Spinning a yarn (fanfiction)
Vie, 04/06/2012 - 08:05
Preface
The title is a reference to the phrase "spinning a yarn", or to tell a story. This comes from groups of weavers who worked together and shared stories as they worked, the other weavers listening to one as they spin a yarn literally and metaphorically. To keep the sewing circle in touch all readers are titled "weavers" whether you actually sew or not. If you can sit through this whole story you deserve to be addressed more properly than "readers". "Readers" are what newspapers have. Does this look like a newspaper to you?
Before I begin I need to point out none of these characters are meant to satirize/endorse any player nor item for negative or positive reasons. When someone with one weapon is derp and someone with another saves their hide it does not mean the first weapon is useless. Each chapter will be a chapter of the missions, meaning some chapters will be longer than others. I hope readers enjoy and someone makes comics out of this though I am apt to disappointment. Again, none of the characters symbolize actual players nor are based on any. The storyline is based on the mission storyline and follows along with it to educate readers who may be new to the game. I may skip a few minor missions occasionally. The story is in third person to prevent favoritism. Not all aspects will be correct though I endeavor to be as close to the story as possible and will correct mistakes identified.
Enjoy the story, weavers.
Index
- Chapter 1
- Chapter 2
- Chapter 3
- Chapter 4
- Chapter 5
- Chapter 6
- Chapter 7
- Chapter 8
- Chapter 9
- Chapter 10
Prologue
Lieutenant Feron was marching along a hall of the Skylark, the proud vessel with countless knights aboard. He approached a window while smaller knights scattered about with business and gazed upon the lush sphere within view. The Skylark was scanning this alien world. The lieutenant had no idea for what reason the ship was scanning nor why they were venturing the vast cosmos, but it seemed fitting for the commands received. The beauty intoxicated his mind as images of florid life waved before his visual sensors, all the colors imaginable in all shapes and sizes. As Feron began to reach out for these dancing forms an awakening explosion and rattling awoke him.
"Sir, we have been hit!"
Feron immediately snapped out of his trance and turned to the knights scurrying about the bridge mindlessly.
"Call everyone aboard to the escape pods and get in, one knight per pod! We have more than enough for everyone," Feron commanded. The knights immediately obeyed and began carrying unconscious knights to throw them in pods before firing them down at the planet. Feron knew from prolonged research the planet had an energy signature within with substantial power, though the scans indicate it lies inside the planet. The ship may have been sent to find other energy sources though the memory is weak. As knights threw each other in pods and blasted them to the alien planet, Feron realized there may be aggressive native life to pose a threat. All knights were equipped with a standard sword, gun and small shield but they may be overwhelmed. Feron began planning for recovery as the last few knights fled downward. The ship had begun to dive downward due to the planetary gravity field. Feron packing himself into a pod and hit the release from within, sending him down to the unknown.
Vie, 04/06/2012 - 16:58
#2
I like it so far.
Interesting so far, i'd like to see more.
Sáb, 07/21/2012 - 11:29
#3
Chapter 2
Blue was amazed by the amount of knights populating the area, creating a massive mob of conversation and business. He could hear trading offers and complaints tearing each
other apart as voices boomed over each other and undefinable agreement drowned out the sound. There were more knights around the large water pool than Blue had ever seen at once, seeing as his role on the Skylark was to stay below deck in maintenance. His only contact with
the public was Green who would bring back stories of how someone screwed up or did something particularly notable. Blue had always been too preoccupied with his job to talk
to the other knights with him below. Come to think of it, Blue had never seen a red knight before; everyone below deck was deep blue or light blue. The knights on the top deck were usually green or violet depending on their job; green being the combat units and violet maintenance. Blue
had originally met Green on one of his many visits during his breaks when he would tell stories to those below deck. The stories which interested Blue the most were about the red, orange and yellow knights who were apparently in a hidden part of the ship. Blue had always wanted to find
one of these kinds of knights to find out more but Green always had to get back to work before he could give any details of their whereabouts. Blue also never got around to formally introducing himself to Green while they were aboard the ship as he never thought they would find each other outside their normal work places, but thought little of it as they were working together again anyway. Besides, Blue had no memory of his name.
"Apprentices, report to the Arcade for instruction from Lieutenant Feron," the familiar voice of Intel Agent Kora ordered. Green was dragging Blue while Red was
listening to the order.
"Wake up, we have to meet the lieutenant," Green repeated. Red seemed as distracted as Blue. "What is wrong with you two?"
"Green, do you remember me from when we were on the ship?" Blue asked, hoping his memory was intact.
"I remember telling the maintenance crews below deck a few stories I heard from the rest of my crew."
"I was on one of those crews, I remember the story about the red, orange and yellow knights. You never got around to explaining more than they were hidden somewhere on the ship," Blue pursued, hopes raising as the thought of finally finding out about the mystery came closer. Red
gave a confused expression though no one was looking at him. Blue pretended not to notice.
"Yeah, I remember telling that a few times. Actually, that was all I knew at the time. I heard it from the lieutenant, though." Green seemed uncomfortable.
"The lieutenant himself said all that? Where were they hidden and what were they doing?" Blue was becoming more curious by the second.
"We will get our chance to ask," Red butted in.
The three looked up to see the lieutenant busy with other knights working on devices for the Arcade.
"Apprentices, welcome to the Arcade. This is where your mission begins." The lieutenant motioned towards the many elevators northward. "Our scanners indicate an energy
source at the core of this planet powerful enough to replace the energy core of our ship which was destroyed when it crashed. Alpha Squad reported reaching the core but communication dropped after that. We need knights down there to confirm Alpha Squad is alive and able, we need them."
Blue was stunned. Alpha Squad, the greatest team of knights Blue had ever heard of. Euclid, Parma, Rulen and Grantz. He may not know what made them so special, but they were Alpha Squad; the title alone was enough to inspire. While consumed with his fantasies of being the
gunslinger of Alpha Squad his teammates and the lieutenant conversed of the significance of teamwork and helping each other in combat. A sudden darkness popped his bubble as Green uttered a laugh. Blue felt around his head and found his helmet had changed from his old sallet to a bell shaped cap with a belt around the head and a single eye.
"What did you do?" Blue was shocked by the sudden change.
"This helmet gives you more handgun damage," Red explained as the lieutenant stood aloof.
"If you were paying attention, I was asking if any of you specialize in marksmanship," Feron explained, exasperated.
"Get your head out of the stars, we need you with us," Green demanded. Blue adjusted the helmet for comfort.
"Take these passes, they allow you to practice in the training hall. You can practice without breaking the Clockworks in there." The lieutenant seemed disappointed with the team.
"You can count on me, lieutenant," Green immediately answered. He seemed to be the closest to the lieutenant of the three, seeing as he worked with him on the top deck in the past.
"As for you, red knight, be wary."
Red seemed to be caught unaware. Blue noticed his shock while Green continued to ask the lieutenant for further orders.
"Your team is to go to the bazaar and learn about equipment. Dismissed."
Blue did not need to be dragged this time. The three continued to the market where Strangers vended various equipment and upgrades. While Green was bothering the vendors for their expensive wares, a highly decorated purple and red-violet knight wielding enormous scissors
seemed to be watching them. They seemed to be redesigning the three from the other side of the bazaar as a few stray knights went about their business. When Red finally pulled
Green away from the Strangers, the knight afar motioned for them to come over.
"This one better have real prices," Green pouted.
"We have more important things to do than dump all our funds into a sword only you will use, Green," Red retorted.
"Well, what do we have here?" The decorated knight seemed interested in them. "You three look as plain as a Virulisk with no color."
Blue was set aside by how heavily adorned the knight appeared. Green seemed dazed by the enormous scissor blades.
"Where did you get that?" Green asked, entranced.
"That is not important. What is important is getting you rookies prepared for combat so when you go in the Clockworks you come out in one piece." The knight dug through their arsenal and took out a few items.
"For you, blade boy, try this out."
Green was handed a rapier-like sword, the blade a thin point. "It may not be as heavy but it cuts through most."
Green seemed ecstatic with a new toy to try out.
"Alright, do we have a gunner?"
Blue began to step forward, but was pushed by Green. Blue mentally noted to slap him on the arm later.
"What kind of gunman are you, kid?"
Blue had not considered there would be different styles of gun use other than firing at the enemy.
"W-well, I usually shoot at what Green attacks with his sword to defeat it quicker." Blue unintentionally stuttered.
"Assist, alright, let me see if I have something."
Blue turned away momentarily, upset with his anxiousness.
"Take this Firotech Alchemer, it can burn the enemy."
Blue received a gun with an orange cylinder.
"Th-thanks." Blue retreated behind Green to inspect his new weapon.
"What about you, red guy? What are you into?"
Red seemed to have been waiting for his turn.
"They gave me this bomb when I got to the camp we were at, it works well for me."
"So you like bombs, kiddo. Try this on."
Red was given a large, bulky blast suit which seemed to weigh him down somewhat.
"Too heavy for you?" The purple knight giggled slightly.
"I will get used to it." Red seemed satisfied with the armor.
"I like that attitude. If you meet a knight named Pops, tell him Bechamel sent you."
The three thanked the knight and returned to the Arcade.
C2P2
With their gifts from Bechamel and Red falling over from the heavily armored blast suit constantly, the trio began their mission to investigate the Aurora Isles ruins and salvage materials. When the platform brought them to the ruins the lush scenery enveloped them yet again as it had when they opened their escape pods, washing them over with sweet nostalgia of how short yet full their experiences are becoming.
"Alright, we all know what to do." Red was curious of what sort of materials they may find in these ruins, his gaze caught on two statues near the platform.
"Forget the decorations, I want to get to the action already!" Green was as impatient as usual. Red seemed disappointed he could not enjoy the scenery. The three exited the platform zone and found two directions they may take; west has a locked door, south seems to continue somewhere.
"The key might be on the south area." Red begun to
move southward when five Wolvers popped out of the floor.
"Finally, something to do!" Green ecstatically beat them into submission. A circular projectile was slowly approaching him.
"Watch your back," Red ordered while using his shield to block the bullet. Further south he noticed three stationary machines which appeared similar to the statues. Blue made short work of them while Green was trying to slice through the wall which surrounded them. Blue noticed
a ghost block and a red button within this barricade after the turrets were defeated, firing at the blue cube to which Green immediately entered and hit the button. More Wolvers arose near the door west of their position, only to be conquered by Green again. Red was fascinated by the
red shards dropped by the defeated beasts, picking one up and examining it. It seemed to be a common object yet intrigued him.
"What is that?" Green seemed interested by the color.
"This must be one of the materials we were sent to investigate," Blue contributed. "The natives must be holding them."
Red rolled the shard around his hands while Green watched enviously.
"Alright, my turn now," Green was grabbing for it.
"We have to take these materials back to base for investigation, not play with them." Red immediately pocketed the object. The three continued west to another break in the path.
"According to my map the south path is a dead end and north continues further," Red stated. "You two continue along the north path while I go south, call in if you need me." Red begun southward while Green and Blue went north, greeted by another mechanical tree and several beast-like creatures. Red turned southward and continued down the hall. In the pocket room he noticed three boxes, one of which was red with the same clover image as the green ones. He heard red boxes tend to carry more rewards than green. Upon opening these boxes by blade a group similar to that of which spawned northward appeared, approaching in the same manner as the pink cubes of past. Outnumbered and overwhelmed, Red picked up the coins and
fled northward. While doing so he charged and dropped bombs along the hall, which detonated upon the following crowd and eliminated them upon reuniting with the others.
"Nice to see you again, what was down there?" Blue asked while firing upon the burning Lumber, which soon collapsed and left its loot.
"There were a few boxes, I have the money here."
The room was cleared but the door still blocked the path. A breakable block decorated each corner of the room.
"Break the blocks, there might be a switch under."
Red faintly remembered doing so while on his way to the rescue camp. In the northwest corner Green found a red button hidden and activated it, lowering the gate. The three continued into the next room. Upon passing the center several more Wolvers appeared, answered again by blade and bullet. Northward a shimmering blue gate with theta blocked another hall, though Red saw on his map the key was west.
"What is that?" Blue asked, admiring the glow.
"It has the same symbol as our energy, Maybe if we activate it we will find something," Red said. "We should leave it alone so we can complete our mission.”
Green ran ahead westward and grabbed the key.
"I have the key, meet you back at the locked door!" Green ran past them.
"I should go with him, in case something else pops out of the ground." Blue followed him.
Red noticed the map continues southward where the key was originally and continued to investigate. A light shimmering barrier seemed to lead another hallway. Red continued further and found two mineral deposits and three more green boxes, which were immediately opened and their loot collected. Red watched the minerals shine vibrantly, fascinated by the yellow and green surfaces. He drew his sword and butchered them, finding a chunk of the yellow mineral substantial enough to attach to his back and move with. His blast suit was fairly heavy but it seemed to support the extra weight well. With more coins and the crystal on his back Red made his way to the rendezvous. Upon exiting the veiled window many lizards walked about, taking chase upon Red when seen. He disposed of them with his bomb, admiring the practical use of the device in combating large groups. He passed the shimmering gate and returned to the locked gate where the others were waiting. They appear to have also found crystals to carry.
"What took you so long?" Green appeared upset.
"There was more treasure back there."
"Next time, I take the other path and you go with Blue." Green was definitely upset. The three continued along another hall northeastward then east until they entered a larger room with another party button glowing in the center. A gate blocked the elevator platform to
continue.
"Looks like this floor is almost cleared, this must be the finale!" Green jumped on the button and waved for the others to join him. Upon activation the gate they entered from rose; six lizards and two glowing moths appeared, running up to them as normal. They were quickly disposed of with a few blasts and slashes. After this wave was cleared three more of the same lizard spawned, as well as a purple and yellow one, and on the other side a Lumber with yet another moth. These met the same fate as the rest, though the colorful lizard attacked by
spitting large green blobs rather than flashing its tongue. Upon completion the gate lowered and four boxes were vulnerable. The team, content with their success thus far, entered the platform and proceeded downward to continue their mission.
"This is a better payout than overtime on the Skylark," Green boasted. The three proceeded
northward along a winding hall past the safety door and into a group of pink cubes, quickly defeated. Westward another blue gate shimmered, northward a party button and three large patches of thick grass awaited. The three decided not to use the blue gates until they found out
what they were for and continued northward. More pink cubes appeared along with strange, yellow blobs with purple spheres inside them. When two of these blobs came
near each other they combined. Green smashed these blobs immediately, thinking they would become large enough to eat him otherwise. Upon completion of the battle Green threw Blue onto the northward party button and called Red over, though he was distracted by yet another side path.
"Wait there, I have to check this out." Red went eastward and found four more boxes, hungrily opening them and gathering the loot. He hastily returned to the party button and continued to battle several jellies and Lumbers which appeared when the green boxes in the area
were opened. Red believed the treasure boxes were meant to be a trap so he stood where he assumed a Lumber would spawn as Green greedily rushed for the bounty, finding his
theory correct. Red picked up several screws and green shards scattered about the floor, storing them with the red shards found earlier. His blast suit had many convenient pockets. The three continued on the north party button after retrieving the objects and fought three more jellies, continuing along a path with several mineral deposits. They fastened several chunks of mineral and came to a clearing with two statues and the elevator, the screen showing their mission is near completion. Red could not help his gaze as it locked upon the statues.
"Get on!" Green shouted, snapping him out of his trance. Upon entering the platform it shot upward, returning the party to ground level.
Upon returning to the Arcade, Red received a transmission; the team is to investigate the Scarlet Fortress castle for spirits which may infest it. Red attempted to groan slightly but could not find the energy to do so. He looked at his Mist energy indicator, it read 76. The tank regenerates over time but he did not want to find himself using reserve energy, seeing as he had none. Red faintly remembered large stores of crystallized energy but not where it came from, though the extra power greatly contributed to whatever they were doing; Red felt a headache sneak upon him from thinking about it.
"Alright, time to get back to the grind," Green was already on the platform and ready to go again.
"Coming?"
Blue hesitated for a moment before joining him. Red stood motionless.
"Maybe next time, I have business to attend." Red turned to the bazaar as Blue and Green returned to the Clockworks. The mission was for the party, so long as someone runs it they all get credit. Red took this time to learn more about Haven and equipment, seeing as his
blast suit provided convenient storage. He ventured through the crowd at the auction house where several voices screamed and boomed over each other until he made it to the counter where two Strangers sat. Red noticed a vast collection of various equipment in the area behind
where the Strangers stood with price tags and several containers of coins with names on them. The Stranger explained the items were put on auction by knights for other knights to purchase and are given a minimum and/or buyout bid price by the original owner. When a sale is
completed one of the birds delivers the payment to the knight. Red was fascinated by this market system, seeing as wealth had no significance to him prior to arriving on the alien planet. Red considered the objects he carried and how they may be used, to which the Stranger also
explained; these materials are used to create equipment which may be used or sold, though equipping an item binds it to the knight and may only be unbound for a significant fee at the gremlin Vice in the bazaar. Apparently it also includes a painful detachment procedure. Red was intrigued by the significance of equipment and how all equipment follows a star ranking. Apparently the Clockworks has a system of three tiers with elevators going all the way down to the center of the planet, which the gremlins built for their own unknown cause. The Stranger also told how the Alpha Squad had entered the core of the planet, taken into its being and sealed. What happened to them is unknown as there were no witnesses to the event. The Stranger took Red to a machine resembling a snack dispenser with the same energy symbol as the gate from
earlier.
"This is a crafting machine. To craft an item you must first consume its recipe." The Stranger held a flat disk and gave it to Red. Unaware of how to use it, Red attempted to consume it; the Stranger corrected this by opening his mainframe and inserting the disk into a slit in his mid-front torso which consumed it immediately, giving Red the knowledge of creating the object; an Owlite
shield. Red soon realized he did not have the correct materials to create the item.
"Worry not, these are the materials you require."
The Stranger gave him two feathers, two brittle chunks of brimstone, and five yellow shards similar to those Red obtained within the Clockworks. Red turned to the machine and placed the objects in a bowl. The machine did nothing.
"One must pay a fee to use the machine and power the transformation with energy from themselves."
Red took the plug from his side torso and inserted crowns into the coin slot. The machine rung out and a plate appeared where the feathers and metals were laid. Red
retrieved the object and found it to be a shield. It had better defenses than his current shield and resistance against fire and shock.
