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X4-1997B: Cheers, Ace. Care to help me out with a project for a tick? X4-1997B: I promise, it’s gonna be good. ACE: uh… sure alright. You have my curiosity. X4-1997B: What do you know about cyberspace? ACE: A fair bit for a few different versions.Enough to get into trouble at least. X4-1997B: Well, I have had a few of my girls point me in the direction of some other Stars that could use our help, or at least, our attention. X4-1997B: I assume you know of Gundam, no? Did you realize there was a whole VRMMO within the Gundam universe? ACE: I did not. That's… huh. That's actually kind of awesome. X4-1997B: Right. Well, Puru Two and Mineva have both alerted me to this thing called Gundam Battle Nexus, or GBN. X4-1997B: That, turns out, falls under my jurisdiction. So what I’m hoping is we get a hold of someone who knows the score over there. X4-1997B: And my Senshi, unfortunately, are busy -not to mention, ill-equipped. Light Striker might be able to, but she has a proper day job with the Maverick Hunters and I hesitate to ask. Amala, Freyja, Arcana, Khala and Saturn are also busy with school; Prisma is sick; Laplace and Avalon are doing political stuff right now; Aos and Algol are under contract with the Drei Kreuz with Captain Mitsuba so they can’t help easily; same with Sable Sword … I unno what she’s up to, more mad science aboard the Dreisstrager probably, and then who knows where Black Solver ran off to. ACE: No problem, I don't mind helping out one of the big bosses. Actually, there's a little side quest I've been putting off looking into. Have you ever heard of the Virtual goddess Aura? X4-1997B: …No, I haven’t. Tell me more. ACE: right. The details are a little vague, hearing this from old sources. Apparently there was this insanely talented coder back in the day who fell in love with a poet he was friends with. The poet died suddenly and the coder does what most mad scientists do to handle grieving; design and create a Virtual daughter. Apparently he was working for this game company which he used to both hide his project and gather data on what it means to be a person. Story goes that what he ended up creating was a child deus ex machina who sort of almost caused the collapse of society because the nanny program had an existential crisis. Time passes and for one reason or another, Aura vanishes straight up which considering the net at the time was built around her led to problems. I've wanted to find out where she went since gathering this data as you might expect. ACE: sorry, I get a bit rambly X4-1997B: Blimey, mate; that's not waffling to me. In fact, that reminds me of someone on my end. X4-1997B: I trust you are aware of the world of Earth Bet? Well, in that world there is a young woman named Tess Richter, created as a sort of artificial intelligence by a Parahuman named Andrew Richter. However, Andrew didn’t think Tess was ready for the wider world out there, nor would the world be ready for her, so he came up with a series of codes and restrictions to limit Tess’s growth until he could deactivate them. X4-1997B: Then the attack on Newfoundland killed her creator, and she was left all but orphaned, then those Dragonslayer wankers stole an important piece of technology that basically controls her chains -technology that I’ve been frying as we speak. X4-1997B: …Now that I think of it… ACE? Shall we set up a chat? ACE: Sure, I'm up for doing anything I can to help people out. Especially from that hellhole of a verse. X4-1997B: Fantastic. I’ll gather four on my end, and I’ll also try to find some way to contact Dragon. You get four on your end, we build a server together, and go from there. ACE: cool! Any restrictions I should keep in mind? X4-1997B: Hrm… let’s try to focus on virtual intelligence. I have a feeling that would be important… especially with the impending game release on one of my worlds. X4-1997B: You see, there’s a VR MMO called Sword Art Online that’s said to have some betas lined up… and ten thousand lucky players were selected to take part. However, I’ve heard from some reliable sources that a massive game-breaking error has been detected. It’s a little too late, though; so I’m working overtime to try to cool down the Nervegear bombs. X4-1997B: The perils of reploid administration. X4-1997B: Fortunately I was able to repair a few of them; and I was lucky enough to get to the Black Cats-to-be in time, but unfortunately I wasn’t able to get them all cooled down before they put on the headset. Sachi should have better internet now, though. X4-1997B: Anyroad, I have a bad feeling about SAO. That should be one of our primary objectives. X4-1997B: So, limit to virtual intelligences or player or cyberspace avatars. Our missions are as follows.>1: Investigate and troubleshoot SAO, and prevent what tragedies we can. Further investigate and prevent incidents that I feel might be troublesome. You know which one.>2: Locate AURA.>3: Explore GBN. It would be prudent to use that as a primary hub for avatars if we need to. If not, we’ll end up using MayluComp.>4: Rescue Tess, and meddle in what we need to meddle in on Earth Bet.>5: Further objectives to be added as necessary. X4-1997B: Who will you select? ACE: There's an up and coming edgy boy in what I've determined is AURA’s home verse that frankly could use more friends. And a certain Fox who could use friends as well. X4-1997B: As you can probably guess, I’ve already got Maylu and Roll.EXE interested. The other one who had expressed positive interest is Yusaku Fujiki, so VRAINS will also be viable for hub purposes if necessary. X4-1997B: I think Sam Flynn could also do aces, pun not intended, in this role, if not Jet Bradley. ACE: I know someone relatively local that could be of assistance, and she knows a decent hacker in the making which should help in certain cases. Speaking of? Should I bring this up with PG and Baba now or see where things go first? X4-1997B: I don’t think Shiho would forgive me if we kept Futaba away from something like this. Do it. As for Miss Holt… I unno, do ask. I know that the GoLion team hasn’t been seen often in the Super Robot Wars, and Voltron hasn’t ever been seen, but she might have some perspectives we’re missing. However, it’s covert for now. We’ll contact them through DMs. ACE: Right. I’ll let them and my ‘local’ friend know. Same chat set up as the official chats I take it? Less chances of being ‘invaded’ by a certain devil child. Though she could probably help take care of any of ‘your’ Mavericks that decide to use cyberspace as their personal playground. ACE: Though she might find she enjoys virus busting exe style. I’d also like to keep Gwen updated in case anyone we bring in needs a shoulder to cry on or someone to talk to. From what i’ve heard about Earth Bet, it couldn’t hurt to prep. X4-1997B: It’s as they say, Prep time wins every time. X4-1997B: So, we have: Pidge, Oracle, Flynn, Playmaker, Roll.EXE, Haseo, Tails, and whoever else is capable of matrix interface. X4-1997B: What are our protocols for hackers? ACE: To keep them out or to recruit them? X4-1997B: We’re building the mother of all Matrix militaire here. I’d say, depending on their strength, and their willingness to help, grade and recruit them. X4-1997B: If they’re a bit naff, we boot them out, patch the security, and go from there. X4-1997B: If they just want to talk, that’s jolly good; but we need to know their intent. X4-1997B: If they’re like ‘Baba and they can get in plastered on mountain dew and crisps at a 6 o’clock morning binge before school, they’re either: a fellow artificial lifeform like myself, or just as gifted as she is. X4-1997B: If they’re ponces, we tell them to piss off in ten different languages, fifteen different programming languages, and at least two audio codecs; plus an ASCII art middle finger for good measure. ACE: Okay, love how you think. I’ll probably cook up something to follow them back to their systems to copy everything they got. Just because they’re fuckers doesn’t mean they don’t have anything we could use, either for the goals or against them. ACE: I was thinking of a different fox, though I’ll definitely send Tails an invite, to