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Post by The Chronic Dragon on Jun 10, 2009 0:28:22 GMT -5
This story will have elements changed and be moved to the Freewrite. The story will be the overall same however.
This thread will stay up however it will no longer be added on to. If you wish to see the story in a new light look at the SoulHunter Chronicles in the Freewrite.
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Post by The Chronic Dragon on Jul 1, 2009 21:49:31 GMT -5
Cyclone Journal: Introduction Planet Tyrelm (World Name: Military Headquarters) Location: Keyblade Temple 330 F.E. (Fourth Era)
*hologram flickers to life* *a young man, around 20 years old steps into view. he has platinum blonde hair in a style that sharply curves up as it comes toward his face, he has cool-blue eyes, he wears armor that is mostly comprised of pads made of a strange white metal that shines similarly to a pearl, tan belts cross his chest, his boots are silver as are his gaunlets which leave his fingers uncovered. he has a certain air of humility about him, but it's obvious that he is naive and unfamiliar with the harsh realities of life. still, his general aura is that of a strong leader. he stands tall and confident and speaks*
Hello. My name is Orion. Class Platinum soldier in the Keyblade Army.
*tone changes to a much more casual voice*
The commander and my close friend suggested that I start this journal. Frankly I think a pencil and paper would work well enough, but it is a good idea to keep an account of my life in case something happens.
Before I start this journal I should explain the basics. Okay so, right now I'm in the Keyblade Temple. It's the headquarters and training grounds for the Keyblade Army. This... *Extends arm to the side. Suddenly, a blade appears in a bright flash of light. The blade itself is made of pure white metal. It has intricate gold designs carved into the sword above the cutting edge all down the shaft. The tip has a white dragon rising out clutching a large, perfectly round ruby close to its body, and ridges run down the spine of the blade to the hilt. The handle is encircled completely by the hilt which is platinum with silver chain through the center on each side. The handle itself is brown but is wrapped in black cloth that leaves two streams hanging off the back about a foot.* ...is a "Keyblade". They are magic blades that are imbibed with souls of their own. Mine is called "Airblade". When a new recruit joins the temple at around the ages of 9 through 15, not exactly that old because some species age differently, but when they are fairly young, the blades just look like giant, chrome, old-fashioned keys. But the keyblade shapes itself around the wielder's personality. Each one has its own specialty. We know them as two opposing principles: polaris and disclaris. Polaris is the type of magic that the keyblade doubles the effectiveness of. Mine, for example, amplifies wind and light based magic, that's actually pretty rare. Most keyblades only amplify a specific SPELL, let alone even one specific element. Anyway, disclaris is the type of magic that the keyblade just dispises. Mine hates poison. Casting any disclaris spell halves its effectiveness. There are many more details and secrets about the Keyblade that I hope to learn as I spend time as the captain of a Key Squadron.
Finally my time as a basic soldier will end. What a trip it has been. As I have said, cadets start young. I was no exception, and yet I was. I am a human native to this planet, therefore it was easy for my guardian to enlist me early. When I started at age 6, I was already an exception. I advanced through the ranks quicker than anyone ever has. By the time I was 18, I was already a gold rank corpreal. The cadets pass through levels of training. The ranks are signified by color of armor. Red is the first and we learn the fundementals there, and do not advance until we have mastered them. Crimson is one step higher, here we learn martial arts, a mix of 20 from different worlds, we do not advance until black belts are obtained in all. This is arguably the hardest rank. Next is Orange, here we learn the protocol and moral code of the army, they must be memorized word for word before we can advance. Next is Yellow, classified by brass armor, here we learn languages of different planets in alliance with the Galactic Treaty, a treaty that unified separate worlds. It's interesting because we must become fluent in half to advance to Jade level and the other half to advance from Jade to Cerulean. Before Cerulean, we train with regular swords, in Cerulean level we finally recieve our keyblades. For me, this was the hardest rank. We must learn to fight with the perfect balance of magic and swordsmanship. I loved being challenged by this rank, it was constantly harder every time I advanced. Basically, when training, we fought magic wisps conjured by the knights, our teachers, they were insubstantial presences that could be hit magically and physically. I was told later that this was so we could develop our own fighting style, nevertheless, "hard" would not at all cover the difficulty. Then we advance to the Violet rank, or as it's more popularly called "The Bookworm Rank", here it's almost nothing but pouring over the library's books on the history of the keyblades and just basic education. This rank is meant to last 6 years. The typical age of promotion to private is 25, I was 16. I passed through the bronze, silver, and gold ranks of private, colonal, and corpreal, at which point armor is made to match your keyblade, in only two years. Next week is my promotion. I've taken too much time already. Orion out. *hologram dies*
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Post by The Chronic Dragon on Jul 1, 2009 23:06:13 GMT -5
Cyclone Journal: Entry 1
My name is Orion. Soon to be annointed Captain of Key Squadron Alpha. I have so much to say. Here goes.
This morning was the start of the biggest day of my life. I woke up, cast the usual hygiene spells, dressed in my armor, dis-summoned Airblade and walked through the sliding door into the hallway. The halls of the temple are all pure white, walls, ceilings and floors, the walls are smooth to the touch while the floor is made textured metal. I made my way through the labryth of hallways, past all the holographic training rooms, the library, and the hearing room to the vast, open space of the "bridge". 300 square netreons1 in size, this was the center of the temple. The room itself was shaped like a large dome. Above, catwalks stretched across the room like strands in a web. On the ground in front of me, four large glass tubes protruded from the ground and continued up through the ceiling high above. If I was not so used to the sight I would've been amazed.
Today especially the whole room was alive with activity, as I was not the only one being promoted. In the big crowd in front of the lifts I saw a familiar face who wore sleek black armor. It was my friend Neotsuka, standing in his usual cross-armed stance. He was the same rank as I was and was also joining a Key Squadron.
"Neotsuka!" I called out, nudging through the crowd. He turned and grinned. Neo wasn't one to show great deals of emotion. In appearance he was a little shorter than me, his skin was tan brown and his eyes had a horizontal slant, his jet black hair was often short and spiky. In personality, he was always indifferent, but not cold. He was very open with people, and his words always had a tone of compassion and wisdom. He was like me in that he graduated early, actually the same time.
I'd seen his keyblade, the blade was narrow and very fit for cutting, the "key-feature" looked like a shuriken was fused with the tip of the blade. The blade was made of black metal and like all keyblades had only one cutting edge. The blade met the hilt at a sapphire that showed the opposite side of the blade. The hilt itself was dark gray and very long, it also had a glowing green stripe runing down the length on each prong. Finally, the handle was black and barely connected with the hilt at the rear where a silver bulb poked off the back. Anyway, I finally made my way to him and shook his hand.
"You look nervous my friend." he said with a slight inquisition.
"I am." I said simply, letting go of his hand.
"That's very natural," he said turning to the lift that was now rising, "I know I am not one for the show of negative emotion, but I am also anxious." he said.
I grinned slightly. I've always liked talking to Neo. Something about his voice layered his words with wisdom. We walked onto the lift as the glass doors opened.
"This is a large step in our lives my friend," he said as the last of the riders filed in and the lift rose,"But for you, this is merely confirming my prediction."
That surprised me. I looked at him startled. Neo was a Leoshnin. The governing species on the planet Steos. They were known for natural intelligence. So much so that they actually had a limited clairvoyence. If Neotsuka made a prediction, then it wasn't just a blind guess.
So I asked, "What do you mean prediction?' He grinned nostalgically, "Back when we first met, back when we were still crimsons, I saw something in you. An image flashed in my head." he looked at me. "Remember how I said that I had studied keyblade history before coming here?"
I did. "Yes, it's what let you skip Violet rank and get promoted with me. Why?" I asked suddenly curious.
He gazed back up. "The image I saw was of Dorsill."
I almost fell back. THE Dorsill? Could he be telling the truth. Of course, Neo detested lying. But then, why would he see Dorsill?
Let me explain. Dorsill was the first cadet at the temple, back when it was literally a monastary. 5,000 years ago, he advanced through the ranks faster than I did. Barely. No one knew why. A military official at age 17? How could it happen? His teachers where baffled but enthralled that the first student did so well. So why did he do so well? Soon after he graduated, the Key Squadron was established, back then it consisted of 5 members, and he was of course made captain. Over the next 10 years he fought in and won many hard missions. Then one day, something dreadful happened. On a level 5 mission, the hardest, his group was cornered by a horrible villain named Nuracion. Almost his whole group was killed even the fighter who he was engaged to. He and his close friend, whose leg was broken and arm was gone, managed to escape undetected into a cave. I did not explain earlier that keyblades feed off emotion. Extreme emotions give it power. I've heard tell of regular wielders under extreme stress and rage felt an immense boost in their stamina and strength.