"Thank you, if there is any way I can pay you back.." Red began, interrupted by the Stranger
"Yes, I have something in mind for payment." The Stranger motioned to the satchel Red stored crowns and crystals found in the Clockworks. "Crowns and materials are acceptable."
Red hesitated. He had not yet equipped the shield to bind it yet but he wanted something to replace the simple green plate he has been using, seeing as his armor had been replaced with a sturdy blast suit.
"Very well then, how much for the shield?" Red began to retrieve coins.
"For you, since you used your own energy to craft it, I will only charge the materials I gave you and the recipe; one thousand and three hundred crowns." The Stranger gave a light smile. Red felt around his pouch and managed barely enough to pay for it, vending most of the materials he had found in place of crowns.
"Pleasure doing business with you," the Stranger said while walking back to the auction house. Red may have lost nearly all of his money but he had a new shield to protect himself. He thought of his weapons.
"Wait, what about a new bomb?" Red knew he could not pay more but he was curious of what he could work toward. "All I have is this Proto, what should I go for?"
The Stranger hesitated, balancing in his mind how this knight may profit him.
"The Blast line is highly recommended by most demolitionists, the blast is powerful enough to knock enemies away." The Stranger smiled once again. "I can sell you the recipe for one thousand and one hundred crowns."
Red pondered the price. He knew he had nothing left, but a more powerful bomb drew him toward making a deal.
"I have nothing currently, but I can pay you back when I have enough," Red pleaded, considering the Stranger may simply turn and scoff as they please. Red was prone to find treasure in the Clockworks where others simply pass, but another dent in his funds like this would make the others upset at his constant spending.
"I am in a team with two other knights, we are under order of Lieutenant Feron to explore the Clockworks. I can pay you back between missions." Red knew this was a desperate move, seeing as the Stranger manipulated him into crafting the shield when he only wanted information.
"Very well, Apprentice. I do not have a Blast Bomb with me at the moment but I will keep you informed." A snipe landed on his hat. "I may be able to turn a profit
yet," the Stranger thought as he turned back to the market.
Mié, 07/18/2012 - 12:19
#4
Chapter 3, part 1
"Alright you three, now that you know about materials you can move onto the next series of missions; but first you need a veteran to contact in case you need help." Lieutenant Feron had his arm over the shoulder of an orange knight. "This is an old comrade of mine, we worked together to set up the rescue camp as an isolated rendezvous for crash survivors and invited Strangers to guide them to Haven."
The orange knight seemed lax amongst them.
"We call her Izola."
Green tilted his head slightly.
"She looks a little heavy."
The heavily armored knight stood at an uncomfortably close proximity to Green. His overwhelming girth was intimidating and overpowering. Green backed away.
"Alright, what do you have for us to do?"
Green seemed distraught by the presence of a more intimidating warrior than himself.
"A'ight kiddies, git!" Izola pointed to a knight mumbling furiously while pouring various colors of crystal into the imminent gate platforms. "'e needs help ove' there, get shov'lin'!"
As the three turned, Izola grabbed Green by the shoulder.
"Not so fast, I need ye' fer somethin' back 'ere."
Izola led Green to a console near Feron.
"Y'see these li'le buggers?" Izola indicated a group of Gremlins. "They got a few 'f us, we need ye' three t'git 'em back." Izola slapped Green on the back. "Take yer crew and git rollin', Squire!"
Green was slapped on the back again and stumbled, running up to the other two as they finished the supply of crystals for that gate. Izola coughed a laugh, resuming her position by Feron.
_____________________________
The three Squires made their way to the platform, preparing for another dive into the planet to learn more of the alien world. Blue looked down at his Firotech, rolling it around slightly as though to flourish it out while sneaking around a Lumber distracted by Green. Blue heard something about yellow blobs with purple spheres in them and how they combined, courtesy of Green and his over enthusiastic and loud voice. Every ecstatic call from him seemed to ring out the elevator shaft.
"Calm down, Green. We should be there shortly."
Red stood in the middle of the platform as they descended, Green was leaning on the balcony.
"Are we there yet?" Green was becoming increasingly impatient. "I have to get back to Izola, I
want some nice armor like that. You got that blast suit from Bechamel, why should you be the only one?"
Blue remembered their meeting with the over decorated knight in the market. He silently wished to have received new armor himself, but felt intimidated by Green; the close range warrior should have more defense first, seeing as he would get hit more often.
"I asked the lieutenant about better equipment for you two, he said there will be something soon." Red kept his gaze on the imminent plane of dim gray with various patches of thick grass and statues. Green looked away from Red.
"As long as I get to bash heads, I can wait a little longer."
The three arrived on the surface of the floor, setting out into the fray. Blue kept his distance from the middle of battles, using his Firotech on anything that got too close. The yellow, oozing sentient creatures seemed more concerned with combining than attacking him. When they
combined their accumulative mass increased, most likely giving it greater power and health as a larger threat. Blue attempted to point this out as Green seemed to bash them together. Red took notice of this and shared a short stare with Blue.
"Green, back away, you are making them combine!"
Green seemed not to have heard.
"Green, we need to survive this, not empower them!"
"I need a challenge, the bigger the better!"
Green continued to pound them into a quivering mound of yellow substance. The strange blob shortly after burst, covering Green in the mucus. Blue could not help but quietly laugh.
"Is this funny to you?" Green seemed insulted.
"Yes, actually." Red smiled slightly. "I was trying to warn you that would happen."
The party moved on wordlessly, though Red and Blue let a laugh or two slip every once in a while. When they did Green let out a grizzled moan and battered the alien jellies more brutally. After several unplanned giggles the team found a camp where several knights seemed to be
hiding behind various consoles and fallen objects.
"We have been sent by lieutenant Feron, how may we assist you?" Red immediately addressed the cowering crew.
"Th-the s-s-sli.." The knight seemed too terrified to answer.
"Forget this, we can just beat them down!" Green jumped on the party button. Blue looked between Red and Green, awaiting an order. Red was the first to speak.
"Will you be alright back here while we take care of the slimes?"
"S-s-su.." The knight attempted to speak, only to collapse from passing out.
"Cowards. Come on, we got this!" Green disregarded the hiding knights and called out again for his team to join him. Red was followed by Blue onto the button as more of the lichens appeared, only to be crushed by Green. The fungal abominations attempted to combine, only to be blasted apart by a bomb thrown into their cores on behalf of Red. He seemed unphased by the obliteration and scattering of large chunks of the yellow substance. A large, darker, spiked lichen appeared after the smaller ones were disposed of; it was definitely larger and more
menacing. The spikes seemed to be positioned as projectiles prepared to be fired with a swift spin to release them from its body.
"Finally, something that might hurt." Green charged toward the lichen, preparing to slice it in half. This attempt was answered by a quick spin and several spikes knocking him down with significant effect.
"It releases spikes within its body when threatened which impale the target. You would know that if you were awake while the lieutenant was lecturing us." Red began winding up a bomb while using the various debris around them as cover from the spiked projectiles. Blue attempted to get Green to his feet.
"Put me down, I can do it myself. Help Red by making the bastard burn." Green must have passed out after this order, as his body went limp and he refused to respond. Blue propped him against the barricade where the other knights were hiding, taking his Firotech out in a flourish of the hand and wrist. The lichen seemed to be preoccupied attempting to pierce into Red, though his thick blast suit would protect him better than the light armors of Green and Blue. While the behemoth kept its attention on Red, Blue prepared his Firotech for a more powerful bullet by charging the trigger while a meter below the flame barrel began to fill to indicate the charge. As the charge built and the gun itself seemed to expand, a voice from behind called out.
"Make it burn!"
The call surprised Blue, releasing the trigger and sending a burning sphere toward the large lichen. In a burst of flaming energy the slime erupted into flame, its surface beginning to bubble from the heat. Red took advantage of this opportunity, jumping over the short barricade and
throwing a bomb into its surface; the heat allowed the solid device to pass the membrane. Red fell to the ground, rolled, and sprinted towards Blue. Blue was stunned by the glorious burning object as Red jumped into him, taking both to the ground with Red over him to block the explosion. Blue could only see Red but heard an enormous splattering and saw large chunks of the lichen impact the floor around them. Red seemed to be taking hits from the fallout of the explosion. After the damage seemed to be over Red rolled off of Blue, laying on his back. A small
spherical chunk of the jelly laid where the lichen was destroyed. Green was beginning to regain consciousness in the distance, trying to pull himself upright. The jiggling purple blob was fairly solid yet moldable. Blue pocketed the item and began to drag the immobile knights to the platform.
Sáb, 04/14/2012 - 19:40
#5
:)
Really good story! Also are you accepting character applications?
Dom, 04/15/2012 - 11:38
#6
This is not a chapter
Sure, I was going to start a couple side characters for what comes later. Give me any details you want the character to have; loadout, anything about their personality, et cetera. I have been busy for the past week so new stuff has been coming slowly
Dom, 04/15/2012 - 11:59
#7
C:
Name: Dusk
Loadout: divine veil , skolver coat , acheron , voltaic tempest, blitz needle, seerus hammer 5*
Accessories: pipe, tails tails
Personality: ??? (make one up)
Dom, 04/15/2012 - 17:15
#8
Getting ahead of ourselves
By loadout I meant the base equipment; as the story progresses the knights upgrade their equipment, meaning if you want to be all 5* your character will be benched for a long time. As of right now your character will only appear when the story gets to late T3. I would explain this but that would spoil what I have planned. As for their personality, you should be able to make up the general idea; boastful, innocent, et cetera. Later on the knights get equipment based on their personality. Again, explaining this would spoil what happens later. I may be able to incorporate other characters into the story, but they have to be appropriate for where they are to be used.
By the way, not that this spoils anything for those who actually play the game, when the story beats Vanaduke there will be a lot more. When I first thought of making this thread I only cared about what happened after being able to beat Vanaduke, but decided against it to build up a few characters first. This is actually due to a thread somewhere else asking why this game does not have its own show, seeing as other games do it. I thought it would be interesting but the issue is how to develop a personality from robots in space who crash landed. Due to lack of certain details I sometimes create my own idea of what happens to roll with for unanswered questions. For example, in my prologue, there was an explosion on the ship and someone said it was because they were fired upon. This entire thread is meant for entertainment purposes without being influenced by personal preferences, such as my dislike for Polaris spammers claiming to be gunslingers or Nitronome spammers claiming to be "pro". Throwing explosions at everything constantly while preventing your party from landing a hit does not help them fight what you are spamming.
Also, the third chapter is going to have three parts; I would post them all in the same post but some people like to take breaks between perspective switches.
Mié, 07/18/2012 - 12:21
#9
Chapter 3, part 2
Green regained consciousness in an infirmary, Blue staring at him.
"Are you alright?" Blue seemed exhausted, as if he recently did something physically taxing. Then again, this was Blue; he always let the other knights to the heavy lifting. Blue was sitting in a chair next to the medical pod Green was in. Looking around, the room seemed void of
other patients. They must have been out in the Clockworks having all the fun. Green tried to get up, seeing as the pod was open, but Blue grabbed him by the shoulder.
"Relax. The medic says you need to rest for a while." The voice soothed his will to resume duty.
"'ey there, Proto boy." Izola stood in the doorway within their view. "Ah hear y'got hit pretty hard."
She strutted toward them, the giant shield on her back swaying. Green seemed less intimidated and more attracted to her prowess. She leaned in close to him, giving him a
once over.
"Y'a'ight?"
This took Green by surprise. He always thought she was just a friend of the lieutenant, beyond even caring about the existence of lowly Squires.
"Yeah, as soon as I can get up we should be able to get our group going again." Green seemed uncomfortable with Izola still leaning so close to him.
"Yer buddy's with th'doc' up front. Wan' me t'git 'im?" This was getting better by the second.
"No, I can get him myself." Green tried to stand again, cringing in pain. The piercing wound was bound but the damage has yet to end its course. Izola withdrew from Green and went to an aresenal station in the room.
"Ah think this ought'a help ya'." She held a fur coat with leather layers and belts.
"This 'ere came from Wolvers 'emselves, givin' th'user defen's 'gainst pierce." She tossed the coat and an apparently matching helmet near Green, encouraging him to get up again. The helmet seemed similar to the Wolvers he fought in the Clockworks.
"Whut y'waitin' fer? Y'got work t'do!" Izola took her leave with the same hypnotizing strut which bewitched Green earlier. Something about her found his attention and dragged it along for a while. She turned around at the doorway, taking Green by surprise as he stared at her.
"Bah th'way, armor's courtesy'f th' house."
She left the two without saying any more.
__________________________________________
Red was conversing with the medical knight, asking how the whole process functioned; he wanted to know if the process could be taken into the Clockworks to keep knights in the field while maintaining life. The application of medical technology would allow the knights to create camps similar to Haven or the old rescue camp within the planet itself, allowing them to control the Clockworks without worrying native life interrupting explorations. Red thought about Green again. He would be fine, Green can take a hit and jump back on his feet in no time. As Red became consumed in thought of what may happen if Green becomes unable to continue a heavily armored knight passed him to the exit. It was the knight they saw with Feron in thick plate armor. Red immediately refocused on what he was thinking about. What was he thinking about?
"Alright, it looks like your friend needs a while to recover." The medic snapped Red back to reality.
"Thank you. I will take the other one with me so he can rest." Red excused himself to fetch Blue in the other room.
"What did the medic say?" Blue seemed distraught.
"He needs a while. Come on, we can do a mission or two while he recovers. We are still needed in the order."
Blue hesitated to stand.
"I should stay here. What if they need me to get something?" Blue held his position. Red understood. They were old friends before the ship crashed, their bond is more significant than he has shared with anyone. They were practically brothers.
"Alright, you stay here with Green while I check with the lieutenant." Red took his leave after notifying the medic that Blue would remain to assist.
__________________________________
"Where were you? I have been waiting far longer than expected." The lieutenant is disappointed.
"We are experiencing casualties. A lichen colony impaled Green and Blue is helping the medic." Red began to turn his gaze downwards, only to be lifted by hand to his left.
"Buck up, kiddo, we got this."
Red looked to the knight and saw a thick blast suit adorned with slightly yellowish green. The knight seemed to be missing their shield.
"This is Remi, a veteran bomber." The lieutenant turned his attention away from them, expecting instant connection. Red was confused. Remi? Another bomber? Though it was true only a few of the countless knights don the blast suit, Red had never heard of Remi; nor any other demo for that matter.
"You look like you never seen another demo before." Remi seemed to be holding back a laugh. "Kat got your tongue?" Remi burst out in hysterical laughter. Red did not understand what had happened.
"Enough. Remi, this Squire lacks a team. I task you as temporary mentor to this knight until his team recovers and resumes duty." The lieutenant wanted to get this over with as quickly as possible to resume his own duties.
"Alright, I was getting to that. Stop being such a Slag Walker." Remi turned his attention to Red. "Okay, what do you need?"
Red was further confounded. What was going on? This is obviously a more experienced bomber, but what was he going to do?
"What kind of bombs do you use?"
Red turned his thoughts to his own array of weaponry. All this mental stimulus made him moderately nauseous.
"They gave me this Proto in the rescue camp."
Remi looked disappointed.
"What, is that it? Just a Proto? You may as well be using a toy firework."
Red was becoming upset. This bomb has helped his team well during their exploration, devastating several unsuspecting foes and blasting Lumbers back and forth.
"What you need is a real bomb."
Remi motioned to his arsenal, but Feron stopped him.
"You know the rules. Take him on an exploration to
earn it."
Remi was disappointed. It must have been rare to have a bomber, so he had prepared to fully equip those who were.
"What do you want me to do, take him to get one of those pinecone bombs?"
Feron hesitated. What was a pinecone bomb? Red was distracted by this thought.
"No. The beast may find you."
A beast? What beast? Did it have something to do with this pinecone bomb?
"Fine, big guy. What am I supposed to do?"
Red was consumed by curiosity. Where did bombs come from? Why do these native creatures have them? Did we steal them from this planet or make them ourselves? What was going
on?
"A hive of Blast Cubes has been discovered recently. Take him there. You know what to do." Feron turned away and resumed duty. Remi turned to Red.
"Aw haw haw, yeah.. This is going to be good."
Red did not know what a Blast Cube is. Did it have something to do with bombs? It sounded explosive. Perhaps it was the exploding cube which Red had noticed on past explorations.
"Wake up, we have to get going!" Remi took Red by the collar and began to drag him. This must have been fairly difficult, considering both were wearing heavy blast suits. The two came to the same platform Red had always used. Would they do the same missions Red has been
doing?
"Do not tell anyone about this." Remi withdrew a key from his arsenal and opened an administrative panel. Do all friends of the lieutenant have this? Did they have control over the Clockworks? Red was finding new questions by the minute.
"With this I can access contained depths where certain enemies dwell. We are going to a Blast Cube area."
After setting a few coordinates and precautions, Remi punched the blue button. The platform dropped faster than normal, almost causing Red to fly off of it.
"Your blast suit has a magnetic pull to platforms. When the platform comes to the floor the charge moves to the exit platform." Remi stood next to Red unflustered by the speed of descent. As the view of a large, industrial base came into view Red immediately resumed thought. Was this an underground camp? What were they doing down here?
"Here we are," Remi nearly pushed Red off the platform as they almost came to ground level.He gave out a slight chuckle. The two came to a room with several knights at computers.
"What is this?" Red was amazed by the facility.
"This is our private testing ground. We use this to test knights who require further training beyond their comfort zone without forcing them to continue to the next tier."
Tier? What was that?
"Is this some sort of initiation test?"
"No. Well, yes. Get in there." Remi pushed Red into a closed room and a gate raised behind him. Remi took an intercom.
"We will test your ability to handle explosions in a dangerous scenario." Remi turned to the other knights. "Alright, start with just one."
Red looked around him. The floor was metal plated, there were several objects of debris laying around. They were barely large enough to use as cover for projectiles. A large chute in the far back seemed large enough to fit a Lumber. Red hoped that was just his imagination.
