The Alien Wars 6: Da Capo

Session 648

Session Start: Sun May 28 14:18:01 2023
Session Ident: #TAW-Session648
<DeathStar> 3
<DeathStar> 1
<DeathStar> -0-
* MobileAri has joined #TAW-Session648
<DeathStar> Date: 10-654.7.1
<DeathStar> Location; PAX
<DeathStar> *a massive gathering hall has been created for Kane/Lemon's team, the Aquarius group, the Academy team, as well as those from the PAX, as well as a few outside people from other races and groups observing, making it rather noisy*
<DeathStar> *Cloé has found a nice safe spot under a table to hide*
<DeathStar> *while Selena tries to wrangle her group to make sure no one is lost - but soon realizes Gwen is already lost*
<Jackieness> <Bella> "Come on out from udner there, Cloe."
<DeathStar> *Cloé slowly creeps out* I don't like this many people being around. Is this what the battle with the Serpent going to be like?
<Alicia> <Ceilidh> "... no."
<Jackieness> <Bella> "Maybe... don't know."
<Seraphna> Nell> I think we’ll at least be on our own ship and mission for it.
<Alicia> <Sparkling> "I feel totally lost..."
<Seraphna> **Jaime sits back watching the chaos**
<DeathStar> *Lenneth slowly works on fixing something, then taps a button, her voice ringing out over the noise* Alright, we have arranged it so each of your groups have your own communication tablets at your tables to be heard by everyone. We felt the need to have a meeting with everyone before the battle to gather intel on what everyone knows.
<Alicia> * Both Jikuus do similar.
<DeathStar> *Cloé jumps a bit and fiddles while Selena glances at her group's communicator*
<Jackieness> <Lana> *picks up the communicator and tunes it so everyon can hear*
<DeathStar> *As things slowly quiet, Lenneth can be seen up front shifting paperwork* I'll encourage people to speak up on at anytime, But I'll go over what has been submitted so far.
<DeathStar> <Lenneth> The Hunters have been outsourcing to a group of pirates in the type of tech that can counter all our powers - that tech uses real life people, some from our reality, some from other realities, by hooking them up to their ship's cores. They hook up people with powers like Kitsune, mages, etc. And they seem to use eldrich powers to do it, indicating the Hunters might be being supplies by you know who as well.
<DeathStar> *She shows images of the ship and the cores, with people tied to the cores and Selena leans forward*
<DeathStar> *Warren quietly taps his cane*
<Alicia> * Sparkling seems confused by that, but no-one else does
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhh... a counter against eldritch powers could disrupt their machinery."
<MobileAri> * Nicolette scowls. Kidnapping people for machine parts is the most monsterous thing she's heard in a while
<Sara> <Ellie> That's... that's terrible.
<DeathStar> *Erevis jots Lana's note down for it and Lenneth nods*
<DeathStar> <Lenneth> On Earth's side. *She nods and Cheryl stands*
<Alicia> <Akatsuki> "It really is. I... can't believe they'd fall this far..."
<Sara> <Ellie> A blatant disregard for life as anything but a tool.
<Alicia> <Akatsuki> "It's disgusting."
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> Andrea has entered the leylines to begin her ritual to bring about a shield for Earth. A Hunter tried to bring the Earth Defense System to kill her, indicating that they really don't want Earth to have a shield, but we got her in. Side effect, Noire's powers were boosted by the attack. Ren's using that knowledge to try to get all the other Dark Ones back to full power. It's made it clear to me that the Hunters expect that the Serpent's power will damage the planets nearby
<DeathStar> *She sits, leaning back and bringing her feet on her table*
<Seraphna> Jaime> Good then that Geyze’s peacekeepers were able to prevent a similar disruption to our protections with the Magi Tower.
<DeathStar> <Selena> Yes, the Hunters targetted us as well.
<DeathStar> <Selena> We believe
<DeathStar> *she eyes a whistle*
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhh... the whistle is definitely eldritch."
<DeathStar> <Bonnie> *She eyes that whistle warily* Please don't blow that
<Seraphna> Angela> Looks like both attempts employed some kind of artifact of eldritch origin.
<Alicia> <Akatsuki> "How many of these artifacts are there?"
<Seraphna> Angela> There was an attack on the Runner’s bar where an artifact was stolen we found used by the Hunter on Earth.
<Jackieness> <Lana> "If I were to theorize... small amountss of the eldirthc mutagen that we encoutnered previously can be triggered to effetc its victim with this item."
<DeathStar> <Selena> I'd love to know too. These whistles affect werebeast or fauna. Maybe fauna. Bonnie doesn't want to find out
<Seraphna> Kaelan> I’m not so sure it’s a mutagen.
<DeathStar> *maybe familiars
<Alicia> <Ceilidh> "Oh?"
<Jackieness> <Lana> "...and as for the bar...that was not just any eldritch artifact. It was the Shining Trapezehdron, the Black Pharoah's priamry focus."
<Alicia> <Sparkling> "Oh, is that the you know who you were talking about?"
<Seraphna> Kaelan> I’ve… been to one of her conquered realities.
<Seraphna> Kaelan> Or should I say I’ve been to her. Everything seemed to be her. One terrible legion of the eldritch.
<DeathStar> <Selena> Pardon?
<DeathStar> *eyes Kaelan*
<Seraphna> Kaelan> There was an attack on Tareh. She took my Shizuki.
<Alicia> <Ceilidh> "...what?"
<Seraphna> Kaelan> I followed but she had already done what she intended and given her to one of our enemies. Truth and I got out but… not unscathed.
<Seraphna> Kaelan> From what I saw while I was there… she’s not so much a conqueror as a cancer.
<Seraphna> Kaelan> She’s making everything a part of the eldritch.
<DeathStar> *Adeline and Taiga study Kaelan*
<Alicia> <Ceilidh> "Cancer's one of the hardest ailments to treat."
<Jackieness> <Lana> "...ahhh...how long were you there?"
<Alicia> <Ceilidh> "You weren't... infected, were you?"
<Seraphna> Kaelan> I don’t think we’ll ever be certain but we likely hold the record for most corruption while staying sane.
<DeathStar> <Adeline> Are we certain she is sane? What she saw was the truth?
<Seraphna> Truth> We used our Meister Pact to shield each other’s minds.
