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Post by Mise™ on Mar 9, 2014 8:58:51 GMT -5
”What the shit?” Karalisk was surprised when he saw his bat break so easily. ”What a piece of fucking shit. After this fucking bullshit I'll go and fucking beat the fuck out of that asshole I took this from. Beat him the fucking second time that is.” ”Whatever. Fuck this.” The prince threw the bat, or whatever of it's remains he was still holding on his hands, away. ”*cough*” Karalisk looked at Pride as he thrusts his fingers towards him and attempted to counter by punching Pride's fingers to just test who was stronger either one should break. The weaker one. As powerful as the executive was, he was only machinery. He was inferior. He. Was. Weak. ”*cough*”
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Post by Hitotsumami on Mar 9, 2014 15:47:50 GMT -5
When Fenrir reached Kusu, he did not strike he immediately. No, he waited and he listened to what she had to say. It wasn't out of interest and he wasn't considering anything except total destruction, but he loved to hear the Wolf sitting inside his mind beg him to do anything but.
Fenir floated int he air just outside the building Kusu stood in until she finished her speech.
"Are you done now? Oh, but it was just getting good! Do you know exactly who you're speaking to, Kusu? I am not Wolf! Wolf is not here! I am Fenrir, one of the Ancient Weapons!"
Fenrir roared at Kusu and jumping from his mouth were sparks caused by metal scraping metal. "But I am not as cruel as they say I am. Let us have a wager instead!"
Fenrir floated closer to the building. He then opened his wide jaws in front of her. "I did this once before," said Fenrir, "but unfortunately I wasn't able to finish the process. This time, I will not lose control. Listen closely. I wish you to place your arm inside my mouth. If you truly have the courage to stand up to me, then I will sink back into the mind of the one you call Wolf and I will give him his body back, at least for the time being. However, if you refuse, then I will not hesitate to bring down this entire city, starting with you."
With jaws wide, Kusu would have a front seat to all the thousands of razor sharp metal spikes. The choice was now hers. The future of Victoria would depend on her.
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Post by CJ on Mar 11, 2014 10:56:57 GMT -5
"Fenrir," she said in wonder. "We've met before. That wasn't Wolf back on that cruise ship. It was you."
Her hair blew back from the roar. She clenched her fists and closed her eyes, trying not to yell out in terror. She listened to the proposition in quiet terror. She didn't have much choice in the matter. If she didn't do what he dared her to do, she would be destroyed, along with everyone else in Victoria and, perhaps, the whole world.
Kusu gripped her wounded arm with her good one. She weakly raised it up and leaned forward, holding it barely above several of the razors.
Morbid thoughts made her panic and flinch, nearly bringing her arm back and failing the test. She should have known better to trust the monstrosity. She was surely going to die right here and now.
What was even the point of it all? Wouldn't have it been better to work with Lust to destroy Fenrir once and for all? No, she wanted to save Wolf, especially now that she knew he wasn't doing this on purpose. Whatever this Fenrir was, it was like a parasite, using the robot (as Kusu assumed Wolf was) to act on malicious intentions. She couldn't save Lynwood from sinking into insanity, but maybe she could save Wolf. She knew Lynwood had to be alive somewhere. If she could stop Fenrir, at least temporarily, she could find a way to save Wolf, Lynwood and everyone else who had joined her on the tragedy that was her journey.
But what of the others she abandoned? What of Sam, Morrison, Nick and the rest of the Phantom Hawks? There might never be reconciliation for them. She wasn't sure if she'd even survive today to have the opportunity to save them. She was probably going to die here and now, shredded and ripped apart in the mechanical beast's jaws.
"Fenrir," she shouted over the noise, "I meant what I said before!"
Biting onto her lip, she failed to fight back tears. Her fear was all too apparent. She wanted Mr. Dark there, if only to calm her nerves before her last breath. Even with the support of the shifting metal pillar at her feet, she truly felt alone. The whispers of the spirit within wouldn't stop telling her to run, run, run, run, run.
"It doesn't matter that you're not Wolf, you still deserve to live. You can work with Wolf to make this world an amazing place. You don't have to be a weapon, Fenrir."
She thought of just earlier that day, when Lynwood, Wolf and her went shopping for apparel. She felt so beautiful then, like a real girl. She didn't realize it then, but all three of them were dressed to be something they were never meant to be. They were so happy to have a glimpse of what life might have been like otherwise.
"I was born a boy, but, if I want, I can be a young maiden. You don't have to be what you were supposed to be."
Kusu closed her eyes and turned her face away.
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Post by Shark a' Pult on Mar 11, 2014 12:40:06 GMT -5
(OOC: Forgive me Kuro if there was too much god-modding, I had trouble resisting a ending like this. If it is too much, or messed up something you had planned, lemme know and I'll change it.)
"Forgive me your eminence for my earlier transgressions, but I can honestly say... that's definitely the most amazing thing I've ever seen. Or at least, second most amazing, after yourself of course."