"Alright kid, you got a live one coming." Red kept his gaze focused on the chute. It sounded like
something was going to fall out of it. As the sound echoed toward the exit, an orange jiggling cube with a bright yellow sphere as its core rolled out. It idled shortly, and immediately took chase as soon as it noticed Red. It looked like the explosive boxes as Red had thought would appear, but it was a jelly. What a strange being. Red wanted to run a few tests on it, how it lived, what it ate. Being named Blast Cube must result from something. Does it also use bombs? It looked like the explosive box, perhaps it was simply a living version of it. If so, hitting it would cause it to explode. Should he fight it? Would it explode on contact? Red began winding a bomb
while crouching behind debris. The jelly began wandering the area. It had no face so Red could not tell where its attention was turned, but that made it all the more interesting. Perhaps the core was a full optic sensor, able to see everything in all directions at once. This must be horribly confusing. The jelly wandered around the wreckage, seeking the knight it spotted earlier. Red used the debris to his advantage to keep out of sight. He was not willing to find out if the jelly could hear him if he spoke. Eventually the jelly would find him. While it was investigating debris nearby, Red came around its back with a charged bomb and tossed it near the cube, taking a roll behind another chunk of debris waiting for the explosion. The cube seemed to be staring at the green sphere, forgetting its target was obviously behind the debris nearby. Red was about to peak over until he heard a quick explosion splattering orange blobs around where the jelly once was. A single pair of hands was clapping behind the thick windows where Remi spectated.
"A little slow, but a few more ought to shape him up." Remi turned to the knights again. "Alright, make it three this time. Same tier."
Red heard more objects rolling down the chute and began to charge another bomb.
Dom, 04/15/2012 - 18:24
#10
Fine bench him. As for
Fine bench him. As for personality make it brave.
Dom, 04/15/2012 - 18:48
#11
Hats
Alright, I will record your details so I can remember when I get there. Keep in mind where details are missing I will donate my own thoughts for the character, such as attitude towards certain enemies based on their equipment; for example, say the character only used shadow armor with element and pierce weapons and enjoys dominating undead and fiends but hates fighting jellies. My issue with an omnipotent and brave character is how they are too perfect. No one is perfect, everyone has issues or flaws. Green is hasty and reckless. Blue relies on others most of the time. Red will be developed more soon. By the way these three do get names later, but not for another few chapters. Your character basically has defense and damage against all types with no major drawbacks. This means I will have to create issues with them to keep the characteristics realistic. I can make them overconfident and arrogant, or obsessed with being the best at everything at the expense of potential usefulness in most situations. "Brave" makes me think of Green, jumping into the fray and headbutting everything without considering how that may affect the others.
If you just want the story for yourself I recommend trying this thread, seeing as getting to the point I would be able to get your character in will take months.
Lun, 04/16/2012 - 04:02
#12
ok then...
For weapons take away blitz and hammer give him any flaws you want.
Lun, 04/16/2012 - 09:19
#13
Giving up?
Taking away the hammer would make him appear sooner. Also, I refuse to put tail, wing, or aura accessories on anyone I write about. It gets unnecessarily complicated.
So far, for your character, I have the following:
Dusk
Divine Veil, Skolver Coat, Acheron, Voltaic Tempest
Pipe
From this I can deduce very little, perhaps this is a sailor. Consider changing Voltaic Tempest to a gun or another sword. I already wrote a description for your character with four weapons, but if you want them to show up sooner change the hammer to another element weapon.
I am currently working on finishing this part so I can get to the last part of the chapter. I can actually get your character in if their equipment were all 2* for the next couple chapters, such as if Divine Veil were down to Magic Hood and Skolver Coat down to Wolver. If not I already made something to work wtih, all 5* for future content.
Alright, it looks like there will be twenty chapters, for those curious. I already have ideas for all of them. If anyone wants me to include a character consider other threads first, seeing as I will be preoccupied for a while. I can also just write a short story for your character(s) if I find it interesting enough; no "perfect in every way" characters. No one wants to read about perfectionism. Be creative.
Mié, 07/18/2012 - 12:22
#14
Chapter 3, part 3
Green was able to stand again without leaning on anyone and even had the strength to equip the fur coat and cap from Izola. It seemed comfortable yet indulging in the warmth and light padding. It may be a little too fluff for his tastes, but the pierce defense helped Green to recover. The medic released Green back into Haven to find Blue who had been dispatched on a solo mission to return a sword to a fallen knight. Green may not know what a dead knight would do with a sword, but the thought of being able to get back in the fray distracted him. He thought of milling about the market, looking for a new sword to match his new armor, but thought better to check in with the lieutenant that he is on his feet again.
"I see you are well again."
Green turned to where the voice mumbled from. A knight in a similar coat to his own leaned against a wall in an alley. It was pale as snow. The knight was wearing a small shield with a spiraling design on the face, though it seemed to be the same size as the one Green was using.
"I hear Izola has been doing favors for you."
Green thought of Izola. Who was this strange knight?
"Especially the part where she gave you armor from my arsenal." The knight indicated the Wolver set Green was wearing. "You do realize theft is a crime."
Green stood his ground. No one would intimidate him, especially if it meant coming between him and Izola.
"Izola gave it to me personally. You had nothing to do with it."
"Ah, but I do; you see, she took it from my arsenal without asking or paying. A Vanguard has to make a living, you know."
Vanguard. Green knew immediately that was the highest rank a knight could get. This knight must be powerful and experienced.
"You have two options. You can either pay for it, or..pay for it." The knight flashed the handle of a Dread Venom Striker. Green knew where this was going but regretted no one would be around to watch. Green began to move his hand to his sword.
"Ha! That puny toy is no match for my Venom."
When both had their hands grasped around their sword handles and were about to draw them, a massive blade crashed between them.
"Echo, wha'd ah tell ye'?"
Green was relieved she had shown up, but at the same time disappointed he could not impress her by trouncing the Vanguard.
"You know as well as I do that you stole that Wolver set from my arsenal." Apparently this knight was named Echo. Ha, what a punk name.
"Y'said it w's on th'house, y'e dummy."
Echo turned away from them. What an embarrassment. Green was about to laugh.
"If'n y'll take't easy on th'li'le guy, I'll pay fer it m'self." Izola motioned to her arsenal to withdraw
payment for the items but was stopped by Green.
"No, I can pay for it. Red left a note on their prices before I put them on." Green took out a couple thousand crowns and handed them to Echo, who rudely snatched them.
"Now, wha'd'y'say?"
Echo was still looking away.
"Sorry."
"Sorry fer whut?"
Echo turned to Green with a spiteful expression.
"Sorry I almost killed you."
Echo walked away.
"Don' worry none 'bout 'im, he's jus' cranky."
Izola gave Green a slap on the back which almost knocked him over.
"Thanks. I should get back to my team now." Green
set out to find Feron.
__________________________________
Red was still in the private bunker. Remi has been throwing everything but the kitchen sink at him, attempting to outwit or overpower the demolitionist. Unfortunately for the research team and the enemies forced to face him, Red had always been at least four steps ahead of the incoming enemy. It had reached the point that all Red needed to hear was a few seconds of whatever was falling down the pipe and he knew exactly what to do before even seeing what falls out. Remi was beginning to lose his smile.
"Turn it up, double the spawn rate."
More enemies came out at once, only to be dispatched by the knight who faced Remi unscratched.
"Feron will have my mist tank if he finds out this knight has survived this long. We tried all the first tier enemy group waves imaginable, except.." Remi slowly turned back to the knights at the consoles.
"Ten shock Lumbers and ten shock Meta Knights."
Remi turned back to the one way window and began to smile again. There was no way anyone in such weak armor could survive this. Remi picked up the intercom again.
"Twenty enemies will appear, wait for all of them to come out before beginning the simulation." Remi sat back in his seat, awaiting the carnage of the puny knight. If he can do this, Remi would be out of a job.
"Sir, this amount of enemies would surpass first tier difficulty. Are you sure we should be doing this?"
Remi turned to the knight who dared speak in defense of the same demo who obliterated three Alpha Wolvers in the previous wave.
"Shut up and do it."
The team complied. Red took his normal position behind a chunk of debris and awaited the twenty enemies to appear. After the fourth consecutive Lumber Red turned to the
window.
"How many of these are there?"
Remi chuckled slightly.
"Enough." Enough to take you down, Remi thought to himself. This had gone on for far enough. This knight had to be either destroyed or beaten into submission. It was impossible for anyone to have survived this long. Any second his team or, worse, Feron would come looking for him to do some meaningless research mission. Remi thought it would only take a few rounds with a couple exploding jellies and Devilites; not exploding Devilites, normal ones, but they all fell victim to a tiny Proto bomb. A Proto bomb! Remi would have had difficulty using his Big Angry, not that it is very practical for the tactics Red has been using. His speed seemed to outwit and outmaneuver everything which attempted to locate him, as Remi could not help but gawk in amusement at how someone so immature and unprepared could possibly be this venerable. Something must be wrong.
"What was your name, Red, was it?" Remi was stuttering. "Ha-have you had combat experience before this?"
Red had fallen the last Lumber and turned to the window.
"Not that I know of." Red thought for a moment.
"Well, my team thinks I was part of a secret experiment on the Skylark before the crash, but it was probably just rumors. I have no memory before opening my escape pod."
Remi hesitated. What secret experiment? Vanguards knew everything that went on in that ship. He would have to ask Feron. But, ask him what? A disturbingly combat savvy newbie told him what some other low knights told him? This was the first time anyone had done this well, but this is also the first time another demo was allowed down here. It would sound more rumor than a serious question. Remi took the intercom again.
"Our program is now complete for the time. Please exit." Remi punched the button to lower the gate and mumbled furiously while striding towards the elevator platform to return to the Arcade. No one in first tier has done this well before, at least not since..
"When can we do this again?" Red was standing next to Remi. Remi thought over a retrial in case the enemies have been sick recently. Perhaps a retrial would clarify the results as false so Remi would have nothing to report about.. The memory faded him. What was he supposed to be watching out for? He would have to ask Feron when they returned, when Red was out of earshot.
"Ah, yes, well; I will let you know." Remi was not about to give this knight another go at their
precious research supply, especially since their item drop rate was live since they were obtained directly from the Clockworks. They may have let him get away with the heat and materials, but the crowns were returned to Remi. He made up an excuse to take the money, seeing as it
would be suspicious if someone went with a Vanguard and suddenly became a few thousand crowns wealthier. Perhaps this knight could help defeat the beast in..
"Remi! Where have you been?" Feron called out to the Vanguard, Red beside him. He nearly jumped.
"Researching." Remi looked back at Red for an instant and ran up to Feron.
"We have important matters to discuss later."
Feron seemed to take notice Remi was not of his normal wisecracking personality. Something must have happened.
"Very well then. Red, you and your team have an important mission to accomplish. I sent a few other teams a while ago but none have returned yet." Remi whispered something to Feron and returned to the platform, using the key to go somewhere again. Red kept his attention to
the lieutenant.
"As you may have heard a beast has been lurking the first tier of the Clockworks. Your team is being tasked to look into this. While you are there be on the lookout for other teams who may have gone ahead. Dismissed." Feron turned to the same platform Remi had used.
"Lieutenant," Red called out, "is there something I should know?"
"No. Nothing. You have a mission to complete."
Feron used his own key on the platform and left as well. Red looked around. Where was his team?
__________________________________
Green was dragging Blue again. Why? Green forgets. It probably has something to do with exhaustion. Blue was too tired to move, Green was bouncing off the walls again. It made sense for him to carry Blue to meet up with Red where Feron ordered. Green felt more powerful wearing the Wolver armor. He felt an edge greater in brute force, every strike more powerful than Proto could have given. At least Blue was still light enough to carry. Not much in his arsenal, fairly light armor, small weapons. Green had little to complain about. His encounter with Echo may have distracted him from what he was doing but at least he got to see Izola again. It was always nice to know he had a Vanguardian angel. Green saw Red looking around as though he were lost.
"Hey there, you lost?" Green laughed slightly, though carrying Blue around has become a tedious chore. Why was he always carrying him around all the time? He has his own legs.
"The lieutenant and Remi had something to take care of. Feron mentioned a beast in first tier and we should check it out, also there may be other teams in there."
That was all Green needed to know. He picked Blue up again and charged to the platform, ready for Red to get on so he could punch the button. It was always fun to punch the
button. One second nothing is moving and everyone is just standing there, the next feels like a thrill ride. Green was almost hopping with impatience. Red slowly came to the platform, his gaze fixated on the floor. This was unusual to Green.
"Drop something?" Green knew Red always had his arsenal locked except while picking up items. It was locked.
"No, it was something the lieutenant said." Red shook his head and was on the platform. Green wanted to jump on the button and fly downward but felt the need to wait for something.
"What did the lieutenant say?" Green was curious now. The lieutenant never enjoyed talking to low rank knights, especially Squires.
"It was nothing." Red activated the button and the platform lowered. Green was about to protest, as Red knew Green liked to punch it, but made no such action. Something must have happened. Red may not be the most sociable but he never kept secrets from them. Did the lieutenant say he was going to disband their group? Is the lieutenant going to only accept one of us as a Vanguard? Red returned his gaze. What was he staring at? Green suddenly realized he had been staring at him.
"What is it?" Red seemed distraught as though he had been physically active recently. Green almost panicked.
"You look a little beat down." Green knew there were no signs of damage but knew something combat related had occurred. "Have you been doing missions without us?" Red hesitated and looked away. He seemed unwilling to admit. Green pursued.
"You can tell us anything, us three, we are a team. They throw us through a scrapper and come out with nice hats." Red did not so much as look at him. A chill seemed to flow through Green. Someone was in a mood, Green thought. The platform lowered in silence, or at least
near silence. Blue began to stir. Green propped him up.
"Buddy, glad to see you functioning." Green thought of slapping him on the back, but he was barely conscious enough to take it. Instead Green looked up at Red who kept his gaze locked away from them.
"Red, Blue is starting up again." Red did not move at all. The lieutenant must have broken him. Blue regained awareness when the platform came to ground level, a dim forest with intimidating mist bordering the visible floor. Green let Blue stand on his own. There were several large trees sprouting from the mist. From these trees various sized objects seemed to be sprouting. Red looked up at a large one. It seemed to be shaped somewhat cylindrically, yet was covered in small short spikes. The cylinder was somewhat dim green while the spikes light brown. Red continued to stare at it. Green was becoming frustrated.
"What are you staring at?" Red was still watching it. Was it going to do something? Was it an enemy in disguise? Green thought so. He pointed at Blue.
"Hey, shoot down whatever Red is staring at!" Blue did not hesitate with his Firotech, leaving the shape unscathed while the stem which once attached it burned to cinders. Red continued to stare at the fallen object. It was near his feet but he made no motion toward it.
"Do something!" Green shouted at Red. There was still no movement. What did the lieutenant do, smash his audio sensors?
"Wake up!"
Red snapped to. The object must have had him entranced. It must be destroyed. Green took out his sword and motioned towards it but Red held out an arm to stop him.
"What are you doing?" Green asked, focused on breaking whatever it was. It made Red braindead, what would it do to the others? Blue looked over to the two. He was admiring the scenery.
"What is that?" Blue asked, apparently oblivious to Green already asking the same question.
Red walked up to the object and picked it up. He turned it upside down and revealed a dial, similar to that of his Proto bomb yet not the same design; it required to be wound in the same way but the dial did not jut out of the object. Red turned to the arsenal station nearby and switched this new object with his old Proto sword. Green assumed the object was supposed to be a bomb. It looked like one, Red thinks it is one, and it has a little wind up dial like one. Green thought to ask Feron about it later but stopped. Red can do that. Green has other things to do.
"Alright, roll out. We have a beast and other knights to find. Hopefully we will find the knights
before the beast does." Red took point. Green always took point. Green tried to run ahead.
"Red, let me take point. I can handle it." Green felt a little stubborn standing up to Red like this, but what if something jumped out before he could charge his bomb? It was better for the close range, quick strike knight to be in front in case anything jumps out at them. Red agreed. Blue was walking backwards, nearly bumping into Red. Green held his sword in one hand and kept his shield ready to activate in the other. Nothing was going to take them by surprise. Not even the three Wolvers who jumped out and surprised them.
__________________________________
Blue was facing away from Green, which was unusual. Normally Blue would wait for something to try to surprise him and make it burn, but this time Red was close to his back. It was nice to have a change of pace but it felt unnatural. Red had always gone to his own fights while Blue and Green clear the main path, but Green was out of sight. Blue felt uncomfortable.
"Red, is everything alright up there?"
Red stopped and Blue bumped into him again.
"Stay here. The fog ahead is too thick to see through and Green walked right into it. Blue felt helpless. Without Green they could easily be ambushed by any wild, pointy-toothed, savage..
A rustling in the thick grass nearby surprised him.
"Wh-what was that?" Blue held his Firotech in both hands and aimed towards it.
"Fire into the grass, the floor itself is inflammable but the thick grass patches are."
Blue complied. With Red at his side keeping an optic sensor out for anything coming, Blue fired into the various grass patches around them. Nothing stirred. Blue was becoming increasingly afraid. Where was Green? He would usually be holding a Wolver by the tail by now or something. Negative thoughts began to flood his mind. Maybe they got him and as he and Red continue they would find his mangled remains. Maybe this beast found him and no one would ever find anything. Blue began to shiver.
"Calm down. My map indicates Green is on top of a hill nearby." Red patted Blue on the shoulder and began walking, following his map to where this hill must have been. Blue followed. Red was the only one with the map, which had locators on all three of them in case anyone got
lost. Blue was about to ask why only he had it but realized it would be distracting for a swordsman to be watching a map while slicing or for a gunslinger to be watching a map and where the target moves in mere seconds. Red also kept the team organized and directed the paths, though Green always took Blue to where more fighting was to enjoy. When they temporarily separated like this Red always seemed to be fine with going solo while he and
Green were together on the main path. It must be lonely to always go alone, possibly not returning. Since he was the only one with a map no one would know if Red were disabled. Blue began to worry even more. Wait, where did everyone go? Blue looked around and saw nothing but fog. Red had disappeared.
"Red? Green?" Blue began to panic. Without his team he was an easy target.
__________________________________
Paralyzed in fear, Blue merely crouched in a patch of thick grass while waiting for something to make a noise in the distance.
__________________________________
The fog was too thick to see through, yet thin enough not to disrupt the map. Red kept his gaze between the map and where he was going, in case anything thought of taking him by surprise. Wolver cries faintly echoed all around. Red tried to ignore their ravenous calls to action yet could not help but consider the scenario if they decided to take the offensive. Red was not prepared for an ambush yet did not expect one. This did not mean Red was ignoring the thought, merely setting it aside to focus on finding Green nearby. His energy signature was strong enough to identify him as alive and moving around in a small area, possibly taking care of a few stray Wolvers. A few less things to worry about. Red was about to whisper behind him to stay close but remembered he had told Blue to stay behind. It was for the best in case they could not handle the the mission so someone can report they need substantial reinforcements. Red considered the strange pinecone object Blue had shot down for him after having stared at it for an abnormal length of time. It appeared to be a bomb, it looked like it would be a bomb, but it felt unnatural and dormant. If it were dormant the bomb would have no use to him until active, rendering the new device a waste of a weapon space. It may prove useful in the future so Red kept it equipped, though sometimes moments of regret found him.