So enraged by the deaths he did nothing but scream. What happened then was described by his last surviving comrade. His spirit fused with that of his keyblade and he ruthlessly killed Nuracion and his army. Dorsill had no memory of the incident but one thing was clear to his teachers when he returned. He was a Keyblade Master. A Master is a wielder who's control of his keyblade is absolute. He can cause it to shapeshift, fuse souls with him, even speak to it. It is not a level that can be learned, one must be born with the capability. On his deathbed Dorsill revealed a secret learned from his keyblade, that they choose their wielders, they will go to extreme lengths to end up in the right hands. Did Airblade recognize my potential? Could that be what Neo meant? Could I be a...nah. That's probably not it. Lunch is almost over. I'd better get ready for the ceremony. Orion out. *hologram dies*
1 netreon - a unit of measurement equivalent to about 2.6 meters.
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Post by The Chronic Dragon on Jul 2, 2009 22:38:43 GMT -5
Cyclone Journal: Entry 2
*hologram flickers to life*
This will likely be my longest journal. The reason being that I have decided to continue my work in the field in handwritten format. But I have so much to explain. Yesterday I was appointed the leader of Key Squadron Alpha.
Before I go into details of that glorious event I must first explain the Key Squadrons themselves. First of all I must say what I failed to at the beginning, the Keyblade temple is huge. Over 10,000 square binetreons (a measurement twice the size of a single netreon), as such there is plenty of room. Each of the 23+ Key Squadrons recieves a good sized housing apartment, this is important because of how grueling the responsibilities of the Squadron are. Add in the fact that the room has to be shared among 7 grumpy people and you can see why they're so big. But what do we do anyway?
Essentially, the temple is responsible for providing justice in the galaxy. In the Core, the main room of the temple, three giant glass-pane holoscreens stretch across the side of the domed ceiling. These display missions. Hundreds of planets exist so there is almost always a mission. Though, not all Squadrons get missions, but my squad is Alpha so we get first pick, *laughs*. Anyway, the missions are ranked on a scale.
The numbers span 1 - 6. The measurement used to weigh missions is called "noq" (n-ock). The Noq level determines the following: How many innocents are at risk? What threat does this pose to the planet overall? Can it be handled by the planet alone? What is the danger to outside worlds? How much danger are the squadrons in?.
The scale was not actually created for the army. Level 1 and 2 ranks are not event listed as missions because they are problems that can be solved by the planet itself.
Level 3 is where it gets interesting. These missions usually involve major, off the charts, terrorism like a simultanious bomb chain destroying numerous important buildings or kidnapping of a government official. Level 4 is the most numerous mission. The most common of which is a world war. A war that has raged out of control and destroyed/crippled the majority of the planet. Other things that constitute level 4 are nuclear holocausts, mass genocide, and I'm talking casualties in the billions here, when some whacko hates people enough to kill the lot of them, space pirate attacks that want to rob the planet completely, and finally, invasions. Some of the planets in the galaxy were too far away to be included in the treaty. The are not bound by the territorial guidelines set up by the Galactic Council. When the boundries were placed, the spellcasters known as The Chosen, cast a binding spell to set up magic boundries between planets included in the treaty. If a ship leaves a planet carrying anyone from that planet, when it reaches one side of the boundry it will simply pass through an come out the side behind it. The way the Keyblade Army gets around is by warping. Using magic to create a tear in space that lets us just step into the next dimension.
I've gone too far off topic...where was I. *pauses* Ah, yes the Noq scale. After level 4 there is only level 5 and it is a disastrous one. These rarely occuring missions are for experienced Squadrons that have a deathwish. Two things usually pop up as level 5's. The first is pandemic. Epidemic, a widespread disease in a country or territory, is included in both levels 3 and 4 depending on severity. Pandemic however, is a worldwide illness. When it comes to that, a keyblade can only do so much. Myths surround our swords that say they are so powerful they can kill, heal a continent, or raise the dead with a single word. They cannot. Firstly, no spell that the keyblade can perform, does any of those things. Cure, arguably the most powerful spell when at max, can heal any moderate wound. However, even Curagun, a spell that heals any wound even internal bleeding, cannot eradicate an illness. That takes intricate spellwork that takes time and effort to perform.
I will explain the second part of level 5 shortly. But I must first explain magic. Magic is incredibly powerful. In a group. In the hands of a single person it is weak. Magic itself is a form of energy. The Keyblade provides that energy at an endless supply. But there is a specific amount of it's energy that can be used for a single spell. Beyond that limit and the magic also feeds off our own energy. With the right, or actually wrong in this case, spell you could die. I mentioned the planetary boundry spell. What I failed to mention was the fact that The Chosen used to consist of 50 members. It took all of them to cast that spell and now their numbers are at 32. With Pandemics all that the Keyblade can do is show how to cure the disease. From there it is the Squadron's job.
What is the second most common level 5 mission. It is a mission that hasn't happened for 500 years, which tells you just how rare level 5's are. But this mission is the most odd. It has gained the apt title, "An ArchVillain Mission" when one incredibly powerful being, sane or not, rampages across a planet with little other desire than to spread chaos and death. Pandemics are hard compared to this. At first glance. Then it is truly evident how powerful the villain is. While it is true that the pandemic scenario provides more challenge, there is little threat of a gruesome death while holding a keyblade. There is a spell called Air Shield that requires little energy and keeps a constant bubble of clean air around your body. Anything pathogenic that touches it dies. But those are risks that Squadron's must deal with. Now I want to say something about my Squadron before my recording hour is up.
I've taken too much time to list the events of yesterday. I will just add in a brief summary. Me and 20 others were lined up on stage, Commander Jacob, also my good friend, was going down the row congratulating the recruits, presenting them with group assignments with which they took backstage, and letting them speak if they wished. I recieved assignment second, after the new Delta Squadron captain and went back to wait for my team. The two teams were separated into different rooms. The first person through the door made my jaw drop in excitement. Neotsuka stepped through the door. He had a blissful grin on his face, and said in a sarcastic voice, "Well, I guess this will have to do."
I puched him in the shoulder lightly and then sat down to wait for the rest of the team. I was glad. Strategically Neo was a jackpot. His race of people were naturally flexible and had great agility, not only that they kept perfectly calm in battle. We talked little, listening to the muffled applause to our right. It was actually a while before anyone came in. I whispered at one point, "I think someone must have thanked the whole population of the planet in their speech."
Then someone came in. They guy introduced himself as Rizon. From his appearance I gathered he was not human. The first clue was a line of red horns that ran from his forehead back through his hairline. His hair was pitch black and tipped with orange. Nothing else seemed not human except his eyes. They were like those of a cat and were colored a deep royal purple. When I asked him what species he was he smiled and said, "I'm a Shordack, don't forget it there will be a quiz at the end." His red armor glinted in the firelight as he sat down. He seemed likeable, cocky, but likeable.
The next person that walked in was a man with blue armor, dark skin and pointed ears. He walked with humility but had a constant look of boredom. I soon found out though he was actually very sociable. I expected him to grunt at me and walk by but instead he smiled and shook my hand. He introduced himself as James A. Fulmen.
"Hey captain!" he said happily, letting go. "I was hoping for someone a bit more..." he paused, sizing me up and snapping his fingers to think, "...intimidating. But I guess you'll do fine. I pledge my loyalty to you, SIR!" he ended with emphasis.
Then he saluted me and sat down in the seat beside the one next to me. I couldn't tell if he was joking or not, nevertheless the room got quiet again. We all waited a little while. Introductions were being made, but little else went on. When the door opened again it was a woman that walked through. She had long lusterous black hair, a pale-ish face, and blue eyes. The armor she wore had a mix of black and green including a black waist cape tied behind her midrift that didn't quite touch the ground. While she was attractive it was her stance and expression is what stood out to me most. When she introduced herself she smiled, but her voice was stern and intimidating.
"I am Meonna. A human. It is a pleasure to meet you captain." She said nothing else and sat beside James.
Me, Neo, Rizon, James, and now Meonna. I counted off with my fingers. I'll spare any more introductory details. My time is short.
