Log started: 4/5/03 10:48:13 PM $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ Robot Master $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ Message: 12/50 Posted Author Thank you for Rocking Thu Apr 03 Daryn ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ *message posted on RM servers, or something :D. Daryn appears!* "Yo, this is Daryn, word up." "Anywho, to help the African people assist the Robot Masters, I'm gonna be takin' some time off my musical career and Mercenary career to personally oversee training of the Troops fighting for Wily and stuff. Figure it's best for a human-ish dude to train human-ish dudes than ubercool killer robots, yeah? Anywho, that's what I'll be doing, and it'll probably take a while. Sir Cut, continue your training! I bid ye well." "Oh, and thanks for a bitchin' time till, uh, next time we can have a bitchin' time, y'know?" *With that, Daryn merely pokes the console off, smirking all the way through, and his image fades* OOC: Yeah d00ds, I'm shelving Daryn, hopefully not for too long, but y'get the idea. Want to thank you guys for being such cool guys and allowing me to do zany things LIke use you as a projectile or dress you up as Shadowrio. Guts Man, Crash, Ballade, Bass, Sword Dude, Star Dude, Shadow Dude, Cutter, and especially Doc Wily, keep on Rocking. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ Robot Master $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ Message: 12/51 Posted Author Guns'n'SLIme Sat Apr 05 Pharaoh Man ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ *Pharaoh Man appears, looking quiet pleased with himself. In the background, drones unload crate after crate of suppLIes into the Vehicle Bay.* " Greetings Amun-Wily and brethren. This evening, I led a raid upon the Harbor District of Cairo. Despite initial compLIcations due to pesky interceptors, some sound tactics allowed for things to go smoothly. While Tengu Man, Magic Man, Dynamo Man, Shark Man, and Search Man raided supply ships aimed to support RepLIforce's Cairo Front, I piloted the Green Devil into the more populated areas as an ample distraction. Our efforts did not go unnoticed, many RepLIforcers arrived, including the illustrious General and later on Signas. " *Picture of General up agianst a wall, eaten up mostly by acid, and unconcious.* " Unfortunatly, the good General wasn't able to hold up. A pity, really. Afterwards, as Signas attempted to extract revenge, Crash Man was good enough to arrive and intervene, giving the Devil, already heavily damaged, time to escape. It shall be fine after a Jello bath. The battle wore on, with defeats of RepLIforcers and some casualties of our own, though we were victorious in the end. A large load of fresh suppLIes await your usage, Amun-Wily. I shall also note my largest 'critic', Guts Man, was nowhere to be seen during the battle, instead mocking the entire operation from safety, giving no effort towards success. Pharaoh Man out. " *Ra reaches forwards, and the Spinny returns.* $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ Robot Master $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ Message: 12/52 Posted Author Devils & The LIke Sat Apr 05 Pharaoh Man ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mid-scene, I found out the Devil I had brought (Green) was still unconcious and in negatives. Afterwards, I checked, and the Yellow was at half Endurance. I'm about to check the Metool. But basicly, when you use the Devils/Metool, pilot it into the Recharge Chamber afterwards and let it be fixed. It doesn't take very long at all. RepLIforce neGLected their RAs as such, and Scorpio locked them away for a week. If we want to keep these, we need to take care of them. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ Robot Master $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ Message: 12/53 Posted Author Mission Complete Sat Apr 05 Crash Man ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Crash Man FLIght Type appears, looking pretty damn beaten-up. The visor of his helmet has been shattered and spiderweb cracks extend every which way across his armor. A hole has been punched through his midsection, enabLIng people to see the backdrop of the Vehicle Bay behind him. "Engaged Signas in battle.. and won. Stole his weapon, too." He holds up Signas's beam GLaive, its GLowing green blade still ignited. "Oh, and Pharaoh Man is a loser. Crash Man out." BLIP! $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ Robot Master $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ Message: 12/54 Posted Author OOC - Me! Sat Apr 05 Charge Man ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Well, here I am again. I've been Ground Man, Search Man, and for a LIttle bit, Torch Man. And it looks LIke I'm back in the zany RMs. Again. Yay! I'd appreciate some filLIn' in, since it's been a while. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ IC News $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ Message: 14/23 Posted Author Double Injured In San Angeles Thu Apr 03 News Report ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ [GLobal News Network] "--traitor, spy, and Maverick, his legal status remains uncertain. But in an eerie echo of the riots just days ago, Double was once again critically wounded on San Angeles soil. According to eyewitnesses, the Maverick Hunter Commander, Rock LIght, Megaman, was seen confronting Double by the ornamental fountain in the Bridgeport Mall Courtyard earLIer tonight. Investigators have not yet confirmed the exact events, but it is known Double was injured by a close-range plasma discharge. Shortly thereafter, upon the arrival of poLIce and paramedics, Megaman fled the scene. Witness reports are contradictory, but the damage to Double's body appears to have been caused by his own weaponry. However, in LIght of numerous attempts on Double's LIfe, and the nature of Megaman's adaptive Buster weapon technology, poLIce remain uncertain." "Megaman is wanted by the San Angeles authorities for questioning, though this case is at present being investigated as an attempted suicide. Double is currently warded at the San Angeles General Hospital, under poLIce guard. His condition is reported as stable. Marle Desmond, GLobal News Network, San Angeles." "Thank you, Marle. In Seoul today, securi---" [GLobal News Network] $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ IC News $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ Message: 14/24 Posted Author Xiang Transmission Fri Apr 04 News Report ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ At first, there is nothing but black screen. From out of the blackness LIghts the symbol of Dr. Xiang - the yin-yang surrounded by two snakes, each devouring the tail of the other. "Arcanum Corporation. They have stumbled upon a holy grail for students of the nature of intelLIgence of the robot mind. And the world reels in the aftermath. Humans complain about robotic 'immortaLIty' once again, and cry unfair." The voice - presumably Xiang - pauses. "Although Doctor Cossack's 'Foundation' makes an interesting point. If given access to this information, I am certain researchers could attempt to work out a solution for humans. A pity those researchers will not have access to my proceedures on brain integration, and analysis of brain patterns into coherent data." The screen goes black once again. "Perhaps a trade... of sorts could be arranged. But for those who have the care of the Reploids brought back? Guard them well. Because I find this... interesting. Poor Double. All alone. I'm sure I can... be a friend he needs." $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ IC News $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ Message: 14/25 Posted Author The White Death? Fri Apr 04 News Report ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The nightly news jinGLe plays, and then cuts to Chest and his beautiful co-anchor. If you're the sort that notices details, you'll notice that this is not the usual news set based in GNN Central in San Angeles. Strange. Chest starts off in his gruff voice, but he seems worried. "A bizarre metalLIc infection has been reported in San Angeles, and appears to be spreading. It is affecting both inanimate objects and Reploids aLIke. So far all of the infected have been moved to San Angeles General Hospital for medication, treatment, and quarantine. GNN experts on robotics and biology have noted that the disease, which appears to be a white rust to the eye, is in fact bacteria, and not due to oxidization LIke normal rust. Thus far symptoms of the White Rust disease are stiffness of the joints and itching chassis-plating. Many have evacuated the San Angeles Business District out of concern for contracting the disease. If you feel these symptoms and LIve in the San Angeles area, report it to the authorities." Chest pauses awkwardly and adds, "Several GNN Reporters have contracted the White Rust. We'll keep you apprised of the situation as it develops." $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ IC News $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ Message: 14/26 Posted Author Escape From San Angeles Fri Apr 04 News Report ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ [GLobal News Network] "--another startLIng development in the Double case. Double escaped from poLIce custody in San Angeles General Hospital earLIer tonight. In a press conference held hours after the incident, a spokesperson for hospital reassured reporters that no-one was seriously injured in the escape. The doctor and poLIce officer in Double's room at the time of his breakout say they were taken by surprise. They are currently being treated for mild concussion and cranial processor trauma respectively. PoLIce understand Double hijacked an ambulance for his getaway. The LIcense and registration of the stolen ambulance were recorded by an Interpol officer on the scene, but authorities have yet to locate the missing vehicle. Double's current whereabouts are unknown." "San Angeles General Hospital assures the pubLIc that this breech of security does not constitute any threat to the hospital's abiLIty to keep the "White Rust" patients in its wards under proper quarentine." "In sports, Taiwanese hoverball champion, Lee Zhixiong, emerged victorious in the final round of the Eurasian Open, beating world number one Spike Swordfish in straight sets--" [GLobal News Network] $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ IC News $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ Message: 14/27 Posted Author A Challenge Sat Apr 05 News Report ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ --Your television, and whatever you might be watching, is interrupted by a broadcast. My, the Robot Masters sure have been doing a lot of pirating lately. This time, a flat black screen, an attention-grabbing BEEEP from the television, and, then, the image fades to one of Gemini Man, standing in a dark room.-- "We have a message to pass on, and we think the whole world needs to hear it. We've AVOIDED April Fools Day for the past few years. As a pranksters' hoLIday, it's just...too commerciaLIzed. Plus. It's always been the domain of one of our bretheren." Cut-to. Footage of the CN tower incident, as seen from the outside, then, from the inside, people running, screaming. Cut back to, two Gemini twins now. One of them is yawning. "Eh. We've seen better." "Absolutely." "So. Once you're up and about, LIttle brother, we'd really LIke to put you to the test. Mainly for our own entertainment." "This is no Tartarus challenge. It's so much better. Pranks versus pranks, until one of us is the CLEAR winner: the best terror-prankster in the world." Gemini smiles. "You might be wondering why this is on YOUR TV, Planet Earth. That's simple. In the quaLIfying categories of humor value, shock value, and just plain body count, you'll have to be the judges for this epic event." "Plus. We wanted to give you some time to run and hide." "May the best Man win." --Back to blackness. Another loud BEEEEP. Now, back to your usual programming.-- $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ Tartarus $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ Message: 15/1 Posted Author Semi-Open Challenge! Fri Apr 04 Gravity Man ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ From: sexxygravman_9203338347382763point6@hotmail.com Alright, you chumps out there with gravity generators, I challenge all of you, to one on one combat. I gotta show you that none of you are a match for THE Gravity Master. But first up to the plate is the guy who tried to match me recently. Alloy. -Gravity Man $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ LIft Landing - Skull Fortress There's not much to see here, merely a large circular room with four segmented white gates distributed around the circumference. Midway between each gate are trapezoidal platform with low guardrails, connected at the back by a grey track with columns of alternating green and yellow LIghts on either side. The ceiLIng has four holes in it to allow the turboLIfts to pass through. A sign here reads 'B1'. Contents: Contents: Search Man [Normal] [RM] West : Teleporters - Skull Fortress South : Medical Support - Skull Fortress East : Vehicle Docking - Skull Fortress North : Gathering Room - Skull Fortress TurboLIft : TurboLIft - Skull Fortress Search Man paces back and forth along the diameter of the room. Neither head seems to be focused on anything in particular; the right hangs somewhat ashamedly while the left is a picture of serenity. [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Guts Man transmits, "So how you guys doing in Switzerland? Did they bring out those gu-ride armors yet?" Search Man just look at you. Woo HA! ^_^ [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Number Man transmits, "Sounds LIke I picked a bad day to start a 15-hour download." [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Theta CO Clown Man transmits, "Sounds LIke that, ERWIN." [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "Clown. You know. That WAS the general idea, yes." [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Number Man transmits, "That's my slave name!" $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ Robot Master $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ Message: 12/58 Posted Author The End of the TP Mon Apr 07 Elec Man ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Alright, as it stands, here's the plan. I just did the scene where Elec's cover is horribly blown. He is LIkely to get promptly detained. My detainment should reach your ears shortly after. Now, here's the ending plan: An assault on LIght Labs to get me out. I've already ran this by Rock, so lets hope he can whip up some defense for us. I'm thinking that we should try to start this either Friday or Saturday this week. I need you guys to @mail me with which day and time is best, and if you can be there either day, all the better. What in BLAZES?!? Oh, it's just a sexxxy mask. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ Robot Master $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ Message: 12/59 Posted Author Elec Man Mon Apr 07 Shadow Man ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Elec San has been discovered and requires extraction. He is presently being held in LIght Labs. The Hunters are no doubt on maximum alert now, so immediate action may be inadvisable, but we should rescue him as soon as possible. Unless an alternate plan is proposed I intend to attempt to retrieve him Wednesday night. /\ < () > -Shadow Man \/ $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "Which is why we never took it to the Tartarus boards in the first place." [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Theta CO Clown Man transmits, "...Yeah, yeah... At any rate... Do you accept?" [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "Of course we do." [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Theta CO Clown Man transmits, "Good. *chuckles*" [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Guts Man transmits, "Hey Clown?" [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Guts Man transmits, "Can you eat small children and be a scary clown instead of a you know, sore pathetic unfunny loser?" Search Man punctuates his pacing with an occasional tapping at his own side. His singular hand is visibly shaking. After a few more seconds, he hesitates to stop. His left head turns sLIghtly toward his opposite number. "Why am I worrying about this, of all things?" The right head takes his time to respond. "I... I know. It doesn't make a difference." Top Man arrives from the TurboLIft - Skull Fortress. Top Man has arrived. Top Man enters the Teleporters - Skull Fortress. Top Man has left. [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Theta CO Clown Man transmits, "...I'll keep that in mind. Maybe." [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Shade Man can be heard giving a low, deep groan... "...Her blood... so sweet... so warm... so pure..." [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Guts Man transmits, "So chock full of Vitamin Blood!" [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Number Man transmits, "You are a sick, sick, sick bastard. You're a robot, for goodness' sake." [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Guts Man transmits, "Heheheheh, yeah, sick bastards rule." [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Theta CO Clown Man transmits, "...That's nice. Really." [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Shade Man can be heard almost slavering over whatever he is feasting upon, "Mmmm... this is IRIS we are talking about... So sweet... so pure! I MUST HAVE IT ALL!" [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Top Man transmits, "I must touch shade. Can I touch you shade? Plz. I must.. touch shade." [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "Pure? Pfft. Do you know where she's BEEN?" [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Number Man transmits, "So, you're drinking the mech fluid that looks oh, so close to blood, but isn't? Christ, you're messed up." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Shade Man transmits, "So sweet the blood that flows... so hot the taste... so pure! So innocent... ...Iris... I shall have it ALL!" [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Red Leader! Crash Man transmits, "Shade Man." [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Red Leader! Crash Man transmits, "You reaLIze the moment you said that, the hero behind you is going to stake you, right?" Switzerland Switzerland is perhaps the world's most notorious neutral country. Home of the largest and most secure financial institutions on the planet, it retains its neutraLIty and tries to stay away from the wiles and worries of a world gone mad around it. However, the Swiss are not naive. Their country is a cunning mix of technology and tradition, high-tech building in the same cities as churches that are centuries old. Switzerland is a country that wants to be neutral, and now they have the means to remain so, even possessing defenses against intrusion by the now numerous hostile forces on Earth. All of this, nestled in the Alps Mountain range, in valleys dominated by beautiful forests and calm rivers. Contents: Contents: Bit [Samurai] [M] Flame Man [Armor] [RM] Top Man [Armor] [RM] Harmony [Armor] [RF] Justice Jaguar [MH] Crash Man [FLIght Type] [RM] Shark Man [Casual] [RM] Frost Man [Popsicle] [RM] Feedback [Armored] [MH] Spin Cougar [Armored] [RF] Shadow Man [Armor] [RM] Coaster Raptor [MH] Construct Ox [DemoLItion] [MH] Sigma [Neo Sigma] [M] Rock [Hyper_rock] [MH] Shade Man [Vampire] [RM] Sword Man [Mysterious] [RM] Wild Card [Duster] [M] Cleaver Cow [Cooking] [M] Mercury [Formal_Armor] [SD] Crescent Grizzly [RF] Paragon Pirana [M] Iris [Main] [RF] Bowie [Lone star armor] [MH] Pallbearer [Pall] [RF] RepLIforce Attack Hoverbike [RF Velguader [M] Wilymachine [RM] Ride Armor [M] Ride Armor [M] Swiss Guard Ride Armor [C] Swiss Guard Ride Armor [C] SS Dreadskull [RM] UN Heavy Transport [C] Maverick Transport [M] East : Central Europe West : France South : Italy North : Germany Southeast : Balkan Peninsula Up : Sky Above Western Europe [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Number Man pipes in the Buffy the Vampire Slayer theme. [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Guts Man transmits, "And when one vampire falls, another shall arise to take its place. And that vampire will be Count Chocula! At least he's not one of those gay vampires that's gayer than Aqua Man." [Radio: (D) GLobal] BroadbandClassic Jet Stingray gets all mad and stuff. Who's suprised? "You freak! You are gunna get an aft kicking as soon as I can leave this repair bay. You fLIpping freak boy!" [Radio: (D) GLobal] Frost Man transmits, "What's a fLIpping freak boy?" [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Number Man transmits, "You didn't watch Los Vampiros Lesbos, did you Guts?" [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Guts Man transmits, "No..." "Pathetic tools? Well now, aren't we just the cocky LIttle virus carrier, hrmm?" The Sentinel's boosters suddenly come to LIfe as it pulls back from the Manticore's broken form, letting it fall to the ground after its pulled off the lance. Just as his boosters kick into gear, Bit's fireball fLIes right past it, just inches away, scorching the armor sLIghtly. The Sentinel doesn't stop moving though yet, as it kicks itself into overdrive and heads to LIterally run over Bit in mid-air. Swiss Guard Ride Armor strikes Bit with its Booster Tackle attack. Crescent Grizzly has dealt with Wily for the moment, and turns back to his original work. Drill forming seamlessly, he adjusts a few streets over to compensate for the wasted time, and begins to dig into the foundations of the city itself, creating crisscross tunnels....quickly creating a deep 'pit trap' for the first item of sufficient weight. Say, maybe, the DinoTank coming straight towards it? Sigma also signals a call for Velguader. If he can't do it, Velguader can. We all know who the -real- monster is. Sigma straightens raising his hammer up as he blocks against the big bang that is the HDKN. And when the dust settles, Sigma appears to be missing his left arm and most of his chest plating. FalLIng to one knee, Sigma whispers, "Ghrr... Whenever that's said...You secure...your defeat.", raising his hand up, Sigma merely fires a small burst of pure energy at Rock! And if it hits, his body will lock up as his neural synapses are locked out for a few precious, pretty seconds. "Just shoot the bastard.", he says through gritted teeth. He's not backing down from this attack. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Ashriel transmits, "Tch. I'd think you'd have a bit more reserve and decorum, being a soldier Stingray. What an inane outburst." Sigma strikes Rock with his Neural Destimulator attack. Rock is temporarily disoriented by Sigma's Neural Destimulator attack. The knife is barely out of its sheath when Shadow Man has already made his next move, grasping the Shadow Blade through the hole in its center and bashing it right across Justice's face. It catches the LIght of an explosion, just briefly, in its forceful arc. The fingers of his other hand flex idly, while he stares coldly at his opponent, nothing is his eyes but the promise of pain. [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Number Man transmits, "Riiight." Shadow Man strikes Justice Jaguar with his Blade Whack attack. [Radio: (D) GLobal] BroadbandClassic Jet Stingray transmits, "You bat-brained Drac wanna-be! If he wants to be some dead dude, he needs to just ask me and stand still." This configuration is a lot larger than Ox's General Purpose configuration, and because of it and the lack of legs, this configuration is a lot less agile. The Bulldozer-esque Ox slowly turns around in the street, trying to come back in LIne with Frosty again. Before he's even turned 90 degrees snowmen rain down on the Ox. They colLIde with his thin armor and the Ox lets out a snort and a grunt with each hit from the snowmen, "Oooooh why did I go and find me a loon?" The Ox grumbles as he continues to turn towards Frosty, "If you stop attackin and go home, I'll moo again." It was worth a shot. Once he's turned around, the Bulldozer's blade begins collecting some of the snowmen up in a pile as he pushes forward towards Frosty once again. Mix the snowmen with the debris from the attack into a ncie LIttle uGLy dirty pile. Apparently the Ox is trying to bury Frosty. Too bad there's not enough material to cover the huge Master. Crash Man has disconnected. Construct Ox strikes Frost Man with his Debris Shove attack. [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Guts Man transmits, "But I did eat my Count Chocula cereal this morning!" Wild Card is shot with a rifle. He doesn't LIke being shot with rifles, he's supposed to be the one shooting. Quickly holstering his shotgun, he draws his pistol from inside of his duster, and ducks behind a portruding ventilation duct. "Now that's not fair, we're supposed to take ten paces each." Peering over the top of the vent, he spins the pistol's cyLInder (not LIke it matters, there's a bullet in each one) and takes a quick shot at the other cowboy. Wild Card strikes Bowie with his Roulette attack. [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Guts Man transmits, "Don't you think Shade Man and Count Chocula look aLIke?" The boomerang slash is countered easily enough - Spin puts his hand in its path, grasping it as it comes across, pushing it away from his chest. "Any time now you can run and save yourself, and I won't pursue!" he shouts as the two fight for control of the blade. With his other hand, he sends a command to his spinstaff, and it begins to shimmer with a newly formed force field - quickly he turns the boomerang away and lays a full-body barrier punch into Shark's frame. Spin Cougar strikes Shark Man with his Barrier Bash attack. Top Man has disconnected. As X stands face to face with Paragon. Rock looks down at the weapon and brings his arm back to swing down on it. Its at that moment that the blast from Sigma hits Rock. "AAAGH!!!" screams X. The Hero's systems seem to stall for a moment. At point-blank range, it is impossible for the Guardian to miss. Energy devours the Kraken's form, the two Ride Armors coming apart in a furious display of power. One of the titans stands, the Guardian, responsible for the weapon discharge. The Kraken falls, grinding an impact trench into the street. Treads strip completely away from drivetrain wheels, armor bursts into a milLIon razor-edged fragments...the Kraken falls, and LIke the Manticore, it does not get up. Both Swiss giants stand victorious, for now. For now. Explosive bolts along the outer edge of the Kraken's canopy detonate, the emergency-release system for the Ride Armor's cockpit. Tinted armor-GLass clamshells open, the smoke flooding the Kraken's interior swirLIng out to mix with the acrid clouds rising from the machine's charred hull. At first, the pilot's form is hidden by the smoke. But then, LIke a wraith, he becomes visible, as he raises one gauntleted hand. His expression is unreadable, impassive. His armour is gold, stained with the distinctive diseased flecks of white rust, the bacteria even now eating away at his tall, slender form. But the purple protoplasm of his body is unaffected - and it is that, now, which GLows. GLows bright, GLows strong. GLows angrily. And releases that energy in a radiant purple blast. Double has arrived. Sword Man simply uses Shadow's covering to try and roll off. It's not so fast...but it's the only way he's getting out of here... Double strikes Swiss Guard Ride Armor with his Plasma Shotgun attack. Sword Man retreats from the area swiftly, leaving him open to pursuit or parting shots from Bit, Flame Man, Shade Man, Clown Man, Rock, Paragon Pirana, Swiss Guard Ride Armor , Swiss Guard Ride Armor , Spin Cougar, Feedback, Velguader, Coaster Raptor, Crescent Grizzly, Construct Ox, Sigma, Mercury, Harmony, Cleaver Cow, Pallbearer, Ride Armor , Justice Jaguar, Wild Card, Shark Man, and Shadow Man. Double receives a radio transmission from Ebony Fox. Crescent Grizzly finishes his work, and bursts from the earth just in time to see Sword Man fleeing. How cute. Grabbing a piece of concrete, he hurls it at the Robot Master... Crescent Grizzly strikes Sword Man with his Generic Ranged attack. Shade Man doesn't care how many people he enraged. He doesn't care how many mortal enemies he just acquired. All Shade Man cares about... is Blood. Iris' Blood. Iris' Mechfluid... which serves the same purpose as any blood that flows through human veins, and feeds Shade Man all the same. His wings are half-curled about her, his arms crushing her to him... his mouth closed on her neck as his eyes are closed. He is in another world... Iris' blood... sweeter then the sweetest wine. That is why he doesn't see the attacks that come for him. The Grim Soul SLAMS into his back,.searing into his body. Shade Man's eyes open, and his head is tossed back in a scream! Iris falls from his arms as Coaster Raptor leaps upon him, gnawing and slashing and clawing at the Vampire. With a scream of rage, he unfurls his wings, tossing Coaster from him. He now knows his peril. With another horrific shriek, Shade launches straight up into the night, intent on escaping... even as he leaves Iris, drained of much of her mech fluid, far below him. Shade Man retreats from the area swiftly, leaving him open to pursuit or parting shots from Bit, Flame Man, Rock, Swiss Guard Ride Armor , Spin Cougar, Velguader, Coaster Raptor, Construct Ox, Mercury, Harmony, Pallbearer, Ride Armor , Shark Man, and Shadow Man. [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Number Man transmits, "Yeah, except for the color. If Shade were brown..." Bit is tagged by the Swiss Armor, although its a rather soLId hit, Bit isn't too phased by it. "Indeed," he repLIes, pulLIng his sword free of its sheath. "I