Which errors? And what did you not like?
Don't worry about telling me, criticism is welcome.
Which errors? And what did you not like?
Don't worry about telling me, criticism is welcome.
she was invalidating his sacrifice by trying to avenge him, and put
invalidating does not blend well for me... it just does not feel right to me, it's too big and i feel does not go with the feel of what's going on. i would choose something like tarnish, it might not be a perfect fit definition wise but i feel it helps the flow better and people would still get what you are trying to convey, but that is me.
If it's errors i would have to read it again for not that many of them and it is a really long chapter. i'll start poiting it stuff out next chapter but it's kinda taxing to go over it again for the 5 or so errors.
No problem. Whatever floats your boat, just don't be afraid to tell me something's wrong when you see it.
You don't have to scan through it JUST for errors, or even look for them. Opinions are more in want anyway.
I put 'invalidating' because Max is supposed to be really hung up on using more complex terminology when he's serious.
I'll try not to use bigger words next time so you don't hurt your head /pat Tuhui
XD
....
I have some bad news.
The bit that interests you the most: I'm going to have to suspend Codename as well as any other story I was writing that you are not aware of.
IRL events, mostly school, are demanding too much of my time and effort. I could barely squeeze any writing time into my weekends, but now school requires...more 'dedicated' effort.
I'm really sorry to have to do this, I know some of love reading Codename, and believe me, I REALLY hate to do this; I loved writing it as much as you loved reading it.
But it has come down to this, and I'm sorry. I don't know if I'll ever be able to return to writing this story, and if I eventually do, if I ever write the same way. Things may change.
In other news...
....
I have to leave Spiral knights, also indefinitely.
For the same reasons, I cannot continue playing this game as of the moment. I have no-idea how long I will be gone, nor if I will ever return.
I'm keeping my stuff, just in case I ever can return. But If I ever do log on before I'm 'back', those events will be few and far in between, so don't get your hopes up.
I've had a great time playing Spiral Knights, and meeting the great people I did, both in game and on the forums. I'm sorry to have to leave some of you hanging like this, but it can't be avoided.
This is Psychodestroyer, signing off.
Goodbye.
[End Transmission]
WHY!?
CRIES!
Not even on the forums? Not to reply?
I can take the mantle of the writer of Codename!
Psycho you lunatic...
I SHALL MISS YOU ;__;
http://icanhascheezburger.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/funny-pictures-so-...
The 'reasons' that I have to leave have given me a somewhat grace period to say my goodbyes, however indefinite.
As a 'gift', I leave behind the right for anyone, Codename reader or not, to make a fanfiction of Codename. Whatever, whenever, however, you may write what you want/wish/think will/has/happens/want to change in the existing Codename timeline.
I'm sorry I have to do this, but I have no choice in the matter.
Maybe I will be able to return one day, but until then, my visits will probably be few and far in between.
Have fun without me.
[End Transmission]
Max reminds me of two people: Terra from Kingdom Hearts AND Megaman X.
Reminds me of Terra because:
The helmet part was so described that I literally snapped from nostlagia.
And it reminds me of Mega Man X because...well, they both have cannons on their forearms, and can change it to that shape at will. In fact, how you described it was so obvious.
The cannon is supposed to be a PART of him, not some random gun he has. Therefore it's hooked directly to his main power core and can access his personal store of energy, allowing for higher levels of power.
As for the Terra part...I see how you came to that conclusion, but I think Ventus would be a more similar look to what I'm aiming for. But that was entirely unintentional, the KH similarity.
~Psychodestroyer-on-an-alt
Wha?..........Wha?........WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!
Hehehe....
Also, about that, I think you were playing too much Birth By Sleep....O3O
And I knew that already.
Also, about that Ventus part...I had no idea you were trying to make a reference to him.
That was my point. I DIN'T try and make any reference to Kingdom Hearts/Ventus, aside from that song. The likeness of Max to anyone else is entirely unintentional.
Psycho, If you have time, I have to ask you something....
Hopefully you get it all done with, because right now, I have a Ancient Rome project which is going to be the bane of me unless I do something about it. Also, my teacher told me it's a preview of a Middle School Project, because my school teaches up to the first Middle School Grade(6) and I'm in that, so I get lots of work D: I'm probably gonna get a F- in homework.
But most people in 6th grade are 11-12...
In My former school(well most schools in britain), Year 6(Sixth Grade) is for 10-11.....
OH SHI-
Oh...I see...
I'm only 16. I was 15 when I started writing, starting with One is all it takes.
Don't worry, I'm not going to forget Codename. I have a lot planned for it, and then some others you guys don't know about yet.
shall never die for it is great oh and can I get a B can I get a U a M and a P what's that spell BUMP
For those of you that don't know me ingame, I've more or less returned to the game, although not as 'committed' as before, due to some things 'laxing up.
However, I did not manage to write the next chapter of Codename during that time. Writing requires some element of focus of the mind, more so than a game, so writing would scatter the thoughts I needed for school.
HOWEVER. I have some GOOD news.
Conditions permitting, I will be returning to write Codename in a day or two, as my exams are over (for now) tomorrow!
Once that is finished, I have a few other stories that have been forming themselves in my head, and I will be getting to write them right after I finish Codename. (this part of it anyway)
Stay tuned, 'cuz there'll be more to come!
P.S: Apologies in advance if my writing quality has deteriorated since my last chapter. I'm a bit out of practice, and I'm still trying to clear out some of my structural flaws in my writing.
Change of plan guys.
Sorry, but the next chapter will have to be delayed. I was INTENDING it to be about what happens after Max is engulfed by the Core, but I can't think of a way to write it and NOT make it sound 'Max-promotional'.
Details as to what happens at that point will be covered in future chapters. Otherwise, the next chapter will be continuing directly from the last.
Sorry for the inconvenience, but I'll work on it. It's been a long time since I've actually UPDATED Codename.
Here is an awesome link to that: http://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/49098
Psycho -
I would say phenomenal job, but I don't want to sound repetative. Overall, same quality work as the previous parts - there are very few areas of extensive improvement, but you were already doing a great job besides, so that point neutralizes itself.
Someday, I'll need to get a story on here...that way, at least, I could get some criticism from you. I appreciate your writing style.
Also, since I figure that you'll read this at some point, I hope that life is fairing alright. I can understand having real-life issues to deal with (some much more intricate than others), so you have my condolensenses for anything severe going on. Good luck with your stories, and I can't wait to read more as time progresses!