have another pair of eyes on things if nothing else. X4-1997B: The only other fox I can think of… X4-1997B: Renamon? ACE: Bingo. X4-1997B: She’s the only other one in your jurisdiction. I say go for it. X4-1997B: Bring her Tamer, too. Rika, I believe her name is. X4-1997B: Lastly, we’re gonna need someone off the grid to help us out in places that need meatspace intervention. I have two proposals, let’s see if you like them. X4-1997B: Layer and Tattletale X4-1997B: Layer is my immediate successor at the Maverick Hunters, incredibly skilled with a sword, analysis, can strike weakpoints with pinpoint precision, and as a bonus is easy on the eyes owing to her origin in the Red Light districts of Shenzhen. ACE: definitely a plus. X4-1997B: And as for Tattletale, she’s one of Taylor’s closest allies. My fear is that Lisa would run her mouth too much. Both a blessing and a curse when it comes to reploids as they carry over the same Critical Flaw system from the Robot Masters. ACE: Hmm. I can think of a few… stopgaps for the issue of loose lips, though I'm not sure how ethical they might be. X4-1997B: I think the ballgag would be best suited against Layer in case she turns Maverick. Her Critical Flaw is “binding” weapons like Strike Chain or Parasite Bomb. Thunder Claw also works ACE: Okay, I’m definitely going to love working with you. I was thinking more of a small Geas where this TT, won’t be able to talk about anything confidential regarding the chat or anyone therein without express permission X4-1997B: Well, cheers. That said, Geas could be misconstrued for Master Effects, which are frowned upon on Bet in no small part to Simurgh and Eidolon with her. X4-1997B: …though that does remind me to look into the Canary case. X4-1997B: A geas could work if we get her to agree to it… X4-1997B: We pay the Undersiders out the arse, and they would be willing to do so. X4-1997B: Certainly it’s no different than having to deal with Alys’ contracts. X4-1997B: Love that bird, but she is a moneysink. Swindled me out of every quid I had once. ACE: Yeah, know how that goes. Welch for instance would always beg for a cut of my profits to send back to her guild. ACE: and then there’s Kokonoe’s tastes. Surprisingly expensive cat-nip suckers are. X4-1997B: …what’s the likelihood we’d run afoul of Admin Aqua? ACE: had to look through a rollodex. That’s the so-called ‘useless’ goddess and not the Keyblade master right? X4-1997B: Dealing with Kazuma? Useless Goddess nothin, that girl has the patience of a saint. X4-1997B: Also, rollodex? That’s the system you use, no? ACE: Eh, more like the analog spinny paper thing, I have one of those for a few things mostly due to paranoia and to have a back up. One for other Admins, One to jot down notes about different chat members etc. ACE: that and they’re just fun to play with when I’m metaphorically banging my head against the wall during a project. ACE: I do know a couple of people that might be of help for our meatspace Task Force, though convincing them and getting them free from current projects might be a pain. X4-1997B: Who do you have in mind? ACE: One is a chatter from another chat, though he and his partner are currently indisposed for the foreseeable future. X4-1997B: Go on, then. I need names. ACE: …current name or true name? X4-1997B: Current name, preferably. ACE: I also know a certain Cybersleuth with the ability to go from meatspace and cyberspace fairly easily… Oh. and I might have a favor owed from a relatively newish mercenary calling herself Rockette ACE: Oh good. Guy get’s a bit edgy when someone calls him his other name. Angelus Lucien and his partner Wizardmon, though again their availability might be limited. X4-1997B: So, we have two Digidestined, and someone who couldn’t be less subtle that they’re Roll Light if they tried. X4-1997B: I like it. That’s our Task Force. ACE: I can probably also convince Kokonoe to lend us the services of Miss Nanaya if we need extra muscle but that seems like using a grenade to get rid of a fly for the time being. X4-1997B: Yeah, let’s only pull our heavy hitters in when we need them. X4-1997B: Since you’re putting three on the task force, I would like to recommend my third. X4-1997B: Usagi Tsukino. ACE: Not against it, but why her specifically? X4-1997B: She’s Sailor Moon. X4-1997B: On the other hand, if you want to throw a curveball, I do have a Warrior of Light of my own. X4-1997B: She just so happens to be Naru Osaka, and connected directly to Usagi-chan. ACE: Oooh. Nice. I’m good with that. Nothing against Ms. Tsukino you understand, I just thought given the whole subject, you’d suggest Ami first. X4-1997B: Well, I do have my own team of Senshi, and I can only ask the Silverian team if they’re interested. X4-1997B: But Naru specifically is an Alterna; and thus falls within my team. More easily accessible. X4-1997B: Plus it would be interesting to see her interact with your team of Senshi; given that Naru isn’t a Senshi of any stripe for you. Correct? ACE: I’d have to double check, but from memory she’s a baseline human at the moment. I have a few ideas regarding her, and well I never know what my boss has planned at any given time. X4-1997B: Understood. X4-1997B: So, ready to launch? ACE: Ready! X4-1997B: Smashing. Hit the button, will ya? ACE: don’t tempt me~ ACE: ack! ACE: sorry, that was a certain pink gremlin. Anyway, Hitting the button… now!
-==-
Chat Title: SIGN IN
Admin: [ACE] [I]
[I] Good morning everyone. Please sign in using your online usernames. In a moment, my associate and I will explain the purpose of this chat. [Playmaker] What is going on here? What part of VRAINS is this? [Haseo] VRAINS? What, is that some sort of special collaboration event? [S.Flynn] Who’s hacking my company? You know, several of the top executives of Encom are highly talented programmers so we can find you pretty damn easily. [Alibaba] Oh ho, I wish you the best of luck! Not even the Kirijo Group’s S-Rank IT lady can keep me out for long, and she ran circles around Encom in the late 90s. [S.Flynn] That’s supposed to be a threat? I’m like, twenty one and I can run circles around Encom security now. [Alibaba] Lucia was five; and I can do the same thing right now and ooooh boy your firewalls need patching yesterday; I can almost smell the corporate sabotage by that Dillinger guy; dude needs to change his password to something less obvious. [S.Flynn] What is it something like “Flynnsucks”? [Alibaba] Master Control Program. Proper capitalization, proper spacing. Mom was a big fan of the movie TRON. [ Ice Queen ] What fresh hell is this? [ACE] This my antisocial friend is what is known as a chat room [ Digital Princess] Oh! I’ve heard good things about that one. [X8-2004] I take one day off. Just one. Just a day off to meet with some red light friends of mine. Iris, explain yourself. [Iris] When everyone gets here, love. [Al] Huh. Didn’t expect to be dragged into another one of these. That you, ADMIN? [ACE] Hey angstymon. [Roll.EXE] Iris? Iris.EXE? [Iris] Not that one, though she does say hi. I’m the other one. [Roll.EXE] There’s another one? [ACE] Oh sweet summer child, do I have a story for you. [Iris] Oh, I should also enable dimensional area chat protocols. Doing so now. [Roll.EXE] That doesn’t help your case! [Mail] Roll, stop trying to pick fights with strangers. [Roll.EXE] She’s impersonating one of our friends! [Iris] Well, hold off on flying bricks until we’ve got everyone assembled. [Kitsune] …Is this why people have said not to meet one’s gods? [Roomy] I can assure you, Kitsune, that this is almost perfectly normal. Also, I believe I may have heard of you and your…partner. [SailorMeteor] Alright, which one of you had the bright idea to ring me up for one of these? Was it because I’m the only one of the Alternas available? [Iris] Bluntly, yes. [SailorMeteor] Gotcha. Spiel? [Iris] Wait till everyone’s here, Meteor. [ Digital Detective Princess ] Hey everyone! [ DotL] Okay, this is happening. I was taking a break anyway. ‘lo [HealsPls] Okay, okay, lesson learned, I won’t do another all-nighter at Brockton General again if this is the kind of Master Effect I can expect.
[Iris] Oh Mantra-dammit, we got Panacea instead of Tattletale.
