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Post by xoDeathy on Sept 19, 2018 11:10:50 GMT -8
On the outskirts of Element City, CLOAK's designation of where he'd be was simple and easy to find. A lone tree with a decent slash across the front of it when you approached it from the side where the river was on your left. Behind the tree would be a larger gathering of trees, but he specified the one all alone.
The sky was sunny.
Things were at peace.
But upon his arrival, Nightshade wouldn't see SILENT_CLOAK here yet.
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Post by Nightshade on Sept 19, 2018 11:48:06 GMT -8
The Juuka walked at a slow pace towards the tree. His claws deployed and his tail flicking left and right, ready to spring into combat. Whoever it was that had called him there, he had to be weary of. Many things had happened in just a few weeks, and Nightshade knew he would need to plan his moves carefully or risk ending up in situation that could include his death.
Stopping by the huge trunk, the feline navi's sapphire blue eyes scanned around for any movement. If this CLOAK guy was going to show up, it would be soon. If not, he had other places to be. If this was a trap...
Well, you don't simply anger a Juuka and expect to live afterwards.
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Post by xoDeathy on Sept 19, 2018 11:56:27 GMT -8
The area quickly grew cold. As if with every step Nightshade took towards the tree, the area grew slightly colder. A chill in the wind picked up, yet the sun still shone brightly.
Suddenly, but slowly, Nightshade would feel a distorted gentle touch, similar to a soft hand glitching out on his shoulder.
"NNZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZTCHHRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRCK..."
Nightshade could feel the touch slightly jump, but whether it was preparing to strike or if there was a reason at all behind it, was too hard to tell.
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Post by Nightshade on Sept 19, 2018 13:12:11 GMT -8
The juuka turned around, expected to see someone...only to see no one. He did not seem phased by the strange temperature nor the ghostly shenaningans. He had witnessed, and lived through, much more scary things than that mere lightshow. He had been face to face with Forte himself, he had met both Cybeasts and a slew of higher powered beings.
Strangely enough, he could smell...Thorn? He was sure that was his scent, although somewhat muffled. Was it all a ruse by one of his NSD kinfolks? He had to admit, it was a possibility cconsidering the Poison Dragon's rather theatrical mannerism and teasy behaviour.
"Come on out, my patience is running thin." The juuka growled, now annoyed at the whole ordeal.
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Post by xoDeathy on Sept 19, 2018 15:55:13 GMT -8
When Nightshade turned around, nothing was there. The temperature seemed to return to normal, but still something was off. Something WAS there. Nightshade would be able to see it, and not see it at the same time. Massive glitches of data, five blobs of bugs resembling the shape of a Navi, almost looking as if it was in an attacking position or a pleading position. But there was more, whenever the sight of glitches appeared for those split seconds, the area grew darker, colder, data scattering in the wind. The trees became a blazing inferno. Yet just when Nightshade would think he saw something, the scenery was actually the same as he left it. Whenever he thought it appeared, he'd hear the same message. NNNNNNNZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZRRRRRRRRTTTT,,,, SSSPSPRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRKX XXXEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE CCCHHHHHHRRRRRRRRRR AAAQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC. Was Nightshade looking too close? Or was he not looking close enough? Was it all in his mind? Or was he rejecting reality?
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Post by Nightshade on Sept 19, 2018 16:10:09 GMT -8
The feline navi didn't really know how to go about this. Was he going crazy? Was his Gregar induced infection playing tricks on his mind?
No way to tell. Was he having flashbacks of something? No. Those wird hallucinations could mean that he was either being screwed up by the bugs in his system or someone else. Never the less, the navi was growing more imatient by the second. The whole staticky thing didnt really sound like anything, and concentrating on it proved to be fruitless effort.
Furiosly tapping his paw on the ground, Nightshade grunted. "Alright, final call cloak guy. Come out now. Or I will walk away."
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Post by xoDeathy on Sept 19, 2018 16:23:52 GMT -8
Fiercly, the shape of bugs became a static figure in existence, like a flash of thunder, in a motion that looked as if it brought both of its hands to its chest in pain, and with it the area seemed to slowly wipe from left to right back to that day.. the paper data flying through the wind.. the sky storming.. the trees ablaze.. the first day he met her. NNNNNNNNZZZZZZZZZZZZIIIIiiiiightcat.. just.. WHAT.. do I look like to you.. what.. AM I.. to you.. Tears fell out of the bugs and shook the network when they hit the ground. Looking at a single tear and then back to the bugs, the bugs weren't bugs. Nightshade could see it. It wasn't some sort of visual change, it was as if he couldn't before. Or wouldn't. It was all like he was looking into an abyss and thinking you're seeing something, but really it was nothing. Had he kept convincing himself it was nothing? Or rather.. could he now, that Inori stood in front of him. She took a step back from the pain she felt from his statements. He would immediately be able to notice her eyes were lifeless, with black scleroses and the iris and pupil were white.. well the plural should be retracted. Her right arm was actually dematerialized from the elbow down, her left arm was in tact. Her decaying core did not whiz or whirl. Instead it was frozen in time, with large cracks protruding from it to cover the rest of the front of her. Her red accents were replaced with nothing but white. And finally, she was in that same dress she loved. Her voice was not normal, however. Nightshade could tell it was Inori's voice, but there was an infectious chime in it, causing it to sound like a mechanical echo with her having visual phasing between her color and purple whenever she spoke.