"Come on, you can do better than that!" It sounded like Green, panting heavily. Red looked from the map to where the voice came from and followed.
"You call that biting my leg? Ha! Not even a scratch!" A Wolver whine yelped as a body was thrown onto the ground in an audible thud. He must be close.
"Not even an army of you can stop me!" Multiple yelps and thuds sounded off consecutively. Where has he been this whole time? Was Green simply throwing Wolvers around?
"Run, cowards! Go back to your wimpy dirt cribs!" Green was panting very heavily as though having endured a lengthy and painful battle. Red held back a smile.
"I.. I got all your names.. Ne..Next time I.." Green must have fell over. Red took up a run toward the voice and found Green laying on the floor with a few minor scratches. The coat protected him from most of the damage but he was at least minorly hurt. Red pulled him up.
"You missed some party," Green said in a quick breath. "I can stand fine, I just need a bit to get back up."
Red let go of him. Green was barely standing for a few seconds but quickly corrected himself.
"Where is Blue?" Green looked around behind Red.
"I asked him to stay behind in case we were overwhelmed, he is near the entry point." Red checked his map again. Blue was still in the same position and not moving, his energy signature strong enough to be alive. It was the same as when they previously separated so nothing must have happened.
"Can you continue to clear the path while I bring Blue?" Red thought of taking point instead, but it was more important to escort Blue than babysit Green, who would just jump into the fray again.
"The fog can be disabled by a switch nearby, I was clearing an ambush which appeared." Green walked further up the hill and punched a large dial which cleared the fog around them. It was still a little misty, though for the most part it was clear enough to have visible contact with enough distance to move without a map.
"Go back and get Blue, I can take whatever comes along next." Green ran down the hill and continued along the path eastward. Red went back for Blue
"Blue, Green and I cleared out the path." Red knew Blue would be able to recognize the fog had cleared as well. Red looked around. He looked back at the map. Blue was supposed to be around here, the map indicated so. A noise flustered a patch of grass near him. Red turned to it.
"Are you in there?" Red began to reach to check. In a thick form of vegetation on the opposite side a voice whispered.
"Red? I thought that was a Wolver." Blue stepped out of the plants. It covered him well, Red would have been fooled by it. At least Blue would have been safe by himself.
"Green is continuing along the main path." Red turned to begin returning to the mission at hand. Blue jumped out of the camouflage and followed behind Red with his Firotech in hand. Even if Red were unable to use the pinecone, at least someone would have his back. It felt abnormal to have support for once. Was this why Green always fights so recklessly, because someone has his back all the time? It seemed strange to him for someone to be dependant on another, yet both dependant on each other. Red became enveloped with thought again. A couple times he bumped into something or almost fell in patches of thick grass. A voice pulled him back into reality.
"Finally you two have caught up, I was getting bored waiting." Green was kicking a Wolver in the head. When Green turned away from it the Wolver burrowed away. Their path continued southerly into a purple gray haze which led to a grim room with a gate raised in a northeast exit. A large party button glowed in the center. Green instinctively began to run for it, but Red stopped him. Something was wrong with this. Where was this beast that the lieutenant mentioned? He had heard its faint calls emanating in the distance, though it seemes to be around where they are. No one else seems to have noticed.
"Come on, we have to get going," Green threw the hand down. Red ignored him. A faint breath could be heard from the thick forestry west of the button. Red began to charge a Proto and slowly crept towards the slight clearing. A large smiling face began to poke out from
bushes in the trees.
"What are you looking at?" Green was just over his shoulder, peeking at the beast.
The behemoth charged out of its hiding place and burrowed
into the ground on the other side of the room. Red and Green were both knocked over, dazed. Green was holding back a laugh.
"This is not funny." Red began to pick himself up without offering assistance to Green. Green stood smiling while Red ignored him. That was immature and obnoxious. Maybe this team was too silly for what missions lay ahead of them. Red pondered filing for a switch.
"Alright, we should get started now." Green and Blue were on the party button. Red looked up at them and dragged himself on. Red was not in the mood for games
where the lives of others was at stake. This was serious, not a playground. Zombies, Kats, more turrets; they were cleared with enough ease for Red to continue thoughts of becoming independent or joining a more mature team. Green got on his nerves and Blue was too dependant. If Red did change to another team, would they be worse? Or if he went solo, what would happen if the battle overwhelmed him? He was stuck between one pain and potentially far worse suffering. Red put the thought out of mind to refocus on the mission. He had to at least get through what was currently rolling, seeing as he could not simply turn around and give up. The party may have continued wordlessly but Red was distracted by thought. Would this team be able to handle what several other teams failed to return from? Their survival was somewhat important, even for a small band of Squires. There was nothing particularly interesting about them, Remi himself said Red was nothing special for a bomber. Bombs are designed to clear large groups, therefore Red did as he was supposed to. Red planned to ask if a similar test would be administered to either of his comrades but Remi had always cut him off. Perhaps the test was supposed to be a personal evaluation of ability, no one but the subject and subjectors were to know of personal results. Red decided to keep it a secret in case it would compromise the system set by their superiors. There was no reason to upset them for the personal satisfaction of a mere Squire. Red was too preoccupied in thought to realize his team was trying
to speak to him, though their requests were understood and carried out mutely. They stopped trying to speak to him when they cleared the first floor and boarded the platform to continue. Red avoided meeting optic sensors in case someone would ask where his attention has gone. He heard nothing and spoke nothing, therefore the world was mute. Only the faint whisper of Wolver calls could be heard, though barely at best. Most of the time Red simply turned to where they were rather than wait for something to make a sound to give away their hidden position. The scenery gradually became grayscale, the world losing its color. The others seemed not to have had their colors change. Red was about to ask but withdrew in case someone would be surprised of his sudden speech. A large, dark, red eyed beast was visible through the normally camouflaging scenery, but Red could see without the distraction of color. The world became plain, mechanical, void of life until blade or bullet befell it. The giant beast continued to watch them, following them along the outskirts of the forestrall terrain. Red kept his gaze locked on it, as it to him. Both realized they could see each other yet made no move on the other. Sometimes Green would stop the party and try to look where Red stares, most often staring directly at it, but never notices anything. Neither the swordsman nor gunman stopped to ask where Red had mentally disappeared to since he continued to assist in combat, yet seemed to wander as they traveled to the next opening.
One room after another. No color anywhere. All the world was locked in complete grayscale, all except the dim red glow emanating from the eyes of the beast; they would normally be solid red, but their glow is strong enough to break the grayscale. The eyes may have followed him along the path but the beast made no motion to assist the various Wolvers and Chromalisks being destroyed; it merely watched and followed. Red was becoming upset with this. What was it waiting for? Did it simply stare at the other parties before striking? Was it going to wait for them to be crippled before making a move? Every second seemed to be building up to their meeting, knight to behemoth. Occasionally someone would look back to him, only to turn away shortly after. It was no use trying to wake him up. There was no color, the only sounds were faint whispers, the world seemed to move in slow motion. Every second seemed longer than it should. Reality became a dream. Red wanted to break out of the trance but could not do so. He took out the pinecone. What was going on? Was this device affecting his sensors? No one else seemed to be affected, yet reality continued normally for them while Red was trapped in delayed animation. The second elevator platform came into view. Several enemies were cleared in silence, the world continuing its drawn limp which dragged on; Red was beginning to become afraid. Was this permanent or an illusion? Was this state of sense created by something or was he malfunctioning? He looked at the pinecone again. Perhaps the device was interfering with him somehow, though it was an organic object created by a native plant with bombastic properties..
"Come."
Red was startled. It was the first noise he had heard above the occasional whispers since the beast had revealed itself to him. Was this fear? Was he becoming insane? He listened in case it spoke again. Nothing followed. Green appeared to be calling out for him to board the platform, though no noise came. Blue was also staring at him, as though curious. Red followed and the platform lowered, the eyes continuing to appear in his own mind. The beast must be interfering with him. Red thought he was staring back at the beast while on the platform but it was impossible for it to be there. It must have burrowed to the next floor to continue stalking. When the platform came to the third floor the red eyes were staring directly at him. Everything was still void of color but time had begun to speed up, returning to reality. At least one sense had begun to return. The beast seemed to be smiling at him. What was going on here? Was it testing him somehow? Was the dulling of senses a means to break him? Red walked up to where the beast was perched, meeting its gaze in near arm length. Green was standing next to him, trying to do
the same. Apparently he could not see it. Green turned to him and seemed to be asking what he was staring at, but no sound came. There was no sound still. The three continued to the next room in silence, a large opening with a bell device in the center. Red had noticed a few of these earlier but no one touched them. Surrounding the north half of the bell was a patch of thorn bushes. This must be a place of skirmish to come. The beast was nowhere in sight though Red felt as though it were close enough to resume its previous activity. Green seemed to be inspecting the bell, questioning Blue since Red was unresponsive. Green and Blue shared a glance and got on the party button. Red did hesitated upon hearing the voice again.
"'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimle in the wabe:
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe."
This made no sense. The voice continued regardless.
"Beware the
Jabberwock, my son!
The jaws that bite,
the claws that catch!
Beware the Jubjub
bird, and shun
The frumious
Bandersnatch!"
Red was becoming annoyed by this gibberish.
There was no hesitation. The beast arose from the northwest corner of the room standing in plane sight. Red had no doubts the others could see it. The voice continued again.
"And, as in uffish thought he stood,
The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame,
Came whiffling through the tugley wood,
And burbled as it came!"
They seemed to be paralyzed in surprise. Red took Green by the shoulder and shook him. No response. The beast slowly approached them, holding its gaze. Red had to act quickly or they would meet the same fate as those who had preceded their arrival while keeping the others alive. The bell must be in the room for a reason. As the beast came closer to Green and Blue, Red attempted to rush for the bell. Red expected the voice again but no sound came. The beast stood within close proximity to the bell. Red kicked it.
"He took his vorpal sword in hand:
Long time the manxome foe he sou-"
"Shut up! Enough of this!" Red had finally spoken. The others endeavored to meet his sight to no avail, as they were still paralyzed. The beast had been startled by the bell, its near black hide turned yellow; it seemed to waver in movement as though it had been struck on the head. Red withdrew the pinecone and attempted to wind it. It was entirely possible the device was not a bomb at all, though this was not a time for doubt. When the bomb was charged Red found the beast was attempting to swallow him, to which Red threw the object into its mouth and jumped to the floor. He expected an explosion even without most of his senses, or at least a blast which would attempt to roll him over. Red remembered his team. They were still standing there, unable to move. The beast was attempting to cough up the device though it seemed to be near the
end of the fuse. Red got up and was about to tackle the others to protect them from the blast but stopped his dash when the beast regained its dark hide. Red hesitated. The beast burrowed again, spikes following its path as it traveled to another corner of the room to prepare another
strike. It seemed to know to avoid the bell now. Red noticed the floor appeared slightly green, his sense of color was beginning to return. The beast seemed slightly crippled though not incapacitated. If his handicap were created by the beast, defeating it must return them. Red turned to his team again. They were still standing there. Red took his Owlite shield off of the lock on his arm and made the two sit with the shield covering them, the bubble covering both. At least they would be protected. Red turned to the beast again. Even without his shield he planned to regain his senses. He was definitely more vulnerable without the Owlite, but as long as the beast
followed the same dive pattern it would not be an issue to predict. When the beast attempted to charge the two under his shield Red would charge for the bell while preparing another the pinecone to be charged again, kicking the bell before tossing it in. With every blast Red begun to regain senses, sound became more clear from the agonizing roars erupting from the beast, color began to form again as the grass became more clear. The world was returning to reality with every round. Eventually the beast was too crippled to burrow, merely taking chase across the now lush grass; the trees appeared to remain an ashen, depressed dim gray though his attention was focused on regaining awareness of the world near. Upon countless repetitions of the same bait and switch, the beast began to falter; its chase slowed notably, giving Red the opportunity to end the ceaseless dance. With a final repetition the beast collapsed, the will to continue deceased. Red approached the fallen terror as his teammates attempted to stand. The shield had dropped.
"And, has thou slain the Jabberwock?
Come to my arms, my beamish boy!"
Green was taking teeth out of the beast as a prize. Red ignored the plundering and sought where the voice cometh.
"O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!"
The others seemed not to notice.
"Has anyone else heard a strange voice calling out nonsense?" Red wanted to know if he was going insane.
"Nope." Green continued to pick teeth out. Blue turned for a moment to shake his head.
In front of the elevator a recording device was on the floor. Red picked it up. He recognized the voice as Euclid, leader of Alpha Squad; Red believes he had seen him once on the Skylark though is unable to recall the memory.
"As Spiral HQ is not yet fully operational and most systems are offline, these personal recordings will have to suffice as a record of our expedition until HQ can establish an Uplink system with squads in the field. The clockworks are both fascinating and horrifying. Within
a seemingly impossible machine all manners of alien worlds exist within the giant globes that endlessly churn through every floor. What purpose do they serve? And from where did these worlds come from?"
Blue was listening over his shoulder while Green was preoccupied with the various green crates nearby.
"Before the crash the Skylark performed a partial scan of Cradle's surface that revealed what appeared to be a landscape composed of enormous parches of disparate terrain. The Clockworks are a manufactured place, perhaps the worlds they contain are harvested from the terrain above. But how?"
Red pocketed the device. The same voice spoke again.
"'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;"
The team assembled on the elevator, Red tried to ignore the voice.
"All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe."
Perhaps he was going insane.
What was wrong with a little instability?
Mié, 04/18/2012 - 16:12
#15
the 5* things listed are the complete version of the 2*
Make him 2* then .
Magic hood- divine veil
Wolver coat - skolver coat
Owlite shield- grey owlite
Antigua - Argentina peacemaker
Brandish - acheron
Keep the pipe
Mié, 04/18/2012 - 16:24
#16
Antigua
I have recently been working on the Snarbolax mission. Antigua only exists after defeating Jelly King. Therefore, until the story gets far enough into T2 to mention Jelly King, your character will still not exist. I can make a few cameos until then at best.
Did you try any of the threads where someone takes your character specs and makes a story out of it? This is going to take me a while. If you want your story for yourself I recommend those threads since they want to write about your character first. If I have time I can just write an independent story for your character. If you want to be part of this story it will take a while.
Mar, 04/24/2012 - 18:13
#17
This post is false
Accept this as compensation until the first part of chapter four is complete
It should be done in the next couple days.
Sáb, 04/21/2012 - 18:54
#18
:/
Fine don't put me in the story ..
Sáb, 04/21/2012 - 19:00
#19
Do you want to be or not
I can put you in if you want. Your most recent version of the character should be able to fit in for the current or following part. The only issue is keeping the equipment realistic to gameplay; Antigua is only obtainable after defeating Jelly King, which will not come for a while.
If you prefer a short story I can also do that. Which do you want?
Sáb, 04/21/2012 - 19:03
#20
;-;
Ok keep him in but switch Antigua for voltech alchemer
Sáb, 04/21/2012 - 19:19
#21
That makes it a lot easier
Alright, to clarify your character loadout:
Magic Hood, Wolver coat, Owlite shield, Voltech Alchemer, Brandish, pipe accessory; I can make something out of this now. I would also like to know your personal color.
If anyone else wants to be in this chapter, post now or forever* hold your peace.
* The chapter will be complete when the full post is created. Seeing as I already have a total of twenty chapters planned there will be no shortage of time to get yourself in somewhere, but not everyone will appear at all times forever. If I explain this it will spoil what is to come. Just keep in mind when making your character how their loadout may be obtained in game in relation to the chronological order of missions; no Fang of Vog while in T2, et cetera.
Sáb, 04/21/2012 - 19:41
#22
Personal colour is Orange.
Personal colour is Orange.
Sáb, 04/21/2012 - 19:59
#23
Jesus,
This is good.
Mié, 07/18/2012 - 14:16
#24
Chapter 4, part 1
"Congratulations, you three are now Soldiers."
Lieutenant Feron handed each of them a small badge of bright gray with a faded red-violet military stripe. Blue had to admit it was nice, but it would seem out of place to attach it to his meager Proto armor. Everyone else had a nice armor to attach theirs to. Blue looked between Red and Green, who were both standing at attention in presence of their commanding unit.
"Sir, I have several questions for you." Red did not change his stance. Feron almost smiled at him.
"Very well. As for you two," Feron pointed to Blue and Green, "I will have a mission for you two later. Knowing this one," Feron looked to Red, "we will be conversing for a while."
Blue shuffled his feet uncomfortably. Green was holding the crest close to his face, admiring the prestigious implication of the object.
"Come on, we have to get Bechamel to attach these!" Green was ready to go to the Bazaar. Blue hesitated, switching his sight over to Red who was walking with Feron to a platform. Were they going in the Clockworks without us? Feron withdrew a key from his arsenal and opened a strange screen. Blue had never seen this before.
"What are you waiting for?" Green grabbed him and pulled him to the Bazaar.
__________________________________
The purple knight had left his enormous scissors at his stand. It was a slow business day anyway. He laid back, staring at the sky. It was a clear day. Not a single wor-
"Bechamel!"
He spoke too soon. Bechamel rolled over and gave a hazed expression to whoever disturbed his peace. A green knight in Wolver and someone in Proto were running toward him. These two again.
"Bechamel! We need you to attach these!"
The knight in Wolver held up a Cobalt crest. They must have been cleared for second tier. But, wait; the one in Proto was not equipped for it. Looks like another day to make a profit.
"Welcome, welcome." Bechamel stood up and brushed the grass off. The green knight was in his face already.
"Come on, come on, go go go!"
Bechamel was about to smack this obnoxious idiot untilthe blue knight walked up to his scissors.
"Away from the scissors, kiddo." Bechamel was
waving for the knight to go away. Stupid Proto newbies.
"Blue, come on, leave those alone." Green turned to him as well. Bechamel was holding back the urge to smack him on the back of the head.
"Alright, what can I do for you two?" He wanted to relax again. Dealing with obnoxious knights was stressful.
"We got Soldier rank and these crests." Green was holding them up again.
"Okay." Bechamel walked to his stand. The blue knight was staring at the floor.