~ Kanoka
Max filled them in on the details as they walked on though the clockworks.
“Wow.” Was all Ange could say. “So, you’ve been chosen…”
“Seerusly. Do we really have to go through the old cliché recap thing?” Max sighed.
Ange glared back at him. “Why don’t I tell YOU I was chosen by a PLANET to be its representative in our world and was given a crapton of new gizmos to assist me and see if you don’t ask me for a recap.”
“Yeah…” Max thought for a moment. “Why don’t you?”
Enzer’s eye twitched. Max had returned from the dead, geared up in new armour and with his memory back, and after a long tiresome journey of pain, tolerance, and having to put up with a deathly emo Ange, and they were back to joking around as if nothing had EVER happened.
“Cheer up.” Drake’s voice shook Enzer from his thoughts as he looked down on the usually more timid knight. “At least we have Max back, AND Ange is back to normal.”
Enzer huffed in reluctant approval, before the entire group lapsed back into silence, the only sound coming from the constant trooping of their feet.
Glancing around slightly nervously, said Knight broke that silence. “…Remind me why we’re not returning to Haven?”
Max gave Enzer the ‘were you seerusly not listening through my whole speech’ stare before replying.
“The Core recommended I field test my new abilities before I commence my primary mission. It shouldn’t take too long, but I also thought it would be good to walk a familiar path. Re-consolidate my memories, y’know?”
“That reminds me.” Ange interjected. “What was that thing you did to Tinkinzar? You DO still remember that, don’t you?”
Max scoffed. “Of course. In any case, it’s all very scientific, but very complex.”
“You see, all matter is made from tiny particles, called atoms or molecules. Each particle is bonded to the other by forces. By introducing a constant stream of pure energy, I overloaded the bonds with energy, breaking them and atomizing the whole structure. Geddit?”
Enzer scratched his chin in thought, while Max continued.
“On the other hand, because all particles have their own amounts of energy; if I changed my vision-type to view energies of particles in the air, an ability I recently gained, I would be able to see structures in terms of the energies they contain.”
As he spoke, the green circuitry on his body pulsed slightly, and they, along with his normally green eyes, transitioned to an energy blue.
“It doesn’t matter if an object is invisible, or hidden behind another object; if it exists, it will have energy.”
As Max turned around, his vision changed: everything in his sight broke down into tiny little blue dots with a spectrum of different brightness’, with new formations in the shape of the Ghostmane Stalkers that had been trailing them for the past five minutes suddenly coming into view.
“So you can run. But hiding?”
With a low hum, and a click, Max levelled his Prominence Cannon into apparently empty space.
“No longer an option.”
* * *
The wind whistled eerily through the room, making Ange shiver. She didn’t like this place.
As they gazed over the battlefield where Max had once demolished the Roarmulus Twin turrets, through the crumpled gates, and over the strewn wreckage of several machines, they thought the atmosphere would be…warmer.
Instead, they all had a bad feeling in their gut.
“…Something does not bode well…” Max voiced their thoughts.
“Something here gives me the creeps…” Drake added unnecessarily. His statement was ignored by the others.
“The Core isn’t giving me any intel here either.” Max announced, taking his hand away from his helmet. “It would appear this is a test of some sort. Yes, I can speak with the Core.” He added, taking note of Enzer’s raised eyebrow. “It would also like to speak with each of you, but it would only do so in person.”
“We’re going to meet the Core? That’s…cool.” Drake’s attempts to conceal his excitement were all but transparent; hands in pockets, indifference, and the constant jittering that made the floor below their feet vibrate every time they turned their backs.
Max sighed. “Do you guys mind focusing on the apparent doom we may or may not face? If I haven’t said already, we’re kinda short on time.”
The group exchanged their ‘Ah, right’s as Max materialized his Cannon.
“Alright guys, we have no-idea what’s ahead, so stay sharp, and watch your backs.” Max ordered. “Drake, you’re with Enzer. You’ll serve as his eyes, so make sure they stay peeled. Enzer, make certain you keep whatever it is off both of your backs.”
The two nodded in acknowledgement, Enzer silently taking note that max seemed to be in charge now.
“Ange, you’re with me.” Max finished, checking his gun was in working order. “Let’s roll.”
Quietly, they four snuck through the disfigured gates into the courtyard where the Roarmulus Twins once stood.
They split into their pairs and walked the perimeter of the courtyard, eyes constantly shifting to check for danger. Drake jumped once or twice at a something being disturbed by the wind, but aside from that, there was no apparent danger.
“…Strange…” Max mumbled as they met in the centre of the room. “Stay on your toes guys, something still doesn’t feel right.”
Enzer stopped and stood up. “Max, I think we’re overreacting.” He said in a slightly hushed voice. “I doubt whatever was going to attack us would’ve waited this long, I mean-”
With a roar, new gates sprung into place where the old gates lay broken, the latter bouncing away, their disguise no longer needed.
Everyone ducked back into their respective battle stances. “Me and my big mouth.” Enzer muttered.
New turrets rose into place, just like Max expected, considering the placing of the ambush. What he didn’t expect, was the new paint-job.
The new turrets had a fiery theme, their main bodies painted a gleaming blood-red, and what seemed to be lava dripped from their mechanisms, making the colossal machines seem bigger and more menacing than ever.
”BWAHAHAHA!!” The same gremlin snicker from last time rang out across the yard. “Feel the fiery wrath of the new and improved RED Roarmulus Twins!”
Max laughed, making the rest of his group look at him in surprise.
“That’s real rich! ‘Bwahaha’? ‘Feel the wrath’? I beat your failed battlebots before, what makes you think a new coat of paint will make any difference?” Max taunted, pointing his gun at where he presumed the voice to be coming from.
The Gremlin just sniggered. “You won’t be so amused when our new creations burn you to a cinder!” He countered. “Get them, Red Roarmulus Twins! Show no mercy!”
As the Gremlins’ hysterical laughter faded, Max brought his group together for a quick briefing.
“Ok you guys, this can’t be much more different than my last battle with these rejects. I’ll seek out their weak points and try to keep you guys covered, but you guys have to stick together.”
Max turned to Enzer. “I’ll need you to weaken their armour. Hammer at the joints and seams, it should weaken the structure enough for some damage to get through.”
