((OOC: Just so ya'll know, Elya had crashed down onto the Ceres' deck along with Xiu. Apparently, I didn't make that clear enough, but oh well.))
- Strike / Stellar -
Before everybody retreated, before everybody returned to the warm dry halls of the Ceres, Strike continued to stand at the edge of the Shenlong's cockpit, unwilling to leave the side of his departed friend.
"Strike!"came Stellar's call as she came running from the parked Gaia Gundam. As she neared the fallen Shenlong, her run slowed down to a halt.
"Don't... don't tell me... she's..."
Strike closed his eyes and nodded.
The young blonde fell down to her knees, then to all fours, her hands splashing against the rain-soaked deck. "Oh, no... no, no, no, no, no..." she moaned.
Kylern then appeared to offer what words of encouragement that he could.
"Its depressing though that a kid her age was forced to fight and die in this disgusting war. I can't offer you anything besides my understanding and vow that Fandom will pay for destroying the life of an innocent bystander."
There was silence as Strike stood silently contemplating these words Then...slowly… Strike leveled his gaze.
“You’re right…â€
He turned to face the others.
“We still have her here…â€
There, on the opposite side of the flight deck, crashed in a similar fashion as the Shenlong, was Elya’s damaged Fairlion. Despite its sorry state -- armor battered and the Shenlong’s sturdy glaive lodged in its chest -- there was no doubt the pilot was still alive, Xiu’s attack having missed the cockpit section, unless of course the pilot had been killed on impact, which Strike doubted.
Slowly, he started in the direction of the downed Fandom unit.
“It’s her fault… she’s the reason Xiu’s dead… I say we pay her back in full!â€
He had moved to within a few meters of the Fairlion when all of a sudden, its external speakers crackled to life, causing Strike to stop. Sure enough, the voice of a very much alive Elya sounded through.
“I lost… I failed…â€
***
For several minutes, all Elya could do was stare into the darkened sky -- the Fairlion having landed her in a position where she was reclined onto her back -- completely dumbstruck. Her mouth opened and closed like a fish gulping at air as if she were trying to safe something but couldn’t find her voice. Finally, she managed to squeak out a few words.
“I lost… I failed…â€
There, she finally admitted to herself the undeniable truth -- she had been beaten, felled once again by the Gundam team. But… how? She had been invincible… her strategy foolproof… how could she have lost? It couldn’t be… it just… wasn’t possible…
Her train of thought would have probably circled around like this for over an hour, had a familiar deep rumble in the back of her mind not brought her to her senses.
How truly disappointing, Elya…
Her eyes, already wide with shock, seemed to grow even larger. “My… My Prince!â€
***
Strike’s hand flew to the side of his head and he stared, surprised, at the fallen Fairlion ahead of him before turning to Stellar.
“Did… you just hear that…?â€
Stellar nodded. “It was a voice… it said… ‘How truly disappointing’…â€
So he wasn’t just imagining it, then, and if they could near it, no doubt everybody else standing nearby could as well. Somebody with a deep and dark-sounding voice had just spoken for all of them to hear. It sounded as though the voice had been directly inside Strike’s head -- was it some kind of Newtype telepathy?
The only question was… who did this voice belong to…?
The voice came again.
I gave you strength… I gave you power… yet victory still managed to elude you.
***
I gave you strength… I gave you power… yet victory still managed to elude you. You could not even acquire it so against a following of battle-weary opponents.
“B-But…!†Elya stammered out, panic welling. “I-I still trashed them! I did more damage than anybody ever did!â€
Damaged and defeated are not one in the same, Elya. I asked of you a complete and total defeat of the Gundams… you promised to deliver upon that request… and yet you failed to follow through upon your promise. Now… you must be prepared to suffer the consequences of your failure.
“N-No…! I can do it! I can beat them! Next time for sure, I’ll--â€
Do you not yet understand the quality that earned you a position among the elite?
Elya was dumbfounded “I…I…â€
No? Then allow me to renew your understanding.
There was a brief pause.
Do you recall, Elya, the time when you first were knighted and brought into my service? At the turn of your ninth birthday, your parents had planned to enroll you in a prestigious prep school on Mars. It was their intention that you learn everything there was to learn about the life of a young lady in high-class society, wealthy as your family was. You, however, would have none of it. You desired above all else to forge your own destiny as you saw fit. Thus, you ran away from your parents to set your own path in the flow of time.
Unconsciously, Elya found herself nodding. She indeed remembered that day very well. Sure, the school had looked nice and all… but it was just so… stuffy. They would have made her attend classes about flower arrangement and tea preparations… they had even said she’d have to wear a dress of all things. The idea was so revolting that Elya had nearly puked upon hearing it.
Sure, she missed her parents sometimes… but anything was better than being made to go to that place…
***
That’s why she ended up joining the military? Strike thought incredulously. She was just ‘acting out’? Is that all it was?
Really… now that he thought about it… such a motivation wasn’t all that different from that of any other young pre-teen girl -- everybody wants to break away from her parents. But to become a Mobile Suit pilot… and Knight on top of that? How did she ever manage it?
Strike would find that he wouldn’t have to wait long to hear the answer…
***
One day, the Prince continued, you were mistreated by a group of disgruntled mobile suit pilots and decided to enact upon them your revenge by stealing one of their machines. You killed them, but your little rampage did not end there -- once you started, you were able to destroy over a dozen mobile suits before being brought down yourself, despite having no previous training to speak of. Your captors intended to have you executed for your crimes… but I foresaw a different fate that awaited you… one in which your existence could evolve into one that was truly luminous.
The Prince took another pause to allow this to absorb into Elya’s thoughts.
The quality that earned you a position among elites as a Dark Star Knight… was your untapped, unlimited potential for prowess. I believed then that with the proper amount of nurture, you could be one of those who would blaze our trail of glory on the battlefield, perhaps one day even ascend and claim the title of the greatest Knight for yourself.
It was then that Elya thought she heard the prince sigh…
But it would seem that I was mistaken. I had misjudged you, Elya. Even with your potential fully awakened… it was not enough for you to overcome all obstacles as I had believed you would. I see now that this is because, no matter how great your potential, it will forever and always be diminished by that which is the other half of your spirit.
“Wh…What?†Elya stammered, confused. “My other half?â€
Your indomitable, vagrant spirit, Elya. That which would not hold you bound to your parents desires, or anybody else’s. So long as you posses that, any attempts to focus your potential will ultimately lead to a focusing solely on that which is the most dear to you: yourself.
Elya was stunned. Somehow, the Princes words had a brilliant air of truth to them… she didn’t disagree with anything that he said…
Do you see, Elya? Your free-roaming spirit is that which you treasure most…
The young girl gave a start. What I treasure most…
…and it is that spirit, that I hereby taketh away.
Finally, the implications were made plain. “No! My Prince…!†Elya cried frantically. “Please! I can beat them! I know I can! Just give me one more chance! I’ll prove myself to you -- I just need one more chance!â€
No, Elya. You have failed me, in more ways than you could ever conceive of, and thus… you are no longer worthy.
Her mouth opened wide, but Elya’s voice had become lodged in her throat -- all that escaped were a few terrified squeaking sounds.
Fairwell… my precious Knight.
“D-Don’t!†Elya screamed. “No! My Prince, I… I…!â€
Her voice trailed off… because she suddenly felt something surrounding the base of her mind. It was a warming sensation… similar to the one she had experienced when she first received her power. The aura surrounding her mind grew hotter… brighter…
“Ah… ah… ah…!â€
Then… Elya let out a terrible scream.
“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH…!!!â€
***
Even Strike, who had no Newtype awareness to speak off, was able to pick up on the strange sensation that emanating off of Elya’s mind… or perhaps being projected onto theirs. Then Elya’s piercing shriek blared through the external speakers and Strike jumped back out of surprise.
“Wh-what the hell?!†he exclaimed.
