The log has been completed... (Fanfic)

One of Eternity Terminal's bipedial drones runs in from the Arcade into Town Square.
To be exact, this drone is named R-81.
Unfortinuatly, drones of the R series drones are old and do not have speach capability. It is one of the oldest existing models. Models A through Q have all been decimated, just so you know.
Why this is unfortinuate? R-81 has something to say. Okay, that's not unfortinuate for you, but it is for R-81.
What this means is that R-81 can only speak to you through a special terminal in the Lab. If you haven't figured it out, that means this fanfic is only starting once the Lab is opened for public use.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Hi! This is a somewhat new fanfic which I've been writing. If you have any nitpicks to point out, go ahead! Any feedback, as long as it isn't just blind shouting, is fine. I'll try to answer you as best as I can, and will go back to edit a chapter if there is any cleanup I can do without breaking the rest of the story.
I was accepting apps, but app registration is closed! Thank you for for registering!
I plan on having a chapter every weekend during summer, or maybe even more often than that! During the school year I will slow down some, but I will make sure to keep writing!
Just to clarify, I've updated this post for Chapter 1's release.

Name: Maybelle / "Maya" [Alias]
Species: Silkwing
Gender: Female
Visual Description: Maybelle is a Silkwing, just like any other. However, she emits a paler glow than her fellow insectoids, which seems to have a bit more "goldenrod" tint to it. Her whole body is black, save for her cerulean eyes and wings designs. The designs on the wings don't appear to be different from the norm, save for the different color.
Bio: Turns out the Knights created another kind of Silkwing. Before the modern, mainstream Silkwings came about, a primordial form of insectoids were present in the Wolver Dens of Cradle. As the Gremlins encountered these unique Fiends, they observed that the insectoids had pollinated herbs and flowers with healing properties. So, the Gremlins captured a few of these, and created the modern Silkwings, which developed a behavior to "pollinate" on flesh, to which they secreted the same healing solution.
Now, when the Knights came onto Cradle, the current Silkwings were deemed "incompatible" for usage. The Knights' bodies would simply not react with the current Silkwings' effects, and were deemed "pests" for the Knights. However, with the re-discovery of Sprites, a Silkwing-based model was not too radical an idea.
It was a disaster. The prototypes would constantly target the enemy instead, and they turned out to be just...mechanical Silkwings. Not much difference.
So, they Knights went further back, to the original species. Now, there were only a couple dozens of these left in existence; Gremlin were hunting them to prevent their enemies from domesticating the insectoids. However, a few specimens were captured, and were bred in captivity. As the "Spiral Silkwings", as they were dubbed, adapted to the Knights, there seemed to be a new hope for both the new species and their breeders.
Unsurprisingly, they failed in the combat aspect. Since the Knights had trouble protecting the new breed, the first couple of Spiral Silkwings were killed by Dust Bunnies. Sad, right?
After a few months of revision, the Knights added a few Grave Scarabs to the gene pool. Turns out these small monsters were just a mutation from the average Silkwing.
And thus, they found their results...not so satisfying. The resulting breed was doing well in healing and intellect, but it still lacked in combat. However, for the type-2s that did survive...
...were left scattered about Haven to see if they could survive.
Maybelle, as one of the few remaining prototypes in Haven, was caught by a curious Kora, and was named for a very contrasting flower. After several weeks, she was set free to roam about wherever she liked. Oddly enough, passing Knights affectionately gave her the name "Maya" to which she also responded to.
Abilities:
Heal - Maybelle can heal Knights and other fauna for a small percent, but only at half the speed of the normal Silkwings.
Bite - Maybelle can bite on targets appointed by her allies, although she makes herself a bit more vulnerable by landing.
Regenerate - In the presence of other Silkwings, they'll recognize her as an allied entity on Cradle, and will heal her. However, as Silkwings are usually accompanied by various enemies, this becomes a liability in battle.
Habits & Peeves :
- Has the tendency to stray off into high-danger areas, such as Training Halls, to satiate her instinct to heal injuries.
- Will occasionally nibble on armor, cloth materials, and wood materials when the opportunity presents itself. She'll heal damages afterwards.
- While she mainly puts in her healing efforts into Knights, she'll occasionally heal a Mender or her fellow Silkwings out of sympathy.
Personality :
While she has shown a vast amount of intelligence [for her species], she often views the world in a very naive sort of way. Everything and everyone is deemed "good" in her eyes, and she trusts Cradle's inhabitants with her life. Of course, she may have her reservations about the Swarm or the occasional Trojan, but it's her being torn between the Knights and Cradle that brings about conflict. On one incident, she just stared at a Knight when he was being beaten up by a Gremlin. It was only on the brink of death when she began to act. However, there are no further incidents of her hesitation since then.

One small question.
Will you take battle sprites themselves?
-----------------------
Name: Thrynn
Species: Battle Sprite, Type: Drakon
Gender: Male Core
Visual Description: A small mark on the "Forehead" to distinguish him from the others.
Bio: A prototype escapee, from the labs. Not much is known about him. Ooor not.
Abilities: Firebolt, Flame Barrier, (Learning skill/Work In Progress, Firestorm)

Application from Vinnydime accepted.
Application from Liminori accepted.
Yes, I will be accepting sprites. This may sound odd, being that the lab, as of telling the story, has just opened. However, this will be explained once R-81 gets to explain himself/herself/itself.
R-81 flails madly until realizing that it's pointless to get attention at this point because it's impossible to say anything.

Name: Fang
Gender: Male
Species: Knight/Valkryie
Age: 23
Bio: Was abandoned by unknown parents when he was 6. He eventully came to sense to find food and shelter. He hid in the forests, occasinally stealing food from random people but prefering to nick things of the shelves of the auction house. He was caught and then brought to the labs and experiemented on. They grafted valkryie DNA into his own DNA and has come out as a quite succesful hybrid. His wings are large, their wingspan being 9 feet streched out fully. He managed to escape from the labs using his new found wings bur later on experienced a side effect of a a large random spazm occuring every year. Most people have no clue about his wings and only the trusted know. He dosen't bring out his wings to fly often and uses them in emergencies. Fang is extremely prone to hospitals, labs, ect. He joined spiral HQ and leveled quite high. He started gaining respect from other knights. He dosen't steal from anyone anymore but can use the skills if needed to. Fang can be very sensitive to the subject of family and it tends to cut right through to him. He is also very good at combat.
Personality: He has quite a solitary personality. He rarely says more than 5 sentances in a row and he talks softly. However if angry or sad, his face dosen't usally show his emotions unless he is greatly pained or hurt. He rarely cries or smiles. Although seemingly quite hollow, he can be very caring if he has trusted them and has made a strong bond. The people he trusts are a great deal to him and he will do alot for them
Apperance: Short black hair. dark, dark, dark brown eyes. Around 6 foot. Handsome face. Medium build. Personally colour, blackish blue.
Loadout: Vog cub cap and coat, Fang of Vog, Polaris, Heater shield.
===
I haven't used exactly the same app but I hope it'll do.