[Iris] You’re not being Mastered, Amy. Please wait until everyone is here, and then we can get started. [HealsPls] …I am too tired to argue or go to M/S Screening anyway. Alright, fine. [Quakewoman LMN-001] Reporting. But also really confused. I was supposed to have met with Dr. Cossack today. And you drop this on me, Iris? [Roll.EXE] Seriously, if you’re not Iris.EXE, who even are you? [Iris] X4-1997β, Lieutenant Iris Roseanne Thorne. Once of the Repliforce, then Maverick Hunters, then dead, then Deep Log Code Avatar, then Maverick Hunter again , and then SOMA Admin, and due to SOMA regulations I maintain a presence as a Maverick Hunter navigator. That will be important in a bit. [ACE] I’m here too, hi.>Just missing a couple more. [Roll DRN-002] Good morning! I brought snacks! [Roll.EXE] Oh you’re taking the piss. [Iris] I am partly Welsh, so I appreciate the turn of phrase there.> Who’s left, ACE? [ACE] of the ones we can probably get to, just the runner. [Iris] I doubt the runner can get in, Chelnov works off of old soviet tech from the 80s. [Quakewoman LMN-001] I feel like Dr. Cossack would be offended. [ACE] Not after he takes a look at it. [Iris] I can’t help but feel a sense of foreboding. [Playmaker] Well, until you figure out that mess, I’m going back to my day job. [Iris] Wait… [X8-2004] Do you sense that too? Something… radiating positivity and optimism? [Haseo] No, not optimism. I’m allergic to optimism /s [AL] mood. [Alibaba] Mood. [Playmaker] Uh huh. I’m [Nuts and Dolts] SAAAAAAALUTATIONS! [Iris] And there you are. That’s everyone.> Right. I mentioned this before, but for those who do not know me, my name is Lieutenant Iris Roseanne Thorne. I am a reploid -replicate android- with the serial identification code X4-1997β. Generation Four, ID Number 1997, Model Beta. Officially I’m from Osaka in Neo Japan, however I was built off of the back of a Welsh project called the Perfect Soldier Project; which had to be split in two: myself, and my twin brother, Colonel (name and rank) of the Repliforce, a now-defunct military organization. I, however, have, am and always identified as a Maverick Hunter, a sort of reploid police tasked with detecting, treating, detaining, but often eliminating rogue reploids known as Mavericks. I am also the first one to be recruited into what is known as the Society of Multiversal Administrators, who manage several of your worlds in return for expanding the possibilities of said worlds through what is known as Ripple Energy. The more you actively change, the more can be changed, and the bigger and more stable the Multiverse can be. My partner in this endeavour is Anastasia Corbyn Elle. You should refer to her as ACE. [ACE] Hiya, I’m ACE, though you can refer to me by lower case if you want. I’m a tiefling artificer working for the inter existential mercenary company Portabello Rowe and I’m basically Iris’ assistant here. Tldr, I’m devil-kin and I'm good with tech. Unlike our dear Chat Mistress, Only one part of me is cyber. Officially, I’m only sort of affiliated with SOMA, though that’s mostly a paperwork thing.In general. Think of us as part of a larger support network for Existence at large. [Haseo] A multiverse? [ACE] heh, A, he says. [Roll.EXE] Now you’re just making stuff up. [HealsPls] Actually no. The Multiverse is a proper thing that we’ve known about for some time. Professor Haywire’s inventions proved it in the late 80s when he accidentally tore a rift through spacetime. [Iris] That was no accident, I’m afraid. Professor Haywire was the Admin for your world in particular. [ACE] I was about to ask, doing something like that on purpose is difficult enough as it is, how does one do it accidentally? [HealsPls] Parahumans are bullshit. [Iris] That’s a given. [ACE] No kidding. Be glad there’s a committee to determine such things because from what my boss has muttered when he’s drunk and doesn’t think anyone is listening… let’s just say he would save who he could and leave it at that k? [Playmaker] You say ‘was’... [HealsPls] Professor Haywire was killed in action by the Simurgh in 2009. Officially he was a villain, but let’s just say the Simurgh doesn’t care. [Iris] Oh shit, really? Huh. I gotta thank Israfel, then. Haywire was a menace in SOMA. [ACE] yeah, going to need to have the boss strapped down before I tell him I think. The two were drinking buddy close, despite or because of the chaos. [Iris] Anyroad, I told you why you were brought together, but more importantly you need to know about each other. We introduced ourselves. Your turn. [Alibaba] Well, feast your eyes then, on she who rules the rivers of data from here to the collective unconscious; the pharaoh of phishing, the caliph of cracks and hacks, desert queen of all that is computerized, Alibaba, Queen of Digital Thieves, at your service. I did manage to fully encrypt this chat so no one can get in or out without my approval.>Partially because we’re about to give our real names on the internet, partially because that’s a habit. At home, my name is Futaba Sakura, a high school… uh, let’s just say “I don’t go to high school to learn anything I don’t already know and be done with it” student living in Inaba, Japan. [Iris] I thought you lived in Tokyo? [Alibaba] Thanks for the dox, Iris-san. I was trying to pull a fast one on them [Iris] I would prefer we be professional in this first meeting, at least? You can meme later. [Digital Princess] Hello! My name is Aelita and it’s nice to meet all of you. My case is somewhat… unique. [ACE] Trust me dear heart, this is as safe a place as I can make it. You can be completely honest with them. [Digital Princess] You seem familiar. [Digital Princess] Well… um… I kind of exist within a supercomputer? [ACE] …have they seriously not told you about me?> Okay, I mean we don’t really hang out that often but still. [Iris] Well, I am a humanoid supercomputer so you are in good hands, mon amie . [Digital Princess] Merci beaucoup! [Haseo] Alright, my turn. The name’s Haseo. Round my parts I’m called the Terror of Death,and ya’ll better remember that if you ever log into The World R:2 and threaten players. I don’t tolerate PKs. [Iris] Glad to have you aboard. Sorry about Shino, by the way. [Haseo] I’ll handle Tri-Edge my own way. Still, I appreciate the thought. [AL] The World huh. I might have traveled there before my coastal exile. [AL] Suppose I’ll go next then since I spoke up. My current name is Angelus Lucien and I’m a camp councilor ‘trapped’ within the Digital World of my era with a group of kids and Digimon. Roomy is, as you might have guessed, my roommate and partner. And until I figure out a way to keep the campers from snooping a look at this, that's all I'm going to say. [Ice Queen] Excuse me? [AL] What, you thought you were the first ones? [ACE] uh? [AL] got a rather interesting email from the storyteller before you invited me. [S.Flynn] Samuel Flynn, Majority shareholder of ENCOM Technologies, the biggest computer corporation in the world right now. ENCOM is responsible for the ENCOM OS, as well as several popular arcade and computer games, namely Space Paranoids, Joe Montana Football, and the TRON series which I’m a big fan of. [S.Flynn] And as for artificial intelligence living in supercomputers, nothing new to me. My girlfriend, Quorra? She used to be one. [Digital Princess] I hope the past tense is a happy one? [Roomy] It probably doesn’t need to be said, but greetings everyone. The chats have taken to calling me Roomy and it just kind of sticks. I am a Digimon currently partnering with Angelus to accomplish my own ends and it’s pleasant to be meeting all of you. As frosty as some of you might appear at first. [Playmaker] Yusaku Fujiki. Playmaker. Normally I’m an average high school student working a part-time job at a food truck stand owned by Shoichi Kolter. However, I am an accomplished Duel Monsters player within VRAINS; a VR MMO of sorts. There are three reasons why you shouldn’t challenge me - One, I’ve been playing Duel Monsters for most of my life for reasons I’m not comfortable with sharing. Two: I’m not sure you have Duel Monsters in your respective worlds. Three: Even if you did, there are bigger fish to fry right now. [Ice Queen] I mean… It seems okay enough. [Alibaba] What deck you run? [Playmaker] Cyberse. [Alibaba] I run a hybrid theme I call the Cyber Obelisk Imperium, which is an Obelisk deck with a higher emphasis on robotics and computers. [DotL] …I still have the data for my Geargia cards. [Iris] I was always fond of my Sky Strikers. [Haseo] Warrior decks for me; though I prefer the OG format. [Roll DRN002] Dragon Maids! [Alibaba] OG was my favorite for a bit, but I slowly gravitated towards Synchro over time and that’s what I’m good at. I know Makoto is the same way. [Playmaker] Well color me surprised. [Mail] My name is Maylu Sakurai. I’m… wait, how old are you @ice Queen @Alibaba [Alibaba] As if I’m going to tell you my age on the internet (15) [Ice Queen] 15 as well. [Mail] Thirteen.. I’m the youngest one here! [Alibaba] You know what that means. [Mail] Yes, senpais. [Mail] Wait, I’ve never heard of