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Post by Nightshade on Sept 19, 2018 16:40:06 GMT -8
Nightshade's "heart" skipped a beat or two. A singe of pain in his soul stinged his concience as he saw glitched data deform into the navi he loved.
The Juuka's features softened for a moment at the familiar voice, before returning harsh. Inori was dead and just like Aeron before her, there was no turning back. She was gone. He had heard the story from Thorn. How she was absolutely crazy and couldn't be stopped. How her operator did not listen to Rein's warnings and how he had to take the shot in order to protect Thorn from harm once the dragon had his guard lowered.
Still, the vision in front of him intrigued him. Few knew about their connection. Fewer ever witnessed their only hug. Mayura.axa and Uni. The latter seemed adept in illusions, but Nightshade didn't really understand what the guy would get out of tricking him.
Perhaps this cloak guy did have those weird illusion powers other navis had too. The juuka decided to play along, for now.
"You were my everything. Without you I kinda have nothing left." He hesitantly replied, still weary of the whole situation.
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Post by Raven8 on Sept 19, 2018 17:05:22 GMT -8
How sweet a lie, spoken not to her but to yourself...
...the voice... was literal pain. Every word reverberated through the net itself with the cackle of insanity and a glitching power that puts Nightshade's own bug elemental powers to shame. This voice, this being... should not exist.
...but would you like to try again?
A black mist seeps out from the ground itself, covering it from sight in a matter of moments as the room experiences a sudden, unnatural chill.
Perhaps explain to her how, even now, she is still second in the face of your selfish dream? Or rather... your selfish greed?
Behind the corruption of Nightshade's lost love, a clawed, crimson red hand slinks into view and rests on her shoulder as a smiling, sardonic mask of sheer black takes form against the black backdrop. In this moment the sickening, unholy truth slowly becomes obvious;
This truly is the reanimated remains of Inori, and pulling the strings in the most literal sense possible is one of the most reviled and feared beings on the net. Standing behind the bound and lost soul is the binding darkness, the Black Diamond whispered about by those who have experienced his visions of black futures and past alike: Caliga.
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Post by Nightshade on Sept 19, 2018 17:29:02 GMT -8
Nightshade chuckled. "Saying I did not foresee something like this happening would be lying to myself. So, who are you? Since you've made up this whole ruse just to draw me out here, I might as well listen to what you have to say."
The juuka slowly circled the weird manifestation. "Have to say, remarkable Dark Power. Not as threatening as Forte himself...but I give you an A- for effort. Quite mysterious, the fellow, but fascinating interlocutor." He casually stated in a confident tone. It was in part true. He had stared at the incarnation of Darkness itself and whatever this was didn't top that kind of overwhelming force.
The feline navi stopped after a full circle. "So, since you seem to know what I want, let's hear what it is that you want from me. If its my juuka powers you can't have em, even if you destroy me. If you are in search of a Beast I might suggest turning over to the navi that graced us with this...astonishing view..."
Nightshade waved at the ruins of Element City.
"...of ashes and lost souls."
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Post by Raven8 on Sept 19, 2018 17:42:39 GMT -8
The grin across Caliga's face widens as the burning void within his eyes lights up. Under his breath he laughs, causing the net itself to pulse in pain beneath the weight of his all-consuming black heart.
Caliga: Such an elegant breed of arrogance, and such an appropriate choice of words.
Caliga's head lowers as he places his second clawed hand onto Inori's other shoulder, hiding half of his abysmal mask behind the suffering girl's head.
Caliga: I do know of all that you've told me. But all that I truly want today.... is a pawn.
Caliga brings his face closer to Inori's, looking Nightshade dead in the eyes as he whispers a screaming order of agony in silence.
Caliga: Kill him for me.
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Post by Nightshade on Sept 19, 2018 17:57:03 GMT -8
"Oh? A Pawn? Then I say you'd missed your chance with me. I used to fill that position rather well a few weeks prior." Nightshade commented, rubbing his chin. His entire body was ready for anything, his senses sharp as razors.
"But let me humor you, mr mask guy. What would you gain from a Pawn such as myself. Why turn to the living when the dead seem...much more exploitable."