Name: Melvin
(aka M3-LV1/N)
(aka Mark III Level 1/ NulFrost).
Species: Firo-Knight
Gender: Um...Construct? (Male when addressed I suppose)
Visual Description: A Bronze Plated Variant of the Firo-Knight, with 2 Vertical Slits as his Face plate. His back exhausts have been replaced by a singular chimney, linked to his back from a concealed Furnace in his chest. The Light eminating from his Face Plate is a Vivid Cyan.
Bio: Found half broken at a Deconstruction site by Recon Rangers, He was taken in and seen to for repairs, hoping he would have some sort of knowledge of Gremlin Plans. His Memory had been wiped clean however, but his Circuits seemed more advanced than other Mech Knights. This became apparent when he was able to voice basic words in a Rough-Static like tone.
Slowly but surely, his talking speed improved, but the dialect and tone never did. Given he was Unique with-in the order (For being the 1st Repurposed Firo Knight, the 1st Mech with Basic AI , and the 1st with his own Speech) He was given better equipment and allowed for missions with other Knights.
His few missions that he has spent with the Order have seemed to be somewhat precious to him, and over his time at HQ, has valued his Knight Companions who have taken care of him. Much more than his Gremlin Creators who tossed him out to the scrap-heap.
Though capable of Basic AI, he still isnt an able Tactician, and cant think of his own Strategies. He can follow instructions, and work out the probability of those actions not getting everyone killed, but that's about as far as he gets. He also shares a Passion for other Constructs who have been damaged or Thrown out. He seems to always be adamant that any Construct should be helped and cared for, maybe seeing himself in them.
Equipment: He carries a Blaze Brand in his right hand, and a Section of his other arm is reinforced with "Defender Shield" strength metals. He has sensors which alert him to Stalkers or any other concealed foe.

Application from Dewca accepted.
Application from Edolas accepted.

Name: Isaac.
Gender: Male.
Race: Isoran.
Age: 23
Personality: Always an optimist, Isaac always seems to be happy and energetic, he loves music and always is wearing his noise canceling headphones.Isaac is always hitting on women, throwing any pick up line he has at them. Fun fact: He loves jel drop pies.
Appearance: The only outfit he wears is heavenly iron plate with his unnamed blade strapped to his back and a chaos cowl, he has dark brown hair and a scruffy beard.
Bio: Born and raised on Cradle, he was average until his teenage years, in which he joined a gang. After two years of drug dealing and killing, he left Haven and moved to Moorcroft. He made money by delving into the clockworks and finding materials and minerals.
On one expedition he found a shrine with burned scrolls laying around a pedestal with a blade laying on it, he took the blade and kept it.

Name: Carter.
Species: Isoran.
Gender: Male.
Age: 25
Visual Description: Long black hair, black eyes (eyes seem tired/bored) - Body looks thin, but knows how to pack a punch - Slouches slight when walking, usually has hands in pockets - Stares at the ground while walking in a familiar area, with a face that makes others think he's thinking about something
Habits: When in a new area, will take one very long look, spotting any detail (usually doesn't pay attention to anyone speaking while doing so) - Sits down a lot, usually getting distracted by following something with his eyes (a bug crawling on the ground) - Pokes things. (someone who's being stiff with him, previously mentioned bug, etc.) - When walking and talking, won't make eye contact with the person - Takes note of things he sees others doing, and remembers them (remembers if someone likes/hates something, remembers something odd he saw on the floor) - Will unknowingly make a barrier from females (blocks them out of view with another person)
Bio: Carter grew up in a normal family, going to a public school. After the first few years, it was obvious that he was one of the smartest there. He had earned respect from the instructors, but he was one that was picked on during the earlier grades. By the time his years of school were over, Carter had taken an interest in fighting. After finishing, he moved out of his parents' house and got into training for Spiral HQ.
During the training courses, he developed some hobbies. He took an interest in physics, and tried putting it to use by messing around in the small space his apartment gave him. He eventually learned how to free run (which he usually didn't do as it attracted attention to him) when he went outside to try.
After several weeks developing the skills needed to become a knight, Carter became a knight of the Spiral Order, though they weren't sure if his way of dealing with the enemy would work. He grew to be one of the best there, although few knew that, as he usually ventured alone.
Personality: Intelligent, has much sense and reasoning - Introverted, prefers to go solo - Especially has trouble communicating with females - Has a sharp tongue - Will place other's lives in front of his, which surprises them often - Will usually notice something important, but won't interrupt someone else talking - Tends to stay away from other knights, but makes friends with AI or animals - Prefers not to sneak attack and will acknowledge the enemy as an opponent
Equipment: A blackened Solid Cobalt Helm and Vitasuit Deluxe, both modified to resist more of a beating (usually takes off helmet) - Gran Faust - Has a pouch with a few items that can occupy him when he's bored (a deck of cards, etc.)
Fighting (Because chances are there's going to be quite a bit of it): Wields sword one-handed, has no shield - Attacks with much strength and speed with both the sword and physical attacks (kicks, elbows, etc.), can chain attacks together and wipe out crowds of enemies, extremely powerful opponent at close range - Reaction time allows him to even deflect bullets if he gets lucky, but is much more vulnerable against some attacks due to having no shield (explosions) - Flails body about the area while attacking, which usually confuses the enemy (spins and flips) - Can't do anything with guns or explosives.