Kalen was actually taken aback by the personal airship Titania had hidden away. Out of all the things he could have guessed to find down here, that was not one of them, but it really was a marvelous sight to behold. It wore of as quick as her command came though, and he continued onwards as quick as he could manage with Silver.
"This is it, this is it! We're almost there, once we get to that, we can leave this horrible place forever. Not a moment too soon, either..."
He was speaking mostly for Silver's sake, but it was a comfort to believe the what he said. If Titania was even half as glorious as she'd have liked to believe she was, then this could very well be their ticket out of here. He had to assume that the Victorians probably had some way of dealing with this, but in all the chaos that was happening topside, it seemed as good a chance at escape as any. And besides, if Titania though it was a solid last resort, then that had to count for something. Right?
"Almost, almost... there-"
With a head start, despite having to help the spider-woman, Kalen figured that had actually made a rather good distance. At least enough that Silver could make the final few tens of feet on her own without trouble, so that he could double back if needed. And wouldn't you know it, it seemed it was needed. He head shots ring out among the commotion, but when he noticed Titania being hit, he knew he had to do something.
"Go on, inside! Just take cover, I'll be back in a second!"
With a final oomph to give her the momentum to keep going, Kalen more or less hurtled Silver onwards to the door, hoping that even with some difficulty she'd be able to reach the ship on her own. That left him to focus on the last remaining link in the chain that would pull them to safety. Dropping low, he ran back to Titania as fast as he could, and didn't really hesitate despite the onset of Victorian death coming their way.
"Forgive me your Highness."
In a simple movement he moved to help Titania, ideally simply picking her up and carrying her, but either way he placed himself between her and the enemies behind. If he got hit or otherwise attacked because of this, good, that was his intent. As long as she didn't. Either way, helping her he aimed to close the distance. Moving at a slower pace though, with the locals hot on their heels, he quickly came to realize a painful truth and the decision he would have to make. For her and Silver's sake though, he made it in an instant without a second though, or even a regret.
"Go on without me! GO!"
At the final stretch, despite the likely injuries he would have sustained, he mustered all his strength and more or less hurled Titania towards the open door. A surprising display of strength no doubt, as of yet unseen for the young Kalen, but hopefully enough for her Highness to reach the airship or at least close enough that she could safely make it inside.
For the shepherd though, there was no easy way out, no happy end. The effort of helping Titania to make it to the finish line, combined with the array of injuries he had sustained from before and almost inevitably would yet still receive, sent him to the floor. There was no way he'd be able to make it to the airship now without help, but he preferred it this way. If his wishes were answered, they'd leave him behind and escape safely.
"Silver! Titania!"
On the ground, assumedly before the Victorians were on him, he called out the two names that mattered the most to him right now. Struggling, he managed to look up, to see them go. He was glad at least though, that this might be the last thing he sees, that they might be able to go at the cost of him staying. It brought a weak smile to the shepherd.
"...I'm sorry!"
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Post by Kuro on Mar 13, 2014 15:55:50 GMT -5
Machinery would always beat flesh.
Metal is superior.
HE is superior.
This. Was. Fact.
A shockwave spread out from the collision, blasting against all in its path. The ground building shook and the pillars cracked and the debris flew out of the building in a wave of metal and dust.
Pride was able to stay in place with no effort, although his suit had nearly torn straight off of his body. Without waiting to see what Kara would do next, he acted. This vermin must go. His other hand was close to his side, and in a moment it pointed at the prince. A laser shot out, aiming to pierce the prince in one blow. Even if the prince had not screamed out in pain last time, his body had clearly taking damage. This would be over soon, although he did hope that his fun didn't end too quickly.
“What are you - ?! No! Put me down! Put me down you disgusting little urchin! Only my arm’s been hit, I can make it on my own! You worthless little cretin, you will obey!”
Titania elbowed Kalen in the head and face multiple times as the “valiant hero” tried to “save” her. “This is unacceptable! You’re just making us slower, I can go on my own, you complete idiot! Wait, no, don’t you dare –“ Titania let out a scream of fury and surprise when she was unceremoniously hurled at her own airship. She crashed into Silver, who had just managed to make it past the doorway, and the two fell inside.
Silver made a great effort to get up, but everything in her felt like fire. There was pain, only pain within her.
Several thoughts were going through her head at the moment. There was the string of obscenities she had learned from the magazines, there were the sculptures she had made back in the sewer, there were the drawing she had left there, the work that she once had in her life.
That was all it used to be, once. Just her, the darkness, the magazines, and the art. Her art. That was all. It used to be so peaceful…
But now it wasn’t. She wouldn’t forget this. She would have more pain to come, so why face it anyway? This was the world she had never seen. This was the world awaiting her. Why would she ever want to venture through there?
Why…
Why had she been sent here in the first place?