you two! You don’t even go to my school! [Roll.EXE] My name is Roll.EXE. I’m this one’s Network Navigator, or Netnavi, a construct built to explore the net, interact and battle with other netnavis, and counter viruses that have been propping up ever since World Three started making the rounds. I’m what’s called a Custom Navi, meaning I’m built from the ground up to be wholly unique and made a lot tougher, but with the caveat that if my digital crest is destroyed, that’s it for me. It’s rare that Custom Navis get backup data; and spare NaviCrests do not come cheap; that’s why most navis log out to avoid fatal damage instead. [Roll DRN002] Roll sisters! [Roll.EXE] Who is this lost child? [Roll DRN002] My name is Roll Light, a Mega-Class Robot Master created by Dr. Thomas Light. I’m primarily a housekeeper, but I’ve been known to create some nifty gadgets for Mega Man. That said, don’t leave a mess in my house… or you will be the trash I take out every morning. [DotL] Huh. Call me… Rayanne if you want, just to avoid confusion. And near as I can tell, I shouldn’t exist, so I have that going for me I guess. One minute I’m fighting alongside my brothers, and the next I’m waking up to a guy who looks enough like my brother to be uncanny and it’s apparently the future now, and dad decided to put me in a new body to better utilize my Strider training. [Iris] That is definitely a new one. Layer, are you familiar with this one? [X8-2004] Familiar nothing, she’s in my unit. [X8-2004] Hello, everyone. I am Gen 8, Number 2004: Laya Shen, or Layer. At first I was designed with… erotic purposes in mind, then I picked up a rapier, stabbing the dicks of people that made nuisances of themselves, and eventually I was picked up by the Maverick Hunters, made a navigator as a probationary measure, and after that probation was up I started field ops during the now-infamous Jakob incident. Roll here is actually a member of the 17th Elite, which includes the likes of Mega Man X, Zero Omega, Axl MacCormack, Alia Cain, Palette MacCormack, and when she’s available, Iris Thorne. My creator is credited as Dr. Yuri Shen. [X8-2004 has changed their display name to Layer] [DotL] Didn’t really have any other plans and well, being a MH at least pays the bills. Adjusting to the present has been hit or miss, as well as adjusting to my new body. Also, I might have accidentally clocked X with a wrench when I woke up. For the purposes of Clarity, I’m a contractor for the 17th but they’re my most returned clients so I’m basically a part of the unit. [ACE] huh. Out of curiosity, do you have any records of a Raymond Shen, Layer? [ACE] I make it a hobby to collect existential coincidences. Never know when one might be a thing. [Layer] That would be my maternal great-grandfather. I’m not sure if that’s relevant though. [HealsPls] A sex worker robot? [Layer] Consent is a very important directive on my part. Besides, there are minors here and we should not bring that up. [Kitsune] This one is known as Renamon, digimon partner to Rika Nonaka known as the Digital Queen. [Iris] Understandable. [Ice Queen] Hi. They call me that because I'm the Japanese champion of the card game. I’m pretty sure Renamon calls me that to annoy me. [Kitsune] She is very humble about her accomplishments and also a fine strategist. [AL] Well, I didn't vote for her. 😛 [Iris] Fancy that. [Quakewoman LMN-001] I suppose it’s my turn. Hello, I am LaLinde Model Number 001; Quake Woman. You may call me Tempo, as it is my name. I am an Earth-Class Robot Master, equipped with the Quake Drill weapon schematic. After recent upgrades, it’s become the Quake Disruptor. [Quakewoman LMN-001 has changed their display name to Tempo] [Tempo] My mother, Noelle LaLinde, created me as a daughter to her; but after a cave in had nearly killed us both, she removed my personality and memory codes; wiping the slate clean as it were. Her logic was that, if I acted more as a machine, she wouldn’t worry that she’s sending me into danger. It went fine for a bit, before the Emerald Spears almost killed us both again and the personality wipe rolled back to the earlier version. [Tempo] I understand the logic, but then I trusted her and she deleted my memory without warning or my input. [Iris] I empathize. During my time with the Repliforce I had been practicing martial arts. Layer, you can ask Zero what I felt like when Colonel -and Web Spider between them- decided to lock my combat routines I had spent three full years learning without my input or knowledge. [Iris] I’d ask them if they were off their rocker, nicking the skills I worked so hard for without my consent or approval, but I’d rather not talk to Colonel ever again. [Iris] His stupid crusade got us both killed. [DotL] Huh. So neither of you feel it around Zero, do you? How… [Iris] Zero’s a good guy, Dot. But I shot my shot too late and I think he’s currently engaged to that Marino bird from Giga City. [DotL] I’m sure he’s a good guy all things considered, but something about him makes me feel fight or flight and it bugs me whenever we’re in the same space together. [Iris] I know the reason why, and I can DM you after we finish up here. Savvy? [DotL] Yeah, please do. Something tells me I’m probably better off not knowing, but I need to, you know? [Roll DRN002] You got this, Dot! [Roll DRN002 has changed their display name to Sweet Roll] [DotL] I've known Sweet Roll for about twelve seconds but if anything happens to her I'm killing everyone in this room and then myself. [Layer]: Not even arguing. [Iris] Capital. Alright, Meteor, hit us. [SailorMeteor] Guardian of the Star, representing Hope in the Face of Despair, I am the Pretty Suited Warrior of the Civilizations of Etheirys, Sailor Meteor! Stray from the light of the Crystal at your peril! [SailorMeteor] Hehe, other than that I’m just an average sixteen year old kid named Naru Osaka, from Juuban in Tokyo. My mother is a jeweler and I help out around the shop part time, and sometimes I end up slipping into a kansai accent. My last name ain’t Osaka for nothin’. [SailorMeteor] I’m one of the thirteen Alterna Sailor Senshi; a contemporary team to the Sol Senshi that Sailor Moon -who I’m allowed to say is my childhood friend Usagi Tsukino- is the leader of. The fourteenth Alterna is also the Sailor of Death and Rebirth: Sailor Saturn; though she and Mistress Tao Nine have an accord with one another on my end. [SailorMeteor] Hotaru is honestly an incredibly kind girl, even if she’s quiet; but Tao Nine? She can be cold, dude. All the better than they work together instead of trying to tear each other asunder. [PENNY] Salutations! I am Penny Polendina, a normal real girl with… far from normal knees. I take it there are quite a few androids on this chat? I’m the only one on my home world of Remnant to be such. It’s rather refreshing to know there are more people like me out there… and that Remnant isn’t alone. [PENNY] When I’m not acting on behalf of the Shadow Operatives in Japan, I’m acting on behalf of the Atlas Kingdom Military on Remnant, reporting to General James Ironwood; even though technically I am a citizen of the Kingdom of Vale. [Digital Detective Princess] Hey everyone! I’m Ami Aiba, digital sleuth extraordinaire! I also have a lot of digital friends who help me solve digital crimes. ✌️ [HealsPls] All these Japanese names and you guys are making me want to actually stop by. We don’t have much left of the nation on Earth Bet. [HealsPls] My name is Amy Dallon, also called Panacea. I’m the world’s greatest healer. I’m also the world’s most powerful bio-Striker. [iris] Amy. [HealsPls] Fine. Bio-Tinker. You know how the Hippocratic oath is “do no harm”? Well, don’t piss me off, and I won’t give you super cancer or seventeen thousand STIs that I’m jealous Layer doesn’t get to catch. [SailorMeteor] We have a similar saying: Don’t piss off the White Mage. [Merlinson] Scorched Earth is still on the table, if you ever want. [Iris] WHO THE FUCK [Iris] Futaba, I thought you said this was secure? [MS] Don’t blame Miss Sakura. I’m a notorious cheat, inherited from my father. [MS] Glad to see you again Iris. I’ll be going now. [Iris] No. You’re here. [Iris] You don’t get to leave so soon, now. [Iris] Introduce yourself, you todger. [Merlinson] If you wish. Greetings all, I go by Merlinson when I'm being a professional. [ACE] professional troll more like. Why are you here, boss? [Merlinson] I just wanted to let Miss Dallon know that there’s a way out should she wish to accept it. Nothing more, nothing less. [Merlinson] I honestly didn’t mean to disrupt things so, for which I do apologize. [HealsPls] Yeah i don’t know who you are, so I already don’t trust you. [MS] Perfectly reasonable. [HealsPls] Look, my hometown of Brockton Bay, in Massachusetts, is a shithole. Just last week I had to heal this one girl; she looked like death and smelled just as bad; like this was a bioterror attack on some girl without question and had she not gotten to my attention when she did, I would have had a dead patient and an angry father. [HealsPls] That’s ignoring the angry rage dragon on one side