<Alicia> <Ceilidh> "It's hard to say..."
<Seraphna> Kaelan> What I can say is… I know her plan. Or think I do.
<Seraphna> Kaelan> We left the back door open.
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Eldritch existence isn't a psionic attack or the like... its more like a logic bomb."
<DeathStar> *Bonnie pauses* Wait, back door?
<Seraphna> Kaelan> She’s probably taken most of the other realities by now.
<Alicia> <Ceilidh> "That feels like a bad idea."
<DeathStar> <Bonnie> Sylph was talking about a back door. I thought she meant something else.
<Seraphna> Kaelan> Tareh was safest because it was one of the furthest connected from the multiverse.
<Seraphna> Kaelan> My
<Seraphna> Kaelan> My wife is holding the line as we speak but the situation on Tareh is bleak.
<Jackieness> <Lana> *adjusts her glasses* "...outright conquest is not the Crawling Chaos' modus operandi though...in the avatar of the Black Pharoa, it was popping up againa and again throughout history just to torment mortals."
<Alicia> <Sparkling> "Wait, it's two people now?"
<Seraphna> Kaelan> We need help, if nothing more than to evacuate what’s left.
<DeathStar> <Taiga> Hm. Well, I can go handle that with a few of the Strikers on hand. And check in on the realities
<Seraphna> Kaelan> I’m sure some of us God Hunters can help. But that’s another thing…
<Seraphna> Kaelan> I felt Shizuki here in this reality.
<Jackieness> <Lana> "It can be what it wants to be. To be honest, the female avatar is actually a recent innovation on its part."
<DeathStar> <Lenneth> Alright, IF this isn't her usual m.o, why is she taking out realities?
<Seraphna> Kaelan> She’s with our enemies which means there are still foes set here to help her.
<Jackieness> <Lana> "That is what I cannot figure out. Why the sudden aggression? Thousands of years of a set pattern, and then just suddenly changing it up."
<Seraphna> Kaelan> I think she’s building the power she needs to counter the one weapon that can defeat her. Reality Power.
<Alicia> <Akatsuki> "We have that, right?"
<Seraphna> Kaelan> I am
<DeathStar> *Bonnie seems to be thinking hard*
<DeathStar> *Selena glancing at her*
<Seraphna> Jaime> Two of our number have it.
<DeathStar> <Adeline> Is Victoire or Kaori here?
<Seraphna> Kaelan> I am going to go after my daughter, by the way. I suspect the party that has her are the rogue Templar church.
<Sara> * Kaori raises hand from the massive crowd
<DeathStar> *Adeline moves over to Kaori and holds up a scanner* One moment
<DeathStar> <Adeline> ... hm. I have bad news.
<Seraphna> **Jaime looks a bit confused**
<Sara> <Kaori> Uh...?
<DeathStar> <Adeline> Kaori's overall power is depleting - she'll not be able to draw as much power as she used to be able to
<DeathStar> <Adeline> And this from just a few months ago
<Alicia> <Victoire> "W-what?!" *hurries over*
<DeathStar> *Adeline checks Victoire* Same with you. I think I know the reason now.
<Seraphna> Jaime> If I had to guess, their power might be based on how much reality there is?
<Alicia> <Victoire> "... Centerpoint..."
<Alicia> <Victoire> "Or that!"
<DeathStar> <Adeline> Yes. Most likely; everything is fine but with this eldrich horror taking out and corrupting the realities, you're losing access to the network which is Yggdrasil
<Alicia> <Sparkling> "So, how do we stop her?"
<DeathStar> *Lenneth lets out a breath*
<DeathStar> <Lenneth> Alright. We have to decide where we want to move our people. The Serpent will wake any day now.
<Alicia> <Sparkling> "...ah?"
<DeathStar> <Lenneth> Some of you wish to go to Tareh and help them. Taiga will lead them.
<DeathStar> <Lenneth> The rest of you will use the Aquarius and go to the Mirror Universe. We need more information on them.
<DeathStar> <Lenneth> Take Kaori and Victoire. See if we can find a way to stop their power bleed
<Seraphna> Angela> And we still need to look out for the Hunters and this other threat apparently biding it’s time.
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> The problem with them
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> They could be anywhere
<DeathStar> <Zephyr> I'll prepare a group to try to find them before they do something, since Earth doesn't have anything to do
<Seraphna> Kaelan> Which is why I need to rescue Tsukiko. I could tell you where they are right now, but her Mark is blocking my divine connection.
<DeathStar> <Taiga> Well, come with me then. *She pulls Kaelan along by her ear*
<Seraphna> Kaelan> Her as is the eldritch bitch.
<Seraphna> Kaelan> Ack!
<Alicia> <Ceilidh> "Ah, right... we really need to find a solution to that problem."
<DeathStar> *Selena stands up*
<Seraphna> **Truth Carrie’s Wyrd after then**
<DeathStar> <Selena> Lets met back on Geyze
<DeathStar> -SHIFT-
<DeathStar> Location: Geyze
<DeathStar> *Sylph and Origin flutter about, trying to tag each other, outside the Aquarius*
<Seraphna> **Terra paints big fruits on the side of the Aquarius to protect it**
<DeathStar> <Selena> Alright. So if this thing is causing Kaori and Victoire to lose their powers
<DeathStar> <Selena> I have to imagine two outcomes
<DeathStar> <Selena> The first is that they don't want them to have powers against the serpent. The most likely outcome - against themselves
<Sara> <Ellie> Yeah...
<Sara> <Ellie> That just makes sense.
* MobileAri has quit IRC (Read error: Connection reset by peer)
<Seraphna> Alita> Two birdtweets with one ballista.
<Sara> <Ellie> Two... what?
<DeathStar> *Cloé fidgets as she follows behind Bonnie. Asarar sits nearby with Kira, the two now better*
<DeathStar> <Asarar> How'd the meeting go?
<Seraphna> Talia> I think it’s two fish with one harpoon.
<Seraphna> Luci> We’re all doomed.
<Alicia> <Sparkling> "What? Why?"
<Sara> * Chelsea raises a brow
<Seraphna> Luci> What that wasn’t what the meeting was about?
<Jackieness> <Bella> "Planning a trip to the Mirror Reality."