The next person to walk in was Getram. He was an Unari, a wolf-like species from planet Sikut. His hair was grey and so was the subtle fur on his arms and legs. He had pointed ears, fangs, and a grey furry tail poking from underneath his gold armor. He was very independent minded but confident. When he greeted me he just said hello and sat down.
When the final person walked in I was stunned but kept my composure. It was another woman, but that's not why I was stunned. The reason I was stunned was because of the large white wing she was preening with her handsand the other tucked down against her back. Her eyes were a bright green, her skin was pale, but in a good way, and her hair was a stunning mixture of red and blonde. And there were other ahem...features on her figure that were also impressive. She introduced herself as Angel, I am guessing her parents had a spectacular imagination to come up with that. She was born on Dien, a planet inhabited by a species of human/avian fusions with no specific name. Most called them angels. But interestingly she was raised on this planet Tyrelm. Anywho, that's my team. I don't know what the future holds in store, but I can't wait. Orion out. *hologram dies*
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Post by The Chronic Dragon on Jul 2, 2009 22:44:45 GMT -5
I finally finished. To any of you that didn't like reading those journals, I hated writing them. But it was the only way to explain storyline details before the storyline began.
The PoV from now on will be dominated by a 3rd person limited view. Occasionally there will be a journal entry but it will be much better than the rushed ones you just read. I wish I could say you didn't have to read them, but I will not be explaining them again. I will sometimes describe locations more graphically but otherwise I will not explain plotpoints like that again.
Now, read on. And see what excitement awaits (or don't it's really up to you).
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Post by The Chronic Dragon on Jul 2, 2009 22:48:36 GMT -5
Planet Thranic 330 F.E. (Fourth Era)
The sun rose. Casting its rays on the bleak state of Planet Thranic. The sun creeped over the distant mountains. Finally shedding light in the valley itself. In it the former capital of the planet. Once a thriving metropolis full of life and sound. Now, all that remained was the whistle of the wind.
Burned papers blew through the dark streets littered with rubble. The streets themselves were covered with burn marks and craters, barely recognizable as roads at all. Hovering cars lay burned and abandoned in the streets. A monorail had derailed and lay crushed on the roof of a fancy house. Charred remains of children's toys lay scattered on the ground outside their destroyed homes. Packs of now wild dogs combed the streets, malnourished and thirsty, trying to find food for themselves and their brothers. Skeletons of dead soldiers, picked clean by the dogs, lay on the spot where they died.
Orion stood alone on a hill overlooking the valley. With his arms crossed he surveyed the scene. This was no longer new to him. 'How has it come to this?' he thought. His appearance had changed greatly. The stress and dispair he felt was evident, for even though his stance had a more confident and experienced air, he seemed faded, as if the body he had once known would never again be the same.
He sighed deeply and drooped his head, shaking it. He looked up into the morning sky. 'We have to end it.' he thought determinedly.
Suddenly, in the distance, a silver glare caught his eye. He smiled. 'There she is.' he thought. In less than five seconds, Angel impacted the ground with her fist, crouching and facing the ground. She folded her wings and stood upright.
"Captain!" she said formally.
"Yes?" Orion said, feigning disinterest. "I scouted the area around the capital and found nothing." "Why is that?" he asked coldly. "I'm guessing it's because the soldiers left." she said sarcastically. "Or is it because you failed as a scout?" She stepped back, "Wh-What are you suggesting captain?" Orion walked toward her until he was feet from her face. "I'm saying your performance is pathetic." he stepped closer, "As always." She stared him down and they stood for awhile just glaring. Finally, Angel spoke. "You're doing pretty good." She said smiling. Orion returned the smile. "Really? I thought the performance was rather pathetic...as always." They chuckled.
Grimly, Orion returned his gaze to the valley below.
"So you really didn't find anything?" he uttered. "No." she responded sadly. "The others haven't returned either," he stated. He looked back at Angel, "I'm worried. What if something happened? I would never forgive myself if something happened to any of them, I can't let them die, I can't --" "That's enough." Angel insisted softly. She grabbed his hand and held tight, looking out over the valley with him. "They'll be fine." she said, resting her head on his shoulder, "I know they will." "How can you be sure." Orion said, still very concerned. She looked up and laughed a little, "Because they're over there." She pointed down into the ruined city where their five teammates where making their way back to the camp.
'Whoops' he thought. "Alright," he declared and started walking. "Let's go wait in the tent. It'll be much better to listen to stories if we're in the cool." He looked down. "Angel?" he said. "Hmm?" she responded "What do you think the others found?" he asked. "I don't know." she muttered. When they neared the tent Orion asked, "Do you think we have any chance of stopping this war? Just the seven of us?" After a pause, she smiled and replied, "Yes I do."
Location: Tent 30 minutes later
The whole group sat in a circle. Solumn, but itching to report. Orion rose and spoke. "Do any of you have anything to report?" No one spoke. Not a word. "Nothing?" Orion said hopelessly.
"We probably would've found plenty, if hornbill over there had shut his trap for 3 seconds." Getram growled, jerking a thumb a Rizon. "Hey." Rizon said warningly. "Watch it, I have a temper." "Yes because we're all terrified of pissing you off." said Meonna sarcastically, "You couldn't kill a wasp." Rizon laughed, "Yeah, probably not, if it was the size of your ego that is." ".........."Meonna just stood there, "I can't even begin to describe the idiocy of that statement."
Getram stood up and growled in his raspy voice, "Would you imbeciles stop this incessent bickering. You two sound like children.
Orion looked at James on his left. His temple was pulsing. James was losing his patience. "How you holding up man?" Orion whispered. "I think I just got three anoerisms." He remarked. Orion tensed up. If this got out of hand, he'd have to be the one to break it up, something he did not want to do to his teammates. He looked to Angel on his right, also staring across the circle.
She whispered to him without looking away. "Now I'm getting worried. If Meonna loses I'll be hearing about it for weeks." "I just asked a simple question, I didn't want to start a debate. Frankly I'm getting annoyed."
Then James lost it. "SHUT! UP!" he shouted at the bickering troops while rubbing his forehead. Everyone got quiet. "The captain asked a serious question I think we should give him the answer to."
Everyone sat down. James looked at Orion, "You said you wanted to know if we found out anything right?" "Yes!" Orion insisted. "Alright, Rizon tell the captain what we saw." James demanded. Rizon cleared his throat and spoke seriously. "Okay well, my eyesight is really good. I saw these birds right, and they took these twigs--"
"Okay that's enough." James said.
"Hey I'm not finished. Anyway, they started twittering and chirping then this falcon came out of nowhere and--"
Angel punched him in the jaw. "In other words, shut up." she said calmly. Orion was annoyed. "Okay, to be specific, I want to hear things that you saw that were mission related. C'mon we've been here for six months. Our informants gave us specific details. Either that city is a base camp for the Bronzat Army, or we're back to square negative one. So I'll ask again, did you see anything?" he said.
The five members of the team looked at each other, and sighed. Neo spoke first, "My friend, we wanted to keep this from you because we know how emotionally aggressive you are." "What is it that you found?" Orion said again. "Well, the informants were right, this is the, well, a base camp for the ones responsible for this war." James explained. Growing angry, Orion repeated, "What is it that you found?" Once again they all looked at each other with nervous glances. "We found the informants." Meonna said sadly.
Orion's spirits were lifted, but he was puzzled, "Well that's great news. Those two women sent a mission that was a call for help. They wanted us to help them. They wanted to see an end to this pointless war. So why would finding them be in any way sad?" He said incredulously.
Silence followed. Orion started to get a terrible feeling in the pit of his stomach.
"It was easier to identify them. Would've been impossible to without them." Getram growled. "They were dead." Neo muttered. Orion felt the blood drain from his face. After all the effort, they had failed them.
Meonna spoke up. "There's more captain." she said completely serious. She stared at the rest of them. "You have to tell him." No one did. "Fine! Suit yourselves, but the captain is going to hear it from one of us, namely me." Meonna sneered. "When we found the entrance to the bunker, we sent Neotsuka in to check it out. Since his keyblade lets him turn invisible, we figured it was the best thing. He came back stunned and shooed us behind a rock. He then transferred the images in his head into all of us. What we saw down there was..." She couldn't bring himself to describe it.