"Is there something wrong with this one?" Bechamel did not look at Green but he knew who he was referring to.
"He is always like this." Green was standing close to Bechamel again. He pushed the ecstatic knight a few steps away.
"I need a little space."
Green was still excited.
"Before we begin you two need to know this process is permanent. Once the accessory is attached the only way to remove it is to destroy it permanently." Bechamel was giving his routine last-chance shtick to weasel out of the unpaid job. Feron paid him reguarly but it was not enough to make the job worth it to make a living.
"Well, on second thought, maybe we should wait." Blue kept his gaze to the floor, hands behind his back. Bechamel gave him a once over.
"Did they make you a Soldier?" Not even in two star gear and given second tier access, what a load. The knight looked slightly upward.
"Y..Yes, I am with Green." Blue wanted to back away but Green was behind him, blocking escape. Bechamel would have laughed if this were not so pitiful.
"No Vanguard would even think of letting you pass without the right ranked gear." Bechamel let out a breath while going through his arsenal for something to sell to get rid of the two knights. He found an old Cobalt set.
"Here, try this on. They are a thousand four hundred a pop." Bechamel tossed the helmet, torso and shield to Blue who immediately equipped them. It may be plain, dull, and the same standard uniform of most of the other knights but at least it was something better. Blue went through his own arsenal after equipping the items and found he was about a thousand crowns short of the full price. He had already equipped them so they were bound and to run away right now would be stealing. Blue turned to Green while keeping his gaze downward.
"I got your back, buddy." Green withdrew the remaining amount from his own arsenal and handed it to Blue, who gave it to Bechamel for the equipment. He was holding back a smile.
"Pleasure doing business."
Blue kept his gaze down. Green laid his arm on his shoulder. Bechamel took notice that both were still there.
"Need something else?" The green knight spoke.
"Yeah, I need a new sword and shield. My Proto stuff is junk." Bechamel would have laughed. These two are pathetic.
"Alright, hold on." Bechamel went back to his arsenal and found a spare Brandish but no cheap spare shield.
"This is a Brandish, it works like your Proto but all details are better." Bechamel tossed it while in its scabbard. "Even the charge attack works the same."
Green gave him a confused look. Blue was testing mobility with the Cobalt set. Bechamel thought for a moment. What happened to the red demo that was with these two? Bechamel was about to ask but realized they were just Soldiers, he would turn up eventually; probably dead. A lot of new knights are thrown in the Clockworks and never return. It was part of the natural cycle of elimination of stupid; the smarter knights knew not to get themselves killed while the stupid knights attack anything they see and expect no retaliation.
"You got what you needed, now go back to work." Bechamel was not about to play babysitter for a hyperactive punk and a wimp. The sooner he could get rid of them the better.
"Does the lieutenant have something for you two yet?"
Bechamel had little time for this, there were other new knights to sca- help.
"N-No, thanks." The blue knight turned and walked toward the Arcade. The green one followed. Finally.
__________________________________
"Is there anything else you wish to ask?" Feron was exhausted. Where were the other two? He needed a break.
"I believe so, sir." The red knight standing next to him may have shown respect for his rank yet procured several unusual questions; Vanguard keys, the origin of
the Strangers, and too many questions following. Feron did not have most of the answers so Red had to navigate through it logically. The process was long and agonizing. Feron had to give him something to do to keep the knight and his ceaseless curiosity distant and occupied.
"Soldier, I have a mission for your team." Feron did not meet his gaze in case there would be more questions.
"I trust you are familiar with the variances of damage afflictable by inhabitants of the Clockworks."
Red hesitated.
"Yes. Beasts and jellies inflict pierce, fiends and undead inflict shadow, constructs and gremlins inflict element; gremlins also created constructs and the Clockworks."
"I have three missions, one for each of your team; you each shall face different forms of damage and learn how to fight average enemies of the second tier. You will receive the mission to clear a Deconstruction Zone with constructs and gremlins who seem to be destroying a part of the Clockworks to rebuild it. If allowed to complete this task the Clockworks will become unstable for our knights. A few knights have already been sent but none have returned. The last transmission from their team implies they have been captured. You are to liberate the captured team and disable a console in the area." The platform reached the Arcade.
"Do you have something for my teammates?"
"Yes, they each have something to do. You are dismissed to your task while I give the others theirs."
After Feron got off the platform to address Blue and Green Red activated the platform and lowered again.
"Have something for us today, boss?" The green one was in his face. Perhaps Feron should have Izola train him to be less confrontational.
"Yes. I have given your teammate a mission to disable a gremlin facility. You two are also going to be running solo missions."
Blue immediately brought his gaze to Green. Feron knew these two were dependant on each other. Perhaps it would be best to call in someone else for the more difficult one, someone with experience in second tier. These two rely on each other for combat tactics and are likely to be easily destroyed if allowed to go into a new tier, especially since the difference is fairly substantial.
"Alright, you two will stay together. I have someone else in mind for the third."
Green beamed.
"Thank you, lieutenant."
"Your mission is to clear a boiler room beneath Moorcraft Manor, the floor at the beginning of the second tier. A strange breed of jelly named 'Oiler' have been interrupting flame filtration by absorbing it into their own bodies, creating an unstable inferno which will destroy Moorcraft if allowed to proceed. Remove these abominations from the area." Blue and Green took the platform and delved into the Clockworks. Feron had to make a few calls.
__________________________________
The prison was pitch black as always. The only visibility was through a puny window, barely large enough to see through with both eyes. Out the window the guard was asleep. He was able to deactivate the security system without being noticed but had never needed to do so as they would simply imprison him again if escape were constant; or worse, increase the rate they drain energy. He felt his own arms. Vibrant, light blue shards sprouted from the prison loadout uniform. It was painful but provided the energy they needed to harvest for their alchemic crafting. The com link on the guard rang and the guard fell off their seat.
"Wha-I was awake! The prisoner is here," the guard looked at the tiny window and met his gaze. The guard immediately fell on his back in surprise.
"S-Stop staring at me like that!" The prisoner would have laughed if the guards were not so pathetic. Their duty consisted of sitting and pacing around the facility, expecting someone to try to break him out. Only someone as insane as he would even consider doing so; he was one of
the first to crash and was captured by the gremlins. He had no memory of what happened but remembers being trained in demolition based weaponry to destroy areas under order
of the gremlins. It was a fun job, being rewarded for blowing things up; he never realized he was actually destroying parts of the Clockworks to prevent the Order from finding him. He had been a loner amongst their community but it was better than being locked up all the time, especially after the Order had painfully removed his blast suit. It was a gift from the gremlins who essentially raised him, gave him the power to help in a substantial manner; now he was a crystal source to be kept in a cage like an animal. This may be due to his past resistance to capture, as several Vanguards were obliterated into ashes; ha, ashes. Funny.
"What are you doing in there, prisoner?"
As if the guards cared. What could he do, stare through the window? There was nothing to do in the cell except admire the glowing blue shards piercing out of his body.
"If you behave I might give you a little treat."
A treat? What would a guard be able to offer, a delay on the extraction by a few seconds? These incompetent cowards believed they had the power to do anything when in reality
without this prison they would be nothing more than scrap metal and ash. Even without his blast suit or bombs he had been trained by constructs in combat well enough to know how to rip a knight in half and consume their energy. The gremlins gave him a life and the equipment to protect his people; the Order threw him in a cage and uses him like a cow for milk. At least with his real family they limited extraction to the excess which interrupted his mobility; the Order has been scraping him for all the crystal matter they can possibly pick out of him. In the past he had a blast suit to protect his endoskeleton but in the Order he is forced to wear a thin and meager armor which barely protected.
"Is the prisoner prepared?" A familiar voice was on the intercom. It was time again.
"Prepared as always." The guard smiled to the window, amused by the thought of another painful
procedure for their prisoner.
Jue, 04/26/2012 - 13:22
#25
Let me suggest:
Name: Korin (Nicknamed 'Yellow'
Gender: Male
Personality: Tough as Nails, Calm, tactical,Friendly
Personal colour: Yellow
Loadout: Spiral Plate(Ironmight in future with Ctr med& Universal DMG bonus med), Troikas(Two of them, becomes Suda abd Trigav), Pummel gun(replaced with Magnus, becomes Calahan) and A sealed Sword(From JK, becomes DA). May replace gun with Blaster(Valiance in future).
Background: When he crashed, he retained his memory. His older sister, also named Korin, was a knight during the Liberation of Ilsola, and was hoping to live up to the legacy created by her. He sadly lost her during the endgame of the Liberation. Trying to distance himself from his sister, he prefers to be named Yellow, and is hoping to be a good guardian as his sis.
Jue, 04/26/2012 - 16:20
#26
"Ilsola"
Is Ilsola from another story by someone else? If so I will need to read it before introducing your character. The loadout is very similar to Izola. Why is there +2 charge and +2 universal damage? Where does that come from? The equipment will be an issue as no one will have more than two active weapons until around chapter 11; the current team only has their Proto weapons and one weapon to upgrade.
Which of the following quotes would best describe something they would say?
"Stay out of the way or I might accidentally hurt you"
"Watch out, I almost hit you"
"Alright, I forgive you, but try not to do that next time"
Having retained their memory will be a significant factor later in the story.
Other than the above, I should be able to get them in soon; "Dusk" ought to appear soon as well, perhaps they will be in a team.
Jue, 04/26/2012 - 17:18
#27
Now I see the world through Diamond Eyes!
Name:???
Alias/nickname: Amber
Gender: Male
Personality: Energetic, charismatic. Impulsive, and tends to throw his fist in the air after a victory.
PC: Amber
Loadout: Spiral Demo->Mad Bomber, Autogun->VolcPepper, Blast Bomb-> Irontech Destroyer, Plate Shield-> Volcanic Plate Shield
Misc: He goes quiet for some time when someone says how "Amber" sounds better as a girl's name.
I like this fanfic.
And I would've taken yellow if Atrum hadn't taken it!
;-;
Jue, 04/26/2012 - 18:09
#28
Your turn
Mad Bomber is unfitting for someone "impulsive" who uses Irontech; also, someone else will have that set later on. By later on I mean chapter 10. The rest of the loadout is fine. The name could be something to tease them for, inspiring them to further prove their battle prowess with enthusiasm. I can make their personal color orange if you want.
Not much I can interrogate for, the personality seems straightforward enough to work with.
I have been fairly busy lately. I may be able to get the next part out by next week.
Jue, 04/26/2012 - 18:23
#29
Now I see the world through Diamond Eyes!
Volc Demo, then?
Jue, 04/26/2012 - 18:29
#30
A B C D E F 7
Not all characters will live forever.
If I continue explaining from here I would be spoiling major story points. But, sure, Volcanic would be fine.
Jue, 04/26/2012 - 18:35
#31
So you're accepting apps, hmm?
Seems interesting. I only read the prologue and the first chapter so far, seeing how the formatting makes it sort of difficult to read. But I like it.
"Is Ilsola from another story by someone else?"
Redo the in-game mission 'The Pioneers.' There's some info on Ilsola in it.
Now...
Name: Necro
Nickname: Silver
Gender: Male
PC: Silver (it's really red but I see there's already some guy called Red. And it seems everyone's PC is also their nickname.)
Personality: The joker. He's almost always smiling and cracking some kind of joke, or annoying someone. Rather friendly. He doesn't really enjoy fighting monsters because he feels sorry for them. They never asked to be invaded, as he always says. He's also a rather good strategist.
Loadout: Double troikas (yes, just like Korin. Wierd coicidence) -> Triglav and Sudaruska, Drake Scale armor -> Radiant Silvermail, Magic Hood - Divine Veil, bristling buckler -> Dark Thorn Shield.
Bio: Necro/Silver is an orphan. His parents were killed, fighting for the Spiral Knights during the Liberation of Ilsola. He lost his brother and sister when the Skylark crashed. Despite his tragic life, he has learned to keep a positive attitude.
Other: Has a profound interest in fiends, especially Greavers.
Jue, 04/26/2012 - 19:10
#32
G H I J K L M N O 4
Alright, I have your character thrown in the pot; I keep notes on all characters made by myself and other users.
I may have posted this before but I do have my own characters to add after the current party.
Vie, 04/27/2012 - 03:21
#33
Yer ok with atrum having a
Yer ok with atrum having a sealed sword? ._.
Vie, 04/27/2012 - 09:33
#34
Okay,
He is using a troika and pummel gun ATM.
second quote.
And, the bonuses come via his craft to 5*.
Dusk, the sealed sword is from his win in JK.
Mié, 07/18/2012 - 14:17
#35
Chapter 4, part 2
The air was infected with ashen smog, singing the very metal of the two as they traveled through a storm of heated particles swarming the area. Blue had been walking behind Green, who kept his shield up to deflect the merciless assaults from damaging their armor. It had been a grueling battle to come this far, and they had not yet reached the boiler room where the true enemy lay. Blue was becoming discouraged. Various fire purging enemies had left the two fairly well cooked, though metal does not crisp well. The storm was becoming unbearable.
"A-Are we almost at the boiler room?" Blue knew not to test his luck against the hit Green took for him. Green turned to him, expressionless.
"It should be just ahead, around the next bend."
Blue knew Green was becoming impatient with him and his tactics of hiding while avoiding the fray. It was fine when the enemies were easy enough to dispatch himself,
though now that these fire enemies posed a significant threat Green needed someone reliable. They passed the bend into a room with fire pads littered along the walls. A large party button glowed in the center of the room.
"Alright, at least we will be done soon."
The two stood on the button and were received by a few blobs of dark gray oil, sliding along the floor. Blue drew his Firotech. Green had his Brandish ready. As Blue begun to fire upon the slimes, one caught fire and began to heal; when the same slime passed over a splatter of oil left by another Oiler, it also lit aflame. It was approaching Green.
"Look out for the burning one!" Blue attempted to call out, though Green was too busy or trying to ignore him; it was too late regardless, it had already bumped Green to the floor.
"You idiot!" Green lashed out at Blue for the first time. He was surrounded and Blue was powerless to help.
"Hit the deck!" A hoarse, strained voice called out, followed by an enormous purple blade slicing through the crowd of Oilers. The slimes collapsed motionless.
"Still got your head on?" Something covered in tar and soot stood before Green, wielding a large purple blade glowing with energy. It was as large as Blue. He had never seen such a huge weapon before.
"Get up, boyo." The form took Green by the hand and pulled him up with a single, swift motion. What was this creature?
__________________________________
It was covered in soot, dirt, oil, and anything else found on the floor; whatever this was, it had been rolling around or sleeping motionless for a while.
"You look like you seen a ghost, boyo."
Green shook his head as if to wake himself. What was this thing?
"Something wrong, boyo?"
Blue spoke up a few paces away.
"W-What are you?"
The figure turned to Blue, then back to Green, then down to its lower body.
"Ha, looks like I fell asleep in them slicks."
It wiped off the debris, revealing a dark gray and red series of plated armor. The helmet had two horns and a grated facepiece. Two orange sources of light emanated from behind the grate. Several coughs followed the short stare.
"Are you two the backup?"
The knight was still cleaning off their shield, revealing a purple tortoise shell. There were a few scars in its surface but it seemed sturdy for its apparent rough use. The knight coughed occasionally, the gargantuan blade rattling with every occurrence. It was menacing and powerful. Green was envious.
"Where did you get that?" Green was pointing at the sword leaning against the wall next to the knight.
"This here, boyo, is my partner." The knight took it by the handle and propped it on their shoulder. Green assumed the rough voice and brutal nature meant the knight was male, though Izola is proof this is not always the case.
"Do you know who Izola is?"
The knight hesitated.
"Izola, I remember that name." The knight coughed a couple times. "I remember crafting a Plate set for her to play with a while ago." The knight lowered the blade and held their head with the other hand.
"Feels like something hit me."
Blue had approached them. Green had noticed.
"Do you need help?"
"All I need is to get back to work."
With every movement the heavily plated armor gave out small groans, evidently interfered with several rusted chunks of debris falling out from between the many plates.
"What is that stuff falling off you?" Green picked up a few small pieces, unable to define it.
"This here, is, is..uh.." The knight hesitated from lack of awareness. "All I remember right now is waking up with this stuff all over."
The substance seemed to keep the plates locked in place, similar to what is used on scrap metal when disposed of to prevent it from clogging up the disposal system in the
boiler and furnace areas. Why was this knight in the trash system?
"By the way, the name is Brawl. Been around long enough to not remember when I started, but I always remember other knights, boyo." He coughed again. "We going anywhere or what?" Brawl slapped Blue on the back, coughed a laugh, and made his way to the elevator platform nearby. Green and Blue exchanged glances. Should they have freed whoever this knight is? The substance was obviously made for trash, so why was Brawl covered in it?
"Drop the lead, ladies." Brawl coughed again. The two joined him without pursuing their questions.
__________________________________
Izola has been lecturing Echo how to treat other knights. This was getting tedious, considering Feron had to watch over the speech in case violence broke out between them. He had better things to do. There were Vanguards to organize, parties to dispatch, and meetings with Strangers to be held. Feron had lost interest in the confused language Izola uttered and assumed Echo had never been listening to begin with by his stance. She seemed to have finally stopped.
"Sir, may I leave to my duties?" Echo seemed to have awoken from dormant silence.
"Granted. Vanguards dismissed."
Izola let out a disappointed sigh and strutted back to the Arcade.
"Ah hear them new guys're comin' back." Feron dismissed himself to attend to his various duties.
___________________________________
The day had carried endlessly, offering no opportunity to him. Dusk remembered Feron mentioning something about a demolitionist knight needing someone to work with but he
had no interest; they would only get in the way. He spun his Voltech while laying on his back. It may have been a clear day so far but it as boring overall. The lieutenant was calling.
"Soldier, your presence is overdue." Dusk ignored the call.
"This is your last chance before expulsion from the Order." That got his attention.
"Yes, sir, on my way." He grumbled while standing, ignoring the absence of the normal lecture following. The lieutenant must have started giving up trying to force him to obey. Everyone else blindly follows. Enough of this, it was time for an uprising amongst the low class knights! The Vanguards never do anything anyway, why should they have dominion over the majority? It was not like the lieutenant could do anythi-
"How nice of you to join us."
Dusk snapped back to reality. He nearly bumped into the lieutenant.
"Sorry for being late, sir, I was busy." Busy planning to start a revolution for the enslaved knights toiling as the Vanguards relax on the surface.
