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Post by Tiefy on Jun 26, 2017 19:42:42 GMT -8
"...Once again, you press onward with false assumptions. To be fair, you did check your references here - the problem is that your sources are not entirely accurate."
And now, the Daemon proceeds to drop its facade outright, the fem-Nightshade fading away into the amorphous shape that it once came from. Or rather, it maintains the basic body shape, but none of the coloration or features. Those eight glowing nuclei once again stare back at the Navi, and for the first time, Nightshade may notice the significance of their arrangement within the body - several of the cores appear to form the terminus of the humanoid form's extremities, with one each dedicated to the forearms and feet, another for the head, and the remaining three staying within the central body. It would seem that without them, the surrounding Dark Matter would not be able to retain its cohesion...
"The ONB Archive only tracks information that agents within the field directly witnessed - and while they've made some cute elaborations on why certain things work the way they do, their theories are still quite far from the truth. What you describe was never an 'upgrade', or even an intended feature of mine - it is a side effect of the mechanism that allowed my original body to move as it did. That shell was destroyed in battle long ago, and little remains of it beyond the basic framework you see today. I simply had the guile and resourcefulness to weaponize that mechanism... to answer your question, just as my Control Module function was never originally meant to be used to control other Navis, it was also never designed to do so comfortably. I do not know how I would go about making it pleasant for the subject, nor do I care to do so. If someone were to give their form and shape to me in full, whether they would survive the process, or for how long, would depend entirely on their individual endurance and stamina. I can't imagine it would last for terribly long, and I would not suggest trying to find out unless you have a VERY efficient reconstruction subroutine at the ready."
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Post by Nightshade on Jun 27, 2017 1:01:32 GMT -8
Nightshade nodded and switched through each of the eight cores as he spoke. "In fact I do. What you say is absolutely true. But, have you ever tried it on a willing partner?" He asked again.
"I know it's sounds strange. But on one side it is you fighting against the other guy for control. You basically have to impose yourself over him and force all the movements, since I doubt your target would allow you to. That is what I believe is the source of the pain. On the other side, if you were to do it on me, that fight for control wouldn't be there at all. What I am curious to know is mostly if you can really access my abilities, and see if that mechanism of yours can be used for more than simple mind control.
I mean, think about it: you are a good attacker, I am a good dodger. If we put those two things together, the result sounds like a rather efficient warrior. I am not going to impose anything on you, but don't feel bad about trying. As I said, I had some contingency plans already on stanby to prevent deletion."
There he goes again. Nightshade neverending curiosity clearly had the best on him. Curiosity sure killed the cat. Or made him stronger.
"I mean, you could allow me to move around and dodge stuff the way I do, then I could simply allow myself to go limp and switch control to you for the attacking part. What I envision is a body with two muscular apparatuses. One is my own, the other is you attached to my bonemap. If either one is active and operates indipendently it shouldn't at all be different than how I feel right now, save for not having control over my movement 50% of the time."
Still out of curiosity, he poked the Daemon's belly. He always wanted to know if she was actually solidifying into various shapes. More questions popped in his head. Namely, if he could use that stuff to make his claws sharper, longer or outright more deadly altogether.
"This is nothing but baseless cute conjecture as you call it. Still, I wouldn't mind turning it into proof. Think of it like...a trial of trust and me wanting to understand stuff. I have no problem in accepting the risks. I am standing in front of the only Deamon in this world. I want to see just how crazy powerful your abilities are. As for the pain, don't hold back. I can take it.
Not only that, but it would help you as well. You said you are not as strong as in the glory days. Well then, let’s shave off the rust. The stonger you are, the more I can learn from you."
The cat seemed dead set on going through with his crazy experiment and risk deletion because of it. He looked at Thrash with a determined look she never saw him use. "You gave me your powers, in a way. Now it should be my turn to repay the favor. Go on. Let the legend come back to life!"
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Post by Tiefy on Jun 28, 2017 16:35:21 GMT -8
<... ... ...>
What began as innocent curiosity is quickly turning into an annoyance. Nightshade's literal poking and prodding might've been a step too far with his new 'teacher', especially seeing as he doesn't seem to have any interest in the curriculum offered. So be it - the most valuable lessons are those hardest-earned...
<One.>
And with that, the Daemon strikes like a poised viper at a child tormenting it with a stick. Nightshade now has a four-inch wide tendril of what appears to be raw concentrated evil sticking straight through his his neck and out through the other side. The Daemon's impaling finger has taken on an almost ethereal quality, darkening towards the tip that has now struck through the Navi's framework - rather than stabbing agony, he instead feels a sinister chill radiating from the spot where the impromptu lance has... punctured? Is there even a hole to speak of?