“What an idiot. He’s just going to get himself killed. Oh well; such is the fate of a filthy dog. I don’t need him anyways, not as long as I have you. I only need one of you two disgusting peasants. I will start up the engine now.” With that, Titania disappeared into the pilot’s room. Almost immediately, the ship rose, higher and higher. At one point, Silver looked out and saw Kalen sprawled out on the ground.
And a moment later, Silver jumped out of the doorway.
She barely noticed that the Victorians had stopped firing. She didn’t care that they were running towards them with their golden blades, ready to fulfill a bloodlust too primal for just bullets. She didn’t care. She just didn’t care.
She picked up Kalen and looked him in the eyes. In what had seemed like years ago, she had picked Kalen up like this. Looked at him with curious eyes. Looked at him with little worry of being hurt.
She brought Kalen closer. She hugged him, she enveloped him in her warmth. She pulled Kalen a little bit away, and brought her lips to his ears. Through the cackling of the Victorians and the roar of the airship’s fans and engines, her words would still be clear. They would be as loud as anything he had ever heard in his entire life.
“I hate you.”
She flung Kalen at the airship, more than able to do so because of her superhuman strength. He flew into the doorway, and at this point the ship was far too high for any drop to allow survival. It was high in the air now, and Silver was only a tiny figure on the ground.
And right before the Victorians got to her, the ship turned and she was out of sight.
Kalen could see the ruins of the city now. He could see everything. The destruction, the fire, the death.
It was everywhere, all for one shepherd boy to see.
What a sight.
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Post by Hitotsumami on Mar 13, 2014 17:24:03 GMT -5
While Kusu's arm hovered within Fenrir's wide jaws, he listened to what she had to say, and enjoyed every second of the mental torture. When Kusu brought up the subject of working with Wolf, he scoffed at the idea.
"Work with him!?" Though Fenrir's jaws remained open, the voice emanated from deep within his throat. "I was forced to be a part of him by the World Government! You think I enjoy what I was made for? Of course I don't! I want only to be free and to do what I wish! Is that not what it means to be a pirate? True freedom? Is that not what all the pirates of the world are after as they search for One Piece? But no!"
There was a short pause, and then he continued "No... I am trapped. Bound to a body I despise. So when I do gain temporary control, how can I not take that opportunity to do and be what I am? I am destruction, Kusu! I am the fire. I am the lightning. I am the steel. I am death!"
Following a deep, guttural laugh, he said, "And you, Kusu, are brave. Your arm remains within my mouth even through all my words. For this, let us continue the game. I will give you your Wolf back as I promised, and we shall see when I return what kind of chaos I can cause. Victoria has had enough punishment for now. Though it will survive to see another, I promise one day I shall return and turn it all to ash. However.... I do believe I should have some parting gift before I return to my prison..."
Suddenly, Fenrir's jaws started to slam shut while the dozens of sharp razors rotated, ready to shred Kusu's arm off her body. "I will be taking this arm of yours with me!"
What Kusu must have been thinking then, Fenrir could not have known. However, as his jaws clenched shut, he'd find that it didn't hold a bleeding small arm, but instead a metal man.
There between his jaws was Wolf. In the last second before the jaws had shut, Wolf had somehow emerged from within Fenrir's mouth and attempted to push Kusu out of they way, so instead, he would be the sacrifice.
"What have you done?" muttered Fenrir. "How are you here!? You should be locked away!"
As the razor sharp, jagged teeth continued to shred up Wolf's metal body, he spoke. "Even bound within a mind will not stop me from reaching out and protecting my friends. I was seen as a weapon by the entire world. Even I do not know who I was originally. I don't know if I was a good man or a bad one, or even if I had a family or children. All I know is that you were bound to me, and ever since then, my life has been hell."
The jaws clenched down harder, piercing through Wolf's body and sending orange-yellow sparks flying. Through the pain, however Wolf smiled. "That was until I met Kusu and the rest of the crew. Ever since then, I felt like there was a place I belonged. A place I could be happy at and a place I could live without having to worry about my past."
"Quiet, you human, and return into your prison!"
Wolf could feel his body being torn to pieces. "You wanted so badly to be separated from me, did you, Fenrir? Then fine! I will give you your wish! Sitting alone in the dark depths of my mind, one finds many interesting things that one never knew about oneself. And now I know how to separate us."
"What are you saying?" growled Fenrir as he chewed up Wolf's body.
"But even giving you freedom," said Wolf, "I will not let you harm my friends any longer. Kusu! Please listen! Keep us separate, but do not leave us behind!"
Though Kusu may not know what Wolf meant then, she would soon find out. Suddenly, a huge part of Fenrir's metallic wolf body dented inwards, as if a huge gravitation was pulling it inside. This continued, piece by piece, crushing Fenrir and Wolf along with him. Fenrir roared out in agony, trying to escape the process, but it could not be done.
"I will see you soon, Kusu. Tell the rest of the crew that I will be back. And next time, without the monster."
