World 3 Outpost: The Mastermind's Invitation (Private)

[Raven8]

....there is no possible way to tell where this network is. It doesn't appear to correspond with any known network or data signature, yet somehow it is in Netopia. The entryway is a large, hanger-like hallway that leads into the central room of the network, where the rather foreboding nature of the entire scene begins to unfold. The network itself is massive and sprawling, with gigantic machines of unknown purpose and panels displaying data of unknown origin. To one side sits a series of opaque glass tubes standing upright, each just large enough to house an average sized Navi. To the other is a large panel displaying information... on Alpha.

This is there the Shadow Devil re-appears. Entering through the main teleporter, the damaged monster collapses shortly after entering, dropping both of the Navis that it had taken with it into the main area. The systems of the network instantly begin to care for and repair the Shadow Devil while a Navi steps out from the area with the main console, looking to Shadow Labrys and Asterius with a calm, knowing smile.

Gate: Welcome to World 3, Asterius, Shadow Labrys. Please forgive the nature of your entry, but it was the only choice given the situation.

[xoDeathy]

Shadow Labrys couldnt help but laugh in her syntho-mechanical voice as she spun her axe in hand,disarming it and rehinging it to her back.

"Trust me when I say Im used to it from this giant slugga' here. The pleasa' is ours. We know well about ya, Gate."

Asterius at first still stood ready, but a pat on the head by Shadow Labrys caused him to lower himself so that only his head appeared above the ground.

"My master and I neva' believed we'd get to assist the World 3 in an attack. I must say, I am surprised you invited us here considerin we couldn' do much to help out, and it doesn' seem like ya got what ya were aimin for."

[Raven8]

As the last of the Shadow Devil is removed from the area, Gate just smiles and waves off Shadow Labrys' comment, continuing on. He was pleased to see that she was polite and respectful of the situation, and would gladly reciprocate.

Gate: Well, the outcome is irreverent right now. However, what is relevant is what you did. I saw your actions, and the Shadow Devil immediately understood your situation and what you were risking. It asked me if it could protect you, and I agreed. In all of my years of working, you are the first to ever attempt to actually aid my goals..

With this, Gate's smiling face cocks to the side slightly, his palm rising as he does so.

Gate: ...and I'd like to ask why you chose such a risky course of action. You had no way of knowing if the Shadow Devil would simply attempt to destroy you along with the others, yet you took a very counter-intuitive action. Why?

[xoDeathy]

"That's simple.."

Shadow Labrys bent her arms at 90 degree angles while keeping them at her side and leaned back slightly.

"I am the glorious, one and only weapon of my lord, Rosario! Once upon a time, I was tha' right hand Navi protecting and serving a prized possession of a religious orda'. When I traveled outside of tha' server for the first time, Rosario captured me, and released me from such trivial duties by showing Labrys the strength of the darkness, the fun of wreaking havoc for a greata' goal, and causing me to be born! Though..."

She returned to standing normally, pulling out a DarkChip and crushing it with her hand.

"I'm still an imperfect infection. Keeping Asterius and his server live takes a lot outta me. Rosario is strong and I look up to 'im, but not even he had the powa' to allow me to take Labrys ova' wheneva' I please."

"Anyway, Rosario sent me on an orda' to assist the Shadow Devil. Whether it woulda' killed me or not, he can't stand the factions that have risen and are 'playin police'. So he thought, who betta' to lend aid to then the one and only World 3?! As his tool to his growin' powa', I was simply enjoyin' the anarchy that ensued! If I had died, I am sure he coulda' just found a new puppet on a string, but he musta had confidence in my ability to get outta' there if things got dicey. Still, I don't think he or I coulda' eva' expected a chance to meet the World 3, let alone the man behind it all! You guys do and are what we could only wish to achieve!"

[Raven8]

Gate thinks carefully as Shadow Labrys speaks, measuring the value of her answer and story. He gathered much from it, and began to formulate some rather interesting directions from it.

Gate: I see. You rather remind me of Gospel of old; a chaotic force with its own agenda. An interesting turn of events to say the least.

Gate then nods and rests his arms behind his back, his relaxed smile still keeping the situation at ease.

Gate: Very well. I'm sorry that our meeting today must be brief, but I have reason to believe that this facility's location may has been compromised and am in the process of evacuating. However, let it never be said that World 3 does not honor those who bring honor to it. Tell me, Shadow Labrys; what would you request of me?

This open-ended question is where Gate waits, allowing Shadow Labrys the chance to make her request to the leader of World 3. What is the scope of favor that the scientist Navi can grant? What would be asking too much of his kindness? There is only one way to find out...

[xoDeathy]

"Hm, what do I want from ya?"

Shadow Labrys crosses one arm along her body to act as an elbow rest as she rubs her chin with her hand. Personally, she couldn't ask for more than what she already had. Her life was complete once Rosario freed her. Material possessions couldn't suffice her either, she needed nothing more than Asterius and her great axe. So what could she ask for?