* MobileAri has joined #TAW-Session648
<DeathStar> <Asarar> So what's the battle plan? <Selena> To send Erica out to scout and get data from the mirror universe
<Alicia> <Sparkling> "We have to fight some... crawling pharaoh, but also the serpent."
<DeathStar> *as they talk, suddenly Kaori would sense trouble with her reality powers, then Kaori*
<DeathStar> *Victoire*
<Sara> <Kaori> Oh no.
<Alicia> <Victoire> "Can we find somewhere to hide?"
<DeathStar> *the skies change a bit around them, then the academy begins to warp and change a little, like buidings change to older versions - Luci's bar vanishing to an older building that used to be there*
<Sara> <Kaori> Oh no, oh no... not now.
<DeathStar> *and around them students begin to vanish and extra people begin to appear*
<Alicia> <Sparkling> "What?"
<DeathStar> <Selena> What is going on?
<Alicia> * Victoire attempts to stabilise reality, unsure if that's what's wrong, but wanting to act
<Seraphna> Luci> Yeah you probably need to fix that.
<Alicia> <Victoire> "Working on it!"
<Alicia> <Sparkling> "I have no idea what's going on!"
<DeathStar> *Victoire uses 2% and partially slows things down*
<DeathStar> *Getting semi-okay roll*
<Seraphna> Luci> More please! Good thing I have act of gods in my bar insurance. Needed it with you lot.
<DeathStar> *giving the team time to think at least*
<DeathStar> <Selena> Alright. *She eyes people warping out in groups of 2 now every few minutes*
<DeathStar> <Selena> What is going on
<Seraphna> Talia> Need shield!
<Seraphna> Alita> I am thinking she is trying out her own strength.
<DeathStar> *Cloé merowls and begins to rise up comically*
<Seraphna> Alita> This world is marked.
<DeathStar> *flailing*
<Alicia> <Victoire> "The world is?!"
<Sara> <Cherie> Cloé!
<Sara> * She grabs her
<DeathStar> <Bonnie> Damit. *She grabs her as well*
<Seraphna> Alita> The rather giant glowing sigil…
<Jackieness> <Bella> *facepalms*
<Alicia> * Sparkling fires at the sigil to attempt to disrupt it.
<Seraphna> Alita> Kaori, try to stop it.
<DeathStar> *There is technically no signal, despite what Alita says; but the shooting does get the attention of the new people that are coming in. Who turn to stare. For a moment, their features shift and stare at Origin and Sylph*
<DeathStar> *As if just noticing them*
<Seraphna> **Terra starts trapping the new people in stone cages**
<DeathStar> *Bonnie helps pulls Cloé back down when a figure appears that looks like Ben with a beard* <Man> This way. Now. *he grabs the group and begins to forcefully pull them along into the Aquarius*
<DeathStar> <Selena> H-Hey.
<DeathStar> *Cloé clings to Cherie as they go along*
<Sara> <Kaori> You!?
<Seraphna> **Alita sighs, pulling Talia in**
<Alicia> <Sparkling> "Who's that?"
<Sara> <Kaori> Samson
<DeathStar> <Samson> I have no idea why you all are here, but you are just riling them up
<Seraphna> Alita> What do you mean here?
<Sara> <Ellie> "Here"? You're the ones who came here! *she protests*
<Alicia> <Victoire> "So, the realities are merging."
<DeathStar> *outside, the stone walls break and the Anti-Spirits move about, having been the ones replacing the students*
<Jackieness> <Bella> "We were on our Geyze, dude!"
<Seraphna> **Terra poofs into the ship**
<Alicia> <Sparkling> "... I think I understand that bit, at least."
<DeathStar> <Samson> Are we? *He eyes more of their Geyze slowly being replaced* I see.
<Seraphna> Alita> Reality girls, push back!
<Alicia> <Victoire> "Right... I shouldn't hold back, should I?"
<DeathStar> *Yuki, on the bridge, eyes the chaos* <Yuki> ... Why is it always like this
<Alicia> * Victoire pushes more power into it, unless Kaori wants to do so instead
<Seraphna> Alita> I don’t know why you’ve waited this long with people vanishing to be honest. You won’t be able to take it back if you love someone you care for after the fact.
<Sara> <Erica> It's always something. *she grumbles*
<Seraphna> *love - lose
<DeathStar> *Victoire uses more of her power and it seems to close of the reality transfer*
<DeathStar> <Selena> Do we have any idea what caused this? *She asks as the Anti-Spirits can be heard crawling along the Aquarius*
<Seraphna> Alita> Simple guess would be the Occam’s Razor answer.
<Seraphna> Alita> Either the Serpent is moving now or She is pushing it.
<DeathStar> *Origin peeks out the window, then squeals when an Anti-Spirit slams against it*
<Jackieness> <Airym> "We know that the Serpent was present in the Mirror version of Yggdrasil. Perhaps to wake up, both realities need to sync."
<Seraphna> Alita> We need to remove those abominations.
<DeathStar> <Samson> I did notice something unsual
<DeathStar> <Samson> A few days ago
<Alicia> <Victoire> "We do, but easier said than done."
<DeathStar> *He notes as they arrive on the bridge*
<Sara> <Erica> Such as?
<MobileAri> * Nicolette contemplates quietly
<Seraphna> **Cooke frowns, aiming cannons to blast at the ones they can safely**
<DeathStar> <Samson> The others were getting angry and flying to the Cystal Tree. Someone was on it. And I believe planting something on it. They had the look of you, Erica.
<DeathStar> *suddenly, the Anti-Spirits sniff the air and fly off, headed for god knows where*
<Sara> <Erica> What, like a Doppelganger? The Mirror Erica?
<DeathStar> *it looks like the palace*
<DeathStar> <Samson> Possibily
<Seraphna> **Cookie blinks** Umm… I think they’re going for our Holy Spirit.
<Sara> <Erica> Or perhaps from another reality still...
<Alicia> <Sparkling> "Aska?"
<Seraphna> Cookie<
<Seraphna> Cookie> Sorren.
<DeathStar> <Selena> There's probably a few things here they'd like to get at and eat. *Bonnie shudders*
<Seraphna> **Terra poofs to retrieve her**
<DeathStar> *Terra goes MIA*
<MobileAri> <Nicolette> "We can't let them go. They're too dangerous out here."
<Sara> <Erica> I guess we should be prepared for the worst since the enemy now have access to such a grand feast.