His head throbbed painfully and he clutched at the side of his head, staggering back just slightly. The pain was growing worse.
Just what in the hell was this other presence doing…?!
***
The pain was unbearable, far worse than it had been before. A thousand white-hot knives stabbed their way into Elya’s mind, a coil of searing iron bubbling through her subconscious -- her vision was so filled with a brilliant spectrum of light that Elya could no longer see. She thrashed back and forth in her seat, tearing at her head, despearately willing for the pain to go away, but to no avail.
The only thing she could do now was beg; continue begging and hope that the Prince would show even the slightest bit of mercy.
“NOOO!!†she screamed, tears forming at the corners of her eyes. “MY PRINCE! PLEASE… SPARE ME! I PROMISE I WON’T… I WONT…!â€
But the Prince would not heed her words -- he was through granting opportunities to soldiers who had utterly proved their uselessness. Not even his presence could be felt at her mind’s side anymore -- only his power… his indomitable dark power against which Elya’s small mind could not contend. The last thing she could and would ever do was let out one final, ear-shattering scream.
“AAAAaaaAAaAAAAaAAAAAaaAAaAAAaaaAAAAAAAggGGGGGGgGgGhhHHH…!!!â€
There was a sound vaguely reminiscent of a pane of glass shattering, and all of a sudden… everything in the subconscious realm became unnervingly quiet.
Elya sat frozen upright, hands still clutched so hard at her head that they had managed to break the skin of her scalp. Then, her arms fell limply at her sides and she slumped backwards into the cockpit seat. On her face she wore an expression of complete blankness, her eyes staring dully up towards the sky below. She no longer struggled, she didn’t move, the only sound that could be heard was the light, steady rhythm of her breathing.
Despite her appearance, the young girl was still clinically alive -- her heart still beat, and her brain stem was intact and able to control her involuntary functions. So long as she received the proper care and nutrients, it would be possible for her to body to function until nature took its course and it grew old and eventually gave out.
However… though her body was alive… it was very unlikely that she would ever “live†again.
For you see… while her brain was intact, her mind -- that is to say, her “consciousness†-- had been erased, wiped completely clean. There was function, but there was no emotion. No thought, no ideas, no wondering, none of those special, inseparable abilities that made humans different from all other primitive life forms on earth. She wouldn’t laugh anymore, or play or make fun of others. She wouldn’t dream for the future, nor be able to reminisce of the past. In that instant, everything, all that made her who she was, was gone, snatched away by her malevolent master. The dark prince could not have picked a crueler punishment for somebody who enjoyed “living†for herself as much as Elya had.
The one bright spot that might be found for her… was that she would never have the chance to feel sad or sorry about what it was she just lost.
Such was the way the existence known as Elya Aizen came to an abrupt and prematurely-given end.
Chapter 19: Trou de loup (Earth)
-
Strike Zero
- Posts: 3314
- Joined: Thu Mar 09, 2006 8:49 pm
- Location: Becoming a Gundam
Last edited by Strike Zero on Wed Mar 11, 2009 1:37 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Thundermuffin wrote:SETSUNA: There is no Tomino in this world.
--Lauren, General Santi and Madame Bushido--
The masked woman finds the lounge easily. She goes straight to the coffee machine, and fixes up her favorite blend. Already she could hear the whispers of some of the other people. Barely inaudible, but she knew who and what they are talking about. It doesn't matter; she doesn't have to gain the approval of these low-rankers, all she craves is respect---in the battlefield.
Present among the witnesses is the Fafnir's Captain, who's a bit surprised by the General's arrival. She quickly salutes, to which the general just waved it off, and let the relaxing people not be bothered too much...
After Bushido gets a cup of her fix, Santi says, "You don't have to come, Gale."
"I don't plan to."
Santi's unsurprised expression would say that he's dealt with this many times, and therefore, unsurprising that she flat out says something like that to one of the highest commanders in the entire military. With that, Santi makes his way towards Taylor Reese, while accompanied by four escorts.
He meets a rather irritated woman along the hallway, he pays no heed.
Led to the room, He 'knocks' on the open door.
--Taylor--
Taylor jumps at the sight of the high ranking officer. She just wanted to go postal on why no one warned her of a general's arrival, but it really doesn't matter now. "Sir!" Taylor salutes hastily.
Santi would see three people; Reese, a higher-ranked officer, and a pilot, it seems.
"Feels good to see the tax dollars here are well spent," the general says.
The masked woman finds the lounge easily. She goes straight to the coffee machine, and fixes up her favorite blend. Already she could hear the whispers of some of the other people. Barely inaudible, but she knew who and what they are talking about. It doesn't matter; she doesn't have to gain the approval of these low-rankers, all she craves is respect---in the battlefield.
Present among the witnesses is the Fafnir's Captain, who's a bit surprised by the General's arrival. She quickly salutes, to which the general just waved it off, and let the relaxing people not be bothered too much...
After Bushido gets a cup of her fix, Santi says, "You don't have to come, Gale."
"I don't plan to."
Santi's unsurprised expression would say that he's dealt with this many times, and therefore, unsurprising that she flat out says something like that to one of the highest commanders in the entire military. With that, Santi makes his way towards Taylor Reese, while accompanied by four escorts.
He meets a rather irritated woman along the hallway, he pays no heed.
Led to the room, He 'knocks' on the open door.
--Taylor--
Taylor jumps at the sight of the high ranking officer. She just wanted to go postal on why no one warned her of a general's arrival, but it really doesn't matter now. "Sir!" Taylor salutes hastily.
Santi would see three people; Reese, a higher-ranked officer, and a pilot, it seems.
"Feels good to see the tax dollars here are well spent," the general says.
(>-.-)>-} >>---> \(x.x)/
((I hope this is OK since I need some reason to turn back))
-Valhalla-
The Exia had been brought aboard with a great deal of help from the ground crew and the ship was about to make it's turn to investigate the signal when Sylvia, studying a panel very closely, discovered something.
"Sir we lost the Distress signal!"
This was troubling but with everything that had happened on this ill fated voyage what the loss of the signal meant was that there was no reason to continue.
"Right, Lets head home no point in asking for more misfortune out here and I'd imagine our pilots need a rest."
Sylvia nodded then proceeded to relay the change in orders to the Pilots still on the field in this case Gai.
Sume Gai
((and I hope no one minds me doing this since he's technically an NPC))
Gai received the message and confirmed it before beginning his return trip to the Island under his own power. It may have meant a rough journey ahead but Gai didn't really mind; the few minutes of solitude inside GaiGar would help to clear his head. For some reason he started to reminisce back to when he'd first arrived in this dimension Distance was the only thing that allowed Gai to recall without interruption from the Nova Prince's Mind Crush.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It was only hours after his arrival through the Portal; the whole situation seemed wholly unbelievable to him until he saw the myriad of mechs the federation had brought through the same portal. It was like a dream come true in a way; he'd always loved Mecha, to the point where some of the people he knew well enough made fun of him for it, but at the Same time he was faced with a choice.
There was a war and he was being asked to kill for this group that brought him here. It was something he didn't think he could do. After his physical, he asked them for time to think; they, somewhat unwillingly, complied with this wish and even let him wonder the base to an extent. It was then Gai met someone.
Introducing himself as Wingnut, the other man claimed to be from the same dimension and interestingly enough seemed to share Gai's taste in mecha. Wingnut had already decided to help the federation in this war and was steadfast in that choice even proudly proclaiming his mech as a Re-GZ custom.
Eventually though their conversation ended and Gai found himself alone and still unsure of his decision. He tried but in the end his mind wondered back to Wingnut and the conversation they'd had. It felt like Wingnut had been one of the few people Gai could trully call a friend.
'I'd hate to see him die here in this war.'
That was it!
