Chapter 1: "Angel of Retribution"

New Cast Appearing:
Criz as TheStoryteller, High Priestess Evol, White Dragon Nall, Various NPCs
Storen as Valhalla/Ishtar, Franz
Session Start: Sun May 30 21:44:22 1999

Forest, Outskirts of Meribia

<TheStoryTeller> What a perfect day. Oh...and you see a fallen angel in front of you.
<TheStoryTeller> The angel, knocked out from an Aqua Rage by Scott, lays now in front of you all, defenseless and out cold. With her long, silky black hair laid out on the ground, and white robe, it gives her an even more pleasant and peaceful look... Even though she just tried to kill you.
<TheStoryTeller> She resembles an angel so much that you would believe she is the real thing, except for the huge golden metallic wings that adorn her back.
<Tahn> ...
<Emili> Hey!
<Scott> Maybe I should lift this person.
<Emili> Lookie!
<Emili> She got wings!
* Leon has nothing to say.
<Emili> Like mine!
<Emili> Except they're shiny!
<Tahn> I don't think they're quite like yours...
* Scott kneels down and tries to lift the angel.
<Leon> Birds have wings too.
* Tahn taps on the wings with a nice little "klang".
* Bree checks her pockets for anything. =)
<Scott> Those wings look more mechanical than anything, Emili.
* Leon shoots a bird out of tree. "See?"
<Emili> Mechanical?
<Emili> What's that?
<Johnathan> Today just keeps getting weirder and weirder..
<TheStoryTeller> The angel's wings are heavier then a 200 pound man, Scott can't pick her up. He places her back down.
<Tahn> It means it runs without any living force to it.
<Leon> Made by man, not by Goddess or natural causes.
<Jack> Wings....?
<Scott> Hmmm...anyone want to help me remove those wings? That's what's weighing her down.
<Emili> Living Force?
* Bree keeps rummaging in the pockets humming a tune.
<Emili> Ummm...
* Leon walks over and attempts to pick her up.
<Tahn> Uh..
<Tahn> Scott..
<Emili> I don't know what that means.
<Scott> What is it, Tahn?
<TheStoryTeller> With Leon's great strength, he's able to place the angel over his shoulder.
<Jack> ....
<Leon> ...
<Leon> Weaklings.
<Tahn> Reality check. Those wings are kind of attached to her. It'd be rather hard and very painful to remove them.
<Scott> Now, let's get going to Reza.
<Johnathan> Fortunately we have someone with us strong enough to lift some hunks of metal.. heh. Say, you people never told me exactly why you were in that dungeon..
<Tahn> Don't ask.
<Emili> Leon shot the pretty lady!
<Leon> Had I wanted you to know, I would have told you.
<Tahn> It has to do with Mister Trigger-Happy over there.
* Emili points to Leon.
<Scott> We heard some sort of scream at the announcement for the goddess festival. For some odd reason we wound up in one hell of a fight and then in the dungeon.
<Emili> And that steel metal sneezing person... uh... he hurt me real bad!
* Johnathan muses. "The goddess festival.. shot the.. Leon, you shot_Virtue_?"
<Tahn> Like I said.
<Tahn> Mister Trigger-happy.
* Leon turns back and deadpans to Johnathan. "What if I did?"
* Jack thinks back to the situation silently....
<Tahn> I've suffered the curse of being stuck with him.
<Scott> Hardly Virtuous if you ask me. She didn't appear like any goddess I remember reading about, either Althena or Lucia.
* Johnathan stares at Leon for a second, then starts laughing. "That's good.. that's.. heh.."
<Leon> I could fix that for you, if you like Tahn.
<Tahn> I'd also like to not look like a giant Swiss Cheese, thank you very much.
<Leon> Then keep your mouth shut.
<TheStoryTeller> The wind starts to pick up as several leaves blow past you. You all notice a sign that wasn't there before.
<Scott> And besides, if I remember correctly, when Althena died, the power of the goddess was passed on to the next member of the Goddess tribe, Lucia. She seized it when Zophar tried to destroy the world.
* Leon treks on, this angel machine on his shoulders.
<Johnathan> Shot Virtue.. that must have stirred things up.. no WONDER you people were down there..
* Tahn looks at the sign not there before.
* Scott reads the sign while continuing his talking to himself.
<TheStoryTeller> Reza: Left Path
<Leon> I shoot people who annoy me.
<Tahn> I don't trust this..
<Scott> .oO(A miracle he hasn't killed everyone yet then.)
<Jack> Well...That's plain and simple.....We move?
* Scott takes the left path.
<Tahn> What if it's a trap? The sign could be indicating the wrong direction, Jack..
<Leon> If it's a trap, we fight our way out.
* Johnathan stares at the sign, then at the road. "Is this thing right? Darned if I know.. haven't been outside of Vane for long.. anyone familiar with the area?"
<Scott> Well, I'm going anyway. It's a lead and anything's better than sitting around doing nothing.

Katarina Zone East, Path to Reza

<TheStoryTeller> Scott leads the party down the left path as they start their trek down to Reza.
<Jack> Well, if'n you have any other ideas I'm willing to listen.
* Tahn growls in Johnathan's general direction.
<Scott> Oh for Althena's sake. Will you come on?
* Leon snickers. "Looks like someone doesn't like the word....Vane."
* Emili brightens.
* Jack shrugs. "When in roam..."
<Emili> Hey ummm... where we going?
<TheStoryTeller> The sky darkens as the wind keeps picking up, getting stronger by the minute. It's almost as if nature itself is trying to stop you from reaching your destination.
* Tahn ponders how accurate Leon'd be with one of his own guns down his throat.
* Johnathan sounds almost curious. "What does Althena have to do with it, Scott?"
<TheStoryTeller> A raindrop falls on Emili's forehead.
<Leon> You know, Tahn, I don't need a gun to kick the hell out of you, you know.
<Scott> I was merely trying to make a point, John.
<Johnathan> Ah.. right. To each their own, I suppose.
<Tahn> A trigger can be pulled in a fraction of a second. Faster than one can kick.
<Emili> Hey!
<Emili> It's starting to rain!
<Leon> Thank you, Mistress Obvious.
* Emili looks up at the sky.
<Emili> See?
* Emili looks at Leon.
<TheStoryTeller> Another raindrop lands on Jack and then another on Leon's arm.
<Jack> Rain? Well....This land needed some moisture anyway. Hah!
<Emili> What does Mistress Obvious mean?
<Leon> Nothing.
<Leon> Nevermind..forget I said anything..
* Scott whispers to John. "Looks like someone has a problem with trusting people, eh?" He points at Leon with his thumb.
<Emili> Forget what?
* Tahn looks at Emili. "It's a sarcastic way of saying 'we knew that'."
* Johnathan shrugs slightly, speaking quietly in response. "I'm sure he has his reasons."
* Emili looks at Tahn.
<Emili> What does sarcastic mean?
<TheStoryTeller> The rain starts to come down hard, as a downpour begins. You keep on walking down, as you all notice a cave ahead of you.
<Jack> Don't worry, Emili.
<Leon> I just hope this damn robot doesn't short circuit while on my shoulders..that would *really* piss me off.
<Tahn> It's one of Leon's two attitudes... the other being psycho, of course.
<Scott> Well, the cave should offer protection from the storm. Let's go in there till the storm subsides.
* Scott points to the cave.
* Emili likes the rain and sticks her tongue out, as rain drops land on it.
* Johnathan murmurs a few words, and the air above him distorts slightly.. the rain almost slows as it passes through, hitting him with less force than it should.
<Leon> Let's go then.
* Emili dances in the rain, getting all wet.
<Jack> Ahh....Emili Reminds me of my childhood....*Thinks back*
* Scott heads into the cave. "You guys coming?"
* Leon follows Scott.
<Jack> Huh?......Oh yeah! I'm coming.
* Johnathan follows the others into the cave.
* Emili stays outside.
<Emili> La de da!
<Emili> I wanna fly and touch the clouds!
<Scott> Emili, get in here. You'll catch your death with pneumonia out there.

Cave

<TheStoryTeller> You all enter the cave as it's quite small on the inside, though it provides protection. Emili then follows everyone inside as the rain comes down harder.
<Leon> Where can I set this thing down?
<Emili> What's pneumonia?
<Scott> Anywhere's ok.
* Leon dumps it in the corner.
* Leon takes a breath in. "That thing is heavy."
<Scott> It's a disease...makes it hard to breathe. Severe upper respiratory problem.
<Jack> Emili, Pneumonia is a very bad form of sickness..
* Emili shakes her body free of water.
* Tahn looks at Johnathan. "Why are you so obsessed with Vane anyways? You make it sound like it's so great."
<Emili> Oh.
<TheStoryTeller> Not much light enters the cave as you all can hardly see each other, and the smell of moisture is in the air.
<Emili> I never ever got sick once!
<Emili> Not once....
<Jack> Trust me Emili...It's not fun.
<Emili> Mom says--
* Emili clasps her head.
<Scott> What's wrong, Emili?
* Emili stops and looks at Scott.
<Emili> What?
* Leon goes to the mouth of the cave and sits down, looking outside at the rain.
* Johnathan shrugs, and looks at Tahn. "What's great about it? It was home.. until they chased me out."
<Scott> You were holding your head like something's wrong.
<Scott> It was mine too, John...till all this happened. I was one of the best knights in the Magic Guard.
<Emili> I was?
* Leon lets out a mournful sigh.
<Emili> I don't remember.
* Jack looks at the rain. "Ahh....Make you feel good listening to the pitter-pat of the rain......
<Tahn> You know, I would have said the same thing 10 years ago...the year before I joined the Magic School... *shudders*
<Scott> Yeah, Emili...but I doubt it's anything to worry about yet.
* Emili shrugs and walks over to the mouth of the cave.
<Jack> Emili. Want to look at the rain?
<Emili> Whatcha all doing?
<TheStoryTeller> The sun begins to set as Leon has the best view of it all. Soon the cave becomes even darker, not even being able to see who's in front of you.
* Leon doesn't notice Emili.
<Emili> Look at the rain?
<Jack> Listen to the rain....
<Emili> Looking at the rain is boring!
<Johnathan> The magic school.. not the most pleasant of places, was it..
<Emili> I like to fly in it. ^_^
<Leon> ...
<Emili> It's very fun!
* Scott starts a fire for the party using his fire magic. "Warmth and light in one simple move."
<Tahn> Hell in the worst sense of the word, Johnathan.
<Jack> Just closing my eyes and listening...it's so very calming.....
<TheStoryTeller> A flash of lightning is seen as the thunder begins, almost deafening. A small fire has been made, giving much needed light to the cave.
* Leon doesn't budge.
<Scott> Quite calming... The thunder, the rain, just the scent of the rainstorm can be a very calming sensation.
* Jack looks at Emili and mutters. "Me and my big mouth..."
* Emili jumps and lands on a loose rock and falls back into Tahn.
<Johnathan> It wasn't THAT bad, Tahn. Well.. not for me, anyway.
<Tahn> I doubt many peopl...oof... please get off of me, Emili.
<Emili> Whoops!
<Emili> Sorry Tahn!
* Johnathan scratches his head. "Not that my attendance was anything but abysmal."
* Leon twirls one of his guns with his left hand..like a showman would.
* Emili gets up off of Tahn and brightens.
<Tahn> As I was saying...
<Tahn> I doubt many people have gone through what I did at the school..
* Leon continues doing little tricks with his guns.
<Emili> School?
<Emili> What's school?
<Johnathan> Not a good experience, I take it... some of the people there were right bastards, I admit.
<Emili> Is... school bad?
<Tahn> That depends on the school.
<Tahn> Most schools are good.
<TheStoryteller> The angel lets a soft moan escape her lips, as she shuffles in the corner for a moment, but doesn't awake.
<Tahn> The Magic School in Vane is bad.
<Emili> What is school?
<Jack> School is where you go to learn things, Emili.
<Scott> Depends on your experience there. My magic school experience wasn't all too bad except for all the fights I got into defending my best friend, Crissy.
* Leon turns his head. "What was that?"
<Emili> Vane? That's the super pretty place I met Scott and Lure at!
<Emili> It had ice cream. ^_^
<TheStoryTeller> You all hear a twig snap.
* Emili brightens.
<Scott> How do you think I learned to use a sword? In fights to help my friend.
<Emili> Hey!
* Scott looks toward the sound.
<Emili> Hear that?
<Leon> That's what I asked.
* Tahn chuckles at Emili's innocence and then looks to the source of the sound..
<Leon> What is that
* Emili pulls out her stick, Sugar Dog.
* Leon pulls out his other gun.
* Scott puts his hand on his sword hilt.
<TheStoryTeller> The fire goes out, and all is black again... You hear footsteps.
<Jack> Hehe...How's Sugar Dog, Emmi?
<Leon> Shut up.
<Emili> It's dark!
<Emili> Make it light again Scott!
<Emili> Hurry!
<TheStoryTeller> The footsteps are no longer heard.
* Tahn pulls out a dagger and starts chanting for a spell, the green aura of Air magic illuminating just enough for the party to see one another, but not to see the source of the mysterious footsteps.
<Leon> ...
* Scott starts another fire with his fire magic.
<Jack> Hmm...
* Leon goes to check the Angel.
<Jack> How's the angel, Leo?
* Tahn cancels the spell.
<TheStoryTeller> With Scott and Tahn's magic in use at the same time, it gives off a bright flash as the whole cave lights up for a second and then the light dims down as it once was.
<TheStoryTeller> The angel is gone.
* Emili wanders out of the cave.
<Leon> I couldn't tell you, Jackass.
<Leon> It's not her.
<Scott> O_o. Something tells me this isn't a good thing.
<Leon> Here.
<TheStoryTeller> A lightning bolt hits straight in front of Emilli as she returns to the cave.
* Emili flies backward.
<Emili> Waaaaaaah!
<Scott> EMILI!
* Leon pulls out his guns again. "It's around here somewhere."
* Scott catches Emili.
* Emili lands against the rear end of the wall.
<Scott> You ok, kid?
<Jack> Is she alright Scott?
* Emili rubs her back...
<Johnathan> ..this is bad.
<Emili> Ow...
<Scott> Do I look like a healer?
* Leon looks for the Angel.
<TheStoryTeller> Johnathan goes to where the Angel was last seen, as he spots foot prints in the dirt.
<Johnathan> Not really, Scott.
<Scott> Emili, are you alright?
* Tahn starts preparing a Heal Litany spell for Emili, the blue glow once again slightly illuminating.
* Jack runs to Emili. "You alright?"
<TheStoryTeller> Leon finds nothing but the same footprints that Johnathan found as well.
* Leon follows the footprints.
* Johnathan stares at the prints as the healing spell lights the cave slightly. "Well now.."
<TheStoryTeller> Two pairs of footprints are seen. The footprints end at a wall.
<Scott> This can't be a good thing.
* Johnathan reaches out and touches the wall, testing its solidity.
* Scott surrounds his hand in fire to make enough light to see by. "There was only one angel...but 2 sets of footprints. Something's not right here."
<Leon> Damn...
* Jack checks the footsize...nope, too small for his feet....
<Scott> I know that angel wasn't a quadruped.
* Leon punches the wall.
<TheStoryTeller> Jonathon's hand goes through the wall as if it wasn't even there. Leon's punch also goes through the wall.
<Johnathan> Ladies and gentlemen.. there's no wall here.
* Emili walks into the wall.
* Jack claps.
<Leon> Hmm.
<Emili> Come on!
* Leon walks through the wall.
* Scott walks through the wall.
* Tahn walks over to Johnny Boy.
* Johnathan heads through behind Leon and Scott.
* Jack walks into the wall. "Ow!"
<Leon> ...Well this is different.
<Scott> O_o
* Tahn walks through the false wall.
<Jack> Oop....There's the way...
* Jack walks through the FALSE wall this time. =-}