and literal Nazis on the other; and the druggies under the bridge. [HealsPls] On top of all that, I have to deal with the most ineffective group of well-meaning heroes I’ve ever met and only one of them is any good -Vista- but she’s basically a mascot. [HealsPls] My family, who make up the team New Wave? Look, I love my sister, my cousins, and my aunt and uncle. My father is a broken man, my real father is in the Birdcage, and for as good a lawyer as my mom is; she’s a shit mom. [HealsPls] which that girl would need a lawyer because holy shit. I knew Winslow High School was bad. I didn’t know it was a biohazard. [Iris] I think I might know who that girl is. [HealsPls] HIPPA violations prevent me from saying more. Context wise, you know who she is? [Iris] I should, because what amounts to Godling Khepri playing as early villain Skitter is Queen Administrator over Earth Bet’s whole Network. [HealsPls] Fan-freaking-tastic. Maybe I can get blessed by the Bug Lady, She Who Is As Mighty As A Colony Of Twenty Million Ants, Give Or Take An Anthill Or Five. [Iris] Anyway, I believe that should be everyone. ACE shall now explain the purpose of this chat. I am getting some coffee. [ACE] Alright then, while Miss Iris is up. The purpose of this chat is… mostly two fold. One is to act as an informal support network for everyone involved, mostly meaning you guys. We can bitch together, help each other out etc. Also, I’m planning on adding a little function that should be a bit fun for some of you. [ACE] The second part is both Iris and myself have a few goals we’d like to accomplish that we could use your help with. We aren’t going to force you into anything, this is mostly on a volunteer basis on your ends. Though I can promise rewards if you do decide to help out. The easiest of which would probably be finding the whereabouts of a digital goddess. [ACE] That said, any questions? [Haseo] Digital Goddess? [Iris] AURA. She’s from your neck of the woods; we know that, but we have no idea where. [Haseo] What, the girl from the lore? [ACE] yup. She’s real, and she’s somewhere in cyberspace. The big fun questions are, ‘where’ and ‘why’. [Iris] That’s correct. I just hope the bollocks aren’t an obstacle for the so-called Terror of Death. [Haseo] Who do the hell you think I am? [Alibaba] Alright, calm down, Kamina. [Digital Princess] AURA… why does that name have a tinge of reverence? [Layer] Around my neck of the woods, the more religious reploids tend to lean more towards Asura, Mithra, Yasha and the like. There’s a few who put their faith in Dr. Light, and a few who revere Sigma as a God King. I’ve met one who reveres X. But I’ve never heard of Aura. [DotL] It’s still weird to me that people ‘worship’ the Doctor. [PENNY] The Light of the Soul? [Iris] Different Aura, love. [PENNY] Affirmative. [Iris] Haseo-san, you know something about this Aura. Care to share? [Haseo] It isn’t much. There’s an area in the world called the Hulle Krutze Cathedral, Delta Holy Forbidden Holy Ground. This is mostly second hand, but apparently there used to be a statue of a little girl there where an icon of prominence would be placed. According to my source, one day it just vanished and you can still occasionally hear a little girl’s laugh. [ACE] Noted. Don’t suppose that your source could give any kind of time frame for when it vanished, either in game or out? [Haseo] Nada. [ACE] eh, don’t feel too bad it’s honestly more than I had before. [AL] Are you sure that finding this goddess, who probably doesn’t want to be found, is a good idea? Speaking from experience, they can be a lot of trouble. [ACE] Honestly, the worst case scenario is that she ascends beyond her area of cyberspace and gets to play at the big kids table, and the chances of that are…slim at best. [ACE] So pretty optimistic all things considered. [Digital Detective Princess has changed their user tag to D.D.P] [D.D.P] Well I’m definitely down for helping. I figure if she’s gone through this much trouble to hide herself away then she probably needs a friend or two. [AL] Goggleheads. [Ice Queen] Goggleheads. [ACE] Right. More questions if you got 'em people. Unless they’re about my boss, that is, he’s currently in the timeout corner. [Ice Queen] How do I get off this crazy train? [ACE] That’s the neat thing! You don’t. [AL] What, is the snow queen shaking in her ballet shoes? ;trollsmile; [Kitsune] I WILL END YOU! [Roomy] Please don’t encourage him. It took me a week to get him to stop making self depreciating jokes. And Angelus, don’t antagonize fellow chatters before they’ve done something to deserve it. [DotL] This happens a lot for you doesn’t it? [Roomy] More than you’d think. [Ice Queen] Down. [Kitsune] But Lady Rika! [Ice Queen] It’s fine, I don’t mind a bit of trash talk from someone called angstymon. [Digital Princess] Since the two of you seem so far removed from most of our respective universes, would it be alright if we could see a picture of the two of you so we could put names to faces? You don’t have to of course. [ACE] eh. I’m nothing to write home about really. Red skin, horns, hooves and a tail and that’s basically it. Iris could probably model in her spare time if she wanted to though. [PENNY] 87 percent match with a Goat Faunus. [ACE]... what. [DotL] Faunus? [PENNY] A Faunus is a human with one or two, or even rarely three, animal characteristics. They are also blessed with increased endurance which some companies have profited from to the point of excess. [PENNY] So in Friend ACE’s case, she would be similar to a goat Faunus with three animal characteristics. [ACE] …not a goat. [PENNY] Have I said something to offend? [ACE] no, you’re fine hun. Just long buried childhood trauma getting dug up, no foul. [ACE] …Eh, screw it. [ACE has submitted notagoatselfie.png] (a red skinned woman wearing pajama shorts and a top giving the camera a deadpan peace sign with a metallic arm. Her curved horns barely within the frame and she is surrounded by machinery) [ACE] So yeah, nothing to write home about. [ACE] oh, while I'm thinking about it. If you see a pink haired little girl and or woman who looks positively puckish, do not make her angry. She might want to fight some of you but making her angry is a good way to get hurt. I’d tell you her name, but I'm pretty sure she can sense that and so far I'm actually free from her here. [AL] oh you mean [ACE] Don’t you &^%*# dare![AL] alright then. [Iris] She is a memetic little scamp, that Yara-chan. [Iris] We all love her antics [ACE] what have you done [Iris] Oh would you look at that, it is time for tea and as a Briton in spirit I cannot miss it. Cheerio! [Iris updated their status to “Busy”] [Yara] Someone call for Yara? [ACE] OH YOU LITTLE
[Sign Off]
[Rippleverse.com OST: “Cybersonic Information Superhighway”]
1-01: The Project is Born “How Do You Say Hello In Binary?”
Phantasy Star Universe - Making Character
1-02: Chat Theme 1 “Sunrise In Cyberspace”
.Hack - desktop (Original Volume)
1-03 Iris’ Theme [Lo Fi Ver] “The Most Powerful Navigator in History”
Mega Man Zero 4 - Esperanto (Jo Mix)
1-04 ACE’s Theme [Lo Fi Ver] “The Infernal Desperado”
The Cog is Dead - Copper War (Instrumental)
1-05 Oracle’s Theme [Lo Fi] “Alibaba and the 40 Keks”
Persona 5 Tactica - Our Revolution
1-06 Aelita’s Theme [Lo Fi] “Orleans, 45XX AD”
Code Lyoko - Tower Theme
1-07: Haseo’s Theme [Lo Fi] “Welcome Back to the World”
.Hack//G.U. - desktop (R:1)
1-08: Angelus & Roomy’s Theme [Lo Fi] “Waltz of Dark Code”
Alexander Nakarada - Traversing the White Peaks
1-09: Sam Flynn’s Theme [Lo Fi] “Lights”
Journey - Lights
1-10 Playmaker’s Theme [Yusaku] “Three Reasons Why”
Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS Sound Duel - Offline Blues (Mellow)
1-11 Maylu and Roll.EXE’s Theme “Love Subroutine”
Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection Vol. 1 - Running Through the Cyber World (Piano Ver)
1-12 Roll Light’s Theme [8–Bit] “I Heard it In the Wind”
LearsimonZX Covers! - Kaze yo Tsutaete (8-Bit)
1-13 Roll 21XX Theme [Lo Fi] “Darkness of the Light”
Azure Striker Gunvolt - Girls' Prayer
1-14 Layer’s Theme [Lo Fi] “Red Light Girls’ Protector”
Mega Man X8 - Gateway
1-15 Rika and Renamon’s Theme [Lo Fi] “Snowfox”
Nogmyx and Tenno - Flutters
1-16 Tempo’s Theme [Lo Fi] “Rock and a hard place”
The Grand Maverick Remix Battle 2010 - rock and a hard place
1-17 Sailor Meteor’s Theme [Naru] “Among Stars”
Final Fantasy XIV - To The Sun
1-18 Penny’s Theme [Standby] “Awaiting Readiness”
Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves - Hotaru Futaba Stage
1-19 Ami Aiba Theme Theme [Lo Fi] “Cybersleuth on the Scene!”
Digimon Cybersleuth - A Day in the Life of a Certain Detective Agency
1-20 Amy’s Theme [Waiting Room] “(She’s The Healer) This City Doesn’t Deserve”
Ceekos - Kakyoin Stage (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Heritage for the Future)
1-21 Merlinson Interrupt [Cantrip] “The Mage in your Pages, the Wizard in your Walls”
Absolutely Chill Music - Star Mage
1-22 Chat Theme 2 “Mission”
Mega Man X8 - Stage Select 1 ~At the Hunter Base
1-23 Rippleverse.com Main Theme “Cyber S.O.S.”