There was a hint of excitement in Nightshade's tone. Somehow confronting powerful entities energized him. This mask guy was indeed strong, but the feline himself had a few tricks up his sleeve. If this were to be his last dance with evil, then he would make sure he would leave a lasting mark to whoever would bring him down.
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Post by xoDeathy on Sept 19, 2018 20:24:47 GMT -8
You... you were never there for me... As in more phasing tears began to fall, Inori's arm and half arm slumped down to her sides, falling to her knees as the entity of pure agony was her only source of consolement.
I sniffle followed you.. through all of your dangerous adventures.. to ensure you'd be safe.. to jump when you needed me.. I was ALWAYS looking out for you.. You got sniffle yourself.. into the stupidest things..!! So sniffle stupid.. I couldn't get you out of all of them.. yet.. even so.. yet..!!! Inori wiped the end of her tears away, only to be greeted by more tears as she reached her hand towards Nightshade, her strands of data following to her left hand and forming a pure white cannon pulsating with power.
Yet what have you done for me..?! Why didn't you come for me..?! You kept chasing this stupid search for strength.. for power.. I knew from the moment you had gotten the power of sniffle that beast that I would lose you forever.. EVEN NOW YOU THINK HE IS HERE TO CLAIM YOU WHEN THAT SHOULD BE SO CLEAR IT ISN'T THE CASE!! After her overly dramatic hand motions with her distorted voice practically screeching, a devestating blinding charge began to envelop the entire cannon, soon causing it to shine brighter than a small sun. The area they were in seemed to shake twice as often, thanks to both Caliga and the sudden gathering of power.
You were never any different.. you really were just another Darkloid searching for power.. I was right.. sniffle Mayura was right..!! I.. I..!! With that her cannon... crashed into the ground, creating a small crater below it which began filling with tears as Inori looked at the ground, her distorted being phasing between herself and purple just from her crying now.
... I hate you.. you're nothing to me.. I have no reason to fight for this world anymore.. I want it all to collapse..!! Even without the heavenly charged shot, she aimed the cannon once more at Nightshade. She wiped away the last of her tears once more, and stared into Nightshade's eyes with her own dead countenance.
.. if you could even dare say you love me.. take this shot and.. Perish. Aimed at his legs, the cannon, all within a split second, turned a blood red, fully charged to a crimson sparkling color, cackling with deep seated energy, and fired at Nightshade. She fully intended to cripple him right from the get go. While her words said one thing, this shot making contact would be critical to his leg systems, making them inoperable, but she had not been attempting to make a kill move yet.
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Post by Nightshade on Sept 20, 2018 2:09:24 GMT -8
Nigthshade simply raised an arm up, a barrier disintegrating the projectile, turning it into nothing than more of pitiful dust at his feet.
The juuka's glare turned to full on wrath. He may have lost his cybeast powers for the time being, but the small bits of Greiga's code still reacted to his emotions...and when every fiber of your being wishes for nothing but total annihilation of what standing in your way that's bound to prove quite a pickle for those trying to pick a fight. Staring into those now blood red eyes, signature of any juuka, still present in the derelict navi that was Nightshade.Rx would still be harrowing. They were eyes with no remorse. No guilt. No mercy.
The only thing left was unyielding rage of the purest kind. A rage so very pure the very manifestation of it would be enough to shake the foundations of the net.
The ground began to tremble, cracking and splitting in various points, before the tremble turned into a full on earthquake as Nightshade's power instatly reached its peak. The ground caved in under his feet, unable to withstand the sudden surge of wrath.
Raising his hand again, holding a minute sparkle between his fingers, the feline warrior faced the remnant of his past. "The real Inori knew why I searched that power."
A snap of his finger, as the sparkle ignited into a wall of purple flames in front of of the Juuka. While not quite as massive as Rosso's own attacks, the bug riddled flames spanned a wide area, incinerating anything in their path. Mere barriers would be useless, the strongest auras would be cut through. Everything would be engulfed in flames. Everything would be destroyed. He wished it so.
"The real Inori also accepted me for what I was, knowing full well the risks of such action."
Another snap, another powerful explosion generated right under the reanimated corpse. The fiery limbs stretching high up in the sky.
"The real Inori was also one stubborn little thing. My little Sunshine would never give up on something. Especially something she loved."
Another snap, another ignition. At this point, the fire was incinerating itself in an attept to destroy literally anything it could. Nightshade's power uncontrollably exploded outwards again and again and again as the navi revelled in his anger, his desire of destruction.
For twenty more times, Nightshade snapped his fingers. For twenty more times the ground around him exploded in flames. For twenty more times, the navi's destructive power released without boundaries, without restriction. For twenty more times, he landed a lethal blow on the remnant of his past.
