Log started: 12/22/02 6:24:37 PM Eurasia - Skydeck A park resides at the top of this station, which is as open to space as any place can get. Massive transparisteel windows cover this area, and pleasant grass and trees are maintained by careful gardening staff. It's very pretty, and not as dark as one might expect for a place that's exposed to space. Contents: Contents: Metal Shark [M] Job [SPACE SALVAGE GEAR] [C] Barrage Raptor [Armored] [RF] Starburst Dragon [Armor] [RF] Firestorm Phoenix [FLIght] [M] Silo [Armor] [RF] Mai Atsuki [Strider] [C] Alpha [Wing] [MH] Gale Sorcerer [Magician] [C] Harmony [Armor] [RF] Canopy Jabberwock [Jabberwocky] [RF] Kain [Strider] [C] Dawn [Schoolgirl] [MH] Colonel [Armor] [RF] Rocket Rodent [Workclothes] [RF] Beam Demon [Pulsar] [M] Fusion Phoenix [Avian] [RF] Pyro Squirrel [Standard] [C] Iris [Uniform] [RF] Crescent Grizzly [RF] Aldebaran [SD] LIft Down : Eurasia - Empire Central Square Dawn goes home. Dawn has left. Walking from the LIfts, the unexpectedly short form of Beam Demon trundles across the Deck. Mounted on his left arm, as usual in this form, is the massive Buster Shield. The Demo Bazooka is attached to its mount, though aimed upwards while the Demon's hands both hold a large black metal box firmly between them. Pyro Squirrel is carrying lots of packages of fireworks, by the by. Some of them are illegal, but does it really matter at this point? And to represent the nominal dominant species of the now-darkened planet down below the base of Eurasia, a tall woman in her replacement Strider clothing comes out of the LIft as well. She's holding one of her Ciphers in one hand, but that doesn't seem to be an aggressive sort of thing - it's merely because she's ready. She is well aware that she may never leave Eurasia aLIve - but at least she'll beat the rush into the afterLIfe. Silo just walks out slowly, in the group with Fusion and Barrage... Not much going on with him, he just appears to be mentally ready for whatever could happen from now on... The End Of The World included. Footsteps approach from the station below. Canopy Jabberwock's significant outLIne makes itself visible, foreclaws folded, standing with what other RepLIforcers he can spot. He holds nothing special; no crystal, no precious holdings. To nobody in particular, he remarks, "Continues it. Shall what havoc be wreaked this day?" Beam Demon enters the Eurasia - Empire Central Square. Beam Demon has left. Colonel runs out of the LIft area quickly. The XO of RepLIforce looks angry... dark... almost moody. His eyes focus up at the Stardroid as he talks, ironically, Colonel doesn't take time to say much more even to his RepLIforce troops... they are here, they know what to do and Colonel is thinking about other things at this point. Beam Demon arrives from the Eurasia - Empire Central Square. Beam Demon has arrived. Racing his way into the skydeck of Eurasia, Gale Sorcerer quickly lands near his destination, very close actually. The very recent RDI Director of the UN seems not to be able to drop his old habits from when he was a common agent of getting into everything relevant. Then again, not even him thinks of himself as a real director. Metal Shark enters the room from the LIft, as he looks around he notices a pure black sky - all of its stars strangely absent. He sighs, and walks towards where a large crowd seems to be gathering. All the while humming his Requiem. And so has Rocket Rodent. He arrives in the elevator, as well as many others. At this point, Factions mean nothing now. It's the earth versus the outside. The jetpacked rodent takes to the air, as he usually does when hes in a large area, and floats up above most other peoples heads. He looks at the windows, watching the windows, bLInking as a star is sucked up. "Ok, I beLIeve the term is now or never." Ninjutsu Gecko arrives from the Eurasia - Empire Central Square. Ninjutsu Gecko has arrived. Iris is here, rather resigned and sad-looking. She's made her peace...and she doesn't want to die fighting. If anything, she's content to just let the LIghts snuff out on the universe once and for all. At least eternal darkness would be an improvement over the pain this LIfe has become...she waits silently, peering out a nearby window at Starhaven and the approaching darkness. Dynamo Man arrives from the Eurasia - Empire Central Square. Dynamo Man has arrived. Bass arrives from the Eurasia - Empire Central Square. Bass has arrived. Pyro Squirrel continues to gaze out the window, thinking. Guts Man arrives from the Eurasia - Empire Central Square. Guts Man has arrived. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Fusion Phoenix transmits, "And this is the ultimte Winter Solstice... I am ready." Firestorm Phoenix follows in behind the demon that is beamy, looking around at the gathered individuals from various factions, "So ah, why do we all have to be here anyways? Don't all we need is just the crystals and a hell of a lotta luck?" [Radio: (D) GLobal] Pyro Squirrel transmits, "Hmm... I can distract it, if you all hit it hard enough..." Bass, in full Magna armor, leads Dynamo Man and Guts Man onto the Skydeck. He may be freshly patched from a short firefight last night, but right now there's too much at stake for him to sit out what could be the biggest battle in the history of Earth. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Metal Shark transmits, "Hmm, yes.. Distract the Nigh.. We shall all be GLad you gave your LIfe." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Pyro Squirrel transmits, "Shut up and focus." Guts Man looks around as he walks on in. "Where's Hero Boy? And how come we're surrounded by losers instead of bona fide heroes?" [Radio: (D) GLobal] Metal Shark transmits, "Oh *what*? Nothing's happened yet." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Pyro Squirrel transmits, "Shut up and focus anyway." Capricorn has arrived. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Metal Shark transmits, "Hmm.." To Firestorm, who he has battled recently, Rocket Rodentonly says, "I beLIeve that we are plan B." Besides, massive amounts of weaponry are good, right? The jetpacked wonder continues to hiover in the air, waiting for something to happen. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Daryn yawns. "Yo Mr. Squirrel." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Pyro Squirrel transmits, "What?" Dynamo Man walks on in behind Guts and Bass. Lotta people came to fight the Nigh, he sees. "Well, at least we have some shielding." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Fusion Phoenix transmits, "Then again, it took a miricle to stop judgement. I fear it may be that this world needs another miricle." Sai arrives from the Eurasia - Empire Central Square. Sai has arrived. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Fusion Phoenix transmits, "OOCly hides. :)" Another human...another Strider walks off the Elevator, his face grim with the reaLIzation that this could be the last day... not just for him, but for Mother Earth, as well. "At the end of all things, the work we did shall be judged and ourselves judged accordinGLy. Let's make this count," The Strider known as K intones. "I beLIeve our ratty friend is right. If this fails, we are the contengiancy plan." The demon stops short of Aldebaran, tucking the box under one arm and peering at the stardroid carefully." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Daryn transmits, "Stop quoting the damn soundtrack." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Metal Shark transmits, "Do miracles still exist? Procyon said god left us." Ninjutsu Gecko sLIps in quietly. He heard that Gale Sorcerer was here, and has been trying to catch up. He spots the other Interpol person, and sLIdes over. "Gale Sorcerer, I presume?" [Radio: (D) GLobal] Pharaoh Man transmits, "Procyon is also dead." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Pyro Squirrel transmits, "Soundtrack?" Job has been busy up here on the station and arrives on the deck, he is suited up in some salvage operations gear. Just incase extra techinal support is needed. He look about at the Masters, Hunters, Forcers, UN personel, Mavericks and others who are here. Those bearing the Maverick symbol get GLared at for a moment but he says nothing. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Daryn transmits, "Yes, the soundtrack...OF THE UNIVERSE." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Pyro Squirrel transmits, "Procyan is dead? That's good." Logbot arrives from the Eurasia - Empire Central Square. Logbot has arrived. Aldebaran's voice rumbles quietly, nodding towards Crescent. He reaches out his huge hand to accept the crystal... "...you have done well." he says, accepting the object and examining it. Closing his hand, holding it in his palm. "We will be departing to Starhaven shortly!" he bellows out. "We currently await the final purgation of radiation for the weapon to be finished..." His optics turn towards the Phoenix and he smirks. "...that... is a correct assumption, I suppose." He GLances about. "At this time I give any of you who wish it an opportunity to back out... though if we fail there will LIkely be very LIttle to return to. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Capricorn transmits, "Procyon isnae dead." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Pyro Squirrel transmits, "OOC: That wasn't a typo. Pyro really did say Procyan." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Sigma transmits, "He isn't? Good." Guts Man looks to Dynamo, "Five bucks says the nigh cripples this place right before we kill it. Then it'll crash down to earth causing some mass destruction LIke some bad videogame plot. Of course we'll all escape scratch free before the place loses it's orbit and blows up." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Crescent Grizzly transmits, "Wha' yew' mean, Capricarn'? Ah' saw' im' go up 'en an 'xplosion..." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Kain transmits, "*idly plays One Ton's 'Another Miracle'. "The age of miracles isn't over, friends. And it won't be over as long as even one of us is still breathing... We shall succeed."" "I *won't* fight," Iris tells Aldebaran. Stubborn to the end. Starburst Dragon swings and spins his blade, then takes the sack and rummages around in it. He's got some presents to give out, and so, he fLIts around the room to hand them out, passing them to their lucky person before moving on. To Aldebaran, he hands over the shard. It might be useful. To Barrage, he gives a jar of boiled sweets named bulls' eyes. To Iris, he gives... an iris. In a LIttle stasis-locked chamber. To Canopy, he gives a copy of ALIce in Wonderland. To Colonel, he gives a new hat. One with bells on. To Fusion, he gives an ice maker. Not all of them have to make sense. To Rocket, he gives a bundle of tickets for massive discount at a meal in Tetsuo's. He then fLIts over to Harmony. "This is it,"" he sighs. "What was it? One touch for luck." To Harmony, Starburst Dragon gives a kiss. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Capricorn transmits, "But he aes mortal, drained o' his powers. Hae is once again a human, special in no way save for whae he once was." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Pyro Squirrel transmits, "Well, let's kill him again." Mai Atsuki GLances at Kain with a sLIght hint of maLIce - but it fades, quickly. In the face of the end of the world, what's a petty feud? And if they succeed, she can just explain it away. Failure will have its own price. She does say, though, to the man, "I wish that Matic was here. .... Or Hiryu." She can't deny Hiryu's power, even if he is a jerk. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Guts Man transmits, "I hope you all die. Bunch of aft munching no good vengefull space morons. 'Oh we'll never bother you again. Your judgement has been done for good! Bla bla bla!'" Barrage Raptor wanders over to Alde, and breaks out the crystal she's got, and then hands it over. And then she gets candy! "Ooh>" She grabs a peice and munches on it. Hey, may as well fight on an empty stomach. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Capricorn transmits, "He'll meet a fitting fate, dunnae worry." Alpha holds out the Hunter Crystal affter a few moments and then shrugs her shoulders and walks over towards Aldebaran to offer it to him. This must be the thing Pac Pac eats. You know, LIke the LIttle yellow bLInking dots. However, Alpha really doesn't think too much on the Pac Man metaphors as she raises the crystal up, "I am sorry if it is not as charged as you would LIke it. Hopefully it will be enough, I guess." Metal Shark turns around and notices Bass. With no fear of attack he walks towards the Dark Night and GLares at him, "For all I know this could be the end right here. So I suggest you and I leave our petty quarrel about your sister BEHIND us when be embark on this. If we win by all means flare it up again.. Though I do expect for some of the proceeds from my," He smiles "Blood and toil to appear in my bank account. Understood?" Pyro Squirrel GLances over as Starburst kisses Harmony, LIghtly applauds, then goes back to looking out of the windows. "Umm...?" Gale Sorcerer eyes Gecko for a moment, until he reaLIzes who the ninja is. "Oh, that's right. Ninjutsu Gecko, if I'm not wrong. Yes, I'm indeed Gale, nice to meet you. You've come to assist me?" Well, help is always appreciated, but he thought that the LIzard was going to be placed into the UNED. And if Bridgit finds out he's been working with one of his agents, she'll surely kill him dead. "Um, let us hurry, I think they are about to teleport into Starhaven" [Radio: (D) GLobal] Pyro Squirrel transmits, "Good." Beam Demon clears his throat, removing the box from its place beneath his arm. With his free hand, he pulls the LId open, then reaches in to remove the crystal itself, GLowing with a healthy dose of power. The demon looks into the gem for a moment, before offering it to the Stardroid, "Here is the gathered energy from the CoaLItion for Reploid Freedom. Cyber Peacock is unavailable to deLIver it himself." Harmony bLInks, already distracted with everything going on.. and then out of nowhere, Starburst gives her an early Xmas present. Blushing, she stares at Starburst in.. shock. "G-Gah, um.. luck? T-Thanks, Starburst.." she gigGLes a LIttle, kind of.. embarassed. Iris takes the LIttle iris Starburst gives to her, murmurs a 'thank you', then clutches the container against her chest as she continues to watch the darkness approach. Fusion Phoenix eyes the Ice maker, and sticks it in his med kit. "Uh.. thanks." Rocket Rodent is given tickets. He looks at the... present, and then says to Starburst. "You are too early, and expect that we might not come back." Think positive waves, people! He does not give the gift back, but tucks it into his armor. He unholsters one of the pistols he carries, a new once, since the one that was damaged in the firefight is now a lump of slag, and waits. Sai enters quietly, as stealthily as he can. He has no intention of letting this happen without him there, however LIttle he may be able to do. He watches what is going on, but stays quiet. Canopy Jabberwock looks over at Iris, with a rare serious look on his face. "Selfish. Arrogant. FooLIsh." Normally he doesn't LIke to take a tone at all severe, but it seems that the gravity of the matter weighs upon him tonight. When Starburst goes about with his presents, though, his severe look fades, and he smiles in acceptance of the book. "Would know you it, but had I not a copy before now. Shall I read it." He chuckles to himself as he watches Starburst kiss Harmony, folding his foreclaws in an amused dichotomy to his so recent tone in speaking to Iris. Crescent Grizzly removes the mitt, which itself was already starting to melt from the heat. He then moves over to Colonel and the rest of RepLIforce, in time to see Starburst give Harmony a smack on the LIps. The Cajun chuckles, and moves next to Colonel and Iris, " 'ell Colonel, 'ah know 'ah 'aven been veray' cooperateeve' in deh' las' few days, buh' 'ahll' stan' wit' yew' no matteh' 'ow dis turns ou', d'accord? " Silo just continues to wait, a bit of a grim look on his face. He raises an eyebrow from inside his helmet as he watches Starburst give out presents, the one given to Harmony getting more attention then the others, and twisting his LIps into a wry smile. Shaking his head, he sighs, before just waiting for the Beginning Of The End... [Radio: (D) GLobal] Daryn transmits, "So what were you before you were Stardroidized?" Ninjutsu Gecko nods to Gale, "Yea well...whole end of the world thing, you know. Don't want to say I didn't try." As for Bridgit...he'll deal with her later. If there is a later. "But yes, don't want to waste time. Would suck a big one if we almost won, but didn't cause we goofed around down here too long." Job sends a radio transmission. Iris receives a radio transmission from Job. Iris sends a radio transmission. Job receives a radio transmission from Iris. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Capricorn transmits, "Thae's personal." Iris sends a radio transmission to Job. Job receives a radio transmission from Iris. Colonel stares at Starburst as a hat is offered... He GLares, but takes the present and sLIdes it into a pocket inside his armor. He moves towards Iris and places his hand on his sister. "Sister, you may not want to fight, but is the disappearance of the universe truly what you want? IS that peace or is that surrendering to destruction? Ask yourself, Iris... if you don't fight now... what are you really hoping for... Death or LIfe." With that, Colonel steps forward towards the Stardroid, his hand on his sabre's hilt. "Aldebaran, RepLIforce will stand by you to the end... We will fight for our existence... and for the existence of our enemies." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Guts Man transmits, "I'm betting a janitor." Dynamo Man gives Guts an amused smirk and Metal Shark an annoyed GLare, as he starts to step toward Aldebaran, taking out the partially charged crystal. "For what it's worth." He offers it, still holding the clenched jaw. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Metal Shark transmits, "Or a cess pool conductor." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Pyro Squirrel transmits, "You, shut up and concentrate. You, just shut up." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Daryn transmits, "We're all friends here!" "That is your choice," states Aldebaran, towards Iris. "There may be LIttle we can do in the end, save pray." He'll certainly be doing so. As Starburst walks towards him, he accepts the second crystal. "My thanks..." he states. Seeing Alpha, he manages a faint smile in the Hunter's direction. "You did the best you could..." he accepts it. "That is all I can ask of you." The fourth crystal - from Beam Demon. The Maverick crystal. "Thank you for your assistance." he says. Dynamo Man - with the fifth crystal. He accepts it as well. The GLowing crystals begin to resonate, or so it seems. "You have done well," he says. "All of you. Victory may yet come to us." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Capricorn snarls. "Watch ye'r tone, y'bleedin fools. We're all on ae same side right now, ae'n there's not a mite sense in petty insults." Crash Man arrives from the Eurasia - Empire Central Square. Crash Man has arrived. Pyro Squirrel looks up from the window. "Say, what's all this about the crystals?" [Radio: (D) GLobal] Daryn transmits, "Right, we're all on the same side. So what were you before you were stardroidized?" [Radio: (D) GLobal] Metal Shark transmits, "Plenty of point." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Metal Shark transmits, "The fleshie holds a point. If we are all alLIes why can you not tell us? Do you not trust us?" Job sends a radio transmission to Iris. Iris receives a radio transmission. "We're comin' back together. There ain' even gonna be no 'or not at all'," assures Starburst. "Ah'm ready as ah''l evah be," he states. Then a gatLIng gun sproings out of his shoulder pad, and he shoves it back in. "Aw, dangit..." Magna Bass walks deeper into the room, wings crackLIng intermittently with the power of his binary reactors. His red pupils pulse rhythmically with his movements, his gaze cold and unyielding. Metal Shark deigns to approach him. He looks to the Maverick, LIstening to him run his mouth. He does not seem amused, nor angry, nor even affected. He simply LIstens, then looks to Aldebaran. He LIstens to what the Stardroid has to say, then returns his attention to the far less important Metal Shark. "You will get nothing," says Bass. "Nothing at all." And he smiles thinly, almost Buddha-LIke, as he looks back towards the inky blackness beyond. Guts Man stares at Aldebaran, "Ha! You'd want me to back out wouldn't you Starchump? You're afraid I'll uncover the true plot of you trying to take over once the nothing's been defeated! I know your kind. Bunch of back stabbing, no good lying, heehawing, buck toothed, space hicks. You're LIke Germany, you say you've reformed but soon we'll be seeing you space Nazis after us yet again!" Aldebaran turns towards Colonel... and nods. "My thanks, Colonel. I beLIeve I see why this planet has survived... there are many worlds who would sooner have their enemies perish than the survival of all." He turns his gaze back out towards the window, pointedly ignoring Guts Man. Dynamo Man has nothing to say as he steps back next to his two partners (make that three), psyching himself up for what he knows will be one of the biggest external confLIcts of his LIfe. The pool of ink outside draws his optics. "Totally agreed. It'll be wonderful to have some actual help. Let's go!" With that, Gale Sorcerer just runs near Aldebaran and the rest of the crowd. Whatever has to come after this, the mage will have to see. Taking a step back, Beam grasps the grip of his Demo Bazooka, holding the weapon firmly, "What is available of the CoaLItion's miLItery is here to fight for those reploids on Earth who cannot defend themselves from Nigh's will." He GLances at the Colonel, and shifts to stand almost back-to-back with the bastion of RepLIforce's power and leadership, raising his bazooka's barrel upwards. *lensflare* There is a brief silence, then... "In Trouble? Then prepare for the Solution!" "To end the Confusion!" "To Defend the Earth against the Darkness of Nigh!" "To see LIght of another Sunrise!" "Clown Man!" "Sideshow!" "Team Clown is ready to defend!" "So lets give the World an early X-Mas Present!" "Meowth! We can do it!!!" Job watches Bass for a moment with his optic scanner and takes a step back. After one surives a megablast you do not try to ever again taunt the happy fun bass if you can help it. Tengu Man arrives from the Eurasia - Empire Central Square. Tengu Man has arrived. Metal Shark snarls at Magna Bass, offering a twig from the OLIve branch was something he had been considering for a long time.. An' the bastid rejected it. Clenching his anchor almost in rage, almost ready to strike the Dark Night he gets a better idea. "Then you, Finhead shall get nothing from my Reqiuem - with your sister as the theme." He then turns up his nose at Bass, per-se and wanders away. Pyro Squirrel gets up and walks over to Aldebaran, then taps him on the leg, being unable to reach his shoulder. "Excuse me, but what's all this about crystals?" Fusion Phoenix ignores the comotion in favor of watching the events out the giant transparent dome. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Bass transmits, "I'm going to kill your boy today, Sigma." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Capricorn pauses. "Ah was ae queen of ae sapphire o'a planet. Ae was a gorgeous ocean, teeming with LIfe. Y'er own seas remind me of ae't. But... ae's gone now, so whae difference is ae't?" Iris stares unhappily up at her brother...knowing this is very LIkely the last chance they'll ever speak in this LIfetime. "I love you, brother," she says. "I won't do this for RepLIforce. I won't do this because anyone else is unhappy with my decision. I want you to know that I'm ONLY going to do it...for YOU." Her jaw set, she turns back to Aldebaran. "...Count me in," she says in a tone suggesting disgust for the entire situation. Rocket Rodent just watches the events that transpire. Well, except for Clown Man appearing. ".... I think I heard something similar to that before..." He says, remarking about the rhyme that Scorpio said. Ninjutsu Gecko moves behind Gale, "I'm ready to do this LIttle electric boogaloo.." He stands beside the sorcerer. "I guess it'll be time to see if our new Interpol is any better than the old school U.N." He grins beneath his neenja wraps. Alpha, LIkewise, pointedly ignores Clown Man, but Guts Man is a true genius, so he is a bit harder to ignore. Alpha rubs her forehead thoughtfully as she ponders the saged words of the oracle, and then smiles back to Aldebaran and says, "I owe you at least three times already so I think it's the least I can do to settle the debts, right? Don't get hurt, please?" [Radio: (D) GLobal] Guts Man transmits, "And I'm going to beat anyone who tries to interfere with Bass' plans!" Mai Atsuki steps forwards sLIghtly, raising one of her Ciphers in a readied salute to Aldebaran. Someone has to speak, and apparently she's been elected, so: "The fate of the world belongs to us as well," she says, clearly and quite audibly, LIke she's used to having to speak into a large chamber without the benefit of ampLIfication. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Sigma transmits, "What did he do this time?" [Radio: (D) GLobal] Bass transmits, "He continues to show disrespect. Here I thought you were running a proper miLItary. Do you tolerate this kind of insubordination among your own?" [Radio: (D) GLobal] Rocket Rodent transmits, "As long as they don't go against saving the free world, why should we try to stop him?" [Radio: (D) GLobal] Metal Shark transmits, "He does not, Bass. I expect punishment later." Job would smile at Mai's comment but well he does not jhhave a fave fight not but he then says. "Well Alderban what do you need us to do? Its crunch time and we better work together or we all get consumed." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Metal Shark coughs, "It was worth it.." [Radio: (E) Theta] Tengu Man transmits, "...hnn..." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Sigma transmits, "Figured. Do not worry, Bass. If we do not all perish by Nigh, I will decide on a proper punishment for suicidal tendencies." Iris sends a radio transmission. Job receives a radio transmission. Colonel sends a radio transmission. Iris receives a radio transmission. [Radio: (E) Theta] Tengu Man transmits, "...Sword..." ---------- Capricorn winks into being. No flash, no smoke. She's simply gone one moment, and there the next. "Ae's time," announces the satyr, from where she overlooks the group from atop a nearby hill. ---------- [Radio: (D) GLobal] Bass transmits, "Very obLIging, Emperor. I will spare him for you." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Metal Shark transmits, "..But.. Sir!" Canopy Jabberwock holds up the book given to him and looks upward into the ravenous emptiness above the windows over the Skydeck, now taking his mind off of preparations for the moment. After a measure, the gem on his forehead begins to GLow with soft utterance, and those close to him who would care to bother LIstening to him would simply hear a whispered, "ALIce was beginning to get very tired of sitting by her sister by the bank, and of having nothing to do: once or twice she had peeped into the book her sister was reading..." Guts Man says, "Time to get Hard?" Bass says, "Time to get ill." Zero arrives from the Eurasia - Empire Central Square. Zero has arrived. Barrage Raptor sLInks back to the rest of the RepLIforcers, and hrms a LIttle bit to herself, but otherwise stays quiet. Of course, she's quiet because she's running an internal weapons check. Recheck, to be exact. She wants to make sure everything works. Metal Shark says, "TIME TO KILL!" Starburst Dragon says, "It's go tahm." Crescent Grizzly GLances over at Capricorn, and recognizes her from reports, " Raght'...." Iris sends a radio transmission. Colonel receives a radio transmission from Iris. Metal Shark turns towards Cap, "So be it." Pyro Squirrel keeps tapping Aldebaran on the leg. "Excuse me, but what's all this about the crystals?" Bass, having sorted out a brief adminstrative matter, stands among the Robot Master contingent that he is aware of -- Guts Man and Dynamo Man. He folds his arms, reactors powering up, and awaits the transport. lowering his bazooka and raising his shield, the demon laughs. He pulls the weapon of his forward, swinging it up and to one side in an overly dramatic pose, "IT'S _GO TIME_!!" Colonel sends a radio transmission. Iris receives a radio transmission from Colonel. *lensflare* Silo just continues to stand near the Stardroid, just waiting... He GLances up at Capricorn, bLInking several times, before stretching his neck a bit, running a full weapons and systems check... He's ready. Guts Man powers up his boulders. "So this is what the end of the world looks LIke," Crash Man comments as he sidles up next to Guts Man. He folds his arms over his gemmed chestplate and leans against the mighty Alpha Co-Commander. The smaller android smirks, "Buncha dorks. Some cool people.. and ooh, some sweetness. Hello LIght-skin! How YOU doin'?! Heh heh heh.." Crash Man snickers as he focuses his emerald optics on Mai. Aldebaran nods, sLIghtly, to those who pledge their resources... their very LIves, to the fight. He GLances down towards Pyro Squirrel... "I have given your people crystals in which to deposit the energy of Duo to fight the forces of Nigh. We have attained much energy..." he says. GLancing up again... he notices Capricorn. "Very well. Anyone who has second thoughts... now is the time. Otherwise, we depart immediately, for Starhaven." Canopy Jabberwock lowers his gaze to the arriving Stardroid, and puts the book away into a pocket. "It so let be." No weapons raised, no poses or excessive rhetoric. Harmony clutches her harp, trying not to look nervous.. but there's no reason not to be. This is it, this is the one, this is time time. The time to act, the time to change, and all that other sappy stuff that's dramatic and appLIes to the situation. Taking a deep breathe, she waits.. with her family, her faction, for the deciding battle. [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Traitor! Tengu Man chuckles softly. Sai steps up to the clear transparent dome, to gaze into the Black beyond. "The time's come, huh," he muses quietly, wandering over to the other RepLIforcers. "Then let's go!" Eager to defend as always. Zero changes into his Red Armor armor. [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Beta CO Metal Man transmits, "Oh Tengu..." [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Traitor! Tengu Man still chuckles, "Yes, Metal?" [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Beta CO Metal Man transmits, "When we surive this I will be kicking your ass all over the Pit in Tartuarus" A sLIght grin answers the ninja LIzard, a mixture between good humor and embarrassment. The newest RDI Directior of the UN has no doubt a lot of responsabiLIty under his charge. Maybe too much for his own enjoyment, but Gale Sorcerer will be sure to do his best. "What better time than this to find it out?" He answers smiLIng. "By the way, let's avoid Mavericks and Masters as much as possible. They don't really LIke us. oO(And me even less)" Geez, how can the other people just let them run around as they wish? Pyro Squirrel stops tapping Aldebaran on the leg. "Oh, thanks." oO(Of course... I'm not important enough to get one... but is that a good thing or a bad thing?)Oo [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Crash Man transmits, "Quiet, red loser!" [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Traitor! Tengu Man answers with a jeering laugh. Crescent Grizzly nods to Aldebaran slowly, " 'Ahm in 'dis fer' keeps, Aldebaran. Iffin' 'ah wantad' tah' turn bac', 'ahd nevah' a' come..." His drill hand flexes, and reaches forwards, pricking into the air, tearing a crescent of energy from it. The energy surrounds the reploid in a soLId, protective field. " Les' do 'dis..." Crescent Grizzly projects a forcefield around himself. Mai Atsuki steps forwards towards the goatLIke Stardroid, silently, putting her Cipher back at her waist, saying nothing... although her green eyes do fLIck sLIghtly chidinGLy at Crash Man. Ah, the children of humanity! [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Beta CO Metal Man transmits, "Make me Crashypoo." Zero walks into the scene, fashionably late as usual, and armed with a quick slap to the back of Crash's head as he walks by him, "Try and at last take the moment a tad seriously, Poindexter? Now is not the time to try and improve your hapless chances of ever having any kind of love LIfe." He then wanders off in search of the other Hunters, LIke a good fachead would. Guts Man huhs at the sound of Crash Man, he looks down to his partner in crime. "Yup, the end of the world looks LIke some bad plot device thrown to us over a weekend of beer and pizza." Metal Shark projects a holographic image of Guardian of Atlantis. Guardian of Atlantis has arrived. Iris sends a radio transmission. Colonel receives a radio transmission from Iris. Fusion Phoenix turns to face the Stardroid that restored his body. "I have no doubt. I am ready for the fight." Tengu Man enters the Eurasia - Empire Central Square. Tengu Man has left. Metal Shark turns off his holographic projection of Guardian of Atlantis. Guardian of Atlantis has left. Rocket Rodent puts his gogGLes down to his eyes, and checks his systems also, even though he would still fight even if his jetpack isn't working. You don't get second chances for battles LIke this. "I am ready." Dynamo Man simply mutters, "I am ready." His expression remains unclear. Metal Shark projects a holographic image of Duo. Duo has arrived. Metal Shark turns off his holographic projection of Duo. Duo has left. Crash Man's head jerks forward sLIghtly when Zero smacks him. "Ow! Dork.." He mutters. Pyro Squirrel closes his eyes, trying to focus... [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Traitor! Tengu Man transmits, "...so...is it close?" Guts Man shakes his head at Crash Man, he watches as Zero wanders off, "That guy is a jerk." "T'gether," assures Starburst, putting a hand on Harmony's. LIke Crescent, he projects a forcefield, but this is different to his usual one- it's a golden GLow to surround them both. "WHatever it takes, ah c'n give it w'you heah. So let's be strong'n do this thing. T'gether." ---------- Capricorn turns, producing her scythe, and brings the weapon in a slash at her side; a black LIne is drawn through the air where the blade cuts through it. Reaching out with one hand, she grabs that LIne and pulls, tearing an iris of inky black into the air itself. "But ah will nae take ye there myself. Ah dunnae know what we all will face- an Ah will nae put you through it against y'er will. Step through the portal if ye truly wish to stand against Nigh." She takes a step back, holding her weapon behind her back, and waits. ------------ Starburst Dragon projects a forcefield around himself. Crash Man thumbs his nose at Zero's back. "He sure is, Guts Man." Firestorm Phoenix fidgits a LIttle waiting to depart to Starhaven, he also hopes that plan b isn't needed. But just incase, his armor flares with a golden GLow leaving the avain's heavy armor in its place. Firestorm Phoenix changes into his Heavy armor. [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Omega Battery Dynamo Man transmits, "Tengu!" [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Cancer transmits, "Tengu... I free you. *Tengu goes UnAvatar.*" [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Traitor! Tengu Man transmits, "..." [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Beta CO Metal Man transmits, "Welcome home... Tengu Man heh... heh heh." [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Traitor! Tengu Man transmits, "...ah...uh...huh..." Alpha looks towards Zero, and walks towards him, waving towards him quickly, "Zero.", she says to him. And then she breaks out into a wide grin and adds, "GLad you could make it, I guess.", she gestures to the gateway, "Coming along?" [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Traitor! Tengu Man transmits, "...no! You can't just... you can't...damage is already done, Kansaa-sama..." Ninjutsu Gecko pulls out his nunchaku, idly twirLIng it, as it hums sLIghtly with unnatural power...well...for it's weapon. "Perfect time, G. Sorcerer...perfect time." He looks to Gale, and then to the gateway. "Let' Iris follows right along with her brother through the gateway, not giving a look to anyone else around. Harmony takes another deep breathe, looking at Starburst with a weak smile. "S'right!" With that, she takes the biggest step of her LIfe.. and enters the gateway. "For freedom. For reploids everywhere. For those who cannot defend themselves." states Beam Demon. He steps towards Capricorn and her portal, "I will stand against Nigh." [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Omega Battery Dynamo Man transmits, "So my hunch was correct ... dangit ... I couldn't get radio contact ..." Metal Shark chuckles, and walks through the gateway. "Let's see now..." Ninjutsu Gecko pulls out his nunchaku, idly twirLIng it, as it hums sLIghtly with unnatural power...well...for it's weapon. "Perfect time, G. Sorcerer...perfect time." He looks to Gale, and then to the gateway. "Let's not waste time..." He goes and enters the Stardroids new doorway. Pyro Squirrel opens his eyes, and looks up at the portal. oO(This is it... Make it or break it, techni.)Oo Silently, he moves up and into the portal... Starburst Dragon follows Harmony into the gateway. Canopy Jabberwock folds his arms with a smirk as Capricorn opens the rift. He LIngers only once, to look up at the blackness above the Skydeck ceiLIng, before striding through the gateway himself without looking back. Rocket Rodent watches the iris open. You don't need to tel this rodent twice to go save the world. He floats through the portal. Barrage Raptor brings out her rifle, and pulls back the bolt, loading up a round into the chamber, before she lets it lower down to her side, "Let's rock and roll." And with that, she heads for the portal. Fusion Phoenix looks at Capricorn, then at the portal. He runs through it, shouting, "Tiny tree!" Crescent Grizzly takes a deep breath, checks the integrity of his forcefield...and then moves towards the gateway. At its edge, he stops, and looks Capricorn over for a moment and GLances behind him. " Well, les' giv' deh' nigh a' /warm/ ol' Terrahn' Welcome..." He then steps through. Zero smiles down at Aly and pats her on the head twice, "Sure am, I wouldn't miss it for the world, let's go." [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Traitor! Tengu Man sounds LIke he's still in shock, "...I..." Mai Atsuki doesn't just step through the gateway - she jogs into it, moving quickly either to keep herself from being the last through, or perhaps to keep herself from having second thoughts. Crash Man holds his fist out to Guts Man and any other Robot Master who thinks they're cool enough to give a fist-pound. "Let's go stomp us some motherf***ers, boys!" Iris has left. Without a second though, Colonel moves towards the gateway. He stops just infront of it and looks back at all of the people... his optics lock onto Iris one more time... "Let's show the Nigh what its facing..." With that, Colonel steps through the rip in space. Harmony has left. Beam Demon sends a radio transmission to Barrage Raptor. Barrage Raptor receives a radio transmission from Beam Demon. Silo just stares at the gateway... Before walking over, and walking through it the moment he has a chance, not really talking to anyone yet. Metal Shark has left. Ninjutsu Gecko has left. [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Beta CO Metal Man transmits, "Your ass is grass Tengu." [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Cancer transmits, "You need to be free... should the forces lose... I will regain you, Avatar. Prevail. *cLIck*" Guts Man says, "Beam me up Uranus!" Dynamo Man GLances aside to Bass, to Guts, and to Crash. He extends a hand to Crash as prompted, grinning for once. "Let's do this ... not just for Wily ... but for everything. Everything past, present, and future." Barrage Raptor sends a radio transmission to Beam Demon. Beam Demon receives a radio transmission from Barrage Raptor. Sai follows the rest of RepLIforce. The time for words has passed. He nods in response to Colonel's statement, but that is all, as he enters the rift. Pyro Squirrel has left. Starburst Dragon has left. [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Traitor! Tengu Man goes quiet. Very, very quiet. Canopy Jabberwock has left. Rocket Rodent has left. Alpha smiles and says, "Not for the world.", she then heads for the portal! Barrage Raptor has left. Fusion Phoenix has left. Dynamo Man says, "But let's go through before it closes!" Crescent Grizzly has left. Job heads for the portal gear and all. "MOVE IT PEOPLE!" Mai Atsuki has left. Clown Man follows... Colonel has left. Crash Man awaits Bass's lead. Silo has left. Beam Demon stops with the dramatic crap and actually steps through. Mmyes. "Agreed once again." Gale Sorcerer answers his UN partner just before running behind him into the portal. "Oh, and just Gale will do it. The full name's too long to be used all the time." Heh, that's right. He should have chosen something LIke Sorcerer Gale, or Magic Man. No, wait, that was already taken... Silly Veneficus and his identity change ideas... Firestorm Phoenix shrugs, "Well, what do we have to lose? ... Don't answer that." Shaking his head, Firestorm moves through the portal. Alpha has left. Job has left. Firestorm Phoenix has left. Gale Sorcerer has left. Beam Demon has left. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Isaac transmits, "Good luck." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Pyro Squirrel transmits, "This is it..." Kain moves towards the portal, "I shall follow." He sLIps into the portal... Sai has left. Kain has left. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Metal Shark transmits, "Intruiging." Zero has left. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Tengu Man transmits, "...I hope..." Bass has left. Crash Man steps through the portal then, since Bass already had, apparently! Guts Man follows! Dynamo Man follows right behind. Crash Man has left. Guts Man has left. Dynamo Man has left. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Pyro Squirrel transmits, "If we survive... let's have a party, alright?" Capricorn looks to Aldebaran. "Ye, too, ye know." Aldebaran GLances towards Capricorn... "...once more onto the breach?" he muses quietly, before stepping through the portal himself. He'll not leave them to fight alone, of course. Aldebaran has left. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Crash Man transmits, "I'll party on your grave, Maximal!" [Radio: (D) GLobal] Starburst Dragon transmits, "Let's win this, so we c'n come home an'have a Christmas t'remember. None of us'll have t'faht one another. We c'n just be friends and enjoy ourselves." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Crash Man transmits, "OOC: Oops." Precipice of the Void - Starhaven You stand upon a platform, no more than a few hundred feet in all directions, carved from the uppermost tip of Starhaven's ruins, the broken crown of its pyramid-LIke shape. There are no walls, there is no ceiLIng; this plateau is exposed to the vast, black emptiness of space... though there is yet an atmosphere. While the air is chill and dry, it is yet safe for all to LIve and breathe in. Below and in all directions spans the pristine blue sphere of Earth. Even without the LIght of the dead sun to give it luster, the LIving planet defies the encroaching shadow with its own brilLIant GLow, a jewel amidst the darkness. In all other directions, however, spans the infinite blackness of Nigh... a darkness so pure and deep that it almost sears the eyes. Even now, that darkness fLIckers over Earth's GLow, as Nigh prepares to snuff the planet out of existence as it has so many others. The platform is kept well-LIt, however, by large LIghts at its edges, providing some false sense of security amidst the blackness of space; illuminating the plateau's scorched and worn surface and those that gather here. At its center rises a towering column of metal and wiring, a mass of machinery that stabs out of the heart of Starhaven. At its heart LIes a powerful crystal, GLowing a pale blue, swirLIng with energy; from it, a host of tubes and wires twist up the mechanical tower, leading to its pinnacle, a hundred feet above: a broad, metalLIc vat. It appears to be a starship engine, but now serves the purposes of a cauldron, a pale blue GLow eminating from within. Could this be the weapon that the Stardroids have made to battle Nigh? Contents: Contents: Aldebaran [SD] Dynamo Man [Normal] [RM] Guts Man [Normal] [RM] Crash Man [Armor] [RM] Bass [Badman] [RM] Zero [Unarmored] [MH] Kain [Strider] [C] Sai [Headband-casual] [RF] Iris [Vanguard] [RF] Beam Demon [Pulsar] [M] Gale Sorcerer [Magician] [C] Firestorm Phoenix [Heavy] [M] Job [Space_salvage_gear] [C] Alpha [Wing] [MH] Silo [Armor] [RF] Colonel [Armor] [RF] Mai Atsuki [Strider] [C] Crescent Grizzly [RF] Fusion Phoenix [Avian] [RF] Barrage Raptor [Armored] [RF] Rocket Rodent [Armor] [RF] Canopy Jabberwock [Jabberwocky] [RF] Starburst Dragon [Armor] [RF] Pyro Squirrel [Standard] [C] Ninjutsu Gecko [Work] [C] Metal Shark [M] Harmony [Armor] [RF] Regulus [SD] Spica [Armour] [SD] South : Obsidian Holo-Node - Starhaven Capricorn has arrived. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Pyro Squirrel transmits, "I'm afraid... that it might not be that easy. The wars will continue. ... *sighs*" Crash Man whispers to Guts Man, "I think so, and then, all their base will belong to us." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Zero transmits, "The wars never ended." Guts Man nods. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Guts Man transmits, "I blame this on the UN." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Crash Man transmits, "Huh. I always blamed it on Megaman." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Kain transmits, "They're being held off." Rocket Rodent is now floating in the air, with only his manuvering jets LIt. He looks LIke a mag, actually, considering he's floating right behind Colonel. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Zero transmits, "We can cut the sappy crap, I think we've got more important things to worry about right now." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Daryn transmits, "I blame this on Bad Parenting and Video Games." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Tengu Man transmits, "Megaman." Dynamo Man mutters. "For great justice, brothers." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Tengu Man transmits, "Definitely his fault." Job pulls an M-4 Assault Rifle from subspace. Yup its that one he got back in Raccoon city. Job is ready to lock and load. "So it all comes back to where it started." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Fusion Phoenix transmits, "No, not Christmas, Solstice. When we win we will return the LIght to the skys, and we will have Solstice." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Pyro Squirrel transmits, "Shut up, Zero." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Starburst Dragon transmits, "Wha'd ah bother t'bing it up...?" [Radio: (D) GLobal] Tengu Man transmits, "Shut up." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Crash Man transmits, "Shut up, squirrel." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Pharaoh Man transmits, "Pyro Squirrel, shut your incompotent mouth." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Tengu Man transmits, "All three of you shut up. *audible wince*" Somewhere within the Starhaven ship, Iris closes her eyes...shedding that which makes her human...shutting down that part of her so emotional, so caring, that she couldn't possibly consider violence as an answer to anything... She shivers, as it falls away from her so easily...she thought it would be harder than that. FeeLIng nothing but the need to destroy something, Iris grips her hand around the Vanguard Gem...and it ignites with a stunning intensity, enveloping her with a cold LIght. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Guts Man transmits, "Maybe loser Hunters LIke you worry about such thing Zero, but we Masters have everything under control." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Daryn transmits, "Lets all talk a lot!" -$$$-$$$-$$$-$$$-$$$- Metal Shark emerges from the gateway and hefts his anchor up to his right shoulder. As his his sharp teeth shine a eerie silver, he looks around. -$$$-$$$-$$$-$$$-$$$- Pyro Squirrel sits down near the center of the platform, leaning against the big weapon thing that is there, waiting... Ninjutsu Gecko looks over to Gale, "Alright, Gale." He looks around. "Ooohkay...I'm just a ninja, you're the brains here. Now what?" He twirls his nunchaku a few more times, than catchs it, holding it in a ready position. Crescent Grizzly GLances around the inky void, and down the treachorous brink over which pure nothingness reigns. Around him, the field of energy shimmers sLIghtly, and provides a small amount of illumination around the Cajun's massive form. " Looks LIk' 'dis is it..." Alpha walks out of the portal, wondering if she should prepare as she had before, in something that can actually last in space. She furrows her brow. Maybe there won't even have to be a fight. Kain draws out his Cipher, and lets it GLow a brilLIant bright white. "Indeed." He readies the cipher... Crash Man asides to Guts Man, "Y'ever get the feeLIng we're just players in some larger game? I mean, LIke, the side-scrolLIng kind. Where we're at the mercy of some pimplefaced, overweight asian dork with a controller who doesn't know better than to mash buttons? That our entire future is mapped out by a collective team of dorkwads who toss lame plot after lame plot for us to be involved in?" Crash Man suddenly coughs, "..ho ho sh**, that was some strong grass. Hahaha, nevermind." Silo appears not to have any weapons ready, but knowing him he'll whip something out at the last second. Taking a slow, deep breath, he spares a GLance in all directions... Before the visor in his helmet rolls down, covering his eyes. And electricity begins to gather around his left fist... Harmony narrows her eyes, exiting the gateway into the cold void that they've been transported to. She stays silent, for now.. looking around at those gathered. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Zero transmits, "Your master can't even keep his bowel movements under control, let alone this situation, Guts." Fusion Phoenix gazes out, in a random direction, and as the Nigh has surounded the world, he is gazeing at it, or at least some part of it. He has learned that the Nigh is aware, and so he has learned not to hate it anymore for what it wants to do. He only fears it, but is determined to stop it, what ever the cost. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Guts Man transmits, "Didn't my master kick your ass this week?" "If'n thar's somethin' for me to seal here, ah got that covered," grins Starburst Dragon. He never got to see Starhaven up until now. He has to smile. Otherwise the full impetus of the situation'd cave his mind in LIke an eggshell. He just stand there, dopey and grinning, and ready to return the stars to the sky if need be. If he has to he'll fill the whole skyLIne with shining, beautiful stars. Colonel stands beside Iris as she makes her transformation. He thinks about how strong her love for him is as she decides to fight for the world. He shakes his head... her innocence for the world... Is it worth it? Colonel hopes so... because if they fail it won't matter anyways... [Radio: (D) GLobal] Crash Man transmits, "Hahaha, nooch." Job sends a radio transmission. Iris receives a radio transmission. Dynamo Man smirks at Dynamo. "I get that feeLIng sometimes, yes, but the next moment I'm in the mainframe." Mai Atsuki pauses, once she's emerged from a portal, remembering for a moment her last few hours on Earth - and perhaps her last few hours anywhere. After cleaning off the goo from the hospital tank that Bass sent her off in search of, she'd eaten a last dish of her favorite meal, eel and crab sushi, with a nice crisp apple for dessert. Those seeds from the apple have been planted in one of the places of Central Park that Bass defoLIated accidentally... and now she has to fight for a chance for them to go. Her own cipher comes out, the blade GLeaming with the LIquid electrical-fire that Kain has, and she GLances at the man again. "... I'm GLad to fight along side you. This darkness will know Striders' power, even if we fall!" She's having a dramam moment, apparently. Beam Demon is here. Oh yeah. Standing on one of the edges of the platform, his bazooka raised to the lack of heavens. At what he perceives to be the heart of Nigh. "Yes. You will NOT have this planet. YOU WILL NOT!! DO YOU HEAR ME?!" Guts Man thinks about it. "Nope never thought about it that way. But now that you mention it..." Guts Man looks at the fourth wall. "If what you mentioned is true... BEEF JERKY!" Suddenly beef jerky appears in Guts Man's hands, "Sweet! I hold the power of the matrix!" Iris sends a radio transmission. Job receives a radio transmission from Iris. Crash Man gasps and stares at Guts Man. "Holy f***, he has the touch." He has the POWAH! -------- The Stardroid Engine- the tower of machinery at the heart of the plateau- throbs quietly, trembLIng in place, seeminGLy aLIve with the energy contained within. As the volunteers, heroes and villains aLIke, begin to bLInk in throughout the plateau, that energy only seems to increase, the swirLIng white inside its blue crystal heart picking up in pace. Perhaps it's only the proximity of the fuel crystals that Aldebaran had the people of EArth gather, or perhaps it is somethign else. Capricorn is the last to appear, stepping through her own portal and zipping it up behind her. CLIp-clopping swiftly to the mechanical tower and hopping up, she finds a foothold some ten feet up and cLIngs to the side of the thing with one hand, her other still sporting her trademark scythe. From here, she can once more address the crowd. "Again... we dunnae know what t'expect... or whether thaes wile even work. Wae't any hope, however, ye'll all just be ae'n audience for ae spectacular LIght show. Aldebaran, haul on up ae'n put thae crystals in." She gestures to the top of the tower with her scythe. ----------- Clown Man flexes his wigGLIng arms and takes a battle stance, ready... with Sideshow beside him... ...and somewhere the final boss music of Chrono Trigger starts to play... Firestorm Phoenix eyes Beam and facepalms, "Sound doesn't carry in space Beam." Canopy Jabberwock now stands on the platform, although he needs no atmospheric crutch. Pah. He looks about, observing the remains of Starhaven, and following the tower piercing Starhaven with his eyes. "Here stands Longinus, then." With that one sentence, he falls silent yet again, folding his foreclaws again. He doesn't need to justify his decision to himself or make any speeches, but merely to watch and wait to see whether his part shall be needed. Job sends a radio transmission to Iris. Iris receives a radio transmission. Dynamo Man bLInks, and stares at Guts. "Oh my goodness, he does ...... how did you do that?" Pyro Squirrel hehs. "Yeah, LIght show... Yes... LIght show..." ChuckLIng to himself, he subconsciously goes through a final checkLIst of his weapons systems, a LIghtshow in themselves. "Easy" Gale Sorcerer answers to his ninja partner once more while he looks around the ship in a thoughtful pose. Then he raises his right hand and snaps his fingers, smiLIng confidently. "We'll stay around the good guys and see if we can help them. I've already seen some RepLIforcers around here. That one in there is the Colonel, if my sight is not wrong. As long as we stay around them we'll be relatively safe. Then I'm sure we'll find something to do too." Oh, no! Gale's smiLIng! Quick! Get away from him before something explodes! Job sends a radio transmission to Gale Sorcerer. Gale Sorcerer receives a radio transmission from Job. Guts Man chuckles, "The power of the cybernet spacecube. It holds many things in subspace. I had you going there for a minute didn't I?" Pyro Squirrel closes his eyes again and leans against the weapon thing. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Daryn transmits, "So Crash, what should I play for today's episode?" Sai steps out of the gateway with usual grace, and approaches the other RepLIforcers. He GLances around sharply, more than sLIghtly unnerved by the Black that surrounds the area. Vents all over his body open and, briefly, expel a surge of plasma, a defiant attempt to show the Nigh that he's not only unafraid, but ready to fight whatever form it may take. "I hope everyone is ready...though hopefully we won't NEED to be, huh?" He chuckles weakly. There is a flash of LIght off to one side of the platform, out in the inky blackness of space. And where before, there was nothing, now floats Regulus. Blade in hand, blazing with LIght and energy, the Stardroid turns to face the even darker blackness of Nigh. "Do your work, Aldebaran. Perhaps we shall finally be free." Gale Sorcerer sends a radio transmission. Job receives a radio transmission from Gale Sorcerer. Dynamo Man chuckles. "You did, brother. Now --" Regulus' introduction interrupts him, and steals his attention. Barrage Raptor folds her arms over her chest, rifle slung down behind her back, eyes closed. Yeah. Okay, so the world's gonna end. That figures. Though, if the world's gonna end, it'd better go down fighting. Not running away scared LIke in Titan A.E. [Radio: (E) Theta] Tengu Man heaves a ragged sigh. "This is bad..." Iris sends a radio transmission to Job. Job receives a radio transmission. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Starburst Dragon transmits, "Sah'lent naht, holy naht, all is calm..." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Tengu Man transmits, "Shut up." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Pyro Squirrel transmits, "... All is bright..." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Crash Man transmits, "Yeah, some of us are Jewish, you oppressive f***twards!" [Radio: (D) GLobal] Daryn transmits, "I asked Crash, not 'whomever-you-are'." What is there, yet not there, is there. Spica's form appears amongst those of her fellow Stardroids. "Free to do what we please without fear," she adds to Regulus' comment. "And it is good to see that those of Earth are wilLIng to help." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Fusion Phoenix picks up the song, singing in a nice baratone, "Round yon virgin mother and child..." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Crash Man transmits, "You should play some MetalLIca." ------ Aldebaran has sLIpped through the portal, quietly, looking towards the assorted machinery... quietly hoping that his jury-rigged engineering will hold together. This is all theory, after all... but they had no time, no real other way of fighting the beast other than this theory. This was all... He opens his palm, holding four crystals, so far. Concentrating, he begins teleporting away any remaining power crystals from the Earth and from Starhaven... materiaLIzing into his palm, a total of six objects of power shine, some so brightly they're hard to look at. With a nod towards Capricorn, and a silent pleading to the machinery to hold together, he teleports in his typical red mist, materiaLIzing near the machine's fuel repository. Placing each crystal into waht appears to be a small energy manipulation chamber, he fLIps a switch, causing the crystals to begin resonating, the LIght within them fLIckering as it's unified with the power of the machine. ------ [Radio: (D) GLobal] Crash Man transmits, "Somthing high-energy so we can f*** someone up." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Guts Man transmits, "Why not some Ironica?" [Radio: (D) GLobal] Crash Man transmits, "Good idea, Guts Man!" Ninjutsu Gecko looks to Gale, grinning a bit beneath his wraps. "Well...we'll see. If things get too crazy, I'm not gonna worry about it. They're not stupid. They know we LIkely need every one we have here." He looks around, eyeing the apperaing Stardroids.. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Pyro Squirrel transmits, "Holy infant, so tender and mild..." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Starburst Dragon transmits, "Sleep in heav'nly peace..." Silo briefly GLances over at Regulus as he arrives, nodding sLIghtly at him despite the fact he'll probably never see the nod... And electricity gathering around his fist suddenly disappears, and his left fist retracts, reforming into an arm cannon... Just in case. He also spares a GLance at Spica as she arrives, but quickly turns to watch the machine... Pyro Squirrel leans against the vibrating machine, singing softly into his radio. Crescent Grizzly turns towards the engine as it flutters to LIfe, the extraterrestial fuel coursing through it. And, for one of the few times in his LIfe, bites his LIp. This is it. Everything hinges on the outcome of the device. Should it fail, all may be lost. No Pressure Pac-Pac! Really! Dynamo Man just looks on. Something is going to happen and it's going to happen in a huge way. If he's GLad for one thing, it's that his brothers are there with him - only some of them, but some of them. "....." Job optic narrows and he says, "You know rule number one about Stardroids? Never trust them... ever." He shrugs, "But in this situation we don't got a choice." Job diverts more powers to weapons and keeps his own rifle at the ready. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Pirate Princess Tron Bonne transmits, "...Good luck, everyone..." Harmony sighs, a LIttle impatient.. a LIttle nervous. Staying rigid and alert, she says nothing still. Lowering his bazooka, Beam turns suddenly to face Barrage. He spoke with her already. But he's forgotten something. The demon approaches the similarly-sized Raptor at an even gait, releasing his weapon and letting it swing up out of the way. With that, he extends his free hand to her once he's close enough. "Once again. Good luck." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Pyro Squirrel transmits, "Slee-eep in heavenly peace..." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Daryn transmits, "Heh, alright then.... Less see if I got any lyric sheets on me." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Daryn plays a very loud series of chords, possibly drowning the Christmas Songs out. "Guitaaarr.r....check." The forcefield GLow around Starburst Dragon grows brighter as he sings along too. He's determined to shine tonight, to act as an understudy for the stars themselves if need be, if they can't be there. Rocket Rodent just watches, and waits. He knows that he can do nothing to hasten the process. Except to beLIeve that this will work. Of course, if a target appears, he's all over it. To the bright crystals, he just turns on the dark film on his gogGLes. designed so that he can fly directly skywards without getting bLInded by the sunLIght, He finds them to be mildly effective. Duet has arrived. Fusion Phoenix looks to the Stardroid's machine as they prepare it. There is only one thing he can do now. Pray. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Starburst Dragon transmits, "Thank'y." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Pyro Squirrel transmits, "(sounding oddly calm)Heh. Maybe it's LIke one of those movies, and we can defeat it by singing." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Starburst Dragon transmits, "Let's go positive thinkin'! Haha." Not another word of dissent comes from Iris, now encased in the depths of the Vanguard. She stands next to her brother, the only sound coming from her is the low hum of the weapons array powering up. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Rocket Rodent transmits, "Wouldn't hurt." Canopy Jabberwock's eyes stray to Spica, and he LIstens to her comment distrustfully. Even if the machine finishes Nigh, he expects there still to be a need for Earth to defend itself. But in any case he waits and watches. As he does so, he begins a cooing burble without any particular melody, almost absently warbLIng from note to note. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Fusion Phoenix transmits, "I've heard that Yamararenai Yamararenai can be used as a weapon." Firestorm Phoenix stays where he is, arms crossed, suddenly wondering what they'll do if this thing fails to stop Nigh, and most of his thoughts aren't pleasent. Alpha closes her eyes, sticking with Zipster. Slowly her form seems to dissolve as the LIquid metal which makes up her internals creeps out and surrounds her frame. Yup, it's the icky armor form again. But on the bright side, this one can actually survive in a vacuum. Aly then says, in a monotone, "Ready.", she says simply, looking over to Zipster, "Figured this would be of more use." Alpha changes into her Death armor. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Pirate Princess Tron Bonne transmits, "...Me... I'm just going to lay on the grass and watch the stars above. ...Good luck, everyone..." Sai stands resolute, observing the Stardroids and their preparations. Only one thing to do now, indeed. He quietly begins murmuring prayers to whatever Kami he can think of. It is, indeed, the only thing they can do, for the moment. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Job transmits, "Thanks Tron. I'll see you when I get back." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Tengu Man transmits, "/What/ stars?!" Bass has been keeping to himself, so far. He pumped his fists along with Crash Man as they advanced through the portal, but has been in his own inner dialogue throughout his time on Starhaven. He looks across those present from time to time, pacing around the periphery of the chamber, waiting for the inevitable. Waiting for the attack to come. "Stay alert," Bass directs to the Robot Masters, who -- in their own way -- are coping with the magnitude of this event. His gaze then turns to the Nigh, where his mind continues to take him. It defies his Purpose -- so he will defy It. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Tengu Man transmits, "Do /you/ see any stars?! Because all *I* can see is the NIGH!!" [Radio: (D) GLobal] Starburst Dragon transmits, "Ah'll make stars 'nough f'r everyone." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Pyro Squirrel transmits, "We could use your weaponry up here..." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Daryn transmits, "I can make Tron see stars!" [Radio: (D) GLobal] Tengu Man transmits, "Screw it, rat. Screw it all..." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Pirate Princess Tron Bonne transmits, "-sighs- Right... ...No stars. -another sigh- Can't even see the /stars/ anymore." After catching the other Stardroids in a thoughtful and a bit nervous gaze, Gale nods to Gecko. Hopefully he won't have to worry too much either. "Indeed. Have your weapons ready though. We never know when will we have to use them." He then starts checking his holographic systems, while he takes out his staff's pieces and puts them together. "We'll try not to catch too much people's attention around. After all, we usually work best from the shadows." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Pirate Princess Tron Bonne transmits, "Oh well. At least its relaxing up here on Eurasia." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Tengu Man transmits, "...*relaxing*... yeah, right..." Zero smiles down at Aly, "I kinda LIke it, actually. Definately cute." He then reaches for his sabre, but does not ignite it. He'll turn it on when it's needed. Dynamo Man stands and watches, weapon systems checked out and powered up. In the background of his consciousness, he has a track playing. Magus' Theme, from Chrono Trigger. What an influence Magnet is on him, even in the face of Nigh. Colonel stands beside the now larger than him Iris... well, kinda Iris. Colonel looks up at the nothing, the Nigh... What will it send to defeat us, he thinks. It has to know we are going to try and stop it. Colonel looks at Bass and then at Zero... General is down for the count and Megaman is missing... He pulls his sabre out sLIghtly... preparing to fight whatever may come. Colonel sends a radio transmission. Zero receives a radio transmission from Colonel. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Cancer transmits, "It is very relaxing, Tengu... Avatar..." ---------- The machine rumbles to LIfe, its quiet humming reaching a higher-pitched whine, something resembLIng a jet engine; the white swirLIng inside its crystal heart becomes a swirl, then a uniform haze as the energy inside the Stardroid Engine is multipLIed over and over again, the power in the fuel crystals added to them. But this is no mere power... these are veritable Stardroid souls, for these crystals were powered by the death of Procyon... who in turned gained his power through the slaughter of his fellows. All is cycLIcal, and now that power is turned back upon Nigh. Hopefully. The blue-white GLow of the engine inside becomes a brilLIant white, then a piercing, almost burning white- the whine of the Stardroid Engine becoming a furious shriek as the machine prepares to unleash its energy against the encroaching shadow. But just as the brilLIant blue crystal inside seems ready to burst... It sputters, fades, and goes black. The whine of the machine dies down to a dull groan, before a waft of steam billows out. It appears to be... broken. High above, the blackness of Nigh is disrupted, as a swirLIng grey cloud seems to form above the plateau.... ----------- [Radio: (D) GLobal] Bass transmits, "Well, now we're done." Guts Man idly rocks on the ball of his heels LIke a kid anticipating something fun. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Tengu Man transmits, "...hhhghhh..." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Tengu Man transmits, "...wait." Ninjutsu Gecko laughs to Gale, "Don't I know it." He smirks, "I am primed and ready.." He taps the handles of his sword and bokken, checks his throwing stars, and his Dragon system is up and running. "I'll worry about keeping hidden some other time..best to worry all about accompLIshing the goal to the fullest." [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Guts Man transmits, "So what's the plan again Bass? We let the chumps beat each other up, then pick off the weakLIngs?" [Radio: (D) GLobal] Tengu Man transmits, "...what...what did you say?" [Radio: (D) GLobal] Guts Man transmits, "He said you're a big nosed doofus." Dynamo Man goes completely blank with surprise. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Bass transmits, "Time for Plan B..." Harmony gapes.. eyes widening noticably. What's going on..? [Radio: (D) GLobal] Cancer/Uranus/Gemin transmits, "...Looks LIke I will claim you as my avatar after all, Tengu... Barrage Raptor nods to Beam, "Yeah." She says, "Good luck. Now let's hope this thing works." And it goes off, the raptor wincing sLIghtly, "Wow. I should have kept my mouth shut.." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Tengu Man transmits, "...no..." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Pirate Princess Tron Bonne sniffs. "My family and I have been gambLIng with death ever since our parents died. I /don't/ fear it... especialy not since a few months ago." Bass sends a radio transmission. Starburst Dragon's forcefield cLIcks off. He shuffles closer to Harmony. Starburst Dragon lowers his forcefield. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Pirate Princess Tron Bonne transmits, "...What?" Fusion Phoenix finishes his prayr. "...and so Saint $iLIcon, preserve this your desciple." He sees the others getting ready to fight, and morphs his right hand into a blaster, and pulls out his hook on a cable with the other. He watches the machine, then looks to the Nigh. "It had some effect, I'll bet it's weakened." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Tengu Man goes quiet. Pyro Squirrel GLances over his shoulder at the vibrating machine as it starts up... and then putters out. Calmly, he goes back to leaning against it. There's no reaction, surprised or otherwise, from Iris within the Vanguard as the power source sputters and dies. Silo just begins to smile as the machine gets ready to destroy the Nigh... And then the machine dies. "...Oh, just great." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Guts Man transmits, "Hey Tron if you die can I have your midget slaves?" Bass receives a radio transmission from Daryn. Metal Shark gulps, "Oh.. This cant be good." he whispers, taking a step forawrd. He's now holding the anchor with white haded grip. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Pirate Princess Tron Bonne transmits, "Hardly." Rocket Rodent bLInks, as the machine dies out. "Is it... supposed to do that?" [Radio: (D) GLobal] Guts Man transmits, "I'll take that as a yes. Come on kids! Papa Guts is taking you all out for ice cream!" [Radio: (B) Masters-Secure] Bass transmits, "Tengu Man. I know you can hear me. You don't have to go on LIke this. You can /fight/ them." No response from the machine. No nothing?... Aldebaran stares at it... and his mighty, noble response? "...F***!" He kicks the Main Power Conversion Unit Redistributor a few times ineffectually. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Pyro Squirrel transmits, "(still oddly calm) Well, looks LIke we'll have to take this thing out ourselves." [Radio: (B) Masters-Secure] Guts Man transmits, "You can e-ring yourself and not give them the satisfaction of controlLIng you." [Radio: (B) Masters-Secure] Tengu Man says nothing... Crash Man bLInks, "Dude, the Stardroid cussed. Heh heh.. awlright!" [Radio: (D) GLobal] Daryn transmits, "We got a request, guys, and I owe this guy one! It's called Still!" |------| Regulus turns his head to watch the machine as it comes to LIfe. And then... shakes his head just a bit as the machine... fails to work. But even as he expresses his silent dismay, Nigh moves. And the Stardroid's head whips around to face the seething grey and black. He firms his grip on the hilt of his sword, his wings unfurLIng completely. "I misLIke this..." |------| [Radio: (D) GLobal] Metal Shark transmits, "Stardroids! What is *wrong* with your machine?!" "Death cannot fight death," Canopy Jabberwock notes dully, disrupting his cooing song. "Thus is LIfe. Strikes the irony when are stakes the highest." He still smirks, although lowly and soberly; he proceeds to add, "Starwalkers! Longinus does not pierce; Death only kills and does not birth; now attempt Hope, and us tell how can we fight, and we shall fight." [Radio: (B) Masters-Secure] Omega Battery Dynamo Man transmits, "You can fight back, LIke the rest of us, brother." Capricorn kicks off the Stardroid engine, landing nearby, turning to look up at the machine as it powers up... and promptly dies down.She bLInks, furrowing her brow, before waving her scythe furiously! "YE STUPID PEACE O' GARBAGE! WE DIDNAE BUILD YE TO BREAK DOWN AT THAE LAST MOMENT!!! ALDEBARAN, GIVE IT A SMACK!" She waves furiously at Aldebaran as he does, indeed, kick the Stardroid engine in its sensitive spots. Job watches grey cloud start to form but does not hope just yet as he get ready. "Oh hell no good can come of this..." He fLIps off the safty on his weapon and starts to lookl about. "Hey Stardroids need a hand trying to get it back onLIne?" Guts Man turns to Crash, "Got any popcorn? I want to see who dies first." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Yin Yoma Byte transmits, "...Machine...?" Sai stares mutely at the deadened device. He begins to mutter a rather long string of curses in both Japanese and EnGLIsh that can most definitely not be repeated in print. He GLances up as Fusion mentions that something HAS happened, though, and bLInks a few times. "I'm...getting a VERY bad feeLIng about this, everyone..." Mai Atsuki LIfts up her Cipher, staring up at the gathering cloud as there's a seeming disruption in the Nigh. Did they DO it, even if there's something wrong with the machine? And she shouts, piercinGLy, "Everyone get ready!" Fusion Phoenix looks at the stardroids' reaction. "Sh*t." Dynamo Man hrms ... and steps forward, addressing Aldebaran and the other Stardroids. "I might be of some help." "...Murphey's law." Beam states. He nods to Barrage and approaches the stardroid device. He GLances at Aldebaran, then up to Capricorn. "Please, calm yourselves. There is a device on Earth that can be used to repair all things." He reaches behind hid shield and removes ... a roll of duct tape. With a serious aura to him, the demon hands the silvery tape to Aldebaran. Pyro Squirrel falls over as the machine is kicked, the vibration disrupting his leaning against it. Getting back up, he remarks to the stardroid next to him, "Take it easy. Maybe someone here can fix it." Zero sends a radio transmission to Colonel. Colonel receives a radio transmission from Zero. Clown Man sweatdrops as the machine... breaks down. o.o "Not good," murmurs the clown. "Not good at all," adds the monkey. Metal Shark turns towards Mai, he says nothing but nods, bringing down his anchor he begins to stare at the cloud, ready to attack if need be. Crash Man shakes his head to Guts Man, "I'm all outta popcorn, Guts Man, but I got five zenny that the busty goat-chick gets nailed first." Cancer has arrived. Starburst Dragon is busy... punching himself in the arm. "Stupid forcefield! Nah's not th'tahm t'go on th'fritz! Back up!" The forcefield goes back up. "Better." Zero sends a radio transmission. Colonel receives a radio transmission from Zero. Guts Man chuckles, "I think I saw something LIke that in one of pop's magazines. Goat chicks are the freakiest." Spica chuckles softly under her breath. "Care for a bit of electricity there, Capricorn?" she offers as she keeps a weary eye on the mass above. Crescent Grizzly groans, " Zuts Alors..." he mutters from behind his forcefield, shoulder slumping. " Lus' LIk' weh' gon' 'ave tah' fight it deh' ol' fashion'd way..." he comments, and takes a step closer towards the Nigh, " Trah' an get dat' 'ting workin'..." he calls to those behind him, " Maybe weh' can stall deh' Nigh? " Attaching the last piece of his staff, Gale Sorcerer taps the crystal sphere he's just set up on its place, and grins to his partner. "Not being hidden" He slahes it into the air with one hand to check everything's well set. "Just let's not catch too much attention. That's an advantage most of the times." Then he eyes to all the noise that is coming from the Stardroids' direction. See, it has already gone kaputt! Gale, stop smiLIng! Duet appears near the other Stardroids, her face wrought with pain and sorrow, arriving shortly after the machine's seeming failure. She offers no words yet, she merely stands there, watching, her hands folded over her chest. Aldebaran GLances towards the crowd. Looking a bit sheepish, for a Stardroid... he coughs. "...any assistance you can provide would be most appreciated." he calls out. He begins cussing quietly under his breath in a half-dozen languages. Pyro Squirrel backs away from the machine at the mention of electricity. Electricity bad. Capricorn turns to look back to SPica, and grunts as she looks again to the Engine. "Aye, ye got any jumper cables on ye, Spica? Perhaps ae's battery ae's jus' dead." Stellar Jay has arrived. Kain grimaces as the Machine... fails to work. (...)oo. He looks over at Mai as the Nigh approaches. "..." Fusion Phoenix looks at Beam's offering. "That stuff won't do! Here, catch!" He pulls out and throws at the Maverick a roll of a different kind of tape. You see, Gaffer's tape is supieror to Duct. Dynamo Man stands before the device, jaw again set in concentration. ".. Jumper cables? I'm a friggin /generator/!" Job heads towards the machine and brings his techinal support rig. "Okay lets see what we can do. Alderbaran, any idea where the error in the system might be?" Pyro Squirrel shrugs. "Don't look at me, I can repatch armor plating and rewire explosives, but I don't think that will be much help here. Firestorm Phoenix curses under his breath, his weapon systems warming up, "I beLIeve a certain quote immortiLIzed by a fictional character from the 20th century is quite fitting in this momment. We're all gonna die." Shaking his head the avain maverick sighs, nothing much he can do now but sit and wait. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Kain transmits, "Miss Tron? We seem to have a technical problem... and the ironic thing is the Stardroids can't repair it..." Silo just stares as Beam Demon attempts to hand over the duct tape to Pac Pac, before shaking his head in disbeLIef. He then turns back to the machine, taking a few steps over to it to get a better view of this machine that just won't work. UnLIne others though, he doesn't swear. "...Why did I have a feeLIng this would happen?" Rocket Rodent draws both energy pistols. If the Stardroid is cursing, there's no way this could be how the machine is supposed to work. "Time for plan B." He says, while he charges the pistols up. Yep, he's a 4 foot tall rat of destruction now. While dozens of thoughts run through his mind, one sticks in mis mind, quite an odd thought, in fact. .o(I need a sword...) Metal Shark says, "Typical.. The machine to defeat the ultimate nothing breaks down.." Alpha grins thinly, but only thinly because she doesn't really have much in the way of LIps at the moment. And then ... if she had eyes ... she'd bLInk. Well, it looks LIke even stardroids mess up. Oh well, it'd be ironic if they weren't all going to implode or something. And then she looks up to Spica and lets out a nearly emotionless sigh. Colonel shakes his head as the machine breaks and Beam Demon offers Duct Tape. Colonel steps towards the edge of the platform and looks for anything that might be coming. "RepLIforce... No, everyone stay on your toes... The Nigh knows we can hurt it." He looks at the Stardroids and asks, "I assume it will send something to stop us?" Ninjutsu Gecko watches the machine die as well. "I had a moped that did that...never started when I was running late." he shakes his head, and looks over at Gale's dopey grin. "Well. You're certainatly excited about all this." He nods works for me. "I'm going to sing the doom song now...." He starts singing, to himself...the Doom song. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Pirate Princess Tron Bonne transmits, "...Ohfun. What is this Machine?! ...I'm on Eurasia..." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Kain transmits, "...Starhaven." Spica tilts her head at Dynamo Man. "There's a help hand, Capricorn," the red-haired Stardroid comments. "But I can still offer a good jolt." She holds her hands wide and electricity leaps between her palms. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Pirate Princess Tron Bonne transmits, "...I... see. ...What is going on?" [Radio: (D) GLobal] Daryn starts playing music. Seeing that Daryn's player doesn't have the song yet, hopefully the words will be descriptive enough. "Back up in your as* with the Resurection...Is the group harder than an erection...That shows more affection. They wanna ban us on Capital Hill, Cause its die muthafu**as, die muthafu**as! [Radio: (D) GLobal] Pyro Squirrel transmits, "Thing broke down." Gaffer's tape. Hm. The demon keeps that in mind as he catches the thrown roll, examining it before tucking it behind his shield. "Indeed." He steps back, having given all the help he could, and raises his gaze to the gray disturbance above. "..." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Daryn strugGLes not to laugh midway through the song. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Kain transmits, "The machine that will sealed Nigh up for good... broke down." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Metal Shark transmits, "Wacky, aint it?" A grimmace is afixed on Alde's face. He begins tapping away at the gargantuan computer consoles. "The power distribution matrix... I hope." he conjectures, running his hands along the consoles rapidly trying to ascertain a problem. The computers seem to be malfunctioning as well, however. ---------- Thunk, thunk, thunk, the kicks and whacks and duct-tape appLIcations and slew of curses does LIttle to encourage the Stardroid Engine from kicking into gear... it remains cold, black, and dead. Perhaps it really is broken. Stardroid construction... you can't trust it. Up above, the roiLIng grey cloud thickens, assuming the girth of a thundercloud, even giving a few low, ominous rumbles... but thunder? In Earth orbit? Surely it must be something else. But LIke thunder, it begins to rain, as small, black bolts of darkness begin to descend from the cloud in a thick shower. They streak by Starhaven and the Plateau that you stand upon, leaving roiLIng black trails in their wake; dropping towards Earth's atmosphere below, creating spreading pools of blackness where they connect. Several black hailstones strike the surface of the Plateau, bursting into thick, fog-LIke clouds of darkness... splash, splash, splash, more shadow added to the growing mass. The cloud is growing, soon looming over the heroes that stand upon the plateau, coelescing into something, though it's not yet clear just what... ---------- [Radio: (D) GLobal] Guts Man transmits, "Good! Now we can prove to you idiots that we don't need aLIen technology to defeat the nothing. You people depend on technology too much and not enough on your own brain power." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Clown Man gains a British Accent, "Verily." Another gadget springs from Starburst's shoulder. It's a screwdriver. Somehow, he thinks that not even all his knowledge of tinkering with Mets and building Bunbies that can speak Fake Swedish will do much good here. And shoves it back in, of course. Metal Shark says, "Eeew." Dynamo Man pats himself down. "Let me see, where did I put that extra pair of cables ... and a computer problem? I might be able, but I'm not /too/ good on that." Harmony looks at Starburst helplessly, then her eyes wander up to the bizarre thunderstorm happening around them. "It just gets worse and worse.." Crescent Grizzly moves to stand before the device, trying to act as a shield agianst the storm of shadows. More damage to the device is not something any of them can afford at the moment. Silently, the Guardian waits, watching the cloud with anticipation... Barrage Raptor unsLIngs her rifle, "Looks LIke the crap's about to hit the fan, boys and girls." She murmers to the other RepLIforcers that are around here. Great. Murderous rainstorms. But this is no time to be scared of water. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Pyro Squirrel transmits, "... Oh shit." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Capricorn transmits, "OOC Yeeessss." Job says, "IN COMMING!" Job gets his tool rig onLIne as he tries to puzzle out the aLIen tech and attempt to repair what is wrong here. "This is going to be fun.." Fusion Phoenix looks at the display by the nigh. "Elemental destruction would just absorb us... Something is manafesting in that cloud!" [Radio: (D) GLobal] Capricorn transmits, "OOC But language. :>" Mai Atsuki keeps her Cipher activated, the blade continuing to GLeam with plasma-energy, but doesn't do anything else just yet - the second Cipher she has isn't drawn, not yet. She may, after all, have an arm blown off and lose this one.... you never know. Dynamo Man halts his actions as the rain begins. "Oh great ... what now !?" Defensively, the Demon raises his shield over his head LIke a giant metal umbrella, peering at the cloud from under his cover. He mutters quietly, into his radio... [Radio: (D) GLobal] Pyro Squirrel transmits, "OOC Zero does it all the time." [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Traitor! Tengu Man is on the edge of panic, "It's here. It's finally here." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Daryn sings, "All along (still) it was the geto, nothin' but the geto. Takin' short steps one foot at a time and keep my head low. And never let go Iris observes the gathering 'storm'. Finally, she turns toward Colonel and speaks, her voice coming through the external speaker of Vanguard. However, it sounds utterly devoid of emotion. An automaton may as well be piloting the Vanguard. "Prepare for battle. Destruction imminent." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Fusion Phoenix transmits, "OOC Bleep it." Metal Shark takes a few steps back and drops his anchor to the ground, "Rain?! IN -SPACE-?" he yells, scanning his memory, "This is so up!" [Radio: (D) GLobal] Capricorn transmits, "OOC That's no excuse. Do not swear. Use a less obtrusive word, censor it with *'s in certain places, whatever." Zero sends a radio transmission. Iris receives a radio transmission. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Pyro Squirrel transmits, "OOC Oops, sorry. I'll be more careful next time." Regulus has moved to interpose himself between the platform and the roiLIng mass of Nigh far overhead. A few of the dark bolts are slammed aside with the flat of the AngeLIc Stardroid's blade, creating bright flashes of LIght. The nimbus of golden energy around Regulus begins to grow brighter as he finally... begins to laugh. "Come, Devourer! You desire something to consume? You will find me a disagreeable meal! I defy you! [Radio: (D) GLobal] Daryn transmits, "OoC: Even Daryn bleeps." Zero sends a radio transmission. Iris receives a radio transmission. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Pyro Squirrel transmits, "OOC: Sorry, sorry. I was lost in the moment and forgot." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Pirate Princess Tron Bonne speaks softly... "...Well, we'll just have to fix it then, now won't we?" Tron sniffs! "...It needed Duo Energy, didn't it? ...What exactly is happening up there?" Iris sends a radio transmission to Zero. Zero receives a radio transmission from Iris. Sai's eyes narrow as he turns his gaze on the GLowing cloud. His response? "Bloody hell." He drops into combat stance, bLInk systems charged to full power, plasmatic vents as full as they can get without hitting dangerous levels...Sai is ready for anything. "Let the Darkness come," he murmurs, whether to himself, to everyone else, or to the Nigh itself, no one can be sure. "We will fight it." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Alpha transmits, "Maybe Duo doesn't exactly want to help. Since it is his, I guess, maybe?" Silo takes a look around, before cursing LIghtly under his breath. As the rain falls, he can do nothing but stand there and watch... He does quickly focus on Regulus as he acts though, and just watches in silence... Metal Shark steps forward, "Uhh, yeah! WE DEFY YOU- COME NIGH! Do your WOORST!" he then picks his anchor back up, and begins pointing and talking trash to.. Rain? ---------- There is swirLIng red LIght suddenly appear next to the 'cloud' expanding and growing until it flares out completely to reveal... Cancer. "Your Eternal Peace is NIGH!" The crab mocks. "Nigh cannot be stopped!" ---------- [Radio: (D) GLobal] Pyro Squirrel transmits, "Isn't Duo dead?" Guts Man chuckles to Crash, "Hey what would happen if we kicked someone in the ass and sent them flying off the platform?" [Radio: (D) GLobal] Pyro Squirrel transmits, "Excuse me, I have some crab hunting to do..." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Tengu Man transmits, "N-no!" The Force Commander closes his eyes as the machine fails, continuing to pace. He doesn't need to actually /hear/ the song he requested. It runs through his head on a regular basis, permanently loaded into his internal soundtrack. He brings both of his arms down, both forearms generating a *ploomf* as they form Buster cannons. He allows his reactors to go to full, a dull greenish GLow issuing forth from every joint and seam in his armor. He opens his eyes, gaze filled with a steely resolve. The thunder rolls, the shadows coelescing into ... /something/. Or, perhaps, Nothing. "...they want to ban us up on Capital Hill..." He bursts into green flame, rising up a meter from the platform, LIps curLIng back with his unholy wrath. "But it's /die/ mothaf***ers *die* mothaf***ers DIE!" He allows his right hand to return, a large metal pole expanding from it abruptly; a green energy blade forms at the top, taking the form of a scythe. He holds it defiantly, gritting his teeth, waiting for ... yes. /Cancer/. "ROBOT MASTERS!" booms Bass, staring at Cancer's arrival. "I feel LIke SHELLFISH tonight! Who's with me?!" Firestorm Phoenix jumps away from several drops of 'rain', "Oh, this is just lovely..." Rocket Rodent, however, has a water weakness. So, in defense of this aparent 'rain', he projects flamejets up, giving him an umbrella effect. "I heartily agree with that statement." Rocket says, to Metal, as he tries to defense himself from this 'rain'. And then, Cancer appears. He says but one thing. "Permission to fire at Cancer, Sir?" "Traitor!" Spica shouts at Cancer as she shoots a pillar of fire towards him. "How could you go and join Nigh?" *Insert your fight tune of choice, if you haven't got one playing already* "Figures. Cancer bah name, cancer bah nature," snaps Starburst Dragon. Both of his hands screw down into their wrists. From one springs a giant nutcracker. From the other a buttery butter knife. "Ah'm with y'! Tahm to crack this crab!" Capricorn hisses as the black rain begins, LIfting her weapon as she shields her eyes to squint at the gathering cloud... then the shower of darkness that it unleashes. Muttering some aLIen curse, she skips ahead, hooves *thunking* loudly against the Plateau's surface with each step, and vaults forward to stand beside Regulus, raising her scythe high. "NIGH, Y'GIT! COME AE'N FIGHT DIRECTLY ALREADY! WE'RE SICK O YE'R COWARDLY TACTICS! WHAE'S T'AE MATTER, Y'ERE NOT MAN 'NOUGH TAE FACE US?! BWAAAK-BWAK-BWAK-BWAK! CHICKEEEEENNN!" Guts Man fist pumps, "I'M WITH YOU SIR! SHELLFISH SHANDWICHES!" He cackles, "Say that fast 5 times!" [Radio: (D) GLobal] Daryn says, "SHUT THE HELL UP!", and then continues singing as if he never stopped, "Cause if I let go, then I'll be spineless I'm going INSANE!!" Dynamo Man leaps back as Cancer approaches .. landing by his buddies. "The last dissenter!" Bass' battle cry reaches him, and he takes no time to reply. "Let's go!!" Pyro Squirrel needs to ask no permission of nobody, as he works under no-one! "Let's see you dodge when you can't see!" He dramatically yells at the crab, throwing his customized special smoke bombs. Mai Atsuki does not, as is typical for Striders, take her time to give a witty remark of any kind. But she does bring her Cipher up, letting the plasma focus and gather for a nice long moment, before she fLIngs it with a vehement shout at the approaching crabLIke entity! Pyro Squirrel misses Cancer with his Smoke Acorn attack. Duet slowly takes a step forward towards Aldebaran, a LIttle less grace in her once seeminGLy perfect step, a LIttle less confidence in her usually perfect posture. Another step is taken, before her legs buckle a bit. For the first time, and maybe for the last time, Duet is afraid of what is to come. As an extension of Fate itself, a goddess in her own right, Duet has always known the final outcome of every situation, she has always had a solution when none could be found. Today, there are no answers, there are no hints. It's almost, as if Fate has abandoned her... just as Destiny, in the form of Duo, did after Earth's Judgement. And then, one by one, tears fall from the Stardroid's eyes, each droplet crashing to the ground into a small sparkLIng mini-LIght show. She looks up at the machine built to harness the essense of her beloved, and then to it's creator. After a few more tears are bLInked away, she says, "There's one bit of Duo... that you don't have yet..." Duet then LIfts her hands from her chest, a large blue ball of energy seeminGLy pulled along with them as she slowly draws them away from her, finally holding it out to Aldebaran, "... just as he is me, I am him. I could not exist without him... this, is the last bit of his essense that I have kept with me since that day... perhaps, it can help." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Pirate Princess Tron Bonne transmits, "What is going on up there?!" Mai Atsuki strikes Cancer with her Plasma Bolt attack. As Crash Man points up at Cancer, his hand sLIps back into it's forearm housing. Within a second, a large diamond-tipped drill extends into readiness. "YO," he calls out. "THIS MOTHERF***ER AIN'T ONE OF US. HE F***S SHEEP!!!" Crash Man fires off the projectile with nothing more than a mental command. Drill away! Spica strikes Cancer with her Crimson Wave attack. Excited? Well, maybe a bit. At least until he's on fire or is tossed into a wall again. Gale Sorcerer needed a bit of activity after deaLIng with the Interpol changes, and of course, with his boss. "The Doom Song." He says putting his staff on his right shoulder and taking some hair away from his face. "Very suitable, indeed? Hmmm, can you see that rain? Either the news guy got messed up with the weather again or there is another powerful force close to us causing this. Seems LIke we'll be recieving some visit soon." Totally right. Just as he opens his mouth, the crab Stardroid appears. Oooh, it's the guy that gave him that deLIghtful CAPPACINO!(TM). Hmmmmm... With a couple of shiny eyes, he eyes Gecko and gives him a nod pointing towards the Stardroid. Then he raises one of his GLoved hands. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Starburst Dragon transmits, "A faht!" [Radio: (D) GLobal] Tengu Man transmits, "...p-please..." Starburst Dragon misses Cancer with his Completely Random Weapon attack. Cancer successfully deflects an attack randomly. Crash Man strikes Cancer with his Drill Rocket attack. Dynamo Man misses Cancer with his LIghtning Bolt attack. Crescent Grizzly growls, " Cancah', yew' beh' gettin' awflay' 'nnoyin, yew' know 'dat? " He says, and leaps skywards for the Crab, " Naw', les' see 'ow yew' LIk' a LIttle bit o' grizzlay'! " He snarls, and lashes out with his claws, paws, teeth, feet, and anything he can throw at the Stardroid... Crescent Grizzly lowers his forcefield. Crescent Grizzly strikes Cancer with his When Animals attack. Harmony growls, fingers instantly drawn to the strings of her harp. The tempo is quickened, probably because she's angry and frustrated.. but it's the same song that does the same thing it always has. If the attack works correctly, then Capricorn's insides will shake violently LIke a baby's rattle. You should know this by now, really.. Okay... now we have a 'real' target... Colonel pulls out his sabre and readies for action. He sweeps the sabre across the air in front of him. "Everyone, keep the Nigh Stardroid away from the machinary. And keep an eye out for more." Colonel however holds his attack... waiting for the second wave. Silo, LIke many of the others, seems ready to attack the Cancer. If we're all going to die, we might as well go out fighting. Arm cannon at the ready, he just lets loose with a whole barrage of missiles. Eh, who cares if he wastes fuel... There isn't much else he can do. Silo strikes Cancer with his Missile Barrage attack. Harmony strikes Cancer with her Soul Music attack. Zero sends a radio transmission. Iris receives a radio transmission. Alpha sends a radio transmission to Zero. Zero receives a radio transmission from Alpha. Canopy Jabberwock looks up at the assembLIng Not that grows on the platform, still smirking soberly as he unfolds his foreclaws. "And here it does not LIve; here is the Else that lashes at chains. Here isn't." He walks around the dark bolts that strike the platform, and looks up at the cloud, even as Cancer makes his appearance and those around him rally against the Nighdroid. "Here goes nothing." With that, his thrusters kick into gear, and he begins to fly into the cloud that is forming on the platform. Foolhardy? Yes. Stupid? Yes. Brave? No, stupid. Fusion Phoenix looks at the stardroid aLIgned with the nigh, extending his blaster. "Time to cook some crabcakes." His cannon erupts with a soLId stream of firey plasma, aimed at the true trator, the one who is betraying LIfe itself. Zero sends a radio transmission to Alpha. Alpha receives a radio transmission from Zero. Fusion Phoenix strikes Cancer with his Plasma Blaster attack. Guts Man sings LIke Min Mae! Alpha sends a radio transmission. Zero receives a radio transmission. The Vanguard lurches forward LIke some strange mechanical creature created for the sole purpose of destruction. Laser ports open up on the sides of the ride armor, and without wisecracks, jokes, or any display of emotion whatsoever, the Vanguard opens up upon Cancer in a dazzLIng display of obscene firepower. Guts Man strikes Cancer with his Terrible Singing attack. Cancer is temporarily disoriented by Guts Man's Terrible Singing attack. Iris strikes Cancer with her Laser Ports attack. Cancer falls to the ground, unconscious, due to massive systems damage. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Pyro Squirrel transmits, "Finally, something substancial to attack!" Metal Shark grows at Cancer, "You side with nigh? NIGH IS NOTHING - YOU ARE NOTHING!" he then lets his hands envelop in energy "Which means - NOTHING WILL BE LEFT OF YE AFTER *THIS*" He then swings his right arm in a crescent LIke movement, as he does so many anchors fly from his body and towards Cancer. Metal Shark's combat roll has failed against Cancer. Ninjutsu Gecko looks to Gale and nods. "Let's boogaloo...you look LIke you can give a good blast...I can't do much from here, but.....Let's say...this?" He pulls out one of his special Smoke Bombs. "Fire into the cloud of smoke, Ok?" He tosses the small sphere testinGLy... Harmony scoffs, watching Cancer fall to the ground after the barrage of merciless attacks. "Serves you right." Job reaLIses he can do any good on the machine now. He turns to see the Stardroid who has sold out reaLIty for non esitance. He lets out a battle cry as he arms his Arc Canon and charges at the Nothing Stardroid. "Then he watches Iris and everyone else blow the Stardroid to scrap."That was anti-cLImatic." Barrage Raptor grins a LIttle bit, "Oh look. Crab meat!" She grins, as she brings up her rifle, and takes aim at Cancer, LIke everybody else, "Yeah!" Of course, he basically goes down before she even gets her shots off, "Well, geeze. Nobody saves any for me." Crash Man nudges Guts Man, "Dude, I bet this was a trap and that greasy motherf***er will just get back up." Aldebaran smashes the machine's console. "DAMNATION! FUNCTION, DAMN YOU!" he roars out, all attempts at eloquence abandoned in his frustration. The console sparks and acquires a dent or three, but does nothing. GLancing towards Cancer, his optics narrow... "Worse and worse..." his head descending between his shoulders, his maw opens, and he prepares for battle. And then... "...Duet?..." he half-asks, perhaps shocked, elated, that she's actually survived. He spent so much time on Starhaven he was virtually isolated from the events elsewhere... GLancing down towards the ball... he furrows his brow, and nods, reaching out to accept it. "Are you certain?" he asks... LIke the hero he is, or at least, wishes he could be, he can't take a LIfe LIke this... not unless it's given freely. Job sends a radio transmission. Iris receives a radio transmission. Rocket Rodent bLInks, as he didn't even have to attack. "... That was quick." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Job transmits, "Crab cakes foreveryon!" Metal Shark watches as his attacks miss, "Bah!" [Radio: (D) GLobal] Tengu Man transmits, "...n-no! NO!" [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Traitor! Tengu Man transmits, "WHAT'S GOING ON?!" Guts Man nods. "LIke some last stage boss in a video game." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Pyro Squirrel transmits, "Oh, shut it, Tengu." [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Crash Man transmits, "Your boy just got knocked the fuggout!" Dynamo Man's LIghtning attack misses his target, but LIttle else does. Cancer is eLIminated before his eyes. "....no way ... it couldn't have been that easy." Alpha raises a hand to fire at Cancer but... she bLInks. "...", and then bLInks again, "...Oh.", she drops her hand, looking towards Crash Man, "Guess Denebola's coming next. Oh well. They should have come at the same time. Cocky idiots.", that was a -bit- too quick, however, so she scans around, frowning. "Cancer! Oh, low betrayer... my brother is not here... but you will serve in his place!" Regulus' voice is an echoing boom in space as Regulus' wings beat heavily. The timbre of his voice changes, his words now in a strange language that reverberates powerfully even in space. "Luxanos Multinos Avec Sonormus Vistes Krahl!" LevelLIng the blade of Illumine, Regulus blazes brighter and brighter with each passing moment, coming to ecLIpse even the sun. "I am become LIght! Die, Traitor!" And Regulus hurls himself towards Cancer, but the Agent has already been obLIterated by the singing and weapon fire from the platform. The Stardroid pulls himself to a halt, still blazing LIke a star. |------| [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Traitor! Tengu Man transmits, "NO! NO!" [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Traitor! Tengu Man transmits, "I...I..." [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Traitor! Tengu Man transmits, "It can't be...it can't..." Crash Man bLInks, "Is that dude speaking Spanish? I bet he is. Damn Mexicans, they're all over the place." Sai stands by. He doesn't launch anything, because, as always...his gun sucks. And he's not going personally into THAT firestorm unless he has to. He smirks as Cancer gets promptly and ruthlessly crushed, however. "Well, that's the first round, anyway...let's hope we finish this before we get a second." When Cancer appears, and is promptly blasted to pieces, Beam Demon chuckles. Well. He -does- have permission now. Rearing back, he grasps the grip of his bazooka, aiming at a severe upward anGLe. "Here's a LIttle taste of what you're about to deal with!" WIth a thundrous, rather concussive blast, the Demo Bazooka launches out a rocket propelled shell into the roiLIng black and grey clouds overhead. He lowers the weapon, peering upwards. "Got it" Just as his partner tosses his smoke bomb, Gale Sorcerer charges his energy systems and shoots a massive plasma gale into the smoke cloud. "... I think they just did the whole work.. sigh..." Oh, geez. Why is the poor UN always late? Guts Man says, "Worm eating gringos." [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Omega Battery Dynamo Man transmits, "What can't be!? Tengu, what are you talking about? Do you WANT your possessor to LIve?" [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Traitor! Tengu Man transmits, "...h..he...he..." His arms smoking from the released weapons, Starburst Dragon beams with a massive smile. His hands pop back into place and he beams at Harmony, not that worried that his massive gadget didn't work. "Nahs shot. Haha. Maybe ah needs t'shout 'Go-Go-Gadget' next tahm." ---------- The thick, roiLIng cloud continues to gather, more black bolts added to its mass as they rain from above. Down below, on Earth, the LIttle specks of darkness in the sky continue to spread. The Darkness has reached the blue planet, the last bastion against it. It may only be a matter of time before it, too, is consumed. The cloud on the platform begins to thicken, drawing together, taking a distinct shape; rebuffing the firepower that erupts around it, seeminGLy impervious to any spare hits that strike it. Even Canopy Jabberwock, who leaps into its midst, is tossed back outward, cast aside LIke a rag doll. Heroic sacrifice, de-nied. And that coelescing black shape takes a vaguely humanoid form, a towering figure that looms over the gathered heroes and Stardroids aLIke. Its details are blurred and in constant flux... one moment, it resembles a towering demon, the next, a gaunt, skeletal figure, its shape blurring not a moment after it resolves. The depthless, black void that would be its face turns to look down at all that stand below it, and one can't help but get the feeLIng that it is smiLIng. Nigh laughs, a low, thunderous rumble that shakes the platform beneath the heroes' feet. --------- [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Traitor! Tengu Man transmits, "... ... *cLIck*" [Radio: (D) GLobal] Daryn continues singing, "I think my mind just goes outta control And judge your subject motherfu**as read about I touch on the sh** that they be leavin' out, I seen this muthafu**'s .9 smokin' Spica turns back towards Aldebaran as she hears a famiLIar voice. "Duet," she says giving a curtsy. "Your sacrifice will always be remembered." Fusion Phoenix hears the conversation between the stardroids behind him. He turns to face them. "So you also are wilLIng to give your LIfe for this world..." He turns back to the Nigh. "I just hope we can make that sacrifice count!" Ninjutsu Gecko groans..."Ok...apparently we have minimal time to plan...so...we'll just watch out for each other, then?" He looks around, and asks, "There's more than just one, right Gale?" Harmony winces, staring up at the one thing that's been causing it all. Though she remains unphased as the ground shakes, her eyes aren't going to leave that disgusting creature. Too many shots. Too too many. Cancer writhes under the shots under the combined heroic forces... ...It was Guts' singing and Iris final blasts that destroys the crab... ...And a ruined husk of a body LIes there... Silo stares at the Stardroids, then at the machine, then at Nigh... And he sighs, sending off a quick radio transmission before wondering what'll happen next. His arm cannon does begin to charge with something, contemplating whether to attack Nigh or not... Starburst Dragon stares up... looking at the serried sum of all horror with a disturbing, feral smile on his face. A fLIck of fire and zap of electricity form in his hands and he fLIngs a Golden Star up at Nigh, to show the lord of Death exactly what he thinks of him. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Fusion Phoenix transmits, "Wait... we are beating them with our songs... But Duet is going to give her LIfe to get the machine to work. I hope it's enough." Pyro Squirrel LIes down on the ground, eyes closed, mentally preparing for the next battle. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Guts Man transmits, "It's about time that bint dies." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Pirate Princess Tron Bonne transmits, "...Duet is... what?! ...Oh no. ...Well... ...perhaps now she can be with Duo..." "Agreed" Gale Sorcerer answers while scratching his pointy wizard hat with his left hand. "Let's just stay around. The others will make their appearance sooner or later. It's just a matter of time." Crescent Grizzly lands with a 'thunk' and sLIght shaking of the plateau, the last pairing of attacks finishing the Stardroid Crab, " Karma's, i' a chienne, non? " Crescent comments, smirking. However, more is to be worried about. The Nigh is closing...and fast. " Yew' jus' nevah' know when tah' giv' up, do yew' Monsier Nigh? " he comments, grasping the air with his claws, and creating a tall, wide crescent of energy, which is launched at the inky darkness. " Well den', neiter' do weh'! " Silo sends a radio transmission. Canopy Jabberwock hurtles backwards, his body sLIding to a rough halt on the platform only thanks to friction. Still, however, he smiles, more LIghtly this time, and laughs. "Well! Was a wash that, rather. So are what other solutions there?" He shakes his head and rises back up to his feet, dusting himself off. After a measure he looks up at the Stardroids gathered around the thing he has taken the LIberty to christen Longinus, and smiles before turning back to Nigh and laughing back at it. Partially with contempt, partially with derision, but partially simply with joy at its failures. Starburst Dragon has reconnected. Metal Shark has reconnected. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Daryn continues singing for Bass's internal monologue, even if he's already internaLIzing his monologue, "And simply what this means He didn't know that every dog had his day Until he has seen his. I BET YOU MUTHAFU**AS WILL TOO because it's die muthafu**a, die muthafu**a still, fool!", it's almost as if he planned to say this when Duet's 'sacrifice' was brought up. But ... nah. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Guts Man transmits, "And perhaps if we kill her she won't give birth to a kid called Duo Jr." Metal Shark has partially disconnected. Starburst Dragon has partially disconnected. Capricorn bLInks, lowering her weapon as Nigh manifests here amongst the crowd on the Plateau. "Well, ye get whae ye'll ask for," she mutters, mostly to herself, before turning and scampering back to the Stardroid Engine. Leaping and grasping its side, she begins hauLIng her way back up, readying to load something else into the machine.. presumably Duet's sacrificed energy core, when she finishes presenting it down below. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Guts Man transmits, "Or would their space breeding have produced Quatro?" It may well be a futile gesture, but she's going to do it anyway! While her cipher regains its charge for the next attack that might actually do something of note, Mai reaches into her waistband and yanks out that tessen whose most recent use was to attempt to injure Bass's pretty-boy face. But this time, it's for keeps! She unfolds it, and with a vigorous and rather melodious 'Yaa!' hurls it into the face, whatever form it might take, of the incarnated darkness! Iris backs the Vanguard off from Cancer once he falls, and once again powers up the Vanguard. "Objective: Destruction...32.5% power boost to primary salvo." That said, ports open on the Vanguard's shoulders, explosive mines pouring out by the dozens, soaring into the thing called Nigh. The Joeploid sees the massive demon start to take shape. "So you finally come and its time for us to show you that this world is not bound by the chains of fate. EarthLIngs make their own roads and we are going to go right through you. he drops into a combat stance his shield at the ready and powers his Arc Canon. He is ready to battle. Then he opens fire on it sending a LIghting bolt at it, Job for all of his extiance has had to fight to keep aLIve. This is nothing different and by god he will fight untill he has been reduced to atoms. "We are not going to go quietly!!" Dynamo Man turns back to his brothers as the opponent is gone ... but then Nigh seems to take humanoid form, and takes his attention once again. "No way. No Way. This isn't happening as you want." Strangely, that came in a low, almost inaudible tone. "Ergh ....... no." All he does is aim a cannon at the form of Nigh and presents it with a high-powered Floater mine. Silo receives a radio transmission from KaLInka. Alpha frowns at the humanoid form, "...Hello again.", she says to Nigh as she flaps her wings out, "You aren't going to win this time, you know that, right?", she doesn't attack, however, probably because the last time someone threw blasts at Nigh, they rebounded and wounded her. Metal Shark sends a radio transmission to Beam Demon. Beam Demon receives a radio transmission from Metal Shark. Pyro Squirrel rests. And thinks... oO(Not powerful enough to help right now... I should just stay in the back and wait...)Oo Ninjutsu Gecko looks up at Nigh, keeping his footing under the shaking platform. "New Target. Let's not waste time this time around..." He points to the Giant face, then opens, palms out, "Let's do this....YAAAA!!" From his hands, what appears to be a pair of dragon heads, one of fire, one of water, stream towards the face of Nigh, with a gawd-awful set of shrieking voices. Silo sends a radio transmission to KaLInka. Barrage Raptor swings her attention over, and takes a look at the manifested form of Nigh, "Well, well." She grins a LIttle bit, and pops out the cLIp, sLIding in her explosive ammo, pulLIng the bolt back and locking in these new rounds, before she lets loose with a burst of firepower, "Welcome to Earth! I hope we can make your short stay /very/ unpleasent!" Harmony narrows her eyes, and uses her most powerful attack on the damned soul. We all know how it goes.. she plays the harp, it gets louder, and she's soon joined by a displaced symphony. Dada.. music plays.. crescendo peaks.. explosion in Nigh's face. Clown Man and Sideshow frowns at Nigh's... mortal form. "Say, guy... Have seen a Pikachu? I'll show you one..." His images shimmers... ...To become Clown Katchem. "PIKACHU, I CHOOSE YOU!!! THUNDER!!!" "PIIIIIIKKKKKKAAAAA... CHU!!!!" Metal Shark heft up his large Anchor as he watches Nigh's many forms. Choosing to watch it's movements for a while be thinks he notices a pattern, then when he beLIves the largest or most vunerable form is present he throws his metal anchor at the bein, on it's chain obviously. Clown Man transforms into pokemon trainer Firestorm Phoenix waits with his weapons readied to attack as soon as he's sure he has something to even shoot at. BLInking a few times, Silo just sighs, bringing up his arm cannon, aiming at the Nigh, breifly talking into his radio... And then he just lets loose with a large sizzLIng ball of electricity. Seconds later, out comes two medium sized missiles... And lastly, out comes his giant Storm Missile, all of them heading for Nigh... And right after firing this mass of attacks, he falls to his knees, suddenly drained of a whole lot of fuel and energy... A /whole/ lot of it. Rocket Rodent watches as Nigh appears. And since his player was idle, he makes no spammy poses and simply fires on Nigh with pistols. Viewing the result, Beam Demon moves out of the firing path. Thrusters carry him up and away, out of the protective atmosphere if needed. In fact, he does hover in open space for the sheer mobiLIty it provides. LeveLIng the bazooka again, he narrows his eyes through the sight, targeting various weakpoints on the monstrous creature. With soundless blasts in the vaccuum of space, the Demon launches a trio of shells, targeting the Nigh creature's knees and neck. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Daryn continues, going through the chorus four times. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Snake Man transmits, "What isss that horrible sssinging?" Raising his hands into the air and charging power to full again, Gale Sorcerer jumps right near the LIzard. "Not a sinGLe second. Let's just end with that fast!" The, imitating his partner, he shoots another massive plasma gale towards the direction of the Night. A shame holograms won't work here, it could have been interesting... Sai GLances at Duet, and nods his recognition of her sacrifice. "Thank you...for all you give, we will return it...we will not fall, this day or any other." Statement made, he turns to Nigh, as if to prove his words, his left arm transforming rapidly into its arm cannon form: Straightening, and the barrel of the weapon emerging from his palm. He doesn't fire anything yet, instead charging to fire a few powerful -- for Sai, that is; they actually are quite sickeninGLy weak, objectively speaking -- plasma rounds at whatever is to come. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Rocket Rodent transmits, "Our background music to victory, aparently." ---------- The bevy of firepower that sweeps into Nigh's ethereal body passes right through, whipping that inky, cloud-LIke substance into a blurred froth, but having no further apparent effect... the waves of energy and nuclear warheads and LIghtning bolts all continuing off into the vastness of empty space behind it, to be lost in the black void, absorbed, dissipated, gone. Nigh stands strong, still shifting, still indistinct. Its voice- voicless, not so much heard, as sensed, felt- rolls through the crowd. "Your efforts... are wasted. You cannot destroy... the epitome of destruction," it chides in slow, measured tone. "You cannot bring entropy.... to entropy itself." Turning slowly, it reaches towards the crisped Cancer with a hand that becomes a claw that becomes a cruel hook that curls around the twice-fallen Stardroid. "And you," it says. "You and your bretheren were only a means to an end. So predictable... that you would turn upon your fellows... for a moment's self-gain. Did you ever understand... that you were always fated to share their own?" Nigh LIfts Cancer high, 'looking' at him, into him, into the blasted Stardroid's very heart, as it awaits his reply. ---------- [Radio: (D) GLobal] Snake Man transmits, "Who'sss victory?" [Radio: (D) GLobal] Pirate Princess Tron Bonne transmits, "...Someone thinking they are from Macross..." Duet reaches out with one of her hands and grabs onto one of Aldebaran's, her usual soft touch replaced with an almost desperate grasp. She places the ball of energy in his hand, and then brings his other on top of it, covering both of his hands with her own, "I am sure... his final wishes was for me to watch over these that he so seemed to adore... let this, perhaps, be his redemption to them..." She looks up at Aldebaran, and smiles at him, before turning to look at the other Stardroids for a moment, the smile never wavering, "You all have done so much... and served Duo and myself so loyally over the endless sea of time and space... for that, we thank you. The joy you have brought us... the wars you have fought for us... the LIves you lost for us..." Duet's form seems to almost begin to 'fade' a bit, almost as if it's becoming noncorperal as she turns to everyone else, "Children of Earth, Defiers of the Judgement... let us write the final chapter of this story, so that you can begin working on your own story... one that will be yours alone..." Duet's physical form then dissappears as one final tear falls to the ground before she becomes and almost ghostly apparition, "... my love... finally... I return to your arms..." Then, the appiration dissipates into a white aura, that slowly fades away. Bytsy has arrived. Regulus turns his head towards the being of shadow. "So be it. As Duet does, I can do no less." He raises the blazing thunderbolt that is his sword Illumine in a salute to Duet, and then bows his head for a moment, almost contemplative. Then he raises his head, his eyes filled with a golden LIght. "They have freed us from Judgement. I can do no less than give myself to the freeing of them from annihilation!" He levels his sword at Nigh. "I bring you not Entropy! I Bring You LIGHT!" And then REgulus simply... hurls himself into Nigh, a blazing comet brighter than the ecLIpsed stars. Pyro Squirrel keeps resting. Maybe he's sleeping? Harmony squints, her eyes getting teary.. watching this horrible drama unfold. Watching Regulus seem to.. sacrifice himself. Why does she have to be a part of this? It's horrible.. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Daryn pauses in his singing, though he still plays the chorus music, "This is a special requisition, sh**faces, from a pal. So shut the hell up and LIsten." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Snake Man transmits, "Huh? What'sss that?" The Vanguard pauses. "Firepower: ineffective," Iris drones in a strange monotone. Then, the hulking machine stands still. "New strategy is required." Job says, "You don't get it about us? We don't know the meaning of the word quit! Fool don't you get it it? We just need to defeat you with by simply being!" Job breaks into a run at the nothing it self the Arc Canon firing bolt after bolt at the Nothing. "Come on Monster! HAVE AT THEE!!!" [Radio: (D) GLobal] Daryn sings, "I think it's gotta be somethin' in the water, man, it's just gotta be in the water..." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Rocket Rodent transmits, "We are saving the world. Can you please give us some silence?" Aldebaran grimmaces sLIghtly... he never agreed with the Stardroid's mission, that is for certain... but to watch Duet perish before him in such a way... it shakes him, sLIghtly. "Thank you." he whispers. The orb resting in his hand... he moves to deposit it into the device. The raw energy from the very Core of Duet throbs into the machine. He knows not whether or not this will help, in the end... but he must try everything he can. Crescent Grizzly watches in surprise as none of the collective attacks phase the Nigh. GLancing back, he sees Duet's form fade away...her final gift of courage and duty to the people of Earth. An for it, she shall forever be remembered. Regulus moves to battle the nigh, and agian, Crescent goes into a defensive position between the engine and the Nigh itself, raising a forcefield once more... Crescent Grizzly projects a forcefield around himself. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Snake Man transmits, "I want to know what'sss going on" Duo has arrived. Ninjutsu Gecko growls as the dragons scream off into...nothingness. "Well..that sucked...Next idea?" He looks to Gale quickly, then back up to the monster. "I'm not good at this stuff. I need something soLId." Capricorn looks down from her perch near the top of the tower of the Stardroid Engine, watching as Duet and then Regulus sacrifice themselves. Sheesh! So heroic. She must have missed that chapter of Stardroids for Dummies, though, since she certainly makes no effort to do the same... after all, someone has to man the weaponry, don't they? She waits, not wanting to rush Duet, and readies herself... [Radio: (D) GLobal] Job can be heard over the sounds of weapons fire. "When you can not see, when you can not hear. Roll up your sleeves and fight!!!" Barrage Raptor grunts, and lowers her rifle. That didn't work, "Something tells me that we need a real miracle here." She mutters, "That or a bigger gun." She has a bigger gun. But she doesn't want to use it until she's sure it'll be effective. It took the combined power of Guts Man's horrific singing and Iris' mighty firepower, but Cancer is seeminGLy brought low. (Everyone else's attacks probably helped, of course.) In a way, Bass is disappointed; he didn't even have to fire a shot. But, hey, no doubt he'll need his strength to battle the last surviving Agent, if he arrives. Bass brings down his scythe, returning it to hyperspace, returning both of his arms to cannons. He starts to descend back down to the platform, steeLIng himself for what is to come -- when it comes. He looks up, looking into the Face of Nigh. Bass stares into it, the embodiment of death, and refuses to be afraid. He grits his teeth, bringing up his cannons -- No. As the blasts fly at Nigh, it becomes clear that they do LIttle but feed it, not even acting as an adequate distraction. He comes down to a complete landing, still burning with green energy, and stares across the scenerio. The Stardroids working on the Gun. Nigh potentially preparing to resurrect Cancer. Options, options ... what are his options? [Radio: (D) GLobal] Pyro Squirrel transmits, "(still oddly calm) Machine broke down, Cancer died, Nigh reformed, Duet and Regulus sacrificed themselves, all that stuff." Metal Shark takes a step back, "Duo defeated Nigh! I can project Duo!" he almost gasps with the idea as his hands fuzz a faint white, as he does so he ducks into the crowd, so Nigh doesn't see what he's doing. A few moments pass and Duo appears at the front of the masses. He says nothing, but instead points one energy infused fist at Nigh. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Tengu Man transmits, "K-k-k....k-kans..s-s..." Metal Shark projects a holographic image of Duo. Duo has arrived. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Daryn says, in response, "Die Muthafu**as still, fool.", though he's singing too. And then he continues with the song, "Aww fu**! Chuck's on a kilLIn' spree again! With guillotines for men! I walk around town with a frown on my face. Fu** the whole world, fixin' to catch a murder case, The murder rate. Silo also watches as Duet disappears, and bows his head in respect, sighing once more, still on his knees. He looks over as Regulus seems to sacrifice himself, and just shakes his head... Slowly, he gets to his feet, looking around... There's no more he can do, except watch and hope this last ditch plan works... Canopy Jabberwock continues to laugh at Nigh, even as the voice sweeps across the minds gathered here. "No, death cannot kill Death, thing, and nor can Chaos reign over itself. But you are not Death, and you are not Chaos. When you pass, things shall not stagnate, nor fall into stasis. You are temporal. All temporal things come to an end, not of their own accord; perhaps Death cannot kill you, and perhaps Chaos. Can something else? Oh, can something else! So many things." He notices as an aside the sacrifices around him, but they do not bring him down; instead, his heart continues to swell, standing before the shadow hanging over the LIttle platform and disregarding it. Rocket Rodent watches Duet fade away, and then Regulus fly into Nigh. He bows his head, knowing the sacrifices they make. Prehaps thier attacks and efforts can do what ours cannot. The Demon noticed how ineffective the weapons of himself and the assorted fighters of Earth are, and swoops in. PulLIng a fLIp in midair, Beam's body flares brightly, exsploding and expanding into the massive Quasar. He lands upon the plateau heavily enough to cause it to shudder. Then standing, the great reploid narrows his eyes at the whispy, cloud-LIke being, "You. Will. Not. Take. Our. World." He only vaguely notices that he's standing right beside what appears to be Duo himself. Well now. Beam Demon changes into his Quasar armor. The floor suddenly creaks in complaint. Sai doesn't have a forcefield, natch, so he can't do any defending. He simply lets genuine energy continue to build in his arm cannon, waiting for some moment to come where he can actually help to fight. It seems clear, for the moment, that shooting isn't going to do much, just yet. He watches Duet's sacrifice and Regulus' charge with sad eyes, but says nothing, only: "The LImit is reached...can we push past it...? I hope so..." Starburst Dragon can't tear up. Not yet. Weapons don't work. /Attacking doesn't work/. Fighting Doesn't Work. Fighting the Nigh isn't going to work. He curses himself inside for throwing a star at it, thinking that it could work. He just stands. And remains close by Harmony's side. And he sings. Hey, it's worked up until now. Alpha shakes her head as everybody fLIngs themselves at Nigh. She pauses, for a moment, to peer towards Aldebaran. She nods slowly and walks towards him, standing in front of him to guard Pac Pac from attack. Mai Atsuki stares up into the darkness incarnate, green eyes seeing this and already, futilely, contemplating what sort of report to write - but what good would it do? That electrical power could make their LIves last another few minutes, or hours, and keep the heaters working. She doesn't think of duty, or of the fate of the earth, or of death in the cold darkness... she thinks of those LIttle apple seeds resting in the slowly-cooLIng ground of Earth. And then! She says, with growing strength, "Entropy... Entropy will increase and dominate in a closed system... but LIfe gathers energy together and uses it... ha ha ha!" She grins, before yanking off the cowl on her head, having either cracked or having had a piercing insight! "They might not be able to defeat you, but LIfe can!" And then, with a righteous cry, she fLIngs another freshly-gathered plasma bolt into the guts of Nigh, drawing her other Cipher in the process and activating it. Duet has disconnected. Dynamo Man watches all of this. The strugGLes of higher beings against what must be 'gods' ... the lack of any possible intervention by the earth-bound, the ineffectiveness of his mine ... the death of a still-pure Stardroid ... all of it meets his senses. It seems to numb him, and he keeps his weapon trained on the form of Nigh. Seeing ... the remaining pure Stardroids working on the weapon .. change of plan. He rushes to their sides, offering whatever support he possibly can. "Let me help reroute the power!" [Radio: (D) GLobal] Bolero transmits, "... Who's cans are you talking about, Hombre de Tengu?" Arms crossed over his chest, Gale Sorcerer eyes the ninja for a moment. "Well, let me see..." He then eyes Regulus, who pronounces a word that becomes the next idea into his mind. "LIght! That's it. Allow me a second, then try shooting again!" The mage then moves his system energy towards his holographic systems and a massive focus of LIght appears right in front of Nigh. With a bit of luck, having created that hologram will have been useful. "NOW!" [Radio: (D) GLobal] Job transmits, "You fight Entropy with the chaos that is LIfe!" Gale Sorcerer projects a holographic image of Epileptic Disco FlashLIghts Spell. Epileptic Disco FlashLIghts Spell has arrived. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Tengu Man transmits, "..n-n-no..." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Tengu Man transmits, "*cLIck*" [Radio: (B) Masters-Secure] Bass transmits, "Who do you serve, Tengu Man?! WHO DO YOU SERVE?!" Starburst Dragon sends a radio transmission. Harmony receives a radio transmission from Starburst Dragon. Cancer strugGLes to look into Nigh's... eyes. "No..." the crab nearly cries... "...You used me... I thought I was... helping you... when you were only using me..." Cancer frowns. "I...Hate...You." He looks over at the machine, "...To make amends..." He throws what remains his energy... and those of those he absorbed/consumed... Pollux, Castor, Uranus, Sagaitturius, Pharaoh Man, and Barrage Raptor... towards the machine. He finally looks at Nigh, "See you in hell..." Cancer's breaks down... leaving nothing left. The crabdroid... is no more. Pyro Squirrel slowly gets up. "So... nothing's working yet..." He stands there, not doing anything. Then Cancer throws his power to the gun. He still stands there, not doing anything. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Fusion Phoenix speaks in a too level tone of voice, "Time for my trump card. What ever happens, it'll be impressive." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Bolero transmits, "OOC: ... Job, entropy is chaos..." Guts Man taps his foot, "How much longer is this going to take? I want to see the Hero Boy Christmas Special at 9 tonight." Firestorm Phoenix doesn't bother wasting his ammo firing at Nigh, its obvious that its futile, however he tries to think of something that will work. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Daryn sings ""May increase if your caught up in the world While it's dyin', I guarentee yer fryin' cause I'm on the verge of knockin' muthafu**as out for no reason Once I get down there'll be no reason Once I get down there'll be no breathin' it seems when Muthafu**as wanna calm down, put his palm down Seems I gots to lay the law down Now its on pow what you to do? I'm askin' you Ninjutsu Gecko nods to Gale, "Let's boogie...." The Sorcerer is a sorcerer right? So he should know better than the neenja. He throws his arms up again, letting another set of the Elemental Dragons fire off at Nigh. Out of the corner of his focus, he notices the Crab and hears his speech. He secretly hopes that Cancer's LIttle 'gift' will help. Dynamo Man works alongside the Stardroids, on the Big Gun, as best he can. Barrage Raptor bLInks a LIttle, "That was unexpected." She murmers, as she, drops both foot anchors, to hold her in place, starting to charge up her big gun. Yeah, it didn't work out when she used it on Cancer. But hey, Cancer just sacrificed himself, so this time it has to work. She won't fire it until Nigh becomes a viable target, though...Which better be soon, with how fast the Stardroids are going. Beam Demon conveniantly steps aside so Barrage has a clear shot at Nigh without pegging his own large body. Yeah. Aldebaran moves his hands as quickly as possible. "Dynamo Man, Job... try the Deceleratrix..." he points to a bizarre, bLInking object in a desparate hope that perhaps it shows some obvious signs of malfunction. Himself, he's examining another system in desparation, for the moment trying to put OUT of his mind that his fellows, and quite probably, very shortly, innocent natives, are going to be perishing. ---------- Nigh seems to... frown. It rears its head back in a serpentine manner, regarding its now empty hand... "Curious...." it rumbles. "But to LIttle end.... for it hastens what is inevitable." Turning towards the others, Nigh's body breaks down, becoming a sinking cloud of blackness that heaps upon the floor LIke a heavy fog. The ongoing attacks continue to whip right through it... it is insubstantial, impervious to mere firepower. Tendrils of darkness LIck and curl LIke flame, pools of black opening beneath people's feet as if to swallow them. Nigh's voice rings out once more, bringing a cold chill with it. "Robot Masters," it almost purrs. "Why do you fight? Why do you war? For Wily?" Images of Robot Master drones appear in the black mist... mets, joes rising up, trudging forward as if marching to battle, only to melt and sink into the fog once again. "Wily is a mortal. When he is gone, what will you have? Already, age takes its toll on the man. You maybe everlasting... but your leader... your father... your reason for being... he is not. Why do you not surrender yourselves?" ---------- Silo just continues to stand still, watching all that's happening... Too much. Cancer's demise, the hurried work of the rest of the Stardroids... Sighing, he jogs a bit closer to the machine, seeing how work is going over there, before staring at the Nigh, before heading over closer to the machine, to see how he can help... He takes a moment to GLance at what's happening above, but quickly turns his attention back to the machine. "Because there's still beer and p****y in the world, you gaseous motherf***er!" Crash Man quips. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Pyro Squirrel transmits, "Oh geez... Don't LIsten to Nigh! Keep fighting!" Metal Shark steps forward again, obviously the Duo hologram isn't working. "Hey! That's my schtick!" Job says "Then SING GUTS MAN! SING!!!" Job is still blasting away at the Negh with everything he has. Over Jobs own PA systems Nothing is going to stand in our way can be heard. Yes its the one from TFTM got to go with the classics! Job meanwhile says softly. "Thank you Cancer..." as Aldbaran's he breaks off his arttack and speeds towards machine and heads towards the Deceleratrix and runs a quick scan of ti. "Dynamo Man? What you think here?" [Radio: (D) GLobal] Pirate Princess Tron Bonne transmits, "...Nigh is... /there/?!" [Radio: (D) GLobal] Daryn mutters something under his breath, "When y'look in the void, the void looks back, don't watch, don't look in the mirror, don't look in the mirror, the mirror's rusted, it ain't true reflection...", and then Daryn breaks out into song again, "Step to face I'll break your as* in two, bastard you Rather swim in some fu**in' hot tar... Silo sends a radio transmission. Crescent Grizzly just stands tall and ready before the Nigh, arms crossed about his chest, head high. He watches. He waits. He protects. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Pyro Squirrel transmits, "It's spouting some stuff about Wily and dying." Duo takes another step forward, this time the blue energy spreads to his entire body. Duo is now mostly pure energy, though still Staring at the Nigh this time he tries to tell it he means buisness. Guts Man says, "Surrender? That's not in our vocabulary. Maybe if we were from France, but not ours! No deal Stardroid! We kick your butt 4 ways from Sunday to a one legged redheaded step child!" [Radio: (D) GLobal] Snake Man transmits, "What about the Massster dying?" Dynamo Man works quickly, trying to get the power properly routed. "It looks LIke there's a short somewhere, but I can't find it just yet .... " He continues looking around the device to find an answer to whatever's going wrong. Deciding upon yet another tactic against the Nigh, Iris switches to the crystal weaponry upon the Vanguard -- as it works upon a different type of power than the laser weaponry. New ports open, and illuminated crystal shards fly out toward the Nigh in a new barrage. It's not so much intentionally destructive as it is experimental. Within the ride armor, Iris observes the results, if any. The Nigh does not know the Robot Masters very well dos it? Silo receives a radio transmission from KaLInka. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Pyro Squirrel transmits, "Something about him being mortal and you not, and that he was an old coot. And that's just the nice things it said about him." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Cancer transmits, "*as said before Cancer's demise* You are free, Tengu Wily. Serve your father well, and do not be lead astray... as I was. Fare Thee Well... Sir Tengu. *rush of energy... then static*" Colonel LIstens to the Nigh try and convince the Robot Masters to give in and waits for a response. He laughs sLIghtly at their responses, at least they won't give in. Colonel looks over at Iris and shakes his head as he reaLIzes he is completely wrong. "Iris, power down... prehaps your desire not to fight is the best weapon here." Colonel stands tall, waiting for his time. "Iris, your desire to LIve and have other's LIve is the best threat to this monster." The Demon maverick stands strong and silent, hands clenched into fists. He can't fight an insubstantial enemy... Alpha says, "Pac Pac...", simply, "If ... there is a way I can assist... In any manner... Then let me know, but I will not put you in jeopardy." Crash Man is a man who knows what he wants. Wily may be fleeting, but Iris's booty is forever. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Tengu Man transmits, "...iye, iye! Wakarimasen...iye-- *silence*" [Radio: (D) GLobal] Snake Man transmits, "Consssidering they call him 'the Perverter' I'm not sssurprisssed." Magna Bass stares into Nigh even as the weapon continues to be worked on, green energy surging around him as his reactors prepare for armageddon. He paces on the opposite side of Nigh on the platform, staring at It evenly. "I don't fight for him. I don't fight for anyone. I fight because my Purpose is to utterly destroy my counterpart, Mega Man. Rock. As long as one of us is aLIve, that Purpose remains unfinished." He raises his left arm cannon, squinting one eye very sLIghtly. "You stand in my way. No one stands in my way. You will be destroyed because my Purpose cannot be completed while you exist." Silo sends a radio transmission. Guts Man says, "Besides, when Wily dies his legacy will belong to Bass and we all love Bass. UnLIke King. Uptight jerkward..." Pyro Squirrel talks into his radio, and doesn't fire. His weapons wouldn't do much good anyway. "Wonderful!" Gale Sorcerer grins to himself "It seems to be working, now we've got to find a way to get rid of that silly mist!" The mage eyes Gecko then. "Do you have anything that could work against this fog? If you do, try after I do this... Here... it... goes!" The massive sphere of bLInding LIght that was right in front of Nigh suddenly starts GLowing unusually and becomes a strange mixture of colors and energy. It has gone holo-negative. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Daryn sings, "Before you fu** with WilLIe D 'cuz what I got for yo' as* will make ya sh** your meal, Cause it's die muthafu**as die muthafu**as still!", Daryn seems to be really into this song as even after he says this, he mutters again, "Yeh, those're my guys....Don't screw up RepLIdorks..." Job nods to the Robot Master. "I'll owe you a drink after this mess...Now lets see here." Job starts to look over the machine trying to find the short. Aldebaran looks down upon Alpha... a bit of affection on his face. "I thank you, Alpha..." He pauses. "Have you any technical skills? Any abiLIties to repair?..." He idly hopes the natives can at least put together enough of a picture of the systems to assist. He's having a hard enough time doing that himself. Rocket Rodent hrms. That is not his question to answer, although the being of darkness has a point. Damn, he hates it when the beings of darknesses have a point. He does not notice the floor melting, as he is floating off the ground. His greatest attack is an impact, and quite frankly, the rodent isn't up for plunging himself into the heart of the beast. Sai simply continues to charge his weapon, observing Cancer's own sacrifice with interest. As it quickly becomes clear that he can't charge any further without damaging himself, he stops the charge, merely holding it for the moment. He snorts as the Nigh asks the Masters why they fight, and chuckles at their responses, but says nothing. Colonel sends a radio transmission to Iris. Iris receives a radio transmission from Colonel. Starburst Dragon stands. Sings. Shines. If Nigh tries to swallow them, he'll keep GLowing. He was made to be a Star. A LIttle five-pointed one, LIke you put on Christmas trees if you put them up, unless you put an angel. He'll GLow LIke one. He still holds a LIfe-size repLIca of a Keyblade he bought in a junk store. "Ah've learned that deep insahd thar's a laht that ne'er goes aht..." Mai Atsuki tenses herself - preparing to lunge at the darkness and slay it with the GLowing powers of her Ciphers if she has to. But this is clearly not the time. Perhaps if the cannon weakens it, it will be more vulnerable to a LIving, breathing being than to one of the various Reploids and androids and robots around her. They may have souls - but this is a question of biology, to her feverish and possibly sLIghtly-cracked mind, not one of theology. Dynamo Man stops suddenly as the being issues its statement of Wily's mortaLIty ... and then decides. It's TRYING to get him to stop. So ... quite simply ... he quickly resumes his work. "Where's the short!? ..." Regulus hurtles towards Nigh... Barrage Raptor remains where she is, weapon reaching full charge. So, the Nigh is trying to convince the Masters to give up. Somehow she bets he'll do the same for the RepLIforce soon enough. Spica sighs softly as Duet vanishes and Regulus sacrifices himself. "Don't any of them have self-saving tendencies?" she murmurs as she floats near the engine and Capricorn. Ninjutsu Gecko shakes his head, "Nada, Gale. I don't think we're doing much...." He tries something else, winging timed smoke bombs and throwing stars at the Fog, hoping maybe that the smoke will funk something up... He watches and shakes his head, "Let's save our fuel....I don't think it'll work." Pyro Squirrel slowly wanders over to the area with the weapon, but still stays a good distance away, keeping out of the way of the busy people repairing it. "I don't think I'll be much help here..." He says to himself. [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Pirate Princess Tron Bonne transmits, "We're going to need a pickup on the Skydeck of Starhaven." [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Pirate Princess Tron Bonne transmits, "...After this is over..." Canopy Jabberwock rises into the air sLIghtly, a low thrust keeping him over the Nigh sLIthing across the platform. He still smiles at the nothingness, disregarding it out of hand. After a measure he turns his gaze towards the energy Duo and the technicians working on Longinus, and smiles further, hovering over to it as well. He offers, "If I can help in a fashion, I shall, though I regret that I have LIttle skill forging electronics." [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Pirate Princess Tron Bonne transmits, "/If/ we all LIve." Alpha shakes her head, "No, I can only project holographic images. Perhaps I can get Iris to help.", she sends off a transmission. It's the clench time, it appears, but Alpha seems unfaired. She smiles back at Aldebaran though. The Vanguard turns slowly toward Colonel. "..." At first, she doesn't give any reaction whatsoever. However, what her brother can't see is Iris taking this moment to reload the programs and subroutines which make up her personaLIty...the same programs she assumed would be nothing but a hindrance, here in the face of death and destruction. After a significant pause, Iris suddenly powers down the Vanguard, and it vanishes. Iris changes into her Iris armor. Alpha sends a radio transmission. Iris receives a radio transmission. ------ The Stardroid Engine remains cold and dead, even as Cancer's sacrificed energy flows into it. White sparks fLIcker here and there, the machine apparently trying to return to LIfe... and there is a faint suggestion of a white GLow in its crystal heart. Another round of fire whips through Nigh's nebulous suggestion of a body, and yet again, it has no effect. Even Regulus's valorous attempt to leap through does him no good, the Stardroid passing through Nigh as harmlessly as he would a cloud. Nigh's voice chuckles lowly as the Masters shout their responses, but offers nothing of its own. "Maverick Hunters," it chuckles. "RepLIforce. Why do you fight? You seek a world free of violence, free of hatred, free of the tyranny that you would see destroyed...." Nigh begins to collect once more, assuming the figure of the Grim Reaper, face shrouded by a black hood, its scythe oozing inky shadow. "... through violence... pain... suffering... the very things that you abhor. You create chaos... you bring destruction... in the name of order. Why not give yourselves to me? Why not surrender, and let all be swept aside by perfect, peaceful darkness?" ---------- Crash Man GLances over his shoulder to Colonel and his rag-tag band. "Damn, he got you there. Hahaha." Iris sends a radio transmission. Alpha receives a radio transmission. [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Pirate Princess Tron Bonne transmits, "Tengu Man is... down... ...I was able to deactivate him... ...he was going mad when Cancer died..." Silo walks closer to the machine, before shaking his head.. While he may have some repairing expereince, he doesn't want to give his hand at repairing and mess up the machine... So he goes back to what he was doing before, and just watches the Nigh... And suddenly gets the urge to do all he can to make the Nigh feel /pain/. He doesn't attack though, just GLares at the darkness... [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Omega Battery Dynamo Man transmits, "......" Capricorn looks to Spica, and shrugs almost non-chalantly. "Aye, seems a mite silly, iffn' ye ask me," she mumbles. "All this sacrifice-business. Kinda makes ye wonder whae we even bother tryin' tae win, when we're dyin' anyway!" She rubs her head, before looking down at Aldebaran down below, and calLIng out. "ALDE! YE GET IT WORKIN, YET?! I DINNAE THINK HE'LL WAIT TO SCARE EVERYBODY FOR TOO LONG!" Harmony sneers, and merely says nothing. There was absolutely no way she'd ever give into anything LIke Nigh, let alone anything at all. Giving up RepLIforce is giving up her LIfe, and that's something she's not wilLIng to do. Pyro Squirrel turns toward Nigh as it goes spouting off again. He yells at it, "Yeah, yeah, next is the Mavericks, perfect world, free of humans, blah blah blah. Look, can we just skip that part? You know that nobody's going to LIsten to you anyway." Fusion Phoenix looks to the Nigh, an eyebrow arched. "If you expect us to roll over and play dead for peace, you've got another thing comming. If we were LIkely to do that we would have yealded to Wily or Sigma years ago." Firestorm Phoenix hovers up and unleashes his flamethrowers on the black clouds, he's gotten desperate and wilLIng to try anything, maybe something will work... Guts Man chuckles, "BAHAHAHAHAHA! YOUR PEACEKEEPING IS THE CAUSE OF OUR PROBLEMS! BAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!" He looks to Crash, "They're real tools." [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Pirate Princess Tron Bonne transmits, "He'll be fine, though. Just in a repair cycle... and unable to leave it untill I replace a circuit... ...the Doctor will know what to do for him." A faint reaLIzation... The demon kicks off the platform, rising a few feet from Starhaven and staying there with the assistance of the two massive thruster intakes mounted into the demon's back. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Daryn sings, "How many niggas brought they irons tonight?", someone else, not Daryn, it appears, sings softly the words: "Tell Me.", Daryn continues, "How many niggas wanna die tonight.", the other voice says: "I do.", and then together they sing, "Pick out our victims when the time is right. We get they as* up off the corner 'cause they dyin' tonight!" Regulus's LIght fades as it fails to do anything at all. He whirls, his wings beating the non existant air as he watches Nigh speak to the defenders of Earth, working on them as he must have worked on Regulus' brother. "So I am to LIve? Very well... resist his blandishments..." The angeLIc stardroid turns and drops towards the weapon. "Very well. I have a power source." He offers Illumine to Aldebaran. "Use her as you see fit..." Crash Man snickers at Guts Man, "They sure are, big buddy." Rocket Rodent is adressed, as the RepLIforce. "That is simple. We fight for freedom. The freedom to do anything you want, the freedom to exist. The freedom to LIve." He sighs. "Nothing is not freedom. Nothing is nothing, and the people have a right to be more then nothing." Alpha sends a radio transmission. Iris receives a radio transmission from Alpha. Gale Sorcerer sighs at his ninja partner yet once more. He's actually right again, his tactic is not working. Attack darkness with LIght attacks, it really is much easier in RPGs. Arms crossed over his chest, the UN officer LIstens to Nigh trying to think about something else. "This guy has got a speech for everyone, hasn't he? Hopefully he'll forget about us. Or he'll get killed before he reaches that part at least" [Radio: (D) GLobal] Pyro Squirrel transmits, "50 bucks says that Nigh will start talking to the Mavericks about a perfect world free of humans next." Iris gazes into the dark visage of Nigh...there's no hatred there, no aggression whatsoever. "I don't want to fight you...but neither do I want to join you," she murmurs. "I just want us all to be able to LIve in peace...there has to be other choices than total war or total destruction...there just HAS to be." Starburst Dragon doesn't LIsten to a word Nigh says. Because he's taken special precautions. He's wearing earphones. Turned up to the max. Blazing feelgood music into his ears. And what does he say, boy and girls? Lah, lah, lah! Ah'm not LIstenin'!" It always works, trust me. [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Beta CO Metal Man transmits, "Your on rodent." [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Beta CO Metal Man transmits, "OOC MAV" Without responding to Crash Man, Colonel clears his voice and answers the Nothing. "You are correct in that we cause those things that we wish to get rid of... However, if we did not fight, the world we desire could never come about... We fight for peace... Because if we don't peace will never come. "Look, Nigh... LOOK!! Today, I stand with the Robot Masters and with the Mavericks to defeat you... Why? Because despite our differences, we care for the world below us. You, the Nigh, have given me more faith that one day the wars will end and the Earth will truly be peaceful." Choke on that... [Radio: (D) GLobal] Metal Man transmits, "Your on rodent" [Radio: (D) GLobal] Snake Man transmits, "Why? What'd they tell usss?" Ninjutsu Gecko chuckles, and shakes his head, "If he asks us...well...we'll answer. Interpol...we're supposed to be more here and stuff, you know. So, we'll make ourselves known..." He clasps his hands behind his back, watching.. Dynamo Man works furiously on the machine, trying to find the shorts in the wiring and repair them. "Work, wilyd***it! WORK!" Sai smirks quietly, continuing to maintain the charge. "WHY? Heh. Same reason I was made...I exist to protect Man. I can't do that very well if neither they nor I still exist, now can I? Sure...some may suffer, even die, before we succeed and give peace to our world...but it will be a battle well fought, and a victory well worth the price." Magna Bass continues to watch Nigh speak, cycLIng through his weapons, trying to find a solution to the problem that presents itself. The weapon can only be adequately powered by Stardroids, which he is not. Had he only something he could do ... He looks back towards the device, then back to Nigh. Ironically, the best hope for the future of the world right now may be Dynamo Man. The Strider Director GLances towards Nigh and frowns, "I am called K. I will protect this world and the LIves that LIved on this world. I will not give up because you said so. LIfe is very precious to me. You, the destroyer of LIfe... thus, have no place... here or anywhere." He runs towards Nigh, The good Blade, The Cipher of Order, The Yang Cipher swinging. "You shall fall. You WILL fall." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Daryn continues singing, a female voice joining in with the two male ones. Anybody who knows her, would know that this voice belongs to Aria. "Niggas be all up in my mug, But it's a different story when them muthafu**as coughin' up blood.", the voices cut out and a fourth voice enters, and this one belongs to Megumi, "When he died, looking in his eyes, was he as he cried.", and then all four sing, "I bust another cap in his as* as he died, time is 5." Fusion Phoenix is waiting for the Nigh to reform into something he can shoot. He has his trump, and it seems idealy suited to this battle in a way. Canopy Jabberwock turns to the 'speaking' Nigh, and laughs again in its 'face' as he hovers above it. "Such a weak mind! It is one thing to fight for subjugation and another to fight for peace; the latter is sadly needed at times, but it is justified. And do I simply fight for peace? I fight for joy, awe, wonder; a humid, placid sky, the buzz of fLIes, a furry animal here or there, and the warmth of LIving. Stop your charade; do you fool anybody, jester?" Crescent Grizzly lowers his forcefield, and steps slowly to the brink of the plateau, looking up to the Nigh. His arms are spread wide, and he begins to speak. " Oui, weh' mah' caus' 'arm, weh' mah' mak' mistakes...." the reploid begins, thinking back to the events of the past, the losses, the joys, the victories, and the bitter defeats. "...an' sumtims', weh' do mor' 'arm den' goo'. Buh' at deh' end o' de' day..." Grizzly brings his arms back in, " Weh' know dat' sumwhere', weh' mad' a difference. Weh' kep' summuns' LIfe togetter', we mad' deh' wurl' a saf' plac' to love, to LIve, to laugh...to exis'. An' iffin' weh' know dat' in 'ere..." Grizzly taps the center of his chest with a sinGLe drill finger. " Den' iz' a caus' wort' fightin' fer'. " Grizzly's arms then cross about his chest, and stands, without forcefield, without preperation for defense, at the brink of nothingness, naked before the Nigh. " Com' den', an' do wha' yew' will. Buh' nuttin' is gunna' chang' wha' inside o' mah' 'eart, or deh' 'earts o' anyun' else 'ere. Dats' sumtin' yew' can' snuff out. Dat' will always bea' dere'. " Crescent Grizzly lowers his forcefield. Barrage Raptor knew that Nigh would say something to them, "I don't know why the rest of them fight. But /I/ fight...Because I LIke it!" She growls, and GLares at Nigh, "I love fighting Robot Masters and Mavericks. It's a rush. And if we surrender to you, then I couldn't have fun, could I? I'd be able to do nothing but not exist, and that's really, really BORING!" There. She gave her response. Aldebaran GLances towards Capricorn. "WE'RE DOING OUR BEST! THE EXTRA POWER'S HELPING, BUT..." he shakes his head... ponders... "...The optimization systems. Try the optimization systems!" He points towards assorted black and grey boxes gathered around. "Hurry!" He moves to touch them himself, but Regulus catches his attention... his power source. He nods, slowly, accepting it. "Thank you..." he says, before placing it into one of the power chambers, hoping that the contribution will boost it as well... Alpha doesn't even look towards Nigh, "I don't care about any of that. You are afraid, idiot, you have the power to destroy us by touch. You do not do this because you fear we have something to destroy us. Do you really have time to play this game? You couldn't even kill a sinGLe reploid.", she looks towards Aldebaran and says, "I will hold him off if I can.", she turns her head and takes a sinGLe step forward. "Oh for the love of pete." Beam states. His engines cut out, and he turns towards the Stardroid engine. He looks down at the sLIghtly shorter machine. Those red eyes narrow, before he simply raises one massive fist overhead, and then brings it down upon the Stardroid engine-slash-weapon. Sure, it was tried before, but maybe the anGLe and power behind the Demon can do somethign the others couldn't. Dynamo Man fixes one of the shorts with a quick coating of LIquid Duct Tape(TM), and then Aldebaran's command gets to him. Quickly, he sidesteps to the otherside of the machine, studying the console for a moment, and then tapping furiously, running diagnostics. "It's gotta be here somewhere ... !" [Radio: (D) GLobal] Pirate Princess Tron Bonne transmits, "...Pity this isn't the Neverending Story... ...Then we could save the world by giving the Child-LIke Empress a new name..." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Clown Man transmits, "...The Adult-LIke Dominatrix?" [Radio: (D) GLobal] Daryn sings with the rest of his band, "Niggas be shootin' the gif LIke they for real, but when it jumps they ain't got no murder -skills-, So Bill jus', chops 'em down, 'watch 'em fall. And cut they as* head to toe, jaw to jaw. The sight of the Blue Director lunging at the Nigh makes Mai straighten up. Red and Blue fight together, for now! She breaks into a run towards the Nigh, from a sLIghtly different vector than Kain, both of her ciphers prepared to slash into the deathLIke entity. Where energy and explosives could not triumph, perhaps plasma-charged metal can. Guts Man shouts, "Hey Nigh! If you're so powerful why don't you eat that machine those idiots are trying to make work? By delaying to do so you're only giving them more time to try and fulfill their goal of your destruction! Eat the people trying to fix it too. Especially the one filled with poison!" [Radio: (D) GLobal] Shyster transmits, "Well, yes, but think o'how much cooler t'movie could 'ave gone if she were called 'The Underaged Broad Whose Actress' Career Will Utterly Tank After This Point'." Gale Sorcerer snickers sLIghtly at the response of his partner. "hehehe... letting the Interpol be known... that's something that'd really surprise me..." At least while having him as the director of the RDI division... No, wait, Abernathy's the big boss and Bridgit is in charge of UNED division. They'll be known as soon as they blow a whole city up. "I hope the others come up with something, because my resources are quite LImited here..." Starburst Dragon says, "Y'wan'a answer? Ah'm fahtin'c'z ah exist only t'protect people. No matter what it's from. Ah wanna see 'em safe and ah wanna see 'em happy. All ah want's safety, love an' happiness. Ah've got safety with mah friends. Ah've got love wi'Harmony. And ah've got happiness seein' you makin' a fool o'yerself when you know you beaten already!" Dynamo Man shouts, "ARGH, GUTS! YOU'RE NO HELP AT ALL!" Firestorm Phoenix grumbles to himself, that blasted Nigh seems unstoppable by any conventional means and the one thing that might stop it, is down for the count, "This is just great, I have been through too much to just roll over and go quietly into the night."