Cliff, atop the Forbidden City

<TheStoryTeller> You all enter the wall as on the other end you find what seems to be...a city. Your eyes are all locked on the fascinating underground metropolis, as you all stand on a cliff looking down at buildings, machines, homes, and citizens.
<Jack> Wow....
<Scott> Cool.
<Leon> ...
<TheStoryTeller> It seems as if this city has been here for quite some time, as the technology used can almost match Meribia's. Though one apparent thing is missing from this city. There is no shrine...at least that you can tell. In the middle of the city, there is a statue of a rather large golden winged woman, with her arms extended upward. It must weigh tons.
<Tahn> It's the angel chick!
<Scott> Must be..
<Scott> Let's check it out.
<Emili> Wooo.
<Emili> Pretty!
* Jack looks at a statue. "Yipe! Wouldn't want one of these to fall on me."
<TheStoryTeller> You all can't move forward, considering you are on a cliff. The only way to the city...is down.
<Tahn> ....oh. Crap.
<Leon> Well isn't this nice.
<Tahn> I say jump. ^_~
* Emili opens up her wings and her clothes disappear, she floats off the cliff and down to the city.
<Emili> Weee!
<Scott> Only one way into town...take a leap of faith.
<Leon> You first, Tahn.
* Leon starts to climb down the cliff.
* Tahn jumps down and uses a dumbed down Air spell to slow his fall to a safe level.
* Scott takes a flying leap off the cliff but creates a stream of fire to slow his fall.
<TheStoryTeller> Emili flies down to the city but is pushed back as if some field was surrounding it.
* Jack pulls out "Barberella" and climbs down using the axe as a pick.
* Emili starts punching the field.
* Johnathan watches Emili. "That's really quite disconcerting, how she does that."
* Tahn looks up at Johnathan. "You'll get used to it."
<TheStoryTeller> The cliff gives way as the rest of the party on it falls to the ground.

Entrance to the Forbidden City

<Emili> Let me in you stupid thingie!
* Emili keeps punching the field.
<TheStoryTeller> The force field gives off a shock as Emili touches it.
* Jack hits the ground with a thud.
<Emili> Ow!
<Scott> Let's try something, Tahn, Emili. maybe our magic can get through it.
* Leon lands on his back, but kicks up.
* Emili floats above the barrier.
* Johnathan hits the ground, wincing. "...ouch.. why us?"
<Scott> Water, lightning, and air.
<Tahn> Wait.
<Tahn> John... mind helping us?
<Emili> Hmmm....
* Scott descends with a pillar of fire slowing his fall.
* Johnathan stands up. "Helping..? Oh, with the barrier.. sure."
* Emili casts a thunder bolt on the barrier.
* Scott casts Aqua Blast on the barrier.
* Leon decides to open fire.
* Tahn casts Air Slash.
<TheStoryTeller> The magics barely make a dent in the field as all it does is glow even more.
* Tahn ducks as a bullet flies over his head.
* Leon fires at the dent.
* Johnathan murmurs and releases another small mote of energy towards the barrier, almost cringing back as he does so.
<Jack> This is going nowhere...
<TheStoryTeller> However, a small hole opens up with Johnathan's spell.
* Emili looks down at the hole Johnathan made.
<Emili> Hey!
* Emili flutters down and looks at John.
<Johnathan> ...now if I only knew WHY that worked..
<Scott> Hey, you opened it up some...try that again.
<Emili> Teach me how you did that?
<TheStoryTeller> The hole seems to be closing slowly, but is wide enough for you to fit.
* Scott jumps through the hole.
* Tahn rushes in.
<Emili> Please?
* Leon spins his guns back down into their holsters.
* Leon pushes his way through everyone and goes through the hole.
* Jack trips and falls in head-first.
* Johnathan steps through. "It's.. you just.. maybe another time, Emili. I'm not sure I CAN explain it."
<Emili> Aww, fine!
* Emili dashes into the hole.
<TheStoryTeller> With all of you entering, the hole closes up behind you.
* Emili looks around at the city with bright eyes.
* Leon pulls out his guns again.
<Scott> Now, let's get to that angel.
<Emili> Wow...
<Emili> Pretty!
<Jack> Well...At least I wasn't in the middle of that hole. Owchie!
<TheStoryTeller> In front of you lies a great city, that none of you have ever heard of, or even knew it existed.

