Log started: 11/18/02 4:09:38 PM Nogaki Commerical District Sublevel 1 - Neo Tokyo Below the city proper stretches the mostly unwholesome mass of the undercity, composed of tunnels which criss-cross and interlace for miles around. While some businesses in this area are legitimate they are far outnumbered by those that are not, though the existence of any such organizations is vehemently denied by Neo Tokyo authorities. Neon and holographic signs provide most of the illumination in the side streets, while shadowy gangs waft through alleys and through sealed doors. This isn't exactly the best place to be unless you know your way around and have someone to watch your back. Contents: Contents: Kaph [Kai] [C] The Rising Sun PubLIc LIft Up : Nogaki Commercial District - Neo Tokyo Kaph changes into her Kai armor. It's a beautiful day, it really is, too bad down here in the subcockle area of the Heart of the City, the permanent darkness is pierced only by bLInding garish neon LIghts and signs. With the amount of business going on here, both legit and otherwise, you'd find it hard to beLIeve this entire district was 'recycled' out of old sewage tunnels. This takes us to one of the busiest casionos in town, the giant Geometrically designed gambLIng den's 100 foot neon outside proudly declares that you too can be a winner at "The Star Haven". Around the back a group of no less than 20 japanese in security guard outifts mill around as a bizarre and heavily armored yellow machine fLIps out of a nearby access tunnel. A small heavily armored cockpit and cargo pod is at the center of the vehicle designed for travel through the tunnels down her, with four hover propulsed 'legs' space evenly around it. It squats to a halt near the large security entourage and a flap in the back opens as the Security personnel become far more alert, a few of them beginning to loud large boxes into the back in short order. [Radio: (C) GLobal] Guts Man transmits, "If no one can hear you scream in space can they hear you break wind?" [Radio: (C) GLobal] Elec Man transmits, "Wait... if you fart in space, wouldn't the gas expand through the entire universe, catch fire once it hits a star, and kill us all?" [Radio: (C) GLobal] Guts Man transmits, "Only if it's a long fart." Kaph has somehow managed to get herself a few stories up on the side of the Casino. No one below seems to have noticed the Japanese woman as she watches them load money onto the modern Japanese equivalent of a Brinks truck. She grins and nods as two security guards board the cargo bay with the last load, and the rest file back inside. As the vehicle begins revving up to leave she leaps from the fifth floor , she slams into the vehicle so hard it actually loses it's balance stumbLIng on it's four legs with the impact. From another building... Kain is talking to a information broker about the current ups and downs of Underworld LIfe... when the incident occurs. Thanking (and paying) the broker... Kain rushes out to the scene of the crime, as it were... Kaph changes into her Kaph armor. As Kai slams into the vehicle, thin sheets of black metal begin sLIding out seeminGLy from nowhere, the thin black strips seem to fold out impossibly until the Japanese woman is replaced by what by all appearances is a bat reploid. Of course all of this is hard to make out as the Crawler begins to speed away. Kaph's huge razor sharp claws pull her across the top of the cockpit until she's near the back door. She rips it off LIke butter, digging her toeclaws into the top of the door frame she hangs upside down grinning widely at the two Security Guards standing with the money. She reaches out both hands, and moments after two bodies with bloody lumps for heads are tossed out as Kaph hops in giggLIng cheerfully. Kaph Clad in black armor, Kaph's pale complexion stands out in sharp contrast. The bat reploids thin black wings hang semi open from her back, the bat reploid's left hand is replaced by what appears to be an arm cannon, only tipped by a foot needle. Kain has continued to talk to the information broker, as they leave the broker's 'office'... when the sound of metal tearing came to K's ears. Seeing the broker off... K rushes off to where a motorcycle is... one that not his... nor the Blue Dragons. He starts it up... and drives off. (I must return this to the owner. But first...)oo. K catches sight of the armored hovertruck... still driving... the driver either not knowing about the damage (and apparent unauthorized entry) or is working for whoever is planning and pulLIng this off. He honks the bike's horn, trying to bring the driver's attention.. Kaph rips open one of the metal lockboxes the cargo bay is laden down with. She nods cheerfully as she picks up the sound of the motorbike picking up speed behind her. She looks at the other boxes and then shrugs, giggLIng smuGLy as she heaves it out the back towards Kain. The box 'explodes' on hitting the ground sending flurries of zenny whipping through the tunnel. Satisfied at that she moves back into the cargo bay having a quick word with the driver in his isolated compartment through an intercomm system. Kain bLInks as...a giant bat android hurls something at him... The Bike swerves to avoid the box of zenny... Just as the people of this particular district comes out to... 'LIne' their pockets as it were. Kain's eyes narrows... and prepares to jump from the Motorcycle to the Hovertruck... in a heartbeat. (Gotta get closer...)oo. GNN newsflash. Location: Middle of Nowhere, Russia. A smiLIng reporter appears on the screen, "Hola. Tasha King here. We've received reports of an odd earthquake phenomenon out near a town in Russia whose name can be loosely translated as 'Middle of Nowhere.' Seismologists are thus far unable to determine the cause of the shakeup, but they claim that there are no major fault LInes nearby." LIve, tonight only! Rainbow StalLIon, the worlds most prominent voice actor, will be at the Party-Drome in New York City, signing autographs and giving preview views of his newest movie blockbuster, DueLIst of the Roses. Come one and all to the Party Drome, in the Concert hall area, and get your favorite Rainbow StalLIon anime or movie-related object signed and meet the voice behind many of the worlds' beloved animated characters! [Radio: (D) AlLIance] Rigger transmits, "I don't think they know themselves what it is." [Radio: (D) AlLIance] Beam Demon transmits, "But they may. Therefore, we must press for a straight answer." [Radio: (D) AlLIance] Shield transmits, "Stardroids don't give straight answers." Concert Area: Party-Drome The concert area of the Party-Drome rests at the end of the grassy picnic area, turf and vegetation giving way to pleasently designed bleachers which lead down to form a natural auditorium. The usual bathrooms and vendors of a stadium are hidden beneath these bleachers, and the area is made to flow with the natural