Getram picked up,"I read the minds of the soldiers in that bunker. The invaders' plans are thus. Wipe out every native on the planet. A bullet for the soldiers who are brave enough to fight for their cause. But for the cowards who quiver behind the brave, death will come. It doesn't matter how."
Orion processed the information. "So what did you see?" He repeated, less sure he wanted to hear the answer.
"Well..." they all hesitated. "It would be best to show you." Neo said. He stood up, walked over and placed a hand on each side of Orion's face. The latter was surprised to see Neo grimacing. "I'm sorry my friend." he said, voice full of remorse.
Suddenly Zephyr's mind was shocked into a montage of images. In the bunker there was ordinary military things, arsenals, boardrooms, and housing areas. But below a steel door, nothing but sheer terror and carnage. Chains dangled from ceilings. Young woman hung there exposed while being violated and raped by laughing soldiers. Babies were thrown against walls. Severed heads dangled from strings around cages that held naked men, women, and children, all scarred and some missing limbs. Skeletons of all ages lie in piles on the floor, half skinned and mauled, bloody flesh oozed down to the floor. People lay bound to bloody tables as soldiers slowly removed their entrails and boiled them. People were prodded with poisonous needles, questioned for information they did not have, and the soldiers knew it. He could see it in the malicious grins on their faces.
The horror ended. Orion was gasping for breath. Cold sweat dripped down his face. He sunk to his knees, trembling. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Neo walk toward Angel.
"DON'T YOU DARE SHOW HER, NEOTSUKA!!!" he screamed in rage and despair. Neo stopped, startled.
Angel looked scared. Orion looked at her. Suddenly, images flashed through his mind. He saw nothing but her, tortured in the ways he had just witnessed. It was more than he could bear. He ran outside in a blind fury.
"Orion wait!" Angel chased after him, stopping several yards from Orion. who was now silently looking up at the overcast sky. She walked over to him. The sound of distant thunder could be heard. Orion stood there, motionless, as it began to rain.
Angel came up beside him. She gently placed a hand on his shoulder, and shielded him with a wing. He said nothing for the longest time.
"Thank you." he finally replied. He looked at her and smiled. But it faded. For the images flashed through his mind again. He looked down gasping. They were so real, it's as if they had replaced reality.
"I can't see anything but you Angel." Orion finally said. "What?" she replied. "I'm getting visions," he said straightening up. He looked down into her confused face, "I see nothing but you, tortured the way those people were." his voice was full of pain as he gazed across the valley again.
For several moments, nothing could be heard but the splashing of rain. "We have to stop them." he said with resolve. "But...how can we." Angel asked hopelessly.
"I know we're outnumbered. Which is why I'm going to try it." he replied. Angel looked puzzled. "Exactly what were you thinking of trying captain?" she inquired.
"The Kiro Transformation." he responded.
"WHAT!?" Angel cried. "That's crazy. We need to find a better solution. The Kiro Transformation!? Only Keyblade Masters can do--" she stopped. Orion looked sideways at her with a gentle, yet knowing, smile.
She was speechless. "You..mean...you're...a--" "Yes." he said calmly. "How can you know that?" "Sage told me." Orion replied. "Sage?" Angel replied, completely befuddled. "That's my keyblade's true name." "But--you--can't. Grr...It's too risky Orion!" she shouted. She stepped in front of him and grabbed his wrists. "We need you, all of us. I-I need you, you could die too easily for me too let you go." she said, half pleading half threatening. But Orion shook off her hands. "I have to try. We've tried to fight those soldiers before and lost. Face it Angel. We weren't good enough to take on a level 4 mission like you coaxed us into doing." he said.
Angel yelled in frustration. Then she said sternly, "You're the captain, you're supposed to decide what's best for the squad. We could've taken an easier job, you didn't have to listen to me!"
Orion turned back to her and leered. "I wouldn't disagree with you and you knew very well why," he said, making her blush slightly. "When we take a job we can't call for help, we all know that. There is no other choice." he said.
She growled, "Fine." But her expression didn't last. Concern took over the anger. She ran over and embraced him. Orion was momentarily taken aback, then he returned the gesture. They held each other for a long time. When she finally let go, she was crying.
"Please be careful Orion." she muttered. He smiled, "Don't worry, I'm the captain remember?"
Angel watched motionless as he walked further along the rocky cliff. When he was far enough away he got into position.
'Okay how am I supposed to go about this?' he thought. 'Hello? Sage, I need advice here.' No answer. 'Be that way then. But how are we supposed to fuse souls if I have no idea how?' 'OH A VERY EXCELLENT POINT MASTER.' A voice sounded. The voice had a distinct echo, it also had a feel of an all-knowing presence with no specific gender. The keyblade appeared in the air beside him. 'THAT LITTLE MONTAGE OF HORROR OUGHT TO DO IT. LET'S JOG YOUR MEMORY A BIT.'
Then the images flashed again. Only this time, he saw everyone being tortured. Rizon was disemboweled, Neo was injected, Meonna's arms were cut off in slices, Getram was strung on pulleys and pulled apart slowly. And Angel was dangling from the chains, being raped in front of his eyes.
The final picture pushed him over the edge. A dam broke in his mind.
Sage glowed and then began to orbit Orion, as he himself glowed. A roar began to sound as the energy built up. Luminescent runes in an ancient language, formed intricate patterns on his skin. An aura of pure white formed around him. His eyes shined brilliantly, looking like small, almond-shaped searchlights. Sage was now a solid glowing ring of white. Orion's muscles grew and his veins glowed dully. Then, Sage disappeared. The roaring of the energy stopped. All that was left was Orion hovering above the ground, glowing with white light.
This new strength he felt. He would use it. In this form he could win. Alone. No one but he would be at risk. The soldiers would die.
Angel shouted at him, "How do you feel?" Orion looked at her and smiled calmly, "NEVER FELT BETTER." His voice was deep and placid and sounded like three people talking at once. "GOODBYE FOR NOW ANGEL." His aura flared and he shot off the ground. He gave one last wave before speeding away, leaving a long trail of aura behind him.
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Post by The Chronic Dragon on Jul 4, 2009 4:50:52 GMT -5
Planet Thranic 330 F.E. (Fourth Era)
Miles from the ruins of the city, Orion hovered on a rocky ledge high in the mountains. The wind and snow chilled Orion slightly as it whirled around him. He listened to it carefully. According to the images from Neotsuka, the cave opening would be impossible to see when lighting was poor, which it was at this moment. Therefore he would have to listen for it.
'THERE!!' he thought. An abnormal whistling was coming from his upper right. He levitated up, focused on the source. There was a crevice here, not more than 9 feet across, that widened and curved left as it buried deeper into the mountain.
Placed his feet on the ground and squeezed through the crevice. The whole of the tunnel was illuminated by sporadically placed torches. Orion continued to walk deeper down the gentle slope of the curving tunnel.
As he rounded the last of the curve he saw something that made his heart race. A gigantic, polished, steel door came into view. It was at least 10 feet off the ground.
He started hovering when he reached it. Moving Sage through the air Orion brought it to rest vertically beside him. Then he muttered, "Burn.". Sage glowed white hot. Orion whipped it around until it had become a disc of light. With a thrust of his arm, he sent it buzzing through the air at the door hinges. Sage melted through the hinges like a hot knife through butter. The door collapsed. Orion caught it with his mind and crushed it.
The room immediately inside was a foyer of sorts. Wood panneling spread across the empty floors while the walls and ceiling were strangely untouched and very cave-like. In front of him, a wall jutted that had a bronze door in the center. It was too simple.
Then Orion got what he expected the moment he hovered into the room. A disintigration field popped up in place of the steel door. He glanced back with indifference, and continued to float through the room. Darts flew out of guns hidden in the walls. The guns almost covered the wall, firing a wall of darts. Orion snapped and they all stopped in midair, some just inches from his face. He let them fall to the ground. Annoyed, he expanded his aura through the whole room.
The wall behind him shattered, as well as the guns in the walls beside him. In front of him the bronze door turned concave and flew back as that wall too shattered. He floated quickly through the real entrance. A hole cut into the cave wall that led into the base below. He emerged into a horizontal hallway. Troops that had stopped when they heard the commotion above, began to aim their weapons.
"WHAT BARBARIC CREATURES THESE ARE." Sage's voice channeled through Orion. At this all the soldiers charged him yelling. With no expressional change he extended his arms to the side.