Name: Kalem
Race: Knight, but, well, read on...
Gender: Male
Arsenal: Uses whatever he is issued from the Crimson Order, but has a gremlin upgrade of a Polaris fused to his right arm, which he lost after he was abandoned in the clockworks by some other knights, he can, however detach the gun and replace it with a highly advanced gremlin prosthetic hand. His armor is usually Armor of the Fallen type armor that looks like Dragon Scale armor with volcanic Dragon wings that he can fly for a short time with and a Crown of the Fallen with military knight vision goggles, he uses an upgraded stalker recon shield.
Characteristics: Takes what he wants and flattens anything, or anyone that gets in his way, he is a brilliant tactician, once even allowing some knights to capture him so he could get some plans for a new weapon from Feron's office. While he avoids battles where the odds are badly to his detriment, he is ruthless in every way, he has no care for knights and wants them exterminated, he does not think of himself as a knight, but as a gremlin, and the other knights see him that way too.
Bio: When he was young, he was taken out on a training expedition by some other knights, but when they were ambushed by jellies, the other knights left him behind. With insufficient armor, and outnumbered, Kalem fought his way through the jellies, but was eventually defeated, losing part of his arm to a spike jelly in the process. A stalker gremlin from the Crimson Order found him, however, and brought him to a gremlin city, where he was taken care of and his arm repaired by a Crimson Order warmaster, named Seerus. He never forgot what the knights did to him and swore to level Haven one day. He eventually became very powerful in the crimson order, becoming a Warmaster himself as well as an accomplished assassin and spy, thanks to his Stalker training. He takes his orders directly from King Tinkizar and allows nothing to get in the way of his orders. Feron placed a bounty of 5,000,000 CR on his head Dead or Alive, but he has managed to elude all of his would-be attackers, killing dozens of knights. He isn’t just a mindless killer though, like some other gremlins, rushing to attack any knight they see. He will watch them from a distance, find out what they are doing, and THEN kill them. A few powerful knights can overpower him, but few have escaped him.
Role: bad guy, you decide what specifics
Additional Facts: Using his alchemy skill as a knight and his training from gremlins, he crafts powerful shadow resistant armor for the gremlins under his command. Because Feron has sent assassins after him before, it is whispered among gremlins that he has two personal aides, both stalker gremlins, at his side always. Since his main weapon is fused to him, Feron had a special handcuff, or really a cap for the gun made that clamps onto Kalem's Polaris, and had it issued to all Arsenal stations in the clockworks, in case a knight were to ever run into him to help subdue him.
Suggestions: I'd rather he not die, but whatever

@Porcrhind: Hmm...I may have to add some to that character...it's a little thin for a character, IMO. But interesting, nontheless!
@Playerman: No comment, except that I like.
@Lord-Hood: The exact way your character gets found by Gremlins will be changed slightly, but I can see very clearly that big things are in store for him! You see, normally the Gremlins would likely kill him, so we need a middleman, er middleGremlin... :P
@All: Please don't be offended if I happen to change a character slightly! Sometimes I will have to make some tweaks to make the character fit in the story.
I have the first chapter done! I've been having some complications recently (for example, a birthday today.), so I would have been done sooner. I hope no one minds that some of the characters which have been described by you guys won't enter the story until somewhere in the middle, and none near the very start. This will be explained in time, when I start releasing chapters.
R-81 politly requests that he may get in early, but she gets shoved off by the guards. Getting angry at this point, R-81 stops its feet over to the nearest snipe with violent intentions.
The issue with robots is they don't care weather or not you are cute.
Another issue is that you can refer to them as any gender and they don't care, so he/she/it will be refered to inconsistently.
Robots sure are weird!

Name: T-39
Species: Drone
Gender: Last time I checked, drones don't have genders. But I guess that it will be like a male.
Visual Description: Looks like a droideka from Star Wars, but doesn't have shield thingy.
Bio: T-39 was made for one purpose and one purpose only. To destroy the rouge knights of the order. Being a T-Series drone, he was unable to talk, and he had a glitch when it was made, it had emotions. It could think, but couldn't say a word. Only through a computer it was able to talk. Eventually, T-39 crashed (or however robots get wounded) in a battle. It retired as a rouge hunter, but still is able to decimate enemies with little effort.
Equipment: Weak, rapid fire gunz. Rolling ability.
Affiliation: Good Guy
Additional Specs: I would like it if he would not get destroyed, but if he has to, make him die in an honorable way.

Dreath, hate to say...it doesn't seem to quite fit the Spiral Knights feel...I might include it...we'll see...
Also, on the note of people dieing:
PEOPLE DIE SOMETIMES, OKAY?????
To be serious: While I won't try to make your character die, but they may die anyway! You'll be on your toes, to be sure...you'll never know... :P
As a matter of fact, the main character might die! If he does, I'll make sure you spend the whoooole story with him so you'll feel really sad about it.
(Or I might be pulling your leg...you'll be surprised either way! ;)
Whether he dies or not, I'll do my best to make it suspenseful and to make life-like characters! (So no one perfect, k?)

Wha-what secret? Pushes cookies under the rug. There's no secret here! Nuuh uh. No way, sir. No secret here!
When no one is looking, ET takes secret cookies and hugs them. The silly thing is that ET can't eat cookies, so there is no reason to be keeping them secret...unless...
Name: Velise
Race: Weird jelly/knight hybrid
Gender: Female
Visual Description: Looks like your average knight, if she didn't have extremities that could stretch a few good inches. Short stature, with almond eyes and a personal color of ultramarine. Costumes a dark-blue tinted version of the Blazebreak helm with a Valkyrie Mail of matching coloration.
Bio: Velise spent her youth in an overly protective upbringing. She became restless and curious under the eyes of her elders, and grew up to be seemingly rebellious and cynical, but subconsciously obedient. Enticed by the thought of exploration and glory, she opted to join the Order just before the Skylark's excursion into unknown territory. Shortly after the crash, she encountered and followed a suspicious grouping of jellies straight after and did not understand the threat they posed due to her com unit being broken with the incident. After stalking them for quite awhile, she saw a monolith of a meteorite, and foolishly approached it. No one knew exactly what happened then, other than her being part-jelly now.
Personality: Polite but rather passive-aggressive. That, however, is just a facade to those who don't know her well. Actually rather informal when speaking with those she considers to be a friend. The results of the incident with the meteorite have affected how she thinks, and may exhibit instances of jelly-like, but docile behavior (or maybe just spaces out, whatever you think works best). She's slightly sadistic in the field, but doesn't go loose-cannon much unless needed.
Equipment: Loves to cause widespread panic across the field with bombs, (almost) any and all bombs, with the vortex and crystal lines being her favorite. Actually wears a Mad Bomber set. Shields depend on what/where she's fighting, but defaults to Grey Owlite most of the time. In desperation, she can weaponize her appendages and make them grow/shoot spikes, but makes her quite exhausted and hungry afterwards; long term bodily anomalies may occur if abused.

