The Grand Time Tour

Session 139: Anniversary 28: Shaping the Unknown Part II

* Day changed to Monday, 3. Nov 2025
<@DeathStar> 5
<@DeathStar> 3
<@DeathStar> 1
<@DeathStar> -0-
<@DeathStar> Date: Ancient Geyze
<@DeathStar> Location: Keeper Temple
<@DeathStar> *The Keeper the group is currently talking to seems to be monitoring how well the barrier is doing currently while conversing with the group*
<@DeathStar> <Keeper> Did you require more knowledge of this one?
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhh...I do have another question...ahem...what can you tell me about 'Croza'?"
<@DeathStar> *Autumn is lounging casually off to the side while Selena and Zayne seem to be staring at various spirit-tech running*
<@Seraphna> **Alt is rubbing Azif's butt**
<@DeathStar> *Azif awkardly turns to look at Alt*
<@DeathStar> <Keeper> They are the oldest of the first Spirit's creations
<@DeathStar> <Keeper> And they are ... dangerous
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhh...what makes them dangerous?"
<@Seraphna> **Alt nuzzles her**
<Alicia> <Yoiyami> "The spirits made the Croza? Interesting."
<@Seraphna> Terra> Thought it was other way round.
<@DeathStar> <Keeper> The First Spirit did not wish to go into it too much, but we gleamed long ago being the only one of her kind, she was lonely and sought to create more like her. But instead of making a single one of herself, she made the Croza capable of replicating themselves and producing more without even needing her. The Croza began to spread and while many of them shared many of the ideas and visions of the First, many wished to spread out across the stars and begin to multiply among them.
<@Seraphna> Terra> That was Rainbow Mom? *She whispers curiously*
<@DeathStar> <Keeper> Since then they have become scavengers of sorts, adopting technology and seeking any spirit that the First had made since then if they can get their hands on. They also have attempted to make their own Spirits, to varying degrees of success
<Jackieness> <Lana> "So the schism among the Croza was right from the beginning..."
<@DeathStar> <Fae> *whisper* I think so
<Jackieness> <Lana> "We have had some contact with the Croza...and htere were alot of questions still."
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> It seems so. It is possible that there might be more Croza out there that weren't defeated in this great War you all reference
<Alicia> <Yoiyami> "I've heard that the Croza are similar to the Progenitors of the other world... I wonder if this applies there too..."
<@DeathStar> <Keeper> The Croza - being one of the First's first attempts at making spirits - lends them to being quite powerful. And due to the large population, they are on many worlds and their desire to add everything to their collective makes them nearly impossible to fully remove. If even one remains, their number will slowly begin to rise up again
<@DeathStar> *Selena ponders* I wonder if there any left - it has been 12,000 years...
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Hard to say... when we met them, the ones that we had contatc with were more itnerested in nurturing worlds and other civilizations. The other faction that was hostile."
<Alicia> <Yoiyami> "'Desire to add everything to their collective' is never a good thing to hear..."
<@DeathStar> <Selena> I guess when we return to the present, we can put out feelers, but with so much of the mirror universe unexplored to us
<@DeathStar> <Selena> It is hard to tell what is out there now
<@DeathStar> <Keeper> Did you have any other questions?
<@Seraphna> Terra> Remmember when Castle took us to that far planet with nice trees and Lavenzas.
<@DeathStar> *Lavenza peeks out - on top of Yoiyami*
<@DeathStar> *she seems to have a ninja cloth to hide under*
<@Seraphna> **Talia puts a fance admiral's hat on Yoiyami**
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhh...when we first became aware of you... it was from derelict facilities. What would make you abandon whole worlds?"
<@Seraphna> Talia> Does seem off brand for people called Keepers.
<@DeathStar> <Keeper> It is likely, at the point in time you all are from, we have begun the Departing, and leaving the Spirit Project behind, our hope is the will change our chosen worlds for the better.
<Jackieness> <Lana> "The Departure?"
<@DeathStar> <Keeper> We are leaving the galaxy - away from the gaze of the lurker. We will depart toward where the First resides, then pass even beyond that. *Selena seems to do that in her head* <Selena> Isn't Mother so far out that almost broke the Aquarius?
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhh...yes... we did meet the Spirit Mother.
<Alicia> <Yoiyami> "Why are you leaving, anyway?"
<@DeathStar> <Keeper> Then your journeys and advancement has grown further than we could have imagined.
<Alicia> <Yoiyami> "Is it that far?"
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> From what I understand, if not for Centerpoint, the journey is further than ships can handle normally
<Alicia> <Yoiyami> "I meant the gaze."
<@DeathStar> <Keeper> The gaze of the lurker is dangerous. It will continue to imprint and change reality - rules - and more. Enemies and friends alike can be taken and removed, changed, and one would have no knowledge while near the lurker. It is better to remove oneself from it's range
<Jackieness> <Lana> "But how far can one run before there is no where else to go?"
<@DeathStar> *Azif quietly is doing something to Alt's tail while they talk*
<Alicia> <Yoiyami> "We're going to have to fight the thing... any advice on how?"
<@Seraphna> Talia> Can we poke it’s eyes?