"CYCLONE BLADE!!" He shouted. The wind magically appeared. It flew at tremendous speeds down the hallway. Screams rang out as any soldier unfortunate enough to be in the corridor was cut to ribbons in a matter of seconds by the wind.
He continued to his left, past many doors and carved entryways until he reached the end of the hallway and turned right into a tunnel. When he emerged, it was onto a stone stage. The room was a bit small. It was cube shaped with average height ceiling. The walls had been carved and covered in steel plates as had the ceiling. In front of him, hundreds of soldiers spanned the room, pointing their guns at him.
With an indifferent tone he sneered, "I HOPE I'M NOT INTERUPTING ANYTHING GENTLEMEN." "Fire!!" came a shout from the back. "EXCELLENT IDEA." he said flattly. Sage spun around him rapidly deflecting bullets. "SOLAR FIRAGA!!" he shouted. A wave of pure heat sliced through the room. Cutting the walls on each side and incinerating the torsos of all present. Upper bodies fell onto their legs and to the ground. On the back wall, six doorways were positioned next to each other all of them now missing doors. Orion went to the one leading to a staircase. At the bottom, a dimly lit stone cavern with a door fixed into the ground. He sped quickly down and into the horror chamber stopping dead in the air and sending a wind current rushing past him.
The soldiers looked at him in fear. For the first time he showed emotion, he smirked, baring his teeth. He moved so fast it appeared he teleported. He grabbed the two men raping the women and slammed them into the stone wall. He stared at them with hatred and indifference.
Holding them in place he stated plainly, "I HOPE YOU'VE ALL ENJOYED LIFE. YOU ALL WILL DIE."
Then, he sliced through their bodies six times in 2 seconds and burned the pieces. With a quick glance he sliced the chains holding the woman.
"CLIMB UP THAT LADDER. STAY IN THE ROOM ABOVE." he instructed them. They nodded.
He turned and stared at a soldier standing beside a metal door, who was holding a large gun that shot balls of plasma. Orion narrowed his glowing eyes. The soldier changed his aim and shot at the women. Orion sped in front of them.
"AEROGUN!!" he shouted.
A wall of wind covered the entrance to the stepping ladder. He speed-warped over to the soldier and sliced his skull in half. He brushed aside the body and kicked in the metal door. The door flew off it's hinges and into the room beyond, impacting a soldier and crushing him against the steel plated wall behind.
Orion hovered in. A large room expanded before him. Forty or more cages filled with live people hung suspended from the low ceiling. Twice as many soldiers were scattered about the chamber. They had frozen in their tracks but were quickly unfreezing. Orion cracked his knuckles.
"I GUESS SOME SWORD PRACTICE WOULDN'T HURT." he said calmly.
He speed warped all over the room. Slicing soldiers in half, lopping their heads off, or slicing them up. Blood spattered everywhere. Nothing but pure hatred flowed through Orion's mind as he cold-bloodedly killed the men. All but one. A scared looking one who ran down the hole into the caverns below.
He turned to the people in the cages, looking at him with sheer terror. The image snapped him out of his rage. He looked around the room, horrified.
"WHAT HAVE I DONE?" he said. But there was no time for talking. He cut the cages down and opened the doors.
"QUICKLY GO OUT THAT DOOR, YOU'LL SEE A LADDER, CLIMB IT. STAY IN THE ROOM ABOVE AND SHUT THE DOOR WHEN YOU GET THERE." he instructed. A woman came up to him, she was missing an eye. "That soldier ran down into the caverns to kill the remaining people save them please, my daughter's down there."
Orion nodded and sped down into the caverns. He followed the scent of that soldier's mind. He was indeed the only one left. He heard a scream. He flew to the source. Just in time, he saw the soldier was aiming at the cages that lined the wall. This was the disembowelment room, he recognized it. Then, the images flashed, the false ones he imagined but nevertheless he become outraged. He brought Sage below the man's neck.
Orion stared at the man who he realized was a general. That simple fact struck him with an idea. He quickly cut up the man's gun.
"UNFORTUNATELY FOR YOU GENERAL. YOU GET TO LIVE." he said. The man's expression told Orion that he was relieved. 'How amusing, he thinks life is better than death no matter what.' he thought. Orion opened all the cages and let the people out.
He pointed Sage at the general. "Solidus Orb." he said. An orb made of thick glass that was littered with holes formed tightly around the general, who started floating after Orion like a balloon on a string.
He then addressed the people. "Follow me."
They reached the top of the ladder. The room was just big enough for everyone to fit in. He could feel the Kiro start to weaken now that his task had been accomplished. He had to do this quickly.
"Stand Back Everyone." he said.
Sage glowed and Orion grabbed its handle. He made a slashing motion through the air. He waited 3 seconds exactly before shouting "WARP BASE CAMP." A rift appeared where he slashed. The wet grassy cliffs were visible through it. All the people carefully proceeded. Orion was weakening fast. "HURRY!!" he shouted. "I CAN'T HOLD THis forever."
The last of the people filed through. He checked to be sure no one was left and lethargically levitated through the portal. He heard the people celebrating freedom, embracing family members and friends. and getting used to the light.
Then, the Kiro Transformation ended. He fell the two feet to the ground and laid there. With the last of his strength Orion rasped, "Invigorate". Sage's energy flowed through him, allowing him to stand. He looked over the happy scene before him.
Orion glared back at the general. The two locked eyes. "Do you see, insect? Do you see what you've taken from these people?"
The general turned his head and gazed upon the scene with his orange eyes. The reptillian soldier responded with a raspy hiss.
"Yess indeed light reaper. I ssee. But, I do not care. My people have ssuch capassitiess as thiss." "Your claiming you know their pain!" Orion cried outraged. The general smirked, "Not at all light reaper. Their pain was tenfold that of my worsst exssperienss. But I have ssaid, I do not care. They are a dissgussting raess of people. It may comfort you to know, I did not approve of the methodss."
By now the crowd had settled and was watching the discussion.
"Whose methods were they?" Orion said. "I am not at liberty to ssay." the general replied formally.
Orion grinned deviously. "Why do you smile light reaper?" asked the general. "Because that's exactly what I was hoping you'd say general."
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Post by The Chronic Dragon on Jul 5, 2009 17:32:22 GMT -5
Planet Thranic 330 F.E. (Fourth Era)
The collapsible tent was meant for squadrons on difficult missions. It is enchanted to never run out of food or water, have cool temperatures, and safety. So it is easy to imagine how horrible of a torture chamber it is.
The squad stood around a table. Across from them sat the general, chained to a chair which was shoved under the table. A lamp hung from the ceiling illuminating everything below it, while the tent was dark. The general sat calmly and said nothing.
"Okay captain we've been at this for hours and nothing." Rizon said. The general's eyes flicked over to Orion, "Yess I'm curiouss light reaper, why is it you wanted me to live?"
Orion stood to the upper left of the reptile. He asked calmly' "Why is is that you call me light reaper general?" "I figured that should be obviouss. You killed my men, and when you did your body, eyes, veinss and disssappearing markingss glowed with light."
"What is he talking about captain?" Meonna said. Orion glanced over at the group on his left, "You all would now if you had stepped out of the tent yesterday. I'm emotionally aggressive, Neo said it himself. I needed support."
"Oh I think you had plenty of support captain. Probably too much for us to cut in."
"Shut up. The lizard is talking about the Kiro Transformation. The captain performed it yesterday. Yes," he responded to the impressed look on Orion's face, "I'm not completely heartless, I was concerned about the captain. But to be frank, I agree with Rizon's statement."
"I am impressed my friend. I was not wrong about you after all." Neo said in a voice that could be considered impressed.
"I'm not annoyed but could we get back to the issue at hand. Mainly the scaly thing strapped to our chair."
Orion turned around to question the general. "Perhaps we've been going about this wrong. What if I just ask you questions general?" The general looked at him mischieviously. "I would gladly resspond to a civilized quesstioning." "Alright, what is your species doing here on this planet." "My sspeciess has no home anymore. An assteroid collided with our planet, ssplitting it in half." "So you wanted to claim this as your new home." "Yess. You are persseptive captain." the general hissed.
"Alright, why did you choose this planet?" Orion asked. "Captain I cannot tell you that. Not because I am forbidden to, oh no. But because I do not actually know mysself." The general said serenely.
"Here's another question, how many troops do you have on planet." Orion inquired. "That is ssomething I am forbidden to tell you captain." the general sneered. "100,987" Getram said. The general looked surprised. "Well, well, well, it sseemss you all are full of ssurprisess. Egssactly how did you pluck that from my mind."