"I have an assignment for you to retrieve an individual from a party returning to Haven as we speak. It is an old knight, a Vanguard." Dusk already hated this.
"We are to have a private meeting. Bring the Vanguard to me. Dismissed."
Feron turned to return to his business. Sending him to escort someone who was about to return anyway? What was he, a task lackey?
"Sunshine, we meet again! How you been?" A few coughs followed the sudden exclamation.
"Calm down, you have to recalibrate."
"Easy, big guy!"
Another bunch of crazy knights, of course; Feron always saved the annoying jobs for the knights able to think for themselves to get rid of them so only the idiots remained.
"Should we put him down somewhere?"
"Keep him here, I can ask Feron."
Green ran off and left Blue alone with the rusted old knight. They both stank of fresh ash.
"What have you two been doing, rolling around in fire pits?" Dusk could not help but comment.
Blue was startled.
"N-No, Green and I were sent to get rid of Oilers in the boiler room and we found him in there."
"I can stand on my own, boyo," the old knight grunted as he made an effort to stand, which failed with a collapse.
"He looks busted up." Dusk noticed chunks of rust red debris falling off the knight, similar to the substance used to keep chunks of metal together before being tossed into the incinerator chute.
"Where did you find him, again?"
"In the boiler room, there were Oilers and.."
"No, was he in a chute or something?" Blue hesitated. Brawl was found in a chute that was
burned open by the Oilers.
"We found him in an old opened chute."
He must have been trash. Dusk knew when a knight became permanently deactivated they were coated in the substance and tossed into the incinerating chute to be disposed of
to prevent enemy forces from getting ahold of our technology, but no one ever survives the intense heat. Dusk noticed the Volcanic Plate set the old knight was wearing. It had a few minor burn marks but nothing as significant as the furnace he was supposed to have disintegrated in. This old clunker may withhold the evidence Dusk needed to redeem himself to his comrades who abandoned him.
Mar, 06/12/2012 - 12:06
#36
A couple of months?
Aw....
Mié, 07/18/2012 - 14:20
#37
Chapter 4, part 3
The light was blinding. For too long had Brawl been inactive, rotting in the depths of Cradle as the native forms of life ignored his presence. The rust had snaked throughout his armor, weaving intricate patterns in attempt to consume the metal. Fortunately the Volcanic Plate was more than sturdy enough to withstand the agonizing scalds which singed holes through parts of the
armor. For too long had Brawl sat in darkness. He attempted to recall the incident which brought him to the position he was recently liberated from, only to cringe in pain. Every motion resulted in hibernating burns awakening in vengeance, clawing to express their delayed spite.
"Are you able to move?"
The red knight in a blast suit began to help Brawl stand. A red one? Brawl remembered seeing that kind on Skylark, in the..
"Bring me to your boss." Brawl coughed again.
"You are in no condition to move."
The red knight positioned Brawl to lay against a few supply containers nearby and faced Green.
"Keep him here. I am going to bring Feron and a medic."
__________________________________
It was another slow day. Izola thought of going back to the training hall. She would have to go through the crowded market first. Remi ran up to her.
"Izola, do you know where Feron is?"
"Trah over yonder." She pointed to the platform leading to the Vanguard bunker. She should take the new sword users in there to be beaten out of their obnoxious immaturity.
"I have important news to deliver to him."
"What're y'tellin' me fer?"
Remi was usually rattled, but he was unusually active today. Crazy bombers. Remi struggled to speak again.
"I-I was going over the records again with retired
knights, and I found something. You should probably know." Remi, with information she cared about? It was probably a new joke or something equally stupid.
"Brawl is back."
Izola cringed. That was impossible. She must have misheard.
"Wha'd y'say?"
"Brawl was reactivated."
This is not possible. Was it? No, this was not possi-
"And he is nearby."
How could this be? Feron said he disintegrated long before she was even a Vanguard. He was trying t-
"Are you alright?"
Izola had cringed from pain. What was she thinking about? Never mind that, Brawl was alive! She remembers how h-
"Is something wrong?"
Where was that pain coming from? Every time she tried to remember how Bra-
"Stay here, I am going to get a medic."
Izola laid propped against the console where a knight was at work. Every time she reached for a memory an agonizing surge lashed through her. She wanted to remember but the pain deterred the will.
__________________________________
This was boring. They just dragged this old clunker out of an old trash chute and is probably older than Cradle itself.
"Thinking too hard, boyo?" Brawl coughed again.
"This seems ridiculous. Why were you in there?"
Green was at a loss for words. He expected a great behemoth to conquer down there and be able to tell Izola about. Maybe he could tell her how she rescued the old fogie.
"Where did the other boyo go?"
"Red went to get a medic for you."
Brawl tried to laugh but it came out as more coughs.
"I need no medic. All I need is my old Gran Faust and some heads to cut down. Out of my way." Brawl attempted to stand again only to be held down by Green.
"You have to wait for the medic." Green turned to Blue who had been peeking over the edge into the depths of the Arcade.
"You kiddies think too hard." Brawl uttered a short and muffled laugh. "Help me up."
Green grabbed his outreached hand and pulled him up, surprised by the immense weight.
"How can you walk around with all that armor?"
Brawl cough-laughed again.
"I always travel fully packed." Brawl pounded his chest with his other fist. It sounded surprisingly sturdy for armor which has been rusting for a while. Brawl reached into his arsenal and drew out the large purple blade. "Been a while, beautiful."
"Did you just call your sword beautiful?" Green was about to laugh. Blue was still distracted.
"Blue, get away from there. You might fall over." Green was trying to distract himself while Brawl held the glowing sword close to himself. Green could not help but
smile. This was hilarious.
"Even as old as we are, you still look young."
Brawl seemed sincere when addressing his sword. This suddenly went from funny to disturbing.
"Who are you taking to?" Green kept his distance.
"Why, this angel here." Brawl kept his attention to the sword. Crazy old knight. Green turned toward the door where Red was supposed to bring Feron from. Blue continued to peek over the edge.
__________________________________
Everything was down there. Blue could see jellies sitting around, gremlins at work, and even the Chromalisks wandering. It was spectacular. Blue thought of calling the attention of others to join in the sight seeing, but thought against it as it may spoil the spectacle. The world beneath them was ever changing as every floor was placed upon a layer which shifted amongst other floors over time, potentially resulting in a separated group being divided amongst the countless areas beneath. They could get lost forever if not for the elevator system keeping them together. The entire world was down there waiting to be explored.
"I have little time to spare, show me this discovery."
The lieutenant was coming. Blue stood at attention and locked his gaze to the entrance where Red and Feron arrived. Green stood nonchalantly and resumed his stance.
"What have y-" Feron stopped abruptedly.
"This way, lieutenant." Red attempted to lead
Feron forward though he refused to move.
"I must attend other business." Feron immediately
turned away and began for the exit.
"Feron? Kiddo? Is that you?" Brawl attempted to stand on his own and fell over. "This is just old Brawl, no hostiles around." Feron did not turn to see again. He knew what he saw and knows what he is hearing.
"I.. I.. I have matters to attend to." Feron stormed to the platform and departed.
"Just like little old Feron, always running off."
Brawl coughed again and sat on the container he was previously leaning on. The container groaned and seemed to falter under the weight.
Mar, 06/26/2012 - 19:15
#38
wb
Thought you stuck around the suggestions forum, crushing kids dreams 'n stuff...
Mié, 06/27/2012 - 15:30
#39
Honk
Manalicious holds that position. It must pay well.
Chapter five will most likely be up today or tomorrow.
Mié, 07/18/2012 - 14:24
#40
Chapter 5, part 1
Everyone dispersed throughout the Arcade. Even Brawl was trying to limp away. Red motioned to help him. Brawl merely turned from him. Red turned to where Feron left. The doorway seemed void of life in spite of the knights swarming throughout the Arcade.
"Come on, we have work to do." Green spoke solemnly. Blue hesitated to follow him to the platform, sharing a glance with Red only to proceed. Their party had been assigned to investigate a place called "Candlestick Keep" where strange horrors of shadow dwelled. Red
disdainfully declined joining their expedition to find answers. Why did Feron flee at the sight of Brawl? Why does Brawl know the lieutenant? What was going on around here?
"Hold on, boyo." Brawl had grabbed Red by the leg.
"Yes?" Red expected a revealing explanation of what nonsense was going on.
"I need a drink." Brawl collapsed again and seemed to have fallen unconscious.
"Yes, sir." Red thought to carry Brawl to a bar, only to realize there is no bar in Haven. Brawl coughed himself awake and uttered a few more words.
"Take me southwest to the old bar."
"Southwest of here is the Bazaar, sir."
His eyes flashed.
"What did you say?" Brawl hauled himself upright.
"The Bazaar is there."
Brawl seemed surprised. Without a word he stormed to the sought area, recklessly smashing through anything which dared to even think of getting in the way. The doorway dividing Arcade and Bazaar had a new dent to be fixed.
"They did it." Brawl was standing in awe of the Bazaar.
"Yes, this has been here for quite a while.
Strangers and knights alike have created busi-"
"They did it." Brawl interrupted with a hoarse repetition. He seemed displeased.
"Is something wrong?"
"They did it." Brawl repeated the phrase again and continued his rampage to the main area of Haven where Feron fled. Red was beginning to doubt the thought of answers coming to fruition at this rate.
"Brawl, I need to ask you a few things." Red attempted to calm him. It was no use. Brawl answered but did not so much as turn to address him.
"I need to speak to Feron." Brawl stopped and activated a similar mapping device to the one Red has been using. It was barely lit, but a dim cyan signal came from the training hall. Brawl charged in, Red followed.
__________________________________
Several new recruits were standing in a line, each holding a Calibur. They all had various colors and designs for their Proto armors but all held the same blade.
"You may be wondering why you are all being trained at once. Today, the Order has decided to teach recruits in classes rather than individual tutoring to save time between training and assignment." A large knight in Plate armor paced along the line of recruits.
"Today, you are part of the Cobalt project."
A short knight of cyan coloration immediately raised his hand and began to hop.
"What is Cobalt?"
The commanding knight stopped. He paced back to the little knight who dared speak out of turn and loomed over him.
"You are part of it."
"But what is it?"
The heavily armored knight with vibrant orange eyes gleaming behind the face grate turned from the recruit.
"Something I hoped we would never have to use."
"Feron!" A hoarse roar shredded into his thoughts, stunning him before he could turn to face the source. The heavily armored knight stormed up to him, the wretched
stench of ash singed his olfactory sensors.
"It happened."
Feron regained his composure and stood face to face with Brawl.
"What happened?"
"You know. Boyo."
Feron began to become restless.
"I assure you, I have no idea wh-"
"You know." Brawl was on the verge of pressing his face grate down on Feron.
"Would someone mind explaining what is going on?"
Red was becoming increasingly confused by the second. Brawl began to answer.
"Your boss here is-"
"Everything is under control, Brawl."
How did Feron know his name when he never introduced him?
"Do you two know each other?" Red believed the pieces were beginning to come together, though had no contemptible image to base this assumption on.
"Know each other?" Brawl began to overpower Feron and force him to bend his knees slightly.
"Too well."
Brawl spoke malevolently. He seemed to be an entirely different knight, vengeful and sinister. Feron retained his tone but could not help receding as the crushing weight continued to press on him.
"Get off of me!" Feron pushed Brawl away and brushed himself off as though he were assaulted by a foul behemoth.
"Our past is behind us."
Brawl was becoming more aggravated.
"Our past will never be behind us! I remember what you did."
Feron cringed.
"Vanguards, arrest him!"
Several knights in the area apprehended Brawl. Several were familiar to Red.
"Remi? Izola?" No one so much as looked at him.
"Take him to the prison."
As they dragged Brawl out, who flailed wildly, Feron turned away and held his hands over his face.
"Are you alright, sir?" Red stood next to the lieutenant who kept his face hidden.
"Yes. I believe so." Feron arose and faced Red.
"That was Brawl, my previous.. The previous threat
to the Order." Feron seemed to take pain in these words.
"He had been decommissioned, deactivated, and destroyed many years ago."
Red was shocked. Brawl was a criminal? How could this be?
"What did he do?"
"I am not authorized to disclose that information." Feron turned away from Red. Red pondered
this for a moment. That meant someone did have authorization, though it may not be the lieutenant. Red had to know.
"Permission to seek authorization, sir?"
Feron gave Red a condescending glare.
"Granted."
__________________________________
As the red knight in the heavy blast suit exited the training facility, Feron thought to himself.
"Try as he may, no one can find out. Regardless of strain or stress, no other knight holds the truth; at least, no other knight which is able to remember."
Mié, 07/18/2012 - 14:27
#41
Chapter 5, part 2
The battles had been grueling and painful. As usual, Red had skimped out on them to pester their superiors. Green was as disappointed as usual.
"Why does he always run off when we need backup?"
Blue had managed to keep Grimalkins off Green on several accounts when his anger interferes with his ability to mind the invincible monstrosities, yet is fully able to overzealously shred through enemies with his Brandish. Blue felt intimidated by this new found aggression in Green. The floor seemed close to clearance, at least.
"Look, the elevator." Blue pointed ahead.
"Yeah." Green seemed less vigorous than usual.
"Are you alright?"
"Yeah." Green kept his focus on the platform
ahead.
"Are you still upset with Red?"
Green stopped.
"What makes you think I am upset with him?"
"You seem..."
"Violent?"
"No, I-"
"I see how it is." Green stormed onto the platform and turned away from Blue. He was in no mood to continue. Blue concedingly proceeded. As the platform returned them to the surface Green maintained a disgruntled snarl without so much as looking toward his old friend. Blue
could not help the alluring curiosity of his comrade, the lack of luster in his stance which Green had once proudly shown without shame nor fear. The void of negative emotion which had previously been detained by his vigorous nature to conquer for his comrades has been chained by a grinding malevolence toward another comrade who behaves as his polar opposite. Where Green prefers to storm into battle Red would find his way around them to set up a surprise attack, a tactic which Green calls cowardly and deceitful. No honor without properly facing your opponent. Blue often resorts to such tactics when assisting Green in battle as his own ability would fall short in close range, though Green has yet to complain as it does not inhibit nor
interrupt his own behavior. Blue never found himself upset with Red other than the occasional comments on his contributions, though they are often in jest. His beaten Wolver armor had a few tufts ripped out and a few little scars on the helmet, but he had no patience for pain. Blue had often time taken cover behind him when an attack was imminent, forwarding the effect to his ally rather than facing the pain on his own. Green often paid no mind though since their team gained clearance to the second tier following the event with Snarbolax every attack had taken a larger toll.
"What are you staring at?"
Blue cringed and stood at attention. They rarely spoke recently outside the occasional commands in combat. Blue had little to say, anyway. He never bothered to think as Red would, seeing as it consumes his consciousness at times to the point of becoming unaware of what is going on around him. Blue did not want that. He could join in the mindset Green had taken, though not much would come of it. Blue was a gunner and had to stay focused on keeping a distance while attacking. Green had little patience to bother directing Blue, leaving him alone to use his Firotech on his own will.
__________________________________
They had returned to the surface. Green was about to catch a medic to fix a few scrapes and dents in his armor, then remembered Blue would be stuck with nothing to do.
"I should go find Red." Blue began walking away.
Green made no motion. When Blue approached the doorway he turned to face his comrade. They shared a short glance before Blue continued. The damage to his armor was fairly
insignificant, merely a minor bother. Green thought again of finding a medic, but instead sought Feron to speak with Brawl. The area was abnormally empty.
"Has he been detained?" Feron was speaking to a few Vanguards.
"Yes, sir."
"Very well, carry on." Feron turned away from them and returned to his common position as though to roost.
"Lieutenant, have you seen Brawl around?"
Feron cringed.
"No." No further response.
"Well, have you seen my..buddy..Red?"
"He might be in the market." Feron did not match his gaze. Green gave the lieutenant a confused glaze before leaving. The few knights who had been dispersed around the Arcade had left for other business. Feron stood alone.
__________________________________
"No, no, no! You will never be a real knight!"
The little cyan knight whimpered.
"Are you crying?" The large, heavily armored knight kneeled next to him. "Dismissed to recess."
The little knight ran off to writhe in his own sorrow.
"Daddy?" A little orange knight in simple Plate
armor grabbed him by the hand. "Wah're y'so hard on 'im?"
__________________________________
Red had no visibility. The room was poorly lit and stank of rusting metal. He had no memory of what brought him here other than blackness after seeing Brawl hauled off by Vanguards. He attempted to stand upright, only to be returned to his seat by bindings. Red attempted to turn to see the binds only to find his head had been locked in place.
"Finally awake, boyo." A couple coughs followed.
"Brawl?"
"Yeeurp."
"What are we doing here?"
"They locked us up."
He must not be taking this seriously.
"Why are we locked up?"
Red heard the crunching of metal where Brawl seemed to be sitting.
"No plan to find out."
Brawl stood and the chains fell to the stone floor, whimpering as they are discarded and the call echoing down the hall past the metal bars sealing the exit. Brawl walked up to Red and felt behind him for the bindings before crushing them.
"I remember this old bunker, this is the prison I used to run."
Red looked around after liberation from the bindings. This place looked older than all of Haven.
"Where are we?"
"Unless they moved a whole prison citadel, we ought to be abou-"
Light steps echoed from down the hall. Brawl pushed Red down to his seat and returned to his own, then held his arms behind his back as though he were still bound. Red did the same.
"I never thought I would see you again." Even in the dim light Red was able to identify the Skolver armor.
"Echo?"
Echo ignored Red.
"Echo." Brawl repeated this as though he knew the name.
"Never thought I would see you again, old clunker." Echo let out a short laugh. "Especially after
what happened."
"What happened?"
Echo bolted his gaze to Red.
"Shut up!"
Red retreated his gaze. Echo turned to Brawl again.
"You probably have no memory of what happened."
Brawl kept up the charade.
"Tell me before I break these chains and your
limbs."
"We both know you already broke out."
Red almost jumped in his seat.
"Yeah, I knew those old chains would be too worn to hold you. So I had them install a state of the art security system, just for you." Echo turned to Red.
"We can recycle that one. Why waste time with a useless prisoner?" Echo laughed again.
"Come in here and fight me, you coward." Brawl still pretended to be bound, alluding as though he were pulling at the few chain links still attached to the wall.
"Are you really still chained up?" Echo was enjoying the show. "I guess that means I can come in."
The bars lowered. Brawl still pretended to be bound.
"You must be getting too old for this." Echo was standing right in front of Brawl. "I wonder what kind of materials we would get from recycling you, too."