Forbidden City Jinzel

* Scott places his hand on his sword hilt.
<Emili> This place is prettier than Vane!
<Emili> Yep!
<Scott> Definitely impressive.
<Emili> Wonder if they got any ice cream...
<Leon> Shut up already..we don't want everyone knowing we're here.
* Emili flutters upwards a bit and starts scouring the town for an ice cream stand.
<Jack> Emili, Where there's civilization, there's ice cream!
<Johnathan> I have a feeling they already know.. we DID just crumble a small cliff and then penitrate their barrier..
<Leon> Fine..do what you like..
<TheStoryTeller> Citizens run about as if something has occurred in their city, all rushing about talking. A elderly woman bumps into Jack.
<Jack> Oop! Sorry Miss....
<Scott> I have to wonder just what's happening.
<Scott> But I'm almost sure that angel's part of it.
<TheStoryTeller> [Old Woman] No problem young man, did you hear the news?
<Tahn> No... do tell.
<Jack> No Ma'am, what news?
* Emili flies around the city still looking for an ice cream parlor.
<TheStoryTeller> [Old Woman] Our Winged Goddess has been sent to us from the skies!
<Leon> No surprise.
* Jack looks up. "Emili! You have a visitor!"
<Tahn> Okay, this DOES have something to do with the angel thing. Are we surprised?
<TheStoryTeller> A child sees Emili's wings and screams.
<Leon> Let's go to the temple.
* Johnathan mutters. "Great. Religion."
<Scott> Winged goddess? That angel? Her wings are mechanical, ma'am.
<Jack> .....
* Emili looks down at the child and flutters down to him.
* Tahn looks at Johnathan. "Look on the bright side. At least they didn't preach it in Vane... much."
* Emili brightens and looks at the kid.
<Emili> Hi!
<Emili> Where's all the ice cream?
<Scott> Emili, GET DOWN HERE!
<Emili> ^_^
<TheStoryTeller> The elderly woman ignores them as she continues on her way.
<Leon> ...
<TheStoryTeller> The child looks at Emili in shock.
<Johnathan> True.. bunch of garbage, most of what they said, though..
<TheStoryTeller> [Child] Are...are you the evil one that has been sent to destroy us. The one of the legends!?
<Emili> What's the matter?
<Emili> Evil one?
<Emili> Nope!
<Emili> I'm just Emili.
<Emili> I'm real nice.
<TheStoryTeller> [Child] Then why do you have those wings?
* Emili looks at her wings.
<Emili> I dunno.
* Leon rolls his eyes. "This is a waste of time."
<Emili> I.... can't remember.
<Jack> Emili....What's happening?...Oh, Hello, little one.
<TheStoryTeller> [Voice] JIMMY GET OVER HERE NOW!
<Emili> But I like them.
* Tahn stays far back from the rest of the party. :P
<TheStoryTeller> [Child] Umm..I gotta go. My mother is calling me. Oh, and you should hide your wings ma'am, you might get killed for looking like the one of legend.
* Scott stays in the middle of the party. "This is not a good sign."
* Emili looks at the child.
<Jack> Ok...Don't get your parents worried..
* Johnathan sighs. "Not really, no."
<Emili> What's a mother?
<Leon> ...
<Emili> And what's a legend?
* Emili looks very puzzled.
<Leon> We'll school you later.
<Jack> Emili...You have a lot to learn....
<Leon> We kind of have something else to do.
<Scott> Right now, I think ignorance might just be bliss.
<Leon> Oh hell forget it, I'll go myself.
* Leon starts to the temple.
* Scott follows Leon.
<Johnathan> To make it short.. a legend is a story, sometimes based on truth, about things that might have happened. A mother is a female parent.
<Jack> Man....Leo and his mean streaks...
<Emili> That little person said I was an evil one!
<TheStoryTeller> Leon begins to walk ahead as he doesn't notice that he almost steps on a midget.
<Emili> Am I an evil one?
<Johnathan> I'd say no, offhand.
* Leon doesn't seem to care, either.
<Scott> I don't think you're evil, Emili.
<TheStoryTeller> [Short Guy] Hey.. watch yer step! ^^;
<Leon> Watch where I'm going, and you won't have to worry about it.
* Emili looks at Johnathan confused....
* Jack mumbles to self. "Great...we landed in munchkinland".
<Johnathan> He might have been right, though.. you might want to keep those wings hidden.. they do tend to draw attention.
<Emili> What's a female parent?
<TheStoryTeller> [Short Guy] Man.. the whole town's in such a frenzy, people have forgotten manners.. :P
<Leon> Get out of my way, pee wee.
<Johnathan> What's a female par...? ..You don't know what parents are?
* Emili thinks....
<Emili> Nope!
<Jack> Never mind him, friend, he's had a bad day.
<TheStoryTeller> [Short Guy] Sheez.. I don't know if the winged Golden One is going to let you into the promised land with an attitude like that.. ^^
* Leon pushes past the short guy.
<Johnathan> Oh dear.
<Tahn> <m> People like Leon would kill Althena herself if they got the chance. :P
<Jack> Leo, Calm down!
<Johnathan> Well.. ah.. a parent..
<Scott> Something's not right with that angel.
<TheStoryTeller> [Short Guy] Althena..
* Johnathan frowns. "Tell you what, Emili.. sometime when we have more time, I'll be glad to fill you in.. we just don't have the time right now."
<Jack> Something on your mind about Althena, little one?
<TheStoryTeller> [Short Guy] Wait.. I think I heard that name once... some outsider babbling on about her being the true Goddess.
* Leon continues to the temple.
* Emili looks at Johnathan with her big round eyes.
<Emili> Promise?
* Scott continues on after Leon. "Someone's gotta watch his back."
* Johnathan smiles. "I promise."
* Emili beams.
* Tahn looks at the Short Guy. "Did the outsider go by the name of 'Virtue', perchance?"
<Emili> Kay! ^_^
<TheStoryTeller> [Short Guy] *trips Leon before he goes to far* ^^
<TheStoryTeller> [Short Guy] *rubs hands* Hehe.. not so fast.. you're going the wrong way to the temple anyway.. ;)
* Leon stumbles a bit, and pulls out a gun. "How'd you like to be a grease spot?"
* Scott trips over Leon, since he was following Mr. Trigger Happy.
<TheStoryTeller> [Short Guy] Hey I'm no grease spot! I'm Franz... ^^;
* Emili walks over to the midget and kneels down looking at him in the face.
<Leon> I don't care who you are, I'm about to blow you away.
<Jack> Oh, well, greetings, Franz. *Bows*
<Emili> You got some stuff on your face!
<Franz> If you're going on about Althena.. you've got to be needin' a guide.. ^^
* Emili points the man's beard.
* Leon cocks the hammer on the gun back.
<Johnathan> Leon. Stop that.
<Tahn> It's not Althena I'm worried about.. it's Psycho-boy.
<Johnathan> The last thing we need to do is to antagonize the locals.
* Jack holds Leon back. "Calm down, will ya!?"
<Franz> *looks down at his beard* Oh.. heh.. that's my beard, pretty lady. ^^
* Emili looks questioningly at Franz.
<Leon> ...
<Scott> Look, can we get on with this, already? There's something not right about what's going on and I want to know what it is.
<Emili> Beard...? Lady..?
* Leon puts the gun away.
<Tahn> And I'd like to show *in a condescending tone* "Queen Virtue" 30 flavors of pain for doing what she did..
* Franz just stares at Leon.
<Jack> Thank you...
<Leon> What are you looking at?
<Jack> I'm sorry, Franz. Please continue...
<Valhalla> [Franz] Nothin.. anyway.. I can take you to the temple.. I know lots of shortcuts to get you a front row seat for the event..
<Johnathan> Event?
<Jack> Another one?
<Tahn> I apologize for my slightly....disturbed...companion.. He just has an itchy trigger finger is all.
<Scott> Not again.
<Tahn> This wouldn't have to do with the outsider from before, would it, Franz?
<Franz> Wow.. you really must be from outside.. it's the event we've been waiting for! Our Angel has come to us at last. :D
<Scott> And right now, I have an itchy sword hand. If someone doesn't tell us what the hell's going on here, I'm going to start slashing.
* Jack to Tahn, "How's about we tie Leo to a hydrant for this event. Better safe then sorry."
<Franz> Someone found her near the entrance.. or so the rumors go.. she must have come to save us.
* Tahn chuckles.
* Emili flexes her wings and stands up.
<Franz> Supposedly it's legend that.. *blinks at Emili*
<Emili> Was the angel person really pretty?
<Tahn> Oh crap.
<Tahn> Here we go again.
<Franz> Holy moly! o_O
<Scott> Actually, she tried to kill us, so I hit her with Aqua Blast. It short circuited her mechanical wings.
<Franz> What..we got two angels runnin' round now?!
* Emili looks at Franz.
<Tahn> Emili. Put those things away before people think you're the evil thi...SCOTT!!!
* Johnathan buries his face in his hands, shaking his head. "We're doomed. I don't believe this."
<Emili> I'm an angel?
<Emili> Hey!
<Leon> This is a waste of time!
<Emili> Maybe I am an angel!
<Tahn> For once...
<Scott> Hey, it was in self defense. She did try to kill us after all.
<Jack> Well....Emili's kind of a lost angel...we're trying to find her way back...
<Tahn> FOR ONCE, I agree with you, Leon.
<Emili> Angels are supposed to be pretty and nice, right?
* Johnathan takes his hands away, looks upwards, and sighs. "Why me?"
<Scott> Not that one. :P
<Franz> But you don't got the wings of gold tho..
* Emili looks at Jack.
<Emili> You are?
* Leon ignores Tahn, "Let's go now."
<Emili> I'm lost...?
<Scott> Anyone have any spray paint? We can solve that problem real quick. ^_^
<Tahn> *correcting Franz* Brass.
<Jack> I believe we are...
<Franz> Maybe you're her friends or something the way you're talking.. follow me. :)
* Scott follows Franz. "I don't like the sound of this at all."
* Emili looks at Jack.
<Emili> I really am an angel?
* Jack to Emili "We'll find your lost past and find out for sure. I promise!"
<* Franz starts weaving in and out of the massive crowds of people down the main thoroughfare.
* Leon follows as well, silently..but everyone can sense his rage with each step he takes.
* Scott follows as best as he can.

Jinzel, Main Street

<Emili> Lost past?
<Emili> Uh...
<Emili> I don't remember anything.
<Emili> I don't think my past is lost either.
* Tahn murmurs to Johnathan "I think Jacko is starting to fall for Emili..." *chuckles*
<Franz> See that big building up ahead? That's the temple of the Angel..
<Scott> I hope there's an arena around here. I'm itching to cut something to ribbons here.
<Jack> You will....In due time....I can feel it...Shaddup Tahn!!
* Emili looks at the temple.
* Scott snickers at the conversation as he flashes back to his past in Vane.
* Johnathan attempts to suppress a grin.
* Emili starts flying and heads toward it with blinding speed.
<Johnathan> ..you think so, huh?
* Leon says nothing.
<Franz> Supposedly, a great woman with bright golden wings carved out this land and put us here for safekeeping.. ^^
<Leon> ...I don't care.
<Franz> And then she will return one day to lead us into the Promised Land..
<Tahn> Ah, the exaggerations of legend.
* Scott listens attentively, but still lost in his flashbacks.
<Jack> Hey, well, people have their beliefs...
<Leon> I don't care.
* Emili is flying to the temple with such speed she moves like a blur.
<Scott> You don't care about anything do you, Leon?
<Jack> I wasn't talking to you, Leo.
<Franz> *shoves a couple people out of the way* Hey.. comin through..!
<Leon> Not anymore I don't.
<Leon> Not that it's any of your business.
<Scott> Actually, it is, as we're traveling together now, so try to contain that mean streak of yours.
<Jack> Yeah, loosen up, man.
<Leon> I don't have a mean streak. This is just how I am.
<Tahn> In other words, you ARE a mean streak.
<Jack> I didn't say that.
<Scott> You remind me of my "other" self that everyone in Vane says I have hidden in my mind.
<Johnathan> There's a difference between having a mean streak and being a bastard? I can respect that..
<Leon> I don't have another self.

Jinzel, Shrine of the Golden Wing

<TheStoryTeller> You all soon reach the crowded open area of the shrine.
* Emili stands just before the entrance waiting for everyone.
<* Tahn chuckles.
<Emili> Hi!
<Emili> You guys walk slow!
<Jack> Hey Emmi. What do you see?
* Leon bumps past Emili.
* Emili smiles.
<Franz> Frick.. the whole town is here.. I don't know if we can get the best view of when she awakens..
* Emili whaps Sugar Dog over Leon's head.
<Emili> Quit pushing me!
<Jack> Haw haw!!
* Leon takes the stick.
<Leon> You hit me with this damn thing again, and I'll break it.
<TheStoryTeller> Through a small space you see a golden bed, as on it you can clearly see the angel... The very same angel you all had with you.
* Emili looks at Jack.
<Scott> If she awakens, then I'll bet this town is gonna be all kinds of screwed. That thing tried to kill us, so it might try to kill everyone here.
<Emili> Lotsa lotsa people!
* Emili stretches her wings looking proud.
* Scott keeps his sword hand on the hilt of his blade. "Just to be sure."
* Emili notices Sugar Dog is missing and looks at Leon.
<Franz> Hey man.. don't be ridiculous.. she's our savior here! ^^
* Leon holds the stick firmly.
* Emili tackles Leon beating him in the face.
<Emili> Give me back Sugar Dog!
* Leon throws Emili off.
<Scott> Let's just say I don't trust her. *narrows his eyes* Something's not right, so I'm keeping my guard up.
<Jack> Y'know...I'm starting to get tired of these giant gala events. What I need right now is a bed to sleep on....
<Leon> Grrrrr!
* Emili flies and lands on her butt.
<TheStoryTeller> An old man wearing a dark red robe and a staff steps up to the golden bed.
<Leon> I'll break this damn stick.
<Jack> Leo....Give her back Sugar Dog....
<Tahn> *continuing Jack's thought* And some food. Food would be nice.
<TheStoryTeller> [Old Man] The time has come, citizens of Jinzel!
<Scott> She may need that staff, so give it back to her, Leon.
<Leon> You hit me with this thing again, and I will break it, Emili, do I make myself clear?
* Emili looks at the old man.
* Valhalla is lying upon the gilded bed, motionless, except for her regular breathing..
<Johnathan> Leon, give her the stick. Emili, don't hit Leon. Fair enough, you two?
<Emili> Hey! That old man has the pretty angel!
<TheStoryTeller> [Old Man] The time our savior will awaken and take us to the Promised Land!
<Emili> Lure said that angel was gonna help us!
<Emili> We gotta save it!
* Scott tightens his grip on the blade.
<Tahn> *to Emili* hush. And hide your wings!
* Emili looks at Tahn.
<Emili> I don't wanna hide my wings!
<TheStoryTeller> No one notices as the eyes of the angel begin to move. Though her body remains still.

Palace of Virtue

<TheStoryTeller> In the palace of Queen Virtue, her and the trusted High Priestess Evol gaze at a holographic projection of the events in Jinzel.
<Virtue> What a great device she is, Evol!
<Evol> Indeed, we can see through her eyes, almost as if we are there with her.
<Virtue> We have found the legendary city of Jinzel. A town full of infidels, that doesn't believe in me... therefore, they all must die.
<Evol> Then...I will activate Valhalla and give her a new primary target...