Might as well Appy, this looks enjoyable :3
Name: Fleet
Species: Knight-Wolver Hybrid(Sort-Of)
Gender: Female
Visual Description: Somehow like this girl, just rip the goth, add cat ears and the equipments for cuteness.
Bio:
[Personality]A lonely girl with an attitude. She doesn't like those standing in her way, and ALWAYS gets her way with the guys. Aside from that, she doesn't like the sight of death, and does whatever to prevent it. Emotionally unstable.
[Bio]She grew by herself, foraging for food and all, until she got to witness death in front of her. She grew up to be 18, and the Order saw her talent at battle and medication, then she done her best to get the job done. She defected from the Order and is taking refuge from it.
Equipment: Cautery Blade(Uses it at wounds), Scissor Blades(A little smaller for her to wield), Skolver Set as a pelt.

:3 +1 for others who know the anime :)

So for some reason I find Asia more arousing...
Mostly her voice...

Name: Tiny
Species: Isoran
Gender: Male
Visual Description :A huge knight,Tiny has a thick moustache and short black hair.Always wears glasses,that can change to a sniping scope or a microscope,even when he sleeps .Finds it difficult to handle little things because of huge hands.
Bio: Born in a military family,Tiny's father always wanted him to become a guardian.He was sent to the best military academies and trained in tto become a swordsman, but he had no talent with a sword.But when he was give a gun by his trainer he showed his true talent:He could hit a bulls eye a mile away.Not being able to fulfill his father's dream,he left the academy and became a historian.But he never forgot the art of gun-slinging.
Equipment:A leather coat with the name of some old museum and a hat(similar to the Indiana Jones' hat).He remembers having a whole gunslinger set along with storm and umbra drivers and an argent peacemaker in the basement just waiting for the day when they are needed.

Nice apps. Accepted? I hope so...lawl.
Unfortunately, my writing has been delayed by a lot of things...this sucks... :P
Like, roughly halfway done with Chapter 2. I'm way behind...darn it.
Anyway, Dreath, I might include your character in some slight way, but not entirely. I don't really like the whole Drodica thing because the moment I hear the word I think "LIGHT SABERS YAY!".
Sorry...I have a horrid bias thing towards Star Wars...
I'm going to have to change it up slightly in the cosmetics department.

So, when will the currently applied Characters be introduced in the Story Chapter-wise?
Like:
Chapter 1 will introduce ...
Chapter 2 will introduce ...
Or you could make it a suprise.
Just wondering is all.
Im a curious Voltail.

Apps are now CLOSED! Thank you for your participation! ^.^
So, when will the currently applied Characters be introduced in the Story Chapter-wise?
You'll never know...my drone buddies are changing the space-time continuum to get these guys/gals in there, but there's no telling where they will fit!
Now, for the Prologue!
[][][]
Now thoroughly wired up to one of the high-tech computers in the lab, R-81 reboots the machine, loading his data into it instead of the normal OS. Having control over it, she starts setting the computer to decoding the data which he has.
The first thing which shows up is will.txt
, which R-81 proceeds to display on the lab computer's screen.
Date: Unknown
This is my final message and will. I am sending this back to HQ for many reasons, but there is only one which I think is most important. I hope that HQ examines this thoroughly because it concerns my entire squad and their welfare.
My final request is that the drone net delivers this for me. It is a brain scan of which has all of my memories in it. Though you may already know this, the brain scan is raw data and takes a while to decode completely. Hopefully none of it is corrupt.
For all I know, the events you read about here could be years from the future or past, whenever the drone net's delivery system manages, but I hope that it arrives before it's too late.
My kindest thanks to my squad and the ET drone network,
~Leader of the Iota Squad
END_OF_LINE
nrl-read: Opening SCAN001.NEU
nrl-read: DECODING. PLEASE WAIT...