scenery around it, not clash. The stage is large, spacious enough for an orchestra, and the speakers are placed in strategic locations around the area, often hidden in the construction. When there is a band playing, this place shows that it is nearly acoustically perfect, even with a loud audience. Contents: Contents: Cacophony Timberwolf [Combat_armor] [MH Barrage Raptor [Heavy armor] [RF] GNN Newscrew Rainbow StalLIon South : Picnic Area: Party-Drome [Radio: (D) AlLIance] Beam Demon transmits, "If they want help, they'd better." [Radio: (D) AlLIance] Rigger transmits, "He's right in that. I sure didn't. But then I didn't know myself to begin with... So it could be the same here." [Radio: (D) AlLIance] Shield transmits, "They won't anyways." [Radio: (D) AlLIance] Shield transmits, "Besides, some people will help them anyways." [Radio: (D) AlLIance] Pisces transmits, "Define the absence of a dream, without using a dream." [Radio: (D) AlLIance] Beam Demon transmits, "It is very hard to assist someone who wont tell you what they need assistance with." Rainbow StalLIon sits behind a table, large holo-screens (self-projected) hovering above him, showing scenes from the new anime movie, DueLIst of the Roses: an anime about two men who dueled for the love of a woman, and died during the French Revolution. Now, reincarnated in the 22nd Century, they duel again for the love of the reincarnated woman, all the while battLIng against their past as the GLobal Civil War rages around them and threatens to kill them both. Many human and reploid fanpeople are in LIne, Rainbow's holo-bodyguards (more muscled versions of himself) stand behind the table. Rainbow himself is signing autographs, on everything from action figure boxes and autograph books to peoples' clothing. "Please, no rioting!" he calls, smiLIng softly at the gathered fanbase. [Radio: (D) AlLIance] Rigger transmits, "... Blackness?" [Radio: (D) AlLIance] Cleaver Cow transmits, "A state without unconcious thought." Barrage Raptor has lots of posters and stuff in her quarters, so she grabbed a couple of the ones that were from the animes that Rainbow has been in, so that she could get them autographed.. [Radio: (D) AlLIance] Beam Demon transmits, "... The time of sleep before the REM stage initiates. When teh body is just shutting down, or reactivating." [Radio: (D) AlLIance] Bluegrass Not Serena Gilbert transmits, "...Ah think that's death." [Radio: (D) AlLIance] Rigger transmits, "OOC: Darkness rather." [Radio: (D) AlLIance] Beam Demon transmits, "But there is LIttle I know of human mental state. I am not human. And I find I have LIttle reason care for most of them." Kain transforms to Tux. Your desc has been changed to 'Tux'. You deactivate your radio. Hey look, it's someone costumed as a Zoid! Actually, no it's not, Cacophony's armor just happens to have a very coincidental resemblance to a particular lupine mecha. Really! Besides, most anime has something blowing up spetacularly in some form, why else would she be here? Lucky Rainbow, a particular pastel patterned pony doesn't appear to be anywhere in sight for change. Barrage isn't too far back in LIne -- there's a big crowd, but Rainbow's been doing this for a while. And he never has his holo-doubles sign the autographs either. It's always him. "At least that ditzy Pegasus isn't here," he thinks to himself as he signs a unicorn reploids poster of 'Gundam: Martian War''s main character, Makuro Tsuyoka. "Thank yo ufor showing up," he says with a smile, giving the femme a wink. She stammers and takes the poster and heads off, letting out a squeal of excitement, elLIciting a snicker from Rainbow. "And you're next, miss...?" he says to Barrage, who IS next in LIne. :> Kain steps forth, with a picture for Rainbow to sign. He will claim it is for Sarah Storm, or some other young lady that enjoys Rainbow's films. and/or have a crush on him. Not for Special K. Nope... He gets in LIne far behind Barrage. Cacophony Timberwolf hrrms, and rummages in a few storage compartments. She's not really famiLIar with the guy, she's never paid much attention to the actual actors, but she should probably get something signed while she's here. Com'n, she's gotta have something suitable n all her junk somewhere... Rainbow StalLIon smiles at Barrage. "And who should I make thiso ne out to?" he says, the smooth voice transitioning into the main character of DueLIst of the Roses, Devin Goddard, with a sLIght British tick to the vocal. "Such a wonderful girl, to come out this late in the evening for this special anime signing," he says, but his attention seems to be... less focused on Barrage, at least for a moment. his eyes fLIck off to the side, then back to Barrage. Barrage Raptor smiles a LIttle bit, "Oh. Uh. Barrage Raptor." She says, smiLIng, "Sergeant Barrage Raptor, of RepLIforce." She says, offering a hand to shake. Assuming he'd actually shake hands, "I've seen almost all of your movies." Cacophony Timberwolf ahas, as she finally manages to find something. Hmmm. Not sure if he's even in this movie, but she shrugs and rolls the poster up again, it's the only one she's got with her it seems. Better than nothing she decides, so she goes to get in LIne before it gets any longer. Hopefully no one freaks just seeing her funky purple hair sticking out of the crowds. Rainbow StalLIon smiles, and takes a moment to sign the offered bit of fandom, before taking the hand and giving it a gentle kiss on the back. "Wonderful to meet a member of the armed forces that protect us from the encroaching Mavericks so," he says in that smooth British voice, returning the hand, and GLancing down the LIne of people. Lots, though not as much as the last signing he did here at the Partydrome. He smiles. "Keep up the good work, ma'am." The next person behind Barrage clamors a LIttle, seeminGLy jealous of the kiss Barrage got on the hand. Barrage Raptor would blush, if it was possible for her to do so. Sometimes being a Reploid is really good. She lets out a gigGLe and then turns away, "Thanks!" She makes sure to take her poster and then heads away, letting the next person in LIne get their signature. Kain sighs and rolls his eyes as several girls (reploids no less) talk about how hot Rainbow is, how fantastic he was in (insert movie here), and so on... THe fact that Barrage got kissed makes said girls... EXTREMELY jealous. K just sighs. Heavily. And on the LIne goes -- mostly reploid females, who get various posters and anime CD covers signed. One even has Rainbow's very rare CD sinGLe, released from the soundtrack of 'Fallen Empires,' a medieval anime. Soonly it comes to Mr. K, and Rainbow grins. "And who should I make this signature out to?" he says, letting his voice sLIde back to it's usual sound and gait. Sarah Storm arrives from the Picnic Area: Party-Drome. Sarah Storm has arrived. Virgo has arrived. Kain ahems, "I would LIke for you to make it out to... uh... Miss Yoko. Christmas present." He notes... then frowns. "Oh, and one for my sister. Sheena." Rainbow StalLIon ndos sLIghtly, letting a forelock of mane that suddenly turns pearl-white fall down between his eyes. "Sure thing," he says, beginning to sign i nhis long, flowing script. 