After some thought, she supposed there was really only one answer she could give him. Even if he denied this request, it wouldn't change that their interests drove on the same road. Even if unwanted by the World 3, Rosario and herself were bound to cross paths with them again, and they would help them anyway and would accept death doing so. She dropped her thinking stance and held a fist to her heart.

"One day, when Lord Rosario and I get stronga', allow us to join the World 3!"

[Raven8]

Gate's smile grows a bit wider at this request as his hands return to his sides The exact nature of what he's thinking is hard to ascertain, but his overall demeanor seems pleased with Shadow Labrys's words.

Gate: Very well, I'll keep an eye on you for the time being, and we'll see if we can grant your request. In the mean-time.

Gate takes a step forward and hands a small trinket to Shadow Labrys, taking a step back a moment after.

Gate: Consider this a small token of our meeting, and the thanks of World 3.

SPOILER: Click to show

{WWW
The feared mark of those involved with the infamous World 3, an organization that has brought about more change than any other.
° Active: Once per turn, the holder of this crest is allowed to choose one effect from the list below.
° A maximum of 3 effects may be chosen per battle, effects cannot be chosen more than once per battle.
☉ +1 Attack Slot every Even Turn. +30 Damage to All Attacks
☉ +20 Armor and +200 Regen
☉ +1 Use to One Skill of choise
☉ +1 Use to One Actived Program (including Undershirt)
☉ Remove 1 Elemental Weakness or gain 1 Elemental Strength for 5 Turns.
☉ For One Turn, All Avoidance Skills Avoid 1 Additional Attack
☉ Ignore 50% of All Unavoidable Damage on a Single Turn
☉ Instantly inflict (V * 30) Unavoidable Damage to any number of Chosen Targets.
Technicalities (+)}

Unavoidable Damage
This effect applies against unavoidable Counter Damage (but not Blade Element's counter damage), Unavoidable Attacks, Proximity Damage (a la Toxic Element's effects), Status Damage (a la Burn), Damage-Over-Time Attacks, and Stage Damage. It will also protect against Unavoidable Max HP Reductions like Dark Kunai.

Avoidance Skill
Beyond Dodges, Shields, and Barriers/Auras, anything that also prevents the damage or effects from attacks (such as Triune Avoidances or variants that only apply to Damage or Effects), including Intercepting Objects (this effect allows them to endure one additional attack after they're broken), is recognized as an Avoidance Skill.

Gate then nods and graciously waves to the teleporters behind, obviously closing the meeting.

Gate: It was a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Labrys. Now, please forgive me if this seems rude, but by this point the situation could turn dire at any time. For your own safety, allow me to request that we end our time together for now. This teleporter can take you to anywhere in Netopia that you may desire.

Gate then gives one final nod and turns, waving the dark Navi off as he does so.

[xoDeathy]

Shadow Labrys gratefully accepts the trinket, attaching it to her great axe's pole like a charm.

"No no you aren't be rude at all. I understan' the urgency. Hopefully, we will see each other again."

She waved as she mounted Asterius, giving off one last mechanical giggle as she and Asterius travel through, returning to Netopia.

<Shadow Labrys, Exiting>

[Raven8]

Gate holds his smile until Shadow Labrys is gone, at which time his face relaxes to something of a frown. One unforeseeable mistake was all that it took to cause such an issue, and this fact is compounded by Gate's normally meticulous care. Still, there had been no way to know that this would happen, and there was no point in attempting to place blame, so for now the scientist Navi returns to his evacuation plans, removing sensitive information and items to a second portal near the Navi tubes.

[Zane]

In a sound all too familiar yet coming from a likely unfamiliar place, alarms started to sound off through the outpost. And a fiery inferno had risen up from the ground. Except what came from the blaze wasn't at all what one would have expected. From the inferno, close to six figures stepped out to be exact. And at last seventh stepped out... but it wasn't Rosso. Like Rosso, however, there was no reading coming off from him. The warnings had gone off for the breached entry, but not for those who had entered themselves.

"The objective this time is clear. Maim, pillage, and plunder. Find what you can and wipe out who you can. Take anything from them."

They had gone off in teams of two save for the one who had given orders. He shot off instead, heading through the facility. It was like Magnolia had said before... they were more than willing to bring the fight to Gate himself. The first wave of invaders had made contact already.

[Raven8]

Near the back of the area, Gate curses under his breath. He hadn't expected to have someone show up this soon. Still, at least it wasn't a total loss. These... Navis? had some unique properties, and said a bit more about these strange forces. Regardless, Gate looks on to the oncoming forces with an expression of annoyance rather than the normal in-control smile.

Gate: You win for today, but don't think that this is where it ends.

At this, Gate steps through the teleporter near the pods, vanishing from the area. As he does so, the teleporter itself collapses in on itself, obviously self-destructing in order to prevent anyone from following.

[Zane]

They managed to arrive just as he was leaving, a single amber light gazing upon the scientist as he managed to withdraw. That was unexpected. They were certain that in due to his confidence, he wouldn't be so readily able to retreat from a situation. That had been their folly, as he had been more than prepared to escape and even covered his escape in the same moment. One of the six went to investigate it just in case, but wasn't expecting much all the same.