When the entire process was done, what was left on the floor would be two small round bracelets. One was red and emanated a small amount of heat. The other was blue, and would feel slightly cold. Interestingly, they were just the right size to fit on Kusu's wrist.
And so, Fenrir had gained the freedom he wished so much to have, but in the process, had been locked away just the same. But what would come from this? How long could it last? Would the monsters one day return? That, at least, was certain, but now, for at least a short time, the chaos threatening not only Victoria but the pirates as well, was gone.
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Post by Mise™ on Mar 14, 2014 8:02:11 GMT -5
Flesh would always beat machinery.
Blood is superior.
HE is superior.
This. Was. Fact.
A shockwave spread out from the collision, blasting against all in its path. The ground building shook and the pillars cracked and the debris flew out of the building in a wave of metal and dust.
Karalisk was able to stay in place with no effort, although his skin had nearly torn straight off of his body and caused visible damage, though His Highness seemed to be not bothered by it. Waiting to see what Pride would do next, he watched as the AI executive launched a laser towards him and the prince dodged the hit and readied for a counter. This son-of-a-bitch must go. He clenched his hand in to a fist. No lasers shot out, aiming to pierce the executive in one blow. Instead the prince tried to hit Pride with his AMAZING uppercut. Even if the executive had not screamed out in pain last time he wouldn't be able to do after this hit either since he wouldn't remain conscious after this. This would be over soon and he did not mind that.
”*cough*”
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Post by CJ on Mar 16, 2014 1:14:33 GMT -5
Kusu whimpered, paralyzed in fear as Fenrir lectured her on his power. She had heard legends of ultimate weapons before, but it wasn't until now that she learned to fear them. Indeed, it wasn't hard to understand why people obsessed over them and resorted to violence under the mere threat of one.
She yelped when Fenrir's jaw enclosed. She closed her eyes, bracing herself for whatever horrible agony she was going to be submitted to. After feeling nothing and fearing Fenrir address another person there, she opened her eyes.
"Wolf!"
There he was, the robot she had been searching for this entire time, caught in the middle of the violent mess that was Fenrir. She found herself crying again, hearing that somehow being on her crew made him happy. All this time, she wasn't sure if her adventures brought happiness to anyone, even her closest friend, Hil. To hear Wolf say that was astounding. What little hope there was grew exponentially in her heart.
But then she heard something even more surprising.
"You were human this whole time?"
How much of Wolf was she not aware of? Why didn't she bother to talk to him about these things? She always assumed he was a robot. She didn't think he had family, even an adoptive one like hers. Before she could know more, he sacrificed himself to lock Fenrir away, at least for the time being. She didn't understand what was going on. Why did he have to leave? Why when she finally knew who he really was? What did his cryptic message mean?
"Wolf!" she shouted in desperation. "WOLF! DON'T GO!"
In what seemed like seconds later, Kusu found herself kneeling on the roof of the building underneath them. She found that it was hard to focus on anything but the bracelets now before her. Unbeknownst to her, she was going into shock. Blood still trickled from her wound, covering her arm. She shifted back into her human form, though she wasn't sure when that happened.
"Hil, what should I do?" she asked.
In her mind, Hil stood before her, as though he was a living, breathing person. She couldn't comprehend that he was an illusion, that his voice was merely resonating in her mind from the sword at her side. His red hair blew in an absent desert wind. His Alabastan armor was tattered with sand and dirt.
"Why are you asking me?" he asked, crossing his arms. "I would tell you to leave those things behind, but I know you won't abandon that man. I can't hold onto them for you. My curse subjects me to the will of normal people, but I don't know about other weapons. I'd hate to figure out what would happen if that thing got ahold of me."
Kusu reached forward and touched the red one, pausing in wonder of the warmth that emanated from it.
"Keep us separate," she mumbled, repeating the words Wolf said. She wrapped it around her left hand. She then took the blue one and put it on her right. She frowned a bit at the cold, but said nothing.
"It looks like those things were made for you," Hil commented.
"Wow, they do," Kusu said. "They're pretty! Though I would have preferred pink."
She paused, recalling what had just transpired. She felt foolish for saying such a thing after her friend's sacrifice. Looking back at the bracelets, she began to think.
"I think Wolf is here with us, but I don't know which one he is. I don't think it matters though. Wolf... Fenrir... it's time to go find the others."
As she went to stand, she fell forward in exhaustion. She was caught just in time by her sword, now turned into what looked like a living statue again.
"Shit, you need a doctor," Hil said with a grimace. "That bastard Jackal deserved what happened for doing this to you. If only Dark was awake, the stupid freak."
She climbed onto his back and rested there as Hil began to walk about the roof for any sign of Mr. Dark or the mysterious Lust.