<I will stress this to you again - this process is not meant to be survived. I get the distinct feeling that you are not here with permission from your Operator, who I feel would not take it well if I were to send your remains back home in a bag after attempting something like this. So to satisfy your curiosity, we will see how your system handles the influence of one of my cores. And then if you value your life, you will not touch upon this subject again.>
THERE'S the agony! A pulse of burning red light suddenly travels down the length of the crystalline needle, and Nightshade's nerves are ablaze with blinding, searing pain, like his digital flesh has suddenly transformed, cell-by-cell, into a mass of ravenous insects that are now violently ripping and tearing into one another for sustenance. Literal RIPPLES are now traveling along his skin, each one accompanied by another wave of boiling torment. With no input from himself, Nightshade's left arm extends in front of him, flexing and squeezing fingers that are now bending backwards and sprouting razor-sharp crystal claws from their tips...
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Post by Nightshade on Jun 29, 2017 2:30:36 GMT -8
Nightshade couldn't even breathe from the intense pain he was going through. He clutched his left shoulder, forced to his knees, gasping for air. Then, something strange happened. Through the searing agony, he felt the same burst of energy he felt each time he used Thrash's DoubleSoul. This time however, it was twice as potent. No, three times. No wait...he was literally going to explode now. He felt that warmth jolt from his chest to his left arm as well.
His left arm began twitching sporadically, spazzing out. Then, it changed way further that expected. The ripples ravaging his whole arm exposed several red pulsating veins. Then, slowly, his arm lost its usual coloration, as well as its defined shape, forcing another yelp out of the smaller Navi. It completely crystallized, or better, turned into the same thing Thrash was made of. Nightshade grunted in pain again as his arm began pulsating in unison with the veins that had formed, almost passing out for a second.
That was rather anomalous. It was like Nightshade's body was going through a DoubleSoul change but it also looked like he was having his data cannibalized and converted into something else. It all looked like some sort of out of control Daemon Thirst. Some sort of parasitic, cancerous mutation spreading all over his left upper appendage.
The pain slowly began to fade away when the arm itself slightly reshaped into a mockup of his old one. The veins were still there, still pulsating, while you now could also see Thrash's core inside the arm, located right in the middle of it all, where the elbow should be. Nightshade's hand took on a way more vicious look than normal. He still had five fingers. Five fingers that were now clawed, able to rip and tear way better than his normal ones could ever dream of. Five fingers that could surely mutate into something even more deadly looking.
<Master, please exercise caution with our Host. He is not able to withstand full genetic shift. Not yet aleast. Not enough DMatter data.>
A voice, remotely resebling both Thrash's and Nightshade's echoed inside the Daemon. Nightshade didn't seem to hear it at all, he was however clutching his chest armor tight like something inside him was gripping his heart a little too tight. However, it took no long than a few second for Thrash's core inside the black cat to locate the source of it. It was the phony, the parasite already harbouring the body of the black and green navi. The mockup copy of Thrash generated by the overuse of her Emulation.
The ninth core. Well, actually, a mockup of a core. It still was very much in embryonic development compared to her own. It only stored so little data it was almost impossible to percieve. It didn't seem to be able to do anything but trigger Daemon's Thirst, converting any navi's data into something compatible with Thrash.
Apparently, it had reacted to her, recognising familiar coding, when she injected one of her own cores into her student. Not knowing what to do to aid with Nightshade's possession, it just ran the only process it knew. And by doing that, Nightshade arm had just been converted into Dark Matter, and was under Thrash's full unlimited control, feeling like an extension of her own body. The power radiating from it, though, was five times stronger of what she was used to.
It looked like Thrash was trying to regenerate herself off of Nightshade's body and in a way... it was exactly what had happened. His own left arm data had been completely converted. The ninth core, however, seemed unable to process any more of Nightshade's data into Thrahs' at this time, even while directly connected to her own parasitic core. It needed more processing power. In short, it would need more of the real Cores to link with.
The mutation seemed to slow down around the shoulder area, where the Daemon could finally spot it, the little bugger. A way smaller oval, about half in size to the one residing in the elbow region and dark purple in color. A smaller vein was exiting from it and connecting to the bigger brother further down the arm.
Nightshade breating slowed down, the pain wafting off his body slowly but surely. He wobbly got back up from his kneeled position, staring at his arm in shock and awe. He could definitely feel it, he could feel it throb, shift an move. He just couldn't move it himself. Or at least, he didn't know how to move it.