Sorry! I wasn't aware how long the proofread process took! It's safe to say that it took all day, although this is factoring distractions I had during that time. Heck, even with ALL that time I spent, I may have missed a few things...
I'm sorry if you find this to be a slow start, because it is. However, it was difficult to avoid it without skipping some stuff or doing flashback scenes, which I usually prefer not to start a story with. This is because flashbacks of a dangerous situation is a barely a cliffhanger because, for the most part, you know how it will end up because the person who has the flashback probably lived. (Or died if they are a Kat!)
With all this said, enjoy! I hope to have the next chapter on time if not sooner! (Also, I promise it will DEFINITELY pick up then.) I ask that you give feedback, particularly in pointing out errors or spotty descriptions, so that I know what to look out for during the next proofread session.
.
..
...
.....
..........
The world spins. Everything is a haze. The dazzling light makes my headache worse. It seems like hours when my sight clears at all. I try to get up, but my entire body screams at me for trying. How long must I lie here? The grassy bed isn't uncomfortable, but something feels wrong.
Through a slow, painful effort, I finally succeed in pulling myself up into a sitting position. My vision whirls again, but I keep it under control for long enough that I can see what's around me. I am surrounded by trees, and in front of me is a round, metal pod with thick smoke emanating from it.
The sight of smoke is alarming, but I'm not sure why. It must be why the air smells odd. When I try to move away from the pod, a sharp pain shoots through me, making me yelp and collapse. My vision dims again. Though I struggle to keep awake, I drift off...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It's dark. Though I'm stiff, I feel much better than before. Stars and a full moon dot the night sky. Because the smoke is gone, I can breath the fresh air easily. I stare into the round pod, and see a looming hole in its side which had been hidden in the smoke. Inside the dark pod is a glistening object, but it's too dark to tell what it is. I run across the dewy ground to examine the glint, and it turns out to be a sword.
Many emotions and thoughts rush to me...words like sword and proto. Feelings of hope and despair, pain and joy. A stern voice saying, “Without this, you're a goner.” Etched on the handle are the words, "Owner: Drogan". Even though I don't remember ever seeing it before, it seems to hold great sentimental value.
I find more things in the pod, but none of them seem to be nearly as important as the sword. There is a blue and yellow pack of supplies, a moderately sized bag filled with green spheres, a small, twisted piece of metal, and a backpack which seems to be just the right size to hold everything. I look at one of the round spheres, noticing the labels saying “EXPLOSIVE” and “PRIME: 2 SEC. DETON: 5 SEC.” On one side is a special area for grabbing it, but it feels strangely ominous.
I stuff it all into the backpack. I step out of the pod and into the cool night air. Feeling like I have to go somewhere, I enter the forest. The refreshing air is invigorating. With my sword in hand, walking through the forest...it feels like I've done this before. Rays of moonlight pierce through the leaves. The cool breeze ripples through the foliage.
I start to feel slightly uneasy...almost as if something is behind me. I check, but nothing is back there. I continue on, but the impression of being followed stays. I look back again, but I just see trees. Why am I nervous? This is silly. I ought to-
Yarp!
I whirl around, swing my sword, and jump back. In a moment I realize I just chopped down a sapling.
Grr...
After frantically searching, I still don't see--what's that? Floating a few feet in front is a small, blue dragon-like thing which blends with the moonlight. I clutch my sword and stand my ground, staring at the thing and waiting for it to do something.
It turns around and looks for...something. Then the thing turns back to me and tips its head in a confused way. It makes another yelp and then floats closer to me. I back away, and it follows me. I stop, and it stops. I stare at it, and it stares back. We keep staring at each other for a few tense minutes. The thing yawns with boredom, but then gets back to staring.
It's probably waiting for me to do something. I take a few steps toward it, and after I stop, it moves towards me. Now it's in my sword's reach, but I don't slice at it right away. The thing blinks its little white eyes expectantly and makes a half-growl, half-purr. I lower my sword, which it tracks with its eyes before looking at me again.
Because it seems like the only thing really to do, I reach out to pat it. It growls at first but stops after I stroke its head. It backs away, waggling its black-blue tail. I notice that, though its face is a medium blue, its belly and stumpy ears are deep blue. It floats lower and closer, and then stares up into my eyes and softly whines.
"What's wrong?," I ask.
No answer.
"Can't talk?"
At this, it hovers near my backpack. I take it off and open it up. "Something in here?" I empty it out, and the blue thing's eyes dart from the supply pack to the scrap metal, and then back to my backpack. I flip the pack upside down to show that it's empty, which makes the blue thing crestfallen. What's it looking for? I start putting my stuff away, but when I'm about to put the scrap metal back in, the thing makes another growl-purr as it stares at the scrap.
"What's wrong with this thing?" The thing floats over to the scrap metal and gives it a tug with its mouth. "You can, um," I stop to think, what if I need this thing? What if I don't know what it really is? I shrug. "You can have it," I say as I put the scrap on the ground.
The thing happily yelps, dives for the scrap, and chomps part of it clean off. In moments the thing is noisily eating. I put away the rest of my stuff and start to leave. The thing stops eating and growls sadly, but I ignore it. After a few more steps I hear more chomping metal.
Why am I leaving it? I stop, wondering if I should turn back. Before I can do anything else, I hear a familiar, though muffled yarp. I look over my shoulder and spot the blue thing float over to me, holding a half-eaten scrap of metal in its mouth.
I smile at the thing, which causes it to waggle its tail again. With the blue thing in tow, I plunge deeper in the forest.

A cool way to introduce the battle sprites through fanfiction - I also like the way that you described a knight first coming to Cradle, especially with the slight-amnesia to explain how a player feels at the beginning of the game.
I'll be intrigued to see how this story will continue! :) It's nice to see you write in this first person narrative form rather than writing out your story based on what the forumers suggest.

Thanks for the feedback!
@Skye
:3
@Kanoka: especially with the slight-amnesia to explain how a player feels at the beginning of the game.
I wouldn't call it amnesia...well, you'll see what I mean.
While the guided stuff was fun, it wasn't fair to the forumers. Eventually it was me trying to get the forumers' suggestions to fit in what I had originally thought up, so there wasn't much following at all. It was more just seeing "how would he respond to what they say?" and making the readers a character, but not a controller. (Which was neat, just not my desired effect at the start of it all.)
I like 1st person. I wasn't sure if I wanted 1st or 3rd for this fic, when finally concluded that 1st is actually very, very critical to the story.
@Velixar
Thanks for the encouragement! :D
Next chapter is around the corner! I have the first draft written. Editing comes tomorrow!