“Ange, keep anything nasty from getting too close to him.” Ange nodded, confirming her understanding.
“What about me?” Drake asked nervously.
Max smiled. “You’ll have the most dangerous task.” He whispered, making Drake gulp. “Fire at the main turrets. Don’t focus on damage, just try and get in as many hits as possible. You’re nuisance effect; that means you’ll also be drawing their fire. You’ll need to be quick and resourceful. You up to the task?”
Drake blinked before snapping off a hasty salute. “Yessir!”
Max cocked his cannon. “Great, now DUCK!!”
Missiles whistled over their heads as they all hit the dirt. Surprisingly, Enzer was up first, already hacking away at one of the fiery machines with all of his strength.
This didn’t go unnoticed by said turret, which turned its main cannon to eliminate the new threat.
As it locked on, a shower of bullets pelted its head, just under its left eye. It turned to face the source of the disturbance, to find a determined looking Knight, literally holding the smoking gun; in this case, a glowing Prismatech Alchemer.
The turret engaged its rockets, forcing the knight to roll to the side. Drake speedily recovered, running sideways as he continued to pump bullets at his target.
Ange worked methodically, taking out each oncoming construct with a few hits as possible; she couldn’t afford to waste time. The moment one fell, another took its place.
Max watched their teamwork with interest. He had never really seen the group work together. They were more content with leaving him to his own devices back when they first met, so he didn’t really get many chances to observe their method of operations.
“…What do you think?” He asked aloud.
A voice that sounded like many voices speaking at the same time warned.
Max fired a shot over his shoulder, evaporating a missile that had been heading straight for him.
“Don’t take me for a novice. You know my ability better than that.” He retorted.
< Self-confidence will be your downfall, if you keep that attitude up. >
“I’m not cocky. It would be better if I observed how my allies operated, instead of them having to read me their manual.” Max frowned.
The voice sighed. < I DID choose you after all. Of course there’s something more to your idleness than pure showing off. >
Before Max could reply, there was a cry from Ange as a quiet Scuttlebot had fired a shot at her leg, causing her to stumble. However, by the time Max brought his cannon to bear, Drake had already sped by, blowing the offending construct to pieces as he passed, thanks being exchanged over the textspeak display.
Max took this information in thoughtfully. They all obviously had their own skills, he just needed to know how to further their unique abilities, to make them into something more than just good warriors.
Suddenly, the assault from the main turrets stopped, only to be replaced by a loud whirring sound.
Enzer stopped his own attack to listen. “…That can’t be good…”
Max’s eyes widened as he recognized the sound. “EVERYBODY DOWN!” He roared has he sprinted towards them.
“What?” Drake asked, confused, as he continued to run at the turrets head. Then he noticed the bottom jaw drop down, revealing several laser emitters.
“OH SHI-“ In surprise, Drake slipped backwards, skidding down as they fired, searing heat blazing over his visor as the beams narrowly missed.
Enzer ducked behind one of the barriers, the laser skimming off his shield-arm as he hid.
Ange moved to duck, but a Scuttlebot blasted her leg, dropping her to her knees instead. By reflex, she lashed out, shattering the offending construct in a heartbeat.
Now, her heart sank as she realized: she was directly in the centre of the path of the oncoming lasers. Could she drop back and avoid the blast? Probably, but right then, frozen in shock by that moment of weakness she couldn’t think of anything else but that bright light, drawing ever closer, that was going to burn her to a crisp.
Then, blackness…
And a loud humming, as Max stepped between her and the attack, his Prominence Cannon countering the oncoming blast with its own. Blue meeting red as the powers fought for dominance.
Textspeak flashed across Ange’s visor. “You really need to stop getting into these situations. It’s getting kind of old.”
While she appreciated the humour he was attempting to add, she was more worried about the current battle. As powerful as Max was, it didn’t take a scientist to see Max was struggling to keep up the defence, the red laser slowly closing the gap between them as the turret pushed its attack further.
Max’s footing faulted for a moment, but he recovered, pushing back harder. “GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!!!!!!!” He roared, forcing his power further.
“Hot damn…” Drake whispered, as he viewed the spectacle. Enzer, who was closer, merely tsked and hid back, the light too intense for him to keep looking.
Ange suddenly remembered something, as she brought back up her status link.
[Energy output at 374%. Heat levels approaching critical levels.]
Ange was confused. Max had gone past 900% before, how was 300% power approaching his limit, and how was it giving him any trouble?
* * *
CORE!! Max shouted in his mind. What’s going on? There’s no way I should be having this kind of trouble with my power levels THIS early!
< … >
Well? Max demanded. Answer me!
< …It would…ah, appear that I, um, may have possibly…albeit accidentally… > Was the Core stammering!?
OUT WITH IT!!! Max mentally screamed, pushing harder, yet only succeeding in slowing down the red beam’s advance.
< I forgot to activate your cooling system. >
…you WHAT!?!?
< Hey, I am a trans-dimensional sentient celestial-class being composed entirely out of energy. > The Core shot back. < I think I’m entitled to a memory lapse every once in a while. >
THIS IS NO TIME FOR JOKES! Max screamed, his arms beginning to smoke as heat built up in his system. If I don’t get a fix now, it’s over! I can’t be there to help like you said I would be! I won’t be able to do ANYTHING you say my fate dictates. NOTHING!
< Hold on. I’ll get something to you as soon as possible. Until then, try and hold out. > The Core said, before cutting the transmission.
* * *
“AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!” Max screamed as his body strained to maintain his output. “Sentient God-class being my-” His speech ended abruptly as his power cut out, his eyes fading to black as energy left his system.
Max’s beam fizzled out, with no power behind it to sustain it. Miraculously, the red beam also gave, the Turret having also run out of energy to maintain the constant attack.
However, unlike Max, the turret was still very much active.
Ange’s Status link flashed.
[Warning, overheat of all internal components. Commencing emergency cooldown.]
The air was filled with a long hiss as steam poured out of Max’s immobile body, cutting through the silence, leaving a morbid feel.
Slowly, the Enzer and Drake came out of hiding, peeking over the edge of their respective safe-areas to view the scene.
The opposing turret was shaking its head, likely in an attempt to rouse it’s power. Ange was still on her knees, seemingly unharmed.
Max’s body just stood there, arms limp by his sides, his eyes having faded from his visor as his head hung low; as steam spewed out from all the joints in his armour.
