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Post by Deleted on May 30, 2012 19:34:45 GMT -8
A shadowed figure peeked its way out from behind a nearby building, having just appeared in time to hear Airman speak of their weakened state. Such a situation would be powerfully disadvantageous to them should something indeed happen. Waiting for a moment to let them gather their bearings slightly, the figure soon moved out of the shadows, approaching the group.
"Indeed, such a situation would be quite disadvantagous to you wouldn't it?"
The figure revealed itself, one Airman knew from jobs past, back before Toxin retook control of the Chaotic and it was lead by Xion. Ruin approached the group, his hands in the pockets of his coat and his eyes closed, only darkness could be seen through the helm.
Ruin: "Its been a while Airman, haven't seen you since before the Dark Dimension incident."
Ruin looked to Xyzillentz, mounted by a navi he had not seen before who donned a rather joyous face, childish even. He looked back to Airman.
"...You running cockfights now or something?"
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Post by Raven8 on May 30, 2012 19:49:59 GMT -8
*With arms still crossed, AirMan remains with back turned to RUin for a few moments. The power rolling off of the chaotic darkloid was easily noticed in a heart-beat, but it was currently quiet enough to handle the situation with a more delicate touch. Turning around, AirMan's red eyes lock onto Ruin, his voice raising from the silence*
AirMan: Ho-ho... not quite. Simply having a meeting with two of my associates.
*AirMan then allows silence to hang in the air for a moment before he continues*
AirMan: Please forgive the fact that I do not recall your name.... what business brings you to humble Kotobuki, hmm?
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Post by Deleted on May 30, 2012 20:32:16 GMT -8
Ruin was unsurprised Airman did not remember his name, they had only met once and it was for a short time. Ruin looked about the ruined network, what about this place was humble?
"Its Ruin, as for what I'm doing here, Its looking for some business partners. The undernet is rather dry right now having just reopened to the rest of the network, though I spent a good amount of time there. I won't lie, I'm not much a leader myself, I need direction."
Ruin's pride took a slight hit in saying this, but it was true regardless. He could not deny it forever, better he come to terms with it now than later.
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Post by Snakeskin on May 31, 2012 11:01:00 GMT -8
"Hey, now wait just a minute!" ElecMan bolted up onto his feet, stepping on Xyzillentz' arm as he did so. The toxic terror groaned faintly in protest. "This is MY negotiation," he shouted at Ruin before turning back to AirMan, "and whaddya mean LACKEY!?" He was furious that not only was he not getting the respect he felt he deserved, but now some strange interloper was trying to steal his thunder. Static crackled angrily along the temperamental navi's pylons.
Then a voice from an unexpected place - the fallen fiend, weak but bemused. "Friendly advice, Bolt Boy: Shut the **** up. Piss those two off and you're screwed."
There was a howl of erupting frustration as ElecMan twirled back around, pointing a charged finger at Xyzillentz. "Did I ASK for your advice, loser!? Don't make me blast you again!"
Xyz chuckled. "Go ahead, see what happens. It'll be fun."
Elec gritted his teeth and growled, clenching his outstretched fist as it filled with electricity. With a mighty shout, he jolted his hand upward, sending a bolt of lightning off into the beyond. His frustration released to some slight extent, he whipped his head back and forth and screamed out an open question:
"WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE!?"
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Post by Raven8 on May 31, 2012 12:54:07 GMT -8
*Now somewhat annoyed, AirMan stops for a moment and turns to ElecMan as he has his tantrum, motioning for Ruin to wait a moment as he does so*
AirMan: I'll tell you just what is "wrong"; the majority of us have already worked with Navis and humans like you; the "might makes wright" kind, and perhaps you'd like to guess where that has gotten us? Into more trouble than we care to share. I believe that I speak for both Xyzillentz and myself when I say that we're done. It's not the weakest in body that breaks the chain, but the weakest in mind. We seek a rare thing among our kind; trust. For if we can put our trust in one-another, we shall emulate that which has defeated us so many times in the past. In organization of our.... activities.... we have the potential to control the very nations in which we exist. Power can be bought.... but trust.... this is a commodity that is priceless; a commodity that our kind has too long shunned.