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Post by Shark a' Pult on Mar 19, 2014 3:30:13 GMT -5
It seemed Kalen didn't get to die and save his friends, instead being forced to switch places with Silver. This wasn't sacrifice, this wasn't sacrifice at all. He hit the side of the airship after being flung, but managed to catch the doorway before he fell, and clamor inside with a fair degree of difficulty. By the time he was inside though, view of Silver and the dock had already passed, and instead he was greeted with sight of the city in turmoil.
Certainly it was a lot for the young shepherd to take in, but there was only one thing going through his mind at that moment, as he sat in the doorway of the airship with his legs hanging out.
"I hate you."
He couldn't for the life of him figure out the reason for that, and honestly, it was all too much for him to try and process right now. He was tired, he was severely injured, and suffering from mental trauma. He didn't know how to feel, and more or less shut down inside. Slowly, gingerly, he made for his feet and stumbled into the cockpit of the airship.
He had a feeling Titania didn't want to be bothered right now, especially after that little spat over him trying to carry her to safety. So instead, once inside, he slumped down against a wall and dozed off fairly quickly. He tried his best to stay awake at this worrisome time, but he was exhausted, and his head kept nodding until finally he was gone.
Gone to be plagued, with terrible nightmares.
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Post by Kuro on Mar 27, 2014 14:27:15 GMT -5
Mr. Dark still laid on the roof, his chest moving only ever so slightly. Lust simply floated nearby, his hands fidgeting near his chest. The blankness of the Executive’s face could not conceal his obvious stare at the girl’s new accessories.
“I can’t believe it. You actually defeated him, and not a single lost limb in the process.” His voices were filled with a stunned awe and wonder. “You…The girl actually…she beat that colossal menace with only her voice?” His head cocked from one side to another, his hands twitched. “To think that the machine would revert itself into a dormant state…how very interesting.”
A shaky chuckle. “Ah-h-h-h-h, well, I suppose there’s only one thing left to do, hm?”
He pointed a finger at Mr. Dark’s body and held out his other towards Hil. “The rings, please.” He spoke with no joy, no obnoxious glee now. If anything, he sounded exhausted. Anxious. “I have no time or patience to deal with any sort of fight with some liquid-like shapeshifter. I…” A deep, shaky breath, and a twist of a valve. It garnered naught but an amused scoff with a touch of spite. “I and in effect the company are mostly responsible for turning Fenrir into what he is today. Those rings are Arkady property. Taking them away would be stealing.” No doubt the most heinous crime to even be thought of that day.
He cocked his head to one side again. “Besides. You don’t care about him. Or at least, not for him anyway. Look at all he’s done. Fenrir, or Wolf, or whatever you call him. All he’s done is hurt Kusu. You didn’t want her to get involved with any of this, did you? No, you just wanted to escape. You just wanted to keep her safe.
You can do that now. Give me the rings. Wolf will never bother you again, nor will Fenrir. They won’t be a worry or a danger to her, not anymore, not ever ever.” Another deep breath. “Please…keep Kusu safe. I will allow you to take her away from here, in fact, I want you to take her away and never ever come back. Victoria has seen her power. We would not want to induce it again. But if you want to keep her truly safe, you will give me the rings. Who knows what they’ll do, who knows how dangerous they can be? If Fenrir or Wolf are still in those rings, then they could hurt her at any moment.”
His outstretched hand shook, as did his voice. “Please. We – I – don’t have much time. Please give me the rings. Please.”
The fist slammed into the Executive’s chin with a loud CLANK. His head tilted back and he took a step backwards. No. This puny little flesh-thing had not just made him budge. In his head alone were literal tons of strong metal, densely packed into a sheer spectacle of machinery that seemed impossible.
This mortal had not just moved all of that with a punch. It must have just been a glitch in his sensory matrix.
That’s what Pride told himself, rather than face the highly improbably reality.
He stepped forward and brought forward his right arm in a hook, aiming to send tons of high-powered metal and machinery into the side of Kara’s face. Regardless of if he had missed or somehow had his attack intercepted, he immediately attempted to do a side kick into his waist afterwards, wanting so much to simply send this little urchin flying through the building.
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Post by CJ on Mar 28, 2014 15:00:05 GMT -5
They weren't out of danger yet. It was inevitable that Lust, Slythe or someone else wouldn't simply let Kusu take the dormant Wolf and Fenrir out of Victoria.
There was no way that Lust actually cared about Kusu's well being. Hil had to agree with him at least that the bracelets were dangerous. But he would rather have her keep them than give them back to Lust and start the whole process again. He couldn't trust Wolf, but he knew Kusu would despair if he was lost. The "man" could claim he was human a thousand times over but still be regarded as a weapon. Hil hated that he could empathize with that notion all too well. It was in his frustration over the similarity that the spirit in the metal came up with an idea.
"You don't know what I am, do you?" he said. His voice became ethereal, as though gliding through the air about them. He stepped forward. The roof cracked underneath his feet.
The ground surrounding Lust and the apparently sleeping Mr. Dark began to shake and shutter. The debris bounced about in the shaking.