<@Seraphna> **Alt wiggles**
<@DeathStar> <Keeper> If it is among you, watching you - that might help depower it's reach on you. We are unsure if calling it out is wise or not, as it might simply vanish and return in a new form, but identifying if the Watcher is walking among you will allow you to know who it is you are dealing with. If you can learn it's true identity, it will also likely aid you in destroying that who is behind the one called the Watcher. It clearly seeks to hide that information
<@DeathStar> *Qui peers at Alt having a bow on her tail*
<@DeathStar> <Qui> ... You two playing?
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Wait...so we cna convince the Watcher's avatar...? Agent? Prxy? Their...whatever to help us stop it?"
<@DeathStar> <Keeper> I would not say that. I am saying it is likely the Watcher itself is most likely watching you as we speak. Infact, to our knowledge, in all it's games, the Watcher has front row seats. It most likely always appears in every situation. If it has not appeared before you all yet, it will. We also believe it can appear as multiple people, meaning it can be with more than one group.
<Alicia> <Yoiyami> "So... identification..."
<Jackieness> <Lana> "What a headache...do you know anythign else about this Watcher?"
<@DeathStar> *Zayne seems to be thinking* So you are saying it could be across the seas right now, it could be a maid in Hapian Castle
<@Seraphna> Alt> Playing? **has the look of innocence**
<@DeathStar> <Keeper> We do not know much more than that. I apologize.
<Jackieness> <Lana> "And how did the magi of Geyze and Kumen learn of it?"
<@Seraphna> **Alt looks at Azif, tilting her head**
<@Seraphna> **Alt whispers something to Azif**
<@DeathStar> <Keeper> From us. When we said it liked to watch, during major events or experiments, it could be spotted among ourselves. Plus we were able to detect the changes occurring to the reality and the world while working at Geyze.
<@DeathStar> *Azif studies and nods at Alt, motioning at her hips*
<@DeathStar> *Qui tilts her head*
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhh! How did you detetct the changes?"
<@DeathStar> *The Keeper begins to bring up huge spread of math and data points, compraing the two - the spread goes across the wall practically and looks almost like gibberish*
<@DeathStar> *it appears to be reality equations*
<@DeathStar> <Keeper> There was a minute change when readings were done
<Jackieness> <Lana> "...they are representing reality mathematically...so they just need to identify the difference sin variables..."
<@DeathStar> <Selena> .....huh?
<Alicia> <Yoiyami> "I don't know what all the variables are."
<@DeathStar> <Selena> It looks like plain nonsense
<Jackieness> <Lana> "I think I get it...at leats on a basic level. It must have taken alot of time and effort to work it out though."
<@DeathStar> <Keeper> It appears at some point someone was removed from reality - or perhaps hidden
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Samson?"
<@DeathStar> *it simplifies*
<@DeathStar> <Keeper> Unknown
<Jackieness> <Lana> "That would explain why we can't find a trace of him anymore."
<@DeathStar> *Gwen steps in*
<@DeathStar> <Gwen> Ver wants you
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhhh?"
<@DeathStar> *Selena and Zayne head for the ship, Qui faollowing*
<@Seraphna> **Alt hops on Qui’s shoulder as they walk** How feeling?
<Jackieness> <Lana> *clasps her hands and looks at the Keeper* "Ahhhh..thank you for your help."
<@DeathStar> *Qui thinks, peering at her hands* You know, despite everything going on lately, I actually feel pretty clear headed since we got here
<@DeathStar> <Keeper> It is no problem - safe journey
<Jackieness> <Lana> *then turns and heads back to the ship*
<Alicia> <Yoiyami> "Do we... need to keep it secret if we know who the Watcher is?"
<@DeathStar> *Verdant is sitting on the top of the deck, cross legged. Shin standing beside her and Speedy running in circles around them like a horse*
<Alicia> <Yoiyami> "From the Watcher themselves, at least."
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhh...do you have a suspect?"
<@DeathStar> <Selena> Hm. Well, the Keeper said it would be up to us
<@DeathStar> <Selena> As they might just run
<Alicia> <Yoiyami> "Just a suspicion, but yes."
<@DeathStar> *Zayne hmms* If you think it safe to share, then I see no reason not to speak if if they are not present
<Jackieness> <Lana> "...ahhh...who? I mean...if they aren't here listenign in..."
<@Seraphna> Alt> Auntie, how long can your body last without your consciousness?
<@DeathStar> *Qui pets Alt then pauses* Ah? *she stops and seems to be going back in her head*
<Alicia> * Yoiyami makes sure Gwen is nowhere nearby before answering. "Gwen."
<@Seraphna> Alt> Is just… this is your clone body. Only way it could be moving right now is if your real body was vacant.
<@DeathStar> <Qui> Alt dear....I don't think I've jumped back to the Amazon capital since the attack on it.
<@Seraphna> Alt> **blinks and tilts her head** …Oh no…
<@DeathStar> *Qui seems to be considering what that means*
<Jackieness> <Lana> *chews her bottom lip* "...I see...so...what does...that mean?"
