Session 27: Rude Awakening Sun Dec 31 2000 >> The enormous dog-like creature pulls itself fully out of the stairwell and into the room, looking aroubnd and snarling. Meanwhile, dozens of people are slowly coming to their senses... * Katia looks a bit worried, not to mention worn out. >> The doctor glares at Hikaru. "You...you have to do something! Pull yourself together!" * Hikaru has his sword drawn and is looking mighty pissed. Katia: I hope it doesn't wanna play fetch... Samantha: Allen... * Allen stands just to one side of Hikaru, staring at the creature with grim determination. Hikaru: I'm going to do something. >> Samantha reaches up to take Allen's hand. * Allen looks to her. Hikaru: I'm going to rip that thing's fucking stomach out and shove it up it's ass. I'm sick of these god damned fights. Samantha: Do...do your best. Cooper: This shouldn't be happening...Rex was supposed to have been scrapped. * Allen nods and reaches for his graphs. >> Allen's weakness is dispelled. Stats back to normal! --Combat!-- Enemy Front: Rex Ally Front: Katia, Hikaru Ally Back: Allen Katia charges! Force+1! Allen assesses! Can ask 1 question! * Katia snaps into her usual combat trance. A strange, blue flaming aura surrounds her body. * Allen studies the creature and attempts to determine it's elemental strengths and weaknesses. Hikaru uses Hypercharge! Agi +2 levels! * Hikaru holds his sword out in a fast draw manner, channeling energy into it until he and the blade blur together in a burst of speed..."Choudenka!" Allen: It looks like magic won't work too well against this creature, unless it's water magic. Rex attacks Hikaru! >> Rex rushes forward, spit flying, aiming to take a bite out of Hikaru's side... * Allen frowns. "Damn that Shrike, we really could have used Neydisa's help." Miss! Hikaru slips aside! * Hikaru just glares. Round 2! Katia uses Kiai! Strength raised one level! Hikaru charges! Force+1! Allen charges! Force+1! * Allen lets his blood boil for a bit. Rex attacks Hikaru! Miss! Round 3! Everyone gains a level of force! Cooper: I...I think I can walk...I'll help the...the others... >> All around, people are coming to gradual awareness of their surroundings, several immediately panicking at the sight of the giant cyborg canine construct. * Katia's aura intensifies around her, beginning to flicker around her as her body tenses. Hikaru: Relax, people! We have the situation under control! Random Man: Augh! Who the hell are you!? What's going on? Fuck! Allen: .oO( What an optimist. ) Hikaru uses Strength Flash! Str + 2L! Katia uses Serpent's Charge! Hyper counter enabled! Until turn...10, for the record. * Allen calls back, "Just keep back. Be ready to run away if we can't get rid of this thing..." Hikaru uses Fenrir Blade on Rex! * Hikaru charges up energy into his blade and leaps into the air, crashing down on the robo-dog's head like a bolt of lightning! He swings to the ground, ripping the sword out of the dog's head in a shower of sparks. "I said we had it under control." 241 damage! Rex snarls and thrashes angrily! Allen casts Lock State on the front row! Front row's state is protected! * Allen holds his hands over his head at shoulders width apart. "Retain your clarity, resist darkness and keep your cool. Lock State!" A glowing sphere of energy forms between them and moves forward to encase Hikaru and Katia. Rex attacks Hikaru! * Hikaru blinks. "One track mind..." >> This time, fuelled by rage, the slavering maw connects, grabbing Hikaru and flinging him back! 197 damage! Hikaru gains a level of force! Round 4! * Hikaru picks himself up and wipes some blood off his face. "That the best you can do?" Random Mage: Oh dammit...crap...where are my graphs!? Katia attacks! * Katia rushes up to the creature delivering a 2 in 1 combo! Critical-45! Critical-47! (92) Hikaru uses Paladin's Cover on Rex! * Hikaru steps back a bit, holding his sword in a defensive stance, reading out Rex's every move, trying to keep from getting hit... Rex's next normal attack is sealed! Allen casts Heal on Hikaru! * Allen waves his hands and stuff. Hikaru is all sparkly for a bit. Hikaru regains 139 HP! Rex charges! Force+1! Round 5! >> Dr. Cooper slowly stands, moving to the panicking crowd to try and organize things... >> Rex's electronic comnponents begin to crackle with energy! Random Man: What the hell is it doing!? *runs up the stairs* Gah! Why is this door shut!? Cooper: No! Don't open that! Katia uses Rushing Strike on Rex! * Katia 's body blurs as she runs up to the creature. She drives each of her fists into the robot's torso following up with a aerial spinning kick. 30! 36! 