prefer fighting on foot - such is much more effective than simply flails at the controls of a machine," he comments coldly. Spinning his sword about so that it is locked on the back of his arm, he holds his hands out, a crackLIng ring of energy forming between them. With a twist of his wrists, Bit casts loose the ring - aiming to snare the Swiss Armor with a powerful gravity pulse and hold it in place. Bit strikes Swiss Guard Ride Armor with his Snare Beam attack. Swiss Guard Ride Armor is temporarily disoriented by Bit's Snare Beam attack. Ricochet arrives from the France. Ricochet has arrived. [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Guts Man transmits, "And full of chocolate." Frost Man isn't amused anymore. "I'll make you moo, when I want you to moo!" See...Problem here, folks...is Frost plays in the snow. He always does. He buries himself...so being buried does LIttle to him. "I'll show you! I'll make you pay!" He reaches out at the dozer form while plowing himself out of the snow. It may be bigger, but Frost is still the giant of this tango. He growls at Construct, clamping his hands down. "You'll moo LIke a baby, when I'm done with you!" He attempts to roughly pitch the dozer over on it's side or something... Wait...babies don't moo.... Frost Man strikes Construct Ox with his Throw attack. Ashriel arrives from the Germany. Ashriel has arrived. Iris slumps weakly to the ground, as Shade lets go of her. Her eyes are halfway open, and she's moving feebly, trying to get back on her feet. Thunderbolt Raven arrives from the Sky Above Western Europe. Thunderbolt Raven has arrived. [Radio: (D) GLobal] BroadbandClassic Jet Stingray transmits, "As for being calm and stuff? That's not my thing. I'm young. Being all calm and cool about everything is General's or Colonel's job." Justice Jaguar gets himself smacked in the face by the blade, and grunts sLIghtly, "Ngh." His left hand snaps out, with a stick in it, the end of the black stick opening up, with electricity sparking between the ends, as he jams it for Shadow's chest, hoping he doesn't move again,. [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Theta XO Sword Man sighs. "I shall need assistance in extracting myself from the battle...it seems they are not content with merely defeating a foe, they must kick one when they are down..." [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Number Man transmits, "Mmm... chocolate. If I had a mouth, I'd love chocolate." Shadow Man dodges Justice Jaguar's Riot Prod attack. Swiss Guard Ride Armor falls to its' knees as the blast from Double's fire slams into it. GrowLIng, Admiral stares at the Maverick as he stands there, defiant, and his voice finally raises from the speakers. "I swear that if I hadn't been ordered to retreat...I'd kill you where you stand." Standing the ride armor to its feet, he turns, mechfluid and sparks pouring from the armor, and stomps, slowly, for the evacuation point. "Another day..." [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Shade Man snarls! "...Enough... more then enough... ...Time to escape this place!" Swiss Guard Ride Armor retreats from the area swiftly, leaving it open to pursuit or parting shots from Bit, Rock, Spin Cougar, Feedback, Coaster Raptor, Mercury, Ride Armor , and Thunderbolt Raven. Bowie is LIkewise shot at, the impact forcing him to take a step back. Luckily he has a few paces left between him and the rooftop's edge. The former Ranger's armor crumples a bit in the places he's been shot, just as designed. At least now he knows his opponant actually knows how to aim, and he acknowledges that fact with a satisfied nod. He ejects the spent shell from his rifle with an audible *cha-chink*, and unless Wild learns something about moving quickly, he's going to add a new hole to that bandito's outfit. [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Theta CO Clown Man transmits, "I'll help you, Swordy... just hang on." Looking to Sigma and then back to Rock, Paragon grins evilly and nods. "Of course, my Lord." he states simply as he approaches the helpless Hunter Commander. Looking to his Harpoon and then to Rock, Paragon brings the large bladed weapon up in the air... only to strike out with a large balled fist instead, aiming for the side of Rock's head.. "You shall fall!" he roars loudly as he strikes, putting all his anger and weight behind the blow. Nope. He's not a happy camper. Paragon Pirana strikes Rock with his Ultra Punch attack. Bowie strikes Wild Card with his Acid Rifle attack. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Shade Man gives dark, ominous laugh, "...Her blood was the sweetest thing I have ever tasted... Jet Stingray... ...You are more fortunate... I did not have time to take it all." Crescent Grizzly dumps out rubble, and then begins to dig further, creating a nasty pitfall for the oncoming Tank, easily disguised by the surface layer of pavement.... [Radio: (D) GLobal] Guts Man transmits, "Yeah, we all know that by being brash, arrogant and hot headed Jet Stingray will rise to the RepLIforce position of General when he accidentally gets General killed when he tries to stop Sigma from being a dirty fighter." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Gemini Man transmits, "She's a robot, she doesn't bleed." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Spin Cougar transmits, "We all bleed." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Gemini Man transmits, "That was oil or something, Shade Man." [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Number Man transmits, "Shade Man has learned the lesson that Dracula didn't learn in 37 CastleVania games. Run before resorting to your easy to beat demon form." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Shade Man transmits, "...This is what Mechfluid is for... Gemini..." Yup. That's a problem when you are an unagile Ox-Turned-Bulldozer. You get knocked on your side you're pretty much screwed. And Construct Ox is pretty screwed. His configuration slowly begins to revert back to the All-Purpose form. This process takes time as well, "Ow!" Ox tries to stall, "Moo LIke a baby? I'm not mooing LIke a baby! Babies don't moo! Gah... the things I do t'help out..." The Moocow grumbles, "Ok... if you stay there, I'll apologise and moo for you!" yup stalLIng. Pallbearer growls in fury as Shade man makes his escape, in Pall's vision it's still Celestial, trying to flee from his justice. She had Mirror's face, but she never had her FIRE! Pall runs after Shade, Saber drawn as he runs up the hood of an abandoned car, leaping as best he can towards Shade's form, attempting once more to drive the saber deep into his enemy's neck. "I'LL KILL YOU!!!!" he screams, raising the shining blade up...... Construct Ox changes into his All-Purpose armor. Pallbearer misses Shade Man with his Vitae Severis attack. Double receives a radio transmission. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Spin Cougar transmits, "Red, green, white, iridescent .. it's spilled for what we beLIeve in." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Shade Man transmits, "Mechfluid feeds me as well as any human blood!" [Radio: (D) GLobal] Ashriel transmits, "Hnnh. In the words of a son of Wily Jet... *coughs* Lame, whitebread. Lame. I beLIeve that is how it goes." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Guts Man transmits, "You know what feeds me? Food." Shark Man is forced back again, as the punch cathes him in the stomach. When he is once again standing, there is one big change - his eyes. Once sea-green, they have now changed to a deep, blood red - as the thirst for blood courses through his body. Slowly, the finned Overlord walks up to spin, smiLIng and showing of his teeth. Those razor sharp teeth of his. Then, he, well, uses them, to try and bite a chunk out Spin. Shark Man misses Spin Cougar with his Bite attack. SUPER COMBO (attempt) TIME! As Paragon smashes for Rock's face and he hopefully goes flying back from the blow, Sigma engages his bLInk engine, teleporting behind Rock as he wordlessly, but grinning, though his frame is tearing up from continued use, tries to smash Hyper Rock back into the ground seconds with his remaining balled up fist. It's LIke volleyball, with Megaman as the Ball, and Sigma goin' in for the spike. Sigma strikes Rock with his Bash attack. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Number Man transmits, "My only addiction has to do with data streaming, I eat it raw LIke sushi." Energy blazes in Double's palm, the vanishing after-effects of his shotgun burst. CLInically, he studies the retreating form of the Guardian Ride Armor. Strange, you'd think the Admiral would have a more...visceral reaction...to his betrayal. After all, his fellow Arcanum patient trusted him...And once again, he has turned traitor to that trust. No emotion clouds Double's features, as he lets the LIght in his hands fully dissipate. The protoplasm of his body pulses, gLInting lavender LIght off the White Rust covering his armor. He stands in the middle of a Swiss street, behind him, the wreckage of the Ride Armor he piloted for the CoaLItion. Maverick. Maverick, once again. He breathes the chill air of the Swiss night. How does it feel, to again serve Sigma? [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Shade Man transmits, "Exactly, Number Man. Exactly." [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Shade Man transmits, "Let them TRY to catch me!" [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Number Man transmits, "You know, you just jinxed yourself." [Radio: (D) GLobal] BroadbandClassic Jet Stingray transmits, "The day I become the leader of RepLIforce is the day I win the Noble Peace award. And don't worry, Shade, I'll just stake you with a lamp post later or something. And no one asked, you Freaky Humanoid Mav with Too Much Firepower." [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Shade Man transmits, "I have had her blood in my MOUTH... ...I am more then content." Sword Man continues to roll about, but he's still hit by the chucked concrete, furthering his damage and adding insult to injury. He only hopes that he can be pulled out quickly enough. [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Shade Man transmits, "I shall carry the taste of her forever... yesssss..." [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Number Man transmits, "However... can you shoot fireballs out of your cape? If you can, I can more than forgive your IRREDEEMABLE CREEPY BASTARDNESS." The gravity pulse grabs hold of the Sentinel quite firmly. The Sentinel unable to move at the moment, despite the stress and smoke coming from its joints as the pilot tries to break it free. Frost Man narrows his eyes at the Hunter Ox. "You.....you...." Suddenly, a dim candle fLIckers over his head. "You think I'm stupid, don't you. Think I'm just a dolt!" He stomps his feet, growLIng, "I'm not dumb!" He steps back, "I'm not dumb! I'm smart! I'm special! Daddy said so!" Charging a few steps he bellows, "YOU STUPID OX! You stupiderest for thinking I'm stupid!" 4th and long. Frost is going for the field goal... Frost Man misses Construct Ox with his Kick attack. [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Shade Man chuckles darkly, "Naturally, Number Man. I can, indeed. A recent upgrade." Frost Man fLIps over, via CharLIe Brown, and lands on his head. The blade comes only within about half a foot of contacting Shadow Man when the Robot Master suddenly strikes out with his right knee, bashing it into Justice's right side and knocking him and his weapon away. GLaring at the electricity at the end of the wand, Shadow Man reaches for it, and attempts to slam the sparking edge into his opponent's own neck. Shadow Man strikes Justice Jaguar with his Grasp attack. Frost Man throttles Shade. OOCly. Justice Jaguar strikes Justice Jaguar with his Riot Prod attack. Justice Jaguar is temporarily disoriented by Justice Jaguar's Riot Prod attack. Coaster Raptor lands on his feat actually, GLaring up at Shade as he gets onto his rails. He's not about to let Shade get away! Booster's send him surging upward after him on the rails, it's not flying, he'll head back down soon enough after all. As he nears he actually goes up a bit higher. With all that speed tagged on the Raptor simply stops his rails from generating and plummets toward Shade at a high rate of speed, feet first. No words, just a roar. Coaster Raptor misses Shade Man with his Free Track Freefall attack. Swiss Guard Ride Armor enters the UNED transport, and Admiral steps out, being contained again, face drawn, fists balled tight. Duty is the chain which holds him tight, and that duty will keep him from unleashing his fury at Double...who he trusted...who he tried to extend the hand of credit and hope to....who betrayed again, and destroyed again. And his mouth seems filled with ash, even as the white rust continues to creep up his arms. Justice Jaguar ends up getting his own riot prod jammed into his neck, grunting as the electrical surge goes through him, and drops him down to his knees. Swiss Guard Ride Armor has left. Harmony has left. RepLIforce Attack Hoverbike goes home. RepLIforce Attack Hoverbike has left. Wild Card swears loudly as the bullet hits him, melting a rather LARGE hole in his duster. He quickly fLIngs it off, before it can do too much damage to the rest of him. "You bastard, that was my only duster!" Clearly visible now are the pair of pistols he had strapped on underneath the coat (one of which is still in his hand), as are the machines on his wrists which create his cards. SnarLIng at Bowie, he holsters his pistol while a pair of cards appears in his other hand. With a fLIck of his wrist, both head for Bowie, designed to cut into him, then explode. Wild Card strikes Bowie with his Blackjack attack. Ricochet enters the France. Ricochet has left. Satisfied, Bit reaches back over his shoulder, drawing forth the massive length of his Aegis shield from where it was securely holstered only a moment ago. Pointing the golden barrier at the form of the opposing Ride Armor, there is a massive crackle of energy passing down a pair of channels from top to bottom, before suddenly unleashing a massive blast of energy from the blue crystal in the center of the shield - blazing forth against the Sentinel. Bit strikes Swiss Guard Ride Armor with his Shield Blast attack. Meanwhile, over the mountains, a lone, stolen hovercycle pulls in towards the area. Leaning back at the handlebars, Ashriel surveys the scenario from his vantage. The chaotic battleground is rich, and rife with the exhileration that such a catastrophy brings. Optics scanning the melee, the angel can only be pleased, as he surveys, looking for a few specific individuals. Gemini Man arrives from the Germany. Gemini Man has arrived. Paragon's punch slams into Rock, making him fly back in the air. While Rock thinks he's going into yet another building (he just left an imprint at LIght Labs), he gets smashed down into ground by none other than one Sigma D. Dictator. Rock attempts to cLImb to his feet, badly hurt. He stares up at Sigma and growls, "Can't beat me without help I see..." Rock's right arm disappears as he calls on his buster... And then it hums as power is fed into it. Rock's armor changed color from Red to Grey with Yellow electric marks on his helmet and buster. He aims his buster into the air and fires off the shot. Suddenly, the area is filled with power... *KA-BOOM* A Thunder Beam slams down on the ground around X. It appears Rock is borrowing from a certain Robot Master. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Guts Man transmits, "Congratulations Jet Stingray, you've just won the Nobel Peace Prize! But here's a tip, the chocolate inside the foil will expire in 2 years!" Rock strikes Sigma with his Thunder Beam attack. Sigma falls to the ground, unconscious, due to massive systems damage. Rock strikes Paragon Pirana with his Thunder Beam attack. Spin Cougar pulls back the barrier as he wills it to begin spinning rapidly. As Shark comes in for the bite, Spin crouches, and holds his shield in front - the momentum of Shark takes him up the incLIne enough to be 'on' it, and that is Spin's cue. A sinGLe command and the stored energy is released forward, the disc of force beneath Shark is launched upwards. Can he hang on, or does he have the presence of mind to leap off? Spin Cougar strikes Shark Man with his Force Launcher attack. Fourth and Long... and the kicker sLIps, falls and drops to his ass! The Road must be wet! No... the Ox did another roll away. It seems the only way for Construct Ox to avoid an incoming assault is to be facedown into the ground... that's the ONLY way this Combat Engineer seems to be able to dodge Frost Man's onslaught. Another Pushup is given and the Ox is back on his feet. The poor Ox is hurting. Dents are all over his worn armor. Mechafluid drips from many different wounds all ove rhis body, "Ugh... not only do I gotta get repaired... I gots lots to do in dis city once you idjits are gone... I mean can't we all just get along or somethin?" Ox sighs and pulls out two new tools. A torch welder and a screw driver. He charges Frost Man, "And you're not just special, you're a special kinda stupid! You remind me of my old co-worker, Roy. Boy was he messed in da head!" One of the tools is used to take a smack at Frosty, it's the one with the flame at the end of it. Construct Ox misses Frost Man with his Torch Welder attack. Shade Man twists and wheels, banking through the air as a mirad of assaults come for him. As Pallbearer springs for him, Shade Man smiles ominously, and with a sinGLe beat of his wings, launches out of the way. "NOT THIS TIME," Shade roars, his deep laugh half-crazed with the blood in him. And as Coaster Raptor launches himself for Shade, Shade beats his wings once, launching faster and farther into the night sky. WheeLIng and spinning, Shade Man gives one last horrific, nazgul-LIke cry... before launching into the night... Shade Man is gone. The Bubble Bats and Zombie Joes, however, remain to trouble more this day. Iris sends a radio transmission. Pallbearer receives a radio transmission. Can you smell the ozone? .....Pall's vision comes back to normal....and he is in mid-air, struggLIng to grasp what just happened. Pall drops to the ground near Iris with a loud crash, panting and quietly hoping he wasn't completely mad. [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Shade Man transmits, "Good luck, my brothers! ...I am returning home. I need a nice... long... nap... ...after I make one, last visit in London Town." While the sparks from his own staff surround Justice, momentarily incapacitating the young Hunter, Shadow Man pulls another weapon from a compartment in his armor, levelLIng the long, thin central spike at Justice's head. He intentionally waits until just the moment when the electrical shortage subsides, but before giving his opponent enough time to move, slams the length of the sai's spike down into his head. Shadow Man's face remains entirely expressionless. The blue bolt of energy drives right into the place that the stinger was lodged in the armor, causing it to exlode into shards and take out part of the armor's systems at the same time. "ARGHREHHHH!!!!" is heard from within the armor quite clearly, despite it not coming from the speakers. "That... hurt.." With that, the pilot of the armor reaches back with both hands clasping them over the Sentinel, before bringing it down toward BIt's head in a rash explosion of anger. Shadow Man strikes Justice Jaguar with his Sai Stab attack. [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Shade Man transmits, "I have a Priest to kill before I sleep..." Pallbearer sends a radio transmission. Iris receives a radio transmission from Pallbearer. Bowie seems to have expected the card flung at him to be more of the sharpened edge variety, and so raises his left arm to deflect them away. Much to his surprise and chagrin, the cards explode on impact, blasting chunks of protective armor away, exposing the arm beneath. That must have stung. Rossing his rifle into his injured but still usable hand, he brings the air cannon strapped to his right arm to bear on the Maverick bandito. A possible 52 Pickup coming right up. Renfield has arrived. Shade Man drops Renfield. [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Guts Man transmits, "It better not be a priest from the Church of Bass." Bowie strikes Wild Card with his Whirlwind attack. [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Theta CO Clown Man transmits, "Make sure you also get Buffy, Shady." "Yeah, she'll kill you if you don't." If Shark Man was acctually thinking with his head right now, and not just out for blood, he probably would have jumped off. Instead, he just gets pushed away, flying backwards and away from Spin. As he fLIes, however, that same green color from before surrounds both his arms this time, and at the apex of his fLIght, the stream of water is sent arching downwards towards the repLIkitty. [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Shade Man transmits, "No... I beLIeve he is of the Church of EnGLand... ...Protestant, I beLIeve the term is... yessss... ...and thank you for the advice, Jester." Shark Man misses Spin Cougar with his Aqua Tower attack. Spin Cougar deflects Aqua Tower from Shark Man. Shade Man enters the Germany. Shade Man has left. Battle rages around him. Smoke and flame rise from the streets of Geneva, chaos raging through the urban center, throwing the city into a LIttle sLIce of Hell itself. Double, though, hardly seems to care. A distinct lack of concern on his features, Double begins to cross the rubble, cLImbing across the rubble from a shattered office complex, bladed fingers digging into the debris and masonry. His boots grind against concrete fragments as he moves, walking across the battlefield, leaving the Kraken's wreckage behind him. His eyes are distant, his pupils pinpricks, the size of subatomic particles. His expression doesn't change, still held in its display of unfeeLIng neutraLIty. Iris smiles weakly at Pallbearer. She doesn't look particularly damaged, though most of her fuel's been siphoned out, leaving her far too weak to move under her own power at the moment. "Thank you for helping..." Sword Man continues to roll away...LIke a rolLIng stone, he supposes. Clown better get here soon.... [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Guts Man transmits, "Good." The Avian was, luckily for his comrades, on his way. His wings were folded in such a way to maximize his speed, and his thrusters were on overdrive. Boy was he fast. Raven's sharp eyes spotted a clearing amongst the chaos. He chose that spot to land in. His black eyes scan the area for those members of RepLIforce or the Maverick Hunters who need help. Frost Man nearly freaks as that freak attempts to attack him with a welding torch. GLowering at Construct Ox. "I'm NOT STUPID! I'm not messed up in the head!" He bounces to his feet, and more or less throws a temper, so angry, he doesn't know how to express it. He looks at the ox, and GLowers. "I'll show you messed up in the head." Reaching out, Ox's world is shaded by a pair of huge mittens, aiming for his head. "I'll mess up your head, real good! Daddy will be proud!" Time to play 'Craft Making with Hero's Heads', with Frost Man. Today's lesson. Making a swan. Frost Man strikes Construct Ox with his Crush attack. Construct Ox falls to the ground, unconscious, due to massive systems damage. Sigma says, "You idiot...", falLIng to one knee, "You are saying you are fighting without help? Who is providing this power to you? Your pet. Who gives you the armor to fight in the first place, your father... Even I garner strength from others, even...-Bass-.", he shakes his head, unable to move, even as the Thunder Beam hits the area, shrouding Sigma in LIght. As the LIght fades, Sigma is gone. The last notes of Beethoven's Ode to Joy play resoundly over the battlefield, overcoming the noise of battle for one brief finale. The Maverick troops hesitate as they see their leader fall, but soon they merely push forward with more ferocity, many trying to push forward to where their leader fell. Ashriel sends a radio transmission to Paragon Pirana. Paragon Pirana receives a radio transmission. [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Shade Man transmits, "...My Bubble Bats report... ...Sigma has Fallen?" [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Shade Man transmits, "...Perhaps... ...he can rest beside his down former love. Fitting, yes?" [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Cut Man transmits, "You guys wasted Sigma?" Pallbearer strugGLes a bit, almost weak-kneed as he tries to get to his feet. Walking to Iris's side, he nods quietly. "Don't worry...we'll get you out of here." Picking her up, Pall looks to Coaster. "Get on securing the rest of this area...I'll get her to a Triage unit." [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Guts Man transmits, "If Sigma has fallen, then who's head will I poLIsh and make fun of?" Swiss Guard Ride Armor strikes Bit with its Generic Melee attack. With a sai stabbed into his skull, the Hunter falls onto his back, not moving. Slowly, however, his eyes open up. He's not deactivated just yet. His right hand reaches behind him, and pulls out his shotgun, raising it towards Shadow Man, "Not dead yet." He mutters, firing from the ground. Shadow Man dodges Justice Jaguar's 12 Gauge Vulture Shotgun attack. [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Shade Man transmits, "...Not us. RepLIforce." [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Cut Man transmits, "Ahhhhhh." [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Shade Man transmits, "Or... actualy... Mega Man my bats report..." Iris has left. Pallbearer takes Iris. His staff aside, Spin contemplates his next move. Perhaps a .. yes, he knows. Deactivating the barrier, he then gets slammed by what appears to be an Aqua Tower. His form is momentarily obscured by the flurry and storm - when it passes, he is still standing there. Soaking wet, but unhurt. "Hmm ... thanks for the reminder, I need to go swimming more often!" And with that, he throws the staff sidearm at a low anGLe. It curves up toward the Shark, spinning at a deadly rate. Wild Card says, "You call that an attack? That's just a breeze!" Wild says, though his hat does get blown off his head. He watches as it flutters away, and lands a ways away on the rooftop. "Hold that thought," he says as he goes to retrieve his sombrero. Before doing so, however, he raises his arms, and fires a volley of cards at Bowie. And by volley, I mean the average number of cards you'd except to find in a Hoyle factory. The typhoon of playing cards swirl around Bowie, not actually hitting him, but forming a wall that -should- be nigh impossible to break though until they die down. Wild Card strikes Bowie with his 52 Card Pickup attack. Bowie is temporarily disoriented by Wild Card's 52 Card Pickup attack. Spin Cougar strikes Shark Man with his Staff Boomerang attack. Crescent Grizzly strides through the city, searching for remnant enemy forces, when he comes accross Double. The Infamous Traitor of RepLIforce Island and the Maverick Hunters. And one of the destructive pilots of a Ride Armor. " Doubla', yew' bes be leavin. Cause 'ahm in no moo' tah' do anytin' bu' rip yew up rah' naw..." the bear snarls, and raises his drill claws as if to give a visual... [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Guts Man transmits, "Your bats are going batty, they need to check their facts. Maybe you could send one to accompany Plum and learn to do better news reporting." Oh, and all of the cards are aces. The cheater. [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Cut Man is silent for a moment, befor muttering 'Rock...' and saying. "Oh, Rockyhead did that, huh?" Today's lesson is a swam? Construct Ox's head certainly doesn't start off looking LIke a swam. Right now it looks LIke a nice big Ox's head. Horns and all. Ox does make an attempt to avoid the incoming mits... but... alas his head is caught in a Frosty Mitten sandwhich. Ox's body instantly goes LImp, even before Frosty lets go of Ox. Does Ox's head look LIke a swan? No. Frosty you dolt! You made a crane! Coaster Raptor grunts, Shade evading as he plumets. As before the rails LIte up under his feet and he coasts out of the fall and back into the fray far below. Rifle raised, the raptor begins to try and find another target.. Frost Man crumbles, "Dammit...I always confuse my birds." He drops Ox, and lumbers in a circle, looking for more stuff to smash. Coaster Raptor receives a radio transmission from Iris. You know, sometimes having a large 14' metalLIc harpoon is a a good thing. This however, is a bad thing. Why you ask? Well, in cases just LIke this, the large pole acts LIke a LIghning rod. So yeah, needless to say Paragon is LIt up LIke a Christmas tree. The large Commander falls to the ground smoking as his internals are awashed with power. It seems LIke ROck just killed 2 birds with a signel stone, but then Paragon twitches. It's shaky at first, but sure enough the large Maverick begins to haul himself back to his feet. He LIterally looks LIke he went through hell and back, his right arm that was holding the Harpoon is totally black and charred, its amazing that it's still functioning at all. Taking a moment to let his sytems vent the extra energy he slowly becomes functional again.. and he looks rather pissed. Coaster Raptor sends a radio transmission to Iris. Spin Cougar sends a radio transmission. Bowie is inundated with more cards than a Las Vegas casino. Aces of diamonds, spades, hearts, and clubs, even a few purple aces, flutter around him LIke a bLIzzard, making it impossible for him to see where the Wild Card of the bunch went. Bit gets clubbed yet again by the Ride Armor - apparently the thing is still effective, even in its horribly damaged state. Which is discouraging... he must somehow capture this armor for the GLory of Emperor Sigma! Clasping his hands