"Quite simple actually. You see keyblades give their masters unique abilities the master can use even without the keyblade. Mine gives me the ability to read what is on the top of people's minds. James here can sense the individual emotions of a whole planet, so he is essentially everywhere at once. Rizon has an array of advanced senses including excellent vision. Neotsuka, or 'Neo', is a ninja, but on top of that his keyblade turns him invisible. Meonna, can teleport long distances because of hers, but not short distances strangely. Finally," he jerked his thumb at Orion and Angel, "We have the captain and his we--" "If you say wench I'm going to kick you between the legs Getram. Don't make me do that, it'd be a waste of a kick." Angel said sardonically.
"Uh...well Angel over there. Can both run and fly at supersonic speeds. Finally we have the captain, his keyblade gives him the ability of short range telekinesis."
"Ah, I ssee sso baissically my quesstionss will be ansswered with or without my cooperation." the general hissed.
"More or le----" Getram froze. "You--no you can't." he stammered. The general grinned, "Ah sso you've finally figured it out." "Guys I'm picking up some wierd vibrations in the ground." Rizon said nervously. Getram continued to stare at the general. Finally, he spoke, "He's.....fake." he muttered. "That'ss right. I'm not really a general, I'm jusst a back of flesh with a tracking ssignal hooked to my brain sstem. I was a ssecurity measure, jusst to make sure the big bosssses knew the basse was operational. If I died they'd check it out, if I moved too far they'd check it out. The army is coming for you as we sspeak. They will capture you." the pseudo-general laughed maniacally. Then something beeped. His eyes rolled up into his head and he slumped onto the table, dead.
Orion looked out over the valley. He felt weak. The entire city was full of marching, humanoid troops. The question had never occured to him to ask why the general wasn't human. Now he knew, he was a tool, and he himself had become a puppet. His mind went blank and he just wanted to withdraw. Then something snapped him back into reality.
"CAPTAIN!! What do we do!?!" James yelled. Orion looked up, the situation may have been bleak but it certainly wasn't hopeless. He had to be strong for his team.
"Alright, Getram get rid of that thing in the chair. James collapse the tent. Then everyone get into battle formation."
They did what he said. Angel stood up and cracked her knuckles and tucked her wings firmly onto her back under her armor. Orion glanced back at her. "You itching for a fight?" "No way I'm far too ladylike, remember?" she stood innocently making Orion laugh. Then he looked at Rizon. "How 'bout you Rizon?" The latter jumped up and summoned his keyblade, a strongly fire-based keyblade. "Yeah, I can't wait to show these bozos how we do it Shordack style!" he said.
Not Much Later
All seven of them stood in the grass, keyblades at the ready. Waiting for the first of the soldiers to come over the ridge. They didn't wait long. A human head came into view followed by others marching in unison. That's where it got unpredictable, because as soon as the wielders charged the troops they broke ranks, scattering around trying to find an opportunity to capture the squadron.
Angel, clearly impatient, really rushed the line, knocking forty five soldiers into the air on foot. Everyone else chose a spot and went for it. Orion engaged the burliest ones with his mind, sending them rolling down the hill into their own ranks.
"Strike Raid!" He shouted. Sage formed into a disk and Orion threw it, cutting down the soldiers on the frontlines. In one fluid motion he caught sage and parried the blow from a trooper. He kept fighting, occasionally locating one of the others. He blocked and attacked with finis but soon came to realize that he didn't hear anymore swords clanking in the background. He scanned the now much less dense horde for his team. He wasn't happy when he found them They were all bound and gagged on the ground. Orion stopped. One of the soldiers stepped forward calmly and just as calmly offered a proposal,
"You have a choice white-blader, you can come quietly with your team." "Not it I set them free I don't." Orion dashed towards his team. But the soldier guarding them stepped over to Angel and held a knife under her neck. Orion stopped dead. He felt as if time had stopped.
The soldier spoke again, "Aah, it appears we've found a weak spot in the captain's hide. Yes I knew, because I saw the look you threw when she charged at the beginning of the battle." He chuckled, he walked right up to Orion and stared him in the face. "It was one of pride......and concern. It was the last part that tipped me off, no captain would be concerned about a good fighter going into battle." He walked over to her and grabbed the knife. "I'll make it very easy for you captain, either you go to the ship..." He pressed the blade against her skin, making several drops of blood drip out. "Or she dies."
Orion glared at him, the sunset mirroring the emotion in his heart. He loathed the soldier with every fiber. He cursed himself as he held out his wrists, never taking his eyes off the soldier. For an instant as he was being cuffed, Orion looked into the soldier's eyes with anger and hatred so intense, fear momentarily spread across the man's face. Then Orion lost consciousness.
When he awoke, he was kneeling on a platform that was rapidly rising. He looked at his ankles to see that they were unbound. He stood up. The luminescence of the tube was massive. Blue lights shone everywhere and the clear tunnel provided a nice view of the planet below.
"Ah nice to see that you're awake captain." a cold, harsh voice with a tone of feigned friendliness spoke behind him. Orion spun to see the soldier. "I don't think we were introduced properly, I am Zane." "Tell me Zane where is my Squadron?" "Don't you worry their pretty little heads about that. Just relax." he meant the relax thing. Orion could sense it. But he couldn't imagine why. He soon got his answer.
The lift opened into a structure almost ten stories tall with tiered seats positioned down. As he was lead forward he looked up and saw a gigantic podium with five seats. Four of which were occupied by men in business suits not much older than himself. The center seat was empty. Suddenly, in his peripheral he saw something that made him relax. All six of his team was being lead to where he was.
"Ah there you are my friend. I was beginning to worry." Neo said as he stood by Orion. "What happened?" he asked. "Well after we got captured we were knocked out by something." James said. "We're fine by the way. But your concern is refreshing." he added sharply. "So when did you wake up?" Orion asked. "All six of us awoke on the lift captain. When we asked where you were they said you were with Zane." Orion sighed internally, he did not want anyone to know just how soft his softspot was.
Suddenly the court got very quiet. The fifth seat was filled with yet another young man in a business suit. Though this one seemed a bit older. "Now..." he spoke, his voice echoed. "This court has been called to session to account for the unlawful raid of our base and slaughter of our troops." Orion made no motion. "Captain Orion. Are you present?" the judge asked looking into the group. "Yes." Orion answered sternly. The judge nodded and continued. "You are charged with this crime and by extension so is your team. Do you deny your guilt." Orion stared at him, "No." "Very impressive, this court looks kindly upon honesty. I will consult the four indifferent judges." They rose and left the court.
Orion leaned close to James, "What are you picking up from them?" James focused, "Hmmm....right now nothing but I th----" he halted. "What is it?" Orion whispered. "I-I-I don't know. But I don't like the feel of it." James said warningly.
The judge returned alone. "Key Squadron Alpha, as a sentence for these crimes we will offer you a choice. Option one is imprisonment for 20 years. I assume this is not the option you choose." the judge said snidely.
"That depends, what are the other choices." Orion replied.
"Option two is giving us the defense codes to your temple." he said. 'That's why they so desperately wanted me to get on the ship, they're going to pay for threatening her.' He thought.
"What's the last option?" Orion called up. "Well of course we have no disrespect for galactic police, albeit one we do not technically belong to. We would be glad to let you go...." he smiled and got a leacherous look in his eye.
Orion saw Getram edge toward Meonna, why was anyone's guess.
"If?" Orion asked
"...if you give something in return." the judge finished.
Orion knew what he wanted. "We're not giving you the codes!" "Oh but if you choose this option that's not what you give up." the judge said.
"Then what it can't be our keyblades they'd just flash back to us if we gave them to....you." He caught it. It was subtle but the judges eyes were darting occasionally. Orion didn't like the targets. And he realized why Getram edged toward Meonna.
"Those pigs!" James said enraged. But his fury was no comparison to Orion's.
Orion looked up slowly. "We're not doing that." The judge smiled, "Ah, so you did catch on." He snapped his fingers and several troops rushed toward the women. They jumped, back to back as Angel unfurled her wings. "Ooh, that's a neat trick." It was Zane, leaned up against the podium.
And that did it. Orion let out a yell as the floor beneath him began to glow and crack. Sage appeared and orbited him, quickly becoming a solid streak. Orion's eyes began to glow, as the text weaved across his skin. Troops tried to attack him only to have limbs carved off by the spinning blade. Then in a flash of light it was over.