"He is right, however. This doesn't end here."

"What, he's gone already?! But I just got here!"

A circular gap opened up in the air, seven more landing from there as the second wave arrived, this one headed by Magnolia as the seventh. They were fourteen in total now, but with their enemy already gone. That was a little disappointing to put it honestly. But this wasn't a waste of time at all. It let them experience Gate on the defensive... and to salvage whatever he might have been forced to leave behind thanks to their hasty response time.

"Search any and every thing. Nothing is without value here."

The twelve moved about, scoping out the entire room. The two leaders were helping out as well, but didn't have to move as much. They were more on guard just in case he left a surprise for them too. In case he did while the others were capable of doing so themselves, they would take care of it.

[Raven8]

There was quite a lot to process in this room, to say the least.

First was the main computer. Despite the obvious sabotage that Gate had performed, the computer still runs well enough. However, its data is badly damaged to the point of being irrecoverable. All that could be recovered from this piece of machinery is a bit of general data on Alpha, and the number 3 showing up in numerous places. Nothing else remains on the system.

The machinery in the back is a bit more worrisome. This is industrial-grade equipment, frequently used for massive data-work. It's obvious that it's made something large recently, but the exact nature of its use is lost, as it too has been badly sabotaged.

The final point of interest is the set of Navi tubes. A total of five sit silently near the teleporter, each with a still-working data panel connected. The data on each of the tubes reads:

Prototype 1. Status: Active.
WARNING: Dangerously high data-usage!

Unit 4. Status: Evacuated

Unit 3. Status: Evacuated

Unit 2. Status: Evacuated.

Unit 1. Status: cell unlocked, awaiting reactivation.

[Zane]

Of course he sabotaged his work here. But that general data on Alpha and the number 3 was of interest. It was likely more than just related to the fact that they were W3, but thanks to the sabotage they couldn't quite tell. It was of interest, so one of the ones at the screen looked back to their leaders. They didn't even need to speak apparently, as Magnolia simply nodded before speaking up.

"Yeah, that should be there. They had it first, so it makes sense."

The machinery in the back had definitely been used to create something, Magnolia heading over to it to get a closer look. She wanted to know what he made with this but he was pretty thorough with the time he had. Did he assume the Shadow Devil would leave something behind? ...No, probably not. He was just actually thorough in all he did. He did say he left nothing up to chance so he was at least honest about that.

"Magnolia."

"Yeah, Glint?"

She was taken out of her reverie at his voice, walking over to him and looking at the navi tubes now. What in the world was Prototype 1 all about? It was active but also using a dangerously high amount of data? The others were evacuated, while the last had a cell unlocked and was waiting for reactivation. Didn't feel like he would just leave it behind like that behind.

"Adamas, unit 1."

One of them went got to work on this data panel to figure out what it was about. Namely to reactivate it and see what it was, as the cell was unlocked already. Was it left behind intentionally to be activated at their hands or was he just out of time? The one called Glint got to work on the prototype instead. He was curious on what it was. And figuring it out was his job right now.

[Raven8]

Unfortunately, the cells don't offer much information. Just general commands such as putting a Navi into/freeing it from stasis, recovery options, and the ability to manipulate data to some degree while inside of the cells. Beyond the names and the warning on Prototype 1 in particular, nothing more could be ascertained.

....all but unit 1. Desired or not, the cell lights up and activation process begins as soon as the panel is touched.

Unit 1. Status: Activating. 10%

This could have been a small error, or possibly a trap set by Gate to take the would-be raiders by surprise. Either way, it's coming online, and coming online fast.

Unit 1. Status: Activating. 30%

The scene remains exactly the same, the pod glows a dim blue as the hidden being inside begins to rouse, coming back online bit by bit.

Unit 1. Status: Activating. 50%

By this point, movement could be seen inside of the pod, and a strange heat rises fro-




[smear:FF0000]The entire pod suddenly erupts after barely even reaching the half-way point. From the shattered glass tube comes a stream of fire that burns like magma. In fact, the comparison isn't even too far off, as those unfortunate enough to be inflicted with this fire would find something less than expected. Instead of simply incinerating like the cataclysmic flames of Rosso,
the flames seem to stick to the target. This is due to the fact that it's not simple fire, but rather a highly flammable adhesive, and it literally eats its way through anything that it makes contact with, burning at a constant and intensely painful rate clear to the victim's very bone. [/smear:8A2BE2]



Unlike most who would walk out in a slow and arrogant fashion from such a show of force, the being in the pod leaps out behind the curtain of military-grade flames. A single green eye shines through the red blazes as every Navi would find themselves targeted by a cross-hair, followed by the tell-tail sound of cannons firing. From above, a rain of small, compact bombs begin to fall, lobbed from the blaze-cloaked figure like mortar-fire and spreading the jellied propane across the room, leaving self-fed fires across the area. At this moment the first flames finally begin to die down, revealing a sight not seen in many, many years....

NapalmMan.EXE: It's been too long.... give me a reason to do more!