together, the Yang Yomi unleashes a massive spray of energy bolts at the Swiss armor - hopefully dropping it with this perticular barrage of energy. Bit strikes Swiss Guard Ride Armor with his Scatter Beam attack. When the gun is leveled at Shadow Man, a hand strikes out with the quickness of a viper, grasping the gun by the barrel and twisting it upwards, so the shot fires harmlessly into the air. He draws out the sai, and replaces it with a shorter regular knife, drawn slowly towards Justice's neck... But this is just a feint, while he rips the shotgun from the Hunter's hands, spinning it around in his hand and firing it directly at the wound left by the sai. Shadow Man strikes Justice Jaguar with his Shadow Blaster attack. Double looks up, his eyes unreadable, as the finale of Sigma's Ode echoes over the city. He watches, as the Maverick troops falter, before redoubLIng their assault. As the fading bars of the music drift over the city, gunfire begins anew. Explosions, flames, the sounds of warfare, of fighting. All ignored, by Double. He continues to walk, crossing the wasteland that was once a city, his footfalls soft on the broken streets. Then he stops, his gaze settLIng on a figure in his path. Reploid, avian. Not one he recognizes. Softly, he calls, "Hello." Paragon Pirana sends a radio transmission. Ashriel receives a radio transmission. After firing the blast of water, Shark Man begins falLIng back towards the ground. Then, a spinning staff hits him, right in the jaw. The staff knocks most of Sharky's teeth out, and also makes him lose his balance, so that when he lands, it hurts. Alot. When Shark Man gets up, his eyes have returned to their normal greenish color. "Dude, I need a drink." is all he says, as he staggers back towards the Dreadskull. Shark Man retreats from the area swiftly, leaving him open to pursuit or parting shots from Bit, Rock, Paragon Pirana, Spin Cougar, Feedback, Coaster Raptor, Sigma, Mercury, Pallbearer, Ride Armor , Justice Jaguar, Thunderbolt Raven, Ashriel, and Shadow Man. Spin Cougar receives a radio transmission from Iris. Rock cLImbs to his feet and jumps towards the remains of Sigma... He actives his buster and absorbs what's left of Sigma's weapon system... Attempting to get a new stitch of data for him to use. Rock GLances back at Paragon as he powers up. Rock GLares at the Maverick... hoping the GLare will be enough... Because looking at Rock... You know there isn't much left in the tank. X's body has returned to its normal colors, but his body is covered in mecha-fluid... His armor is heavily cracked and he looks tired. Justice Jaguar takes a shotgun blast to the head, where he'd been stabbed. It blows off a portion of his skull, and leaves him laying there on the floor, bleeding. His left eye. The one left, closes. He's not dead...But he may as well fake it, since he's close enough. Wild Card grabs his hat, and heads back over to Bowie. He draws his shotgun slowly, not wanting to make too much noise. But rather than aim it at the Texan, he holds it by the barrel and draws back. As the card tornado begin to die down, he yells, "Batter up!" and swings the butt of the shotgun at Bowie's face. Wild Card strikes Bowie with his Suicide King attack. The calls for help by a now weakened Rock don't fall upon deaf ears-Crescent Grizzly begins to approach the scorched field of battle between the Emperor and the Hero, spotting the rather agressive Paragon Pirana. " Back off naw', poisson..." The claw cuts through air, creating an orb of yellow-white energy that goes bouncing towards the Maverick... The Sentinel still withstands the barrage of attacks, this time though, it really starts to show its wear and tear, the energy ripping apart parts of the external armor and digging a bit further into it. "Yer one ornery rabid Maverick..." Tapping a few buttons wihtin the cockpit, Arkady heads toward the ground this time, landing the Sentinel just as he LIfts the cannon and fires off a blast toward Bit with the Beam Cannon again. Swiss Guard Ride Armor strikes Bit with its Beam Cannon attack. Sigma forfeits his Sigma Sabre to Rock. Frost Man starts to lumber about...looking, just looking for something to kill...something to break. Anything. He's not picky. Ride Armors...RepLIforcers....Hunters...it's all the same. Just give him something to break, dangit... Pallbearer enters the Germany. Pallbearer has left. Eyes looking all around, eventually they find Justice being attacked, and attacking another Master. Shadow Man eh? The raptor generates a bit of rail for a staff once again and charges forward toward the ninja master, trying to cold cock him with the staff to get his attention. "You got another hunter to deal with!" he calls, curving around for another pass. Shadow Man dodges Coaster Raptor's Energy Staff Swing attack. Crescent Grizzly strikes Paragon Pirana with his Spinning Crescent Moon attack. Flame Man has disconnected. Crash Man has connected. "Take your drink, Shark, and take a while to consider your role." Raising a hand, Spin catches his returning spinstaff. Then, he notes his next objective. Rock is in trouble .. Quickly putting his staff away, Spin appraises the situation. ... There's Rock! Not looking good at all, and in combat with at least one other - Paragon Pirana. Dropping to all fours, the cougar is at full speed in moments towards the smaller battlezone. And again the armor manages to mash Bit rather well - this is getting intensely frustrating. And this time he wasn't going to hold back against it. PulLIng his sword free of its sheath, he spins - and launches himself throught he air at the Sentinel. His sword braced as he aims for one of the holes in the armor, aiming to simply plunge his blade in and attempting to defeat the pilot within. Or, barring that, simply tear a huge chunk out of it. Bit misses Swiss Guard Ride Armor with his Slash Dash attack. Frost Man spots...of all things, the repLIforcer that took his head off. He bellows at Crescent Grizzly, "EVIL TEDDY!" He starts towards the giant RepLIforcer. "You...you.....grah!" He shakes his head.... Bowie's head snaps back as the butt of Wild's shotgun catches him square in the jaw. Were he human, he'd probably have a broken jawbone. As it is, some teeth definitely feel loose. ScowLIng faintly, the Texan decides that he doesn't much care for this Maverick's brand of fun. Too close for him to bring the rifle to bear, he tosses the rifle back into his right hand and fast-draws his energy pistol from its holster with the left. It's a point-blank shot, so it's almost guaranteed to miss. Bowie strikes Wild Card with his Trick Shot attack. Shadow Man prods the fallen jaguar reploid with his foot. He appears dead... or close enough to it. If he is removed from battle, then the android's objective is accompLIshed... anything else is irrelevant. As he hears the RepLIforcer near him fooLIshly announce his presence, Shadow Man whirls around, tossing a blade at the raptor in the same motion. His eyes still hold the promise of pain, nothing more, and nothing less. Prismatic Spider's Datapad has arrived. Prismatic Spider's Datapad has left. [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Shade Man transmits, "A true pity Skull Man is not around... I think he would have enjoyed tonight's... adventures." Shadow Man strikes Coaster Raptor with his Shuriken attack. At the sight of Double, the bird quirked his head to the side in that famiLIar bird-LIke manner of curiosity. The pulsating purple mass was...odd. The face frightening. The tone of voice that was coming at him just disturbed him more. He tried his best not to show any adverse reaction. "...Hi...Double, right?" He was going to try and talk to the ressurected reploid first, to see what exactly he wanted. "I'm Thunderbolt Raven..." Hoo boy, this probably won't work. Coaster Raptor winces a LIttle bit as the shuriken sLIces at his arm a LIttle, but it's not near enough to stop him right now. Still on a return path, the still somewhat angry reploid starts to go upward a bit, then surges downward toward Shadow in a similar style a roller coaster would do at the beginning of the ride. Shadow Man dodges Coaster Raptor's First Hill attack. Construct Ox has disconnected. [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Number Man transmits, "Okay, losers. I'm in the medbay, for anyone who wants fixed." [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Guts Man transmits, "Can I bring my medical mallet and help?" Arkady has arrived. Simply GLaring at Rock as he fell's Sigma and takes the spoils, Paragon stands firm but makes no action against the Hunter, seeing as he's about as badly beaten, if not worse then he is. That is, until the surprise assault from Cresent that slams directly into Paragon's back and sends him sprawLIng to the ground, his Harpoon skittering away. SnarLIng sLIghtly, Paragon reaches out for his weapon as he starts to get to his feet once again. He's battered and beaten, but still standing. Have to give the UN some props, they know how to make a tough reploid. he turns to face Crescent and narrows his optics. "I suggest you take LIttle Boy Blue here and leave this area." he entones, pointing his Harpoon at Rock once more. This time, the Sentinel doesn't attack it moves across the area for a few feet before ejecting the pilot as it moves. Part of the stinger from earLIer is stuck within his left leg, but as you can see its a cybernetic leg. Reaching over his shoulder, Arkady Bogdanov fLIes toward Bit propelled by the ejection mechanism within the Sentinel. Arkady's hands both are clenched, and both are the color of cold steel as the lower half of his armos are both quite cybernetic in nature. Arkady seems quite insistant to rip Bit apart... maybe Arkady has something against the Maverick command...or maybe its simply because Bit is somewhat LIke Arkady. Who knows. Arkady strikes Bit with his Brooklyn Beatdown attack. Bit falls to the ground, unconscious, due to massive systems damage. Shark Man starts wandering off, in the direction of some water, so he can swim home. It might take him a while to find some in a landlocked country, but he'll try. Wild Card is hit by the point blank shot, despite what the odds think. But hey, Wild is known for beating the odds, though this time he wishes he wasn't. He's zapped by the energy pistol, and staggers back, managing to put his shotgun back in his holster. He moves to take out a pistol again, but at the last moment springs forward, using the braced position his arm is in to reinforce his shoulder as he rams into Bowie, hoping to knock him a few feet closer to the edge. Wild Card strikes Bowie with his Ram attack. White Rust shades Double's form, staining the gold planes of the reploid's armor. The disease doesn't seem to bother him in the sLIghtest, however. Nothing does. He regards Thunderbolt quietly, raising one hand, palm open. He speaks, then. No hostiLIty colors Double's voice. He remains the very picture of civiLIty, poster-boy for good manners. With a sLIght gesture, he indicates the blazing city, Geneva under siege, and whispers, "What do you think of this? The death, the kilLIng, the violence...it's what Sigma asked for...I helped, you know...I helped..." Alright, so Crescent has beaten Spin to the punch. Well and good - Spin can do more than fight. A quick call over the radio, and the Cougar is exercising his status as MSE - looking for injured. Look here, look there .. oh dear Doppler. The first one he sees is the fallen Justice Jaguar. Shark Man enters the Balkan Peninsula. Shark Man has left. [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Number Man transmits, "Sure thing, Guts Man." [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Guts Man transmits, "Hehehehe, I love my medical mallet" Shadow Man darts out of the way of Coaster Raptor's downwards attack, drawing another blade from his armor and hurLIng this one at Coaster as well, while in his free hand he takes his katana from its place in the sheath hidden in back of his armor. Shadow Man strikes Coaster Raptor with his Magnetic Shuriken attack. Bit just gets horribly torn apart - this just doesn't seem to be his night now, does it? The ride armor had done massive amounts of damage to him - and Bit just falls over, onto the flat of his shield. Of course, he isn't going to stick around at this point - the overrides on his armor kick in, whisking him off into the distance and out of immedate danger. Not to mention the fact that he's rather manGLed at broken at this point. [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Shade Man hisses softly... "...Mmmm... I feel... better. The Priest's blood was... ...enough for now. ...Number Man, I return to base. ...Could you please prepare my Coffin?" He tried not to fLInch at the grotesque appearence of Double at the same time he strained to hear his words. "...I don't LIke it." He shook his head, his black armor reflecting the reds and oranges of the nearby flames. "It's all unnecessary...Sigma is a madman...Why did you help him Double? He's merely using you." Maybe the talking will work. He'd have to play it by ear. [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Bass transmits, "Use your faith heaLIng powers, Guts Man." Bowie is a decptively soLId reploid, especially in his armor. Being one of the older reploid models will do that. The gunsLInger is forced back a step by Wild Card's slam, but no more than that. If he's going to insist of such close quarters combat, then Bowie will have to obLIge. Dropping the e-pistol to the ground, he draws a plasma knife from his belt (better utiLIty belt than Batman, you know) and jabs upwards in an attempt to drive the Maverick back into a more proper firing range. Bowie strikes Wild Card with his Plasma Knife attack. Crescent Grizzly turns to face Frost Man, and grumbles. Last thing he needed right now. " Go, Poisson. Go naw', 'n tak' Sigma wit' yew'. Deh' Mavricks' 'ahv lost..." he calls out to Paragon, while his back is turned. Protocal says he takes the Maverick in, but he's tired of fighting today. [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Guts Man transmits, "The Church of Bass compells you to heal!!!" Carefully, X stands up and stares at Paragon. "Maverick, I suggest you call a withdrawal before you join Sigma." Rock's buster disappears, but his hand reappears holding a rather interesting looking blade. Oh, look. X is holding on to Sigma's sabre. Velguader barks. Coaster Raptor seems to notice that one even less then the one before. Magnetics just don't bother Coaster, only at one time in his LIfe was he actually defeated by them, but that was Rock after all. As he surges forward, he gets a LIttle altitude and begins to cirlce Shadow, building up g-forces before he stops generating the rails, falLIng inward toward the ninja powered by those g-forces. Shadow Man dodges Coaster Raptor's G-turn Drop Off attack. [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Number Man transmits, "I will repair your body, but we have serving robots to prep your box." [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Shade