Gai found something to fight for. There and then in the silent lounge he made two vows before hurriedly rushing out of the lounge.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Those vows played back in Gai's mind as his lips wordlessly mouthed them the first echoing hollow as he seemed to keep failing at it but the second one restoring Gai's resolve as he repeated it a second and third time and then a fifth and sixth. Gai knew that he'd never fully forget the events that just occurred but he knew that he couldn't afford to loose himself in them; not now.
His mind turned to Tallis; he wasn't going to let her die. He knew he couldn't afford to fail there and he had only three days to prepare.
-Valhalla-
The Exia had been brought aboard with a great deal of help from the ground crew and the ship was about to make it's turn to investigate the signal when Sylvia, studying a panel very closely, discovered something.
"Sir we lost the Distress signal!"
This was troubling but with everything that had happened on this ill fated voyage what the loss of the signal meant was that there was no reason to continue.
"Right, Lets head home no point in asking for more misfortune out here and I'd imagine our pilots need a rest."
Sylvia nodded then proceeded to relay the change in orders to the Pilots still on the field in this case Gai.
Sume Gai
((and I hope no one minds me doing this since he's technically an NPC))
Gai received the message and confirmed it before beginning his return trip to the Island under his own power. It may have meant a rough journey ahead but Gai didn't really mind; the few minutes of solitude inside GaiGar would help to clear his head. For some reason he started to reminisce back to when he'd first arrived in this dimension Distance was the only thing that allowed Gai to recall without interruption from the Nova Prince's Mind Crush.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It was only hours after his arrival through the Portal; the whole situation seemed wholly unbelievable to him until he saw the myriad of mechs the federation had brought through the same portal. It was like a dream come true in a way; he'd always loved Mecha, to the point where some of the people he knew well enough made fun of him for it, but at the Same time he was faced with a choice.
There was a war and he was being asked to kill for this group that brought him here. It was something he didn't think he could do. After his physical, he asked them for time to think; they, somewhat unwillingly, complied with this wish and even let him wonder the base to an extent. It was then Gai met someone.
Introducing himself as Wingnut, the other man claimed to be from the same dimension and interestingly enough seemed to share Gai's taste in mecha. Wingnut had already decided to help the federation in this war and was steadfast in that choice even proudly proclaiming his mech as a Re-GZ custom.
Eventually though their conversation ended and Gai found himself alone and still unsure of his decision. He tried but in the end his mind wondered back to Wingnut and the conversation they'd had. It felt like Wingnut had been one of the few people Gai could trully call a friend.
'I'd hate to see him die here in this war.'
That was it!
Gai found something to fight for. There and then in the silent lounge he made two vows before hurriedly rushing out of the lounge.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Those vows played back in Gai's mind as his lips wordlessly mouthed them the first echoing hollow as he seemed to keep failing at it but the second one restoring Gai's resolve as he repeated it a second and third time and then a fifth and sixth. Gai knew that he'd never fully forget the events that just occurred but he knew that he couldn't afford to loose himself in them; not now.
His mind turned to Tallis; he wasn't going to let her die. He knew he couldn't afford to fail there and he had only three days to prepare.
Last edited by Sume Gai on Wed Mar 11, 2009 6:45 am, edited 1 time in total.
"If You are a man you'll do what's important before you grieve" -Captain Harlock
"I like the SAGA. Its what Rambo would pilot if he was in Gundam 00" -Kylern
"I like the SAGA. Its what Rambo would pilot if he was in Gundam 00" -Kylern
Lowind now cursed the fact he had tried to observe the others' emotions via his Newtype abilities. Despite being on another ship, he could sense Elya's presence get utterly annihilated by what must be the Nova Prince. And feel what must be less than a hundredth of what she felt. And even then it was agonizing.
"Such... power... WHAT THE HELL IS THIS GUY?!" He screamed wildly.
He then felt the girl disappear. "Thank you for breaking." Lowind said in relief as his own pain vanished as though it was never there.
"If I put "no newtype power" as level 1 and myself at level 4... This guy is probably somewhere around 20. And that may be a serious underestimate. Or overestimate. Hopefully it is the latter." He said aloud, then realised he was outside his room and quite a few people were staring at him.
But hey, the plot thickens. Lowind thought, while checking if his own psyche is undamaged. Or at least not even more damaged than before.
"Such... power... WHAT THE HELL IS THIS GUY?!" He screamed wildly.
He then felt the girl disappear. "Thank you for breaking." Lowind said in relief as his own pain vanished as though it was never there.
"If I put "no newtype power" as level 1 and myself at level 4... This guy is probably somewhere around 20. And that may be a serious underestimate. Or overestimate. Hopefully it is the latter." He said aloud, then realised he was outside his room and quite a few people were staring at him.
But hey, the plot thickens. Lowind thought, while checking if his own psyche is undamaged. Or at least not even more damaged than before.
-Zangetsu-
After the Gundams had bee moved in Zangetsu slowly walked into the hangar. He didn't go to change out of his wet close instead he walked over to the Wing Gundam's foot and sat next to it. He had been sitting their for a momment or two before the Nova Prince's mind whipe went off.
Zangetsu felt the whole thing and it cause him some pain, but he was surprised when he felt sad about what happened to this girl. Then he realised why.
"So this....Prince is the one who ordered this mission. He gave that girl those special powers, the Fairlions, and the GN-XIIIs." he said as he stood up to walk back outside were Strike and Stellar still stood. "He is the one that will pay for this. This Nova Prince will die, this I promise Xiu."
After the Gundams had bee moved in Zangetsu slowly walked into the hangar. He didn't go to change out of his wet close instead he walked over to the Wing Gundam's foot and sat next to it. He had been sitting their for a momment or two before the Nova Prince's mind whipe went off.
Zangetsu felt the whole thing and it cause him some pain, but he was surprised when he felt sad about what happened to this girl. Then he realised why.
"So this....Prince is the one who ordered this mission. He gave that girl those special powers, the Fairlions, and the GN-XIIIs." he said as he stood up to walk back outside were Strike and Stellar still stood. "He is the one that will pay for this. This Nova Prince will die, this I promise Xiu."
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Cybaster
- Posts: 1422
- Joined: Tue Mar 14, 2006 8:28 pm
- Location: SANDWIIIIIIIIIIIIIICH!!! *shakes fist*
-Light Warriors-
Aside from Emily (who was unconscious), the other Light Warriors reacted variously to the chime of the Nova Prince's taunting Elya --- which apparently was heard throughout the ship. Whoever this Nova Prince was, he was powerful --- perhaps, Kirie thought, more powerful than even Emily or Morpheus. And if the Nova Prince could speak into all their minds at once, there was nothing to prevent him from attacking them all at once, either.
"...That voice..." Lune blinked, feeling the Nova Prince's voice envelop her head as the Valsione R touched down in turn.
Masamune remained unmoving, lost in his loss. "...The Nova Prince..."
"Such malice! That evil aura..." Kirie sneered, dashing hurriedly onto the flight deck, eyes narrowed and his breathing steady to prepare himself for any sort of mental attack. "I've never felt evil so concentrated and bottomless before! It's like this guy is...it's like he's Oda Nobunaga reborn! It's that bad!"
In fact, the only person who did not hear the Nova Prince --- for some odd reason, even though he should have heard him by all means --- was Black Mage. As everyone paused, Black Mage looked around with a look of confusion.
"What? What?" Black Mage asked, sauntering over to the fallen Fairlion while glancing at everyone. "Did someone break wind?"
Then suddenly Elya thrashed, screamed, and pleaded, anything to escape her fate, but it was no use --- and all Kirie and Black Mage could do as they finally got over to the Fairlion was to stare blankly. By this time, Lune had managed to tether herself off of the Valsione as well and was doing her best to run over there in a hurried expression.
And then it was over, and as Kirie blinked, Black Mage cooed.
"Now that is some high-class work. Whatever that is, Elya ain't coming out of it without some serious plot contrivance." BM ^^'d for a moment, before leaping into the cockpit himself --- and his right hand raised, holding his trusty knife. "Well, sorry about this, squirt, but I'd rather not be you --- and I'm sure you'll agree if you still have half a mind left. So, I guess the best I can do is give you a final farewell face-stab --- The Black Mage special!"