The turret’s twin waited patiently for its brother to recover. Obviously they had their intelligence systems updated; their attacks would be more effective if they were both attacking, instead of one of them doing it on its own futilely.
Ange peered at the smoking form. “…Max?” She whispered. “Hello?”
No answer, but the echoing silence of the steam.
A thunderous roar stopped her from enquiring into Max’s welfare any further. The stunned turret had recovered, and with its brother, renewed their challenge.
“…Max…” Ange spoke slowly. “Max, seriously, you have to wake up.” She glanced around quickly, before shuffling closer to his limp body. “If you don’t get up, we are all dead. We can’t hold on to…”
“Ange TAKE COVER!” Drake yelled, startling Ange into taking an involuntary step back.
While she had been trying to awaken Max, one of the turrets took its chance to fire a volley of missiles at the pair. Luckily for her, Max’s body took the brunt of the blast, only catching her in part of the shockwave. Max was flung back like a ragdoll, bouncing off the metal barrier behind her.
“Ah, dammit!” Ange hissed through her teeth. She ran back over to Max’s body. “Max! Wake up NOW!” She shook him roughly, as if it would do any good. “These things are too much for us to handle. Enzer’s attacks barely scratch the paintwork, and Drake won’t be able to keep them distracted forever!”
With a guilty side glance at each other, Drake and Enzer quietly resumed their previous duties. They were determined that it could NOT be said that they didn’t at least try.
Ange shook Max harder. “Come ON! Get up! You don’t have time to be sleeping now!”
She glanced over her shoulder quickly. What she saw made her heart sink.
Initially, both of the turrets had reacted to Enzer and Drake’s distractions. However, one turret had noticed that Max and Ange looked exceedingly vulnerable. Now, it charged its flame-laser, the terminals humming with red power as Ange cringed in fear.
“C’mon, get up Max!” Ange was desperate now. Looking around quickly, she took Max’s hand and started to drag his body to the side.
Drake started running to Ange. “C’mon Enzer! We gotta go he..” A missile whizzing past his face cut him from his sentence. He cursed and recoiled back, unslinging his gun from its holster and firing in retaliation. Enzer, who was moving to follow, stumbled back in surprise, tripping over a Scuttlebot’s remains.
Ange continued to heave Max’s body, which stubbornly refused to move.
“Come one! Comeoncomeoncomeon!!!” She panicked, tugging harder as the glow from the turret grew ever brighter.
“Come on Max, GET UP!” She finally screamed, as the beams fired.
* * *
“ANGE!” Enzer and Drake yelled as the red lasers connected, enveloping their forms.
Before they had time to even compute what happened, the beam separated, revealing a scared, but otherwise unharmed Ange, and Max, with a new little something…
Attached to his left arm, which he held in a shielding stance, was a glowing panel. Energy seemed to swirl around it, either nullifying or deflecting the red beams being fired at it.
The energy field condensed into the glowing panel, attaining a new form. In its centre, it had the energy symbol. Splaying outwards from that point were the same circuitry patterns that were laid out across his armour, constraining themselves into a circular pattern.
“…Geez, that was close.” Max hissed through his teeth. “You ok back there?” He turned to Ange, who merely nodded, still in shock from the close call.
He grinned. “Great. Now let’s get this party started.”
The shield flashed, and the red beam suddenly dispersed, the turret recoiling from an unseen force. Max dashed towards it, readying both his new shield and the Prominence Cannon. The opposite turret roared a warning to its brother, firing a volley of missiles for good measure. As Max closed in on his target, the missiles drew ever closer to him.
“Max! Behind you!” Drake warned.
Max skidded to a stop, springing quickly off the ground to counter his momentum. In the same movement, he swung his shield backhand, slapping the missile that was going to hit him back to its owner.
“…Ok, nevermind!” Drake yelled after a pause.
With a slight grin, Max darted around more missile fire coming from his targeted turret. Said turret shook with anger, a loud *clunk* indicating the priming of the lasers.
Unnerved, he continued on a straight path, energy gathering on the tip of his cannon as he ran.
The turret fired, red energy lancing across the room to meet with him. Max brought his shield to bear, the blue emblem glowing bright as it deflected the oncoming impact, the laser intended for Max instead smacking the opposite turret in the face.
Seizing his opportunity, Max rested his gun over his shield, unleashing all the stored power he had collected.
If nothing else, the picture created was a sight to behold. A glowing knight, shielding himself from a flood of energy, firing his own blast in retaliation, the very air around him crackling with blue and red sparks as they fought for supremacy.
In reality, Max’s attack bored straight through the turret, effectively off-lining it as he ruptured its power source the whole machine bursting into an explosion of fiery light.
The opposite turret roared in rage as its brother fell heavily to the ground, its eyes eventually coming to rest on its killer, as it remembered the cause.
“Let’s Rock.” Max whispered, entering a ready stance, keeping his gun ready and his shield in a defensive position.
The remaining turret roared and fired a volley of missiles in response. Undaunted, Max ran forward, dropping to his knees at the last second, skidding under them. Sliding back to his feet, he batted a missile back toward the turret with his shield, said turret throwing its head back in pain as the projectile exploded on contact.
Max narrowed his eyes. Now. Darting forward, he leaped into the air, Prominence Cannon replaced with his regular hand as he sailed toward his enemy.
Unfortunately, the Roarmulus turret recovered quickly, gearing up for a laser blast.
“Bring it on!” Max roared, continuing his head-on path towards his target, his hand beginning to glow slightly.
Ange squinted at him. “Waitasec…” she murmured, checking her Status link.
[Cooling systems active. System diagnostic check: 95% optimal. Energy output: 850%. Power Surge immiment.]
Her eyes widened. “Power surge…” She whispered, her voiced laced with fear.
“MAX! DON’T DO IT!” She screamed, bursting from her hiding place, her arm outstretched as if to hold him back.
The turret fired, the beams engulfing Max’s body, charged to even higher levels by the turret’s synthesized rage.
“AHHH!” Blinded by the intense light, Ange was forced to step back, shielding her eyes with her arms. “MAX!”
The red beam parted like a curtain, Max’s shield-bubble keeping him from harm as his shield seemed to neutralize the hostile energy, giving off beautiful blue sparkles.
His trajectory unaltered, Max grinned as he drew back his open right hand, coated in blue energy.