I collapse out of exhaustion. I've been walking for hours, but I haven't gotten anywhere. The air has gotten chilly, making the night miserable. The blue thing floats closer to me when it sees that something is wrong.
"Crunch"--because I named it after the sound it made when it was eating--"could you see if there is someplace warm nearby?" Crunch nods and then floats into the sky.
I feel like I could fall asleep right now. I'd rather get in a safe place first...well, a little nap couldn't hurt...
I wake up at a sudden noise. Crunch is excitedly floating a few yards to my right. I get up and follow it with high hopes. Crunch leads me to a heavily overgrown path. Crunch goes down the path a few feet, as if saying, "This is the way." I start walking along the path, trying my best to not lose my way among all the shrubs. Crunch returns to its original position behind me.
About a mile later, the path turns into a bridge over a large expanse. The view is breathtaking. Miles down are hundreds of gears, cogs, and shafts. Some scattered lights flicker rhythmically. There is a continual thudding sound, almost like ticking.
I realize that I've been gaping at the huge machines for several minutes. I look back at the bridge, and it's far from inviting. The bridge looks about as ancient as the road, crumbling in a few places and laking rails. Oddly, the bridge looks like it's made from hard-packed dirt, unlike the metal machinery below. The cold wind blows harder here than it does in the forest.
I'm tempted to look for another way across. As I turn to leave, Crunch grabs my finger with its mouth and gives a tug towards the bridge. "Are you sure? Sure that this is a good idea?" I ask. Crunch nods rapidly.
I nervously take a step onto the bridge, expecting it to fall apart instantly. Fortunately, it holds together. I begin my slow crossing over the gorge. It's bitterly cold, and the wind doesn't help at all. I jump back when I hear something crumbling. The bridge is collapsing!
Crunch gives me an encouraging tug. False alarm...
Black clouds are rolling in, blotting out the moon. I continue at a steady pace, ready to jump or sprint at the slightest sound. About two-thirds across, I almost tumble off the bridge when Crunch growls.
"Crunch, shut up! That could have killed me!" I glare at the blue creature, but its face shows something new...fear? "What's wrong?" I ask in a hushed voice. Crunch looks toward the end of the bridge in reply.
I turn towards the end of the bridge and see a pair of gleaming white...things. I try to figure out what they are, but it's hard without the moonlight. "Can you tell what that is?" I whisper to Crunch, who, instead of answering, hides behind me. I look back and see a figure with two glowing eyes walking toward us.
"Hello? Who...," I trail off. I try to ask again, but--
"I've found you," croaks the figure, "I've found you at very last..."
"Wha-," a chill runs down my spine, and I can't find any words. Instead I grasp my sword with both hands, wondering if I should run.
"You've eluded me, eluded me from the ends of this damned clock of a planet. Finally, your reckoning is here." He breaks into a fit of laughter.
"Why? Who are you?" I finally manage to ask.
The figure stops laughing. I realize what's so wrong about his face. He hasn't never blinked once, not even when laughed. His face is constantly the same, blank expression. "They're dead. All of them. You killed all of them. You...you...monster...you have slain every last one of them and fled. I've searched for years, and at last..." He comes to a stop.
My feet won't move. I desperately want to get away, but my feet won't move.
"If I slay you...," he says, unsheathing a wicked-looking purple sword. "If I slay you," he repeats, voice rising to a shriek, "Then they will come back!"
The figure charges at me in a limp sort of way. I'm barely aware that I've lifted my sword to block because my eyes are trained on this person.
"Every last one!," he shouts as his sword whizzes through the air and crashes against my sword. He follows up with a thrust. I dodge his strike but lose my balance. The black figure kicks me in the stomach, knocking me down. He pounces on me and pins me down with his free hand. "They'll come back!" he screams. I watch in horror as he pulls back his sword to--
A frigid explosion slams the figure away. I'm so stunned that I barely notice when Crunch pulls me up. The black figure sways wildly as he gets up. Despite being in pain, my foe's face hasn't changed at all. Crunch tugs on me again. I grab my sword and run for it.
"You won't get away! They're coming back!" I hear hurried and inconsistent footsteps behind me.
"Crunch, do that again!" I shout. Crunch slows down a bit and inhales, but has a fit of coughing before getting to do anything useful. "Do it again!" My foe is about to attack again. "Again!," I scream.
The figure swings for my neck. I barely duck his sword, which hums ominously as it passes over my head. As he recovers from his swing, I thrust my sword at his chest. Before I even realize it, he falls onto his back to dodge my attack, grabs my sword with his feet, and pulls it out of my hands.
I step back in astonishment. My attacker cartwheels backwards and grabs my sword. "There's no honor in running!," he shouts at me with his blank face, "Face your reckoning, coward! They will come back!" He charges at me, wielding both swords at once.
A frozen blast of air shoots over my shoulder and crashes into my foe's feet. Both swords fly from his hands as he smashes his face against the ground.
The swords clatter in front of me. The dark figure picks himself up in an odd, wobbly way. I grab his dark sword on impulse. The moment I pick it up, my vision clouds and its hum fills me up. I feel enraged and I charge at the black figure.
"No. They aren't back yet! Don't...!"
I smash my knee into his face, knocking him onto his back. I thrust the sword through his heart without delay.
The instant the sword touches him, his eyes suddenly turn deep blue. His once totally blank face suddenly turns into one of complete shock, and then twists into pain. He gasps several times. I let go of the evil sword and back away.
"Who...why did...you do that...," he says, interrupted by his heavy breathing.
"I..."
Why did I do that?
He was trying to kill me.
But he had no weapons!
But he still tried to kill me...
If I had no weapons, I would wish he didn't kill me!
He was crazy!
Well...but...
"I wish I knew...," I finally answer.
I turn and run, completely ignoring Crunch. I don't know why I'm running or why I'm scared, but I'm at the other side of the bridge in a moment. I quickly find several pods which are like the one which I woke up near. They are arranged in a semicircle. I assume these are what Crunch was leading me to. I get in one without a second thought.
My heart is racing. Why? I've escaped. I'm alive. Why am I so scared? I can't forget his face. His face was dead before. It didn't move, didn't frown, didn't smile. It was set in stone. He was out of his mind. But when I stabbed him, he suddenly came to life. He was crazy until I killed him. I didn't kill a crazy person. I killed a sane person. That wasn't self defense. I killed him when he couldn't fight back. That was cruelty.
That was murder.
I just have one tiny correction for you: "There's no honer in running!," should be "There's no honor in running!"
You're welcome.

So, was he possessed then? By the sword?
...Calling it out to be Faust-esque.

Okay, few things which make me post here...
I meant to thank Caffinated and Player for pointing those flaws out but something happened and I guess my post didn't show up! Thanks, guys! :D
Edolas, that is actually the Acheron. The idea came from its description...
Striking with the savage power of the Underworld, this dark weapon has been known to drive weak-minded knights to the brink of madness.
However, the sword wasn't the only thing which was the matter, and a few surprises will be in store for the black knight-person! For all we know...waaaaait, this is spoiler! After this next chapter I'll go over the Chapter 2 and see if I can clear that up.
Finally, an apology. The next chapter should be tomorrow. I had some issues and realized that too many beans would be spilled too soon in the intended chapter ahead! (Okay, the real reason is it was boring.) I'm changing a few things to make more sense and such, but it's taking longer than hoped, as well as many interruptions. I'm still getting this down, but I want to make it a habit. I love writing, but sometimes I forget...

So Carter's weak-minded? :c
Edit: "I startle." Third paragraph. Pretty sure that's not right.
Edit edit: Err. Umm. By third paragraph, I mean fifth. Maybe? Not too sure Yarp counts as it's own paragraph.