Just as Black Mage stabbed down towards Elya's forehead, a firm hand suddenly lashed out with lightning speed and grabbed onto Black Mage's wrist; Turning around, BM gave a look of annoyance as he saw Kirie staying his hand for him. "C'mon. Don't tell me you don't want this." BM simply said.
Kirie shook his head. "We all do, Black Mage, but this is serious." Kirie said calmly. "Leave Elya for now --- maybe Morpheus can make some sense out of this and what just happened to her. Maybe Morpheus can shed some clues on who this Nova Prince is, too."
Black Mage frowned and retracted his hand back into his robes at that, but he visibly looked annoyed at Kirie for it. "Whatever. You talk to the mob, then. And Kirie? Not even *I* know who the Nova Prince really is. What makes you think Trinity back there would know?"
"Then do you know who the rest of the Dark Star Knights are?"
It was Masamune, back turned towards everyone. He was not going to say anything to express Xiu's demise --- not in front of everyone. Not like this. Black Mage blinked, and nodded. "I'd have to."
"Then tell me who they are," Masamune angrily sneered. "And tell me which is which when they show up. Do it, Black Mage, or lose your own head."
"Fine. I will. But not now, Fighter over there just ruined my mood." BM sulked. "When they appear in the future, I'll give you a shout."
Aside from Emily (who was unconscious), the other Light Warriors reacted variously to the chime of the Nova Prince's taunting Elya --- which apparently was heard throughout the ship. Whoever this Nova Prince was, he was powerful --- perhaps, Kirie thought, more powerful than even Emily or Morpheus. And if the Nova Prince could speak into all their minds at once, there was nothing to prevent him from attacking them all at once, either.
"...That voice..." Lune blinked, feeling the Nova Prince's voice envelop her head as the Valsione R touched down in turn.
Masamune remained unmoving, lost in his loss. "...The Nova Prince..."
"Such malice! That evil aura..." Kirie sneered, dashing hurriedly onto the flight deck, eyes narrowed and his breathing steady to prepare himself for any sort of mental attack. "I've never felt evil so concentrated and bottomless before! It's like this guy is...it's like he's Oda Nobunaga reborn! It's that bad!"
In fact, the only person who did not hear the Nova Prince --- for some odd reason, even though he should have heard him by all means --- was Black Mage. As everyone paused, Black Mage looked around with a look of confusion.
"What? What?" Black Mage asked, sauntering over to the fallen Fairlion while glancing at everyone. "Did someone break wind?"
Then suddenly Elya thrashed, screamed, and pleaded, anything to escape her fate, but it was no use --- and all Kirie and Black Mage could do as they finally got over to the Fairlion was to stare blankly. By this time, Lune had managed to tether herself off of the Valsione as well and was doing her best to run over there in a hurried expression.
And then it was over, and as Kirie blinked, Black Mage cooed.
"Now that is some high-class work. Whatever that is, Elya ain't coming out of it without some serious plot contrivance." BM ^^'d for a moment, before leaping into the cockpit himself --- and his right hand raised, holding his trusty knife. "Well, sorry about this, squirt, but I'd rather not be you --- and I'm sure you'll agree if you still have half a mind left. So, I guess the best I can do is give you a final farewell face-stab --- The Black Mage special!"
Just as Black Mage stabbed down towards Elya's forehead, a firm hand suddenly lashed out with lightning speed and grabbed onto Black Mage's wrist; Turning around, BM gave a look of annoyance as he saw Kirie staying his hand for him. "C'mon. Don't tell me you don't want this." BM simply said.
Kirie shook his head. "We all do, Black Mage, but this is serious." Kirie said calmly. "Leave Elya for now --- maybe Morpheus can make some sense out of this and what just happened to her. Maybe Morpheus can shed some clues on who this Nova Prince is, too."
Black Mage frowned and retracted his hand back into his robes at that, but he visibly looked annoyed at Kirie for it. "Whatever. You talk to the mob, then. And Kirie? Not even *I* know who the Nova Prince really is. What makes you think Trinity back there would know?"
"Then do you know who the rest of the Dark Star Knights are?"
It was Masamune, back turned towards everyone. He was not going to say anything to express Xiu's demise --- not in front of everyone. Not like this. Black Mage blinked, and nodded. "I'd have to."
"Then tell me who they are," Masamune angrily sneered. "And tell me which is which when they show up. Do it, Black Mage, or lose your own head."
"Fine. I will. But not now, Fighter over there just ruined my mood." BM sulked. "When they appear in the future, I'll give you a shout."
Don't throw the baton, you jacka**!!!
-Kylern-
Unlike the others he was able to cut himself off completely forcing the Nova Prince not only out of his mind but vanished from the desk for the Ceres. It was a conscience move as he already knew what the rant was about before the guy started.
Instead he walked towards the Fairlion's remains and drew the 45APC from the holster on his side. He was close enough to hear the girl's words and see the pain on her face... and he was disgusted by the fact she was just a kid too. His gun kept pointed at her face as she pleaded with her prince and when he mind was erased he watched the twisting of her face and then the utter blankness that followed.
No words could explain what it was like and instead he silently checked her pulse to find the small little body alive. Gun reholstered he unbuckled her from the cockpit and lifted the little body out and carried it across the deck in his arms. Blood red eyes glared from behind his solemn face as it was apparent he was affected by this. He wouldn't cry but he did feel horrible that something so twisted could happen in this world.
If anyone dared approach him or attempted to take the little girl away from him he would shoot them. He wasn't giving her up until someone he knew looked at her and tried to help. He believed Goldsburg could do something due to the guy's intense study of brainwaves and other psychic phenomena... And even if they could just wake the girl up as a new person it was better than letting her die like this. He couldn't eliminate someone that was thrown aside like this and instead put the burden of blame on this Prince fellow. That guy was going to die in a horrible way especially when he met the angry and vengeful Gundam team. Kylern had a special way he would butcher this guy...
-Ceres-
Ryker listened to the message and gave a sigh. "Return us home quickly..." With that the Ceres went into a higher gear to make it home quickly. Hopefully it would get there quickly because the crew and ship needed it.
Oddly a strange signal was trying to get ahold of them using DC lines... The Communication officer shrugged his shoulders as Ryker order them to connect to the person. He was in a bad mood but if someone needed to talk then he would.
Unlike the others he was able to cut himself off completely forcing the Nova Prince not only out of his mind but vanished from the desk for the Ceres. It was a conscience move as he already knew what the rant was about before the guy started.
Instead he walked towards the Fairlion's remains and drew the 45APC from the holster on his side. He was close enough to hear the girl's words and see the pain on her face... and he was disgusted by the fact she was just a kid too. His gun kept pointed at her face as she pleaded with her prince and when he mind was erased he watched the twisting of her face and then the utter blankness that followed.
No words could explain what it was like and instead he silently checked her pulse to find the small little body alive. Gun reholstered he unbuckled her from the cockpit and lifted the little body out and carried it across the deck in his arms. Blood red eyes glared from behind his solemn face as it was apparent he was affected by this. He wouldn't cry but he did feel horrible that something so twisted could happen in this world.
If anyone dared approach him or attempted to take the little girl away from him he would shoot them. He wasn't giving her up until someone he knew looked at her and tried to help. He believed Goldsburg could do something due to the guy's intense study of brainwaves and other psychic phenomena... And even if they could just wake the girl up as a new person it was better than letting her die like this. He couldn't eliminate someone that was thrown aside like this and instead put the burden of blame on this Prince fellow. That guy was going to die in a horrible way especially when he met the angry and vengeful Gundam team. Kylern had a special way he would butcher this guy...
-Ceres-
Ryker listened to the message and gave a sigh. "Return us home quickly..." With that the Ceres went into a higher gear to make it home quickly. Hopefully it would get there quickly because the crew and ship needed it.