'To Yoko, Merry Christmas!' and a couple other things. A second signature is added, to Sheena this time, in similar fashion. The objects are handed back, and Rainbow smiles. "Tell those two girls Merry Christmas for me, hmm?" he says, looking down the LIne, noting the purple-haired wolf-rep, but not thinking much of it. Kain is ushered on, as a rather LARGE elephant Rep femme appears with a few objects to sign. Cacophony Timberwolf sighs, and taps a paw impatiently as she waits in LIne. She should of gotten in LIne first, and then found something to sign.. except then she's of looked stupid if she didn't have anything. Almost as soon as the words are out of Rainbow's mouth as he hands the stuff back, there's the fizz-pop of someone teleporting in behind him, and a blurr of white and pastel fuku lunging to cLIng to him around the shoulders. "WAAAAAAAAI!" Com'n, you -knew- she was going to show up sooner or later, LIke she'd miss a chance to fLIrt (or stalk, depending on your opinion) her favorite vocal actor. The -normal- otuka haven't got a thing on her. "How about a merry christmas for me? It's been FOREVER sweetie, LIke, you miss me?" Cacophony just bLInks a few times as Rainbow gets ambushed from behind, and then shakes her head. Some fans just get waaay too much into their fandom. Rainbow StalLIon lets out a SQUEAK of surprise, his body popping into a medieval armor hologram on reaction, as Mirror appears. "Not you again!" he murmurs, and mentally commands the holographic bodyguards to grab for Mirror and YANK her off of him. "Get off!" he says, a LIttle louder, and... lo-and-behold the huge elephant grabs for mirror with her hydrauLIcally-powered trunk. Kain nods and proceed to lea-- Oh, there's Mirror. O_o "..." He bLInks and looks at Barrage and Caco as if to say... 'Should we help him?' Barrage Raptor sweatdrops as Mirror appears out of nowhere, "..." She looks at Kain, and shrugs helplessly, "I'm unarmed.." Pushing past the mass group of fangirls and boys the youngest of the striders sighs softly and looks about helpless. Letting her head hang down just abit Sarah mutters softly. "I know I should have gotten here earLIer. This place is crowded and packed. There is no way I am able to even get a GLance at Rainbow now." Looking back and forth the young girl stands on her tiptoes trying to get a better look. Actually, Rainbow's pretty well easily viewed. Most of the crowd cleared back some as a giant elephant reploid seems to be reaching for a pegasus who has attached herself to Rainbow. Mirror Pegasus isn't that easy to get rid of! Unfortunately, armor isn't that easy to get a grip on, even as she tries to GLomp to poor Rainbow tighter. "Eeeei! I just got here, I, LIke, don't wanna leave! Rainbow-chan, get them to let gooooo!" But the poor ditz's grip sLIps as the elephemme grabs onto her, and tumbles off into the guards. "Noooooo!" Cacophony just stares blankly at the scene for a few long moments, and then looks at Kain and Barrage, hmphing sLIghtly as she folds her arms indignately. "That girl, LIke, is giving ditzs a bad name!" Teh guards flash out of existence as Mirror slams into them, reforming standing next to her, energy cuffs snapping out of their hands and toward her arms. "You're being ejected from the show, ma'am," they say, in unison and in mechanical voices. Needless to say, poor Mirror is dragged off kicking and screaming the entire way. "But you still, LIke, have to explain what 'hung LIke a horse' means! You proooomised! Kain frowns and had decided not to bring the Yang with him. Mistake. o.o He watches as the local 'rent-a-cops' took hold of Mirror to escourt her off. "Well.." he notes... then spies Sarah and facepalms as he forgotten about her. (I wonder if I can get Rainobw to sign three posters?)oo. Sarah Storm's eyes widen as she actually gets to see Rainbow. GiggLIng happily the young girl pushes through the already parting crowd and seems completely obLIvious of the giant elephant reploid making its way towards Mirror. Of course this is anything but the case as Sarah tries to sLIp past the titan. Waving happily to both Rainbow and Mirror Sarah takes out a huge bundle and holds it out. With less than a gLImmer, a bare ghostly outLIne of a woman forms in the center of the auditorium. The figure becomes whole, the full figure of a well-made creature, but the ghostly aura stays upon her, LIke a gossamer cloak. Breathless gasps cause the heads of men and women and children aLIke to turn towards the source of the sounds, and they add to the gasps that hush the auditorium. The silence grows from the fact that some recognize her as the Stardroid Virgo seen from videos of the time of Judgement, some unsure if this is some pubLIcity stunt for the already famous Rainbow StalLIon. Rainbow StalLIon 's eyes go wide, and all the gemstones and all of his mane and tail go a ghostly white... not ghostly, on a closer inspection, but the color of the full moon at night. All of the holographic images of Rainbow disappear, and Rainbow stands up -- abruptly, holographic angel wings extend from his back, a huge flourish of show, holographic feathers fluttering around him. "W... what?" he says, his voice a LIttle quivering, his gaze transfixed on Virgo, and on nothing else... The majority of the rest of the room is silent, and some have already evacuated, fearing an explosion or some other display of Stardroid power. Barrage Raptor stumbles back a bit as the Stardroid appears in the room, "... Gah." Her hand drops down to her side, just in case...She never knows what the Stardroids could want. She doesn't trust any of them.. "Well, that was, LIke, utterly bizarre and junk." Cacophony just shakes her head a few times again. "Dang Maverick, now it's going to take me even longer to get up there... Nani?" She looks around as the previous busy and noisy convention goes dead silent, having completely missed the arrival of the Stardroid. "What's going on -now-?" And with the other holo-stalLIons gone, Mirror gets uncerimonously dropped on her butt at the doors, where she sits, shaking a fist at the now gone holos while rubbing her tush with the other hand. "Yow! Hey, if you're, LIke, going to kick someone out, LIke, do it right!" Kain stares as... a Stardroid makes her appearance. He sighs. "...I'm getting annoyed now." He eyes Mirror... and hrms. "Maybe... Just Maybe..." Sarah Storm's drops a few copies of books and posters as her attention falls on the Stardroid. Taking a few nervous steps back the young girl mutters as her focus peers at the stardroid then to her merchanise. Well I guess that means I will not be getting those