@Playerman: Fixed! Btw, who is Carter? Talk'n' about Drogan? Well, maybe he is...
I want to apologize from the lateness. I can guarantee that in the future I will be having updates at random times, though I really wish I could do it regularly twice a week. Unfortunately I have other things IRL to be doing, which are time consuming.
One thing on my list is to stop reading Sherlock Holmes! I like reading anything, new or old, however it changes my words a bit after reading something old. I keep on putting in old-style words and then having to go back and break them up into words which are more modern. This causes errors which weren't there before.
The other problem is I go in to too much detail on some things and leave out other important details. I'm continuously noticing things which should be changed, so that makes me take longer. This was actually going to be roughly twice as long as before, but it was kinda even more boring... :\
Therefor, with that in mind, I apologize I couldn't even get a whole chapter made! Instead, I've split it up into two parts. I will get the second part out soon.
Chapter 2.5: Crossing the Chasm
Drogan, come on!
The pods are running out! We don't have much time.
Wait, what are you doing? Stop! Why are you--
Are you insane?
..........
I wake up in a panic. Tears blur my vision. The fuzzy memory of that nightmare rings through my head. It almost felt like I was reliving the past, which makes it more disturbing.
Crunch growls with annoyance. I apologize as I dry my eyes, and get out of the cramped pod to stretch. It looks like it's already afternoon. "We'd better get going," I say. Crunch comes out and yawns drowsily.
Something feels out of place, but...
"Crunch, where's my sword?" Crunch yawns again. I notice my sword leaning against the pod behind the blue creature. "Did you put that there?" Yawning some more, Crunch sleepily nods.
I pick up my sword. It reminds me of the person from last night...he was in the dream, I realize. I will never forget that white face.
"Crunch, is murder a bad thing? This is silly. You can't tell me. How would you know? Crunch looks at me sadly for a moment, but perks up quickly.
Following the path away from the pod camp, we reach a stone stairway which goes above the trees. The stairs lead to a metal walkway with rails along the edges. The warm breeze hits my face as I look over the rail. Miles below are more giant gear, like the ones I saw last night.
A yellow, rectangular box at the end of the walkway catches my eye. The top is tilted and is covered in dials, buttons, and switches. After a quick glance, I notice a big blue button with a white arrow on it. I give it a press. I hear a whirring sound for a second, and then silence.
A socket pops out of the panel. It's circular with a line partially through the middle. The socket's edges and the line are glowing magenta.
"Ya know...this seems familiar," I think out loud. I look at my left glove on instinct and see a similar circle-and-line symbol in my palm, but this symbol is sky blue. Why didn't I ever notice this before? Crunch is watching intently, waiting for me to do something. The socket on the machine and the symbol on my hand are the same size, so I press my palm against it.
Phwong
I pull my hand back. Nothing happens. The socket changes from magenta to blue. Crunch looks a bit disappointed. "Was something supposed to happen?" Crunch nods vigorously.
The ground lurches, knocking me over. I feel like I'm falling. Above me is a square hole which sunlight comes from. I sit up and realize that I'm on a descending elevator. Above me I see the bottom of the walkway, which is attached to a huge clump of dirt. The forest which I had been wandering through must be growing on it. It hangs in the air without any support, which is surprising to me because it never felt like I was floating.
Below me is a maze-like set of walkways and rooms, colored in various shades of brown and tan, though parts are burnt black. Massive gears turn far below the labyrinth.
The elevator decelerates. With a lurch and a clang, it comes to a stop. The complex is in front of me. It feels uninviting, but I can't turn back. I step off the elevator, ready for a surprise.

This is what happened:
- I finally put up the previous post.
- I scroll up to get to the edit button at the top so I can change that stuff.
- Instead I find a box with eyebrows, which knocked me out cold.
- Two hours later, I wake up.
- I feel strangely full, like I just ate dinner.
- I finally make the edits to the OP and ToC.
Try to figure out what went on. 0_0
You can ignore this post, if you like. It bears no relation to the fanfic. I'm just explaining why there was such a large gap between posting and updating.
Now, excuse me, I feel slightly nauseous.
OHMYGOSHITSTHEBOXAGAIN!
Gets KOd.

Due to the late release of the last one, the next one should be on Sunday.
For all purposes, I follow Valve Time.