He hovered above the cracked floor. Basking in his own power.
"STRIKE BLADE." he said indifferently. Sage divided into two and sawed the podium in two places. The judge scrambled for the door but could not make it and began the ten story fall to his death.
Orion telekinetically saved him and brought the judge to rest in the air in front of him. Orion was frowning but had no distinguishable shape to his mouth. He was utterly serious and calm. "Thank you." the judge said. "NOT A PROBLEM." Orion said. Then he charged a beam and shot the judge through the groin, leaving a perfect hole between his legs. The judge yelped in pain. Orion brought him closer. To look directly at him. "THAT'S A SUITING PUNISHMENT I THINK. YOUR MISTAKE, JUDGE, IS THAT YOU BROUGHT ANGEL INTO THIS." and with that he kicked the man into the ceiling, cracking it and likely killing the man. Orion speed-warped down closer to where the battle was ensuing. He surveyed the scene.
"CAN I GET A CHALLENGE FOR ONCE." he stated and snapped his fingers. All the troops started to float in midair. Orion landed next to his own troops. "EVERYONE HOLD ONTO MEONNA, SHE'LL TELEPORT YOU TO THE SURFACE." he said. "Wait," She said, "Captain what about you?" Angel answered for him, "Oh he'll be fine." she looked at Orion. "He's the captain remember?" Then they were gone.
"ALRIGHT TIME TO CLEAR OUT A FINE PIECE OF REAL ESTATE." "SHIELD!" he shouted making a bubble appear around him. He charged his aura and sho off like a bullet through the hull of the ship. He did this constantly untill it was little more than splinters. Then he disintigrated the remains with a beam.
Back on the surface, he met up with everyone. He turned back to normal. Then he contacted the temple to open a wormhole for them. "We can finally leave this place." he said happily.
End Arc 1
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Post by The Chronic Dragon on Jul 8, 2009 19:18:49 GMT -5
[glow=green,6,300]Emergence Arc Initiated[/glow]
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Post by The Chronic Dragon on Jul 8, 2009 19:22:38 GMT -5
Saiden Galaxy vector: 250,0.45,874 - Outer Ring: In Orbit Around Planet Bronzatia(Fourth Era)
Planet Bronzatia. A mountainous lush green world of equal land and sea. As an outer Ring planet, it's federal funding is limited to that of healthcare and education. The inhabitants have been a thorn in the side of the Galactic Council for 1000 years. The problem has been that peaceful Bronzats exist in the minority. Unfortunately, the problem is about to get bigger.
On the surface of its moon rests an enormous military base covered in glass-like domes typical of Bronzation construction. Large ships have landed for miles around the base. So a small, solo pilot ship should not be of much concern.
The ship in question was flying toward the base at tremendous speed. It touched down right near the entrance. The cockpit oepened with a soothing hum and a stairway appeared for the pilot to climb out.
The pilot collapsed onto the moon's surface. He looked like he'd been in an explosion. Guards at the front gate rushed over to the man struggling to get up. One lifted his visor.
"Citizen are you alright?" he asked formally. The man groaned weakly. "Quickly someone get a doctor." the guard shouted. The man on the ground grabbed his arm. "No, I am fine soldier." the man said weakly. His arms shook as he pushed off the ground. He looked the guard calmly in the face. The man was dressed in armor, he had cold blue eyes and brown hair, his face was tan and his mouth showed only a hint of a smile. The guard and the others behind him straightened posture and saluted. "General Zane, SIR!" the guards shouted in unison. Zane waved away the gesture as he was gripping his side, which was crusted with blood, and limping. "That is unneeded soldier. What I DO need is help to get to the war council. I have disturbing news regarding Operation Lockdown." "Yes sir." the guard supported Zane's arm and helped him walk. The general growled in pain. "Sir, what happened to you? I thought you were overseeing the takeover of Planet Thranic. Where's the Gorgonnaught? How did you get that gash across your eye and all those bruises? Good, Lord! Why do you have a broken leg? Why--" the guard asked insesintly. "I can answer all your questions with two words soldier." Zane stopped and looked up into the face of the man carrying him. "Keyblade Master."
The soldier's eyes widened in fear as he helped Zane through the towering entryway. "H-How do you know? I doubt any band of normal soldiers would have anyone skilled enough to be a Keyblade Master. Even if they did it's not information they would share lightly." "The members of the Keyblade Army on Thranic were not in a battalion of ordinary soldiers." Zane replied calmly, rounding a corner into a collinnade. "No this was a Keyblade Squadron. Hopefully, there best one, Alpha." The guard looked back ahead thinking, "Well sir, I stand by what I said, I highly doubt they would share that information with you, even under torture." "Keep in mind that this specific member is only 23." Zane replied. The guard scoffed. "23, that's little more than an adolescent. Personally I think you're jumping to conclusions general because even a twenty three year old is smart enough to hide the fact that he's the most powerful warrior in the galaxy." he said amused.
Zane replied as they passed into a massive hall that was capped with a clear glass dome. "Do not underestimate the young soldier. Every member of that squadron is near that age. But, none even came close to the skill of Orion. However, he is a rash one." "Did his combat skills tip you off general?" the guard asked. "No. Not at first." Zane replied. "Then how do you know? Morever, how does the fact that he's rash play into it at all?" Zane looked at him. "Rash was the wrong word. Naive is more correct." "Whatever the word is that describes him, please, tell me how you know general."
"You will find out, we are here." Zane stated. The guard stopped. A large wood door, carved with intricate designs, snaked around the frame. The guard opened the door into a room, filled with a large round table and thirteen members of differing species. One seat was empty. A slightly bearded man with gray skin and black hair stood up, "Ah, general Zane, you have only just missed the beginning of the council just the intro--" the man stopped. His face became plastered with shock. "Dear god, what happened to you Zane!?" he cried. "Well Zigmos..." he began as he was helped into his chair next to the man. "...before I explain I should like a healer. These wounds smart something awful." The man called Zigmos nodded to a guard standing by the door on the other side of the spacious room. "Well that proposal will have to wait General Adred," Zigmos said to a green-skinned man with four mirrored eyes. "Zane how did the takeover of the planet Thranic play out?" "Oh it was a complete success." he said coldly, as the healer came in and began to cast magic onto his wounds. "Really?" Zigmos said, impressed. "Of course not." Zane snapped bitterly. "We failed, entirely, our progress on the planet was pointless. What I've come to tell the Parriah Council is vital concerning operation Lockdown." he stated flatly. "You were stopped by the Keyblade Army?" another figure chimed in, this figure was female and had four arms. "Yes, member's of it. Specifically a Keyblade Squadron, designation alpha." Zane replied. "Well, were you at least able to achieve the security codes?" Zigmos asked. "We came close, by the way next time hire a judge who's not a perverted fool." Zane said. "What happened?" Zigmos said. "We captured the Squadron and tried them. They recieved options, all of which would inevitably result in the reception of the security codes. Their leader, named Orion, was not happy with the last option." Zane said, suddenly realizing that he had probably antagonized the man himself. Zane continued, "We brought him and his team aboard not knowing the fact that this particular wielder was the Keyblade Master." Commotion arose. Twelve of the fourteen members responded to him simultaneously.
"Liar!" "If you're going to cover your tracks at least give a good excuse." "How is that possible?" "How do you know?"
Zigmos raised his hand and the uproar ceased. "Let the man finish generals." Zane nodded, "When the judge proposed the last stupid option, sending in soldiers to restrain the female members of his team, yeah that was my thought too." Zane responded to varied looks of surprise, disgust, and shame. "He did something, something I have only read about and believed to be a myth, he performed the Kiro transformation." Looks of shock and hopelessness spread around the room. "Well, our planss are utterly ruined now." a response came. "Oh, don't worry Cleoffor," Zane said to the reptilian creature across the table, "I have some good news. Turns out Orion has a softspot, a weakness." Zane reassured. "What is it?" Zigmos asked. "Not what who, she is a member of his team." Zane replied. "One lovestruck youth cannot be so much trouble." Someone commented. "Really? It just so happens that she is also his detonator." Zane replied calmly. The commentor looked abashed. "Sso if we have any hope for ssuccessss of Lockdown, we have to kill her?" Cleoffor remarked. "No. If we did that we'd all be dead." Zane corrected. "So what should we do?" The woman from before asked. "We should do what I did to capture him. Get her and hold her for ransom." Zane replied. Zigmos looked intrigued. "You talk like you have already made a plan general." Zane looked over at the head commander. "I have sir, however, it hinges on her capture, so that is all I will bother to reveal for now." "Alright we'll send out messages to the outlying planets, bounty hunters will be enthralled at the price we'll put on her head. What does she look like?" General Adred requested. "Short, gold, not blonde, hair, um...I think her eyes were blue..no green. She wears silver armor, and her wingspan is around 20 feet." Zane stated. "Say that last part again." Adred, who was writing this down, said confused. "She has wings that can tuck tightly onto her back." Zane explained. "You're talking about capturing an angel!?" A new figure with dark blue skin and two horns exclaimed. "Yes Draniir. Why?" Zane asked.