“Say goodbye…” He said as he landed on the Turret’s head, arm raised for the final blow.
“Max DON-” Ange strained to take another step forward…
“POWER SURGE!” He yelled, thrusting his hand down.
Unlike last time, the effect was more or less instantaneous. The turret exploded into nothingness sequentially from the top down, first swelling with blue energy, then expanding past their physical limits into atoms.
It was a beautiful sight. But also one that was marked with death.
Ange fell to her knees. “No…not again…” She murmured, as Drake and Enzer slowly drew up by her side. “Not again…”
This time, Drake broke the silence. “…Ange.” His voice was sympathetic. “If I didn’t know you any better, I’d say you enjoy grieving.”
“What are you…” She was cut off by Enzer, who with a huff of exasperation, dropped down beside her and tilted her head up gently with his hand.
There was Max, his shield fading into sparkling blue particles as he walked away from the battle site.
“…Stupid Core…couldn’t even remember…next time…diagnostic…stupid cooling systems…” Max mumbled as he came closer to their group.
“Eh?” Drake tilted his head to one side. “What’re you on about?”
Max’s head snapped up in slight surprise. “Oh, nothing. Sorry, just thinking about a few things.” He glanced down. “…Ange, why are you on the floor?” He looked confused. “Wait, are you hurt? Where?” He quickly dropped down to eye level to check her for injuries.
“…I…you…but…” She couldn’t even form a proper sentence due to her confusion.
“Ange, what’s wrong?” Max was clearly worried. Ironic, seeing as that was usually her job.
Enzer rolled his eyes. “She was worried you were going to kill yourself again. At least mostly kill yourself, like last time anyway.”
Max looked up at him, seemingly more confused. “Last time?”
Enzer facepalmed. “I’m surrounded by idiots...” He mumbled, despite the smile on his face, amused by their cluelessness. “Last time? When you had lost your memory? Fighting Tinkinzar? Getting Lady Grey? Shadow Shinobi? Big golem thingy?”
“Oh, right!” Realization dawned on Max’s face. “Well, it was so bad last time because of my memory loss.” He explained. “Without parts of my memory, I couldn’t fully recall how to control my powers. So it was more of a control issue; not being able to more accurately channel the energy flow into my target.”
Ange had gotten back to her feet, wiping the tears from her eyes. “Yeah, you ended up tearing apart the whole room.” She added.
Max rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. “Yeah…well…”
Drake cleared his throat. “Excuse me, but don’t you think we should get moving?” He said, gesturing towards the smoking wreckage of a room around them.
Max nodded quickly, happy to get the conversation away from himself. “Good idea. You guys move on ahead, I’ll cover our exit.”
As they complied, Ange glanced back at Max, who already had his Prominence Cannon out, scanning the room for threats as they retreated. There was something about his tone of voice, his eagerness in diverting the attention that disturbed her slightly…
She shook her head and left the room. They had time to deal with that later.
The Prominence Cannon hummed as Max swept it back and forth over the room, watching closely for movement.
…You better not have left any other surprises like that out of your briefing. Max warned. People could get hurt.
The Core’s chuckle echoed in his head. < Oh, there are many more of those along your path, Max. It’s up to you to decide whether or not the things you protect are worth saving at that point. Of course… > The Core’s voice grew grave for a moment. < You’d know all about that wouldn’t you? >
Max hissed involuntarily. Don’t bring up my past. Although not buried or forgotten, there are some things I’d prefer not to discuss.
< Your past will stay with you forever Max. It’s what you do for the future that matters now. >
He tsked. “Tell me something I don’t know.” He said aloud, before turning his back on the destroyed room, stalking off into the shadows.
He didn’t look back.
He did, however, walk backwards into the room again, before letting out a high-whistle.
There, in the corner, beside the burnt-out wreckage of a scuttlebot, a little haze seemed to perk up. Skittering along the floor, it re-entered the visible spectrum and leaped into Max's open arms.
"Rom! Buddy! How've ya been?" Max exclaimed happily as he stroked the slightly frightened Chromalisk. "Put on a bit of weight, have ya?" He added, holding him out at arms length. "Or maybe you're holding out on us. A few more of those health caps stored away for later, eh?"
The little Chroma puffed out it's cheeks in what appeared to be a pouting face.
Max winced. "Give me a break, I've had a lot to deal with since I 'woke up'. Blame Ange for forgetting you!" Max looked around quickly. "Speaking of which, we better get moving."
He placed the little green creature on his shoulder and jogged out of the room.
"Yes, that is a new helmet." His voice echoed down the hall as he disappeared from view. "No, you can't eat it. You'll hurt your teeth."
"..."
"What do you mean by 'Ange's tastes better'!?"
Thanks for the comments guys! For those who are still a little confused, I am indeed Psychodestroyer, just on a standard SK account instead of my main account, which is on Steam, to save time.
Although not MUCH time really, I just forgot to switch accounts when posting.
Anyway, this is chapter 4. I think I accidentally made it a bit long, but as far as I could see, it couldn't really be helped. Thanks for your thoughts Kanoka, I really appreciate it. I'm still trying to sort out my problems, so I may end up posting a little depressed sometimes. Eheh...
Apologies this took so long. A really long and weird mix of procrastination, lack of filler ideas, minor writer's block, word choice, issues, homework, study and a few other things kept me from finishing it. Also trying to make it sound more like a real story.
What do I mean by that? Well, as you may or may not have noticed, a lot of my scenes describing Max seem more like promotional scenes, advertising his character; 'OMG LOOKIE MAX IS SO AWESOME!" in a sense. I kinda wanted to try and tone that down a bit. Also that the only prominent secondary character was Ange, so I'm trying to give Drake and Enzer more visible roles.
In other words, I'm trying to balance the character content of my writing. This will either be really good in the long run, or blow up in my face and end horribly if it doesn't.
Thanks for reading! I'll tr and update as soon as possible! (Although I can't give a specific time frame sorry.)
~Psychodestroyer
WONDERFUL!!!
Thanks.
Will there be other SL ones?
Man, I just realized a problem.
Where the Core speaks, I highlighted with a '< >'. Unfortunately, if I don't put in spaces between them and the text, the text won't show up at all!
I apologize for missing that out during my readthrough.
Again, sorry about the time it took to get it done. I'm still behind on EVERYTHING, inclusive of my writing and my schoolwork, so it may be a while before I can update. If I'm/you're lucky, it'll be sooner rather than later.