Oddly a strange signal was trying to get ahold of them using DC lines... The Communication officer shrugged his shoulders as Ryker order them to connect to the person. He was in a bad mood but if someone needed to talk then he would.
Last edited by Kylern on Wed Mar 11, 2009 1:06 pm, edited 1 time in total.
When the books are written will we be on the right side of history?
Totally Awesome Random Robot RPG
Totally Awesome Random Robot RPG
(Well, the Nova Prince's appearance, and the Unicorn going beastly would cause this...)
-Zaine-
Coming to in the Exia's cockpit, Zaine managed to climb out, and start to leave the hangar... However something had awakened due to the twin aftereffects of psychic power unleashed.
Pain filled Zaine's chest and brought him to his knees, and he could almost hear a heartbeat, but in truth, It was a psychic pulse..
"No... Not now..." However, the pain would continue to rise as his eyes turned red... then, a mental image of a nine-tailed fox appeared as everything gained a red tint.
"You have no power... you cannot protect anyone... you will never save her..." The beast spoke telepathically.
"Y-You're wrong... YOU'RE WRONG!!!" He screamed... those with newtype powers would be able to see the nine-tailed fox and hear it's voice, making apparent that it was trying to cast doubt into Zaine's mind.
Slowly, he started pulsing, and a blood red aura shrouded him momentarily and with each pulse, the aura grew stronger. Soon it would settle, and Zaine would lose control completely.
-Luna-
She was just about to leave the bridge, when just as she was heading out, she bumped into Zaraki, who seemed joyously insane at the moment.
"Judging from your expression, I take it something happened to your other self."
-Zaine-
Coming to in the Exia's cockpit, Zaine managed to climb out, and start to leave the hangar... However something had awakened due to the twin aftereffects of psychic power unleashed.
Pain filled Zaine's chest and brought him to his knees, and he could almost hear a heartbeat, but in truth, It was a psychic pulse..
"No... Not now..." However, the pain would continue to rise as his eyes turned red... then, a mental image of a nine-tailed fox appeared as everything gained a red tint.
"You have no power... you cannot protect anyone... you will never save her..." The beast spoke telepathically.
"Y-You're wrong... YOU'RE WRONG!!!" He screamed... those with newtype powers would be able to see the nine-tailed fox and hear it's voice, making apparent that it was trying to cast doubt into Zaine's mind.
Slowly, he started pulsing, and a blood red aura shrouded him momentarily and with each pulse, the aura grew stronger. Soon it would settle, and Zaine would lose control completely.
-Luna-
She was just about to leave the bridge, when just as she was heading out, she bumped into Zaraki, who seemed joyously insane at the moment.
"Judging from your expression, I take it something happened to your other self."
-J.L. Kinney-
Commander Kinney, still in his quarters, was reviewing the tech specs and informational data of his new Chaos Gundam MkII, which he'd yet to ever take into combat, though he already had over fifteen hours' simulation with it.
"This...This thing is somethin' else." He mumbled to himself. "Wonder when I'll get the chance to really see what it's capable of."
-Shibamura-
"You know, you didn't have to settle for just a Duel. Could probably've gotten a Sword Calamity or a Forbidden easily, with your skill." Mai told her sister. "I mean, the Duel's an antique, technologically speaking."
Mai seldom spoke to anyone, except for Mudie, who shrugged as she looked through the Duel's tech manual.
"Hate the Forbidden, and a Calamity doesn't interest me. Besides, I like the Duel. You could've gotten a Calamity yourself, but instead went for an upgraded Buster."
-"Well, heavy artillery's my specialty, and the Calamity just doesn't do it for me - not enough range."
The two were huddled together in the hangar - Mai sitting on the Buster's foot, painstakingly cleaning a sophisticated, high-powered long-range rifle whose carry case lay on the ground nearby, and Mudie standing next to her, leaning against the machine's leg.
Commander Kinney, still in his quarters, was reviewing the tech specs and informational data of his new Chaos Gundam MkII, which he'd yet to ever take into combat, though he already had over fifteen hours' simulation with it.
"This...This thing is somethin' else." He mumbled to himself. "Wonder when I'll get the chance to really see what it's capable of."
-Shibamura-
"You know, you didn't have to settle for just a Duel. Could probably've gotten a Sword Calamity or a Forbidden easily, with your skill." Mai told her sister. "I mean, the Duel's an antique, technologically speaking."
Mai seldom spoke to anyone, except for Mudie, who shrugged as she looked through the Duel's tech manual.
"Hate the Forbidden, and a Calamity doesn't interest me. Besides, I like the Duel. You could've gotten a Calamity yourself, but instead went for an upgraded Buster."
-"Well, heavy artillery's my specialty, and the Calamity just doesn't do it for me - not enough range."
The two were huddled together in the hangar - Mai sitting on the Buster's foot, painstakingly cleaning a sophisticated, high-powered long-range rifle whose carry case lay on the ground nearby, and Mudie standing next to her, leaning against the machine's leg.
// ART THREAD // NOT ACCEPTING REQUESTS
"You can learn all the math in the 'verse, but take a boat in the air you don't love, she'll shake you off just as sure as the turn of the worlds. Love keeps her in the air when she ought to fall down. Tells you she's hurting before she keens. Makes her a home."
"You can learn all the math in the 'verse, but take a boat in the air you don't love, she'll shake you off just as sure as the turn of the worlds. Love keeps her in the air when she ought to fall down. Tells you she's hurting before she keens. Makes her a home."
Alex Bloke
ALex had done something very strange after landing he remained in his cockpit connected to the 009GS. He didn't know why but for some reason he wanted to hold onto the sadness even if he couldn't identify it as such. He didn't want to be parted with the 'pain'. That all changed when he saw Zaine on the floor and looking Strange
He was compelled to help by something else he could not identify that would vanish when the emotional limiters kicked in and disconnecting himself exited the cockpit ignoring the, now all too common, errors as he rushed over to the pilot.
-Haro-
having made it's way down to the hanger the Haro was actually first to reach Zaine and noticing the change in it's master began to speak hurriedly as if worried
"Zaine! What's Wrong!? What's Wrong!?"
ALex had done something very strange after landing he remained in his cockpit connected to the 009GS. He didn't know why but for some reason he wanted to hold onto the sadness even if he couldn't identify it as such. He didn't want to be parted with the 'pain'. That all changed when he saw Zaine on the floor and looking Strange
He was compelled to help by something else he could not identify that would vanish when the emotional limiters kicked in and disconnecting himself exited the cockpit ignoring the, now all too common, errors as he rushed over to the pilot.
-Haro-
having made it's way down to the hanger the Haro was actually first to reach Zaine and noticing the change in it's master began to speak hurriedly as if worried
"Zaine! What's Wrong!? What's Wrong!?"
"If You are a man you'll do what's important before you grieve" -Captain Harlock
"I like the SAGA. Its what Rambo would pilot if he was in Gundam 00" -Kylern
"I like the SAGA. Its what Rambo would pilot if he was in Gundam 00" -Kylern
-Zaine-
He turned his attention to the silver orb nearby, and for some strange reason, noticed that the Haro was still silver, even while evrything else was red.
"Something's... trying to... take over..." He managed before the pain intensified, and the red aura began to settle.
"Grr... GGGYYYAAAAAGGHHH!!!" At that point, the pain was almost unbearable.
He turned his attention to the silver orb nearby, and for some strange reason, noticed that the Haro was still silver, even while evrything else was red.
"Something's... trying to... take over..." He managed before the pain intensified, and the red aura began to settle.
"Grr... GGGYYYAAAAAGGHHH!!!" At that point, the pain was almost unbearable.