For twenty more times, he killed the hollow, reanimated shell of his former love. For twenty more times he destroyed it until nothing was left.
For twenty more times, he killed Inori.
"In this world of kill of be killed, my Sunshine would still try to bring peace, no matter how wrong or asinine her motives would be or how desperate the situation. You dare sully her image, you disgusting being. BEGONE!"
The twenty-third strike would come by the sky itself as the feline navi passed something akin to divine judgment on the thing that dared stand in front of him, Caliga's puppet. For it was time to kill it, destroy it, eviscerate it, annihilate it. Nothing else mattered.
From the dark clouds that had gathered, enlarged by the heat of the ground below a single, massive lightning zig zagged its way to impact at lightspeed. A blinding flash of light, followed by a multitude of smaller ones. Then, a deafening roar as sand turned glass and the glass was shattered. A massive shockwave, wiping everything it smashed through away.
Then, there was silence. Nightshade stood at the center of ground zero, in front of the smoking mess he created. Bugs riddled the ground everywhere, glitching data raining from the sky like radioactive fallout. Holes in the fabric of the net itself showed the decaying framework of that rotten world.
"You can pretend you're perfect all you want, mr Mask guy. But some of us little pathetic mortals know the truth behind all your bull crap lies. Behind all of your deceptions. You hold so much power, yet you manipulate and puppeteer. You don't have the guts to do the things you preach by your own hand."
The feline knew Caliga would have hardly been phased by the sudden outburst. This world seemed to side with those with unfathomable power and shield them from all damage. That doesn't mean he wouldn't stand his ground against him. He fled from alot of battles and confrontations. No more. If there was something that still remained in him was the same willpower that pushed him into claiming a Cybeast's power for himself.
"Let me remind you of a thing, knower of facts. If I want something. I will get it.
Is it power? No. I no longer chase a carrot on a stick. Power comes and goes.
Revenge? Nah, I’m too lazy. I'm gonna sit here and let karma flip you up just like it came for me. It took away everything I had, it will come to take away from you too. Word of advice: Next time you do your mind games, make sure you have proper leverage instead of trying to guilt trip a Juuka."
Nightshade folded his arms on his chest, his tail waving in slow low arcs as his red eyes pierced the smoke to glare at Caliga's mask. He didn't care if the guy killed him. Those little tricks of him were an insult to who he was. Powers or not he still was cybeast's Gregar's avatar, should he want it or not. Should anyone wanted it or not. His scarred, glitched, mutated body was testament to his being.
Metabeings of the net or not, it was time to impose and demand respect.
"Quit your games already, you're wasting my time. If there is nothing else but this farce, then I'll take my leave."
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Post by Raven8 on Sept 20, 2018 7:24:39 GMT -8
The result of Nightshade's assault was cataclysmic. The ground was shattered, the network itself rent to pieces by the sheer power of the Juuka's might. He'd destroyed all in his wake
But then, just as Nightshade had done so many times just moments before, Caliga snaps his clawed fingers.
As if waking up from a dream, Nightshade would suddenly see the truth. None of what he'd just seen had truly taken place. The network was undamaged, the ground intact. None of his cataclysmic powers were real, and he was powerless here. The only thing that had happened, the only truth in that moment of total release, was Inori. The girl's suffering body is now sprawled out on the ground, torn asunder by Nightshade's own claws; claws that are even now stained by her own blood. Claws that are covered by spider-webs of black cords merged into the very fiber of Nightshade's being.
Caliga: Ah, more sweet lies. Honestly, you've made this all too easy
Caliga raises his hand, causing Inori to rise from the ground before Nightshade and reveal the black cords that bind her very being at this point.
Caliga: I honestly don't care what you do now; you were never worth my time. But her...?
Caliga laughs under his breath, static reverberating out from his very being.
Caliga: I brought this one back from the grave for a purpose. But there was a small issue; I could possess her body, but I couldn't break her spirit... her heart.
Caliga's eyes slide from Inori to Nightshade, his sardonic grin widening all the while.
Caliga: That belonged to you. So thank you, child. She was my puppet, but you were my pawn.
Caliga closes his clawed hand. Black crystal begins to form across Inori's body, slowly imprisoning her.... starting at her heart.
Caliga: So thank you, child. Thank you for breaking her heart for me. Thank you for breaking her spirit. And thank you for telling yourself such beautiful lies. I didn't know anything of you before I found the well of love in this girl's heart, but I know all that I care to now...
Caliga's grin widens even more, the black pupils in his abyssal eyes shrinking to mere pin-pricks as he looks to Nightshade.
Caliga: My visit was never about you, and I have no reason to consider you. You were consumed with your selfish desire before her, you were consumed with it when you had her, and now that she's gone that same desire still holds you bound. I have no need to corrupt you; you've already corrupted yourself magnificently!
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