall of the empire, we must safeguard their welfare. These ruins are sacred to my people."-