Many people looked nervous. They knew first hand, the characteristics of angels. Aside from being stunningly beautiful, they were peaceful and very kind. Usually. But when agitated they were powerful, aggressive, and incredibly dangerous. They were a race of warriors and did not take kindly to insult. Especially females. And just because their nature prevented cruelty does not mean it prevented them from killing. People who knew this showed their race respect. Zane didn't know this. So the crowd kindly filled him in. "Well that's unfortunate." Zane said blandly. "We're going to have to increase the bounty if we want any results." Adred stated. "What about the rest of the team? What should the description say should be done with them?" he added. "Doesn't matter." Zane replied "I don't want to risk there being a trigger you missed general. I'll put down not to kill them." Adred said. After a few moments of writing he said, ".....The message is complete."
The plan was under way.
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Post by The Chronic Dragon on Jul 8, 2009 23:14:58 GMT -5
Saiden Galaxy: Planet Sigthos - Narition Tavern named Hangout (Fourth Era)
'Why' James thought. He glanced across the small table at his leader looking up at a glass monitor above the bar. 'Why did the captain drag us here.' He looked around at the dump of a restaurant he was now misfortunate enough to have stepped into. Not much good could be said about it except that it was clean....physically, and well lit. It had a bar with tables lined against the wall and through the center.
"What the hell captain?" James asked. "It's Niffball. The object is to score points in those floating goal posts." Orion said obliviously watching the game. Men in padded jumpsuits rode around on hovering scooters carrying paddles and passing around a fist-sized rubber ball. "Not the game captain. We're supposed to be looking for the source of the surge in slave dealings on this planet." James said. Orion took a swig of dresp1 and looked at looked at James. "We're in a bar on the edge of an alleyway between two skyscrapers James. Where should we start looking for criminals if not here?" James thought, "You've got me stumped there captain." And began to watch the game with him. Rizon came over. "Hey guys!" The pair waved distractedly.
"They've got the cleanest sinks here." He said sitting down. "Oh that's a horrible call!" Orion yelled at the screen as a man was being penalized for being kicked off his scooter, then he glanced at Rizon. "Sinks are typically clean Rizon. There's water and soap running through them." He snickered. James' ears suddenly twitched. He looked for the source. There was a slight commotion at the bar, barely audible over the noise in the restaurant.
"Um, captain." James said, nervous of how he would react. Orion looked at him. "Don't go into a frenzy but there's about..." James counted, "Seven guys in here looking at Angel over there." James pointed to the bar where she sat, wearing her normal clothes like them. Orion looked, shrugged, and responded, "She's drop-dead-gorgeous what do you expect?" He said, then took another sip and looked back at the screen. James, confused, inquired. "This coming from you. The guy who destroyed a ship because the judge was a pervert. Aren't you going to go all overprotective and kick their asses." Orion looked at him indifferently. "Two things James. One, that happened nine months ago, I've changed since then. Two, seriously she's an angel, literally, the only one I feel concern for is the one that manages to piss her off."
James didn't expect that, he was concerned for the well being of another teammate, but Orion had faith in her so he wasn't that worried. Nevertheless, he shifted his attention to the bar as some of the guys moved toward it.
"Hey go-jus." One said, clearly drunk. She didn't respond. Another came up beside him, "Forgive him he can be very rude some times, do you want me to buy you a drink?" "Ooh let me think up a proper response....no." She said. She took a drink of her own drisp. Five of the guys now stood next to her. Making inappropriate comments and offering her drinks. The bartender came over, "Gentlemen, leave the lady alone, she is clearly fine by herself.
"Hey fckoff granpah." The first one said. Angel grinned mischieviously at the bartender and whispered to him, "Don't worry, I'll be fine. If the time comes may I have permission to wipe the floor with their teeth?" The bartender nodded. "I thought he'd never leave. She's too fine for a guy like him." one of the guys commented. James noticed her wings flinch, a reflexive scare tactic angels used that Angel decided she'd rob these men of, it they could be called men. However, one of the seven noticed the twitch, made the connection, and left the bar with a lame excuse to his friend.
"Very attentive." she said slyly. James could sense her emotion spiking. James thought, 'Any second now she's going to----' CRACK 'yep there it is'. The sound was of Angel elbowing a guy in the face so hard it broke his nose. He fell to the floor writhing and clutching his nose. The men glanced at him and then back at her. She had spun in her chair and now faced the men. "Now I don't really feel concerned for anyone." Orion said, James noticed that he now watched Angel rather than the game.
"You're going to pay for that b*tch!!" One of the men shouted. "Oh am I?" Angel asked, in a way that was both sexy and wet-your-pants scary.
One aimed a punch at her face. She caught his wrist with little effort and broke his arm with a single motion. She flitted her eyes back to the other four, "You four should really learn a lesson from these two. I won't hurt you unless you try to first." They didn't learn. They walked toward her with fists clenched. She sighed, vaulted over the back of her chair over to the wall and sat on a table. "It is officially too late for you four." She said and winked at Orion. He summoned his keyblade and cast aerogun over the restaurant exit. "That's a laugh. What can a girl do to four men?" One said cockily staring her down with his buddies. "I don't actually know what human girls can do. But I..." she paused, whipping her wings open out of the tears on her shirt causing the remaining people, including the bartender to gasp and get anxious, sometimes deviously excited looks on their faces. "Am an angel, and I know very well what I can do. And judging by the fact that two of you look horrified, I'm guessing you do to. You, however." She said pointing at the oblivious guys. "Need an education." She grinned, "Allow me to educate you." She jumped off the table and kicked them both between their legs. James winced when he heard a watery popping sound emanate from one of them. She then bashed their skulls together, using them a a vault to do a flip, and finished off by grabbing their collars and hurling them into the opposite wall. She landed with one arm on the ground and stared at the other two, they ran for the door. Impacting the wall of air with a thud. They looked at Orion, they had clearly seen his keyblade earlier but probably didn't make anything of it. Now Orion smiled innocently and waved at them.
The two men gazed at each other and James sensed their minds flood with realization of Orion's and Angel's relationship and hopelessness about the situation they found themselves in. "Ah, crap." they both said.
Angel rushed over, punching one hard in the chest and smacking the other hard in the back with her wings. They crumpled over and said nothing else. Everyone was speechless. Then James heard applause, the captain was clapping and whistling, "Oh that was an excellent performance, what a show, give it up for her everybody!!" Orion shouted. Angel giggled a little and the few in the bar shrugged and clapped as she sat down at the table next to them with Neo and Getram. She kissed Orion on the cheek.
"Spare me." Getram remarked. He arose to get more to drink.
James leaned over to Orion. "Okay I changed my mind captain, what the hell was that. It looked rehearsed."
"It sort of was." Angel said. Orion said, "Let me explain. She is beautiful. That's not just me being the guy and flattering her it's a fact." James glanced at her, it was not a statement he could refute, not even close. "What you just witnessed was one of her defense strategies. It's one of the few that involves me." he explained.
"So she's practiced defending herself against advances. Is that why you don't try any captain?" Rizon commented. "No." Orion replied. "Getting back to the man-thrashing that just happened." James injected, "Was that whole thing basically a waste of time?" Getram came back and sat down, "Actually no, because one of the guys we're looking for is embedded in that wall." he said nonchalantly, taking a sip. "It's not wise of you to announce it out loud." Neotsuka said. Getram replied, "Why not? He's not going anywhere, she popped one of his--" "Okay, so let's just talk to him when he wakes up." James said. "For now let's just enjoy ourselves."
1 dresp - a beverage with low alchohol content that tastes like butterscotch, ginger ale, and water mixed together well.
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