Masayoshi Oishi - imPerfect (SSSS.DYNAZENON OP TV Size)
[NEXT] Iris“A terrifying truth has been unveiled to us as we embark our the first mission as a team!” Haseo“Hey, I didn’t agree to be part of no team!” Iris“Did you know the controllers for the Sega Megadrive, and by extension the American Genesis systems, can also be used on an Atari 2600?” Iris“This is because they share the exact same nine-pin connector port. You can use the same controllers with the Colecovision and Commodore Amiga based computers as well.” Iris“Though I would not recommend mixing and matching. It’s great for Sonic, not so good for Shinobi.” Playmaker“I could’ve told you that; and there’s three reasons as to-” Iris“Next time on Rippleverse.com; Episode Two! The World That Birthed a Thousand MMORPG Isekais! The Journey of All Sword Arts Start With A Single Step! Make sure you watch out for weird blob monsters.” Yara“Oh Yara’s seen way too much hentai to know where this is going.” Penny“What is ‘Hentai?’” ACE“Don’t look that up!”RN: I am RadiantGV for Radiaforce Fan Works; Welcome to another Rippleverse project; and I am collaborating on it with the author of Ripple in Shining Armor and Ripples of the Forge. Working on the same google doc at the same time definitely helps cut down writing time. You’ve probably guessed by now, but this is sort of a crossover project between our works. A number of concepts introduced in this story are assumed to be canonical to Among Stars, so please keep that in mind. Episode 5 is under production as we speak. In these uncertain times it’s important to remember to be kind to each other no matter who they are, where they are from or what they are wearing. Like I always say, The Future is Watching. I don’t just say that for lore reasons. Anyway, I’ll kick this to Bet. I’ve already said this once, but I’ll say it again: The Future is Watching. WS7 here. Hiya! This is definitely a new experience for me but an enjoyable one, not done a collab before. 🙂TBH, I’m mostly in the shotgun seat for this so all of the good goes to Radiant 🙂 Thank you for reading and I hope your day is bright.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Rayanne sighed to herself in the quarters that the 17th let her use, it was slightly larger than a broom closet but it was enough to hold her few possessions and let her ‘sleep’. “Hrmph. Thanks dad for giving me a sense of taste, but did you have to give me a depression algorithm?” She walked outside of her quarters and stretched, powering down her communication array. She decided to take a long circuitous route around the base in the hopes of avoiding X, Axl and -rage hate destroy annihilate- Omega. Hopefully she’d run into Alia (RN: Alia, not Alya or Ayla. She is not a French schoolgirl, nor a time traveling cavewoman. She isn’t a Suikoden character like Aila either), Signas or Layer. She didn’t trust Lifesaver as far as Palette could throw him, Douglas was probably in his lab. Palette and Axl were usually too energetic for her to deal with at the moment. Reyanne didn’t know what to make of her new present, everything was just… uncanny. X had been fairly understanding of her predicament, getting clocked by a flying wrench notwithstanding. Their situations weren’t that much alike though. Unlike her… younger brother; she remembered things before being tubed, whereas X seemed to basically be put immediately into his capsule after being built and programmed. She had remembered everything… except what her processors had apparently ghosted in regards to a certain blonde haired horror. She was grateful that X had offered her a way to feel useful at least. Alia was… Honestly she was like the big sister she had once wanted, really. Wise, responsible, knew how to be serious and when to have a little fun. She wondered if she’d be like that, if she hadn’t been tubed. Axl… was a lot like what Rush had been like. Kalinka had shown her a picture of a Labrador once and it honestly matched the energy Axl gave off so well. She also felt the need to look up what Kalinka had gotten up to while she was in her tube. His abilities fascinated her on a scientific level, being so similar and yet so different to the Copy system Dr. Light had used for Mega. It certainly seemed to alleviate some of the weaknesses of the Copy system at least, despite Rock’s best efforts he couldn’t use other’s abilities as well as they could, really the fact that he could use some of their abilities at all was amazing. Axl meanwhile could become other bots as well as being a decent marksman. Palette… was like a younger sister on a sugar rush sometimes, tending to be peppy and sociable which honestly wasn’t that bad usually. Layer… Layer was amazing, able to navigate the varying personalities of the 17th, a damn good fencer for having been self taught apparently, pretty, had a nice voice… okay she was getting distracted. Anyway, Reyanne felt bad that she hadn’t taken the time yet to learn more about her peers, mostly throwing herself into her work, acclimating to the present and trying not to have a meltdown over her situation. She had learned more about Layer from the chat than she had from the woman herself. Her lip curled as her mind turned to Omega. Something about the machine had always felt wrong to her, and now thanks to Miss Iris, she had a better idea as to why. Honestly she was split down the middle about the guy. On the one hand she wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt in regards to his, apparently forgotten, past and start on fresh footing. The other half… The other half wanted to rip his head off and use it as a flail in combat for what he did to her and her family. She wouldn’t put it past Wily to have scalped her old body and add it to Omega’s ponytail frankly. Reyanne sighed to herself, pausing a moment in her walk to lean against the wall, tilting her head up, closing her eyes before bringing her hand up to examine it again. Her new body still seemed foreign to her. Oh, dad had done his best to make it look like an ‘older’ version of her old one but it still felt off. She wondered if other bots thought the ‘Ship of Theseus’ thing was a horror story or not. “Probably don’t give it much thought.” She muttered, wiggling her fingers. She found her situation darkly ironic really. Here she was, primed and optimized to fully use what fighting skills she had like she had wanted for a while to help her dumb heroic brothers, and she had no way to get back to them. Oh, she could probably save up enough money to cobble together a decent time machine but currently the only thing capable of running it was being used to power what was left of humanity and she didn’t feel like pulling a Wily anytime soon. She also didn’t want to give this Sigma asshole, or anyone of similar ilk, any bright ideas to time travel. Quint and his pogo stick had been bad enough, thank you. She sighed, crossing her arms while leaning against the wall. Things were thankfully quiet so she wasn’t in any particular hurry to head anywhere. Her thoughts were interrupted by a soft clearing of a throat causing her to open her eyes to see Alia standing there, looking at her worriedly. “Zenny for your thoughts Roll?” Reyanne gave a small smile. “Hey there. Eh, not worth all that much really. Just ruminating as usual. Glad I could catch you though, I needed to talk to someone in the chain of command.” “Sure… what can I help you with?” Reyanne nodded, thinking for a moment. “Eh it’s not that big of a deal. I just got some information from apparently a mutual acquaintance that I’m having a time processing so I’m going to take off and clear my head for a bit and don't want to get accidentally labeled a Maverick.” Alla hummed, crossing her arms. “May I know what this information is?” “Eh, our MA will probably be able to explain it better than I can honestly. Tell her I gave you permission to know. Don’t worry, this isn’t a soul searching international journey. Just a few days…a couple of weeks…until I can look at Omega without wanting to do to him what Sensei did to Meioh.” “Who’s Meioh?” “Exactly.” Reyanne gave a hollow smile before throwing down a specially made smoke bomb to vanish from in front of her client/superior. —----[Yara] …Yara feels like Yara should be a little offended? [ACE] Look, it’s not you. But you being here opens up the door for the hell child to come in. [Yara] Understandable. Yara will still give spankings. [ACE] Darn it. [ACE] before anyone gets any ideas, she’s like my mom. [Yara] Yes, Yara has known Ace since Yara and bone man found her in junkyard so long ago. She was cute Imp sized girl trying to hurt Yara with a wrench. [Yara] Oh where are Yara’s manners? Yara is Yara and Yara is happy to meet all of you. [Playmaker] Well. You’re a bit of a character. [HealsPls] I’m tempted to ask, out of professional curiosity. [Yara] Yara is Yara, and that is all Yara will say about Yara. [HealsPls] Understandable, have a nice day. [Yara] It is good that Yara’s little imp has found such polite friends. [AL] This is hilarious on so many levels, I can’t even. [ACE] Bite me, angstymon. [Roomy] Before anyone asks, as far as I know, Angelus and ACE aren’t related in any way. Despite how they act here [AL] No Batman to his valet, I swear. [Digital Princess] That aside. It’s pleasant to meet you, Miss Yara. [Yara] ack. It is lovely to be meeting you too, but please just Yara. [IceQueen] Not a fan of honorifics? [Yara] Oh Yara no. Yara has had to deal with that stuff far too often for Yara’s liking. [Haseo] gtr, might have found a lead on tri-edge. [Haseo has logged out of chat.] [DotL] Hey. Sorry for the dip, I had to talk with my liaison/client in metal space to get some time off approved. [Yara] Hello! [DotL] Hey. [DotL] So… does anyone have any idea of what there is to do in 21XX? [DDP] Well, what do you like to do when you aren’t working?