-haro-
the Silver orb looked about as close as any Haro ever has to pensive as it decided what to do. In all honesty it didn't have a clue what was wrong or how to fix it but that didn't stop it from doing what it could. A small panel on the top of the Haro, right between the ears, slid open. The compartment had been added by Tallis and inside was something Zaine would recognize.
the Silver orb looked about as close as any Haro ever has to pensive as it decided what to do. In all honesty it didn't have a clue what was wrong or how to fix it but that didn't stop it from doing what it could. A small panel on the top of the Haro, right between the ears, slid open. The compartment had been added by Tallis and inside was something Zaine would recognize.
Last edited by Sume Gai on Wed Mar 11, 2009 1:23 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"If You are a man you'll do what's important before you grieve" -Captain Harlock
"I like the SAGA. Its what Rambo would pilot if he was in Gundam 00" -Kylern
"I like the SAGA. Its what Rambo would pilot if he was in Gundam 00" -Kylern
-Zaine/???-
He somehow managed to notice the small panel open up on the haro through the pain, and as his gaze fell on what rested inside.
"That's... the pendant I gave..." at that point, a memory came to mind...
"I'll never abandon you... I'll save you, I promise."
Slowly, the pain began to subside as he reached in and gently lifted out the pendant...
"I do have power... I will not fail in protecting those I care about... And... I will save her!!!" Despite still being in the red aura, his eyes retained a human look. Just barely, He had overcome the beast's will.
Due to it's close proximity to the pendant, the fox became visible to all in the hangar for a few moments before dissolving.
He somehow managed to notice the small panel open up on the haro through the pain, and as his gaze fell on what rested inside.
"That's... the pendant I gave..." at that point, a memory came to mind...
"I'll never abandon you... I'll save you, I promise."
Slowly, the pain began to subside as he reached in and gently lifted out the pendant...
"I do have power... I will not fail in protecting those I care about... And... I will save her!!!" Despite still being in the red aura, his eyes retained a human look. Just barely, He had overcome the beast's will.
Due to it's close proximity to the pendant, the fox became visible to all in the hangar for a few moments before dissolving.
-
Cybaster
- Posts: 1422
- Joined: Tue Mar 14, 2006 8:28 pm
- Location: SANDWIIIIIIIIIIIIIICH!!! *shakes fist*
(Moved up for continuity.)
-Masamune-
The rain, unabiding, continued to pour outside onto the Ceres' bow section even after everyone had cleared out.
By then, there was almost nothing left on the deck --- the other Mobile Weapons had been moved in, and even the wreckage of the Shenlong Gundam had been cleared away to make room. The pilots themselves, all reeling with the loss, had went inside the ship to relate their experiences and share grief; The others, simply to take shelter from the rainstorm battering the Ceres. Outside, in the sky, the only thing that remained to tell of Xing Xiu's departure from the mortal coil was the rain and thunderstorm that still serenaded her tale.
But there was one thing still on the bow, after everyone was gone: the one-armed, battered LRX-077 Sisquiede.
And its pilot.
Date Masamune did nothing to hide from the rain that was thoroughly soaking him while he stood, in muted mirthlessness and biting his lip unhappily, at the center of the Ceres' bow section, as if he was content to let it simply drown him. It would certainly be a blessing to Masamune if the rain did wash him away; It would've made things easier to bear for him compared to the others, but Masamune knew that was not Masamune's way --- Xiu would not have wanted to run away, much less want him to escape from anything. And like Xiu, Masamune had been --- and still was --- a loner for the most part.
Hence when the others gathered around earlier to grieve, Date Masamune said nothing, made no gesture. He would not grieve in front of others, like the others --- thank you, Kirie, for understanding this, at least, Masamune sighed wistfully. Even when Xiu and the Shenlong were taken away, Masamune had not moved or said a word; he simply turned away, back to everyone else. Only when they were finally gone did Masamune turn around, staring at the spot where the Shenlong once was.
And even now, even though it was gone, he was still staring. Masamune kept staring as if he could still see Xiu's body there.
Masamune chuckled mirthlessly and shook his head.
"...You've..." Masamune began, his voice low and gentle, yet steady enough, as if Xiu's body was still where he was staring. "...You've become a real warrior at last, Xiu. Back then, when you took on Elya...you really had that spark in you."
No response. The rain continued to pour.
"It's amazing how you've changed in the span of an hour. An hour ago, you were still a fledging thief...but you've really changed."
Masamune sighed.
"That endless vigor..." Silence. "...I saw it in you, Xiu. Only Yukimura had it." The Daimyo boy of Aizu looked slightly upwards. His stare softened into a wistful look. Mental images flooded his head in the rain; of Xiu charging the Shenlong with nothing but defeating Elya in mind, of Yukimura's fateful charge, fighting off endless waves of the Tokugawa in the same pouring rainstorm. "That vigor, the aggressiveness...the will to keep going, the resolve to ignore your wounds...you had all of it, you really did. Of all the people, when I sought it...you had it. You've really matured. You've really achieved it...that legendary level..."
Then, Masamune exhaled once, his voice cracking slightly.
"...And...I got you killed for it..."
Masamune sneered, head lowered again, body shivering. "I pushed you, encouraged you...I did it because I saw myself in you. I wanted you to succeed, as I had. I..." Masamune paused, the words caught in his throat. "...I wanted to...
"I wanted to..."
After a moment, Masamune's left fist clenched tightly.
"...I wanted to...have someone who...I am proud of...who I want to really fight with. Who I want to really fight for."
A pause.
"...And I am, Xiu. I'm proud of you. I wanted so much to fight with you, for you. I guess I'm starting to understand what gives Kirie his power. You helped me...realize that."
Masamune's fist unclenched, and he slowly began turning his head up. Masamune wanted to gaze at the sky --- he wanted to see if he could see Xiu there.
"...What do you think of me, Xiu?"
The rain continued to pour.
"...What do you see when you look at me? A comrade-in-arms? A thief who pushed you on to your death?"
The rain continued to pour.
"...A treacherous hypocrite who betrayed the Fandom?"
The rain continued to pour. Masamune's eye narrowed.
"...A friend...?"
Masamune felt his eye mist up. He blamed it on the heavy rain. Rain continued to soak him.
"...A...a...?"
His eye misted up.
"Imbecile..." Masamune sneered, his voice turning from sadness to anger; Anger at this entire thing, at the Dark Star Knights. At himself. "I promised you, Xiu...! I promised by myself, by the Date Clan, and all I managed to do was get you killed...I couldn't save you when you needed me the most! I can't even fulfill what I said I would do, with all my heart...!"
As Masamune felt, among the rain, the warmth of a single tear flowing along his face, he sneered, trying to suppress it with anger. "I won't stand idle anymore! From now on, I will fulfill my promises!
"I will ascend to be a warrior like you, Xiu, or die trying!"
Then Masamune has had it with the rain, the rain that soaked him, mocking his failure. Masamune drew his saber with his right hand, swinging it out violently; Images, pictures flooded his blurred vision --- Masamune saw Xiu's body amidst the still-burning Shenlong Gundam, then Elya and the Fairlion in the rain, taunting him for failing. Masamune had failed. And Masamune would not fail again.
"Do you hear me, rain!?" Masamune slashed once and stepped forward, slashing down into midair at invisible enemies. "Come on! Rain!" He slashed again, a horizontal slash to his right, stepping forward. "Keep raining!" A third slash, down towards the left. "Keep doing your worst!!! Keep raining and crying for her!
"Keep raining until..."
Masamune made a lunging stab forward.
"Until..."
A leaping upwards slash, jumping slightly.
"Until......."
Then Masamune made a final violent slash down, to carve the imaginary Elya in two; as he nearly stumbled in the rain, Masamune's feelings finally exploded and, with a loud cry that rivalled the Unicorn Gundam's in volume and substance, Masamune reared upwards, railing his loss and Xiu's misfortune at the heavens in challenge. He would not fail again. He will never fail again!
"Keep raining until you've rained enough to make me a Dragon that Ascends the Heavens!!!!"
Thunder roared in defiance, threatening to strike Masamune down. But it never came.