"If you think Wolf and Fenrir are dangerous to Kusu, you've got another thing coming," he said. "You saw the way she talked to Fenrir. She didn't stand a chance. If it wasn't for Wolf, she would have been mutilated. Kusu is only a little girl. She never took part in the destruction and chaos she's associated with. How could a child kill obliterate a city nation? Do you think you know?"
Hil laughed. It was deep, unlike the cackling of Lust.
"E-heheheheheh. They said God's hand fell from Heaven and destroyed Regala. Now how could that have happened?"
He lifted his metal hand in the air. It twisted and stretched upward, spiraling into the air. It blew up in size until it formed into a gigantic hand. It was massive, easily dwarfing the building. What Lust might not have known was that it was absolutely hollow and Hil couldn't control its form for very long. It shrunk back into a normal size as Hil's body warped and waved for a brief moment.
"You're allowing me to take Kusu and her freak friends away from you?" he continued. "Yeah right. I was always in control. I've been watching from the sidelines for a long time, enjoying this morbid production and playing my innocent little role in it. At any moment, I can end the play, but why would I? It's so much more fun to keep prodding Kusu and the sorry freaks she meets along the way. It's been the most fun I've had in years."
The ground shook again. Metal tendrils shot out of the ground and lifted Mr. Dark into the air in an attempt to bring him closer to Hil. What Lust couldn't see was that the shaking and rumbling of the rooftop was due to metal tendrils slithering through the floor from the bottoms of his feet. The spirit in the metal grinned again.
"Were you going to do anything to this freak here? Because I feel like I want to have a bit more fun. Kill him slowly and taking him out of my story kind of fun. Leave us or I might decide to have fun with you."
Hopefully, Kusu wouldn't wake up. If she were to hear what he was saying, he wouldn't know how she would respond or believe him if he told her it was a lie. He hoped the bracelets weren't capable of understanding him either.
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Post by Mise™ on Mar 29, 2014 10:57:11 GMT -5
The fist slammed... No, this doesn't work anymore. It has also gotten old. ”*cough*” As Pride tried to hit him with a hook Karalisk dodged it, though only barely. As for a counter the prince did nothing at this point. ”*cough*” When the executive tried to kick him His Highness took the hit head on, without even trying to avoid it. It did hurt him and all the damage had began to pile up on him so that he couldn't hide it very well anymore, despite trying very hard. The blow did not throw Karalisk far back though, he made sure of that so that he could launch his counter attack by grabbing Pride's leg he had used to kick him and then he would try to lift the executive in the air and then slam him down through the floor and however many more floors there would be beneath this one and maybe even more.
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Post by Kuro on Mar 29, 2014 13:20:59 GMT -5
Lust could only look up, and up, and up as Hil’s hand turned into a massive weapon of destruction. His fingers twitched as he stared at the horrific sight. The hand’s growth didn’t last long, but it lasted long enough for him. He watched as it shrank back into the boy’s body in a complete violation of conservation of mass. Terrifying in its illogicality, it’s sheer wrongness.
In his distraction, Lust had noticed a moment too late that his hostage was being taken away. He grasped at the boogeyman as the unconscious body sped past him, but to no avail. He was in the shapeshifter’s grip now.
When Hil had finished talking, Lust went to his thoughts. This…this was impossible. This shapeshifter must have had some flaw or explanation. It was against all scientific explanation. Surely, there had to be something….If he thought long enough on it, he would find the answer, he was sure!
But how long did he have? The shapeshifter was right there, and his patience seemed to be wearing thin. No, no, no, he couldn’t die, not here, not now, not after everything that he had gone through. No, no, the hand couldn’t possibly crush him, this machine body was one of the strongest in the world, it would be impossible for such a shell to be destroyed by one measly effort! And yet…if what the shapeshifter was saying was true…
If this, if that, if if if . Why the if’s?! What was he supposed to do?! No, no, too much stress, too much thinking, too much fear, too much of everything. He didn’t need this. But there was something, something he needed now, now, now!
He turned a valve on his back.
He floated still for some time.
“…No.”
He turned the valve again and again and again.
“…No, no, no, no, no –“
He turned the other valve, although he knew they were both connected to the same source. Still, maybe if he turned that one, maybe, just maybe, there would be something? Something left?! ANYTHING?!
Lust began to shiver in place, his arms frantically turning the valves over and over and over again. A breathless, frantic chuckle came out as he wriggled and writhed.
“No, no, no, no, NO!”
He needed the gas. He needed it. He dind’t want to think, not like this. Too much thoughts, too much fear, too much worry, no, no, no no no, not like this. Why had this entire affair had to last so long? Why why why why why he had just wanted to get this over with why had this taken so long why was the shapeshifter right there and why was it stopping hi mfrom taking the rings af nt why did it ahaver socu hillogical power why why why it wasn’t fair they were right there and this all started because of hiasd failure atehe wolf escaped and his fault all his fauolt always hisf fault can’t beat the boy the sheapesfhifter abut nowe but needed to beat the shapefshifter need the rings fix mitsakte plase no why no fialtuera faulrire faiutlure failure failture afailure! FAILURE!