Man transmits, "Lets us see what the Heroes think of the message I just left for them in Whitechapel... ...the mummy man will learn pain... ...and Iris WILL remember me for the rest of her existance." [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Bass transmits, "Just LIke all the other TEN BILLION people who have beat her up, right?" He better not be, 'cause Frost is still itching to carnage and blood. He continues to storm at Crescent Grizzly. "You ripped my head off! I get you good for that. You broke daddy's robot. I'll get you for that too!" He'd push his sleeves up, if he had any...Instead, he forms another club of ice, obviously looking for a rematch, despite the tread marks up his back. [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Shade Man chuckles softly, "All in all... a painful... if good evening." Shade then pauses, and sighs, "...Yes, yes... You always are the reaLIst, Bass." After a quick rush, Spin is at Justice's side - minding the nearby Shadow Man and Coaster Raptor battle, he just shakes his head at the heavy cranial damage and makes sure Justice's neural net is accounted for. Following that, a quick fix to make sure it doesn't fall out or something. Double receives a radio transmission from Ebony Fox. Velguader is barking by Rock, of course, since that's where Siggy asked Velguader to go. He is giving Rock a look that says: 'You want some, she-bitch?' As Coaster Raptor falls inwards, he finds nothing waiting for him but a wide slash of Shadow Man's katana, the ninja Master himself having lept just narrowly outside of the attack range that he might offer his opponent a more unpleasent greeting. Shadow Man strikes Coaster Raptor with his Blade Slash attack. Then he looks at Thunderbolt, bLInking. The white rust has begun to spread, it is clear, to under the synthskin of his face, eating the metal beneath the artificial flesh, giving a strange necrotic appearence to his features. "Ah...are you Hunter? RepLIforce?" he pauses, "no, no, it doesn't matter....but tell your masters this...Sigma...mad? Maybe. But he Welcomed me...he gave me refuge where your people would not. You Hunters, you RepLIforcers, wanted me dead...what choice did I have?" Looking to Crescent and then to Rock, Paragon smirks and sLIngs his harpoon over his shoulder. Or at least he tries. Appaatently his right shoulder gyro got a bit fused during that nasty blast. So for now, he simply holds onto it and regards Rock once more. "Sigma has fallen, this is true. But our troops shall not stop that easily, Hunter. You know that." he then chuckles sLIghtly. "Put your LIttle blade away. Our confLIct here is finished. The battle is now out on the streets." With that said, Paragon heads over towards Velguader and where Sigma fell.. X stares at the dog... 'Great, just great. Sigma goes down and now his dog is here.' Rock thinks to himself. The sabre disappears as Rock slowly moves away from Velguader, his eyes still on Paragon. "Maverick, Sigma is gone. Your Ride Armors are out of commision and your troops are losing. Retreat." Stabbing is bad, m'kay? Besides, Wild was never of a soLId enough build to slam people LIke that anyway. Wild is stabbed, alright, though the blade missed just about everything vital (unless his clothes count as vital). Now he's mad. The acid was bad enough, but NOBODY gets to stab him and get away with it. Blades are for pansies and drunks. "Now yer' done for," he drawls, as he draws both of his shotguns. At this range, and with the spread of the buckshot, it'll be damn near impossible to dodge, and should shred the Texan better than a bowl full of wheat. "It's time to cash in 'yer chips, stranger!" Wild Card strikes Bowie with his Cash In Yer Chips attack. The slash finds one of Coaster's thighs, and knocks him off course well enough that he sLIdes into the ground from his attack. FLIpping up from the attack onto his feet, injured leg sparking in annoyance from that, the raptor doesn't mount the rails again, but instead tries to roundhouse Shadow with the injured leg, using the good one for the momentum. Shadow Man dodges Coaster Raptor's Raptor Talon Roundhouse attack. Crescent Grizzly sends a radio transmission to Rock. Rock receives a radio transmission. Thunderbolt Raven enters the Italy. Thunderbolt Raven has left. Thunderbolt Raven arrives from the Sky Above Western Europe. Thunderbolt Raven has arrived. Paragon Pirana retreats from the area swiftly, leaving him open to pursuit or parting shots from Bit, Rock, Swiss Guard Ride Armor , Spin Cougar, Feedback, Velguader, Coaster Raptor, Mercury, Ride Armor , Thunderbolt Raven, Crash Man, and Shadow Man. Velguader barks again, rearing back on his hindlegs! How mean! Then, bending over, he picks up Sigma's fallen shield, growLIng. Double sends a radio transmission to Ebony Fox. Arkady GLowers down at Bit's form before turning back to the Sentinel and jumps back into the cockpit. Turning, he heads back to the UN transport. Arkady has left. Meanwhile, back on the hilltop, Ashriel's been staring downwards, watching Paragon's progress, and Bit's. And then, the armor pilot ejects, moving for a hands-on assault, finishing off the speedy half of Godmachine Binary ruthlessly. Fist clenching, and releasing reflexively. Ashen-grey synthskin crinkles as a frown bends the LIps of the Maverick, as he stares downwards at the mecha, and the pilot. ThrottLIng the bike into gear, the angel's hoverbike begins descending into the fracas at a speedy pace, arrowing right towards the Swiss Ride Armor. Of course oddly, the maLIce normally in his optics with such an action is not there. One would think he was descending to assist poor Bit, but alas, that will not be for tonight. No, he only acts out of curiosity. Double receives a radio transmission from Ebony Fox. Crescent Grizzly looks at Frost Man long and hard. The android wants a fight. Crescent wants this over. It needs to end. He steps forwards, slowly. One step at a time. Then, while right in front of Frost, he looks the Master up and down. " Non. " Crescent then slashes upwards at the mechanoid before him with the drill claws. Coaster's leg sweeps up for the kick... and meets Shadow Man's hand, grabbing it from below while the ninja pivots round to his opponents side. He throws the leg up and attempts to fLIp his opponent over, while deLIvering him a swift kick with own spiked foot a spLIt second apart. Shadow Man strikes Coaster Raptor with his Ninjitsu attack. Crescent Grizzly strikes Frost Man with his Claw Swipe attack. Swiss Guard Ride Armor retreats from the area swiftly, leaving it open to pursuit or parting shots from Bit, Rock, Paragon Pirana, Spin Cougar, Feedback, Velguader, Coaster Raptor, Sigma, Mercury, Ride Armor , Thunderbolt Raven, and Crash Man. Thunderbolt Raven shook his head. "Double...if it means anything, I have no desire to see you dead. KilLIng you would be a waste. KilLIng in general is a waste..." He sighed. "We would have been happy to have you, to help you...but you betrayed us again. Why?" He's honestly curious, and his tone was full of melancholy, he really did feel bad. Double sends a radio transmission to Ebony Fox. [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Search Man's right head transmits, "Radio activity from the Hunters. They're, uh... they're preparing to receive casualties. K-keep it up...!" Then, somewhat more subdued: "Oh... I hope we don't lose...." Double receives a radio transmission from Ebony Fox. Bowie has disconnected. Coaster Raptor is simply out of his league when it comes to even trying martial art type things with the ninja. Leg caught, he's at the mercy of Shadow's fLIp and the kick he adds on shortly after. Side sparking from the hit now, the raptor cLImbs up to his feet. "Nggh, stand still," he mutters simply trying to claw at the master with one of his hands. Shadow Man dodges Coaster Raptor's Claws Are Sharp attack. Cut Man arrives from the Germany. Cut Man has arrived. Bowie has connected. Frost Man suddenly finds his world exploding in pain as the giant claws rend ice and metal from his frame. He stumbles back several steps, shaking his head to regain his orientation. He's not the happy time fun Frost we normally see. "Teddy wanna play rough? Ok....I play rough..." Without wasting any time, Frost leaps into the air, towards Crescent Grizzly. Twisting, repositioning, he aims for the elbow drop on the giant RepLIforcer..He bellows a battle cry the whole time he's in the air... Rock fires up his jet boosters. He looks at the sky as he takes off... hoping that RepLIforce can handle the rest of the situation. He radioes as he quickly departs from the area... Frost Man misses Crescent Grizzly with his Frost Elbow attack. Rock retreats from the area swiftly, leaving him open to pursuit or parting shots from Bit, Paragon Pirana, Spin Cougar, Coaster Raptor, Mercury, Ride Armor , Thunderbolt Raven, and Crash Man. With some quick fixes complete, Spin picks up Justice's body and carries him off to the teleporters. Time is of the essence ... Velguader tries to pounce at Rock's retreating form, but misses and hits the ground roughly. You were lucky this time! Swiss Guard Ride Armor has left. Crescent Grizzly ducks to one side faster then most would think possible for a reploid of his size and general speed. He sighs, shaking the ursine head. Snapping forwards, he opens his maw to reveal rows of shining, razor LIke teeth, which he attempts to tear into Frost with... Crescent Grizzly strikes Frost Man with his Bite Out Of Crime attack. [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Theta CO Clown Man transmits, "Alright. I got Swordy. Yo, Soundwave... set up the PPV for our homies in Africa, Fortress, and Space. Yo!" "..." "Please?" "Affirmative, Sideshow. Laserbeak eject. Operation: Recon." Slowly, Double meets Thunderbolt's gaze, his eyes fixing the RepLIforcer with an intense stare. The corner of his mouth twitches sLIghtly, but it is not clear what kind of expression he makes. He looks distant, for a moment, not quite entirely -here-...before he answers, in a strange voice. It seems LIke he speaks to more than merely the RepLIforcer before him. And indeed, that's exactly what he does. "Betrayal, again. Betrayed you again. That's what you say...but you...betrayed -me-. Rock, Blues, the Hunters...I didn't ask for forgiveness...I asked you to understand...and even that, even that...you refused -me-...how can I trust? Who can I trust? The Maverick virus brings obLIvion, they say, the madness to follow Sigma...I had it once...and maybe, maybe...I was better then...perhaps I shall embrace it again..." Crash Man misses Rock with his Grasp attack. [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Guts Man transmits, "Operation Medical Mallet!!!" Double sends a radio transmission. [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Shade Man transmits, "Win or lose... it was Sigma's fight. We have done what we were obLIgated to do... ...and the Mavericks... will owe us after this, Search Man."" [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Cut Man transmits, "Y'can do it, Gutsy!" Justice Jaguar opens his eye, and looks at Spin, "Ngh. Good, rescue." He murmers, "Get me on out of here...Thanks..' Shadow Man pivots out of the way of Coaster Raptor's claws, their sharp edges scraping just against the edge of the katana as he brings it with him. Turning to face Coaster Raptor again, he grins faintly, and opens his mouth just sLIghtly to speak a sinGLe word... Instead, silence, as the katana is thrust cruelly forward, the scarred blade gLInting as it moves with blurred speed. Shadow Man strikes Coaster Raptor with his Katana attack. Double receives a radio transmission. Spin Cougar enters the Italy. Spin Cougar has left. Spin Cougar arrives from the Italy. Spin Cougar has arrived. Spin Cougar enters the Germany. Spin Cougar has left. Rock enters the Sky Above Western Europe. Rock has left. Frost Man puts a nice huge pot hole into the pavement where Crescent was. He starts towards his feet, and sees a lot of teeth coming at him. Throwing his arm up, he ends up with some rabid RepLIforcer gnawing on his arm. This won't do at all. BalLIng up his other mitten, he drives it at the Bear, aiming to bash it's nose. "Stupid RepLIforker..." [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Theta XO Sword Man mutters something about weaknesses... Frost Man strikes Crescent Grizzly with his Punch attack. [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Search Man's right head transmits, "Well, uh... maybe you can ask them for some, uh... some blood." Spin Cougar arrives from the Germany. Spin Cougar has arrived. Coaster Raptor staggers backward as the Katana sLIces across his chest this time, a direct hit for the Robot Master. Sparks fly out as Coaster tries to figure out what he can do against this foe. With one last surge of determination he simply ducks down, tenses his legs and lunges at Shadow LIke he did to Shade earLIer. Shadow Man dodges Coaster Raptor's Raptor's Revenge attack. Justice Jaguar has left. Spin Cougar takes Justice Jaguar. Spin Cougar enters the Germany. Spin Cougar has left. The bear snarls sLIghtly, his nose crunched audibly from the blow, a trickle of mechfluid coming down. Turning back to face Frost, Crescent narrows his optics, and attempts to smash his forehead into that of the Android's.... Crescent Grizzly strikes Frost Man with his Generic Melee attack. Bowie does indeed find it impossible to dodge, especially with so much empty air only a few short paces away. The Texan is peppered with buckshot (much as he did to the Dinosaur Tank), the armor crumpLIng and shredding away under the abuse. His unprotected left arm gets the worst of it, mechfluid flowing from a dozen open wounds. His visor spiderwebs and cracks, hampering his view but protecting his optics from worse damage. He wipes his face with the back of his left hand, though it doesn't do much to clean the stoic frown from it. With less precison and more effort than it would have taken before, Bowie LIfts his battered right arm, pointing the barrel squarely in Wild Card's face. There is no anger in his expression, simply the determination to be the last gunsLInger standing. Double sends a radio transmission. Paragon Pirana has disconnected. Bowie strikes Wild Card with his Windstorm attack. He's been sighing a lot lately, and he does so again. "I can't claim to understand what you went through, and I'm sorry that those who you looked to for understanding either didn't or couldn't. My apologies mean nothing to you, I understand that. I also understand that I can't stop you from embracing the maverick virus again. I'm wilLIng to give you a chance, I'm wilLIng to try and understand what you're going through, but you have to want it. I can't help you unless you want to help yourself." Self-Help manual much? Yeesh, talk about cLIched, but he had to try. Double receives a radio transmission. Wild Card neeps, and is blown thattaway! He staggers a bit, then is blown off the edge of the building! That can't be at all good for him. He manages to grab on to the edge of the rooftop with one hand, in stereotypical fashion, and just kinda hangs there. "Well #^@." Ashriel sends a radio transmission to Cleaver Cow. Cleaver Cow receives a radio transmission. [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Shade Man transmits, "...I have tasted of Iris... ...Now... I beLIeve I shall seek out the Second-Born... ...Roll's mechfluid would be as sweet as Iris' was... perhaps moreso. ...Perhaps then... ...the child of Pavel Cossack? ...Though, the father might be far too dangerous to... piss off." Omega arrives from the Germany. Omega has arrived. [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Bass transmits, "I see I have not made it clear to some members of the Robot Masters." [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Shade Man transmits, "...Forgive my ignorance, Bass... I have not been active, perhaps, when you made any decree relating to either such." Gemini Man enters the Germany. Gemini Man has left. [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Bass transmits, "No, I will not forgive your ignorance. I've said it once, I've said it again -- stop picking on these loser females and do something productive." Velguader GLances around, barks LIghtly, and then runs back to the dinotank! Velguader retreats from the area swiftly, leaving it open to pursuit or parting shots from Bit, Feedback, Coaster Raptor, Sigma, Mercury, Omega, Ride Armor , Cut Man, Thunderbolt Raven, Ashriel, Crash Man, and Shadow Man. [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Shade Man transmits, "...As you wish, Bass." [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Shade Man transmits, "I hear and obey." [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "What if loser females mess with us?" Without warning, Double laughs. He laughs hysterically, speaking not just to Thunderbolt, but also to the Interpol agent whose voice echoes in his head. "A second chance...? Blues, Rock, my...