<DeathStar> <Samson> I always hoped that they could be turned normal
<Alicia> <Sparkling> "What do you suggest?"
<Seraphna> Alita> We can’t let them take our spirits.
<DeathStar> <Samson> But I see that might not be possibl
<DeathStar> *Origin flutters, looking frighted*
<Jackieness> <Airym> "Then what do you recommend be done?"
<DeathStar> *Mireille muses*
<DeathStar> <Mireille> Mireille has idea
<Sara> <Erica> An idea? We need anything, at this point.
<Seraphna> Cookie> Terra should’ve been back by now.
<Sara> <Ellie> I think... she's gone...
<Seraphna> Nox> What’s the idea?
<DeathStar> *Mireille sinks into her pod and powers up the ship; a moment or two later, the ship does a spirit hop of sorts, and practically appears right above the castle, freefalling right above it, down toward the castle*
<DeathStar> <Selena> ... A-Are we going to ... crash into my castle?!
<Sara> <Erica> Steady the ship!
<Seraphna> **Aluta feels for the spirits**
<Seraphna> **Cookie slows the ship**
<DeathStar> *there's two spirits somewhere in there*
<Seraphna> Alita> I feel them.
<Jackieness> <Airym> "Maneuverign thrusters!"
<DeathStar> *The ship stops, right above the top*
<Jackieness> <Airym> "Any sign of the anti-spirits?"
<DeathStar> *the place seems crawling with them. One can be seen chasing Kito around the balconies*
<Seraphna> **Alita readies herself, dragging Samson** Come, expert.
<Alicia> <Jikuu> "We have to do something."
<DeathStar> *Ben leans back, eyeing Samson*
<Jackieness> <Airym> "Samson, what do you recommend?"
<DeathStar> <Samson> I'd gather your most powerful spirit or person with life energy
<Alicia> <Jikuu> "...and?"
<DeathStar> <Samson> USe them as bait and gather them in a place that you can put them into a barrier until we can transfer them back
<Seraphna> Alita> Origin would be it. Can we do it keeping her safe?
<Jackieness> <Airym> "Erica, can you lead a rescue team while we pull the anti-spirits off?"?
<DeathStar> *Origin flutters to Nicolette's head*
<Seraphna> **Cookie aims carefully and covers Kito since they can see her**
<Sara> <Erica> Understood. I'll do what I can. *she stands and moves to get ready*
<DeathStar> *Kito pants, and is soon joined by Neekito. The two hopping away back into the castle*
<Alicia> <Sparkling> "Should I keep guard, or go to rescue others?"
<DeathStar> *Yuki joins Erica. Cloé opts to join as well, fidgeting, and Bonnie*
<Jackieness> <Airym> "Cookie, go and help set up the barrier."
<Jackieness> <Bella> *joins the ground team*
<Seraphna> **Cookie nods and gets to work**
<MobileAri> <Nicolette> "Most powerful would probably be..." She frowns, not liking the idea.
<DeathStar> <Selena> You should position yourself where you feel you'll do the best. I imagine with your high magic energy you'll draw a lot of anti-spirits.
<Seraphna> **Nox gets her gear, as does Nell**
<DeathStar> *Yuki uses the platform from the hanger to hop down to the upper balcony of the cstle*
<DeathStar> *looking around*
<MobileAri> * Nicolette looks to Origin, "Are you okay with this idea?"
<Seraphna> **Nox and Nell hop after her
<DeathStar> *Origin talks in her head* <If it will help Nicolette> *it seems uneasy at the idea*
<DeathStar> <Sylph> If she isn't keen on the idea, I can do it.
<Seraphna> Nox> I’ll keep my power down to sending out Sorren and Terra.
<DeathStar> *She flutters about*
<Seraphna> **Nox starts to track spirits**
<MobileAri> * Nicolette considers a moment, then nods. "I'll stay with you. You'll be okay~."
<Jackieness> <Airym> "Prep the other mission team to defend the barrier."
<Alicia> <Sparkling> "I'll stay too."
<DeathStar> *Origin nods, looking more confident*
<DeathStar> *Yuki begins to enter the castle slowly*
<DeathStar> *with Selena, Bonnie, and Cloé following*
<Sara> * Erica leads the way
<Jackieness> <Bella> *enters the castle and follows Erica's lead*
<DeathStar> *Erica would come across Celes having tea with what looks to be a younger Selena*
<DeathStar> <Selena> ...
<Seraphna> Nell> Creepy.
<Sara> <Erica> I guess it's to be expected. Their idea of what this world was supposed to be like is a bit outdated.
<Jackieness> <Bella> "Sooooo... what's the gameplan?"
<Alicia> <Celeste> "The worlds got desynched I guess?"
<DeathStar> <Samson> Just ignore them.
<Sara> <Erica> What Samson said. We don't have any business with them.
<Jackieness> <Bella> "Lead on then."
<DeathStar> <Samson> Some of them must have got distracted and went back to "living lives"
<Seraphna> **Nox keeps her senses out while Nell guards the rear**
<Alicia> <Celeste> "It has its appeal."
<DeathStar> *As they walk along the hallways, they find extra maids moving about doing their things, honing in on the two lost spirits, who seem to have hidden themselves in the spirit realm; a large amount of the anti-spirits converged on the entrance*
<DeathStar> *they seem unable to enter, yet at the same time they seem to be doing... something to it*
<Alicia> <Celeste> "That doesn't look good."
<Seraphna> **Nell frowns and hurls a shard spear at some** While this is interesting I say we kick ass and ask questions later.
<Seraphna> **Nox tosses out foxfire at the anti-spirits**
<DeathStar> *The anti-spirits turn toward Nox, then immediatly try to leap at her to consume her*
<DeathStar> *As well as Selena*
<Alicia> * Celeste moves to defend Nox
<Jackieness> <Bella> "Hey, Samson, is it safe to punch them?!"
<Sara> * Erica punches an anti-spirit in the face whether it is or not.
<Seraphna> **Nox backs away surrounding herself in foxfire and moonlight while Nell starts striking with shards**
<DeathStar> <Samson> They are solidish, just like spirits
<DeathStar> <Samson> It just won't stop them for long
<DeathStar> *it is indeed punched back, and it begins to rear back and lunge forward once more once it recovers*
<Sara> <Erica> Well unfortunately for them I can do this all day.