No, not like this. He had sacarficied too many, experimented, xepxriments, he remembrefde all of them and he could hear their voices and hear them herar thefmf nhear them dschreajmuing sdhouting yelling screaming gads gas he needed the gas he deidnt want tohear this gas gas gas no gas
If the went to get the gas the exectuvies would find out and he would failru efailujer farlireu failure shapsheifter gets away but what if wrong choice what if fake what if freal whtat if fake whati f real enfo fnfeoc nfo on o n o o no o no n on no n o
Lust shook in place, his entire body writhing wildly. It took quite some time before it raised a hand and pointed at the shapeshifter.
“..You….YoUYOUYuuYUYOUYuyuYGOUYotyuyuuyyuyuuuyouuuuu –“
He placed his fingers under his own chin.
There was a multitude of screeches, from children and adults alike, all horrific in their sudden cry. A flash of light.
It floated in place for several moments more. Slowly, slowly the steam propulsion system deactivated. In it’s last seconds of standing, the body wobbled in mid-air before falling to the floor.
THUD.
Pride would have grinned at his successful kick, were it not for his lack of any facial features.
The counter did not instill him such glee. The Executive found himself lifted into the air.
“Impossible!”
And then slammed down. But not without sinking his metallic fingers into Kara’s wrist first.
The Executive’s body weighed several hundred tons. It had been so densely packed that not a single finger of the construction could have ever been lifted by any mortal.
And yet.
The two were sent crashing downwards through the Arkady floors. Any use of steam propulsion was too dangerous; he didn’t want to bump around like some sort of pinball. So all he could do was fall.
He hit the ground floor with a CLANG.
A CLANG that rang for miles.
The flawless marble that had made up the ground floor shattered. There was now a crater and a web of cracks around it. The cracks extended across the entire floor, and crawled onto the Executive statues that stood so prominently in the lobby. The tower had shaken from the initial strike. But now…
It seemed to happen all at once.
With a deafening roar, the statues that had helped hold up the lobby crumbled and fell to the floor in pieces.
Everything shook. What was left of the high, high ceiling fell in a rain of debris. As did the ceiling above it.
And that was only from a certain prince’s point of view.
Titania could only stare at the sight before her.
She had been flying about, looking for the other crewmembers. She had specifically built this airship for the purpose of escape, and so it was barely harmed by any bullets or other projectiles the Victorians below sent her way.
She had not seen the Creature’s final moments, so as it were, all she could do was drift in the skies and search the rooftops with her eyes. If they were still on the streets, they would get onto some sort of rooftop soon enough, she knew. Surely they were not so incomptenent as to do otherwise?
The sound of a bell’s clang caught her attention. She turned her head in it’s direction and saw what she had not yet expected. Armada Tower, the tallest structure in all of Victoria and the headquarters of a global superpower, fell in on itself. The bottom floors were crumbling in on themselves and logically enough, the rest soon followed. The tower was sinking, each floor crashing down into the one underneath it. Mammoth clouds of smoke and debris flew from the impacts, covering all around it in the aftermath of its destruction. Despite her mission, she remained still, stunned.
This.
Was.
Better than she could have ever planned for.
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Post by CJ on Mar 31, 2014 11:02:01 GMT -5
Hil watched in quiet horror as Lust fought desperately for more laughing gas. He stepped back and pulled Mr. Dark with him. What was going on? Did his plan really work?
After a flash of light and horrible, horrible screaming noises, the shape-shifting sword saw Lust crash to the ground.
I CAN'T BELIEVE IT WORKED! he screamed in his mind.
He stood absolutely still for a few moments in case it was a trap. Fortunately, neither Kusu or Mr. Dark woke up to hear his act, so he was in the clear in that regard. After some time, he decided it was time to move and leave the incapacitated, or perhaps even dead, Lust behind. He figured if Kusu ever asked what happened to him, he'd tell her that he was impressed by her actions and wished them a safe journey. Nothing else.
Getting to work, he placed Kusu and Mr. Dark side by side on the roof of the building. They looked awful. Well, Mr. Dark always looked awful, but now especially so.
There was one thing Lust asked in his act that Hil intended to follow through on. Kusu had to go somewhere safe. He didn't care whether or not it included saving the other members of her new ill fated crew. The only reason he even bothered saving Mr. Dark was because there was a chance he could tend Kusu's wounds. After that point, he'd find some way to get rid of the boogey man.
In the end, there wasn't anyone Hil particularly cared enough to try and rescue. Mr. Dark was creepy and clearly had some kind of agenda. Lynwood proved to be a violent psychopath underneath her kind exterior. He figured Kalen likely didn't deserve death, but why did he want to come in the first place? He wasn't worth retrieving. Dunkan, whatever happened to him? And Kara was... Kara. The bastard always somehow found his way back to Kusu. It was no secret that Hil despised him and waited for the perfect opportunity to end his life by a sudden "accident." He couldn't stand the way he treated their former crew member, a fishwoman named Sam.