<@DeathStar> *Selena looks around at the ship, where Gwen is kneeling by Verdant*
<@Seraphna> Alt> **opens her Alita journal to show her the report on Qui’s recovery**
<@DeathStar> *Qui, at least when they were last connected, was all focused on restoring the Amazons and relying on Alita's help. And she would appear to be completely normal, though admittedly Alita probably would note that Qui would seem a bit more fatigued like she hasn't been sleeping quite normally*
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> I suppose
<@Seraphna> Alt> I know that cuz you were probably burning both ends. But if you haven’t been hopping back at all since then then how…
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> We just observe Gwen for now
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> And see what actions he takes
<Alicia> <Yoiyami> "To be honest, I've been doing that from the start."
<@DeathStar> *Qui muses* I have some theories, but ... I ... rather have someone look me over before I speak them. When we have a moment of peace, I'll see about having Lana or another magi look me over
<@Seraphna> Alt> Also why weren’t you?
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhh...just coem to my lab then."
<@DeathStar> <Verdant> Lana. *she calls out* I need to speak to you before the window closes
<@DeathStar> *Gwen stretches beside her, catching Speedy before she runs off the side of the ship*
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Ok." *heads over to Verdant*
<@DeathStar> *Qui sits down meanwhile, looking disconcerted*
<@Seraphna> **Alt muses and looks to Azif, drawing on their bond**
<@DeathStar> <Verdant> A small window has opened up and I feel like I can pull us forward in time. ... the problem is I'm not sure I can pull the entire ship and crew with us. I'm just not sure I'm strong enough
<@DeathStar> <Azif> ..oO( You want me to do a scan?)
<@Seraphna> Talia> What if we powered you?
<@DeathStar> <Verdant> ... We are talking a lot of power needed then...
<Jackieness> <Lana> "I wonder if the Keepers could help...? I mean... we cna't just leave the ship and crew here"
<@Seraphna> Talia> We have an Originator, two Prime Spirits and multiple pact worthy.
<@DeathStar> <Gwen> Hm
<@Seraphna> Talia> Oh and A sulky Death Spirit.
<@DeathStar> <Shin> Pardon me?
<@DeathStar> <Wyrd> I feel like someone wants to be stabbed
<@DeathStar> <Gwen> I'll go see if the Keepers can help then. *he picks up Talia* Come on, sidekick
<@DeathStar> *He heads back to the Keeper chamber*
<@Seraphna> Talia> Wait, I thought you were my sidekick
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhh...I'll go too." *starts to follow Gwen*
<@DeathStar> *Gwen glances at Lana* So. You learn what you needed to learn?
<@DeathStar> *Speedy holds out a strange looking plug to Yoiyami* Found this for you
<Alicia> * Yoiyami accepts it and looks it over, trying to identify it
<Jackieness> <Lana> "I think so..."
<@DeathStar> *it appears to a strange type of plug - it clearly radiates Spirit Energy. Probably it can be plugged into Keeper technology to boot it up - who knows where Speedy stole it*
<@DeathStar> *the Keeper droid turns to look at them as they step in* <Gwen> We need something to power up a spirit
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Our TiemSpirit thinks that she can get us home, but she doesn't have the energy levels to take eveyrone."
<Alicia> <Yoiyami> "Not sure what it is, but thankyou... I'm sure I'll find a use for it."
<@DeathStar> *Speedy beams*
<@DeathStar> *The Keeper pulls out what looks to be cords running from a machine - they look like the cords to jump start a car and hands it to Gwen and Lana, then begins to power up the machine the cords are running from; the machine humming with spirit enegy* <Keeper> Take these and strap them to the spirit
<@DeathStar> <Gwen> ... *looks at Lana*
<Jackieness> <Lana> *nods* "Thank you." *takes the straps and starts ehading back*
<@DeathStar> <Gwen> Is it..uh...safe?
<@Seraphna> Talia> Vroom vroom.
<@DeathStar> *Azif still waits for the order on yes or no*
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhh..probably."
<@Seraphna> Alt> <Yes let’s.>
<@DeathStar> *Verdant looks up as they arrive* Ah...what is...?
<@DeathStar> *Azif begins to cast a high level scan on Qui, eldritch energy filling the air*
<@DeathStar> *Gwen glances over while Speedy ducks behind Yoiyami*
<Jackieness> <Lana> "The Keepers have aspirit jump starter."
<@DeathStar> <Masked Man> Do you have everything in order before we return, Miss Lana? *he speaks behind her*
<@DeathStar> *Gwen applies he cables to Verdant*
<@DeathStar> *Azif finishes her scan and steps to the side with Alt, whispering softly*
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhh...right! Everyone, we're preparing the return trip! Make sure you have everything in order before we go!"
<@Seraphna> Terra> Speedy! Secure the Fruit Larder!
<@DeathStar> *Speedy pauses, then runs down into the ship proper*
<@Seraphna> **Alt blinks a bit** Even through the time gap?
<@DeathStar> *Peeps gets the kitchen in order, putting up pots and pans*
<@Seraphna> **Terra secures Fae**
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Make sure we get a head count."
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhh... Gwen, make sure that doll is still in her case."
<@DeathStar> <Azif> It seems it is still working, yes, surprisingly. Though due to the time travel aspect, this Qui might be running on her own batteries, or if the original might be facing backlash. I would need to have them both present to see
<@DeathStar> *Gwen glances around* Yeah sure thing. *He grabs it and moves it down to the lab*
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Talia...go keep gwen company."
<@Seraphna> **Talua rides her husband** … **on his shoulder**
<@DeathStar> <Verdant> I will begin the jump.