<Seraphna> **Nox tosses a spinning saw blade out and stats guiding it around**
<DeathStar> <Yuki> She really can
<Seraphna> **Nell
<Jackieness> <Bella> "...good." *crcks her knuckles then flash steps into the path of one, trying to grab a hold of it*
<DeathStar> *Selena slashes, using her spirit form to try to keep them back*
<Seraphna> **Nox taps into her dark one side, tendrils stabbing and slicing, venom style**
<DeathStar> *The anti-spirits, taking all this damage from the group, begin to strangely becom more and more hideous and monsterous, as they become enraged and angry, healing from their wounds; more of them join their numbers* <Cloé> This is .. stupid. *She claws and slashes in her purple hair mode, breaking one's face as it starts looking like an angry spectre*
<DeathStar> <Bonnie> We're definitely causing something to happen
<Jackieness> <Bella> *tries to slam one of the monstrous anti-spirits into the others*
<Alicia> <Celeste> "Why are you even doing this?" *keeps fighting the anti-spirits*
<DeathStar> *Bella causes them to combine into a larger one*
<Sara> <Erica> Hey, you should smile more. *she says to the anti-spirits as she keeps fighting*
<DeathStar> <Yuki> Do we want that to happen?
<Jackieness> <Bella> "...well... no one said they could do that..."
<DeathStar> *Cloé repeats what Bella did, making even larger one*
<DeathStar> <Cloé> There, less of them
<Alicia> <Celeste> "This bothers me."
<Seraphna> Nox> Do we sing or something?
<DeathStar> <Samson> Sing?
<DeathStar> *he stares*
<Alicia> <Celeste> "Do we even have idols?"
<Seraphna> Nell> Our Song Mages tend to do good with this stuff.
<DeathStar> <Samson> Why the blood hell would you bring idols into a fight?
<Jackieness> <Bella> "Don't look at me. I can battle dance, but not sing!"
<Seraphna> Nox> The positive emotions do something to them.
<Alicia> <Celeste> "Don't ask me how it works."
<DeathStar> *the anti-spirits, what remains of them, seem to finally realize they are in trouble and slide past the group*
<DeathStar> *fleeing*
<DeathStar> <Bonnie> Runner
<Seraphna> **Nell taps her comms and puts on an Athena track**
<Jackieness> <Bella> "...so... do we like.. just let them go?"
<DeathStar> <Yuki> Ah? Well. Erica's call
<Sara> <Erica> If they aren't in our way then we keep on our task
<Seraphna> **Nox grabs Nell’s spear and coats it in foxfire, hurling it as it retreats**
<DeathStar> *By now the barrier is finished*
<DeathStar> *they get a lucky roll and pin it; the creature flails*
<Seraphna> Nox> Mmm, Lemme see. **she eyes the spirit realm connection**
<DeathStar> *it looks like it was trying to eat it*
<Jackieness> <Bella> "..wait... were they trying toeat the Spirit Realm. Like... all of it?"
<Seraphna> **Nox reaches out** It’s me, Terra, Soren, hear me?
<DeathStar> *Soren pops out*
<DeathStar> <Soren> Well. Hmph. I was never worried
<Alicia> <Celeste> "Have you seen Terra?"
<Seraphna> Terra> Soren so brave!
<DeathStar> <Soren> Terra there, she was all like "How could that thing eat the entire realm"
<Seraphna> **Terra peeks out**
<DeathStar> <Soren> And I was telling her "No way"
<Seraphna> Terra> Thought scary! What if they get to my fruit stash!,
<DeathStar> *Soren stands there wearing very un-spirit like gamer clothing, her hair a mess*
<DeathStar> *Aska would have a fit*
<Alicia> <Celeste> "Well, everything's okay now, right?"
<Seraphna> Terra> We saved your games too. **holds up a box**
<DeathStar> <Soren> D-Don't show them that!
<Seraphna> Terra> Worried about Fae Fae and Leafy…
<DeathStar> *Mireille meanwhile comes out to erect the barrier around the anti-spirits*
<DeathStar> *humming as she gets close enough to be eaten*
<Seraphna> Nox> Careful Mire.
<DeathStar> <Mireille> I'm careful~
<Alicia> <Celeste> "Don't get so close."
<DeathStar> <Selena> Also please be sure to remove those things out of the castle after the barrier is up. The maids will be upset to have them in the hall
<Seraphna> Nox> I’m fairly certain half the maids are those things.
<Jackieness> <Bella> "Uhhhh... like... haf the maids were anti-spirits too..."
<Alicia> <Celeste> "Hush."
<DeathStar> *Mireille pauses, spotting something on the floor near the monsters* Oh look, a rare trading card. *like some dumb character in a movie, she reaches for it*
<DeathStar> *Selena hangs her head* My maids...trapped in another reality...
<Alicia> <Celeste> "MIREILLE."
<Seraphna> **Nox tugs her back**
<Sara> <Erica> Uhh... What?
<DeathStar> <Mireille> Aw shoot. I'll get it later.
<Jackieness> <Bella> "Wait... can anti-spirits turn into trading cards too?"
<Sara> <Erica> I don't-- what?
<Seraphna> **Terra puffs her cheeks and calls the Leafy hotline**
<DeathStar> *Cloé eyes her pocket, then at Bella*
<DeathStar> *Leafy answers and reassures Terra she is fine*
<Jackieness> <Bella> "...what?"
<DeathStar> <Samson> I've not heard of such,
<Seraphna> Terra> Tell Fae Fae get safe. And avoid trading cards.
<Jackieness> <Bella> "So why is everyone all paranoid about that one then?"
<DeathStar> <Cloé> Dunno. <Yuki> Lets get back to the ship
<Seraphna> Nox> It’s right next to a giant anti spirit.
<Alicia> <Celeste> "Can we focus on dealing with the antispirits?"
<Seraphna> Nox> Yes please.
<DeathStar> *As they return to the ship, Ben can be seen making sure the anti-spirits removed somewhere safe and scanning how many people and locations were switched*
<DeathStar> <Ben> It looks like, before Victoire stopped it, a good portion of Geyze was switched and a decent amount of the population was switched. We even lost some people we know.
<DeathStar> <Ben> Including a spirit and Kalam. <Cloé> Even I almost lifted up and poofed!