31! (97) >> One of Rex's metallic horns snaps off, clattering to the ground with a chunk of bloody flesh still attatched. Hikaru charges! Force+2! * Hikaru charges! Allen charges! Force+1! * Allen doesn't have any ideas, and so prepares in case one presents itself. >> Rex's metallic compopnents crackle as arcs of electricity spin off them into the ground below. It roars, and a huge burst of static energy flares out of its mouth, knocking the three back and striking some of the bystanders. Rex uses Electric Breath! * Hikaru gets fried quite well, seeing as he's wearing metal armor, has a metal sword, and happens to be carrying his collection of iron shavings ;p 166 damage to Hikaru! Misses Katia! 568 damage to Allen! KO'd! * Katia manages leap off the ground behind the electricity hit her. * Hikaru coughs up a bit of charred blood. "I'm alright...really.." *cough* >> The electricity slowly powers down. Katia counters! 34 damage! Round 6! Everyone conscious gains force! Hikaru is Condition Green! Katia uses Dexterity Flash! Dex+2 levels this turn! Hikaru uses Strength Flash! Str+2 levels this turn! Katia uses Rushing Strike! * Katia 's aura flickers violently as she charges up to Rex and smashes it with her rushing combo. Critical - 48! Critical - 48! 34! (130) Hikaru uses Fenrir Blade! * Hikaru rushes towards the Rex, this time slicing at one of its legs, chopping through tendon and sinew, flesh and bone! 257 damage! >> The beast roars, but does not back down... Round 7! * Katia snaps out of her trance. * Katia blinks looks around, seeing the carnage. Katia uses a Revive Fruit on Allen! Revived with 44 HP! Hikaru uses a Potion Berry on himself! Fully healed! * Allen sits up abruptly and looks for Samantha. >> Samantha is nearby, but seems tired and groggy. Samthantha: Euhh...Allen. Rex attacks Katia! No effect! The Strike Seal is dispelled! * Hikaru rushes out and knocks the huge cyber-dog away from Katia before it lands it's blow! * Allen grits his teeth and has many evil thoughts directed toward Rex. >> Neydisa appears from behind Rex, rejoining the group! Round 8! * Katia watches Hikaru knock the canine out of her way. "Thanks...Hikaru!" Hikaru: No problem. * Neydisa surprisngly appears out of nowhere dodging quickly right past the cybernetic canine! Random Bald Guy: Oh dear...oh dear... * Allen sees Neydisa approach. "Ney! This creature is strong against all magic except water!" Dr. Cooper: Stay calm...they'll handle it! Keep to the back of the room! Katia: Neydisa?! Allen: I think we could use your help. Hikaru: Ney..? * Hikaru grins and grips his sword tighter. "All the better." * Neydisa does a small roll and lands by Allen. "I'll explain later what happened!" Allen: Yes, there will be time for explanations later. >> Most people obey the doctor, but some are in too heightened a state of panic to act, and others, like Samantha, are still woozy. Neydisa: It's weak to water...? Allen: Well, that's the only element that it isn't strong against. * Katia rummages through her waist pouch looking for something. Neydisa: Someone told me it had a weakness...let me handle this for you. I owe them... * Allen reaches for his graphs and winces as he realizes how blistered his hand is. * Neydisa begins concentrating. .o( Water he says...I'll give Claudius's toy a bath and wash my hands of them forever after this...) Katia uses a Potion Berry on Allen! Allen is fully healed! * Katia finds what she's looking for and tosses it to Allen. "Here!" Allen: Thanks, Katia! Neydisa charges! Force+1! Hikaru uses Runaround on Rex! * Hikaru does the Runaround! :D ...In an awfully generic way. :p >> Hikaru breaks off one of the horns! Stole Steel Blade! * Hikaru blinks and stashes it in his pack. Allen charges! Force+1! * Allen gets his bearings - getting knocked out is a little disorienting. Round 9! Hikaru, Katia and Rex gain 1 force! Neydisa: Allen, is your sister still safe? Allen: Not as long as this abomination remains... >> Samantha is off to the side. Rex appears not to be concentrating on the weakened prisoners at the moment. Cooper: I've found someone who worked on the Rex project here! He says you have to destroy the technological components... Allen: Like shorting them out with a blast of water, perhaps? Cooper: I don't know...I'll ask. Allen: I really regret not regraphing. * Neydisa shakes her head, a sense of strong emotion in her eyes. "Don't regret anything...we're getting out of here in piece, with your sister and everyone else..." Samantha: Allen...thank you...I...I know you can do it... * Allen grits his teeth again. .oO( And if we fail, I let you down again. I mustn't fail. ) Katia charges! Force+1! Neydisa charges! Force+1! Hikaru uses Paladin's Cover on Rex! Rex's next normal attack is sealed! Allen casts Enlighten on the ally back row! Allen and Neydisa gain 1 level of Mind! * Allen holds his hands apart in front of his face. A spiral of light lands in his and Neydisa's eyes. Rex uses Stun Shock on the group! >> A jolt of electricity arcs from the one remaining horn! * Neydisa tries to buckle down and keep her footing, preparing a summon in the face of the stunning