Jinzel, Shrine of the Golden Wing

* Valhalla begins to stir, and rises bolt upright from her resting place.
<Tahn> O_o
<Emili> Look!
<Emili> The angel woke up!
<Leon> That's not good.
* Scott keeps his hand on his blade. "I have a bad feeling about this."
* Emili smiles.
<Jack> What's the name of the Angel?
<Tahn> <m> 31 flavors of pain... *pulls out a dagger*
<Emili> I wanna talk to the angel!
* Leon pulls out his guns.
<TheStoryTeller> The old man smiles and goes down on his knees, as the entire crowd begins to do so as well.
<Tahn> *to Jack* Valhalla. I think I heard Virtue say something about it.
<TheStoryTeller> [Old Man] Oh great goddess, you have finally come to save us!
* Emili yells out.
* Johnathan puts a restraining hand on Emili's shoulder. "Careful.. we don't know if she's friendly or not, Emili."
* Valhalla's eyes look all glazed over as she then speaks in a slightly mechanical, echoing voice.
<Emili> Hey Angel person!
<Jack> Valhalla.....?.....
<Valhalla> Valhalla Unit 00.. online..
<Scott> Valhalla....I remember hearing about it.
<Leon> Who cares?
* Emili flutters over to Valhalla and stands up in front of her.
<Emili> Hi! ^_^
<Tahn> Not you, apparently, Leon.
<Scott> EMILI! GET BACK HERE!
* Tahn sweatdrops.
<Jack> Emili! Don't get yourself hurt!
* Valhalla then looks down at the man. "Primary Target reassessed...terminate Jinzel."
<Leon> Name's don't matter when they're dead.
<Scott> Oh shit....get ready to fight, folks.
* Emili looks confused.
<Johnathan> ..she's going to get herself killed, isn't she?
* Valhalla then extends a golden wing outward...
<Tahn> <m> Damnit... you were right, Scott..
<Emili> What does all that mean?
<Leon> Boy I saw this coming.
* Scott jumps at Valhalla, releasing another Aqua Blast.
* Leon opens fire.
* Emili looks at Valhalla.
* Emili then looks at Leon and Scott.
<Tahn> *Shouting, to Emili* It means she's gonna level the place if we don't stop her!
<Emili> Hey! Don't hurt the angel!
<TheStoryTeller> The Aqua Blast simply hits her, not affecting her this time. Valhalla has learned from the past.
* Valhalla leaps into the air, dodging Leon's attacks...
* Leon continues firing.
* Jack just looks at Valhalla.... "The Wings..."
* Emili leaps up with Valhalla.
<Emili> Hey!
* Valhalla fires a laser beam with ultra precision, right through the old man's chest...
<Emili> Listen to me!
<Tahn> *still to Emili* "Terminate" means to stop, halt, or kill... I think the "angel" is going to fry the place!
<TheStoryTeller> [Old Man] ahhhhh....*
* Emili looks at the old man then back at Valhalla.
<TheStoryTeller> The old man falls face first to the ground.
<Scott> OK....EAT THIS! HONOU NO......YAAAAA!
* Scott points at the angel and releases a stream of fire at it.
<Emili> Hey! That wasn't very nice!
* Emili looks mad.
<TheStoryTeller> Leon's bullets simply bounce off of her wings. Scott's spell is dodged at the last minute.
* Valhalla bats Emili away. "Infidels detected.. proceeding with Ragnarok protocols.."
* Jack runs to the old man. "You alright?"
* Leon fires at other parts of her body.
<Tahn> Ragnarok!? Holy Shit!
<Johnathan> All right.. this is just damned bad..
<Tahn> EVERYONE! EVACUATE THE AREA!!!
<Scott> Ragnarok? It's got star power....
* Emili flies right back in front of Valhalla.
<Emili> Stop it!
<TheStoryTeller> The bullets don't touch her as Valhalla dodges them all.
<Johnathan> Ragnarok and star power? What's the connection, Scott?
* Scott jumps up, and tries to grab Emili and beat a hasty retreat.
* Emili sticks with Valhalla.
<Scott> Ragnarok is a high level star spell, John. I use Star magic myself.
* Leon continues his assault.
<Tahn> ...
* Valhalla ignores the presence of Emili, as her wings begin to slowly open up and become larger... a huge charge starts to gather between them..
<Tahn> Do you even realize what Ragnarok actually means, Scott?
* Emili gets ticked.
<Emili> All right!
<Johnathan> Ah.. semantics. Ragnarok's an old term meaning the end of the world.. I'm not familiar with star magic..
<Emili> That's it!
<Johnathan> ...either way, this is bad.
* Emili casts thunder bolt on Valhalla!
<Tahn> Yeah.
<Tahn> What say we toast this thing, guys?
<Scott> Good idea, Tahn. I'm with ya.
<TheStoryTeller> The citizens start to disperse as they run all crazed, trying to save their own lives.
* Valhalla then releases a huge blast at the entire area! Most of the crowd is decimated where they stand...
<Johnathan> Here goes nothing... though not literally, I hope.
* Tahn hits the dirt!
* Jack to the crowd. "EVACUATE QUICKLY! EVACUATE NOW!!"
<TheStoryTeller> The bolt goes to hit Valhalla, though it is quickly dodged... It hits a gas pipe, setting a fire ablaze.
* Leon hasn't stopped firing, no matter how ineffective his attacks are.
* Scott draws his sword and poises himself to strike once more.
* Emili flies around throwing bolts at Valhalla.
<Tahn> Too late!
<Emili> Take that and that and that!
* Jack whips out his axe and gets into attack stance.
* Tahn pulls out his 5 daggers and holds them out like a claw, and gets into a very "Fei" looking stance.
* Valhalla dodges Emili's spells, forming a force field of some sort around herself...
<Leon> Grrrrraaaah! DIE!
* Johnathan steps back, holding his hands out in front of himself and beginning to murmur.
<Tahn> Stop it, Leon! You might hit Emmi!
<TheStoryTeller> You all then seem to not be able to move, as if you all are magnetized to the ground itself.
* Emili keeps throwing spells one after another.
* Valhalla then shoots up even higher into the cave...
<Scott> Great...I was right...that barrier...
* Jack looks up with open mouth.
<Scott> Oh shit.
<Valhalla> Returning to primary attack mode...
* Emili looks up still floating but unable to move.
* Tahn still has enough power to cast an Air Slash spell! He fires air bolts rapidly at the damned thing, hoping to open some hatches or at least get Emili out of it's range..
<TheStoryTeller> The spell isn't strong enough to reach Valhalla as she is almost at the top of the cave.
* Valhalla then prepares another charge, as Tahn's spells do nothing.
* Scott releases another Fire Arrow.
* Jack gets to ground and starts a silent confession to Althena.
* Leon stops firing. "It's useless."
* Valhalla releases another energy beam across the town, swiping in an arc of blatant destruction of everything..
<Scott> This has to be the work of the church.
<Emili> Quit blowing up everything!
<Emili> Meanie!
* Valhalla reduces shops and stores to piles of rubble, and people to nothing but ashen wisps.
<Jack> .....And Finally I Leave my favorite teddy to my darling mother. Amen!
<Tahn> You think, Scott?!
<Scott> Only they would have the technology to do this...and most of the best engineers work for the church alone.
<TheStoryTeller> More then half the city was obliterated, as you all just can do nothing but watch. Valhalla then places her attention on all of you.
<Leon> I suppose we're next...
<Scott> Oh no.....this thing couldn't have been created by.....
<Jack> .......
<Leon> You all..
<Leon> Run.
<Leon> I'll draw her attention.
<Jack> No.
<Scott> Then I guess we're screwed...unless we can fight it.
<TheStoryTeller> You all seem as you are standing in a ghost town... No noise but your own.

Ruins of Jinzel

* Valhalla hovers above everything, white robe fluttering..
<Valhalla> Primary target achieved... Proceeding with original mission as new secondary objective.
<Leon> I said go.
<Emili> Hey!
<Jack> .....No....
<Scott> You guys go on. I'll cover you. Leon, get the hell outta here.
<Emili> Angel person!
<Leon> I don't need help.
<Tahn> No.
<Emili> Why did you blow up the city?
* Jack holds out "Barberella".
<TheStoryTeller> You guys still cannot move for some weird reason. As if a spell was put on all of you, a protective barrier protecting you all from the blast.
* Valhalla looks at Emili a minute, her face looking angelic, save her eyes..
* Scott holds his sword ready to strike.
* Leon pulls out his guns once more.
<Valhalla> Infidels must be destroyed.
<TheStoryTeller> The holding spell is broken. Who cast it, no one cares. You all are finally free.
* Valhalla then zooms down to the party's level...
<Leon> Go now. Get out of here.
* Emili looks at Valhalla with round, curious eyes.
<Scott> No thanks, Leon. I'm fighting.
* Tahn finally moves and prepares his "Dagger Claw".
* Johnathan takes another step back. "Too late for the town.. but not for us."
* Emili lands on the ground and folds her wings around her creating her clothing again, her wings disappear.
<Leon> You are all fools.
* Scott narrows his eyes. "I usually would give my opponent a chance to run away, but you deserve to die, so I won't." * Scott prepares his gatotsu stance once more.

~~ COMBAT! ~~


<Valhalla> >> Combat Round 1!
<Valhalla> >> Enemy: Valhalla, Angel of Retribution

<Valhalla> >> Valhalla's turn.
* Valhalla folds her wings out in front of her, a familiar energy gathering once more...
<Valhalla> Beginning Ragnarok buildup...
<Tahn> Shit.. I think you were right again, Scott...
* Emili grabs her stick from Leon's hands and gets reading to fight!
<Valhalla> >> Scott's turn.
* Leon gives off a red aura from his body.
* Scott closes his eyes, and then opens them as his whole face shows the brightness of a star...WARNING!
<Valhalla> >> Scott casts Warning.. his Dodge increases by 19%.
<Valhalla> >> Tahn's turn.
* Tahn chucks two daggers out at Valhalla, aiming to skewer her eyes...er...Sight Receptors!
<Valhalla> >> Tahn's Dagger Toss has minimal effect against her.. 4 damage.
<Valhalla> >> Emili's turn.
* Emili disappears from view and pops up behind Valhalla.
* Emili taps Val's shoulder.
* Valhalla is too busy gathering her energy to stop for Emili.
<Emili> Hey umm...
<Valhalla> ....
<Emili> Meanie!
* Emili beats Val in the head repeatedly with her stick!
* Emili disappears back with the group.
<Valhalla> >> Emili uses a Vega Slice.. although Sugar Dog doesn't do all that much.. 7 damage.
<Valhalla> >> Jack's turn.
* Scott keeps his concentration on Valhalla, as he moves into his Gatotsu stance once more.
* Jack holds up "Barberella" and charges forward, swinging wildly!
<Valhalla> >> Jack attacks! Attack 1: 2 damage! Attack 2: Critical! 34 damage!
<Valhalla> >> Leon's turn.
* Leon gives off a hatred...a rage unlike anything any of you have ever seen. He then screams in anger, the aura seems to die down around him.
<Leon> GRRRAAAAHHHH!
<Valhalla> >> Leon's anger builds as his attack power rises by 17!
* Jack hides behind Emili after Leon's scream.
* Leon snorts.

<Valhalla> >> Combat Round 2!