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Everyone else below deck!"
<@DeathStar> *Selena moves down and Zayne takes Yoiyami's hand, pulling her down with her*
<@DeathStar> *Qui stands up and moves down; Azif takes Alt with her*
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Verdant, how is your charge level?"
<@DeathStar> <Verdant> We will see if it is enough. The window is closing
<@DeathStar> *Verdant begins to open a time portal and begins to try to pull the entire ship through*
<@DeathStar> *the ship stains to fit through the portal*
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> It appears she is having trouble getting it through
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Come on..." *prepares to disconnect the cables form verdant so they don't cause a problem*
<@DeathStar> *Lana would begin to slide along the deck as the time vortexes up there begin to pick up*
<Jackieness> <Lana> *pulls the cables before its tool late* "Eeeeee!"
<@DeathStar> *Shin steps up to pull with her, sending them flying off. The ship meanwhile seems to be stuck, it's big ass not going in all the way*
<@DeathStar> *in front of them is a swirling time vortex with half the ship engulfed and the back end still in the lab*
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> If the window closes, we will be cut in half
<Jackieness> <Lana> "I have an idea!" *moves to the aft section of the ship and weaves her mini-mech utility armor*
<@DeathStar> *Gwen arrives on the scene, standing by Yoiyami*
<Jackieness> <Lana> *then tries grabbing on to the back and pushing*
<@DeathStar> <Gwen> Do you need help? *he shouts*
<@DeathStar> *the ship slowly begins to push forward*
<@Seraphna> **Terra and Talia lend spirit boosts**
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Only if we get stuck again!" *keeps pushing*
<@DeathStar> *the ship poofs out into the time vortex*
<@DeathStar> *floating along like it is sailing it*
<@DeathStar> <Gwen> ... *peers out* Whoa
<Jackieness> <Lana> *hangs on as she is dragged into the vortexT
<@DeathStar> *Gwen jerks and suddenly a monster eye grabs Lana*
<@DeathStar> *the flying eye shifting to fly Lana around the vortex*
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhhhhh?!"
<@DeathStar> *Selena glances up at the eye as it moves to drop her off on the deck where Gwen catches her*
<Jackieness> <Lana> "....wh...what?"
<@DeathStar> <Gwen> Sorry, it was all I could think of so I summoned one of my monsters
<@DeathStar> *Gwen sets Lana down*
<Jackieness> <Lana> "...I didn't know you could summon monsters..."
<@DeathStar> <Gwen> Ah. Right. *He glances at the armor* That's this armor's ability
<@DeathStar> <Gwen> I'm told each armor can do something different
<@DeathStar> <Gwen> Well, except maybe the Magic Emperor's.
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Wat do you mean?"
<@DeathStar> <Gwen> I got the impression his is capable of doing all of the armor's abilities plus some
<Jackieness> <Lana> "I don't remember Rika doign anythign like that when she was wearing the armor though..."
<@DeathStar> <Azif> She was able to summon a dragon to give me and Alt a ride to take us to meet Autumn
<@DeathStar> <Azif> She called herself the Beast Knight
<@DeathStar> <Azif> I gathered from her that she worked with Autumn to prepare the armor
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhh..."
<@DeathStar> *the ship suddenly feels like it is tipping on it's side*
<@DeathStar> <Verdant> No, we are so close...
<Alicia> * Yoiyami heads to the bridge to check the steering
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Try to get us upright!"
<@DeathStar> *Yoiyami would see the ship is caught in giant hands*
<@DeathStar> *Gwen runs to the bridge as well, eyeing the hands* <Gwen> Not again
<Jackieness> <Lana> "What is it?!"
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> Do we have anything that can break us free?
<Alicia> * Yoiyami searches for weapons systems
<@Seraphna> Alt> Not sure if could turn the hands person into fish from here.
<Jackieness> <Lana> *takes a deep breath and tries weaving amana constructs to loosen the hands' grip*
<@DeathStar> *the ship does not have a weapons system per say, but it does have a harpoon gun*
<@Seraphna> **Terra forms rocks outside the ship by pulling particulate off the hull, then hurls them at one of the hands, charging it with Hyperspace**
<@Seraphna> **Talia sends a legion of Mana Kittens out to flood an arm, attacking with mana bites and tiny little scratches of doom**
<@DeathStar> *the rocks smack against the hand, as well as the bites. As Lana works on loosening it, Gwen sends a dragon forth to attack as well. The grip seems to weaken, very, very, very slightly*
<@DeathStar> <Selena> We need to try to get free now
<@DeathStar> *The Masked Man begins to call forth a massive comet to smack against the fingers*
<@DeathStar> *Zayne grabs onto the transformation system*
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> I am going to attempt something, hold on
<@Seraphna> **Terra empowers his comet**
<@DeathStar> *the comet explodes with even more force as Zayne has it transform from ship mode to flying mode, which expands everthign in it's hands*
<@Seraphna> Alt> Fishy Fishy, Fishy... O! **she casts her fish spell more to help than any real hope of it working**
<@DeathStar> *The ship falls out of it's hand with a terrible noise like something is tearing and as the spell flies out and suddenly reflects back at them; as they fall from the grasp, the spell hits the ship, but thankfully none of them seem to have become fish as they begin to fall into what looks to be a vortex*
<@DeathStar> <Selena> Hold on.