Looking back up to Thrash's metal face mask he allowed himself to grin. "W-well...this...this was n-not..." he had to pause for a moment, still holding his shoulder. "W-w-w-written in the report."
His left eye too had mutated, without him knowing. The red discoloration was similar to what he would go through during a DoubleSoul change. The pupil though, had been reduced to a small slit, something you would commonly see on reptilian beings.
"S-still...one man's c-curse...is ano-o-ther man's greatest...weapon."
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Post by Tiefy on Jul 3, 2017 5:54:36 GMT -8
Well, that's what Nightshade tries to say, anyway. And while his mouth makes the motions, the words that he hears come out more along the lines of...This one will make a fine Conduit. Excellent work as always, my precious Hunter. < -!!!> And just as quickly as it comes over Nightshade, the sensation of what he can only describe as a momentary out-of-body experience fading away from the edges of his conscience. What he might NOT be ready for, however, is Thrash charging straight for him, arm raised to deliver a vicious right hook to the side of his head!
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Post by Nightshade on Jul 3, 2017 7:07:16 GMT -8
The cat navi was still numb due to his arm mutating. He raised his right arm up in self defense. The hit sent him skidding and tumbling onto the floor. He yelped in pain, unable to get up with only one of his arms working.
"W....what was...that for?" He asked, pain seeping out of his words.
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Post by Tiefy on Jul 4, 2017 4:17:16 GMT -8
As Nightshade writhes on the floor, the Daemon doesn't spare him so much as a sideways glance. Even for a creature without any visible face and 'eyes' that could be looking in every direction at once, it is easy to tell that Thrash is lost in its thoughts. None of this was supposed to be happening, after all. This subroutine had run its course decades ago, a brilliant success in fact, albeit at what the overly-sensitive would consider a 'terrible cost'. But it had been under controlled circumstances then - this was a far different beast, and threatened to put the Daemon's entire purpose for living in jeopardy. Of course, Nightshade has no way of knowing any of this - the ONB knew nothing about this matter, and hopefully would continue to remain blind...
<...If only you could know what you've just done. It would be a mercy to destroy you right now and foot the bill for your reconstruction as an apology to your Operator. It would be the intelligent, rational thing to do. Any way I act now, I will end up attracting the ire of that oaf of a human that you work for...>
The creature clenches its beastly hands into fists, the reddish glow from within their gelatinous depths becoming almost blindingly bright. Moments later, Nightshade finds himself pinned to the ground by a single heavy foot upon his chest, just barely holding back from outright crushing him.
<We have reached a vital juncture in your 'education', it would seem. This is no longer a mere curiosity - I must see this through to its conclusion, whatever that may be. I am forbidden to go into detail on what has happened here, but rest assured, it is going to be very relevant to you and your well-being for the forseeable future.>
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Post by Nightshade on Jul 4, 2017 4:27:03 GMT -8
Nightshade yelped again. "I...don't...understand...what the hell...did I do....now?"
The cat navi tried to add something to his last phrase, but all it came out were some inchoherent noises. Was that it? What did he do to have Thrash react this way? Did curiosity really killed the cat? Nightshade looked up at Thrash. He was basically pleading her to stop. Well, at least it tried to.
When he realized that the Daemon would have no mercy, he simply looked away, defeated. He only wished to know how would being a Daemon would feel like...
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Post by Tiefy on Jul 4, 2017 12:12:46 GMT -8
<No, boy, you do not understand. There is no reason for you to understand, and if you even came close to understanding, I would be required to end you where you stood. This is what happens when curiosity runs rampant without reasoning to keep it in check...>
With that, Thrash's taloned toes dig into Nightshade's chest, and without so much as a warning, the Core within him suddenly burrows its way out to rejoin with its body. Without a medium to amplify the influence of his Daemonic corruption, the changes to his body begin to swiftly and painfully revert themselves... the Daemon scoffs, lifting its foot away and giving Nightshade the chance to stand up.
<There will be no further questions. You've made it clear that there is only one way that you will learn anything, and attempting to reply to the endless torrent that spews from your mouth is going to accomplish nothing... and you WILL be taught. Not simply because I've grown to enjoy your company, but because I can no longer afford to ignore you. You will be taught to use this power that you have plagarized from me, before your lack of understanding destroys you and everyone you care for. And then you will never ask to come into contact with more of it again, whether it be for my benefit or yours. Are we clear?>
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Post by Nightshade on Jul 4, 2017 13:16:50 GMT -8
Nightshade looked hurt. Not hurt by the pain, but hurt by the words she spoke. He...he didn't know what to say. Why couldn't he know? He slowly sat up, looking at his left arm dead silent. That power...that kind of power...