<Valhalla> >> Valhalla's turn.
* Emili looks at Jack.
<Emili> Why are you behind me, Jack?
* Valhalla holds the bright ball of energy between her wing tips.. "Preparing to fire... Targets acquired."
<Emili> Are you scared?
<Tahn> Oh, shit.
<Jack> Oh...Uhh..Nothing...Nope... *Walks back to his position*
<Tahn> We all should be, Emili.
<Valhalla> >> Scott's turn.
<Scott> There's an understatement, Tahn.
* Emili quickly looks back at Valhalla.
<Emili> Hey!
<Emili> Lure said you are a supposed to be a nice person!
* Scott holds his hand out towards Valhalla. A stream of water flows from his hands, impacting into it's target. "AQUA BLAST!"
<Emili> And angels are supposed by pretty and nice!
<TheStoryTeller> Emili isn't quite sure.. but Valhalla seems to have a look of pain on her face.
<Tahn> Did he mean this "Angel" though, Emili?
<Emili> You're pretty, but your not nice... huh...?
* Emili looks at Val very closely.
<Valhalla> >> Scott's Aqua Blast lashes out at Valhalla, but it does nothing. She has adapted. 0 damage.
<Valhalla> >> Tahn's turn.
<Leon> That was pointless.
<Scott> DAMN! Maybe I'll try fire next time.
<Emili> The angel person is crying!
<Jack> .......
<Leon> That's nothing compared to what she's GONNA do.
<Emili> See look!
* Tahn casts Air Slash on Valhalla, hoping to at the least expose a few wires for the rest of the party to wail away on.
* Emili thinks for a moment....
<Valhalla> >> Tahn's magic seems to be ineffective as well... it barely moves her in the gust. 0 damage.
<Valhalla> >> Emili's turn.
<Emili> Maybe.......
<Emili> Hmmm...
<Emili> I got an idea!
<Tahn> Maybe it'd be better to beat it down with Sugar Dog!
* Emili charges up! As bolts of electricity circle around her she looks at Valhalla.
<Emili> Let this work!
<Emili> THUNDER BOLT!
* Emili sends the bolts towards Valhalla!
<Valhalla> >> The lightning charge crackles out of Emili's hands and courses through Valhalla's body.. her wings acting like lightning rods!
<Valhalla> >> Valhalla is weak to Thunder! 74 damage!
<Tahn> O_o
<Tahn> Woo! You go girl! :D
<Scott> YEAH!
* Valhalla screams out as she is thrown off guard, losing her charge up..
<Emili> I did it!
<Valhalla> Mal..malfunction...
<Leon> Now's the time to attack.
<Scott> Let's do it NOW!
* Valhalla suddenly holds her head... as you see something on it exposed and damaged.
* Emili walks over to angel.
<Emili> No!
<Emili> Wait!
* Emili looks at the damaged portion.
<Emili> Angel person? Are you okay now?
<Leon> Get out of the way Batgirl.
* Emili looks at Valhalla's face.
<Jack> Leon....
* Valhalla falls down to the ground..
* Leon cocks the hammers back on both guns. "Get the hell out of the way!"
<Valhalla> >> Valhalla cannot complete the attack..

~~ Victory! 40 MEXP gained. ~~


* Scott gets into a stance ready to strike. He sheathes his sword and goes into a low crouch.
* Emili kneels down next to Valhalla.
<Emili> Hey Angel?
<Johnathan> Hold off on the murderous rage, Leon. Something isn't entirely right here...
<Leon> Grrr...
* Leon puts his guns away.
<Emili> Angel?
<Valhalla> Ungggh...
<Leon> I should just kill the damn thing.
* Emili lifts up the angel and rolls her on her back.
* Scott stands from his crouched position.
* Valhalla backs away from Emili...
<Emili> Hey!
<Emili> It's okay!
<Valhalla> No.. must.. initiate self-destruct on f..failure..
<Leon> Not this time.
<Emili> What...?
<Emili> What does that mean?
* Valhalla holds the exposed patch again, her black hair falling over herface..
* Leon pushes Emili out of the way and leaps after Valhalla.
<Tahn> Shit! Back up! It means she's gonna go boom! Big time!
<Scott> She's gonna blow herself up.
* Emili grabs Leon and flings down him to the ground with such might.
<Emili> STOP!
* Emili punches Leon in the face, hard.
* Emili walks over to Valhalla.
* Leon grins. "Don't make me kill you."
<Scott> That's gonna leave a mark.
* Valhalla then stands upright...
<Emili> Angel?
<Emili> I didn't mean to hurt you.
* Jack walks up to Valhalla for a closer view.
<Emili> But... something was messy.
<Emili> You were crying.
* Leon cracks his knuckles. "But I will mean to hurt you."
* Valhalla's eyes starts to return to a soft green color...
<Valhalla> M..must...
<Scott> Leon, don't make me burn your ass. Calm down for once.
* Emili looks at Valhalla expecting her to do something.
* Leon deadpans on Scott, but says nothing.

Palace of Virtue

<TheStoryTeller> Back at the Palace...
<Virtue> How...how can this be?
<Virtue> Activate Voice override...

Ruins of Jinzel

* Emili continues to look at Valhalla.
<Emili> Angel person?
<Emili> What's your name?
* Valhalla seems to open her mouth and shiver for a moment..
* Jack continues to look on in silent...
* Scott walks up to Valhalla. "You're actually human, aren't you?"
<Emili> Are you cold?
* Leon turns his back to the confrontation.
* Leon stares off into space...letting his thoughts wander..
<TheStoryteller> You hear a very familiar voice from a speaker on Valhalla's wings.... Virtue. So.. has it come to this? What have you done to my creation..
<Tahn> Fuck! It was a toy of Virtue's! Human or not, that thing's being controlled by the church!
<Emili> Huh?
<Emili> Creation?
<Scott> I knew it.
<Emili> What's a creation?
<Virtue> Valhalla is just the first of many.. my Angels of Retribution...
<Scott> Creation my ass. You were using cybernetics to control a human being, weren't you?
<Tahn> It's something *again, in a condescending tone* Queen Virtue made. :P
<Emili> What's a retribution?
<Johnathan> By what right? Who gave you the authority to pass judgment on anyone?
<Tahn> She did. She's a bitch that way, Johnathan.
<Virtue> I have to lead the world into a new age.. and there is no room for infidels.. the world must be whole to accept the Truth.
<Emili> Leave the poor angel alone, you dumb dumb!
* Leon lets out another mournful sigh...
<Johnathan> Truth.. ha! You claim to be an agent of truth, with all your prattling about the goddess?
<Emili> Infidels?
<Scott> And who gives you the right to decide who lives and dies? As Lucia as my witness, Bitch, I'll bring your ass down if it kills me.
<Emili> What are infidels?
<Tahn> Who says the Goddess is truth!
<Virtue> You are all far from the true path of what is really going on here.. but soon you will see..
<Jack> The Queen's calling us bad names, Emili.
<Virtue> Oh and Jack... are you pleased with the result of your work? This was the first field test...
<Emili> Bad names?
* Emili growls.
<Tahn> Only if you stop clouding reality with your lies, bitch!
<Emili> Bad names?
* Jack lowers his head....
<Johnathan> Your path is a twisted one, Virtue.. if that's the wildly inappropriate name you wish to call yourself.. the truth does not demand the senseless slaughter of innocents..
<Emili> That queen is a...
* Leon looks at Jack. "What?"
<Emili> is a....
<Emili> uh...
<Emili> FUCKING BASTARD!!!!
<Tahn> O_o
<Jack> The Wings.....
* Emili hmphs.
* Leon storms over to him. "YOUR work?! This is YOUR WORK?"
<Virtue> I'm going to change the world.. it is the one and only way to save humanity.
<Tahn> Nice description, Emmi.
<Scott> .oO(It was said in the church that the dragons disappeared. I'll just find out for myself. Maybe I'll check out the Dragon's caves.)
<Tahn> You're going to try to destroy it, you slut! Just like Zophar!
<Emili> Leave the poor angel alone you meanie!
<Johnathan> Are you evil, or merely deluded? Really now.. what's threatening humanity.. other than you?
<Virtue> But I don't need this Prototype unit anymore.. so it's only fitting I use it to stop those such as you..
<Emili> Meanie!
<Emili> Meanie!
<Virtue> Valhalla.. initiate self-destruct! No hesitation..!
<Tahn> No!
* Valhalla voice suddenly goes to a stutter...
<Emili> No!
<Valhalla> ...n...no...
<Scott> And it's only fitting that someone use the one power that you fear most to bring you down. It's decided. I'm going to submit myself for the dragon trials.
<Emili> Angel person don't self-destruct....
* Valhalla's eyes start to tear...
<Emili> Uh... whatever that means!
* Jack looks at Valhalla.
* Leon stares at Jack. "Answer my fucking question!"
<Scott> Don't do it, Valhalla. Fight her control.
<Tahn> Shit! There's got to be a manual override switch on this thing!
<Jack> I made the damn wings! Happy Leon!?
* Emili looks at the tear drop and places her hand on it.
<Valhalla> I'm.... I'm not...
<Emili> Don't cry angel!
<Leon> You made this..this...monster?!
<Tahn> No!
<Jack> Not the body....Just the wings....
<Virtue>What.. do you still remember your past?
<Tahn> He made but a piece of the puzzle, Leon.
<Emili> I'm an angel too!
<Tahn> The queen put it together.
* Emili unfolds her wings revealing them.
<Scott> I think the body might just be human.
<Virtue> Dr. Sonyele should have made sure that you didn't..
<Emili> See?
<Tahn> Sonyele?!
<Scott> Dr. Sonyele?
<Jack> When I found the big story behind the wings I.....
<Emili> No need to cry!
<Leon> You WHAT?
* Valhalla's eyes go wide at the mention of that name.. o_o
<Jack> Quit working on them...Everything else I have no idea about.
<Emili> I'm an angel too! And you're a angel! So we can be friends! ^_^
<Leon> You'd better not be lying to me, Jack.
<Tahn> Emili...
* Valhalla then zooms up into the sky... "I'm.. I'm not.. a killer...!"
<Tahn> There's more time for this later... right now we have to make sure she doesn't kill herself.
<Jack> I don't lie.....I made those wings. Nothing else.
* Emili flies up after Valhalla.
<Leon> See that you don't lie. Ever.
<Emili> Hey wait!
* Leon turns his back to Jack.
<Jack> I promise to you....Leon.....
<TheStoryTeller> Valhalla is little too fast for Emili, as she is way ahead of her.
<Tahn> Emili! Don't be stupid! Come back down here!
<Virtue> I guess you really are faulty then.. so be it.. you no longer serve my purpose.. for now... *voice fades to a dim crackle*
<Leon> Promises...what a joke they are.
<Jack> ....
* Emili continues flying after her.
<Tahn> You'll get fried by the barrier! ...if you even get that high..
<Scott> Leon, cool your damn jets. We're supposed to be a team here.
<Jack> Thank you Scott.
* Valhalla starts zooming around the town in a wild pattern, jets on her wings flaring..
<Emili> Angel!
<Leon> I never said anything about being a team with you people.
<Valhalla> I'm.. I'm Ishtar..n..not Valhalla..!