<@Seraphna> Alt> Boo spell reflection. Though Azif, I may need to learn and UnFish spell just in case next time.
<@DeathStar> *falling out of the vortex, the ship continues to plummet - falling through the sky toward the ground below. It looks to be an area with a lot of colorful trees, the trees looking to be purpleish to blue to all sorts of colors*
<@Seraphna> Alt> Shouldn't we be flying?
<@DeathStar> <Selena> The right wing looks to be broken
<@DeathStar> *she peers out the window at it being bent*
<Jackieness> <Lana> *tries weavign a quick patch for the damaged wing*
<@Seraphna> Terra> Can fall slower? Faw make up draft, I'll soften land under.
<@DeathStar> *Fae begins to use her magic, unleashing all of her magic*
<@DeathStar> *the wind slowing them down*
<@Seraphna> **Talia touches Fae and boosts her**
<@Seraphna> **Terra readies a major land shift if they get too close to the ground**
<@DeathStar> *the wing slowly begins to mend itself and Selena tries to pull back on the controls, leveling them out as they fly along the trees and begin to whap into the tops of them*
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Get us more altitude!"
<@DeathStar> *Selena goes to pull up when in front of them, a massive tree is in front of them - the size of it being ridicious like some mother tree. Selena turns them way from it, not wanting to go near it when suddenly their power cuts out without warning*
<@DeathStar> <Gwen> ... that's odd
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> .... *she hits the controls* Why did it do that?
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhh...speculate later, we need to get into a controlled decent!"
<@DeathStar> <Fae> Terra~
<@DeathStar> *Selena flies, trying to avoid all the trees*
<@DeathStar> *as they begin to go down*
<@DeathStar> *the ship finally seems to give up and they crash - right into a tree top, getting stuck*
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> ... everyone alive?
<Jackieness> <Lana> "..alive..."
<@DeathStar> *a strange monkey like creature sits on their deck, holding fruit*
<@DeathStar> <Qui> I am fine. *she looks around*
<@DeathStar> *Verdant and Shin seem to be trying to determine where they are* <Verdant> I apologize, but I have no idea where we are - I can at least tell you that we pretty much returned to the same time period
<Jackieness> <Lana> "But the land looks so...different."
<@Seraphna> **Terra uses her powers, a bit late, to settle the craft**
<@DeathStar> <Shin> Either we arrived in a different Kingdom, or this is a different part of the Bandit King's land. We will have to ask Miz if he knows anything
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> Assuming he will even answer
<@Seraphna> Alt> we have ways to get him talk.
<@Seraphna> Alt> ...Soon as Azif teaches me Unfish.
<@DeathStar> *Azif steps off onto the bridge when she pauses* <Azif> Something is going on... something big...
<@DeathStar> *the sky in the distance appears to be darkening*
<@Seraphna> Alt> **blinks and feels out with her**
<@DeathStar> *Alt would feel another Azif oddly*
<@Seraphna> Alt> ...I feel two of you love.
<@Seraphna> Alt> Is not even my birthday.
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhhhh?!"
<@Seraphna> Alt> But this must mean we coming up on the vision I had.
<@DeathStar> <Azif> ....Tht situation must still be going on then
<@DeathStar> <Azif> If Verdant brought us back to the same moment we left.
<@Seraphna> **Alt nods and wraps around Azif protectively**
<@Seraphna> Alt> Will not let bad Azif rip your pages out.
<@DeathStar> *the ship shifts about, as new weight is added to it. Standing on the ship - is the Magic Emperor*
<@DeathStar> -SHIFT-
<@DeathStar> Location: The Academy
<@DeathStar> *Erevis glances over the armor this place has*
<@DeathStar> *Ren looks over the map of Hapian*
<@DeathStar> *Qui has arrived with her armor as fast as she can manage, as well as Shinobu with her people*
<@DeathStar> <Taiga> I have a feeling if we really do charge into Hapian, it could end badly
<@Seraphna> Kaelan> Mm, yes. A bit like running into a very slimy minefield.
<@DeathStar> <Erevis> If any have ideas for taking the city back, I wish to hear them then
<@DeathStar> <Melodie> ... *points at Azif* Why not simply hand over what the bad guy wants and save the day?
<@DeathStar> <Aimee> *psst* That would upset Sparkling
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmmm...do you truly believe sucha creature will be content to walk away?"
<@Seraphna> Kaelan> When the sludge invasions started before, we needed acts of pure divinity or Song Magic to drive the plagued off and free people.
<@DeathStar> <Melodie> ... *Crosses her arms* Well, why don't we do what they do in those shows. We present her somewhere we can take advantage of while a bunch of us hide and jump out when the exchange happens
<@Seraphna> Kaelan> I'm not deeply keen on handing my daughter over to the Bitch. No offense, less agressive Nyarl.
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmmm...first off...you must find confirm the status of Hapian's Queen."
<@DeathStar> *Nyarl waves her hand* I am not offended. I am quite the bitch
<@DeathStar> <Taiga> I fear we might be lacking in song magic here. There are some that practice, but not enough to defend the city
<@DeathStar> <Ren> And I fear we lack Soren and Aska
<@DeathStar> <Ren> Unless...