But don't get your hopes up.
I just thought of something that'd be nice for the end of the chapter, gimme a sec.
EDIT: Okies, part added. No, Max can NOT understand Rom. He's just taking guesses, which are co-incidentally at this point: accurate.
I thought it'd be nice to bring the little guy back. Not nice, forgetting to give him a part like that.
I like the new conclusion to this chapter - both adds a bit of humor to the very dramatic and traumatizing stress Ange has to deal with, as well as contributing an old friend into the remainder of the story. ^_^
I thought of a timeline of this and CC merged, with the last two in the timeline being made by me, telling of the apocalypse that befalls cradle and what happens after.
This is what I thought of.
Codename
\/
Codename 2
\/
Clockwork Catastrophe
\/
Clockwork Catastrophe 2+Codename 3
\/
Clockwork Catastrophe 3
\/
Our Last Day*
\/
The Day The World Drowned**
*Planned and is a prequel to The Day The World Drowned.
**Everyone from the previous stories is still alive, just living in New Haven.
So...should we make a merged timeline Psycho?
@Future-Storm: Preferably not. I have my own timeline prepared. At the risk of providing spoilers:
Codename: The forgotten chapters.
------------Thirteen
Ange--------V
V
Drake ------V
V
Enzer-------V
V------------V
Codename: Parts 1, 2, 3
V
Future Codename chapters:
V
The Final Code
---------------------------------------------
Special Chapter: Collision Point
As my diagram tries to illustrate, CTFC: Thirteen spans the whole of CTFCs Ange, Drake, and Enzer up to Codename. Why the name 'Thirteen'? You'll have to wait to find out.
Collision Point is a special chapter I'm planning, but not yet begun, due to slight lack of a plot and Characters. I won't say why, but I need to wait until I've finished a few other of my fanfics as well.
Also at the risk of Spoilers, some preliminary ideas of not yet existent/already in development stories:
-Outpost ------------------------------[In development]
-Skyward -----------------------------[In development]
-Thirteen ------------------------------[In development]
-Light in Darkness ----------------[In development]
-Tantalizing --------------------------[Not yet developed]
-Altered Worlds --------------------[Not yet developed]
-(Untitled) -----------------------------[Not yet developed]
The Untitled story is one where I've thought of the base plot, but have yet to think of a suitable title.
All of those stories I have thought of the inspiring idea for, regardless of whether they are currently in development or not. I also am developing stories for 'The Future Chapters of Codename', but they are a work hard in progress, so the umbrella title will have to suffice for now.
Thanks for your patience and comments, I really do, sincerely, appreciate the time (and effort in your comments) you have given me, and I apologize I am, most of the time, slow in delivering.
HIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!
I can't believe you're back! I haven't seen you in such a long time!
Again, great chapter! I wish I could write as good as you. >.>
Read bro, it'll be quite some time before I frequent on these forums as much as I used to. Chapter updates will be even longer, generally.
But yeah, same here. Howya been?
"I wish I could write as good as you."
Be careful what you wish for, or you may end up with an erratic writing-quality pattern with an average decline.
I wished I can wake up earlier and I ended up waking at 6:15 I was laaaaatttEEEE!!!
==True Story==
~~
Great continuation and sorry for the late reply, forums just let me on, was "down for maintenince" for me, but i'm glad i can get back on for this.
Can't wait for more.
Sorry again, I can't write anymore.
I don't know about later, but my mum said I could get back to writing, a few conditions permitting.
As it stands, my laptop, with all my story stems and the Codename series on it has been removed from my use. Also, with Exams coming up, you can guess what this'll be like.
I really am very sorry for getting your hopes up for a new chapter sometime after the last, but it'll have to wait even longer.
Really, sorry for promising to get back to writing, then having to make you wait for MONTHS because of some new problem I get.
/sigh.
Psycho -
We get it. We really do...more of us are teenagers than adults, I'd like to think, so we understand finals and such.
Also, to be perfectly honest, we don't mind the wait. AT ALL. If someone does...then they aren't willing to wait to get great work out of it. So, you still have many, many others who are patient enough to wait for the work you can provide at the time you can provide it, whether it be tomorrow or two months from now...as long as you keep us informed, we are fine. ^_^
As Atrum said, "Good luck!" :) Have...fun?...with your finals!
It had taken some coaxing, and quite a bit of petting, babying and apologies to get Ange back on good terms with Rom, the latter clearly upset at being forgotten.
That was ten minutes ago. Now, Rom was curled up contentedly on Ange’s shoulder as they trooped through the long maze, which, by now, was beginning to look a little familiar.
“Ugh.” Their gunner grunted out loud. “Where are we even going? We’ve been walking for ages.”
Max raised an eyebrow. “I see you were completely attentive when I mentioned that we were following the path I had taken to regain my lost memories.” His tone was flat, but the sarcasm was evident.
Enzer opened his mouth to ask a question, but Drake had already started whining again. “Yeah, but what’s taking so long? Last time, it took like, two minutes!”
Ange petted Rom as she watched these proceedings in amusement, and also a little surprise. Drake, for one, was more confident than he used to be. The shy gunner wouldn’t raise his voice to the practice dummies, let alone be caught whinging like a six year old. Enzer too seemed a bit more interested in events than usual.
Looking at Max describe how they fell through the floor last time, she smiled. They had all changed a bit since that odd Party-jumper joined their group. She could say they had been through a lot, but really, they’ve learned more from Max then they have from the rollercoaster ride he took them on. And with that new knowledge, they grew stronger, both physically and mentally.
Ange sighed. She wondered how much she had changed since that fateful day. Although tough, she wasn’t the bravest of people. A Zombie coming out of the ground would be enough to send her screaming for the hills, no matter how many times she’d seen it. Drake had to tackle her to the ground and pin her arms to her sides before she managed to calm down.
She giggled a little at the memory. It seemed so childish now. Looking up at the lights on the roof, she felt a little better for it. The pain, the worry, the hope; it had made them all better people. The battle, the falling, the adventure; they were now that much stronger for it.
Looking at her companions argue over something else, she grinned. She had a feeling their adventures with Max had barely begun.
She couldn’t wait to see what else lay ahead. Because together, with Max renewed and by their side, they would make it through.
* * *
Max sniffed the air. At the same time, Rom sneezed.