<Emili> Please don't die!
<Emili> Ish.. Ishtar?
* Valhalla suddenly plummets to the ground as everything in her systems finally shorts out.
<Emili> Angel!
<Tahn> Shit!
* Jack runs to Val...um...Ishtar.
* Emili flies after her, catching and descending down to the ground with her.
* Leon holds his ground, not moving to help at all.
* Scott runs after Jack.
* Valhalla crashes into the ground with Emili, wings first and unconscious..
* Tahn tries to catch Emili as she plummets with the weight of Ishtar.
<Tahn> Jack.. are the wings ok? We may be able to use them if they're serviceable.
* Emili lands on the ground with Ishtar.
<TheStoryTeller> Jack notices Ishtar/Valhalla lying on the ground as she has somehow overridden the Queen's orders. Jack looks at his work...
<Jack> .....The wings needs some fixing.....
<Tahn> Fixing.. I should be able to do that...
<Emili> Hey uh...
<Jack> No...this is my work...my problem...
* Valhalla's wings are heavily damaged from the impact, and from the lightning.
<Emili> Can someone pick her up?
<Emili> She's heavy!
<Tahn> I may not have much practice with machinery though.. Call it an off-and-on hobby. I can honestly help, Jack.
* Jack picks Ishtar up.
* Emili is underneath Ishtar.
* Leon stands in his original spot away from the party, not seeming concerned.
* Scott tries to lift her again. This time, Scott lifts with his legs from the other side, helping Jack.
* Tahn picks up Ishie's feet.
<Jack> I'll need all the help I can...
<Jack> ....
<TheStoryTeller> They both together lift Ishtar up.
* Emili gets up and flexes her wings.
<Emili> Whew.
<Jack> Thank you, guys...
<Scott> No problem, Jack.
* Ishtar seems to have a peaceful, solemn look on her face now.. despite the damage. She seems like a priestess by the look of her robes.
<Jack> I can't believe what was done to these wings.....
* Emili folds her wings over her body and they disappear, her clothes reappearing.
<Emili> Is the angel person gonna be okay?
<Leon> You should have let me blow her away.
<Jack> She'll be fine, Emili.
* Emili beams.
* Tahn glares at Leon.
<Emili> Yay!
<Scott> Leon, she was being used by the church, and unlike YOU, some of us have some human compassion.
* Jack smiles at Emili.
<Leon> Compassion...
<Leon> Don't you....EVER say anything like that to me again!
<Emili> Ummmm....
* Leon growls.
<TheStoryTeller> You then stop and actually take notice of the destruction that Ishtar/Valhalla caused. More then half the town has been burnt to ashes.
<Jack> Will you help us, Leon?
<Emili> Hey umm....
<Emili> I'm hungry.
* Tahn looks at Leon, noticing that he himself has that kind of reaction to a certain town's name..
<Emili> Can we eat something?
<Tahn> <m> Maybe we aren't that different after all..
<Leon> You want my help..? What for?
<Jack> We will...In due time, Emili.....
* Scott eyes Leon. "Look around you, man. This world needs someone to bring down the damn church. I'm no longer bound to it by the guard, so I'm going to do it."
<Emili> But I'm hungry now.
<Tahn> To put it bluntly, Leon, You're a strong-ass bastard. Now come over here and help.
<Jack> Because I could use all the help I need Leon...
* Emili stomps her foot.
<Scott> And I'd be honored, if you'd assist me, Leon. *Extends a hand in friendship.*
<TheStoryTeller> In front of Jonathan is a pile of rubble... and the rubble begins to move.
<Tahn> ...
<Tahn> Wait..
<Tahn> I think there's some survivors!
<Franz> *claws his way out of some stones* What the HELL HAPPENED!? O_O
* Tahn goes over to Johnathan and starts clearing away the rubble.
* Leon gets an odd look on his face. "Help..me? Save...waitasec!"
* Johnathan steps back in surprise.
* Emili looks at Franz.
<Emili> Nothing!
<Emili> ^_^;;
<Franz> Gods.. she must have been the destroyer after all..
<Jack> Oh, Franz. I'm glad to see you're alive.
* Tahn looks at Franz. "It turns out your 'savior' was being controlled and just fried the town out of someone else’s whimsy."
<Leon> Someone run this by me once more.
* Leon appears disoriented.
<Franz> An angel of destruction.. oh man.. what are we gonna do now..?
<Scott> Look how the church is controlling this world from the sidelines, Leon. I've decided to bring them down once and for all. I want you to help me. You're damn good in a fight. I can use that in an ally.
<Leon> Here..give her to me...
* Leon takes the Angel.
<Johnathan> Alright.. Leon.. Virtue controlling the angel. Causes her to rampage. She's apparently broken free of control. I think that sums it up.
* Leon looks at Scott. "I used to....care..about others."
<Franz> Hey.. you guys better get out of here in case there's more of those things.. o_o
<Tahn> Think you'll need some more magical power in that fight, Scott? Me and Johnathan can help if you want..
<Scott> The more the merrier, Tahn.
* Scott smiles.
* Tahn looks at Franz. "Come to think of it... Virtue did say it was her FIRST Angel of Retribution..."
<Tahn> Guys..
<Jack> C'mon.....I need to get her fixed up....
<Johnathan> Hey now.. I never volunteered for any mad suicide campaign against the church..
<Franz> I know this tunnel that's supposed to lead out..
<Tahn> We're in deep shit if Virtue has more of these.
<Emili> Where?!
<Johnathan> ...although they kinda want me dead anyway.. nevermind, I'm with you.
* Emili looks at Franz.
<Emili> Does it lead to a place to get food?
<Franz> People say it goes to someplace called Reza.. but noone's ever come back!
* Scott nods to Johnathan.
<Leon> I have nothing else to do...so I'll help you..Scott.
* Tahn looks at Johnathan. "C'mon. You may be able to get back at Vane for the hell it's put you through."
<Emili> Cause I'm hungry!
* Tahn winks.
<Jack> Patience Emili.
<Scott> OK...to Reza it is. Lead the way, Franz.
<Leon> Not like my life is worth anything anyways...
<Johnathan> I've no desire to 'get back at' anyone, Tahn.
<Scott> Leon, Jack. Bring the angel. We may want to ask her a few questions.
<Emili> What's patience?
<Franz> O..ok.. maybe if it's safe we can get the survivors out..
<Tahn> <m> Heh...damned optimistic bastard..
<Franz> But we have this rule, see..
<Jack> Wait quietly, Emmi.
<Franz> If you go through, you can never come back.
<Tahn> What's to come back to, Franz?
* Jack helps carry Ishtar.
<Franz> Well, when ya put it that way.. :/
<Tahn> The Ragnarok program fried this place!
<Scott> You know what they say about rules...they're made to be broken...and I think I'm going to have some fun by breaking several of the church's.
* Emili walks over to Johnathan.
<Franz> C'mon.. I'll take you there.. I need to check if my wife's ok..
<Emili> Hey ummm...
<Scott> OK...let's go.
<Leon> You should follow the codes of the laws set out by each town, Scott.
<Emili> Can you tell me about that stuff now?
<TheStoryTeller> Franz hops up and begins walking down the remains of a side street..
* Scott follows Franz.
<Johnathan> Ah.. sure, Emili..
<Emili> Yay.
* Emili beams.
<Emili> ^_^
* Franz cries silently to himself as he passes by the charred remains of the great malls and apartments.
<Johnathan> All right.. now parents..
<Emili> Uh-huh!
<Jack> I'm staying out of this conversation.....
* Leon carries the Angel..lost in his own thoughts.
<Johnathan> Generally, parents are the people who care for a child, who raise them from infancy until they can care for themselves..
<* Franz stops as they draw near to the cave wall.
<Emili> Oh....
* Ishtar seems to be a little lighter than before.
* Scott stops...looking at the wall. "So, are we there?"
<Emili> But what's infancy?
<Tahn> Your childhood.
<Johnathan> The child is the descendant of the parents.. just like parents are the descendants of the child's grandparents, and so on.
<Tahn> When you're really small and about Franz's height.
* Tahn smirks.
<Franz> Just keep going a little ways.. you'll see a big gold arch in the cave wall..
<Johnathan> Infancy.. at the start of everyone's life, they're small and helpless.. that's infancy.
<Franz> Me.. I gotta check on my house down this other way..
<Emili> So I was an infancy??
* Jack sniffles at Johnathan's description.
<Franz> Good luck... *runs off down an alley*
* Scott keeps going. "Let's get going, Guys."
<Tahn> Best of luck to you... I hope your family's in one piece!
<Emili> I don't remember being an infancy though.
<Johnathan> At one point, Emili, yes, you were an infant.
* Johnathan nods. "Generally, people don't remember it. Long term memory develops later in life.."
<Emili> Memory? That's uh...
<Emili> What a person remembers right?
* Leon is uncharacteristically quiet.
<Jack> You see, Leo? Some people DO keep word on their promises.
<Scott> Right..you're catching on, Emmi.
<Emili> ^_^
<Tahn> ...
<Leon> Huh? What?
<Emili> But, I never had any parents!
<Jack> Um...Never mind....
<Leon> Did someone say something to me?
<Tahn> Jack... maybe it'd be best to leave Leo alone for a few... he has a lot of thinking to do.
<TheStoryTeller> You all notice the gate Franz spoke of to the north of you.
<Emili> Well....
<Scott> So do we all, Tahn.
<Jack> Understood.....
* Tahn walks to the golden arch.
<Emili> I don't remember having any parents....
<Johnathan> I'm sure you had parents.. you just.. must not remember them. For some reason, they may have had to leave you before you began to remember things..
<Jack> I really need to repair these wings, though....
<Leon> ..parents...
* Scott walks through the arc.
<Emili> How do parents get infancies?
* Tahn winces... it's "The" question. ^^
<Scott> Emili, let's leave that question for later, OK?
* Johnathan blinks a few times. "...yeah, Scott's right."
* Ishtar makes a few soft sounds from Leon's back..
<Emili> Umm... okay....
<Leon> Just calm down, lady..everything'll be OK.
* Jack turns to Valhalla's sounds...
<TheStoryTeller> You all walk through the arch as now in front of you lies some sort of electronic door.
* Scott's ears perk up at Ishtar's sounds.
<Tahn> Hmm.
* Leon looks at the door.
* Emili thinks...
<Emili> Hey umm... I remember...
<Leon> Open the door.
* Emili thinks....
<TheStoryTeller> All you see ahead is darkness, as apparently this is the path.
<Emili> I remember going to that pretty city called Vane!
* Tahn grrs.
<Emili> I can't remember anything before that.
* Leon walks through the door.
* Tahn enters the darkness.
* Jack walks in...
* Emili follows everyone in, dragging Johnathan with her.