<Alicia> <Akatsuki> "Which spirit?"
<DeathStar> <Ben> Edna. Avenir, the time spirit
<DeathStar> Edna and Avenir
<Seraphna> Alita> Oh no…
<Seraphna> Terra> Edna and Avenir gone!?
<Seraphna> **Terra starts to cry**
<DeathStar> <Samson> *strokes his beard* It seems to me, we need to go back to my side. See if this process can be reversed. You all planned to go over there anyway, right?
<Sara> <Erica> Those were our orders. Instead it came to us.
<MobileAri> <Nicolette> *frowns* "Do we know if the anti-spirits got them, or did they get swapped?"
<DeathStar> <Samson> I think this device that this other Erica placed swapped your people
<Sara> <Erica> I'm gonna be frank with you here 'cause you deserve the truth: We probably won't know the full details or impact of a situation on this scale for weeks.
<DeathStar> <Samson> But with the anti-spirits being over there?
<DeathStar> <Samson> It won't go well for them
<Jackieness> <Airym> "Then our answers lie on the other side."
<Sara> <Erica> So we'll proceed as planned. For better or for worse. And if our people have been switched we'll find them there.
<DeathStar> <Samson> If you plan on fighting this Serpent thing on both sides when the time comes, you should probably deal with the device, but also... you need to see if maybe you can deal with the Anti-Spirits. See if you can change their nature like me.
<Alicia> <Celeste> "We'll try."
<DeathStar> <Samson> Cause if you plan to fight that thing over there and you have them hoarding up on you, it'll go bad
<Alicia> <Celeste> "If we can get them to help fight, even better."
<DeathStar> *Yuki muses* What made you change, Samson?
<Sara> <Erica> Up to you where you think you'll be most useful, Samson. I won't force you to come along if you don't want to.
<Seraphna> Terra> We save my cousins!
<DeathStar> <Samson> Hm. I guess I managed to retain who I was. Most of them are struggling to find an identity. Hence why they're copying people. Anyway I'll join you in going over there.
<Jackieness> <Airym> "Then prepare to cross over to the mirror reality."
<Alicia> <Celeste> "Ah, we have spirits on our crew, will that be... safe?"
<DeathStar> <Yuki> True
<DeathStar> <Yuki> *She studies Origin and Sylph*
<Sara> <Erica> I reckon at this point they aren't any safer on this side than with us.
<Alicia> <Celeste> "True."
<DeathStar> <Sylph> Plus - I look cute like this
<MobileAri> <Nicolette> "Yeah, after today... it's with us, or the spirit realm. Anywhere else is risky."
<Sara> <Ellie> I will protect Sylph.
<DeathStar> *Sylph sits on Ellie*
<Sara> <Ellie> Oh and Origin too, of course
<DeathStar> *Origin seems to refuse to leave Nicolette*
<MobileAri> <Nicolette> "Hm... you're sure?"
<DeathStar> *Origin nods*
<DeathStar> <Samson> They should be fine. The Aquarius runs on spirit tech as it is
<DeathStar> <Samson> It'll already stand out, so better to have them here to help you out
<Seraphna> **Jaime appears with anyone who might want to join in late**
<DeathStar> <Samson> But I'll see if I can help you stand under the radar. *Adeline arrives with tool kits, having come along to try to help Kaori and Victoire's power situation* While we're going, I'd like chance to look at the crystal tree and Yggdrasil's system to help boost Kaori and Victoire
<DeathStar> <Adeline> See if I can help the two one last time
<DeathStar> <Yuki> *To Erica* Always a full ship lately
<Seraphna> Jaime> And since Vyvy is likely to tear the Mirrorverse apart she’ll need a peer.
<DeathStar> -SHIFT-
<Sara> <Erica> Hey, at least Taiga is off somewhere else for once. Uh, no offense.
<DeathStar> Location: Asteroid C
<DeathStar> *Taiga sneezes*
<Seraphna> Si> Bless you.
<DeathStar> <Taiga> Alright lets see. Who all do we have wanting to go on this Tareh mission?
<DeathStar> *she eyes the roster*
<DeathStar> *Ren taps her fingers on her arm*
<Seraphna> **Kaelan, Truth and some of her lot are there**
<Seraphna> **Kumiko shrugs, then thumbs up**
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmmm... does this count as a Striker mission or a God Hunter mission?"
<Alicia> <Asha> "I thought I should come for this."
<DeathStar> <Taiga> I imagine at this point, it's a mix of the two*
<Alicia> <Celeste> "I don't care which it's called."
<DeathStar> <Rachael> If you consider "it", it's one hell of a God Hunter
<Seraphna> Michelle> I hereby name us the God Strikers.
<DeathStar> <Taiga> Do you now?
<Seraphna> Michelle> For this mission at least.
<Alicia> <Asha> "Lets strike some gods then."
<Jackieness> <Moira> "Some of us have already been through to tareh, so we should definitely go."
<Seraphna> Si> Crossover name! I second!
<DeathStar> <Taiga> Erevis sent the message: "Do not die and I will give you a free meal at Terra's bar"
<Alicia> <Asha> "Well, she wouldn't be able to if we died anyway."
<Seraphna> Si> Oooo, I’m getting triple steaks.
<Seraphna> Kaelan> Our priority is to protect Tsukiko. Tareh falls without her.
<DeathStar> *Taiga begins to tap in the address*
<DeathStar> *The gate then begins to act up*
<DeathStar> <Rachael> Well that's not good. <Ren> That's a bad sign
<Seraphna> Kaelan> Be ready.
<DeathStar> *The gate soon stablizes*
<Jackieness> <Moira> "Last time we had problems like this, it was Harbinger shenanigans."
<Seraphna> Kaelan> I was attacked on the other side.
<Alicia> <Celeste> "Didn't... yeah, that."
<DeathStar> <Taiga> Want me to come with you? I can put Aurica on the gate
<Seraphna> Kaelan> I can take us to my wife though as soon as we’re through.