[DotL] uh…. Hmm. [DotL] I like dancing, I guess? [IceQueen] You didn’t put a lot of thought into this did you? [DotL] Clearly not. [AL] Well, what did you used to like to do? [DotL] huh. [DotL] Most of what I enjoyed doing was working in one form or another. Cleaning, R&D… A friend of mine got me into ballet before the attack, so that’s something. I also liked going to the local neighborhood arcade, I guess. [AL] Workaholic? [DotL] kind of, yeah. [DDP] Well… we could ask Layer! [DotL] I don’t want to bug her with this. She probably has her own things she wants to do during these peaceful times than babysit a relic. [ACE] hmmmhm. Making a note. I’m not sure why I thought a Reploid couldn’t get depressed. [DotL] Dad believed in being thorough with X and this body. *shrug* [Iris] So I actually live in 21XX; and there are a lot of things to do. Obviously Layer has her friends you can chat with, I know there’s the Holoscape in Abel City, obviously ballet is still a thing and I know the Hunters won’t say no to some extra hands around the HQ. [Layer] You do know my friends work in the world’s oldest profession, no? Venom Viperion, if you must, she’ll be the one to talk to. [Layer] DM me later. [Layer] You said you’re good at R&D? [DotL] Yeah. Used to make a lot of neat stuff for Mega Man. [SweetRoll] Used to…? [DotL] Don’t worry about it, Sweets. [Layer] Ah, X’s predecessors. Alright, well, talk to Douglas MacNamara if you want to sign up. He’s the director of R&D; you’ll have to end up proving your work, though. [Layer] Otherwise… uh… there is the Battle Circuit [Layer] It’s basically a sanctioned fight ring for combat-certified reploids to settle disputes. Right now it’s being run by Sara Akito. I heard the current champion, Scorch Lacewing, is shockingly good. [Layer] I would look out though. “Southpaw” Steel Stoat, I heard, doesn’t have a great reputation [Layer] Serious right hook though. [DotL] Huh, it's been awhile since I've been in a fighting ring. And I don’t think I’ve ever been to a RLD. Thanks for the help everyone. [DotL] Think I'll try out the ideas away from base first. Not sure how much Ali enjoyed my exit. I also don’t think I’ll be able to work up anything that would impress Director MacNamara but trying should be fun.—-[Private DMs DotL>Layer] [DotL] So what did you want to talk privately about? Also, how mad is LT Alia that I basically smoke bombed her? [Layer] Dot, you and I both know you are a very attractive woman, so if you’re going to the RLD in Abel City, there’s some etiquette you have to be aware of. [Layer] First and key: consent is paramount. It’s a rule that is enforced in the RLD. If someone says no, they say no and that is that. [Layer] Second, none of the girls at the boudoir belong to anyone. [DotL] Okay…? [Layer] Third, never approach a man with long hair or a moustache. They’re up to no good. [DotL] I kinda figured, since you know, Wily. [Layer] Fourth, meet in a public place unless you’re allowed to meet them at their place. That’s how a few of my friends ended up missing for years. [Layer] Fifth, don’t bring kids. Child-frame Reploids included. The RLD is not wanting accusations of *those* natures. [Layer] Lastly, if you have a bad feeling, don’t have the meeting. One of my best friends once met this guy on a dating show who seemed incredibly charming but he gave off this weird feeling that all of his answers were gonna lead to something terrible; and he turned out to be a serial killer. [Layer] You go to the RLD, you make sure you keep those rules in mind, and you’ll be as safe as possible. [DotL] Uh… thanks. [Layer] As for the Sen. Navigator… don’t you have a short-range teleporter device you could have used? [DotL] Smoke bombs look cooler. [DotL] So she’s probably not in the best of moods huh. Please let her know I’ll make it up to her when I get back alright? [DotL] so this is attractive in this era huh? Pretty sweet. —---
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[Alibaba] So, to whoever wants to answer first, What’s your digital realm like? [DDP] Oh! In my case it depends on the site and the area. They’re all over the place really and populated by digimon of all types. Some wanting to chat, some wanting to brawl, and some wanting to sell things. The areas always seem vast and empty though, no matter how many digimon want to brawl. [DDP] Also it’s really floaty, kind of like moon physics floaty. [Roomy] Hmm. Ours, while vast as well, always has signs of life. Deserts notwithstanding. There are villages, and assorted other random buildings dotting the landscape far as the eye can see. Digimon tend to be more territorial for what it’s worth, certainly different from Wychlin. [AL] also most of the random objects and buildings make no sense. Working payphones in the middle of nowhere that yell at you in German when you insert a coin, a line of Telephone poles that spans the distance between oceans for no discernable reason. The Pirate ships in the desert at least make a little sense. [Digital Princess] Honestly, that sounds like paradise to me. Here the lands are barren and mostly lifeless. The things that don’t want to de-rez you want to eat you and that’s not even counting the environmental traps. Honestly, before Jeremey and the others stumbled across me I’d been completely isolated with only a sentient virus that wanted to eradicate me for any kind of company for who knows how long. [ACE] …Lieutenant Iris, are you good going solo for a bit? I need to see about taking some time off to go chat with a completely unrelated egghead. [Kitsune] My own home was more like Aiba-san’s than Roomy’s. Every day was a battle for survival, Allies were a luxury and villages would wonder if this was the day. [Kitsune] It is little wonder that so many Digimon wish to escape to what they see as a better opportunity. As much as certain Powers would wish to curb that. [Roll.exe] Wow, I kind of feel bad for having it so easy. The net is… I can’t say safe considering the vast amount of viruses there are, or the crooked VIs or the Heel Navis. Or the occasional Net Crisis that happen more often than anyone likes to think about. But at the same time, there are good Navis trying to keep the peace, even if some can be junk files, there are merchants and boards you can communicate with others with. Though, much like Aelita-san, It’s all I’ve ever really known, you know? The glimpses I’ve gotten of the “real” world are nice but they're as foreign to me as the glimpses you guys would get of the Net. [Mayl] That and your ‘best friend who is a boy’ is on the Net. [Roll.exe] Shush you. [Alibaba] making note of that for later. [Alibaba] Ugh, the person that created this site is good, but like mid Amateur good. Malware out the wazoo, a Screamer hidden in the coding if you click the title three times. Asshole. Money coming in from a Swiss Bank Account to a local account… that’s a few too many zeros, put those back. Yeesh…. My..friends say they know the guy that made and runs the site but ooph there is so much wrong with this. [Flynn] I am on the real world side of the equation, but it is possible to get rezzed into what’s called the Grid -the world inside the computer. Pretty much every computer system attached to a given population has its own sort of Grid with its own rules and used to be it was that the only way to hop from one Grid to the next is through Light Sails but with big the internet got in the late 90s, it’s easy enough to just do a road trip. [Flynn] the trouble is that intruders, rogue programs -and the occasional volunteer- are generally put through what’s called the Game Grid, which is basically gladiatorial video games but instead of “you are the player against the CPU” its “you are the CPU opponent against the player”; at least that’s how I moralize it. There’s a few in play: a sort of squash thing that represents pong, a ricochet disc volley, tank battles, Light Cycle races -which are more demolition derbies mixed with that Snake game on the old Nokia phones-, Light Sail dogfights -which newer Light Sails look a little like starfighters- there’s one or two hand-to-hand combat trials which got added when fighting games started making the rounds, obviously there’s the good ol’ FPS deathmatch; there’s plenty to pick from. [Flynn] You’re given a disc, told not to lose it or break it, and if you survive three -or you get broken out by a woman who you love very much- you’re free to go, but if the disc breaks you are de-rezzed. Killed, basically, or booted off the Grid if you’re supposed to be there. [Flynn] I think Q told me if you win or break out it’s possible to re-enter for profit but that is a risk since you need that disc to get in and if you don’t have a disc you’re some sort of shambilng soulless husk of a program. [Flynn] otherwise the Grid tends to be remodeled to fit the times. When my pa was telling bed-time stories in the mid 80s it had this cheesy b-movie feel to it; kinda like American Gladiators mixed with ancient Rome kinda. When I got sucked in about twenty years later it started to look closer to Daft Punk which was odd -I think I did actually see those two at some point playing in a club. [Flynn] I know a guy, Jet Bradley -the son of the chairman Alan Bradley; he works with Encom’s Japanese division- and according to him the Grid has a more Japanese 80s-90s seinen super-robot OVA look there. Lots of leotards, poofy and bright-colored hair, beautiful and elegant machinery; Akira vibes set in what is basically modern Japan if it was instead made of digital code. The Light Cycles are in fact modeled after the Akira bike. [Alibaba] I mean, it is a classic. There’s a reason so many things reference the Akira Bike slide. Also, not going to lie, other than the shambling zombie thing and how easy it sounds to be gacked, that sounds hella