It wasn't something he'd forget easily, the day he found out what happened to her. He was still in custody of Captain Fate and her team at the time, having been salvaged from Owl, who had captured him for an experiment on his brain that he couldn't remember much about. He sunk in despair as his world seemed to crash about him. Sam was mentally fragile, always seeing herself as inferior to others. She was bound to die on account of someone else sometime, but Hil thought maybe he could have showed her she was worth something. He knew not to expect a future with Sam, which was awful, but he was fine with that fate. All he wanted was for her to be happy, but he failed to make her see that in the short amount of time he had with her. She was cold and gone, lost in the void of nothingness. There was no future for Sam anymore.
He couldn't fail with Kusu. Here and now, she risked her life to save a machine that, in Hil's opinion, didn't deserve salvation. If she didn't understand the value of her own life, she'd also end up like Sam.
There was no going back to Momoiro Island for her. Her family couldn't support her now with the powers of the world searching for her. Hil thought then and there that he'd spend the rest of his life hiding her away from the world that wouldn't leave her alone. He was fine with that for himself as well. It was better to live in seclusion than ever try to risk loving someone only to have them die again. There would be no more adventuring for Kusu or him.
Of course, there were still some issues that had to be resolved before that happened. The first, again, was getting rid of Mr. Dark. The second was resolving whatever those bracelets on Kusu's wrists would bring about. As much as Hil wanted to throw them away and be done with the risk of Fenrir, they had to at least give Wolf a chance. Maybe the robot, man, whatever he was would come through in the end, though Hil highly doubted it.
"I don't think Thistlewood or the swordsman could have ever predicted all the things you've done, brat," he said with a pained smile. "For what it's worth, I think you did all right. Let's get out of this freak city."
Hil melted onto the roof and formed a metal pool beneath the pirates. A dome rose up around them, forming what looked a scaled down version of Jackal's airship. Deep inside the layers of metal, Kusu and Mr. Dark were positioned next to each other, strapped in by steel links in the floor about them. Oddly enough, it wouldn't be uncomfortable as the metal constantly shifted to fit their body shape. However, the young captain's arms were positioned up below the elbow, purposefully insuring the bracelets on her wrists wouldn't touch any of the parts of the tiny airship around them. They glistened red and blue in the dim light afforded by small holes in the structure's exterior.
Kusu was extremely pale, having already lost so much blood from Jackal's attack. Despite Hil's wishes to get her safety away, it wasn't looking likely that she'd make it out of the city alive.
The ship sped about the Victorian skies, searching for any clue of the Spirit Wolf, perhaps even passing Titania's ship.
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Post by Hitotsumami on Mar 31, 2014 23:38:45 GMT -5
Though CJ thought that Fenrir and Wolf were kept bound for now, even Wolf thought so, it was not to be.
The red bracelet upon Kusu's wrist began to glow brightly before Fenrir emerged completely from it in full wolf form. "Did one think that a simple band of metal could hold back one of the legendary ancient weapons? Foolish humans!"
In his rage of being locked away, even though it had only been a few minutes, a beam of fire and lightning shot from his mouth with such force that a good chunk of Victoria, almost all of the city for that mater, was completely decimated, turned to nothing more than dust. Even it's great wall that encircled the city now crumbled to the ground.
"And now to eat you, puny human!" it roared at Kusu.
But before it could attack, however, the other bracelet glowed and Wolf emerged, punching Fenrir so hard in the face that the wolf flew backwards, crashing into the ground.
"Fear not, Kusu, I will destroy this beast now once and for all." Wolf opened his mouth wide and reached his hand inside, pulling out a brilliant golden blade, marked with strange magical sigyls. Jumping through the air, Wolf almost stabbed the sword through Fenrir's heart, but Fenrir called out for him to stop.
"Why should I not slay you?"
"Slay me? You certainly do slay me! I have not had a laugh like this in quite a long time."
"What are you saying?"
"You've finally grown up, Wolf. You've finally grown up, my son." Suddenly, Fenrir's body morphed from that of a wolf to that of an elderly man with a cane. "It has been a long time, son."
"What kind of trick is this?" yelled Wolf.
"No trick. This is the truth. I locked my spirit inside you a long time ago, to test you and make you strong. You've finally grown strong enough to slay your inner demons, and not just for yourself, but for your friends."
"Well, I guess that makes sense."
"Shall we go home?"
Wolf waved goodbye to Kusu as he jumped on his father's back. His father then kicked his legs as if swimming and began to fly through the air back home. As they flew, Wolf shed a single tear, and that tear of friendship returned Victoria back to its original state once more.
Thus is the story of Wolf and how he fought to become whole again.
April fools, please disregard.
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