Although the movement was slight, and everyone’s attention had turned to the sneezing Chromalisk, Drake had noticed Max’s sudden attentiveness.
“Yo.” He elbowed his friend. “What’s up?”
Max sniffed the air again, taking greater care to analyse the scent. “Something smells…familiar…” He sniffed again. “Smells like…Ash.”
Ange raised an eyebrow. “…So…?”
“Be on your guard guys, we’re almost there.” He warned, activating his cannon.
Drake and Enzer shared a glance and gulped. They didn’t want a repeat of what happened last time.
Max lead the way into the dimly lit room, airborne embers glancing off his armour . The soft crackling of burning wood still filled the air as they entered the Lord of the Undead’s lair.
Upon entering, Ange shivered. This place was as creepy as ever: soot dusted on the floor, littered bones, armour and scrap, and the fires that seemed to burn forever still crackling where they were last time.
Then there, at the back of the room, the hulking form of Lord Vanaduke sat hunched over his throne, his eyes burning with a hatred and sorrow so deep it had consumed his life, and turned him into the monster they now saw before him.
The fiery lord lifted his head and sped to small troop. Slowly, he rose, the temperature of the room seeming to rise with him as he faced the intruding party.
“What’s this? More dogs hungry for the blood of Almire?” Vanaduke growled, his voice conveying his strength. With a deep snarl, he continued, his voice rising in volume. “Our great kingdom will not fall to the l-”
“Yeah, well…” Max interrupted suddenly, startling both the Undead king and his own friends. “Dude, you probably aren’t going to say anything we haven’t heard before, about not falling to beasts and such, so excuse my terrible manners in stopping you short.”
“…What?” The confusion The lord of fire felt was evident in his voice.
Max stepped forward. “Put simply, we’d rather not have to fight you, See, we’re in a slight hurry, and need to get to the lift over yonder.” He said, gesturing to the lift behind the ashen throne.
Ange tapped Max lightly on the shoulder. “Uh, Max? I don’t really think we…”
“It’s fine, I’ll handle this.” He reassured her. Turning his attention back to Vanaduke, Max continued. “Really, there’s no need for a confrontation. We’re not here to invade, so you don’t have to defend. Simple.”
Ange glanced around cautiously. She didn’t know what Max was hoping to achieve, but she knew he wasn’t dumb enough to think that such a casual approach would be able to get them through so easily. He was planning something, and it probably wasn’t going to be pretty.
Drake fingered his trigger nervously. Max’s casual approach to a very hostile situation wasn’t sitting to well with his stomach.
Enzer tensed and relaxed his grip alternately. He found it unlikely the undead lord would allow them past so easily, so he thought it’d be best if he were ready for conflict.
Vanaduke stared at the small knight before him, puzzled at the proposition put forward. But puzzlement turned to suspicion, and suspicion to anger. Soon enough, the fires that lived on the walls of his throne room flared with his rage as the King of the fiery citadel lumbered to his feet.
“NONE WHO ENTER ALMIRE WILL LIVE TO SEE ANOTHER DAY!” He bellowed, his voice causing the room to shake.
“If you enter my kingdom…” He continued, as his undead minions rose from the ground, hissing their lust for blood. “Then it’s to fulfil a death wish!”
Max grinned lightly to himself. Perfect.
“Alright guys, looks like negotiation has failed.” He said, turning to his group.
“You don’t say…” Drake muttered under his breath.
Max didn’t appear to hear him. “You guys are capable fighters, so I trust you can handle yourselves against the main horde. Meanwhile, I’ll be focusing my attention on Mr Tubby there.” He punctuated the name with a thumb in Vanaduke’s direction.
“Are you sure that’s necessary?” Enzer cut in. “I don’t think taking on a titan like that is something a normal knight would do.”
Max caught the undertone there. “Relax, I’m not here to ‘show off’. Again.” He added after a pause. “As you would recall if you were awake the last time, I have a little score to settle.”
Ange glanced at her friends. She may have been a bit shook up then, but she was more than aware of what Max was referring to, having noticed a little something that was missing from the previous battles.
Hence, her question was more of a statement. “Mark?”
Max nodded, confirming her earlier suspicions. “Mark.”
Vanaduke roared again, clearly not happy about being ignored, as his Zombie horde hissed in agreement.
Drake, turned his head to face them. “…That seems like a…lot.” He said tentatively.
“Yeah, well…” Enzer grunted, hefting his blade into a ready position. “Guess we better get…”
“Let’s get this party STARTED!” Max cut in, before rushing into the fray and promptly blowing off a Skeleton’s head.
Ange remained still for a moment in shock before sighing. “Some things never change.”
Drake was about to agree, but he noticed Enzer was no longer standing beside him. Turning back towards the battle, he saw his friend swinging his large blade in wide arcs, leaving a trail of broken bones around where he walked.
“…Ange?”
“Yeah?” She said as she turned to her nervous friend.
Drake fidgeted nervously. “I know I might be just a little out of line saying this, but…”
“Yeah?” Ange pushed.
“…Don’t you feel even a little left out?” Gesturing to the battle they had not yet joined.
Ange was a little surprised. “…Oh.” She said sheepishly. “Well, shall we…”
“WAIT FOR MEEEEE!!!” Drake screamed, running to join the battle.
* * *
“Dammit!” Enzer ducked the Zombie’s swipe, dispatching it with an uppercut. “These things just keep coming!” He added as he continued into a downward slam that crushed the Slag creeping up behind him.
“Well duh.” Max rolled his eyes as he flashed past. “What part of ‘Lord of the Undead’ did you guys misunderstand from the HQ report?”
“My Vog, you read those!?” Enzer’s surprise was not conveyed by the backswipe that turned a pair of skeletons to dust.
Ange sighed. “Max, didn’t you say you were going to deal with the boss?” She stabbed her shadow blade into a Slag’s ribcage, twisting it to make sure it was dead. “I seriously need a different damage-type weapon…” She muttered.
“Ah, about that…” Max leapt off the ground sharply, landing on the wall opposite them and hanging by a flaming beam stuck through it. “You guys might want to jump back. Right now.”
Ange and Enzer both turned-tail and dashed back, just missing getting bowled over by the hulking fiery Lord’s lumbering form.
“NONE SHALL ESCAPE MY WRATH!!” Vanaduke roared, ash falling from the ceiling as the room shook.