He meekly replied with a "Yes Ma'am..."
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Post by Tiefy on Jul 4, 2017 20:35:15 GMT -8
<Good. Now stand up.>
Nightshade doesn't even have a chance to pull himself to his feet - the Daemon's tail wraps around his shoulders and hoists him up, his feet not even truly touching the floor. Thrash's featureless face stares back at him, the surface of the gelatinous skin reflecting his own visage, backed by the crimson glow of the head's Core...
<I don't want to hear another word from you about *MY* power. What you have is yours, and yours alone - if it is anybody else's, then it has no reason to consider you its master. If it comes into contact with me again, it will become its own power. If you do not keep a tight leash upon it, it will follow its own instinct - and you do not want to know where that instinct will drive it. Striking you down was the most I could do to stop it this time, and if it were to tighten its hold any further, I would be powerless to do so again.>
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Post by Nightshade on Jul 4, 2017 22:54:36 GMT -8
The cat navi did nothing. He just allowed Thrash to hold him up where he was, listening to her speech. His head hung low, not really wanting to look at the Daemon's face. Not that he could avoid her glare, since everywhere his blue eyes settled there was another core boring itself in his soul.
"U-understood." Was all he was able to reply.
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Post by Tiefy on Jul 5, 2017 15:28:55 GMT -8
<I am not sure that I am convinced. But we will see...>
Nightshade is released from the Daemon's grasp - whether he bothers to support himself with his legs or simply slumps back onto the floor is up to him. Thrash now steps over towards the terminal that Nightshade was originally here to access - the metal structure surrounding it is constructed in much the same way as that pedestal he saw that one week, suggesting that it may also be a compartment that conceals the beast's various armor-sets...
<Your wish is granted. Under my tutelage, you will obtain power, skill, and wisdom beyond anything you thought yourself capable of. You will, because you must.>
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Post by Nightshade on Jul 5, 2017 21:10:43 GMT -8
Nightshade's mood seemed to lightem up at that news. Aside from the rest that happened, he would really be able to learn from Thrash!
Nightshade ran up to the tall Daemon. Before Thrash could do anything, she would feel the smaller navi hugging himself close to her, whispering a "thank you" of sorts before burying his face in her chest, embarassed. As soon as he did so, it was Thrash's time to have out of body experience. Well...to be precise it basically was looking at what data her core had collected from its time inside Nightshade. A small scene flashed in her mind.
"What is Thrash to you, Nighty? Why are you so obsessed with her? And why do you keep trying to impress her?" Shane asked.
"Hm? Why do you ask?"
"Nighty, you spend half of your time training with ThrashSoul, you keep on reading her file and you are trying so hard to get noticed by her. Don't think I didn't notice you trying to find a reason to go see her again. Honestly, you have changed so much since you met her. Before, you wouldn't even speak to a single soul and now you are constantly talking about that Daemon."
Nightshade paused before replying. "She helped me with my insecurity. She kinda gave me her powers and she...well...she helped me become a little stronger. She's...that kind of person that looks after you their own way and help you grow, you know. A figure you look up to and enjoy your time with...like what older siblings do to their younger ones...kinda...you get what I mean."
Shane chuckled. "My, Nighty, if you like her that much you shoud give her a hug or something for all the trouble you caused her...just try not to get in trouble. As long as I don't have to step in you can hang around her for as much as you want."
Nightshade had his eyes shut tight, ready for the obvious retaliation that would follow his move, but he couldn't help it. His tail wagged slowly at her. He also refused to let go though.
"I am sorry I give you so much trouble. I am sorry I always assume stuff. I am sorry I didn't listen to you. I am so, so sorry to have plagiarized your powers. I...I just...forgive me. I'll...I'll make you proud of me. You'll see! I'll be the best student you ever had! I won't be a waste of time."
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Post by Tiefy on Jul 6, 2017 19:48:13 GMT -8
And amidst the whirling cacophany of overly-sentimental flashbacks and numerous other cheesy shonen tropes, the ancient gelatinous weapon organism has only a single response. A perfect calculated reply to nobody in particular, to a world that has seen fit to pull the ol' battleaxe back into service, not for a last hurrah, but to guarantee that decades of hard work aren't simply undone by the machinations of a well-meaning idiot, with the added caveat of not simply killing the cause of the problem...
<...I would ask what I've done to deserve this, but I darn well know the answer already.>
END SCENE
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