Brawl immediately stood and seized Echo by the neck.
"I will die a third time before I let another knight be recycled." Brawl began to squeeze. Echo clawed the hand and uttered short squeals. Brawl released his grip and Echo scurried into the corner near the door.
"Take us to Feron. Now." Brawl commanded Echo as though he were an impudent child.
"N.." Echo was barely able to breathe. "N..Never." Brawl took two steps closer and Echo held his hands in defense. Brawl stopped.
"A-Alright, ju-ust let me.." Echo struggled to stand again.
"You should have stuck around in class instead of ditching, boyo."
Lun, 07/02/2012 - 13:26
#42
Brawl's a baws.
Feron's a prick.
Recylced? NO!
Everything I know is a lie. HoH members are feron's [RETRACTED] feron's a weakling and I'M STOKED!
Brawl's Izola's dad. MY GAWD!
Red's my favourite character. And Brawl.
Mié, 07/18/2012 - 15:40
#43
Chapter 5, part 3
The sun shined brightly, the grass whistled lazily, and the weird spinning birds were elsewhere. Today was a good day to sit back, rela-
"Korin!" The outcry was followed by the sound of someone stumbling. Of course.
"Ko-"
"Do you need something?" Korin had hoped Amber would at least respect that this was one of his few days off.
"Ye- wait, no."
This is the second time today.
"Are you bored or something?"
"The lieutenant wanted us somewhere."
Korin stood and brushed himself off. It would be silly to appear in front of the lieutenant as though he had been napping all day, even if that was what he had hoped to be doing. Not that he was lazy, he has had to babysit this hyperactive knight all the time. Is it too much to ask for a break every once in a while?
"Come on, he wants us in the Arcade now!" Amber was about to drag Korin there by his wrists.
__________________________________
"Is everyone here?" Feron stood facing several groups of knights, most of which wore Cobalt. A blue knight in the back next to a green one in Wolver seemed to be ducking his head slightly.
"You, in the back, close the door." The blue knight in Cobalt immediately ducked further. The green knight next to him stood up to close the door. Feron proceeded.
"Everyone, I have an important announcement."
The room was fairly plain and lacked decoration. This was no time for fancy colors or banners, there was an important assignment.
"Our scouts have identified what may be a recon module from Alpha Squad."
The crowd instantly burst into conversation. The green knight wearing Wolver in the back was trying to get the blue Cobalt knight to take his seat again.
"Settle down, settle down. The module is guarded in the lair of the Royal Jelly."
The room abruptly became silent.
"I need four volunteers to clear the palace and bring the module back."
No one moved.
"The palace is full of treasure."
Still no noise or motion.
"I heard Royal Jelly hoards an ancient sword and gun."
A few knights began to stir.
"You can keep the weapons if you find them, as long as that module gets back here."
A few mumbled conversations began.
"You can also keep the treasure you find."
The room resumed the past uproar. Perfect.
"Sign up here along with anyone you want to have in your party, but we can only have four people go."
As soon as Feron said this while pointing to a blank screen next to him everyone locked their gaze on it.
"I am going to leave to other duties. Register for the mission if you are up for it." No one moved while Feron walked out of the room and closed the door behind him. As soon as the door clicked, everyone jumped out of their seat and scrambled for the console.
__________________________________
"Where did you go, Korin?"
He was almost at the console, though a few hands behind him seemed to be pulling him back. The voice came from behind him toward his right, though the chaotic cluster of knights muffled his hearing. In spite of all the pushing and pulling, Korin had managed to drag himself this far without assaulting anyone. Behind him he could hear fights starting and knights screaming at each other.
__________________________________
This was chaos. Blue had bunkered down behind several chairs which had been thrown out of the way and made a little fort. No one was coming up to it, but Blue probably felt safer back there. Green would have to sign them up himself. He turned his attention back to the crowd. It looked more like a mountain of knights all rolling around than registration for a mission. He considered using his Brandish, but remembered they were all knights of the Order and his hand dropped from the handle. This was going to be difficult. Green watched as several Cobalt knights of various colors threw themselves onto each other and tried to drag each other out. This was ridiculous. These idiots were more aggravating than Red, since he still had friction against him.
__________________________________
Blue could still hear the roars and cries on the other side of his bunker. An amber colored knight in the same blast suit Red had fell near the side of his barrier.
"I got this!" The knight tried to stand again only to have another knight in Cobalt fall on top of him. Blue began to roll the knight off of him only to find a smile on his face.
"Are you alright?" Blue had noticed a few minor dents in the blast suit.
"Yeah, I just need to get back in there." The amber knight tried to stand in the same manner before having a knight thrown onto him successfully but did not charge forward.
"Is something wrong?"
"Nah, I think my buddy Korin has this handled." A knight in Plate was crawling out of the pile, Defender held in front of his path as he plowed his way out. The amber knight ran over to help him up.
"I got us signed on." This yellow knight was barely able to stand so the amber one threw his shoulder over his own.
"Hey, buddy, mind sparing some of your base?"
Blue grabbed one of the chairs and began to set it up again. As the two retired after a successful registration, Blue looked around for Green. He was on the opposite side of the chair bunker where the amber knight appeared but had disappeared. The chair he was sitting in was still in the same position. Blue was about to use that chair to replace the one missing in his fort when several knights were thrown from the pile around the room from inside the mob. A familiar shield with a glowing eye in the center pushed its way through several knights who resisted, only to be repelled. The green knight in Wolver exited the mountain of knights and walked to the bunker.
"I got us on." Green began for the exit. Blue followed.
__________________________________
"That guy has guts." Korin said it aloud but had no reason not to. "Hey, buddy, what if us four got the assignment?"
The green knight turned around to face him.
"I look forward to it." He then continued.
__________________________________
"Has anyone seen Echo?" When Feron called all Vanguards, that meant all Vangaurds.
"I heard he went to check on the old prison."
Jorin had always been the first to have the information he needed. Loyal, trustworthy, dependable; an old fashioned Cobalt knight.
"Wah'd 'e be down thair?"
An odd knight in Dread Skelly who had hunched over the table spoke.
"Perhaps he has become entranced by the haunting spirits of prisoners deceased." He gave a sinister laugh.
"Enough, Sylvin." Archilus spoke in a stern yet warm tone. "The last time that dusty old tomb was used was before any of our times. It was shut down even before Feron became part of the Order."
"Afraid of ghosts?" Remi was holding back a fit of giggles with a dumb smile on his face.
"Enough. The lieutenant has called us together for something important."
"Thank you, Jorin." Feron continued. "Yesterday you are all aware of an unidentified prisoner having been liberated of the prison which the native life forms have
created. The Vanguards have disposed of this offender. However, there may be more of its kind or followers amongst our Order."
Izola thought for a moment while Feron spoke. What prisoner? All she could remember yesterday were sharp pains which came up when she tried to remember B-
"Ow!"
"Is something wrong, Izola?"
She blushed. "No, no sir."
"Maybe Walkon put a spike on her chair." Remi elbowed a knight spinning a Nova Driver next to him. He was leaning back in his chair so the back was against the wall with his feet up on the table and his brimmed hat tipped down.
"Hands off."
Remi turned away from the gunner and faced the other direction. His face bumped into a derp eyed carcass-helm.
"Would you get that thing out of my face?" Remi flailed away from the mask and fell off his seat. The green knight stood from his own seat to help him up.
"Stop messing around!" Jorin shouted but did not stand.
"Thank you, Jorin." Feron kept his calm at the end of the long table in spite of the nonsense.
"Since Echo has failed to show up, as usual, we will begin without him. I created a registration to retrieve the recon module stashed with the other loot of the Royal Jelly for the recent group of knights."
"Kids? With the king of the jellies? What a joke."
"Your comments are not appreciated, Sylvin." Walkon rarely had to speak for himself, but if it was to shut up the senile clunker he was ready.
"Yes, your majesty." Sylvin leaned back and laid his hands on his mid torso.
"If we are quite finished interrupting, the lieutenant has yet to finish."
"Thank you, Jorin." Feron resumed again. "I would have assigned a few of us to the mission but we have more important matters to tend to." Feron stood. "The prisoner was part of an old rebellion against the Order, dedicated to destroying our united force after having been
controlled by aggressive forces. These rebels are no longer our brethren. They are criminals. They are evil. They must be destroyed."
"How do we know who they are?" Zebulon spoke up.
"The way you describe them, spies could be anywhere."
Feron began to continue.
"Yes, I was just getting to that. They could potentially be amongst us, any of us-"
"We have a traitor!" Jorin exclaimed as though he were on fire to alarm the masses.
"Not amongst us Vanguards, we have been through the promotion system and it would be impossible for any of us to have any affiliation with those scum." Feron was becoming impatient. "My point is they could be amongst our inferiors."
The knight with his hat tipped over his eyes spoke.
"Newcomers might not be as new as we think."
Various discussions broke out again amongst them.
"Silence!" Jorin yelled again.
"Thank you, Jorin. We caught one traitor with the prisoner and has been locked up with them. I need all of you to be on the lookout for any more of these traitors." Feron looked down at the table.
"They could be any of your underlings. Even if they seem nice, they could be there only to destroy you."
Feron shot his stare to Izola who had been entranced in thought.
"Is there someone you know who may fit that description?"
"W-Well, uh, ah-"
"Never mind, just be aware." Feron turned his back to the rest of the Vanguards.
"Report immediately to me if anyone suspicious comes up. Dismissed."
Mié, 07/18/2012 - 15:44
#44
Chapter 5, part 4
Feron returned to the room where registration had been taken for the recent mission and found it not to be the same room anymore. Everything was out of place, there were pieces of metal and debris everywhere, and the walls had dents. Feron ignored the mess and checked the console. Apparently everyone had signed up for it. Feron went through the names in hopes of finding someone familiar.
"Green, Blue."
What was this, a joke? Those were colors, not names. At least the registration system involved a link to their personal communication devices in case this would happen. Most of the newer knights were the low class working force on the Skylark before the crash, giving little reason to have personal identities. All they needed to know is what their job is. Since the crash they became mixed with the higher classes and decided they should also have names. Feron would have isolated them before this could happen if he had the authority at the time, though the only one with clearance for that kind of command was B-
"Lieutenant, are you here?"
Feron turned to the door. Walkon was peeking in.
"Yes, come in." Feron returned his attention to the console.
"Have you selected a team yet? Because I can spare today if w-"
"I think they can handle it." Feron kept his focus on the screen, going through the list.
"I could at least lecture the team on preparing themselves against what they are going to face."
Feron looked up from the console.
"Very well then." Feron looked back at the screen for a moment. "Actually, bring some recipes with you and some crystallized energy from storage." Feron smiled to the screen as four names had been selected. The four who were expendable yet may prove worth advancement in the ranks. If they fail, little would be lost. If they succeed, Feron would have much to gain.
"Amber, Blue, Green, and Korin."
__________________________________
The stone hall was poorly lit. Their optic sensors provided the majority of light which illuminated their path, the occasional lit torch contributing.
"I should have made sure they dismantle you before trying to kill you." Echo mumbled in hopes to be unheard, answered by another strangling.
"Next time, boyo, you come down with me." Brawl threw Echo to the floor again and continued down the hall. Echo stood and continued wordlessly. Red hoped not to intice this wrath, yet was curious of how this violent relationship had started; why did they hate each other?
"Brawl?"
He did not turn to face him but still spoke.
"Yerp."
"What happened between you and Echo?"
Brawl stopped walking but did not turn.
"Long story, boyo." Brawl continued walking. Echo mumbled again.
"Old scars unhealed, reopened."
When Brawl turned around Echo flinched.
"More a scrape than a scar." Brawl turned forward and continued again. Red pursued.
"Something must have come between you two."
Echo spoke up.
"He was my..our..instructor a while ago."
"Who?"
"Me, Izola, the other Vanguards; back when we were kids. Brawl here was supposed to teach us how to fight in a group."
Brawl interrupted.
"Project Cobalt, the end of individual knighthood, where all new recruits became a single machine of a single mind."
"Project Cobalt?"
Echo spoke again.
"They were training us to be Cobalt knights, all using the same equipment to organize the ranks and keep us a united force."
Brawl retorted abruptly.
"They wanted to turn new kiddies into machines."
Red pondered this for a moment.
"I thought we were already machines."
"Imagine being controlled by one knight, along with hundreds of thousands of other knights."
Red stopped walking. The power of such an army, under the will of one?
"How is that possible?"
"Project Cobalt."
Brawl held his arm to stop them and stood perfectly still. A few light footsteps could be heard in another hallway. Brawl pointed the two to another hall and started to scout the other hallway. Echo seemed to be sparking from a fractured mechanism but it was barely audible even when standing right next to him. Red laid Echo propped up to the wall and looked down the hall where Brawl had gone. He had disappeared.
__________________________________
Light was diminishing. These torches had been unused since Brawl was active, and considering how old the kiddies had gotten now it has been a while. He had to leave the kids back in a corner while he neutralized whatever was over here. In spite of the absurdly heavy armor Brawl was able to strafe along the wall and calm his breath. Echo was too weak to even consider attacking the other kid, but vulnerable to the deception Echo had been known for. Brawl
approached a split hall and stopped. He stood on the divide and waited. If he remembered correctly there were decorative statues in open areas such as where he was and an unoccupied pedestal had been collecting dust. Brawl stood on the pedestal and assumed a stance, crossing his arms and bowing his head. He heard someone coming from the
hall on the left. As the echoing footsteps became more audible and constant he dimmed his optics to imitate a statue. The opening was dim enough to only notice his eyes were lit if someone came close enough to grab by the shoulders. Out of the corner of his vision Brawl noticed a knight wearing armor with several spikes and horns, purple waves emanating from the haunting armor. A yellow-green glow emanated from the eye openings on the helmet
and decorated a few plates on their arms. A large false jaw snarled around its neck. Brawl recognized this old freak but could not risk being caught if their reunion was on unpleasant terms.
__________________________________
These halls reeked of rotten metal and stone. Sylvin had been asked to light torches in this ancient prison for the guards who were supposed to be there, though Sylvin knew the morons Feron calls guards would be too afraid to come back to this old horror show. After all, this is where they are still keepi-
Sylvin noticed a statue at the end of a hall he had been walking through. It was equipped with a severely abused Volcanic Plate armor set and seemed to be covered in rust. It made the rest of the entire prison smell like a field of flowers dipped in honey. How interesting. Sylvin approached the statue and immediately become occupied with enjoying the spectacle. Nothing he has ever seen has such scars or pain, except maybe..
"You know, this old statue reminds me of someone I once knew."
Sylvin looked up at the helmet. There seemed to be a very slight orange glow behind the faceplate. Orange? No, this was impossible; Sylvin witnessed what happened, there was simply no possible way-
There was a whisper of static ahead. Mecha Knights? No, they know not to come down here. No one comes down here, especially not after what happened; unless they have a death wish. Sylvin had admired what haunted these barren halls, yet feared what may befall him if he were to encounter what was still lurking. Of course, Sylvin had heard someone was still down here guarding it but that was quite a while ago. It was easily possible the lone guard had gone insane, most likely destroying themself to escape seeing as there is only one exit in the whole prison. That exit was hidden in the prison which is currently active, barricaded and hidden so well that it
may as well be impossible to find. If a guard stumbled out of this pit, everyone at the working prison would have known; but no one has come up. No one alive, at least;
Sylvin had taken the duty of clearing remains which may be lingering in these halls, though occasionally he heard faint echoes of someone walking in the far distance. Sometimes Sylvin would bring a new recruit or two with him, though he rarely brings them back; they disappear. They would be walking along, usually right behind him, then Sylvin would notice the whimpering stopped and turned to see no one was with him anymore. He usually found what seemed to be the remains of these unfortunate little knights elsewhere in the prison, usually in the middle of
a hall or placed on an empty pedestal, then had to take them out. It was always difficult to explain to Feron where they went seeing as he was usually caught with the
remains, but he always used the excuse that the little knight had followed him in and he had tried to find them to take them back to town. Sylvin himself had never brought frightened knights to what was most likely their end, seeing as the remains often lacked their vital mist tanks or any of their internal mechanisms, but with the hollowed exoskeletal armor he always had an interesting story to tell the other Vanguards. No one ever wanted to hear about it, but Daxen usually listened at least. Everyone else is too impolite to even sit and listen, let alone see the remains.
__________________________________
Red alternated his attention from the hall where Brawl had disappeared to Echo. He had to be aware in case Brawl needed him to get out of there, but he could not risk turning away from Echo who could attack at any second to escape.
"Why do you and Brawl have friction?"
Echo looked up at him.
"Back when he was my instructor, I was not the best student."
Red pursued.
"What did you do?"
"You ask a lot of questions, kid." Echo turned away from Red.
"Why was Brawl in a trash chute?"
Echo flinched.
"He was trash."
"There must have been a reason for him being in there."
"Alright, you got me." Echo sat up a little. "A while back he was our instructor, but that was not his real job. He was the warden for this old jail." Echo raised a hand to show he meant the prison they were currently sitting in. "Some old knight gave him the job of the new recruits, something about Cobalt and class training. They gave all of us Cobalt stuff, Caliburs, and Blasters. We were all pretty well matched." Red listened intently.
"Been too long to remember who the old knight was, but Brawl was pretty young when this happened. Of course he resisted, being a stubborn old brute, but when he heard Izola was in it he signed on for it." Red pondered this. Izola? What did she have to do with
anything?
"Yeah, him and Izola; something between them, I tried asking her but she never wants to talk about it."
Red mentally noted to ask her himself.
"Anyway, Brawl was a mean old prison warden; he wanted nothing to do with a bunch of kids. The other Vanguards were in our class, back when Sylvin was less crazy and Walkon was still clumsy. We all had to use Cobalt stuff so it got pretty boring. I usually ditched to get my own style but old Brawl never liked that. He gave Izola some little Plate stuff to use while everyone else had to use Cobalt, but it was pretty heavy for her so she had a tough time using a sword. I tried to help her but Brawl always sent me away."
A small metallic clunk echoed from down the hall; not the hall where Brawl had gone, the opposite direction.
Mar, 07/10/2012 - 16:44
#45
Chapter 5, part 5
Tonight, my love, I sing for you.
Tonight, my love, I will not bid adieu.
Tonight, my love, I shall bring you life.
Tonight, my love, I will bring you their light.
They may hear my call,
they may hear my cry.
There is no escape,
tonight they must die.