“Didn’t he just...miss…two…? Nevermind.” Drake muttered, blowing off the head of yet another Slag, only to have another claw him across the face. “…Ow.”
Max dropped down beside him as Drake flipped the Antigua in his other hand over to blow the offending creature’s molten guts out. “Yo.”
“Hi.” The gunner mumbled, spreading his shots in wide arcs.
Max matched his moves. “What’s up? You seem down.”
Drake sighed. “I’m just…tired. I guess.”
“That’s not it, you’re as sharp as ever.” Max shook his head as they swapped sides. “You’re just being depressed.”
“…Oh.” Drake recovered from his surprise just in time to lean back away from a swipe. “So someone did notice.”
“Been there, done that.” His companion replied. “The question is…” Max back-handed a Slag with his cannon, blew another’s feet out from under it, then decapitated both with a spinning kick as they tried to get up. “Why?”
Drake sighed as he re-loaded his guns, ducking and sidestepping swipes with deceptive swiftness. “I don’t know…”
Max rolled his eyes again. “Please. Don’t insult me. Melancholy state, rapid physical response to mental command, swift assessment and analysis of combat data as witnessed?” Max mimicked Drake’s behaviour move-for-move. “Your mood was my old default.”
“Really? What happened?”
Max shrugged. “I grew up.”
Drake sighed. “Tell me something I haven’t heard.”
“I realized that as long as I have someone to live for, I shouldn’t be sad.” Max powered up his cannon. “If the people I had living for saw me sad, they’d be sad too.” Max fired, blowing apart several supporting beams, burying several dozen lumbering skeletons under smouldering ash. “I don’t like the people I support being sad.”
Drake eased up, noticing the window Max had given them. “Really? Who do you live for?”
Max released his gun with a sigh. “Two dead people.” He looked wistfully at the sky. “And everyone else who’s witnessed this screwed up world of mine.” He looked back down at the floor. “Among others.”
Drake noted the sore subject, and decided to avoid it. “So, who do I have to live for?” He muttered.
The punch Max threw at his face sent him skidding at least ten meters across the floor.
“Are you really so blind? So stupid? So utterly bent on your own misery you’re oblivious to the world around you?” Max advanced on the gunner as the latter tried weakly to pick himself up. “You realized it back when you were fighting the Jelly King, why is that the only time you force your eyes open?”
Drake shook his head, trying to clear it. “What are you…”
“You have two great friends!” Max threw his arms up in exasperation, catching Ange and Enzer’s attention from across the room. “And you would do anything for them, and them for you, and you know it!” Max picked Drake up roughly by the collar. “So why…”Max stared at him angrily in the eyes. “Why are you so slow to realize that you’re not alone?”
“…I…” Drake’s body shook. “I…”
“ANSWER ME!” Max yelled in his face.
“BECAUSE I’M SCARED!” Drake screamed back, his voice cracking up. “I’m scared…that one day…there’ll be one day…when I’m not good enough.” Tears fell from the knight’s eyes as Max lowered him to the ground.
“My whole life…I was never good enough for anyone…” The tears continued to fall. “And I’m afraid…that one day, I won’t be good enough for them too. I don’t want to try…I don’t want to try to be tough, or cool, or strong, because I know that’s not me. I can’t do that. And it makes me feel so…alone…again. It makes me feel so out of place. Look at them!” He shouted weakly. “They’re so strong, so confident. Enzer rushed into battle by your side, Ange was cool and calm in following…I…I’m scared…that if they see who I am the-limits of who I am…they’ll realize…how little… I’m…worth.”
His arms dropped to his sides, drained of any conviction they had.
“Realisation.” Max said after a silence. “The step that has eluded you-no, rather, you eluded it. You thought it, you acknowledged it, you discarded it, you remind yourself of it, but you never did truly accept it as a part of your life, did you?”
Drake was silent, head bowed down.
Max sighed. “Drake, realise you have people who do genuinely care for you, not because you’re strong, or cool, but for who you are, or you’ll never be happy. Because if you don’t, they’ll be gone before you have the chance to discover the ‘life’ you wanted, the life where you could be your own person, was with them.”
Max leaned down so his head was level with the broken boy. “You felt it when you decided a worthwhile cause to protect Ange from her own misery. You stood up to Enzer, you! The insecure, nervous, silent gunner; you stood up to the big-strong knight who would crush you like a bug. Because you knew you had someone to protect, someone you owed for accepting you into their life, and you were willing to give everything you had to repay that debt.”
“You’re stronger than you give yourself credit for. You know it, you just don’t want to admit it to yourself. You don’t want to admit the world you believe in is wrong.” Max shook Drake’s shoulders lightly to make sure he was listening. “But you need to Drake. You need to open your eyes and discover your possibilities, the ‘what-if’s you could achieve if you open yourself to these people, your friends. Drake…” Max kneeled down. “You need to believe you have friends.”
Drake sniffed. “How…?
“I had a friend who helped me ‘witness’ that particular incident.” Max cut in before he could finish the question. “As for everything else…” He made sure Drake could see his eyes, as said Knight’s eyes widened in surprise.
Max, brave, strong Max, the knight who he had grown to respect and fear for his power over the short time he’d seen him in action…
His eyes were empty, and soulless.
“…I’ve been there Drake. I’ve lived the world you think you’re alone in. I spent my life trying to find a reason to live, to fight. My life, and then some. I’ve felt the hurt you have, and I failed to accept that there was a life beyond the destiny I imposed on myself, a life that lay on the path with the people I cared about. And when I fell…”
He stood up, looking away, and Drake felt guilty for bringing up such painful memories. “I took a city, and all the people in it, down with me.”
Max walked away with quiet strides, his shoulder’s sagging a little. “Better wake up soon Drake. You won’t take down as many people as I did if you fall, just the ones that matter.”
“…There you are, small challenger…”
Max glanced up to see the flaming Lord himself standing before him, breathing heavily.
“I was looking for you. I was beginning to think you had fled like the other cowards who entered my realm tried to.”
Max glanced back at Drake, who was picking himself off the floor, then at Ange and Enzer, who had gone back to dealing with the Slag horde.
Screw his analysis. There were more people he needed to protect.
Flicking his arm to the side, the Prominence Cannon formed itself on his wrist, humming as it powered up.
“…Shut up and dance with me.”
Except for the occasional errors and personal dislikes(which there was not that many of) i thought it was great. can't wait for more.