<@DeathStar> <Ren> We bring them from our mirror universe
<@Seraphna> Kaelan> We do have a Thena. But she's a nerd.
<@Seraphna> **Thena adjusts her glasses**
<@DeathStar> *Ren crosses her arms* Okay
<@DeathStar> <Ren> I see only one patch forward then
<@DeathStar> <Ren> We have to do this the old fashion way --- sneaking into the city undetected!
<@DeathStar> <Shinobu> .... that sounds very dangerous
<@Seraphna> Kaelan> I could take us to Soren's nerd cave but I'm not sure how infected the castle is.
<Jackieness> <Noire> "We must assume that any location within the castle proper has been compromised."
<@DeathStar> <Nyarl> I can aid you in this mission, but once you face off with the other me, they will likely begin to kill every subject. This means you will have to strike hard and fast. And be willing to accept some deaths
<@DeathStar> <Nyarl> And if you are seen before then, it will be even worse
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmm...risky."
<@Seraphna> Kaelan> Are they not going to kill people if we don't bring you?
<@DeathStar> <Nyarl> I imagine they will begin to kill people like the Knight if we take too long, yes
<@DeathStar> <Nyarl> Especially those you care about
<@Seraphna> Kaelan> So taking you doesn't actually increase the risk factor much.
<@DeathStar> <Ren> I guess we're going in then.
<@DeathStar> <Taiga> I'll monitor things from here
<@DeathStar> <Seniga> I've gotten the ships back in working order incase you need a quick escape
<@Seraphna> Jaime> Still wonder what the Emperor wanted Azif for.
<@DeathStar> *Erevis trns to Jaime*
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmmm...perhaps he is an enemy of our enemy."
<@DeathStar> <Erevis> As I do not know the man, I cannot hazard a guess
<@DeathStar> <Revi> Should we try to reach out to this ... Emperor?
<@Seraphna> Jaime> Unless he's working for the other One... might be an ally.
<@DeathStar> <Shion> I don't think many here would want to do so
<@DeathStar> <Shion> He's been responsible for many deaths
<@Seraphna> Jaime> We'll explore it later if desperate then.
<@DeathStar> <Erevis> Then let us form our teams then and prepare to head out
<@DeathStar> *Andrea seems to be studying the landscape*
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Being the enemy of our enemy does not make him our friend."
<@DeathStar> <Andrea> I will leave this particular mission to you all. I wish to look into something else for the time being
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmmmm? And what are you on about, mother?"
<@DeathStar> <Andrea> That Unknown that escaped. I want to see if I can track it down. If it is still nearby, it could cause problems for you all
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmm...true...just be careful."
<@DeathStar> *Andrea bows at Noire, then vanishes*
<@DeathStar> *Qui prepares a flying carriage for the group*
<@DeathStar> *Erevis, Revi, and Ren climb inside it*
<Jackieness> <Noire> *climbs into the carriage*
<@DeathStar> *Nyarl lazily moves to sit beside Noire*
<@Seraphna> **Kaelan and Jaime get aboard**
<@DeathStar> <Melodie> Becareful or whatver
<@DeathStar> <Aimee> If you get that sludge in you, we'll write poems about you
<@DeathStar> <Melodie> They're called Ballads
<@DeathStar> -SHIFT-
<@DeathStar> Location: The Peacemaker Airship
<@DeathStar> *The Magic Emperor stands on the deck, a glowing sword in hand*
<@DeathStar> <Gwen> ... tech
<@DeathStar> *he draws his own sword* <Gwen> I did not need this today
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhh...Sir Gavin?
<@Seraphna> Talia> Gavin?
<@DeathStar> *The Emperor's head shifts very, very slightly toward Lana, then turns toward Alt* Give me the girl. *he points at Azif - the mask makes it hard to recognize if it is Gavin, but also the voice sounds rougher, more like crushed gravel compared to Gavin's more kind voice*
<@Seraphna> Alt> That's my girlfriend.
<@Seraphna> Alt> Why you want take my Azif?
<@DeathStar> <Emperor> .... It is needed to repel the enemy and restore the world. It should not be in the hands of a child playing games
<@Seraphna> Alt> I'm like 30!
<@DeathStar> *Azif is latched onto Alt*
<@DeathStar> *the Emperor does not retract his statement*
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Take off your helmet."
<@Seraphna> Alt> The enemy literally wants to use Azif to destroy world. If you want help pushing back, ask for it, but stop fighting us.
<@DeathStar> <Emperor> And why... would I ever...do that?
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Why wouldn't you?"
<@Seraphna> Alt> Yeah like... why the heck are you doing the enemy's will while claiming to fight it?
<@DeathStar> *The Emperor pauses a moment, then reaches up slowly with one hand and grips his helmet, magic flashing as he seems to pull it off into his hand and removes it. Gavin stands there, appearing to still be a young man with dark hair, but the difference is he now appears to very pale - and there are signs of mana veins running along his face, as if he's suffering some sort of mana poisoning, or -- he's been infused with magic itself, and his blood has become mana*
<@Seraphna> Alt> That's Mana sickness...
<@Seraphna> Alt> Mister Gavin...
<@DeathStar> <Emperor> Now. *he places the helmet back on and readies his sword* If you will not hand over the girl, then we'll have to test YOU.