*AirMan then turns his eyes to Ruin whilestill partly facing ElecMan, very obviously speaking to both*
AirMan: Leadership, authority, power.... these are all words that have given us nothing, because they have been our prime goal for far too long. However, if we link together, focusing on our works as a whole rather than personal promotion, we'll all be able to obtain all that we want and more, because our strength will not just be ourselves, but our combined group. As disgusting as this philosophy seems on the surface, it has worked for our foes for centuries. So why should we not adopt... and corrupt it to our own ends?
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Post by Deleted on May 31, 2012 13:09:30 GMT -8
Trust, it was true, a very uncommon thing among those who walk this path of power through rather unjust means. You never know who could turn their back on you or when. Indeed, trust is perhaps what he needed now.
"Trust huh? That could in fact be what I've been missing in this regard. Lack of it is what got me kicked out of the Chaotic, among other things."
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Post by Snakeskin on Jun 7, 2012 16:25:02 GMT -8
"I didn't know you were good at speeches, Zephy. That was quite nice." Of course, Xyzillentz was still going to be doing things for his own benefit... but helping out fellow fiends seemed a serviceable method for acquiring what he desired. The idea was a solid one.
ElecMan was still visibly angry, but his heated emotions cooled somewhat. It sounded like he was proposing a gang, like those he'd been involved with in the Undernet... but with some kind of touchy-feely, goody-two-shoes twist. It would take an adjustment, obviously... but somehow, it sounded nice. Practically, it seemed a good solution to his current predicament. But he had been disrespected, and that clouded his thought and made him hesitant to make any sort of alliance.
Suddenly a tiny red dot flashed on his back, just above where his pylons joined to his body. It was a light on a small metallic device, one that had gone unnoticed until now. Crimson energy shot out of the device in interconnected strands, before looping back around and ensnaring him in what looked like a glowing red spider web. His arms were pinned to his sides, and his legs were forced together by the strength of the trap.
ElecMan shouted in surprise as he struggled to maintain his balance. He wiggled inside the webbing, struggling valiantly against it, but it refused to give. Just as he thought he might be making some progress, the web flashed burningly bright and a searing pain shot through his body. The crimson coloration began to seep into his form, spreading to fill the gaps in the web and working its way into his very core. His arms and legs stopped moving - but not by his will. The processes had been forcibly frozen. Unable to balance himself, ElecMan toppled forward onto the ground.
The torturous pain inside of him far outweighed anything from the impact with the ground. His programs, skills, attacks, and other critical data were being deleted and corrupted - and his health was taking major hits. Helpless to defend itself, his body began to flicker and break up, parts of it seeming to phase in and out of existence.
"STOP IT! G-GET IT OFF! IT'S H-HACKING ME!"
Reacting quickly, Xyz called upon what little strength he had remaining to roll over onto his knees and reach one had back. One of the stripes on his suit glowed and projected out his energy whip, which he grasped tightly. Then, with as mighty a crack as he could muster, he swatted the hacking device on ElecMan's back, smashing it to pieces. The web disappeared and Elec's motor functions were restored... but much of his inner workings had been irreparably damaged.
Dazed and confused, ElecMan lifted himself onto his knees, then stood up slowly and carefully. He turned back to the snake he had so thoroughly pummeled. "...why did you...?"
Xyzillentz smiled. It was warm and friendly at first glance, though careful observation revealed a more sinister sense of accomplishment hidden behind his scaly expression. "AirMan explained it for me already. Trust, aid, and alliance."
In spite of himself, ElecMan smiled. Yeah, that did sound kinda nice.
"Also, because now you owe me, BIG. And I do intend to collect, Bolt Boy."
D'oh. But still... this seemed a capable group. They were willing to take him in. And now, in his newly weakened state, he needed the support and protection of an alliance more than ever. It seemed it was time to swallow his pride to save his own skin. Nervously, he spoke:
"...Is that lackey position still available?"