Tonight, my love, I sing for you.
Tonight, my love, I will not bid adieu.
Tonight, my love, I shall bring you life.
Tonight, my love, I will bring you their light.
Metal may crunch
and oil may spill.
Fear not the mess
it is your own will.
Their light must be drawn
from their entity.
Their light, for you
for eternity.
Tonight, my love, I sing for you.
Tonight, my love, I will not bid adieu.
Tonight, my love, I shall bring you life.
Tonight, my love, I will bring you their light.
They may scream and shriek
I never hear their pleas.
For you I bring light
their beings at ease.
For without their light
they have no life to have.
To you I shall bring
on my own behalf.
Tonight, my love, I sing for you.
Tonight, my love, I will not bid adieu.
Tonight, my love, I shall bring you life.
Tonight, my love, I will bring you their light.
They come all the time
in spite of their fear.
They know what befalls
those who come near.
I have no regret
nor remorse, apathy.
For you, my love,
I serve indefinitely.
Mar, 07/10/2012 - 19:13
#46
goodness gracious
Seems like Jorin is a lieutenants pet.
Mar, 07/10/2012 - 21:04
#47
Gosh golly gee
Vanguard NPCs have no developed character so I am developing them, at least from how I would make them. They are the NPCs here for those who have no idea what is going on.
Chapters are going to be longer from the back stories and mission mainstream both being longer and more complicated but five should come to an end soon. Even though I made two parts today I plan to continue making more in the next day or two.
Mié, 07/18/2012 - 15:49
#48
Chapter 5, part 6
"A team has been selected." Jorin sat next to Feron, both occupied with a console of records.
"I heard Walkon has withdrawn crystals from storage. Are we going to dwindle our supply further before we have to revisit..it..again?"
Feron kept his focus on the console to address Jorin.
"Sylvin is our medium to..it. He brings unworthy knights down there, we find the crystals, we purify them into a source of energy. It may not be powerful enough to replace what we need for our ship but it significantly helps in the alchemical process required to upgrade equipment to promote knights to fortify our military."
Jorin leaned back and refocused his optic sensors.
"Lieutenant, did you say the treasonous prisoners are being held in that same prison earlier?" Feron looked up from the console.
"Yes."
"Are you sure nothing will happen? I mean, no one is really guarding down th-"
"We win either way." Feron returned his attention to the console.
"Yes, sir."
__________________________________
"Today, team, you have been assigned to a very dangerous mission." Walkon paced back and forth along the four knights lined up. "Some of you might not come back alive." Walkon stopped in front of Green.
"Which is why I volunteered to help you knights out. With me I have the supplies needed to craft vital equipment for some of you," Walkon redirected his attention to Blue momentarily, "while others could use improvement." Walkon proceeded to the supply container and tripped on a rock nestled in the grass. Amber uttered a chuckle. Walkon scrambled to his feet.
"Is something funny?"
Green answered unexpectedly.
"We await your supplies."
Walkon brushed the grass off his purple armor and opened the container. Inside were several recipe modules and a few light blue crystals. They were different from the kind of mineral found in the Clockworks, but somewhat similar in color. Walkon revealed the items to the team and dragged the container next to the alchemy machine.
"You, blue knight, why are you still in Cobalt?
What are you, Jorin?" Walkon activated the crafting machine and identified himself. A catalog of items were listed on the screen.
"I-I use guns, sir." Blue was peeking around his side.
"Of course you do, now stand here." Walkon pointed for Blue to stand a couple paces away then began to place materials into the machine input. He then drew a tube from the machine and piked it into the crystal, which began to drain its illuminated glow. As the crystal began to become
gray, two items selected on the screen became highlighted. Walkon activated the craft and a strange equipment set came out.
"I expect to be paid back for these." Walkon handed the armor and hat to Blue who immediately equipped them. The armor was a poncho and the hat looked silly, but at least it was better than the Cobalt armor he was using.
"This is the Gunslinger set, it makes your guns fire faster." Walkon slapped Blue on the back and turned to the others. Blue almost fell over but managed to recover. "You, green Wolver, you next."
Green approached the machine and awaited his own improvement. Walkon was looking over him.
"I need you to unequip your Wolver armor and do the crafting process yourself." Walkon found the appropriate recipes and gave them to Green. "You should already have materials for this." Walkon reset the machine and let Green identify himself then attached another chunk of crystal to the machine to be consumed. Green had to switch to his Proto armor to use his Wolver equipment in the process, seeing that the outcome would be a more powerful version of it. Green deposited the materials and activated the process. From the output came a nearly identical helmet and torso, though different colors. Green re equipped the armor and noticed its defenses were higher.
"Hurry up, we have to get through all of you."
Korin had his Plate armor upgraded to Fused Plate and Amber had his Spiral Demo blast suit upgraded to Fused Demo. The blast suit was a pleasant green.
"That should be enough. You are all on a tab, so be sure to come back with enough to repay your debts."
Walkon threw the dim crystals back into the container, closed it, and began to push it back to storage. As he was beginning to exit the garden he turned to give a final order.
"Meet up in the Arcade on the gate second from the
left."
Walkon continued to push the box while the others continued. Walkon had gone east to a blocked off area while the others had to wait in the Arcade. Blue had planned to continue with them but instead decided to trail behind Walkon, keeping his distance since the barricade was not guarded. As Blue followed silently behind Walkon the other three would have been lounging at the platform by now.
__________________________________
Green was about to find another Vanguard to begin the mission, seeing as none of them had the code for the mission yet, so he decided to talk with Blue while they waited for Walkon to return. He turned behind him where he thought Blue had been following, only to find no one behind him.
__________________________________
Walkon had to get this container back to be replenished before nightfall. Once it goes dark, Sylvin would be upset with him again. Last time Walkon came at night Sylvin forced him back to town, though he was usually alone in this older part of the area. That knight has always had a thing about the old and dead, especially in the broken down factory that used to be over here. Sylvin had kept a protest against tearing it down to build a new one, but Feron decided its remains should stay as a monument to the past; which is strange, considering usually anything reminding Feron of his youth is destroyed. He never answers questions about his past, though most of the Vanguards seem to have diminished memory to their youth. Walkon tried to remember back when he was as inexperienced as the four young knights he had helped not too long ago, but could recall nothing. He remembered Remi pulling constant pranks on him back when they had to work together for a while as Soldiers, but before that was blank. Maybe Sylvin would know.
"Walkon here, bringing in some used crystal."
The air locks lowered as Walkon pushed the box along. He heard a small metallic tap on one of the several doors which had opened. He looked up to see behind him, noticing the sun was going to set soon. He turned back to his business to get out of this old place as quickly as possible. There was no guard nearby to manage the security because everyone was back in town or in the Arcade, using consoles from afar in case an enemy force comes and captures one of our knights to use against us. What would they do, steal some rusted piles of metal? There was nothing around here, except maybe the prison no one uses anymore. The Order used to take prisoners back when Walkon was tormented by Remi, but the prison looked pretty small from where he saw it. It was basically a thick metal bunker, probably not even big enough for more than a few Lumbers. It was definitely well fortified. The only time he ever went inside that prison was to drop off a message for Sylvin, who was napping as usually during the
day propped up against a wall next to the little jail cell. Sometimes a few things in the cell were moved around, probably Sylvin keeping himself occupied. All he ever does is sulk around here, probably because Feron always puts him down for his negative attitude.
"Nice to have company." Sylvin spoke as though
he saw him every day. It was rare for anyone to even approach the front gate, except for the creepy knight himself. Usually people only came by to drop off empty energy crystals, though usually drained crystals are stacked up at the front gate and Sylvin brings them restored the next morning. Where does he get the energy from?
"Just bringing back some used ones."
"Been a while since you had to use these." Sylvin had opened the container and was playing with an empty crystal. "Must be up to something."
"I am quite content with my regal attire."
Sylvin laughed.
"Probably helping some new guys. Back in our time people had to come down here themselves. You remember?"
Walkon tried to remember. That must have been before he was stuck with Remi.
"Uhh..no..?"
Sylvin gave him a displeased expression.
"Sometimes I hate being our oldest." Sylvin tossed the crystal back into the container and closed it. "I can have these full and out front in the morning."
"Thanks. They were used where we should get some profit, the lieutenant has them going after Royal Jelly for a recon module."
"As if we need another to learn where Alpha Squad went." Sylvin sat back in his chair again. "We already know where they went, Feron just wants to test how new knights can survive."
"The lieutenant is giving them the experience they need to be promoted in the ranks of the Order to join us against the vicious aggression of native forces." Walkon did not hesitate to counter.
"Whatever you say." Sylvin began to rock in the chair, tilting it at an angle which would easily fall over.
"I will come for the box tomorrow." Walkon exited the facility and returned to the Arcade.
__________________________________
The rooms were poorly lit, the entire area enclosed with various bunkers scattered around. Blue had followed Walkon through the air locks at the gate but was unable to exit without being caught. Blue decided to explore the area before trying to think of an excuse for him being there. There were lights every once in a while along the walls but overall it was still pretty dark. Blue turned to where set. Warm orange light grasped at him only to crawl away as night began to return to Cradle. An ominous mood began to assume control of the area. Some of the bunkers seemed abandoned, doors laying on the floor near what seems to have been the entrance though hinges were broken and untouched. It looked like someone had beaten down several doors but the walls and windows seemed untouched; windows were still barricaded with what seemed to be metal bars attached from inside the rooms, but they have gathered a significant layer of dust. Blue peeked in one of the open doorways, but it was too dark to see anything. There was barely enough light to see a couple steps into the room from the doorway and no lights were on inside the room. Blue thought of walking in anyway, but decided instead to find somewhere to settle for the night. Most of the bunkers stood isolated so Blue searched for one which was attached to the giant wall of the area. It may not have been the best idea, but being caught by the knights he heard talking in one of the bunkers would be better than hiding in some old ruins. At least there was some light. Blue found a couple old boxes next to a corner and sat behind them for the night.
__________________________________
"Sorry that took so long, I had to drop off those empty energy crystals." Walkon had to run for the Arcade before the other Vanguards noticed he abandoned his duty. The knight in Dusker armor was frantically searching the Arcade.
"Something wrong with that one?" Walkon was shaken a little from seeing Sylvin again. Too many bad memories.
"He keeps asking about something blue."
"Blue, my comrade, he was the gunner with us."
Green continued to throw boxes out of his way to continue
his search. Walkon paused to think of where he may have gone. His mind traveled back to his recent encounter at the abandoned area, how he thought he heard someone following behind.
Mié, 07/11/2012 - 18:51
#49
Noticed you wrote "fused
Noticed you wrote "fused plate" instead if "boosted plate"... Other than that, great chapter :)
Mié, 07/11/2012 - 18:54
#50
Derp
They both have green parts, apparently I think they are the same thing.
Hopefully there will only be one more part for chapter five, maybe two. Probably not. I hope not.
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Everything is tranquil and colorless inside the pod. There is no visibility, no sound, no contact with anything. The knight within has no memory of how they came to be in the pod nor anything before being ejected from the ship with all the other knights. An impact cleared their thoughts as
the sound of life perked their curiosity to peek outside. As the bright sun blazed in the sky, the lush environment sparked further interest to the new found territory. The knight tries to contact their commander for orders to no avail. The knight finds a small sword and gun in their arsenal and begins to set out for a vague transmission in the distance. Strange pink cubes and lizard-like animals seem to wonder this area, which take pursuit of the knight when within their view. The aggressive wildlife is no match for the knight in combat. Proceeding to follow the signal the knight finds a few green boxes. An information device is near the boxes. The knight activates the device which then explains these boxes hold treasure within, such as money and heat energy. Though the knight has no use for such resources, they proceed to pop the boxes for their reward. Continuing along the path the knight finds a doorway with flares lit near it, used by the knights to identify safety. The finds a rough camp where other pods are set around a large fire and other knights who survived the crash.
"Hey, red, have any crowns?" an unknown voice called from afar. The knight inspected themself and found their armor had red patterns where others had their own color.
"This native says if we have enough crowns we can buy a better sword from them," the voice pursued. The red knight took out the few coins they found after defeating the various wildlife. They handed the coins over to an identical green knight. A blue knight stood next to them
wordlessly. They seemed anxious.
"Maybe we should save this for later, there might
be something better," the blue knight mumbled.
"But what if we never get a deal like this again?"
The green knight seemed intent on getting the large cleaver-like sword.
"Hey, red, do you think we should buy this now or wait in case something better comes up?" the green knight called. The large was becoming impatient.
"I have business elsewhere, good day to you."
The Stranger went to another group of knights who immediately purchased the weapon.
"There probably will be something better later,"
the red knight said to comfort the group.
"Sure, whatever," the green knight quickly stated
before turning away in disappointment.
"By the way, what are your names?"
None of the three seemed to have names, as implied by the silence following the question. All they could remember is being stuffed into escape pods and fired at the planet.
"I guess we could go by our colors, seeing as we will be working together for a while," the green knight explained.
"I will be Green, trigger happy here can be Blue, and you can be Red since I already call you that."
The blue knight immediately protested.
"I am not trigger happy, it was a misfire!" Blue fumed.
"You almost shot me and lost control of your gun," Green countered. The transceiver with Red called in.
"Recruit, are you at the camp? You should have met others to bring to the main base at Haven. Cross the chasm by completing the trials under the elevator. We need to bring everyone over here to help find Alpha Squad. Kora out." The device deactivated.
"Well, Red, looks like we have a job to do," Green began. "What are we waiting for, a welcoming commitee? Get to the elevator!"
Green urged Blue and Red onto the metal grate.
"Wait you three, I have something for you."
The Stranger from before approached them and held out a green sphere.
"This is a bomb. All three of you are familiar with your standard sword and gun, but this weapon is unique; it has the power to detonate and damage groups of enemies at once."
Red seemed consumed by the foreign sphere, completely distracted by its potential use.
"No one is going to separate me from my blade," Green pouted.
"I almost got it, I can master my gun in no time,"
Blue backed away. It seemed no one else was interested in the sphere other than Red.
"I will take it."
The Stranger handed over the green sphere to Red who switched out their gun to use it actively. The power to devastate groups of enemies made Red invision explosions obliterating massive swarms of those pink cubes and lizards while mountains of crowns rained from the sky.
"Red, wake up and get over here!" Green hollered, startling Red.
The trio reorganized and Green hit the large blue button, taking them down to unknown depths.
The platform brought the three to a floating surface above a menacing green cloud. Nearby was a large button with a symbol which appears to require everyone to stand upon to activate. Green was already standing on it.
"Come on, we have to meet at the base in Haven!"
Blue trailed behind Red as the button activated and the gate in front of them dropped.
"Get moving!" Green rushed them forward again.
"Calm down, what if there is an ambush ahead?" Red hastily asked before they came to the open area ahead of them.
"Then we beat them until they cry for their mommies," Green answered, still pushing the two.
As they approached the spike adorned area a few pink cubes appeared and began to chase them in the same method as the ones the three encountered before meeting at the
rescue camp. Green quickly sliced through them.
"Keep it moving, ladies!" Green taunted.
Blue and Red were silently followed Green westward along a grayish green path. The entire floor and walls seemed to match the unsettling color.
"Not so fast, Green, what if there is more threatening wildlife than pink cubes and little lizards?"
Blue suggested, as if predicting what popped up next. A strange, four legged machine with a large mouth, a floating insect with a light blue glow, and an enormous abomination which appeared to be half machine and half tree, a native form of vegetation. The mechanical tree had
one enormous arm which seemed suited for crushing.
"Shut up and back me up!" Green called out behind
him before charging forward. Blue immediately found his gun and began firing at the mechanical tree. Red seemed dazed by the variety of native beings and the strange hybrid currently being assaulted.
"Red, we need your help. Go around and plant bombs behind them," Blue ordered, seeing as Red was standing idle. He sheathed his sword and took out the green sphere, awaiting its use. The very thought of obliterating the strange beings consumed him as he sprinted around the fray
and began winding it up. The hovering insect looked back at him but seemed uninterested and continued healing the mechanical tree. When the bomb was prepared Red dropped it behind the group and began winding up another. Red was inspecting the device as the elevator brought them to this floor and found they were designed to be used with a blast suit to prevent self afflicted damage. This raised a question: why do they have to fight the native life? Their mission only required they meet at a base, did this bother the natives? There was no command to fight, though their aggression gives the knights defensive cause. Were they provoked or have they always been aggressive? They seem to work together well, but it makes no sense.
"Red, get over here so we can move up!"
Green snapped Red out of his thoughts and continued. He has only been with these two for a short while but feels something is amiss. The trio continued to mow down various enemies and brought two keys back to the spiked area they began in. Northward two glowing locked doors beckoned them to continue. The group unlocked the doors and proceeded
with the next room, empty of enemies.
"What do we do here?" Green seemed disappointed by the lack of combat.
A gray, square button glowed lightly near the center of the room with a gate blocking their path. Blue tried to stand on the button and the door fell.
"This must be a pressure plate," Blue noticed.
When he stepped off the gate immediately returned. There were breakable boxes scattered around the room.
"We need something heavy enough to keep this
button down so we can continue."
Red begun to break the boxes with his sword, followed by Green while Blue continued to stand on and get off the pressure pad. A statue slighter taller than Red was near the wall. Green immediately made a grab for it and took it to the button where Blue was enjoying himself.
"Knock it off, we have to keep moving," Green demanded impatiently.
Blue retreated to the door and waited for Green to open it. The trio proceeded down the hall. The three found themselves in a fairly small room with a pot full of fire in the middle. Eastward a gate
blocked an elevator.
"The gate is closed, how do we open the door?"
Green asked, assuming someone knew. Another party button glowed in the center of the room.
"Everyone on, this must be the final battle to get us to Haven," Red ordered.
The trio organized on the button and a few skeletal forms arose from the floor and began to limp towards them. Green began to slash at them as they began to swarm him.
"Get them off me!" Green screamed.
Red began to load a bomb to plant amongst them while Blue fired from afar, distracted by the pot nearby. When Red cleared the zombies from Green, Blue picked up the pot and threw it at
the group of zombies; they burst into flames and collapsed while dropping heat energy and coins. They continued to fight the zombies as more spawned when the current wave was defeated until the door dropped and the loot was collected. When they got on the elevator Green
delegated the coins as the heat was absorbed into their equipment. When the platform came to ground level sunlight blazed once again. A path lined with flares led them up a series of stairs.
"Welcome to Haven, my Apprentices."