<DeathStar> <Ren> Too many of us and we'll trip over each other
<DeathStar> *Ren steps through*
<DeathStar> *Rachael follows*
<Jackieness> <Moira> *heads through, as does Noire*
<Alicia> * Celeste and Asha head through
<Seraphna> **Kaelan steps through with Truth**
<Seraphna> **Michelle readies her bow and goes through with Kumi**
<DeathStar> *The moment Kaelan steps through, she finds everyone has already been defeated, at the feet of a corrupted, puppet Harbringer, his flesh rotted it looks, all around him the castle of Mercy broken and wrong, twisted with eyes staring that makes one's head ache. On the wall is Mercy, pinned by the hands. The ground begins to swallow the others up slowly, like fleshy sludge*
<DeathStar> *the marks begin to throb*
<Seraphna> **Truth shines and bursts a shield of holy out**
<DeathStar> *The "harbringer" suddenly moves a bit and the shield flies from Truth's hands*
<Seraphna> **Kaelan and Truth look to each other and close their eyes, feeling for the others**
<DeathStar> *while the two begin to sink as well, next to the others*
<DeathStar> *Harbringer begins to advance on the two, moving all creepily*
<Seraphna> Kaelan> this is the mark… you are gone.
<DeathStar> *Kaelan gets a beep somewhere far to the south; as Harbringer gets next to them, wyrd pops out and swings her scythe, but is countered and flipped onto the ground*
<Seraphna> **Kaelan’s tendrils grab everyone and she moves for Tsukiko’s shadows**
<Alicia> <Asha> "I guess we know why Harbringer wasn't worried about dying..."
<DeathStar> *as everyone revives, the pop out in Azuha*
<DeathStar> *But oddly in the island of foxes, there is no Tsukiko*
<Seraphna> Michelle> What the bloody fuck was that!?
<Seraphna> **Kaekan feels again for her wife**
<DeathStar> *Ren sits up, groaning*
<DeathStar> <Wyrd> ... ugh.
<Alicia> <Asha> "... something sickening."
<DeathStar> *The corruption doesn't seem as bad here thankfully*
<DeathStar> *other than the fact the foxes act weird, staring at them madly*
<Jackieness> <Moira> "I got bad vibes..."
<Seraphna> **Kaelan peers around, trying to sense her out**
<DeathStar> <Rachael> I don't like the way they're looking at me
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmmm... I take it no one was expecting all that mess?"
<Alicia> <Asha> "I've been feeling sick since I came here."
<DeathStar> *Kaelan gets another ping, to the far east*
<Seraphna> Kaelan> Further?
<Seraphna> **Kaelan frowns abs begins to shadow transport them again**
<DeathStar> *they travel so far back around they ended back in Gelus, which has become a mechanical corruption nightmare. The capital throne room has no sign of the Dragoon Guard or the queen right now*
<DeathStar> *an eyeball stares at then and Ren staggers* Charlotte... wish you were...here...
<DeathStar> *without her support, it's clear Ren is not doing well*
<Jackieness> <Moira> "...and so much for my place with my shoes."
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmmm..." *reaches over and grabs a hold of Ren* "Focus."
<Seraphna> **Kaelan frowns in confusion**
<DeathStar> <Ren> Right... *She focuses as best she can* <Rachael> Kaelan, you keep throwing us into corrupted areas.
<Seraphna> Michelle> Right… she’s fucking with you Kaelan. One second.
<Seraphna> **Michelle taps the Angel mark and feels for the Angel**
<DeathStar> <Rachael> You think that will work? She's not Lorelei
<Jackieness> <Moira> "Beats randomly jumping into worse and worse places."
<Seraphna> Michelle> With the time they spent together there’s a chance.
<Seraphna> Kaelan> Only other thought I have is going right to the sanctum.
<DeathStar> *there's a crash and something swoops in, picking them up and flying them out into the open area*
<Alicia> <Asha> "What?"
<Seraphna> Truth> What…!?
<DeathStar> *a winged angel holds onto them, flying out, but one of it's wings is black. It looks a lot like Lorelei, but it's aura is different*
<Seraphna> Michelle> See? I’m awesome!
<DeathStar> *They are taken to a safer area and land*
<DeathStar> <Angel> You called me?
<Seraphna> Michelle> If your mark is preventing you from tracking your daughter then sane must be for Tsukiko. Bitch is sending you trap coordinates.
<Seraphna> Kaelan> I need to get to Tsukiko.
<DeathStar> <Angel> Tsukiko. *she repeats the word* She is trying to purge the world, but is having trouble
<Seraphna> Michelle> Let’s help then.
<DeathStar> <Angel> You have among you holy shrine maidens or holy paladins or holy spell casters?
<Alicia> <Celeste> "Do I count as a holy paladin?"
<Seraphna> Truth> I’m a Holy Sword.
<Seraphna> Kaelan> I have my daughter’s Moonlight.
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmmm... I should have brought my Miko clothing."
<DeathStar> *The Angel touches Celeste* You will do. Unfortunately, you two are no longer candidates.
<DeathStar> *referring to Kaelan and Truth*
<Seraphna> Truth> The corruption…
<Seraphna> **Kumiko blinks and raises her hand**
<DeathStar> <Angel> Yes?
<Seraphna> **Then waves them around signing something**
<Seraphna> Kaelan> She says… Ama made her a shrine maiden when she was a kid?
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmm... I have been known to tend a Shinto shrine or two. Do I qualify for your needs?"
<DeathStar> <Angel> It cannot hurt - every little bit might aid her. We're also looking for our moon goddess. She has gone MIA. The rest of you can try to find her. And there have been attacks on the shrine with Tsukiko
<DeathStar> <Angel> We need defense until we're done
<DeathStar> <Ren> *to Kaelan* Hey.
<DeathStar> <Ren> I got an idea
<Seraphna> Kaelan> Mm?
<DeathStar> <Ren> If we get our Tsukiyomi over to help until we find their's
<Seraphna> Kaelan> It could work. She’s made the trip before.
<DeathStar> <Ren> And bring in any other shrine maidens we can think of. Losing Tareh would sting
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmm... is that safe given the current conditions of this reality?"
<DeathStar> <Rachael> True, we'd need to beat that Harbringer thing
<Seraphna> Kaelan> Wait… we need an army of shrine maidens?
<Seraphna> Kaelan> …Summon the Nues.
<DeathStar> *The Angel slowly treks them up to the shrine, which is high up past some foggy mountains*
<DeathStar> *up there they find Tsukiko in a prestine setting beyond any corruption - infact the Angel refusing to let Kaelan and Truth in*
<DeathStar> <Angel> Here, I will prepare those who will be part of this. *She takes them with her into the shrine*
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmmm... now to put all my trainig to work." *goes into the shrine*
<Seraphna> Kaelan> The price of trying to save your kid. Gonna kick that bitch’s ass.