Tunnel to Reza

<TheStoryTeller> As you all enter the door slides shut, leaving you in darkness. You feel a draft coming from further down the tunnel.
<Leon> Deja Vu...
<Emili> Is that when people start remembering?
* Tahn feels a draft coming from the tunnel.
* Ishtar's wings spark a little, illuminating the darkness ahead for a split second.
* Tahn looks in Emili's direction. "No... it seems to be a bit too late.."
<Johnathan> ..you don't remember anything before Vane, Emili?
<Leon> Hm..there's a handy trick.
<Johnathan> ..how long ago did you go to Vane?
* Emili thinks real hard.
<Tahn> Right before we met you, give or take.
<Tahn> I heard Emili say something about going to Vane before she met us.
<TheStoryTeller> Leon notices a torch on the floor, oil powered.
<Emili> I visited.... just before I went with Scott to the big Shrine place!
<Tahn> And then all hell broke loose, and we met you.
* Leon picks it up with a free hand.
<Emili> That's all I remember.
<Leon> Jack, fire.
<Johnathan> That's not... normal..
<Emili> Normal?
<Johnathan> ..you don't remember anything from before then?
<Emili> What's normal?
<Emili> Nope!
<Emili> Can't remember anything, not one thing.
<TheStoryTeller> As soon as the fire is lit, a loud roar is heard from the end of the tunnel, sending shivers up your spine. The fire is put out, and all you hear is the continuing echo of the roar shaking the tunnel, as it does the same to your ears.
<Leon> I have a bad feeling about this...
<Tahn> Guys.
<Tahn> I think we're in deep shit.
* Ishtar is jostled by the sound of the roar, coming to slightly..
<Jack> No I'm starting to get hungry....Uh? Valhalla?
<Leon> Calm down lady...just calm down...
* Emili tries to think.
* Johnathan sighs. "Not again. Can't we go anywhere without something going wrong."
<Emili> Where's that roar coming from?
<Valhalla> Unn.. what.. happened....
<TheStoryTeller> The torch in Leon's hand starts up again as it lights the way.
<Johnathan> We don't know, Emili.. but it probably isn't good..
<Emili> Doesn't sound good!
<Emili> Hey!
<Leon> Keep your distance behind me.
* Emili darts over to Ishtar.
<Emili> Hello Angel person!
* Jack to Ishtar. "Don't move too much, Miss...."
* Tahn looks to Johnathan. "Calm down. You can leave if you want, we're not stopping you."
* Ishtar slides off Leon's back to the ground.
<Leon> Dammit.
* Emili smiles brightly at Ishtar.
<Ishtar> My back's.. so.. heavy..
<TheStoryTeller> With the torch in front of Leon, all you see is a long and narrow tunnel. The squeaks of rats are heard, as water drops fall from the ceiling.
* Leon reaches down to pick her back up.
<Jack> Don't worry....
<Johnathan> I'm calm. And if I leave you folks, I'll probably be dead faster than if I stay. Thanks, Tahn, but no.
<Emili> Maybe cause you got those pretty wings on it?
<Tahn> Heh. Then if you're here for the ride, don't complain. ;)
<Emili> My wings aren't heavy though.
<Emili> Mine feel very light!
* Ishtar looks innocently to Emili.. "Wings?" ^^
<Tahn> They also aren't made out of metal, Emili.
* Leon hoists Ishtar back on his back. "Don't worry, once we get of here, Jack will fix you up."
<Emili> Yeah!
* Johnathan grins. "Oh, come now, Tahn. What's the fun if we can't complain, hmm?"
<Jack> This is all my fault, Miss...
* Emili unfolds her wings, revealing her black bat-like wings and her now unclothed body.
<Emili> See?
* Ishtar is still very dizzy, and doesn't resist Leon's offer.
<Tahn> The fun is in kicking Virtue's ass from here to the Blue Star, Johnathan.
* Johnathan looks, blinks, and tears his gaze away from Emili. "I really wish she wouldn't do that."
<Leon> Stay on my back, it's the safest place you can be.
* Emili walks along side Ishtar.
<Ishtar> Who... are you all?
<Emili> You got nice pretty yellow wings!
<Emili> I'm Emili!
<Emili> Nice to meet you! ^_^
<Jack> I'm Jack.
* Jack bows his head.
<Tahn> We're friends... Ishtar, was it? Name's Tahn Igtenos.
<Ishtar> The last thing I remember was being in Virtue's lab... helping the doctor..
<Emili> You can't remember either?
<Emili> Neither can I.
<Tahn> *growls* Sonyele...
<Johnathan> And I'm Johnathan Hylan.. for what its worth.
<Jack> They probably put those.......damned wings on you....
<Leon> The moron who's carrying you is Leon.
<Emili> Maybe because we're Angels?
<Ishtar> I'm.. an angel..?
<Tahn> That's what everyone's been calling you, Ishtar.
<Ishtar> But I'm only a humble priestess.. Ishtar Sylvain...
<Emili> Ishtar Sylvain?
<Emili> That's a nice name!
<Leon> ...
<Jack> A lot has happened, Ishtar...Hopefully we'll get everything straightened out. *Smiles*
<Emili> See my wings, Ishtar?
<TheStoryTeller> Leon, with torch in hand and Ishtar on back, keeps on walking, lighting the way for the party.
<Tahn> How do you stay so bloody optimistic, Jack?
<Emili> They look kinda like yours!
* Ishtar smiles angelically. "I feel like I know you.. Jack.. are you from the Meribia shrine..?" ^^
<Leon> Don't bug her, Emili. She's had a rough day.
<Emili> Except mine are black and yours are yellow.
* Ishtar then gapes at Emili..
<Jack> I've been raised with very optimistic people, Tahn.
<Ishtar> By Althena.. those are.. real..? o_o
<Emili> What's a matter?
<TheStoryTeller> With Leon's next step, he falls through the ground as if there was a hole covered by leaves.
<Leon> Oh Fuck!
<Emili> Uh-huh---Waaah!
<Tahn> They'd have to be damned optimistic for you to joke about what you did back there in Meribia..
<Tahn> Leon!!!
* Tahn tries to catch the two.
* Ishtar drops with Leon, screaming!
* Emili falls into the hole as well since she was walking beside them.
<TheStoryTeller> The rest of you look into the hole, pondering to jump after them.
<Jack> What do you mean by that, Tahn?
* Ishtar doesn't know how she does it but suddenly one of her wings comes to life and slows the descent.
* Leon lands first, cushioning the fall for Valhalla.
* Tahn looks at Jack. "You were joking about a guy getting his head splattered on the pavement by Leon. Come on now."
* Emili manages to float down the rest of the way.
* Tahn calls down the pit. "YOU OKAY DOWN THERE?!
* Jack to Tahn. "I think he went to a better place...So what was he to care about his bloody remains?"
<Emili> Hey Leon, you okay?
<Tahn> It's just extremely morbid.
* Tahn glides down the pit (such are the wonders of wind magic).
<Jack> Without humor, everything would be morbid.
* Ishtar goes sprawling onto the floor of wherever this is, wings clanging and making a racket.
* Jack follows.
* Johnathan jumps down, moving oddly slowly.
<Emili> Come Leon, grab me and I'll carry you up!
<Jack> C'mon Ishtar, Let me help you.