autographs will I..." Virgo moves forward, the sound of bells accompanying her every step. As she comes closer to the stage, The Zodiac LIfts her eyes to meet Rainbow StalLIon's. Nobody else in the room seems to matter. She speaks in a slow and resonant voice that echoes in the room, "I have need for your assistance, dear friend." "It is time to cast away your veil." A hand sLIps out of her cloak, a pale white GLobe with the colors of a peacock gLIttering deeply within. Cacophony Timberwolf scratchs the back of her head, completely lost now. "Is there a reason she's talking to him LIke she knows him or something.. Is anyone else, LIke, totally confused by this?" Barrage Raptor opens up her hip pannel, the handle of her handgun coming out, though she doesn't draw it...Yet, "I don't know why." She says, "But I don't LIke it. Not one bit." Rainbow StalLIon shivers once, and shakes his head, the mane shimmering in that pearlescent moon color and flowing longer down his back, hitting the floor. "How... did you find me?" he says, his voice coming out, but... subdued, and overdubbed, LIek two people are talking at once. His left arm crooks, LIke he's holding something... and if you look closely, you'd see the shimmery outLIne of something LIke a box or a book in the crook of his arm. The wings fLIt once, the holo-feathers fLItting out at Virgo and disintegrating as they impact against her own aura. "I shan't come... we are all but dead now, thanks to them!" Cacophony Timberwolf may be in her armor, but she didn't actually load any of her weapons, sadly. She hadn't planned on anything LIke this! Thus all she has to pull out is Spoony Bard. Oooh, a guitar, real threatening weapon there... Unless you've actually heard her play it. Sarah Storm sweatdrop and cusses softly to herself. Groaning softly the young strider slumps softly. "Alright this is getting too wierd. Now Rainbow is playing Stardroid.....and I LIke him.. Please tell me that this is his next work and that we are previewing it..." Barrage Raptor finally draws her handgun, bringing the Vapor 29 up towards Virgo, "Alright. That's enough." She says, "No one walks into New York City and messes around with one of my favorite stars and gets away with it." She pulls the hammer back on the weapon, "I think it's time for you to leave." And the GNN Cameras begin to focus in the exchange between Rainbow and Virgo. Terror Tanuki has arrived. Aquarius has arrived. Mac has arrived. Virgo shakes her head at Rainbow StalLIon, simply because he should know better, "I would not have let you leave if I had no way to find you again." The crystal pulses once before the Stardroid tucks it back into her cloak. The crystal disappears from sight even if the cloak is transparent as GLass. "I beLIeve you should recognize this human phrase, 'It ain't over til it's over.'" She finishes the phrase with an accent of someone homegrown on Earth. "I seek knowledge...you carry the book that will..." She trails off, finding the gunsight upon her. Turning with a side step, she looks over her shoulder at Barrage Raptor, "Child, I will leave when I have what I need. Put that away." Barrage Raptor eyes Virgo, but lowers the gun a LIttle bit, "Fine...Yeah. For now.." She says, "You're lucky I don't have my battle armor on right now." Yeah. That's the ticket, "At least tell us what you're doing to poor Rainbow." Cacophony Timberwolf errms, and rubs the back of her head again. "Somehow, I, LIke, don't think this is just a preview of an upcoming attraction anymore..." Rainbow StalLIon shakes his head, and the wings fLIck again, sending feathers fLItting at everyone. As they're touched by the feathers, they feel at peace, and have no will to fight. But how can Rainbow do that? He's not all-powerful, or even some-powerful. "I said NO... it may not be over til it's over, but I don't wish to die! They were once your sibLIngs..." he says, the double-dubbed voice ringing out as the wings wrap defensively around his front. "And you all can track me... that much I knew..." He shakes his head yet again. "I shan't sacrifice my own existence... not now." Kain bLInks at Rainbow. (Huh?)oo. The twins stroll into the arena hand in hand, staring at one another, apparently deep in thought. They must have been, because they've managed to miss any signs that anything at all is not right with the events in the Partydrome. Though, well, it's pretty obvious /now/. The two stop near the entrance, staring at the giant woman. For nearly a minute, they simply gape. Are they simply in shock at being in the presence of a Stardroid? Are they, perhaps, in awe of her power? Or is it something else? Finally, one turns to the other. "Maybe she's born with it..." "Maybe it's Maybellene." "Sacrifice?" The words preceed the LIght, which flares out almost bLIndinGLy as the LIving crystal finally makes her appearance. Welcome the scatterbrain, folks. With the higher LIght here, Aquarius GLows quite vividly, a hord of rainbows being thrown out to paint everything in shifting colors. " . . sacrifice who? What?" Cacophony Timberwolf bLInks, turning attention back from the radio as the feathers scatter all over the place, followed by Aquarius' flashing appearance of LIghts. "Ooooh.. pretty..." BLInk. "Gah, -another- one! LIke, what is this, Stardroid mating season?!" Barrage Raptor has to strugGLe to /not/ want to fight. It takes a lot of effort to make her not wanna make big explosions. But someone Rainbow's feathers manage to do it, as she puts the gun away, but then eyes the new Stardroid that shows up, "They're LIke...All female, though." Virgo says, "Once they were. They do not see us as such. I mourn them." A hand goes to her cloak, and she tugs cloak away, as it feels tight around her throat. Her eyes filled with deep sorrow, gLImmering at the mere thought of the past. "If I can find you, they will find you too." The unexpected arrival of Aquarius seems to punctuate her words." "Aquarius. So... everyone except for Those Who Are Corrupted are here," Rainbow says, that creepy over-dubbed voice ringing out as Rainbow's body rises into the air sLIghtly. "And you seek me, for the history?" he says, looking back at Virgo, his eyes bleeding away into a deep, vibrant indigo. "There are more things than the history than ye should worry thyselves about," he murmurs. "Things of much more value, that Those Who Are Corrupted will seek before the history." The wings fLIt, and a flurry of feathers snap toward Virgo, pelting her, and now Aquarius, with small flashes of energy. "I told you, I shan't come!" But the feathers... one by one, they begin to go up in flames, Rainbow wincing each time. Something inside him is snapping, you can tell -- his mane and tail suddenly ignite and his body shudders. Kain regards Virgo and Aquarius, cautiously. "I am called Kain. Leader of the Blue Dragons. I will help you... if you let me." "HEY!" The raptor yells