And Date Masamune, as he felt his anger give way to the sadness he's been holding in, dropped the saber from his hands --- causing it to clang onto the ground and lie equally soaked --- and fell to his knees, head lowered. His eye was narrowed, desperately fighting back tears to no avail as they finally welled out of him; Masamune's chest heaved, and he exhaled his breath. He found himself kneeling exactly where the Shenlong's cockpit had been when Xiu died.
Silence. The rain continued to pour.
"Imbecile..." Masamune sighed wistfully after a long while. The rain continued to soak him, and Masamune continued to ignore it. "...Watch me from above, Xiu. I'll be a warrior worthy of you...I'll be the Dokuganryu again, one that the Dark Star Knights will fear and tremble for. I'll never break my promises again...I won't let the Fandom or Federation take anyone near me. And maybe, just maybe, when I've finally become an Ascending Dragon...maybe then..."
At that, Date Masamune's lips curled into a wistful smile. The rain kept pouring. Thunder rang again.
"Maybe then, up there...I'll be there to back you up again..."
-Masamune-
The rain, unabiding, continued to pour outside onto the Ceres' bow section even after everyone had cleared out.
By then, there was almost nothing left on the deck --- the other Mobile Weapons had been moved in, and even the wreckage of the Shenlong Gundam had been cleared away to make room. The pilots themselves, all reeling with the loss, had went inside the ship to relate their experiences and share grief; The others, simply to take shelter from the rainstorm battering the Ceres. Outside, in the sky, the only thing that remained to tell of Xing Xiu's departure from the mortal coil was the rain and thunderstorm that still serenaded her tale.
But there was one thing still on the bow, after everyone was gone: the one-armed, battered LRX-077 Sisquiede.
And its pilot.
Date Masamune did nothing to hide from the rain that was thoroughly soaking him while he stood, in muted mirthlessness and biting his lip unhappily, at the center of the Ceres' bow section, as if he was content to let it simply drown him. It would certainly be a blessing to Masamune if the rain did wash him away; It would've made things easier to bear for him compared to the others, but Masamune knew that was not Masamune's way --- Xiu would not have wanted to run away, much less want him to escape from anything. And like Xiu, Masamune had been --- and still was --- a loner for the most part.
Hence when the others gathered around earlier to grieve, Date Masamune said nothing, made no gesture. He would not grieve in front of others, like the others --- thank you, Kirie, for understanding this, at least, Masamune sighed wistfully. Even when Xiu and the Shenlong were taken away, Masamune had not moved or said a word; he simply turned away, back to everyone else. Only when they were finally gone did Masamune turn around, staring at the spot where the Shenlong once was.
And even now, even though it was gone, he was still staring. Masamune kept staring as if he could still see Xiu's body there.
Masamune chuckled mirthlessly and shook his head.
"...You've..." Masamune began, his voice low and gentle, yet steady enough, as if Xiu's body was still where he was staring. "...You've become a real warrior at last, Xiu. Back then, when you took on Elya...you really had that spark in you."
No response. The rain continued to pour.
"It's amazing how you've changed in the span of an hour. An hour ago, you were still a fledging thief...but you've really changed."
Masamune sighed.
"That endless vigor..." Silence. "...I saw it in you, Xiu. Only Yukimura had it." The Daimyo boy of Aizu looked slightly upwards. His stare softened into a wistful look. Mental images flooded his head in the rain; of Xiu charging the Shenlong with nothing but defeating Elya in mind, of Yukimura's fateful charge, fighting off endless waves of the Tokugawa in the same pouring rainstorm. "That vigor, the aggressiveness...the will to keep going, the resolve to ignore your wounds...you had all of it, you really did. Of all the people, when I sought it...you had it. You've really matured. You've really achieved it...that legendary level..."
Then, Masamune exhaled once, his voice cracking slightly.
"...And...I got you killed for it..."
Masamune sneered, head lowered again, body shivering. "I pushed you, encouraged you...I did it because I saw myself in you. I wanted you to succeed, as I had. I..." Masamune paused, the words caught in his throat. "...I wanted to...
"I wanted to..."
After a moment, Masamune's left fist clenched tightly.
"...I wanted to...have someone who...I am proud of...who I want to really fight with. Who I want to really fight for."
A pause.
"...And I am, Xiu. I'm proud of you. I wanted so much to fight with you, for you. I guess I'm starting to understand what gives Kirie his power. You helped me...realize that."
Masamune's fist unclenched, and he slowly began turning his head up. Masamune wanted to gaze at the sky --- he wanted to see if he could see Xiu there.
"...What do you think of me, Xiu?"
The rain continued to pour.
"...What do you see when you look at me? A comrade-in-arms? A thief who pushed you on to your death?"
The rain continued to pour.
"...A treacherous hypocrite who betrayed the Fandom?"
The rain continued to pour. Masamune's eye narrowed.
"...A friend...?"
Masamune felt his eye mist up. He blamed it on the heavy rain. Rain continued to soak him.
"...A...a...?"
His eye misted up.
"Imbecile..." Masamune sneered, his voice turning from sadness to anger; Anger at this entire thing, at the Dark Star Knights. At himself. "I promised you, Xiu...! I promised by myself, by the Date Clan, and all I managed to do was get you killed...I couldn't save you when you needed me the most! I can't even fulfill what I said I would do, with all my heart...!"
As Masamune felt, among the rain, the warmth of a single tear flowing along his face, he sneered, trying to suppress it with anger. "I won't stand idle anymore! From now on, I will fulfill my promises!
"I will ascend to be a warrior like you, Xiu, or die trying!"
Then Masamune has had it with the rain, the rain that soaked him, mocking his failure. Masamune drew his saber with his right hand, swinging it out violently; Images, pictures flooded his blurred vision --- Masamune saw Xiu's body amidst the still-burning Shenlong Gundam, then Elya and the Fairlion in the rain, taunting him for failing. Masamune had failed. And Masamune would not fail again.
"Do you hear me, rain!?" Masamune slashed once and stepped forward, slashing down into midair at invisible enemies. "Come on! Rain!" He slashed again, a horizontal slash to his right, stepping forward. "Keep raining!" A third slash, down towards the left. "Keep doing your worst!!! Keep raining and crying for her!
"Keep raining until..."
Masamune made a lunging stab forward.
"Until..."
A leaping upwards slash, jumping slightly.
"Until......."
Then Masamune made a final violent slash down, to carve the imaginary Elya in two; as he nearly stumbled in the rain, Masamune's feelings finally exploded and, with a loud cry that rivalled the Unicorn Gundam's in volume and substance, Masamune reared upwards, railing his loss and Xiu's misfortune at the heavens in challenge. He would not fail again. He will never fail again!
"Keep raining until you've rained enough to make me a Dragon that Ascends the Heavens!!!!"
Thunder roared in defiance, threatening to strike Masamune down. But it never came.
And Date Masamune, as he felt his anger give way to the sadness he's been holding in, dropped the saber from his hands --- causing it to clang onto the ground and lie equally soaked --- and fell to his knees, head lowered. His eye was narrowed, desperately fighting back tears to no avail as they finally welled out of him; Masamune's chest heaved, and he exhaled his breath. He found himself kneeling exactly where the Shenlong's cockpit had been when Xiu died.
Silence. The rain continued to pour.
"Imbecile..." Masamune sighed wistfully after a long while. The rain continued to soak him, and Masamune continued to ignore it. "...Watch me from above, Xiu. I'll be a warrior worthy of you...I'll be the Dokuganryu again, one that the Dark Star Knights will fear and tremble for. I'll never break my promises again...I won't let the Fandom or Federation take anyone near me. And maybe, just maybe, when I've finally become an Ascending Dragon...maybe then..."
At that, Date Masamune's lips curled into a wistful smile. The rain kept pouring. Thunder rang again.
"Maybe then, up there...I'll be there to back you up again..."
Last edited by Cybaster on Fri Mar 13, 2009 1:59 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Don't throw the baton, you jacka**!!!