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Post by Raven8 on Jun 11, 2012 19:08:24 GMT -8
*AirMan is somewhat taken aback by ElecMan's question in the face of what happened. Crossing his arms, he gives a puzzled look to the electric Navi and leans forward slightly in curiosity*
AirMan: Ho-ho... a better question, perhaps, might be what exactly was that device, and where did it come from?
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Post by Snakeskin on Jun 11, 2012 19:36:25 GMT -8
Crap. That was what he'd been trying to AVOID saying. But these people were apparently big on that trust junk, and he did need their help... so despite his hard-set criminal instincts, ElecMan took a deep sigh and told the truth. For once.
"...The reason I was gone for so long was 'cuz I got trapped in the Undernet. I don't remember how or why or anything like that. And that little device is why I forgot." He tilted his head down, fighting himself to keep his voice at an audible level. These were painful memories to revisit alone... never mind sharing them with almost total strangers.
"It was a tool my old gang down in the Undernet made. Some kinda special hacking program. I don't understand it, really. They never let me use one. But they install it on all of their members as a sorta... insurance policy. First thing they use it for is wiping any of your memory they don't like, and that's what they did to me. But it stays there as a kinda kill switch - to corrupt and delete any 'rogue assets'. Before I left the Undernet my gang was broken up by a rival group. I figured that this thing was useless now. Heck, I almost forgot about it. But those other guys must've figured out how to work the control panel. They wanted to delete me for runnin' away."
When he looked back up and gazed into AirMan's eyes, his entire body was visibly shaking. He tried to hide the fear and anxiety in his voice, but he couldn't stop it from cracking like a child's. His mind was busy contemplating the what-ifs and the could-bes of the situation, its outlook skewed to the negative by residual pain and shock from the hacking. All he could think of was the worst of what might come to pass.
"That thing didn't kill me, but it did a number on me anyway... took me down more then just a few notches. I can't remember how long it's been since I felt this weak..." The words stopped in his throat, caught in a web of overwhelming despair. "And if they find out I'm still alive, they'll come looking for me. And they're strong, and fast. And they..."[/b]
He slammed his eyelids shut like floodgates. No. You can't cry. You can say what you need, you can open up, but you CAN'T CRY. Tough guys don't cry... winners don't cry. Villains don't cry.
But the drops of grief found their way, slipping through the corners of his eyes and running down his face. Like their blood. Like my partners' blood on the walls.
He gave up and opened his eyes in a silent scream. His words were strained when they came at last. "And they didn't just break up my gang. They killed them. All of them. Except for me." He looked around, from AirMan to Ruin and finally all the way back to Xyzillentz. "I just can't be alone. Not like this. Maybe... maybe they won't come. But I need someone else around me. I need a new team. I don't care if I start at the bottom again. But I can't be alone if they show up."
He turned back to AirMan, a wordless plea etched into his face.
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Post by Raven8 on Jun 15, 2012 20:31:10 GMT -8
*AirMan laughs under his breath; not at ElecMan's plight, but rather the prospect of the situation...*
AirMan: Ho-HO! A strong little group indeed, from the sound of it. My lot in this situation is that we're likely to face them eventually anyway, so why not have one who knows their workings with us?
*AirMan then pauses for a moment and looks to the others*
AirMan: But my choice, it is not.
*AirMan turns an eye to Ruin and Xyzillentz, motioning to them*
AirMan: What say you to this poor wretch's plight? Shall we offer him our protection?
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Post by Snakeskin on Jun 17, 2012 16:47:27 GMT -8
When Airman looked to see Ruin, the guitar-weilding darkloid had seemingly disappeared without a trace. Xyzillentz, however, was struggling to force himself onto his feet. The heavy damage ElecMan had inflicted on his systems made it hard to balance - hard even to move, in fact. He swayed precariously as he finally found his footing, then he sighed and lowered his head. The effort had made him dizzy. He was barely conscious enough to register Ruin's absence.
"Well... if it's up to me... we keep him. But he's not getting a free ride. He's gonna work for this. And PAY for it too... I'll figure something out in that regard."