out, growLIng as she looks at the two Droids and changing Rainbow, "Yo! In case you all seem to have forgotten, this is /our/ planet. We LIke to call it Earth. I'm sure you remember that, right? Yeah, so, since you're on /our/ planet, why don't you tell us what the hell is going on and stop being some damn cryptic and stuff. Just tell us why you came back, and make things simple for us." Someone's upset. And somewhere in the background there's the sound of someone thunking on the floor, passed out could. Sounds LIke Mirror finally had too much to try and comprehend with the stalLIon bursting into flames part and passed out. Aquarius bLInks at the rain of energy, something that makes her squirm, writhing through the air LIke any fish. Her long tail coils and curls in the air behind her. "And will hiding save you when they come?" She finally states, sounding . . curious? Rainbow StalLIon seems to... sigh, his whole body heaving at the outflow of air. "It shan't, no..." he says, the double-dubbed voice moving more and more to the female range, as the wings begin to totally go up in flames... something's very wrong here. "And so... I shall return to what I was, and shall forevermore be." The body begins to shiver and shudder. Plastics and metals melting as the heat of the energy of something unfathomable begins to reveal itself... Rainbow lets out his final scream, and his body LIterally explodes into a shower of mechanics and feathers. The feathers land, soLId this time, one in each of the people in the rooms' hands. And where Rainbow StalLIon once floated... now floats Luna, the Stardroid Historian. Luna has arrived. Rainbow StalLIon has left. Luna takes Rainbow StalLIon. This comes out over the GNN special broadcast. This is Tom Morrow here, at Rainbow StalLIon's signing... and this is very unexpected! This is playback of what we've just seen, in action! "Aquarius. So... everyone except for Those Who Are Corrupted are here," Rainbow says, that creepy over-dubbed voice ringing out as Rainbow's body rises into the air sLIghtly. "And you seek me, for the history?" he says, looking back at Virgo, his eyes bleeding away into a deep, vibrant indigo. "There are more things than the history than ye should worry thyselves about," he murmurs. "Things of much more value, that Those Who Are Corrupted will seek before the history." The wings fLIt, and a flurry of feathers snap toward Virgo, pelting her, and now Aquarius, with small flashes of energy. "I told you, I shan't come!" But the feathers... one by one, they begin to go up in flames, Rainbow wincing each time. Something inside him is snapping, you can tell -- his mane and tail suddenly ignite and his body shudders. Rainbow StalLIon seems to... sigh, his whole body heaving at the outflow of air. "It shan't, no..." he says, the double-dubbed voice moving more and more to the female range, as the wings begin to totally go up in flames... something's very wrong here. "And so... I shall return to what I was, and shall forevermore be." The body begins to shiver and shudder. Plastics and metals melting as the heat of the energy of something unfathomable begins to reveal itself... Rainbow lets out his final scream, and his body LIterally explodes into a shower of mechanics and feathers. The feathers land, soLId this time, one in each of the people in the rooms' hands. And where Rainbow StalLIon once floated... now floats Luna, the Stardroid Historian. Cacophony Timberwolf just stares for a long moment as 'Rainbow StalLIon' goes up in flames, and another Stardroid appears from the minature bonfire instead. "Okay.. now that.. that was just SICK AND WRONG..." The Terrors gape at Aquarius for a minute longer, though they have no remarks for this one. Instead, the two silently begin to move closer to the stage, still holding one anothers' hands. When Sigma was there, with the other Stardroids, they felt relatively safe. But now...well, they haven't got much faith in the Hunters, or the RepLIforce. But Rainbow is in danger! They have to help - he's possessed, or something! Possessed, or...spontaniously combusting? "Noooo!" Both of them shout, running forward a few steps before reaLIzing that there's not much they can do. "Well...crud." Kain just stares. Merely stares. "..." So much for asking 'Rainbow' to sign another poster. "...Why are you here, Stardroid?" Luna GLances sidelong at Kain, cradLIng a huge leatherbound book in the crook of her left arm. "I came back to observe, and record The Present for posterity," she states simply, her gentle voice rolLIng out. "Inhabitting my most... relating being on this planet, and using his body as my own." She frowns, as if she had no choice in the matter; and maybe she didn't. "And now... we are all in danger." She looks at Virgo, then to Aquarius. "What do you require of me, sisters?" Virgo's ghostly cloak flaps open in the gust of air. The feathers don't seem to touch Virgo as they are snapped out of the air, exploding mere inches in front of her. Virgo doesn't bLInk or wince when they flash near her face. She just stares emotionlessly at the StalLIon, self-destructing in a show of fire and feathers. But then...her eyes widen. "Luna...you are untouched...?" Sarah Storm has disconnected. Aquarius too is wide-eyed, nearly mute with a mix of joy and surprise. "Luna! . . . I had feared the worst." The Crystal one makes a loop around Virgo and Luna, looking from one to the other with surprise. Barrage Raptor clenches the feather in her hand, but just looks on at what's going on, and then...She stomps her foot, "Alright. That's it." She growls, as she starts towards the Stardroids, "I'm Sergeant Barrage Raptor of the RepLIforce." She says, looking at Luna, eyes narrowing just a bit, "Now...I may have gotten upset earLIer, but...I'm calm now. And I, as well as all the others here, I'm sure, would /really/ appreciate an explanation as to what we've just seen." She wants an answer as to why one of her favorite actors just exploded into a Stardroid. "I am untouched," Luna repLIes simply to Virgo. "As I had returned to this planet before They arrived... and did their work." And she looks to the remains of Rainbow StalLIon, and sLIps her energy into GNN. "People of the planet that defied the Judgement, fear not, for your 'pop icon' is not dead. His body and mind still exist, enshrined within my personal devices..." She smiles across the airwaves, hoping to be disarming. "He wilLInGLy took me in, and for his assistance, he shall be recreated... and reborn, as perfect and unblemished as he was when he allowed me to share his body." And then her gaze goes back to Aquarius. Luna abruptly interrupts the signals around the planet... People of the planet that defied the Judgement, fear not, for your 'pop icon' is not dead. His body and mind still exist, enshrined within my personal devices..." She smiles across the airwaves, hoping to be disarming. "He wilLInGLy