<@Seraphna> **Alt pulls Heyu and Wyrd to her hands**
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Sir Gavin...the Creation Machine was created by the will of the Watcher...it serves its will."
<@Seraphna> Alt> If I gotta protect Azif from you and the Creepy Peeper, I will!
<@DeathStar> <Emperor> You spouted this last time, Lana. *his sword begins to glow with magic energy; the magic becoming so dense, it feels like it's warping the plane of existence around it* And everything I had died afterward.
<@DeathStar> <Emperor> Now if you cannot withstand this attack, then I shall take everything you have
<@Seraphna> **Talia hops up and readies her own blades**
<@DeathStar> <Azif> ... *Stands in front of Alt*
<@Seraphna> Alt> Azif!
<@DeathStar> *Azif cuts herself to form a blood shield for them*
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Because the Creation Machine was spreading its influence through the world!"
<@DeathStar> *Gwen grabs Lana and turns his back to what is about to happen*
<@Seraphna> ** Alt joins it with her Shield Move, which lets her shield the party without taking damage.
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhh?!"
<@DeathStar> *The sword is flashed and the team is then hit by a flash that begins to cut into their very being*
<@DeathStar> *the shield beginning to shatter as it feels like it' cutting into their soul*
<Jackieness> <Lana> *starts to weave, tryingt o weaken the attack by siphoning off tis mana*
<@Seraphna> **Talia adds her own protection, unleashing the MIGHT OF MEOWICLES to cover everyone**
<@DeathStar> *and pusing them backwards and trying to throw them of f the ship*
<@DeathStar> *prepare yourself for OG*
<@DeathStar> Up, Down, LEft, Right, Right, Left, Down, Up, Down, Right, Right, Left, Down, Right, Down, Left, Right, Left, Down, Up
<@DeathStar> 5
<@DeathStar> 4
<@DeathStar> 3
<@DeathStar> 2
<@DeathStar> 1
<@Seraphna> udtlltudulltulutltud
<@DeathStar> -0-
<@Seraphna> the ts are rs
<@DeathStar> (figured)
<@DeathStar> *the team stops right at the very edge*
<@DeathStar> *smoke coming off*
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhh?!"
<@Seraphna> **Alt pants and growls** YOU CAN'T HAVE HER.
<@DeathStar> *the Emperor seems to have already left them - as promised*
<@DeathStar> *Gwen kneels, looking around*
<@DeathStar> <Gwen> Bastard...
<@DeathStar> *a small magic gem is on the ground where he was at*
<@Seraphna> Talia> Mmm. He didn't pull his punches this time. But he also didn't just take what he could have.
<Jackieness> <Lana> "...I cna only conclude...that he has gone insance...from either loss...or the influence of the creation Machine..or both..."
<@Seraphna> **Alt whips it to her hands and sets Wyrd back to her humanoid form**
<@DeathStar> *Wyrd and Heyu shake a bit*
<@Seraphna> Alt> Good job girls.
<@DeathStar> *the gem looks to be a magic barrier to hide one's presence for a time*
<@DeathStar> *Azif pauses, then looks around, then searches the ship's hull*
<@DeathStar> <Azif> .... No no
<@Seraphna> Alt> What is it love?
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhh?"
<@DeathStar> <Azif> He took the piece. But it was concealed. there is no way he could have known it was there
<@DeathStar> <Azif> Unless he was told
<@Seraphna> Alt> Just that one?
<@DeathStar> <Selena> The other piece is still on the Aquarius. Hopefully it should be safe still
<@Seraphna> Alt> But... it does mean either someone is working for him or the Creepy Peeper told him.
<@Seraphna> Alt> Whoever it was would know if they've been with us a while.
<Jackieness> <Lana> "It could be someone else..or the seal was damaged in the ride here."
<@Seraphna> Terra> Could He have felt it when he grabbed the ship?
<@DeathStar> <Qui> ..... *shudder*
<@Seraphna> Alt> Auntie?
<@DeathStar> *Zayne activate the barrier that was given - a moment later a barrier surrounds the ship*
<@Seraphna> **Alt gently slips the gem on Azif**
<Jackieness> <Lana> "though I wonder why he left this concealment gem."
<@DeathStar> <Qui> Bad vibes
<@Seraphna> Terra> Umm... barrier?
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> It appears as if he wishes us to repair invisible to everyone - or I should say
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> He wanted Azif to do so
<@DeathStar> *repair - remain
<@Seraphna> Alt> That was my thought. If she has the gem we should get less people trying to take her.
<Jackieness> <Lana> "...too many missing data points..."
<@Seraphna> Alt> Also I think it was kind of a jab at my spellwork. **She huffs**
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> For the time being, we need to focus on ourselves.
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> The rest of the world will have to handle their own problems
<@DeathStar> -SHIFT-
<@DeathStar> Location: Flying Carriage
<@DeathStar> *the carriage begins to approach the city*
<@DeathStar> <Ren> We do not want to be spotted by Hapian's towers
<@DeathStar> *Erevis muses - even from a distance, the city is looking off kilter*
<@DeathStar> *the large castle is also begining to look wrong*
<@DeathStar> -TBC-
* Jackieness (~Psy@23-127-47-99.lightspeed.knvltn.sbcglobal.net) has quit IRC
<@DeathStar> *Gwen sits in the kitchen, eating the food prepared by Peeps and the staff. Azif pokes him off and on while Qui seems to be lost in thought* <Peeps> Who wants more fish salad?