bolt. Neydisa and Allen are stunned! Hikaru and Katia resist, but lose Lock State! * Katia prepares to dodge the attack... Hikaru: ... * Hikaru curses. Round 10! Allen and Neydisa gain a level of force! Neydisa is Condition Green! Awakens! * Neydisa loses consciousness for a brief moment, but manages to reawaken. "...I said I'll stand, no matter what!" Katia charges! Force+1! Condition Green! * Neydisa traces the Triton ruin in the air. "Tides of Filgaia, wrap around the creation of the ruinious...Lucadia, help me stop it here and now, and redeem the sin of long ago!" Hikaru defends! Neydisa custom summons Lucadia! A small bubble of water encloses the cyborg hound! * Allen seethes internally, even though he's somewhat immobile. >> Rex begins to thrash, overcome with paroxysms as components all over its body begin to burst in a cloud of dark blood. >> Finally the water bubble dissipates, and the malformed beast falls to the ground, its skin blistered and smoking. Victory! 100 EXP, everyone gets 1 Junk! * Neydisa raises a fist out, a little righteous anger crossing her face as it goes down. * Hikaru holds back his lunch's wish to meet the floor. * Katia wipes the sweat off her forehead. Katia: We did it... * Neydisa ducks down, and then rouses Allen... * Allen blinks a few times. Allen: Is it over? :o * Katia turns to Allen and nods. Samantha: You did...you did it... * Neydisa nods slowly and empathtically. Katia: Neydisa...what happened to you? >> A man in a lab coat approaches, supporting the weak Dr. Cooper. "Erm...ex...excuse me...sirs." * Allen crawls over to Sam's side and props her up, carefully. * Hikaru tightens his grip. "Yes...?" Lab Coat Guy: I am Doctor Von Hess. I...was imprisoned here. I created Rex. Hikaru: ...Yes... Lab Coat Guy: I do not understand what has happened, but you have done a great service by destroying that abomination. * Neydisa looks at Katia. "Shrike somehow took me to the excutive suites below...and I met Claudius Shamesworth himself. We had some words..." * Hikaru sheathes his sword. Hikaru: "Some words"? Ones that can't be repeated in mixed company, I assume, Ney? Samantha: This....makes no sense to me...but.....but let's just get out of here. Allen... * Neydisa titls her head to the doctor. "He imprisoned you too?" Allen: Yes, let's. Hikaru: Um, guys, hold up. Cooper: Yes...I don't know what this facility is, but we need to get the people out of it. However...we can't go back the way we came. The labs are infested now. Von Hess: *nods* I worked in this area of the laboratory. I was perhaps misguided in my loyalties, and when I tried to destroy Rex myself, I was placed in this facility. I had been here before, but I never imagined I would be in the cells myself. Katia: Claudius Shamesworth... * Katia ponders the name for a moment. Neydisa: Yes Katia. He's the head of GaiaCo. My old boss... * Hikaru looks to Von Hess. "Do you have any emergency exits on this floor or below?" * Allen begins to chant a few crest algorythms. * Hikaru blinks and tenses a bit. Von Hess: There is one. Follow me. Hikaru: Thank you, sir. We are now even. * Allen holds his hands over Sam and casts Heal. Allen: .oO( Hope this helps...) * Neydisa looks at the doctor. "I know how you feel...please, let's get out of here. I don't want to look back." Cooper: Are...Mr. Shamesworth and his son below? Will they be safe? >> Sam stands less shakily, but is still leaning on Allen for support. "Yes. I just...I just want to go home now." * Neydisa nods slightly. "They're safe, don't worry." * Katia stands by Hikaru. "Don't feel exhausted from all these fights?" Hikaru: Not exhausted, just sick of 'em. Hikaru: Part of my training was stamina training, after all.. Von Hess: *turns around to adress the crowd of newly-revived prisoners* EVERYONE! FOLLOW ME! THOSE WHO NEED MEDICAL ATTENTION CAN BE CARRIED, BUT WE MUST LEAVE THIS PLACE AT ONCE! * Allen follows Von Hess, slowly for Sam's sake. Katia: I feel ready to collapse. Hikaru: You need help? ^^ Allen: Katia, are you hurt? >> The male doctor sets off towards a particular cell, and presses the button beside it three times in rapid succession. Instead of a cone appearing, the wall opens at the back of the cell, revealing a tall stone hallway leading upward at an almost 45-degree angle. * Neydisa excuses herself and offers prisoners her help getting moving. .oO( If he doesn't care about the people, he'll never succed...) Katia: I'm not sure how I can fight so well and be so exhausted. * Katia turns to Allen, her face appears drained. "Just exhausted from all this fighting." * Hikaru starts to help Katia along like Allen's helping Sam. "It's something to do with how us humans are built. We just get an adrenaline surge in the heat of battle, I guess..." * Katia looks at Hikaru strangely as he helps up the stairs, but she's too tired to protest and keeps quiet. >> Meanwhile...