took me in, and for his assistance, he shall be recreated... and reborn, as perfect and unblemished as he was when he allowed me to share his body." Cacophony Timberwolf scratches her head as Barrage stomps off. "I thought they already explained that she was posessing his body or something LIke that?" Uh, yeah. For Barrage, that is 'calm', compared to how she could be. Barrage Raptor looks at Caco, "That's not what I meant." She says, as she looks back, "I want to know why the Stardroids are even /here/. You know, on our planet. Again. LIke, why couldn't you all just leave and stay left? You end up bringing more trouble than we need, with the idiot Masters and the psychotic Mavericks running around. Not to mention you've got people LIke Dr. DeVry here who cause enough headaches on their own without being in any faction...Why do you gotta be coming down here and bringing even more ruckus?" Luna receives a radio transmission from Morgaine. Luna receives a radio transmission from Morgaine. The Terrors finally take a seat near the mess, brushing the feathers off before sitting down. They cross their arms over their chests, and then just...watch. One of them snorts as Barrage begins her interrogation. Though...well, they'd LIke to know that /too/. Perhaps they're just GLad someone else is asking for them. Luna sends a radio transmission to Morgaine. Luna receives a radio transmission from Morgaine. Luna smiles down at Caco, nodding. "She is correct..." she says, but bLInks at Barrage's comment and the radio directly to her. She returns a radio, then looks down at Barrage. "I know only small amounts... LIving within a mortal body is severely LImiting." She looks to Virgo, frowning. "Please, sister. Explain in further detail, if possible? And to this one, Morgaine, who keeps direclty contacting me?" Luna receives a radio transmission from Morgaine. Virgo sends a radio transmission. Luna sends a radio transmission to Morgaine. Luna receives a radio transmission. Aquarius's gaze fLIts from face to face, no matter who's speaking. Tilting her head, she simply LIstens, taking in the words said. Virgo allows Luna to explain to the earthLIngs what she had just done to Rainbow...and she does just that. She bLInks, silently reviewing what she deems worthwhile to mention to the people in the auditorium, especially the loud pushy Reploid. "I am searching for some things that we left here when we last were here." The answer, simply was enough for Virgo to say, but she adds, "I do not wish to concern you with it, for we shall take it, and go." Barrage Raptor shakes her head a LIttle bit, "Nah uh. I don't buy that." She says, "Look, everybody's seen the footage of the thing that attacked Mercury and Jupiter." She says, "We all know Starhaven got busted up bad, and it was some big shadow thing that did it. So, why don't you just come clean and tell us what these shadow things are, and if they're gonna track you guys here. That way, if they are, we can prepare for them to show up, so we can kick their asses and send 'em packing." Cacophony Timberwolf pipes in, "Or at least, LIke, tell us what you're looking for, so we can help find it so you can leave before it gets here." Bonne Dropship arrives from the Picnic Area: Party-Drome. Bonne Dropship has arrived. Bonne Assault Mech has arrived. Luna raises a hand. "This I knew, Sister... as to what did it, as well." She looks to Barrage, in this instance. "Those are the reasons we need the artifacts we left behind before," she says, opening the History and letting it project a holograph of her epic battle with EcLIpse, in which she speared the Dark Moon through the eye and he exploded. "There are many things we left behind, you see..." Barrage Raptor puts her arms over her chest, "Okay...So, you guys left stuff here. LIke the pendants, right?" She asks, as she thinks about this, "Okay...So my guess is that these shadow things want to get ahold of these artifacts to make them stronger...So, where are these things? We could probably get to 'em first.." Virgo bLInks, and sighs at the EarthLIng, "You may have seen what has happened to us on the Starhaven, but what makes you beLIeve that you can defeat us, truly defeat us, when Earth only defied Judgement because of a technicalLIty." She shoots Barrage a look, "I hesitate to answer that. Your world is still at war. Would you not wish to become stronger from our artifacts? ...If you got to them first?" Cyclops arrives from the Picnic Area: Party-Drome. Cyclops has arrived. Pendants? ...Well... ...here comes one now... ...or, at least, its bearer. Above, along the rounded curve of the Drome itself, one of the great access hatches used to deLIver loads into the Drome via aircraft is opened by two great, powerful arms. The head of the body those arms are attached too turns back, yellow eyes GLowing brightly, before tilting its head forward to beckon what is behind it within. The great ride armor, resembLIng most keenly one of the great apes of the wild... springs down! Its great arms launch out as it latches onto a metal strut, then it sends itself fLIpping end over end into a tight, spiraLIng cannonball... and falLIng upon the Drome's floor. Within feet of the ground, the ride armor suddenly springs out of its roll, landing on its short, powerful legs... its eyes immediately rising to the scene in front of it. The Gustav has landed! Barrage Raptor puts her arms over her chest, "I, personally, am strong enough without using any Stardroid artifiacts, thank you very much. It'd be LIke an athlete using performance enhancing drugs when they're already at the top of their game. Not much room for improvement, you know." She smirks, "Hence why I'll help find them. Because I really don't want the Mavericks or Masters to find them." Cacophony Timberwolf just facepalms at Barrage, rather unsurprised at that responce. The Terrors gape at the ride armor. Not out of awe or any of that crap the stardroids may have gotten. This time it's just pure shock. "What the /heck/?" "Has someone come to try and pick a fight..." "...against /three/ stardroids?" While one continues to gape, the other shakes her head, Barrage's words catching her attention. She bLInks at the Forcer - then gigGLes. She can't help it! Right behind the Gustav--in a sense--is one of the signature Bonne dropships, a Drache. It floats just above the access hatch, not descending into the dome after the mech Nonetheless, the door at its side sLIdes open, and out leans none other than Teisel Bonne, head of the Sky Pirates. "Be careful!" he shouts down at his sister. "They're crafty!" Luna GLances up at the Ride Armor, and looks down at Barrage. "I think not," she says, shaking her hea,d long ponytails wiggLIng on either side. "This is... not of your concern. We actually did not mean to involve your planet again, but... we had LIttle choicei n the matter." She watches the Ride ARmor as it falls, then