Diamond Cavern

<TheStoryTeller> You all notice that you are no longer in a narrow cave, but in a wide area. Rocks all over the place, wait, not rocks... diamonds.
<Tahn> Whoa...
<Leon> I don't think that'll work, Emili.
* Emili helps Ishtar to her feet.
* Ishtar gets to her feet, wobbling.
<TheStoryTeller> All around you, you see the clear crystals... lighting up the whole cave.
* Leon stands up and stretches out his back. "Fuck, are you heavy..."
<Jack> You alright Ishtar?
<Emili> Wow...
<Emili> Look at all the pretty things!
* Ishtar then stares at the wings that seem to be flexed in front of her...
<Ishtar> What..
* Jack lowers his head...
<TheStoryTeller> Emili then steps on something, as you hear a cracking. She's just stepped on a skeleton, not one, but many.
* Emili turns back to Ishtar.
<Tahn> They're your wings, Val..uh.. Ishtar.
<Leon> Ask questions later. Let's get out of here now.
<Tahn> Guys...
<Tahn> I know we're in deep shit.
<Emili> Whoops!
<Johnathan> This is.. different..
<Emili> Hey, what are these?
* Ishtar just looks like a lost child...
<Leon> I bet those diamonds are worth a lot of silver.
* Emili looks down, and picks up a hand.
* Emili waves it in front of Leon's face. "What's this?"
* Leon grabs some diamonds. "To buy me a new gun with."
<Ishtar> Wait.. I was staring at..
* Johnathan shivers. "Remains of dead people, Emili."
<Leon> It's a Diamond, Emili.
<Leon> Oh that...
<TheStoryTeller> A loud roar is heard, closer then before, as it fills the area. Diamonds start to crack, and crystals start to fall from the ceiling.
<Leon> It's...nevermind..
<Emili> Ummm...
<Emili> I don't like this.
<Leon> Way to go.
<Leon> You're learning.
* Emili walks over standing beside Ishtar.
* Ishtar gets shook out of her reverie at the loud roar.. o_o
<Emili> Are you scared?
* Jack is also near Ishtar.
* Leon puts the diamond pieces in his pouch.
<Valhalla> Y..yes...
<Emili> Me too!
<TheStoryTeller> In front of you all is a rather LARGE display of a diamond, as it gleams and shines.
<Jack> Don't worry....everything will be fine...
* Emili huddles next to Ishtar.
* Ishtar looks around nervously. "But.. Althena will p-protect me.." :)
<TheStoryTeller> The large diamond looked as if it moved...
<Emili> But we're angels! So we can be good friends and protect each other too!
* Tahn looks at the diamond very oddly.
<Leon> Better start prayin' for us all, Babe. Looks like we're gonna need it.
* Jack turns to Ishtar. "I'm so sorry to what I've done to you..."
<Ishtar> I'll.. I'll protect you.. if it's a Dragon it won't harm a servant of the Goddess..
<TheStoryTeller> At the top of the diamond, it's carved like a head and a mouth. A loud roar is heard this time, coming from the diamond itself. The mouth piece itself moved and roared.
* Emili stretches her wings and flaps them.
<TheStoryTeller> The diamond then begins to slowly lose it's crystalline color, as it starts to turn white and even grow hair.
* Leon sticks some more diamonds in his pouch, and then whips out his guns.
<TheStoryTeller> A tall white dragon lays in front of you, towering over you all.
<Emili> Ishtar... what's a dragon?
<Tahn> That.
<Leon> That's...a dragon.
<Tahn> Is a dragon, Emili.
* Ishtar blinks, and points. "That.. E-Emili.." ^^
<Emili> That's a dragon!?
<TheStoryTeller> Some sort of device has been placed on it's head, giving off sparks, making the dragon roar with every one.
<Emili> I-i-s it friendly?
* Jack gazes in silent awe.
<Leon> Doesn't appear that way.
<Tahn> Not right now it isn't.
<Emili> Hey.
* Ishtar looks at the dragon... and notices the device.
<Emili> Look at that thing on top of it.
<Emili> It looks like it's hurting the dragon!
<Emili> Umm... Dragon?
<Ishtar> Is.. that thing hurting it?
<Leon> Then we *cocks the hammers back on his guns* take the thing on his head out.
<Emili> Dragon person!
<Ishtar> It looks a lot like my wings...
<Tahn> ...
<Tahn> Guys.. no doubt about it...
<Tahn> We are in deep shit.
<TheStoryTeller> [White Dragon] *roars once more as he notices Emili and looks at her* Y...Yes?
<Emili> That thingie on your head, it's hurting you right?
<TheStoryTeller> The White Dragon gives off a tremendous roar shaking the cave itself and sending you all to the ground.
<Tahn> Aw shit...
<TheStoryTeller> [White Dragon] There...the pain is gone.
* Ishtar falls down, already shaky enough as it is.. ^^
* Leon falls on his can. "Son of a bitch."
<Tahn> We need to get that thing off of it..
<Jack> Ouch! My buns!
* Emili gets back up slowly.
<Tahn> Waitaminute..
<Emili> Ow...
<Emili> A-are you okay?
<Tahn> You... couldn't be who I think you are, could you?
<TheStoryTeller>; [White Dragon] Who *steps closer* who are you all?
<Emili> Dragon person?
* Leon pulls himself back up, stretches his back again, "First I get to lug around Angel girl who weights 4 million pounds, and then this..what a lovely day."
* Ishtar gets to her feet, although she looks like she is sweating a lot in the effort.
<TheStoryTeller> [White Dragon] And who may that be? *stares at Tahn*
* Emili walks up to the dragon and introduces herself.
<Emili> I'm Emili!
<Leon> Shit..you don't know who that is?
<Emili> N-Nice to-to meet you!
* Tahn wide-eyes. "My name is Tahn Igtenos, mage, scholar, and researcher of the age of the Dragonmasters."
* Jack bows. "Jack Mystere"
<Ishtar> I-I'm Ishtar.... it..it's a pleasure.. mister Dragon.. sir... ^^
* Leon looks into the dragon's eyes without fear. "Leon Blackfire."
<TheStoryTeller> [White Dragon] Don't be scared for crying out loud!
* Emili walks up closer to the dragon.
<TheStoryTeller> [White Dragon] I'm not going to eat any of you. Oh by the way I'm the White Dragon...
<Emili> Are you hurt, dragon?
<Tahn> I'm not scared, so much as trying to figure out...
<TheStoryTeller> [White Dragon] Also known as Nall.
<Leon> Duh.
<Emili> Nall?
<Ishtar> You're the great Nall?
<Emili> Nice to meet you Nall!
<Tahn> THE Nall?!
* Johnathan watches the dragon quietly, not speaking.
* Tahn wide-eyes.
<Jack> Nall? Of the legend?
<Nall> Yup Nall, that Nall of Legend. The ever so cute Nall, the ever so BRAVE Nall!
<Leon> Oh stop kissing his ass already...I'm sure a lot of people come here to kiss his ass.
* Emili flutters up to Nall's face and smiles.
<Emili> Hi! ^_^
<Emili> You got wings too!
<Tahn> The ever so egotistical Nall...
<Nall> Actually no, mister big guns. I have been here for years, captured.
<Emili> Just like me and Ishtar!
<Tahn> Virtue again?
<Emili> ^_^
<Ishtar> W-who captured you, Mr. Nall?
* Nall spreads his wings wide like Emili, his touching the far ends of the cave.
<Jack> Hey! I remember reading some history about you having a relationship with a red dragon named "Ruby"?
<Nall> Yup I have wings too.
<Tahn> Same person who captured you, I'd gather, Ishtar.
<Leon> Well sit your head down here, fuzzybutt, and Jack'll fix you.
* Tahn winces.
<Nall> Virtue, did you say?
<Ishtar> But.. how could that be....
* Emili flutters over to one of Nall's wings and runs her hand across it.
<Emili> It's furry!
<Nall> I've been down here for I don't know how long, but I DO know who put me here.
<Emili> Not like mine though.
<Tahn> Yes. Virtue. Calls herself "Queen Virtue" or "The Mortal Goddess". She's just an over-hyped evangelist in my opinion.
<Ishtar> saved me when I was an orphan.. How could she be evil... :/
*Nall roars loudly shaking the cave walls.
<Leon> How could she have such a stupid name?
<Tahn> ..She saved you by controlling you, Ishtar... Under her control, you destroyed a whole city..
* Emili floats back down next to Ishtar.
<Leon> Dammit, stop that!
<Nall> Virtue put me here, she's the one responsible.
<Tahn> Figures.
<Leon> We will free you, put your head down here.
<Jack> I think I'm sensing a pattern here....
<TheStoryTeller> Nall then stops and notices Jonathan. He brings his large head in front of him.
<Ishtar> I.. I destroyed a .. city..?
<Tahn> I'm sorry to say, but yes.
* Ishtar hangs her head...
<Emili> Ishtar, that person named Virtue is pretty, but mean!
<Nall> You...
<Jack> It wasn't your fault, Ishtar.
<Emili> Don't cry, Ishtar!
* Johnathan looks inquiringly at the dragon. "Yes?"
<Tahn> You had no control over yourself.. it wasn't your fault.
<Ishtar I took lives.. I'm sworn never to do that.. :(
* Emili hugs Ishtar tightly.
<Nall> Why do you have a look to you, as if you can see through me?
* Ishtar hugs Emili, crying a bit..
<Emili> Ishtar is an angel!
<Leon> That's what happens when your ass is a diamond.
<Emili> I'm an angel too!
<Tahn> No...
<Jack> Oh, stop that you two. You're making me cry. *Sniffle*
<Emili> We have protect each other. ^_^
<Tahn> I don't think you're an angel...
<Emili> And I wanna protect Ishtar!
<Tahn> Those wings aren't like Ishtar's....
<Tahn> They are actually, other than the fur, more like Nall's here... you might just be...no.. that's preposterous.
<Nall> Well change that look, I don't like it one bit. As I was saying, I of course have great knowledge...and I will tell you this...
<Nall> All of you have been brought together for a reason.
<Ishtar> Thank you.. Ms. Emili..
<Johnathan> ...all right...
* Ishtar stops crying, rubbing her eyes. "But I'm so confused now.."
* Tahn looks at Nall. "Of course."
<Leon> Oh Bullshit.
<Jack> *sniffle* *Snort*
<Emili> No no, just Emili. ^_^
<Emili> I don't know what Ms. means.
<Nall> You are the Truth Seekers, you are those who will show the world of Lunar the Queen's TRUE ways.
<Leon> Nothing controls my destiny.
<Tahn> Nall.. if you don't mind me asking..
<Emili> It's okay to be confused Ishtar! I can't remember.
* Ishtar blinks at Emili...
<Emili> But I'll help you get un-confused!
<Valhalla> You are funny M... I mean Emili. ^_^
<Emili> And you can help me remember!
<TheStoryTeller> [Nall] Yes? What is it? *looks at Tahn*
<Emili> Funny?
<Emili> I'm funny?
<Emili> Neat!
<Emili> ^_^
* Jack smiles at Emili and Ishtar.
<Leon> I think that Dragon is ignoring me.
<Tahn> Is it just a coincidence... or is this gut feeling rather accurate...that Zophar is on his way back....
* Tahn shudders.
* Leon slaps his face.
* Emili pulls one of her wings in front of Ishtar.
<Emili> These are my wings, but they're very, very big!
<Emili> Much bigger than me!
* Ishtar then extends her left wing out..
<Nall> Zophar? Oh no, something FAR worse then that. The Queen's powers are greater then the evil one Zophar.
* Jack sits down and thinks about his past.....
<Tahn> ....oh my god..
<Nall> I don't know her plan, but all I know is of this draining she is doing.
<Ishtar> I.. can't move the other one.. it hurts.. :/
<Leon> I don't like being ignored, you big white piece of crap!
<Nall> Draining us dragons, wizards, lunarians, everyone...of their source of power.
<Tahn> Althena help us if we can't stop the Queen from making more slaves like Ishtar was...
<Emili> Jack can fix it!
<Tahn> Dra...how?!
<Emili> He'll fix it up!
<Nall> And she is receiving all this power.
<Johnathan> Odd.. why haven't we noticed this draining..? Is it that subtle, or..?
* Jack bows at Ishtar.
<* Nall looks at Leon.
* Ishtar looks at Leon. "Mister Leon, show the Dragon some respect, please..." ^^
* Leon glares.
<Emili> Hey Ishtar?
* Leon stands there without fear of the dragon.
<Scott> Draining..? You think this had anything to do with those two mages I saw in Vane? They sure looked drained to me.
<Emili> How can you put on clothing with your wings sticking out?
<Leon> ...it's ignoring me.
<Nall> I cannot tell you anymore...they're on their way!
<Tahn> "They"?
<Leon> ...
<Jack> Emili. She wasn't really born with those wings...
* Tahn sweatdrops bigtime.
* Ishtar looks a little lost to Emili.
<Ishtar> I.. don't know.. but my robe seems okay.. ^^
<TheStoryTeller> With that the ceiling starts to shake, as chunks of diamonds start to fall once more.
* Leon grabs some more diamonds.
<TheStoryTeller> Nall almost immediately turns back into his other form of a diamond.
<Ishtar> Maybe Mr. Jack can help me. :)
<Jack> I promise to you I will help in any way I can....
<Leon> Hiding isn't going to be easy.
* Ishtar then looks at the ceiling as she dodges a falling chuck of diamond.
* Emili flaps her wings.
<Tahn> Uh..
<Tahn> Leon.
<Leon> What?
<Tahn> Living isn't going to be easy at this point.
<TheStoryTeller> Through the ceiling comes Captain Zlyk, all armored up with his axe in hand. He sees the party as he smiles a evil grin.
<Emili> Hey!
<Leon> Alright! Rematch!
<Zlyk> Well...hello there again.
<Tahn> Shit. I was afraid of that.
* Leon draws his guns.
<Emili> That ugly person is back!
<Tahn> We're in even deeper shit than before.
<Emili> Oooh!
<Jack> No...Oh...nonononono......Not now.......
<Emili> I hate him!
* Ishtar draws back. "C-Captain Zylk!"
* Jack shakes his head.
<TheStoryTeller> [Zlyk] Oh...don't worry, I'm not after you. I'm after the dragon!
<Leon> Well you can't have the Dragon.
<Leon> He ignored me, and I'm pissed.
<Leon> So I'm going to take it out on you.
* Emili growls.
<Emili> Grr!
<Tahn> You'll have to go through us to get to him! We're not letting you massacre a piece of the Silver Star's history!
<TheStoryTeller> The captain walks up to the large diamond, as he slashes it with his axe and Nall reappears, roaring loudly in pain.
<Emili> Nall!
<Tahn> No!
* Leon opens fire on the Captain.
<Ishtar> Zlyk..! Stop.. how could you hurt the sacred Dragon?! o_o
* Emili flies after Zlyk with Sugar Dog in hand!
* Emili slashes at Zlyk!
<Emili> Leave Nall alone!
* Tahn looks at Ishtar. "Don't you get it?! He's controlled by Virtue just like you were!!!"
<Tahn> We're
<Tahn> Not.
<Leon> I don't care, he's a dead mother fucker.
<Tahn> Going.
<Tahn> To.
<Tahn> Let. You. Have. NALL!
* Ishtar tries to intercept Zlyk, but she's immobilized by the fact she cannot control one of her wings at this moment.
<Johnathan> Ok.. whoever the hell you are.. that's ENOUGH of that! Leave the.. huge furry white guy alone!
<Zlyk> Oh wait...*begins to laugh as he dodges* you still haven't noticed where you all are?
<Leon> White Dragon Cave.
* Jack thinks to himself. "Killing an enemy and laughing at them is all to easy. Seeing a friend get killed....."
* Emili continues slashing at Zlyk!
<Zlyk> Little do you all know the power of the Queen. Her illusions are greater then you all think.
<Emili> Leave Nall alone you big dumb dumb!
<Leon> Ah shut up.
* Tahn grabs a stray, particularly sharp piece of crystal, and uses his wind magic to propel it at the speed of a Railgun bolt through Zlyk's armor.
* Leon continues firing.
<TheStoryTeller> A wall then comes crashing down in front of Nall leaving you and Zlyk alone in the cave. The wall is made of solid steel.
<Jack> I've made one mistake today! I'm not about to make another!
<Tahn> So, come back for more?
<Leon> Dammit!
* Jack takes his axe.
<Zlyk> You see, this isn't a cave...
<Zlyk> The dragon may be real, but this all isn't. You have just walked into our trap, infidels, all thanks to...
<Tahn> We're..
<TheStoryTeller> A small short man steps out from behind him...it's Franz.
<Tahn> YOU LITTLE FUCKER!!
<Ishtar> A.. a trap.. infidels.. but..?
<Leon> I told you to let me kill him.
<Franz> Sorry guys, I had too. They would have destroyed the rest of us.
<Leon> I fucking KNEW it.
<Leon> You should have let me killed him.
<Tahn> The rest of you?! They destroyed most of you anyways!
<Johnathan> Boy, are we dumb..
<Leon> Speak for yourself.
* Jack lowers his head in disbelief. "Jeez...I'm getting a neck cramp!"
<TheStoryTeller> Emili falls right through Zlyk...he's not even here, but just a projection.
<Tahn> Who was leading the way, Mister "Shoot first and shoot later"?
<Emili> Huh?
<Tahn> Fuck.
<Zlyk> Now...for the REAL cave, people.
<Tahn> An illusion.
<Valhalla> Zlyk.. why are you doing this? What happened to Virtue..? ;_;
* Tahn kicks the wall.
* Emili floats down next to Ishtar and the rest of the group.
* Jack headbutts the same wall.
<TheStoryTeller> Lights begin to flicker as the surrounding area begins to morph into some sort of holo-deck.

Holochamber

<Tahn> <m> Son of Bahamut. How could we fall into such a stupid trap.
<Leon> What in the hell?
<Emili> What's going on?
<Emili> How did he do this?
<Zlyk> Don't worry...even though I'm not there to kill you all, Franz is. Go ahead Franz, show them the power the Queen has given you!
<TheStoryTeller> With that said, Zlyk disappears.
<Franz> I'm...I'm sorry once more.
<Leon> I'm not.
<Leon> I should have killed you.
<Emili> You seemed so nice Franz.
<Tahn> Son of Bahamut! You think..that you should sacrifice your life?
<TheStoryTeller> Franz begins to groan as his clothes begin to rip from his rapid growth, and spikes begin to come out of his back.
<Emili> Why are you a bad guy?
<Ishtar> You don't seem bad Mr. Franz.. why do you have to hurt us..?
<Emili> Huh...?
<Tahn> ....oh shit.
<Johnathan> ...nothing is ever easy.
<Leon> Next time listen to me.
<Jack> Jeez, that's one humongous growth spurt!
<Leon> If the little fucker had a bullet in his head, we wouldn't be in this position.
<TheStoryTeller> He then looks at all of you with his reptilian figure. Franz smiles as you see a nice set of white teeth.
<Ishtar> I.. I don't want to fight.. someone always gets hurt...
<Jack> Then you should've shot him while he was still a little thing, Leo.
<Tahn> <m> Nall... the dragons will be saved. So will the Silver Star. I swear to you.
<Emili> You don't have to fight if you don't want Ishtar!
<Leon> I tried, Jack.
<Franz> Who said anything about fighting?
<Ishtar> But.. I can't sit by while you get hurt.. :(
<Tahn> We aren't just going to stand here and let you rip me to shreds.
<Jack> You're already hurt Ishtar...Please...Take cover.
<Tahn> That's not the smart thing to do.
<Emili> Then... what are you gonna do Ishtar?
<Ishtar> I'm a priestess.. I can't abandon my .. d-duty..
<Leon> 'Scuse me, we fight now, kill bad guy...then talk, okay?
<Emili> What's a priestess?
<Emili> And what's a duty?
<Jack> Well....Don't do anything strenuous...you're still too weak.
<Tahn> Damn. I'm starting to agree with you too much, Leon.
* Tahn pulls out his daggers.
<Tahn> Let's go, Mister Blackheart.
<Leon> Blackfire.
<Tahn> Whatever. Let's just kill the fucker, okay?!
<TheStoryTeller> Franz looks at all of you as he grows yet again, towering over all of you this time.
* Ishtar doesn't grace Emili with answers, and tries to turn to the beast, one metallic wing slightly limp.
<Franz> Ready? This is gonna be fun!
* Jack pulls out "Barberella". "Alright, let's play this inning and go home."
<Tahn> Son of a bitch.
<Tahn> I think we're in deep shit again.
<TheStoryTeller> His hand is inches away from hitting you all, the sharp claws poised to kill you...

~~ SESSION END ~~

Session Close: Mon May 31 01:35:34 1999