--Rachel--
"It really doesn't matter. I'm Major Rachel Anne of the Duskraiders," she announces as she saluted instead of shaking hands. "Why don't you go to the command center? I'm sure they'll want to take care of your transfer papers right there."
--Johann--
The man stumbles as he wakes up late in the afternoon, only to see there are more new units inside and outside the Fafnir. "Niiiice. Where the hell is Slug?"
"It really doesn't matter. I'm Major Rachel Anne of the Duskraiders," she announces as she saluted instead of shaking hands. "Why don't you go to the command center? I'm sure they'll want to take care of your transfer papers right there."
--Johann--
The man stumbles as he wakes up late in the afternoon, only to see there are more new units inside and outside the Fafnir. "Niiiice. Where the hell is Slug?"
(>-.-)>-} >>---> \(x.x)/
-Zaine-
The aura dissipated (As did the fox) and Zaine was able to move freely again.
"Ngh..." he got up after that and put the pendant on then turned to the little orb near him.
"Come on..." He then picked up the Haro and turned towards Alex after metallic footsteps caused him to turn in the cyborg's direction.
"Don't worry, I'm okay." After that, he departed the hangar for the men's barracks.
Once there, he pulled out a piece of paper, and a pen and began writing a letter for someone he hadn't spoken to in a while...
-Lucia-
After filling her belly with some good food, Lucia headed to bed. However, she wouldn't be having a peaceful dream...
The aura dissipated (As did the fox) and Zaine was able to move freely again.
"Ngh..." he got up after that and put the pendant on then turned to the little orb near him.
"Come on..." He then picked up the Haro and turned towards Alex after metallic footsteps caused him to turn in the cyborg's direction.
"Don't worry, I'm okay." After that, he departed the hangar for the men's barracks.
Once there, he pulled out a piece of paper, and a pen and began writing a letter for someone he hadn't spoken to in a while...
-Lucia-
After filling her belly with some good food, Lucia headed to bed. However, she wouldn't be having a peaceful dream...
-
The Big Zabowski
- Posts: 1950
- Joined: Mon Mar 06, 2006 6:07 pm
- Location: In the cockpit..
-Kit-
The screen blipped alive with the upper body image of none other than Kit. She was wearing what appeared to be a variation her old Federal uniform..though she had discarded that on the Ceres prior to departing for a test flight of the Blackhawk. She was seated in some kind of office room, desk behind her and what looked like a rug behind that.
What was on that rug would possibly draw the ire of many of the bridge crew due to their recent run in with the Federation in Brazil.
"Ryker, it's been a while. I take it things are going well on your end. I have..a request that I must relay on the behalf of a Major Taylor Reese. She is asking..no, ordering the cessation of hit and run assaults on Federal bases of operation. I believe you know what she is referring to, as I've read the mission briefings."
That last note..the fact that she did not address him as Sir or Captain was odd. What was going on here? Hopefully Wingnut would be able to clear things up. But where was he?
(Yeah I pulled out the old arse Preist for this one..XD)
The screen blipped alive with the upper body image of none other than Kit. She was wearing what appeared to be a variation her old Federal uniform..though she had discarded that on the Ceres prior to departing for a test flight of the Blackhawk. She was seated in some kind of office room, desk behind her and what looked like a rug behind that.
What was on that rug would possibly draw the ire of many of the bridge crew due to their recent run in with the Federation in Brazil.
"Ryker, it's been a while. I take it things are going well on your end. I have..a request that I must relay on the behalf of a Major Taylor Reese. She is asking..no, ordering the cessation of hit and run assaults on Federal bases of operation. I believe you know what she is referring to, as I've read the mission briefings."
That last note..the fact that she did not address him as Sir or Captain was odd. What was going on here? Hopefully Wingnut would be able to clear things up. But where was he?
(Yeah I pulled out the old arse Preist for this one..XD)
-Ceres-
Ryker listened and gave a slightly confused look at Kit seemed to be relaying orders to them. Was she now an enemy? He seemed to think so and decided to treat her as so.
"I don't think you understand who your talking to Kit. I don't take orders from anyone but Doctor Bian. If anyone needs to be ordered to do anything its this Major Reese who can't seem to control her own soldiers and keep them from flying through DC airspace. So unless you have a real offer this conversation is over." He was still pissed and had the conversation with Kit ended like that. He didn't want to talk to traitors at this moment, especially after the stunt Fandom made. He would have that cybernetic playtoy shot if she came around as well.
The Ceres was starting to come into visual range of the island and they would soon be docking. There were already several medical teams as well as mechanical teams ready to take the wounded off the ship.
Ryker listened and gave a slightly confused look at Kit seemed to be relaying orders to them. Was she now an enemy? He seemed to think so and decided to treat her as so.
"I don't think you understand who your talking to Kit. I don't take orders from anyone but Doctor Bian. If anyone needs to be ordered to do anything its this Major Reese who can't seem to control her own soldiers and keep them from flying through DC airspace. So unless you have a real offer this conversation is over." He was still pissed and had the conversation with Kit ended like that. He didn't want to talk to traitors at this moment, especially after the stunt Fandom made. He would have that cybernetic playtoy shot if she came around as well.
The Ceres was starting to come into visual range of the island and they would soon be docking. There were already several medical teams as well as mechanical teams ready to take the wounded off the ship.
When the books are written will we be on the right side of history?
Totally Awesome Random Robot RPG
Totally Awesome Random Robot RPG
-Rena-
Among the people boarding the Ceres, was Rena, who noticed Strike, looking to be in bad shape.
"Hey... close your eyes for a moment..." If her words had any meaning, Strike would know what she meant by that when she raised her hands to use her power and save him a good deal of time in the infirmary.
A few moments later, she was done.
"Feel any better?"
She noticed Kylern was nearby, but decided to wait for Strike's response before going to show him she was okay.
Among the people boarding the Ceres, was Rena, who noticed Strike, looking to be in bad shape.
"Hey... close your eyes for a moment..." If her words had any meaning, Strike would know what she meant by that when she raised her hands to use her power and save him a good deal of time in the infirmary.
A few moments later, she was done.
"Feel any better?"
She noticed Kylern was nearby, but decided to wait for Strike's response before going to show him she was okay.
-
Cybaster
- Posts: 1422
- Joined: Tue Mar 14, 2006 8:28 pm
- Location: SANDWIIIIIIIIIIIIIICH!!! *shakes fist*
Before Rena had a chance to wait for the above, there was a sudden tapping on her shoulder.
"Rena? Mind turning around for a moment?"
And whether or not she obliges, nobody around her would probably be prepared for what came next: a sharp backhand to Rena's head/face from a certain blue-robed, dot-faced individual.
-Black Mage-
"You elves definitely didn't win the Great War, that's for sure. That, my dear little soft, bumbling, flammable elf, is for tactlessness." Black Mage ^^'d at that, and whistled as he walked away. Tactlessness indeed, Black Mage mused bitterly; He could already predict exactly what Strike is going to rant to Rena about --- if Rena could do that, why didn't she save Xiu earlier when she was still alive? "Consider it a gift, because I'm pretty sure that is nothing compared to what Strike is going to do to you now..."
"Rena? Mind turning around for a moment?"
And whether or not she obliges, nobody around her would probably be prepared for what came next: a sharp backhand to Rena's head/face from a certain blue-robed, dot-faced individual.
-Black Mage-
"You elves definitely didn't win the Great War, that's for sure. That, my dear little soft, bumbling, flammable elf, is for tactlessness." Black Mage ^^'d at that, and whistled as he walked away. Tactlessness indeed, Black Mage mused bitterly; He could already predict exactly what Strike is going to rant to Rena about --- if Rena could do that, why didn't she save Xiu earlier when she was still alive? "Consider it a gift, because I'm pretty sure that is nothing compared to what Strike is going to do to you now..."
Don't throw the baton, you jacka**!!!