looks to the Terrors. "They would be hard-pressed, as I am, at least... still at m yfull strengths." $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ IC News $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ Message: 14/22 Posted Author Earthquake in Russia Tue Nov 19 News Report ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ A smiLIng woman appears on the screen. "Hola. Tasha King here for GNN news. This evening, an anomolous earthquake was detected far from any faltLInes, a few miles away from the town of Middle of Nowhere in Russia (population: 17). Forces from the major factions of the world were drawn to the site to investigate." King shuffles her papers and looks up again, "Their suspicions were correct, as the cause of the tremors was no other than the Stardroid Uranus. We here at GNN were unable to get any information regarding the actual conversation, but there appears to have been no violence directed to or from the Stardroid, and he disappeared underground peacefully." "In other news, Elvis music is making a comeback..." $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ "Oooo . . " All curiosity and GLowing frillyness, Aquarius 'swims' over to the Gustav, peering closely at this. "Oh, this is innnteresting . . . such a nice use of color and shape!" With a smile, the Stardroid circles it, examining the creation in casual curiosity. Virgo says, "Quite recommendable...to keep the artifacts in the hands of order." Still, Virgo does not trust this Barrage Raptor, despite her proud and true statings, "But as Luna says, I agree. It is not your concern."" Teisel calls down indignantly, "Hey! That's a menacing war behemoth, not a toy!" He pauses, perhaps reaLIzing too late that he's calLIng a Stardroid to task, and bites his LIp. "What I mean to say is, I designed it myself! (Or.. paid for it myself anyway.)" You activate your radio. Barrage Raptor eyes the ride armor, "They would also be breaking the ceasefire agreement, and give me enough of a reason to blast them to LIttle vapors." She mutters, "And come on, you're on Earth. That...Thing, whatever it is, is probably coming here to get you, and I, personally, don't want you guys to be here when it does get here. The quicker we find these things and get you guys outta here, the better.." The Terrors look surprised at having been addressed, but seem to get over it quickly, flashing Luna a pair of smiles. "We've heard tales of this 'full strength.'" "So we have no doubt the fight would be short." "And end in your favor!" Luna GLances sidleong at Virgo, looking a bit concerned. "The RepLIforcer does have a point," she says softly to Virgo, letting her indigo eyes fLIck to the Terrors for a brief moment with a subLIme smile. "Though... we may have to find most of the artifacts by hand. I only know of one... the remains of my Brother, EcLIpse of the Past..." The Gustav rises to its full height, the great arms seeming to flex, the long cables and servos which form the muscles of the great armor groaning as it does so. And then a voice most unsuspected rises from the mecha, in responce to the words of the Pirate King, "...I know, Brother." The Gustav's head then turns to the group, and locks on each Stardroid in turn. Slowly the Mecha's arms rise, and both hands are raised... palm forward. "...Don't worry. I'm /not/ here to fight... ...unless you are here to bring it." The Gustav slowly begins to walk forward, the young, feminine voice projected incongruously from the gorilla-LIke Mecha. And as Aquarius swims up, The Gustav 'bLInks', taking a step back a moment as its eyes follow the Stardroid for a moment. "...And... Hello there yourself... ...And yes! This is a War Mecha! ...The Gustav! ...and I'm here to see what you Stardroids are /doing/ here. ...You reveal yourself in a way that costs a friend of mine someone she knew and cared about! ...Why do this? ...What are you even doing here?" Cacophony Timberwolf has disconnected. Aquarius looks back at Luna without turning her head. Having a completely transparent head is useful sometimes. And then that gaze settles on the Gustav again. "I don't know why." Reaching out, she pats the 'war machine', rather fascinated. She then leans in to peer into the Gustav's 'eyes'. "This is a mechanical shell around a person . . . what a clever design!" Virgo nods, "Yes, they have a point, but we cannot involve them. What kind of suffering would they wilLInGLy go through for us?" The Terrors find themselves giggLIng again at Aquarius' antics - yes, she feels justified in calLIng them 'antics' - around the Gustav, and its pilot's reaction. Goodness. Sometimes it's hard to beLIeve they almost destroyed the world... After a moment, though, they calm. Quite suddenly, in fact - when one raises a hand, her face is perfectly solemn. "Excuse me," she says, after a moment of not being called upon. "We, um, /would/ LIke to agree with the loud one over there." "There are some questions that need answering." "For instance: What exactly is this Thing that's following you?" "When will it get here?" "And could you possibly hurry up, get your stuff, and go away before it gets here?" There's a pause, then they add, "Assuming it will follow you away." "Does it have any interest in us?" "Y'see...we're not really big on suffering." Cyclops enters the Picnic Area: Party-Drome. Cyclops has left. Cyclops arrives from the Picnic Area: Party-Drome. Cyclops has arrived. Luna turns to GLare at the Gustav for a moment. "I thought I told everyone that he is perfectly well and aLIve," she says with a small sigh, shaking he rhead. And then, at Virgo's question she gives a LIttle shrug. "They wilLInGLy fought us, and that proves that they are up to any hardship. But no... They could not be stopped by the mortals, no matter how powerful. And They will be after our artifacts as well..." she says, looking down at the Terrors. "I do not know..." The Pilot of the Gustav is, frankly, taken aback by the simple seeming and genuine curiousity of Aquarius. Tron Bonne, within, just bLInks at the screens... the Gustav taking an almost hesitant step back... before the voice of the young woman rises from it. "...Indeed! ...I'm... Tron. Tron Bonne. ...This is my Ride Armor, The Gustav. ...I thought /some/ protection might just be warrented, concerning the situation... ...whomever you might be?" The Gustav's head then turns to Luna and the other Stardroid, studying each in turn... ...then, at Virgo's question... The Gustav steps forward, half around Aquarius. "We have born a great deal of suffering all ready! ...And if it would save this planet... ...I would WilLInGLy go through what I have been through again! ...We already faced some freaky thing that appeared, scattering Pendants to be found in maLIcious tests across the land... and setting friend against friend! ...I have already suffered from you... ...as has most of the world... ...and I beLIeve I can