<@DeathStar> <Speedy> I want something else. <Peeps> ... for some reason all I am given is fruit or fish
* Day changed to Tuesday, 4. Nov 2025
<@Seraphna> Terra> I make fruit... I suppose I can make veggies though.
<@Seraphna> Alt> Fish!
<@Seraphna> Talia> Fish!
<@DeathStar> *Peeps hands the Fish ove to Alt and Talia*
<@DeathStar> <Speedy> .... *pokes at it*
<@Seraphna> **Terra hands Speedy a giant carrot**
<@DeathStar> *Speedy beams and eats it*
<@DeathStar> <Peeps> If you can provide me some of those I can add it to our menu
<@Seraphna> **Peeps has unlocked Terra's unholy food tree: Veggies, Momma Food.**
<@Seraphna> **Terra even includes the secret fruit, Tomato**
<@DeathStar> *Peeps goes to add some to the kitchen and think up more dishes with this powerful new carrot and tomato combo*
<@DeathStar> *Fae plays with her carrot*
<@Seraphna> **Terra makes a carrot shaped fruit for Fae, knowing she is a lady of taste**
<@DeathStar> *Fae eats it*
<@DeathStar> *Azif watches everyone, tilted head
<@Seraphna> **Alt shares her fish sandwich**
<@DeathStar> *Azif holds the sandwich in hand*
<@DeathStar> <Speedy> So why everyone tense lately?
<@DeathStar> *Gwen pauses awkwardly and looks around*
<@Seraphna> Alt> Keepers made it plain that the mean eldritch man that grabbed us with big hands is hiding among us as someone. Maybe possessing them. So everyone's all sus about each other except for me, because Alt is too amazing to copy.
<@DeathStar> *Speedy blinks and stares at Alt in awe*
<@DeathStar> <Speedy> Alt protect us?
<@Seraphna> **Alt somehow literally shines**
<@DeathStar> *Speedy gasps*
<@DeathStar> *Azif and Gwen stare at Alt*
<@Seraphna> **Alt paws at her book and father**
<@DeathStar> *Gwen pats Alt while Azif gives Alt a halo*
<@Seraphna> Alt> Alt the Amazon Princess will Protec the Speedy.
<@DeathStar> <Azif> Alt should focus on returning to reclaim the throne. *sniff*
<@Seraphna> Alt> Gotta protec on the way.
<@DeathStar> *Speedy looks between the two*
<@DeathStar> *Qui pokes Alt* I remind you that you will still have to beat me when the time comes. *she seems to think* I wonder how it will play out when I do go back
<@Seraphna> Alt> Mmhmm, and Alt gotten stronger and mightier and has two Gladius' and Azif and Daddy.
<@DeathStar> <Qui> Is that right? So you plan to go in with an army to face me. I'll keep that in mind
<@Seraphna> Alt> **sniffs** All are valid equipment.
<@DeathStar> *Gwen hehs*
<@DeathStar> <Heyu> What is an Amazon?
<@DeathStar> <Speedy> Is it a magical place?
<@Seraphna> Alt> Is our Kingdom, where girls rule and the Water Spirit keeps our lands wet and warm!
<@DeathStar> <Speedy> Can we do fun things there? <Heyu> It sounds nice
<@Seraphna> Alt> Lots of fun things. And women there are the warriors! Qui is current Queen and Daddy is her brother so I'm a Princess there. I'm also a Princess in the Legion and the Daemon Kingdom, so I'm a TRIPLE Princess.
<@DeathStar> <Heyu> How is one a triple princess? Would they not be kidnapped all the time?
<@Seraphna> Alt> Well, Grandma, that's Momma's Momma, is the Queen of the Legion, she took it over after her Husband went BOOM one day. Then Grandma married Empress Shinobu on the Daemon Realm, which makes me Princess in both!
<@DeathStar> <Speedy> Alt must be kidnapped all the time by bad guys wanting to take over lands
<@DeathStar> <Heyu> And by dragons
<@DeathStar> <Speedy> Dragons love taking princesses, they would love a triple princess
<@Seraphna> Alt> Well, Grandpa Legion was a Dragon. And Luci Dragon only eats bad people.
<@DeathStar> <Heyu> Dragons here are mean
<@DeathStar> <Heyu> They like golds, sparkling things, and princesses
<@Seraphna> Alt> In our lands there is a hero that suplexes dragons.
<@DeathStar> *The two ooooh*
<@Seraphna> Talia> It’s true. I have all his books signed.
<@Seraphna> Alt> He’s Selena’s grandpa.
<@DeathStar> *Peeps comes in with more fish soup* Rumor has it that the Bandit King has a powerful dragon in his kingdom.
<@DeathStar> <Gwen> If that is the case, that would leave the two remaining lords and a dragon, great
<@Seraphna> Alt> So we throw Selena at the Dragon while the Bad Girl Squad takes the Lords.
<@DeathStar> <Wyrd> Wait what?
* Day changed to Wednesday, 5. Nov 2025