ElecMan sighed slightly in relief. He was sure that whatever punishment this silly snake could come up with would be nothing compared to what he'd already been through.
"Besides..." said Xyz with a coy wink at the shocking warrior, "He's pretty cute. I like his blue skin, and those little bolts under his eyes. Why, I almost didn't mind him putting his bu-"
Elec did not want to hear the end of that thought. He hastily interjected with a polite bow - something he NEVER did, but this situation called for extreme action and humility - and a "Thank you, sir" that was about 20 decibels louder than it really needed to be. Xyzillentz glared at ElecMan for a moment, upset at the interruption. But eventually it melted to a smile. Obviously he'd disturbed this new lackey. That was a satisfying start.
His moment of pleasure was brought to a halt when he lost his balance again and nearly fell over. With an exasperated look on his face, he turned back to Airman.
"Zephy... can you do me a favor and finish me off, dear? Just blast me with some attack. My DarkSoul will kick in and I'll be feeling fine for a while. It'll give us time to find somewhere to rest and repair."
Wait, he has a DarkSoul? But then... I didn't even really beat him! Da****! ElecMan kicked himself mentally. The ONE thing he'd accomplished today, and now it turned out to be a load of crap...
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Post by Raven8 on Jun 17, 2012 17:47:04 GMT -8
*The request somewhat surprised AirMan, but, at the same time, it did indeed make sense. However, this also posed a small problem; the storm Navi wasn't exactly designed for focused attacks. In fact, simply activating his wind-power normally comes with a large-scale blanket of damage at this point... so, he did what he could. Without a word, AirMan walks over to the side-lines of the area and pulls a trash-can out, dropping it in front of Xyzillentz. He then removes the lid, inspects it, and cracks it across the reptilian Navi's head*
AirMan: Appologies for the bruteish execution. My normal methods might have caused more collateral than we'd like to deal with.
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Post by Snakeskin on Jul 24, 2012 12:47:07 GMT -8
At the moment of impact, a dark energy swept over Xyzillentz' body, strengthening him and draining all the color from his suit and head, leaving him a midnight black. He stretched his arms and legs, making sure everything was working again. It was - better than usual, actually.
"Much better. Now I don't know this area terribly well, but I doubt it'd make as good a resting place for us as the Colony. I say we ought to head there and work things out. Any objections?"
Xyzillentz was speaking directly to AirMan, not even giving a sideways glance to their new lackey. But that didn't stop the newcomer from interjecting.
"The Colony? What's that? I've never heard of it."
Xyzie sighed, rolled his eyes, and responded... without turning to look at ElecMan.
"I'm not in the mood to teach a history lesson. Do you want to sum it up, AirMan? Briefly, please, I'd like to get there before this wears off."
Elec grunted at the obvious disdain the snake was showing for him. Sure, he had a perfectly good reason... but after all that talk about trust and companionship and blah blah blah, it didn't seem to fit. If anything it seemed like the start of a new grudge... and he'd dealt with those more often than he would've cared for. Being the "lackey" of someone who held one against you didn't seem terribly appealing. But his back was against the metaphorical wall in this case, and he reasoned he would be much worse off on his own.
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Post by Raven8 on Aug 1, 2012 7:58:54 GMT -8
*AirMan tosses the trashcan lid to the side and wipes off his hands, his eyes closed through the entire convorsation*
AirMan: Suffice to say it's something of a new undernet with utility as a safe-haven for those such as us... for now.
*AirMan opens his eyes as he wipes the last of the debris off of his hands*
AirMan: I've no objections. It may also serve as an oppertunity for.... recruitment.
*Without another word, AirMan activates his turbine engines and whips up a whirlwind around himself and his companions, hiding them from sight as they vanish without a trace*
<Location Change: Somewhere in the Dark Colony>
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2012 15:29:33 GMT -8
Strangely, Kotobuki wasn't affected directly by the fog or the powder within it. Instead the fog collected around the network, but the powder converged on a particular spot within the network and began to tower up like a mountain of junk. Reaching the height of skyscrapers in just minutes.
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