(Whew! This one is a bit longer than expected...I'm rather new to this. Hopefully I can find a good length soon. Also, soon I'll be hit by a school...bus.)
The robot's head hits the ground with a clang. What's left of it collapses in a heap of metal. Before we can celebrate, two more half-broken, bipedal robots climb over the walkway's railing, blocking my path. "Man, how many are there?," I ask.
When I try to get in sword's reach, both robots fire lasers along the ground, causing several explosions along the lasers' paths. I sidestep them easily and slash at one of them, knocking it over. Its cohort smashes its lone, wrench-like arm in my shoulder, making me yelp with more surprise than pain. One of Crunch's ice blasts hits it in the head, freezing it solid. The first robot tries to get up, but I kick it down again and thrust my sword through its rusted head. It ceases to move.
I turn to Crunch. "Let's go before any more of 'em find us." After following the walkway, I find myself on a half-blown up platform with two other walkways branching out. The branch to my left is in shambles, but the walkway to the right seems like it was recently patched up in multiple places.
Why is that? Was someone here recently? Out of curiosity, I start down the repaired walkway. Crunch growls apprehensively. Before I can say anything, a mechanical whirring sound from behind interrupts me.
I whirl around and see another bipedal robot, but this one is in better condition. Its solid legs support an equally solid body. It's head is cylindrical, like the other robots' heads. This one has both arms, one holding a buckler and the other a sword. Two pipes coming from its back spurt black smoke.
It starts trudging towards me. "Get 'im!" I shout to Crunch as I get ready. Right before Crunch fires, I leap towards the machine. The robot raises its shield, which absorbs the frosty impact. Just as I attack, the robot swings its sword. Pain shoots through my side. I'm forced to back up to avoid a barrage of swings. I leg it, deciding that it isn't worth it to fight. Looking back, the robot is chasing after me but falling behind.
The walkway enters a roofless room. I charge in and look for an exit, but it turns out to be a dead end filled with machines and crates. Then something, or someone, catches my eye.
A small, hunched-over creature stares at me with his jaw dropped. Shaggy brown fur and goggles cover his face. In his burnt gloves is a blue paper with various markings on it. (Although the species isn't known to our character at this time, we will call this fellow a gremlin for both of our sanities.)
"And you are?" the gremlin asks after pulling the sleeves of his gray lab coat over his wrists.
A whirring reminds me of the robot. "No time. Do you know what this thing is?" I face the robot and ready my sword.
"Oh, that? That's my body guard."
"It's yours?! Why is it attacking me?"
The gremlin coughs with amusement. "Well that's what I made it to do, obviously."
"Wait," I jump away as it executes a powerful swipe, "Why? If it's yours, can't you make it stop?"
"Of course I could, if I wanted to die, genius!"
It takes a moment for me to figure out what he means by this. "So, you're saying I'll kill you? Why would I do that?" I strafe around the robot. "Can't you make it stop already?"
"Oooh, so you're admitting defeat? To one Mecha Knight? Ha! You're hilarious!"
The Mecha Knight has me cornered now.
"Well if you really want it to stop, drop that sword."
My weapon clanks on the ground. The robot stares at me for a few seconds, and then stoops to pick up my weapon.
"Give the sword to me," he says concisely. The Mecha hands my sword to the gremlin. "Reset position," with the same tone. The machine leaves.
I feel a pang of regret. Giving up my sword feels like a dumb thing to do.
"Hmpf...What sort of insult is this? Some worthless 'knight' stumbles into my lab using a totally unrefined weapon. You don't even have a shield!"
The scorn in his voice takes me aback. "W-well...it's all I have. And--"
The gremlin bursts into high-pitched laughter. "You're trying to tell me, three and a half years after the crash, that you only have a weapon made for a newbie's practice sessions? That slaps me in the knee! Oh boy!" The gremlin stops laughing. "But you take me for a fool, then? What sort of trick are you playing? On a genius like me?! I have half my mind to call my body guard back in, ya lousy screwball!"
Both fear and anger fill me. "But that is really the only weapon I have! You'd better cut that out or I'll..." I realize that death threats obviously won't work.
"You'll do what? Kill me? Sure, say that to the guy holding your crap sword."
"No! I mean, I just woke up from a pod thing last night and...," Something is missing, but I can't figure out--"Wait, where's Crunch?"
"Crunch?" the gremlin interjects with a snort.
"Err, yeah, the little blue dragon that-"
"Wait wait, a blue dragon? Look here, my friend. The sky is blue. Your eyes are blue. Even this paper is blue. But dragons, or should I say, Drakons, are red."
"But I know what I saw! Crunch is blue!" This is ridiculous. Why am I arguing about Crunch's color?
"Ah, but wait!" He swipes a black wand off the table and holds it up. One of the ends glows bright blue. "Is this blue?" I nod. "No, it's red! I can safely say that you are colorblind," and then with a sneer, "And completely insane."
"Take that back!" I jump for the gremlin, who turns out to be surprisingly agile. I smash into the table, and before I can get up, the gremlin's small frame has already jumped onto one of the walls of the room.
He tauntingly waves my sword. "Ha ha, you must be clumsy as well!" He leaps off the wall and out of the room. Wait, there's no floor there, right? I clamber up as quickly as I can, using the desk for footing. I spot the gremlin running on a walkway which was hidden behind the wall. I hoist myself up, but when I try to rotate myself so that I can land on my feet, my hand slips and I fall on my side instead.
The gremlin laughs his high pitched laugh again. "You just proved my point! So, let's see, you're colorblind, crazy, and clu-"
"Oh, just shut up already!" I pick myself up and chase after the gremlin, ignoring the insults he throws at me. He runs onto a large square platform, and I chase after him. It seems like a whole minute before I'm finally on the same platform. He's standing at the other end from me. "Now, give me back my sword, you...," I say in between breaths, trying to find the right word.
"Jerk? Fine, you can have the sword." He tosses it to me, and it clatters a few feet away. "Really, it won't matter at all. I'm really quite obliged that you've followed me this far. You aren't colorblind nor crazy," I try to say something but he continues, "But you surely are gullible." He snaps his fingers, and gate thrusts out of the only exit behind me.
The gremlin grins unnervingly. "I can see it in your face. Then go ahead," He throws down a metallic sphere, "Try to get me!" The sphere splits in half and creates a woosh. Nothing happens afterward, but the gremlin stares expectantly.
I rush for my sword, but something is off. The air feels stiff and hot. I notice the fur on the gremlin's face is bristling slightly. I reach for my sword. When my hand is an inch from the handle, a bright flash and crackle comes from it. My whole arm goes numb. I pull it back as quickly as I can. My hand is sickeningly sizzling, though I feel no pain. The rest of my right arm is limp and heavy.
The gremlin chuckles with glee. "Impressed?"
My arm starts hurting as the numbness wears off. "What did you do?!"
"Oh, only made you a living superconductor. I also laminated your weapon in Static Clinger dust. You wanted your sword back, and you have it!" He rubs his hands together and grins like, well, like a gremlin.
"Hey, that's not fair!" My hand is still numb, but my arm is now stinging badly. I wish it would've stayed numb.
"Obviously," he says maliciously. "But I've been through unfair times, too, yet I don't whine about it. You should feel honored! You're the first to test-run my devices. Oh, that reminds me," The gremlin pulls out the wand he showed me before, "This will be quick, so hold still!"
I back away. Whatever that thing is, it doesn't look appealing. I ready my sword and...
Wait, that's right. I don't have it. The gremlin steps on my only weapon, yet he doesn't get shocked. "Clearly you aren't used to fighting without a sword." I rack my brain and look around for something to use. The sphere which the gremlin threw earlier reminds me of something.
With my good arm, I reach over my shoulder and pull a bag out of my backpack. With a little trouble, I manage to pull out one of the green spheres and toss it toward the gremlin.
He catches and pockets my bomb without hesitation. "Why, thank you!" he says with sarcasm. I groan when I remember that those things have to be wound up first. I grab another sphere and run from the dangerously close gremlin. It's as good as impossible to wind these things up with one hand.
I stop and put my boot on it, holding it in place. I start twisting the crank of the bomb, but as soon as I let go the handle snaps back to its starting position. I start twisting it again until my foot slips and I smash my face into the floor.
"You're still clumsy though. I'm not even moving that fast and you're fumbling like an idiot." I try to pick myself up but the gremlin pins me down. "Tut tut! Too slow!" I feel something smack the back of my neck, and everything goes white and numb.
I hear a distant voice, "The name's Wrence. Remember that." I don't feel any body, any gravity, any pain. It's just...white. Gradually blackness creeps in. I let myself sink. I can't even tell if I'm dead or alive. The darkness feels comforting...

Our protagonist sure has a gullible mind. I suspect it'll take quite a while before our characters get introduce.

Our Characters could be apart of a Team that was sent to Raid the Compound.
OR
We could have also been captured by Wence, and we all get shoved into the same cell.
OR
It could be a while later like you said, Feline.

I'm interested to see how Wrence will play a part in Drogan's adventure, and the type of situation that has arisen out of this conflict. Everything's looking really nice so far, so continue the great work! :D
Prologue
Originally, stuff for apps went here. That's not relevant anymore and it contained a spoiler, so I removed it.