<DeathStar> <Rachael> Good luck.
<Jackieness> <Moira> "So we just wait out here?"
<DeathStar> <Ren> I see two plans
<Alicia> <Asha> "Oh?"
<DeathStar> <Ren> Those things are going to work their way up the mountain sooner or later and we'll have to defend it; or we can use what time we have bfore that and try to beat Harbringer and bring in more shrine reinforcements to help Celeste and Noire etc.
<DeathStar> <Ren> What do you guys say?
<Seraphna> Kaelan> It would make me feel good to save Mercy.
<Alicia> <Asha> "Can we beat Harbringer right now?"
<Jackieness> <Moira> "We should scope out how much time we have here before they break through."
<DeathStar> *Ren nods and works her way down the mountain*
<Jackieness> <Moira> *heads down to check it out*
<Alicia> * Asha checks out the terrain on the way
<DeathStar> *down at the bottom, it's made of what looks to be a good majority of Daemons, led by Deus, with Nami tied up in a cage; spying among them is a corrupted looking Queen Jules wearing a strange tentacle crown that goes into part of her face. They seem to be working against barriers Tsukiko set up, using flying devices and dragoon guards to bash it. Judging by their forces it, it seems to take quite some time to break one, probably an hour, and it looks like Tsukiko has scattered a few of them along the mountain. Unfortunately, with only a few shrine maidens, the ritual will likely take probably a looong time*
<DeathStar> *And their forces are growing even larger, probably speeding up their process to break a barrier too*
<Jackieness> <Moira> "...some of those people were our allies..."
<DeathStar> <Rachael> Will the cleansing fix them or are they gone?
<Seraphna> Kaelan> A cancer. She spreads and infects.
<Alicia> <Asha> "That wasn't an answer."
<Seraphna> Truth> With hope it will bring them back.
<DeathStar> <Rachael> I noticed the Angel's wings were different colors
* MobileAri has quit IRC (Read error: Connection reset by peer)
<Seraphna> Truth> She may have taken some hits.
<DeathStar> <Ren> So
<DeathStar> <Ren> Do we want to try to deal with Harbringer?
<DeathStar> <Ren> Or stay here
<Seraphna> Truth> It seems we will need all the help we can get.
<Alicia> <Asha> "I think we stay."
<Seraphna> Kaelan> We just need to do it before the barrier falls.
<Jackieness> <Moira> "We can jump to the gate, but we cna't let it delay us in returning if we can't take it down."
<Seraphna> Kaelan> Then we need to disrupt it somehow.
<Seraphna> Truth> Can we get a signal through?
<DeathStar> *Ren holds her comm signal*
<Jackieness> <Moira> "How do we stop it?"
<DeathStar> <Ren> If you all can stop it long enough, I'll open the gate long enough to send mom a message
<DeathStar> <Ren> And we'll get out of there
<Seraphna> Truth> Have her use the Striker ship to get here.
<Jackieness> <Moira> "Works for me."
<Seraphna> Michelle> I’ll stay here and ready defenses. **she pulls bags out of subspace**
<DeathStar> <Ren> Okay, Lets have the Angel take us since Kaelan is unreliable teleporter
<DeathStar> -SHIFT-
<DeathStar> Location: Mercy Castle
<DeathStar> *The group arrives via the Angel; almost immediately, the Harbinger creature is on them*
<DeathStar> *the group pulling them in as it approaches*
<Jackieness> <Moira> *draws her sword and moves to slash any tentactles that draw near*
<Seraphna> **Kaelan goes dark one and hurls a dark orb at him**
<Seraphna> **Truth hurls glowing holy blades at him**
<Alicia> * Asha launches fire at the Harbinger
<DeathStar> *The rotten body of Harbringer takes the hits and sways; the mind attacks strike next even as it's falling over, eyeballs opening up*
<DeathStar> *staring at them and making their heads ache*
<DeathStar> <Ren> *appears at the gate,trying to dial out*
<DeathStar> <RAchael> *uses fire to burn the body*
<DeathStar> <Rachael> BURN!
<Seraphna> **Kaelan roars and launches a foxfire riddled tendril of moonlight to destroy the eyes**
<DeathStar> <Rachael> *grabs at Mercy, trying to wind pull her off, but she's been drilled in tightly
<Jackieness> <Moira> *runs over to Mercy and tries slashing the tentacles away*
<Seraphna> **Kaekan send Su and Wyrd to help Rachael**
<DeathStar> *Harbringer roars in pain, exploding with maggot like creatures that fly at the group; as they land, they burn*
<Seraphna> **Truth burns them away with a holy aura**
<DeathStar> *Wyrd uses her strength, shielding people from the insects, to help pull Mercy off*
<DeathStar> *Ren gets a connection and sends the warning and what they need out* <Ren> Done
<DeathStar> *Harbringer's body has a dark cloud begin to emit at them, going for Asha*
<DeathStar> <Rachael> Look out. Run!
<Seraphna> **Kaelan then pulls everywhere together with Tendrils, Truth shots the cloud**
<Seraphna> Kaelan> Angel, NOW!
<DeathStar> *Angel warps them out and they appear near th mountain; a tiny whiff of the cloud still there*
<Alicia> * Asha does indeed run, launching fire at the cloud, hoping that works
<Seraphna> **Truth shoots it**
<DeathStar> *all the attacks make it finally scatter*
<Seraphna> **Michelle has been setting up light barrier walls, shock fences and stun traps all over, motions them to a safe spot**
<DeathStar> *Mercy meanwhile lays still<* <Angel> She has corrupted materials in her body.
<DeathStar> <Angel> You should be careful
<Jackieness> <Moira> "No kidding. Anything we cna do?"
<Seraphna> **Kaelan sighs** We could try burning them out then healing her.
<Alicia> <Asha> "Might be our best option."
<DeathStar> <Angel> Hm. Maybe one of your healers can do something when the time comes. But if you want to try to burn her too
<Seraphna> Kaelan> Sia and Lia should be coming with the next group.
<DeathStar> -TBC-
Session Close: Sun May 28 23:03:56 2023