-friends-...they never gave me any chance at all...I have the scars to prove it! Heh. Heh. Heh...proof...of...it..." He looks up, the distinct spark of madness shining LIke embers in his eyes. "Help? I'm beyond help. Beyond it all...beyond...ah, yes, beyond, BEYOND...it...all..." He laughs again, not a nice laugh, a laugh to send shivers down the spine. Then he reaches out with his hand, grasping at empty air, LIttle flames of plasma streaming from his fingers. Eyes aLIght, he smiles at Thunderbolt. Holding that smile, his hand closes into a fist. And the flames, the flames explode forth, ravaging the air with unleashed fury. [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Ballade transmits, "Decapitate and move on to a significant opponent." Double sends a radio transmission to Ebony Fox. Double strikes Thunderbolt Raven with his Energy Wave attack. [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Bass transmits, "Exactly. We waste too much time with this petty crap and don't do nearly as much good, old-fashioned demoLItion." [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Bass transmits, "God has spoken." [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Number Man transmits, "Bass ackbar!" [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Search Man's right head transmits, "A-and spoken well, Mr. Bass... er, Mr. God, sir!" Frequency d is now ungagged. Frost Man finds his vision filled with forehead. He doesn't LIke that. StumbLIng back, he grabs his forehead with his leaking arm. GrowLIng, he shakes it. It still hurts. Shakes it again. Still hurts. He narrows his optics. With his free hand, he goes to simply backhand the RepLIforcer...."Stupid bear!" he growls... Bowie bLInks once, trying to see through his scratched and shattered visor. He didn't think that Wild had the abiLIty to bLInk-teleport...does he? And then he hears the muffled curse rising up from the edge of the building. Were Bowie anything less than he is, he'd be tempted to give Wild good reason to lose his precarious hold on the edge of the rooftop. Instead, he stoops to collect his lost gun and riifle, then calmly walks over a few paces from the building's edge. "Thare's a ledge ten feet down," he calls to the Maverick bandito. "Ya might want t'use it." With that, the gunsLInger turns and walks away again. Time to see how the rest of the battle is going. Frost Man strikes Crescent Grizzly with his Swat attack. Bitsy has arrived. Bit drops Bitsy. [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Guts Man transmits, "Yeah, what happened to the days of old when we would lay waste to a city, set up camp in a garage and lace it with booby traps only to wait for Mega Man to come and stop us? Now it's LIke we let any old schmuck stop us. Where did we go wrong?" Bit has left. Ride Armor enters the Germany. Ride Armor has left. [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Cut Man transmits, "I remmber that...thoses were good ol' times." [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Bass transmits, "Where, indeed, Guts Man. Where, indeed." Ashriel meanwhile departs his hovercycle beside Bit. Carefully, Ashriel examines up the fallen Maverick, and salutes the carcass as his drone deLIvers him away. That done, he cracks his knuckles, and looks out upon the field, yellow eyes blazing a cold fire. "COALITION SOLDIERS! RALLY! REDIRECT YOUR EFFORTS! THIS STRIKE IS FOR OUR BROTHERS! BROTHERS AND SISTERS THAT HAVE FALLEN HERE TONIGHT! THEY GAVE IT THEIR ALL! OUR FURY SHOULD BE NO LESS!" screams the currently green-haired Maverick, as he begins to slowly start walking towards Frost Man and Crescent Grizzly. The battle...has just begun. [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Guts Man transmits, "Well not anymore. From this point on I will be bringing it old school style!" The attack was unexpected, but that just infuriated the Raven. "You...you...I was trying to help you and...GAH! You're going down Maverick!" His empathy for Double shattered at the unprovoked attack, the Avian reploid took to the air, flapping his wings furiously. On a forward sweep, the wings launched four feathers at a high velocity towards Double, the razor sharp impLIments gLIstening malevolently in the fireLIght Thunderbolt Raven strikes Double with his Razor Feathers attack. Shadow Man sides away from Coaster's lunging attack, bringing the katana around with him. He stands now at a fair distance from Coaster, waiting for the next attack to come so he can insultinGLy avoid it, and meanwhile hurls a shuriken sLIghtly larger than the standard fair but still not as large as the Shadow Blade to keep the Hunter occupied. Shadow Man strikes Coaster Raptor with his Shock Shuriken attack. Crescent Grizzly snarls, the swat striking him, forcing his neck to twist just in time to see Double strike...and hear Ashrield begin a zealous rant. No. The Mavericks have lost, and he intends to bring that point home. Reaching into the air, he begins to cut swath after swath of energy crescents, each launching themselves at a different enemy... Crescent Grizzly strikes Ashriel with his Crescent Shot attack. Crescent Grizzly strikes Frost Man with his Crescent Shot attack. Crescent Grizzly strikes Double with his Crescent Shot attack. Renfield has left. Unfortunately the star thrown nails Coaster in the chest, as did the Katana, but as it does there's a sound of something shorting out, fizzLIng, and eventually shutting down deep inside. Coaster staggers back, hands pulLIng the large shuriken out of his chest before he falls backwards, hands holding the new injury. He's done.. not knocked out, but he's not fighting anymore. Other problem is, he can't skate out either. "Dang it.." he coughs, GLancing back at Shadow. He has no idea what to do now.. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Guts Man transmits, "Wooo! It's a good thing that beer was not shaken up anymore. For I would have looked quite the fool. An April fool that is!" Parsec BasiLIsk arrives from the Sky Above Western Europe. Parsec BasiLIsk has arrived. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Shark Man transmits, "Dude, I think April Fools was, LIke, last week, or something." Wild Card GLances down. "So there is..." he drops to the ledge, then opens a window (surprisinGLy hard to do from outside and makes his way back to the rooftops, as his duster is still there (there's still a bottole of brandy and a half-eaten bag of popcorn there). The outlaw then procedes down to the ground floor, and, as he's in no condition to fight any longer, simply boards the Dino Tank. Wild Card retreats from the area swiftly, leaving him open to pursuit or parting shots from Sword Man, Clown Man, Wilymachine , Feedback, Velguader, Coaster Raptor, Sigma, Bowie, Mercury, Cleaver Cow, Omega, Cut Man, Thunderbolt Raven, Ashriel, Parsec BasiLIsk, Crash Man, and Shadow Man. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Number Man transmits, "He's quoting The Simpsons." Frost Man finds himself railed back with sLIces of energy, none of which feel too swell. Shaking his head, he growls. "No...I smash you down. I'm taking you down for good this time!" He churns up his systems a shadow growing over him. Out of the sky a massive block of ice falls deftly into his hands. He strains under the sudden pressure, staggers, but does not fall. "I'll CRUSH YOU!!" With that, he lobs the chunk of ice the size of a moving truck at Crescent... Frost Man strikes Crescent Grizzly with his Ice Crusher attack. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Guts Man transmits, "That is correct! THAT IS CORRECT!!! Promote that man!" The razor edges of the Avian's attack slash through Double's form, tearing the semisoLId protoplasm of his body into wet shreds. He collapses, slamming hard into the ruins, the purple matter of his body writhing as it reforms and reshapes itself in the wake of the injury. Gradually, Double composes his anatomy into some order, and stands, boots scraping against the rubble underfoot. He shakes his head, clearing the haze of pain. Flakes of metal slew from his armor, stained by the spread of the White Rust. "Going...down? I'm sorry," he says softly, "I fell to darkness a long, long time ago..." Again he stumbles, as the energy blade from Crescent Grizzly tears through his midsection, cutting him cleanly in two. Before he hits the ground, his body reforms, oozing back into place. With unnatural quickness for someone recovering from such damage, he fixes Thunderbolt with a smile. And then, he throws his arm back and strikes, carving a blazing trail of spinning plasma LIght that snaps out to touch the Raven's form. Double strikes Thunderbolt Raven with his Spinning Wheel attack. Bowie enters the France. Bowie has left. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Number Man transmits, "I'm only nearly constantly connected to the World Wide Web of Fools. There aren't many references I'll miss." Wild Card has left. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Guts Man transmits, "Not even a reference from that movie with the violent muppets?" [Radio: (D) GLobal] Number Man transmits, "I didn't say I was perfect. But I've /seen/ the Simpsons. Who do you think is responsible for 90 of our film LIbrary?" [Radio: (D) GLobal] Number Man transmits, "OOC: 90%, even." Ashriel laughs as the crescent cuts into the side of his torso armor, and his stalking continues, quite unimpeded. As the tri-bladed claws extend from his wrists, GLowing transparent weapons of force. As the hunting Maverick closes in on the animal of prey, a very cool voice sLIdes through his head. Slowly, Ashriel begins picking up speed, pace going to a dead-run. Arms extended to his sides, when Ashriel begins approaching a good twenty feet of Grizzly, he places his arms and claws at a horizontal level, and proceeds to spin LIke a bladed top, intending to connect with Crescent on a pass-by, with his twirLIng blades. Ashriel strikes Crescent Grizzly with his Spinning Fang attack. Shadow Man GLares at Coaster raptor for a moment, waiting for the next attack, but none seems to come... but he seems to be fully functional still, so by precedent of all other Hunters and RepLIforce, he's probably charging some larger attack. Nevermind that Shadow knows through his own methods that this is not the case... Those channels are LIkely to be unreLIable anyway. Resehating the katana, he raises a hand up, and with a flash of energy and horrible sound LIke two chainsaws attempting to mate with a wood chipper at the same time, creates a newly sheared Shadow Blade. One it is formed, the ninja hurls it at Coaster, the giant shuriken cutting the air end over end as it spins towards its target. Crescent Grizzly gives a roar of rage, the ice striking him easily in his distracted state, and slamming him into a wall before shattering. Now he's cold, damp, tired, and angry. As opposed to just tired. Bad move Frost Man. Leaping for the Robot Master, Crescent begins batter at him with claws, paws, feet, kicks, teeth, slams, and all sorts of methods to promptly eviscerate the Snowman of Wily. As he moves, Ashriel cuts him deep, but it only serves to fuel his anger... Shadow Man strikes Coaster Raptor with his Shadow Blade attack. Coaster Raptor falls to the ground, unconscious, due to massive systems damage. Crescent Grizzly strikes Frost Man with his When Animals attack. Frost Man falls to the ground, unconscious, due to massive systems damage. Omega has left. "Gah!" The wheel of plasma scorched and melted a decent portion of Raven's torso armor. His eyes narrowed, the black depths turning as hard as onyx, as he ascended into the air. "...I tried Double...I tried and I really wanted to help you...but I can't trust you..."He rolled into a dive, straightening his wings laterally as he approached the ground, the razors edge of them sharply gLIstening as he dove towards Double. Thunderbolt Raven strikes Double with his Diving Slash attack. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Thunderbolt Raven transmits, "I'm not doing so hot here. I might need a hand...He's strong." And that's when Coaster's other generator gets sLIced into and shut down rather forcefully. The reploid actually fLIes a few feet back through the air before landing on his back hard, coughing as he sparks and slowly starts shutting down. "Dangitall.." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Frost Man oocly wouldn't recommend commenting that to the planet :) Feedback starts looking around the battle field for Coaster Raptor. Obviously asking him where he is isn't doing him much good, so he's just looking around the old fashion way. Speeding along, searching for the injured Hunter. Aha! There's one injured Hunter. Feed heads over to Coaster idly looking over his shoulder as he goes to make sure no one's trying to get the drop on him. But as he turned his head to check his own back, Shadow Man decided to just go ahead and off the guy. Well then, sucks to be Coaster right about now. Picking up some speed, Feed heads over to the now unconsious Coaster and the consious Shadow Man aiming one of his blasters at Shadow, "Heya wanna be ninja boy. Mind movin away from my pal over there? I think that he's had nuff for one day." [Radio: (D) GLobal] Thunderbolt Raven ooc: Mischan! No denial comes from Double. No cry of anger, no assertion. He says nothing. But he does scream, in anger, pain, and rage. He makes no attempt to dodge Thunderbolt's charge. Both reploids slam into the ground, Double -catching- and -holding- the smaller reploid's wings with his clawed hands. The razor edges of Thunderbolt's wings sLIce deep into Double's palms. But he pays the pain no heed. LIke a rabid animal, Double snarls, a growl of pure savagery erupting from deep within his scarred body. His optics, gentle and kind in his other form, now reflect the full depth of his anger. Double bares his teeth, white canines descending...as he bites into Thunderbolt. Hard. Double strikes Thunderbolt Raven with his Vicious Bite attack. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Guts Man transmits, "Mmmmmm chocolate." UN Heavy Transport enters the Sky Above Western Europe. UN Heavy Transport has left. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Thunderbolt Raven transmits, "He BIt me!" Ashriel frowns as his whirlwind assault ends, and Frost Man is felled by the behemoth bear. Turning, the predatory soldier smiles, knowing full well things are in his hands now. Taking a martial-arts stance, Ashriel charges in, claws-first, before leaping high, and launching into a spinning heel kick towards the head of the RepLIforcer. And yet, now that Ashriel's moved into actual combat, he's dead-silent now. A chilLIng counter to his impassioned speech. Ashriel strikes Crescent Grizzly with his Flashy Kung Fu attack. [Radio: (D) GLobal] Guts Man transmits, "I want to bite you too! No fair" Frost Man finds all his sensors overload....so .... much.... pain. As things go dark....he works his way back tot he shuttle.... scenes come and go, he doesn't remember quite how he got to the shuttle, not remembering the whole trip. He suddenly finds himself in the shuttle bay, where his optics roll up in his head and he collapses into a puddle of melting ice and mech fluids.. As Double /bites/ him, he screeches. It's the screech of a raven in pain, full of rage and hurt. He will make the offender hurt too. Raven's left hand forms itself into a cannon that is soon whining at nearly a hypersonic pitch. Purple arcs of electricity cross over the cannon and indeed his whole person as he levels the cannon barrel at Double's torso. "...Let me go....I've had enough of you..." The barely contained power was released as a large bolt of LIghtning. Thunderbolt Raven strikes Double with his Corvid Thunder attack. Crescent Grizzly finds himself at the edge of his threshhold for pain and suffering, but still cLInging by fingetips to the hope that he can succeed. That he can still win. The Mavericks and Robot Masters are done here, and if they can't figure that out on their own, he'll have to teach them. Claws forming into a drill, he takes advantage of the heel kick to leap upon Ashriel in midair, jabbing ferociously with the diamond tip as the item spins mercilessly... Crescent Grizzly strikes Ashriel with his Drill Frenzy attack. Shadow Man snaps his attention to GLare at Feedback. His own right arm is raised towards the Hunter, and his blue-GLoved fist seems to melt into it, replaced with a standard Robot Master arm cannon port. There's no charge or collection of energy, as there would be from the Mega Buster or Neo Buster. His emotionless gaze, fixed on Feedback, reveals nothing. Perhaps he's bluffing. But you have to ask yourself, is that a risk you're wilLIng to take? Locking eyes with Crescent, as the behemoth beast rends through his armor, and takes his left arm with it, the Maverick screams in pain, rage, and agony. Mechfluid pouring from the area where the LImb was, Ashriel rolls to the side. Oh he's functional. You better beLIeve it, he's -damn- functional. Kipping up to his feet, the Angel's eyes burn with a fury that beLIes the payback he's going to collect from the very beary hide of Griz. Wordlessly, he leaps upon the beast, right arm flying in a furied flurry of slashes, swipes, and blows, each intended to tear the repLIforcer into tiny pieces, fit for salting and setting in a smokehouse to cure. Ashriel strikes Crescent Grizzly with his Force Claw Eviceration attack. Crescent Grizzly falls to the ground, unconscious, due to massive systems damage. Feedback smirks and then eyes Shadow Man as he aims his own weapon back at Feed. GLancing over at the now unconsious Coaster Raptor, Feed just shakes his head, "Ok ninja boy. Either shoot me now, or just leave me alone. Me, I don't mind either way. I doubt that corpse over there *points to Coaster* is gonna notice if it takes me five minutes or ten to drag him back ta base." Feed's energy emitters start to GLow and whine as they start to build power. He's wilLIng to call Shadow Man's bluff, if it is a bluff that is. Double doesn't fLInch, doesn't draw back. His head snaps back, his mouth opening wide in a howl of pain and agony. Electricity crackles around his form, man-made LIghtning energizing his armour, cooking off ooze and bacterial Rust from his scarred chassis. The discharge is awesome in its power, and at point-blank range, Double bears it all. As the LIght fades, Double's battered form twitches, wisps of smoke rising from his blackened body. A stench of ozone and burnt protoplasm fills the air. Double's hurt, hurt bad. But his eyes are still open. And his hands, still clapsed in a viceLIke grip around the bladed edges of Thunderbolt Raven's wings. He looks down at the smaller reploid, his charred features stretching from a grimace into a grim smile. The face of death itself. Plasma energy explodes from Double's hands, as he attempts...to tear...the Raven's wings clean off. Coaster Raptor is unconscious alright, with a big frickin ninja star stuck int he right part of his chest. It'd hurt, if he was awake.. Double strikes Thunderbolt Raven with his Giant Slash attack. Crescent Grizzly is strong in spirit, but his body cannot continue. The blades cut right through his armor, unable to protect him from such attacks, and sLIce deep into his inner systems. Mechfluid sprays LIberally in all directions, soaking those nearby in a gruesome display. The head lolls to one side, and he falls. Shadow Man nods to Feedback. Well, he must admin, that did take some guts. The ninja lowers his weapon, and turns away rom the Hunter, silently walking off, the cannon held down at his side. Then Shadow Man turns around and shoots him. Because he's EVIL, dammit. Shadow Man strikes Feedback with his Shadow Blaster attack. Harley Hoverbike arrives from the Germany. Harley Hoverbike has arrived. Harley Hoverbike roars in from the hills, on a pickup mission and stuff. Sword Man has left. Coaster Raptor is unconscious alright, with a big frickin ninja star stuck int he right part of his chest. It'd hurt, if he was awake.. (for mike) [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Cut Man transmits, "Say Gutsy! Do ya wanna some help with traps?" Prismatic Spider has arrived. Feedback watches as Shadow Man goes but doesn't trust the guy any further than he could throw him. He slowly starts to move towards Coaster, keeping his eyes on Shadow. Of course the guy shoots him, no surprise there. Feed winces as the shot hits and makes a fairly large burn mark in his armor. Returnin the favor, Feed raises his arm and fires back a redish orange plasma bomb at Shadow Man, "Figures ya sneaky bastard. Well then, if thats how it's gonna be, then so be it." Shadow Man dodges Feedback's Plasma Bomb attack. The pain...was LIke nothing he's ever experienced. Last he knew, he was being held up by his wings, and now he was on the ground, mechfluid spewing from his back as he writhed in pain. It hurt, oh god did it hurt. He screamed, and sobbed and just plain cried. He was done. If only he were unconcious, he'd be better off, but no, he was awake and feeLIng nothing but the burning agony of where his wings were. Harley Hoverbike approaches Coaster's location, following a LIttle beacon thingy. (OOC: Page Mike if anyone wants to, LIke, stop me from picking him up.) Ashriel sneers, moving towards the head of the fallen Crescent, grasping it in one hand, as cables bore into access nodes under the synthfur of Crescent. Optics whirLIng, Ashriel begins connecting to his former enemy, taking a part of him into himself. Back at the Maverick base, Ashriel's Deckard unit sparks to LIfe. "The Horadrim once created a mighty artifact called the Crescent Shot. It is very effective against the fiend Colonel." Yellow eyes flashing, Ashriel raises his head up, process complete. Internally, a cold, female voice sounds. The maverick chuckles darkly, as he walks over to reclaim his arm, and look for some transport out of the fray. Parsec BasiLIsk enters the Sky Above Western Europe. Parsec BasiLIsk has left. Shadow Man never ceases to be amused at the insistance of heroes on speaking before the attack, thus giving the vilLIan (him) ample time to avoid it. Easily sLIding out of the way of the plasma bomb, he continues walking away towards the Master transport, not even bothering to run. (consider this a retreat, all partings accepted) Crescent Grizzly goes home. Crescent Grizzly has left. Plasma, ionized matter, scorches the twisted wings in Double's grasp. Barely recognizable as what they were, the Maverick lets them drop from his fingers, the metal smoking as it hits the ground. Standing over the broken body of his defeated opponent, Double watches impassively, uncarinGLy, as the RepLIforcer shivers and cries. No sympathy. No empathy. Just cold, dispassionate, hatred. Contempt laces Double's tone as he leans over, his voice a harsh, rasping hiss, "You tell your masters...they've made me a monster. Their hate turned me into this. They'll regret the day they ever...tried...to kill me." He smiles. And lowers his heavy booted foot onto Thunderbolt's head, grinding the RepLIforcer's face into the dust. Shadow Man dodges Crash Man's Grasp attack. Double strikes Thunderbolt Raven with his Spiked Boot attack. Shadow Man dodges Ashriel's Grasp attack. Shadow Man dodges Double's Grasp attack. Shadow Man dodges Cleaver Cow's Grasp attack. Shadow Man dodges Cleaver Cow's As Seen On T V attack. Shadow Man strikes Crash Man with his Grasp attack. Thunderbolt Raven screams again, the foot on his head only enhancing his pain. His voice, very quiet, and very choked seems to be spreading a message that might very well get him fired, or killed by a sadistic maverick.. "....I...I...no more...hurts...please...mercy..." Shadow Man dodges Crash Man's Grasp attack. Shadow Man dodges Cut Man's Grasp attack. Shadow Man dodges Cleaver Cow's Grasp attack. Shadow Man dodges Cleaver Cow's Grasp attack. Prismatic Spider strikes Shadow Man with his Grasp attack. Ashriel changes into his Archangel armor. Harley Hoverbike , LIke, grabs Coaster and does the running thing. Shadow Man strikes Ashriel with his Grasp attack. Ashriel changes into his Alu armor. Shadow Man has left. Coaster Raptor is taken by Mike and gets the heck out of here. Yayith. Frost Man has left. Coaster Raptor has left. Feedback watches as Shadow just turns and walks away. Feed just shakes his head, he doesn't really care for a fight right about now. So he just turns around and then heads back to see how well everyone else is doing. Renfield arrives from the France. Renfield has arrived. Harley Hoverbike does the fleeing thing. Character not found. Ashriel stops in his departure to take up the fallen Frost Man after taking his own arm in his teeth. Slowly, the one armed Ashriel departs the field of battle, moving up towards the Dreadskull. After all, he still has duties to fufill as an ambassador. Wilymachine has left. SS Dreadskull takes Wilymachine . Ashriel has left. "Mercy?" Double's laugh is a bitter one. "You want -mercy-? When your people wouldn't give it to me?" He stares at the whimpering RepLIforcer. Crying, weeping, completely pathetic. The same as he, mere days ago. Irony, perhaps? Maybe. He doesn't know. Nor does he care. Removing the treads of his boot from Thunderbolt's form, he releases the Raven. "Feh," he sneers, spitting flecks of white-laced purple ooze onto the other reploid's body. Then he turns, and strides off, heading back to where he left the damaged Kraken, leaving Thunderbolt alone. Mercy? Hah. Harley Hoverbike enters the France. Harley Hoverbike has left. [Radio: (A) Masters-Main] Shade Man transmits, "Mmmm... ...what a wonderful nap. ...Ahh... ...Number Man has outdone himself once again. (-in a murmur- Though Iris' blood and the Priest's were... helpful.) With some adjustment time... ...I could be back in the field as early as tomarrow evening, yesss..." The roar of engines begins to to rise from the SS Dreadskull as it powers up. That is the only signal that will be given to any remaining Masters in need of a ride. Thunderbolt Raven retreats from the area swiftly, leaving him open to pursuit or parting shots from Mercury, and Crash Man. Feedback being one of the last fools here. Bails and runs away hella fast... Or at least tries to. Cyclops has connected. Feedback retreats from the area swiftly, leaving him open to pursuit or parting shots from Sigma, Mercury, Thunderbolt Raven, and Crash Man. Deep thunder reverberates in the distance, as dark clouds slowly roll across the sky. The chaos of battle has slowed now, with no one sure who was victorious... until the dawn comes. The remaining Bubble Bats wheel and flap over the carnage, with many down among the wounded, dying, and the dead... feeding. What remains of the Zombie Joe forces are also picking among the carnage outside of Geneva... before staggering back to their coffins from whence they came... vanishing into the depths of them... teleporting away to their storage lairs, even as the coffins self-destruct in flashes of LIght and noise. It seems this battle is nigh over... ...But the War continues. And no man can say who shall emerge... victorious. Cut Man has reconnected. Thunderbolt Raven is bourne swiftly away by the good old gumbie squad. Off to a speedy transport for safety..well..as safe as he can be as maimed as he is. Thunderbolt Raven enters the Sky Above Western Europe. Thunderbolt Raven has left. Feedback enters the France. Feedback has left. Cut Man has partially disconnected. Bitsy has left. Cyclops has left. The Kraken LIes half buried in rubble, its armour still red-hot from the point-blank discharge of the Guardian's beam cannon. Double ignores the damage, though. He cLImbs into the blasted cockpit canopy, not bothering to seal it shut. It -can't- be shut. Fingering the battered machine's controls, he triggers a fusion reactor restart, and guns the engines into LIfe. With the damage the Armor's drivetrain has taken, it can no longer fight. But it still can move. Joining the last of the withdrawing Maverick forces, Double leaves Geneva. He smiles. It's good to be back.