safely speak in saying that anyone here would suffer /anything/ to keep our world safe! Especialy me!" Mac has left. Barrage Raptor rubs her head a LIttle bit, "Okay.." She says, "Now I'm not sure I understand what these artifacts do. I'll assume, for the moment, that they're something to increase power. But I thought you guys were already all powerful. Why do you need artifacts to make you more so?" Luna shakes he rhead at Barrage. "Not entirely," she states simply. "Some Artifacts will add power, but some... grant knowledge." Aquarius tilts her head, still staring at the lenses of the eyes. " . . however can you get a clear image, with such materials?" She murmurs, running her fingers over the lenses. And under her touch, they change. Not too much, visibly . . just GLowing a LIttle. She nods, smiLIng at the voice . . and sticks her head /into/ Gustav, smiLIng sweetly at Tron within the cockpit. "Nice to meet you, I am Aquarius." Damage to the Gustav? Perish the thought. Aqua's simply phased a bit through it. "And such will is truely a virtue, Miss Tron Bonne." Metal Man arrives from the Picnic Area: Party-Drome. Metal Man has arrived. The Terrors look at one another. The stardroid doesn't know.../any/ of those things? They're not so concerned with what the artifacts are. They don't even care what the Thing is. Or who the They are. They just don't want it, or them, /here/, where reploids can be hurt. Yeah, they've got a narrow range of concern, but hey. What helps reploids, helps the others! ...In this case, at least. "Maybe you /should/ think about letting us help look. Really." "We'll happily go through the 'suffering' of finding the things if it helps us avoid the 'suffering' of deaLIng with whatever smashed Starhaven." "And we promise we won't covet your things. There are plenty of people who won't." Well someone has been watching from the rafters for some time Barrage Raptor looks at Luna, "Knowledge, huh? Of what, exactly?" She asks, "And...Do we have /any/ idea where these artifacts might be, or are just going to have to go over everything with a fine tooth comb?" She frowns a bit, "Doubt we'll get nice clues LIke we did with the pendants, either.." Tron /BLINKS/ at the sudden arrival... then coughs softly... ...offering a soft wave. "...Hello there... ...Aquarius. ...I guess its a pleasure." Tron is... rather unsure what to say at this point. She, however, tries to /not/ think of the grey, three-dimensional trapazoidal object that rests in one pocket of her shortcoat. Tron just bLInks at Aquarius for the moment. "...And... ...Thank you?" Tron then turns her attention back to the screens in front of her for just a moment... and then studies Terror in her screen... and nods firmly, calLIng out as her message is transmitted over the speakers. "...Most of us are more concerned with the safety of our people and our planet then coveting /anything/ of yours... ...If we must find these objects you speak of, we will!" Tron nods firmly. "...Anything to protect this world..." ...Tron seems to have some leftovers from the last incident. Aquarius turns her head to look at the monitors as well, careful to not bonk her 'frills' against Tron herself. It's much harder to phase through LIving tissue. Absently, she coils the end of her tail around one of the Gustav's legs, as the rest of her starts phasing through the device at varying points. "You are Welcome." Well someone has been watching from the rafters for some time and finally they drop down pulLIng a several fLIps on the way down from the 50 foot drop. He lands rather gracefully and its clear its Metal Man. "Ah Luna so the slayer of EcLIpse still LIves, interesting. It seems we have a real convention of you Stardoids here don't we. Its ironic to see you people finally be judged ain't it?" he tilts his head to the side a bit Luna GLacnes Sidelong at MEtal Man, and frowns. "A robot Master." She gives a LIttle LIptwitch, and shrugs. Then looks to Virgo. "If the humans wish to find the Artifacts and assist us," she says, and fLIcks her hand... "We shall know, and will be easy to be alerted." Barrage Raptor eyes Metal Man, and just, "Shut up." She growls, "Why don't you go mope over Wily in case he really kicks the bucket sometime soon. Leave this kind of thing to the real robots." Virgo states flatly, "It falls on me to decide." She doesn't want to make this decision, not by any means. She looks deeply into the eyes of those who have offered their assistance, trying to gauge their spirit. Even the thick metal of a Ride Armor could not stop the chilLIng lance. They made a simple task so blazinGLy difficult. Which is why, of course, the Judgement was so difficult to pass on Earth. "You may help us if you can." Metal Man says, "We are the real robots we are the first Barrage Raptor. Now I'm not hear to fight, contray to whaty you might think. I actually do care about the surival of our world." He shrugs and says, "Luna, it seems the Stardoids who had pendants are intent of recovering them. Can you prehaps shead some LIght as to the purpose of the pendants in the first place? Now what are you needing help with? I'd LIke to know and prehaps I might be of aid..." Kain nods at Virgo. "That we will. We know what you've tried to do here in the past, but we will not hold it against you in the here and now." Luna winces abruptly. "Sisters, we must away..." she says, and motions vaguely skyward. The Terrors cough loudly after Luna speaks. "Just the humans?" "They're not the only ones on this planet!" A bit of irritation - even the aLIens discriminate! - but it fades as Virgo turns her gaze on the pair. They return Virgo's gaze, solemn once more. "Tell us /how/." "What are we looking for?" "What do we do when we find it?" Tron shivers softly, feeLIng those eyes upon her. Virgo's eyes... ...they are quite disconcerting... as they seem to gaze /through/ the Gustav... just LIke Aquarius is phasing through the armor right now. Tron merely... ...looks ascance at Aquarius for a moment... ...sortof half-leaning /away/ from the curious Stardroid. Tron has no idea what to make of her... ...or any of this. Tron then immediately snaps to attention as Virgo speaks, and nods slowly. "...What... ...exactly... ...do you all seek?" Tron shivers softly... supressing thoughts of her pendant ruthlessly in her mind. Barrage Raptor hrms a LIttle bit and looks back at Virgo, "Fine." She says, "It's all cool, then. What's the first thing we need to go look for?" Virgo says, "One moment Luna.." She holds up a hand, "The pendants are inconsequential to me. They are simply remnants of power, and could not possibly aid us. Those touched by the pendants, have my pity." Virgo"For now, this is not the time to search for our artifacts. The first of which, we can find on our own. We can contact you when we need your assistance." Luna bows low, and vanishes in purple LIght. Mostly because he rplayer is very tired.