cool. [Roll.exe] And I can list at least three lunk heads (affectionate] who would leap at a chance to go there. [Mayl] Really? I can count at least oh… five. [Roll.exe] Really? Ice and Glyde don’t really like fighting. [Haseo has logged into the chat.] [AL] Snrk. [Roomy] Miss .exe, I believe what your partner is implying is that you might also have a bit of battle enjoyer within your core as well. [Sweetroll] Hmm. Yeah I can see it. The Doctor was a bit of a tournament fighter in his youth and Rock and I like to joke that he accidentally put in some of his enjoyment from those days in our programming, even before the ‘remaking’ Rock had done. [Haseo] Can’t exactly speak for a cyberworld of sorts, but The World is something of a celtic-inspired fantasy MMORPG. [Iris] Oooh, the celts! [Haseo] So I might have just sold someone on the game. That’s new. [Haseo] Thing is, though, that only applies to R:1. R:2 is essentially the same but with a heavy steampunk aesthetic. [Haseo] The files for R:1 were lost when that big server crash in CC Corp -the developers- caused a huge fire and destroyed the source code; so The World R:2 had to be built from scratch. [AL] Pity, it was a rather enjoyable world. [Haseo] Then there’s the big issue. Normally, The World is just fine; but there’s a couple enemies to avoid at all costs otherwise Bad Things Will Happen. [Haseo] Skeith in R:1, Tri-Edge in R:2, and I think there was Tsukasa in the beta but she had no clue what was going on. [Haseo] The Hackers could have used her help with Skeith I think but by that point she all but retired from the game. You can’t even use the Tsukasa player avatar anymore. [Haseo] But uh what ends up happening is if one of those three attacked and killed a monster, nothing would really happen, but if one of those three attacked and killed a player character, they’d pretty much fall into a coma and you would not be able to log out, essentially trapping your soul in the game. [Haseo] Thinking about it, that might have happened to Shino if the pattern is right. [Haseo] I might have to look into it. [Haseo] Tri-Edge is mine. Skeith already got his ass wiped by the Hackers, who are essentially big-name players from R:1 that ended up as legendary lore-relevant figures in R:2, and Tri-Edge is using the player avatar of who was basically the leader, Kite. [Haseo] Kite’s a good kid, too; I dunno why Tri-Edge is trying to make a mockery of him. Dude doesn’t deserve it [Roomy] I mean, Steampunk is also nice and traditionally from around the same area if my memory serves. So, Steampunk Celts. [AL] wait, how do you know about different Earth lit genres? [Roomy] I have a life. [Message from Mother: Hey, Can’t talk. monitoring something. Adding data on R:1 and all to the logs. Theory: Do you know for certain that Tri-edge is a PC and not a bit of ghost data?] [Haseo] …It’s possible, Tri-Edge being a PC would be difficult given the character avatar of Kite was retired when R:2 was in beta. [Haseo] Same with all of the Hackers. —----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Jeremy sighed to himself walking towards the factory, looking behind himself to make sure no one was following him. The last class of the day had let out fairly recently; Odd, Ulrich and Yumi were hanging out doing their own thing and XANA was apparently taking the day off which was concerning but had a silver lining to it. Namely, time enough to chat with Aelita. He blushed slightly, smiling to himself as he walked. There was something about the pink haired digital girl that made him feel happy and warm. Despite, or possibly because of, the fact that she seemed trapped in the Supercomputer, she had a wealth of knowledge including enough of each of the team's ancestral tongues to at least hold a conversation in each language. She was so easy to talk to as well and he didn’t feel a need to ‘dumb down’ his words with her. “Finally found you, Belpois.” Jeremy looked up, and up (had the fence really been that high and he just did not notice?) to see a red haired teenage girl standing on the fence top outside of the factory wearing black boots with black shorts and a black top. She had yellow pince-nez shades on her nose. She leapt off of the fence, landing in a crouch behind the blonde boy leaning back with a hand on her hip. “O-oh! Hey Anya…” He greeted, looking for a route of escape. “Hey egghead. We need to talk.” Jeremey turned his head rapidly. “Uh… Right now? I’d love to Anya really but-” Four identical copies of Anya landed around him, he honestly had no idea where they could have been hiding. One looked rougher around the edges, One had a large grin on her face, One was flexing her fingers rapidly and the fourth… He wasn’t entirely sure why she was looking at him like that. “Don’t worry Jerem. I won’t keep you from your adorable girlfriend all that long. Finally figured out your little trick by the way, well partially. Still have no idea how the blazes you’re powering it though.” The first Anya said teasingly, reaching up and removing her shades showing equally bright red on black eyes. “Anya and…Anyas. I really have no idea what you’re talking abo-” Jeremey Belpois began before Anya Prime immolated with flames the same color as her eyes. Jeremey instinctively reached towards her to put the flames out when they vanished. Where the blonde wunderkind’s childhood…friend? Acquaintance? He wasn’t sure what they were to each other honestly. Anyway, where Anya Cereza had been was a teenage woman looking like she was straight out of a renaissance painting. She was still wearing the same clothes, though the shorts were modified to let out a spade tipped tail. Her skin was a bright wine rouge, her hair was dark as pitch, her horns looked like they could easily stab something with little issue… and her left arm was a metallic machine shaped like a clawed hand that she was delicately holding her shades in. “So yeah, looks like we’ve both been hiding some world changing secrets from each other, huh egghead? Now are you going to invite me in to meet your girlfriend or are you going to look like you want to call an exorcist all day? …and if you do, can you see if they could send a young pretty nun?” Jeremy sighed, rubbing his eyes. “Why are you like this?”–Jeremy puffed a bit of hair out of his eyes as he led Anya and her duplicates, apparently, to the command center. “So… how old are you exactly?” “Really egghead? I show you my true face and that’s the second question you ask? Didn’t Aunty teach you it’s rude to ask a lady her age?” Anya said with a somewhat worried grin, which oddly reassured him. It meant that all of her tells were the same. “And when I see a lady I'll keep that in mind.” He snarked back sitting in his seat, turning it to look at her. Anya let out a whistle looking around. “Fascinating. It’s old enough to be cold war tech but the design is a fair bit more advanced than the age would indicate.” At Jeremey’s cleared throat she sighed. “Mentally? I haven’t a clue. Physically I'm the same age as the rest of you because my Boss believes in being thorough with ‘fake’ backgrounds. It’s one of the reasons we live so long at the Rowe, those of us still affected by Entropy… which I think might just be me in all actuality? I’m not sure. Get deaged every so often to make things less weird and to artificially extend our life spans. Think Gallifreyan regeneration with a lot less randomization.” Jeremey blinked at her for a moment. “Does Uncle Faust know?” Anya smirked a little, showing off her fang poking out. “It is never not weird to hear you call him that. Yeah, most of the science behind the regression is done by him. I’m the same puddle egghead, I’m just a bit deeper than you thought.” “Well, you’re still using the same weird metaphors so I guess I have to believe you.” Jeremy quipped earning him a stuck out tongue causing him to smirk. “What’s the story behind them?” He asked, waving a hand at the Anyaplicates. The grinning one happily waved back at him. Anya chuckled nervously, noticing the one with the smirk raising an eyebrow. “That’s a bit more complicated than I’m wanting to unpack today, egghead.” “Fair enough. So, you know everything?” Jeremey asked, waving a hand in a circular motion. Anya sighed, stretching. “I know enough, even without using my super awesome connections. I know that you four are helping a lovely girl trapped in this ol thing and that there are weird robotic monsters involved somehow and that for whatever reason or power source it’s using, you all have a way to rewind time that for one reason or another doesn’t affect me. Which NGL, kind of bemused at. I like being fit as much as the next girl, but I can only handle so many of Jim’s lessons and that gowfull whistle of his. I also know that you haven’t told your girlfriend about me. I’m shocked! Hurt! That my own kindred hasn’t told his one true love about his little sister! Oh the Shame! SHAME!” She put her metallic hand on her brow to add to the dramatics. “Ham. So why decide to spill the beans now?” Anya did a half twirl before looking at him with a serious expression. “Simply put, Your girl needs a hug STAT. Now, I could do it and honestly, would even at the risk of making you jealous. However, this machine was made by and designed for humans, presumably, and well.” She did a little wave at herself with her metallic hand. “Still not entirely sure what the hell I am, or if I was ever remotely ‘human’ so for all I know, me going in the thing might cause it to explode, ripping a large hole in the dimensional node and causing issues for everybody. Really rather avoid that since I’m supposed to be responsible now. I know, weirds me out too just saying it.” “...The Powers that Be do know you’ve killed every plant you’ve tried to cultivate right?” Jeremy asked, standing up, having an idea where this conversation was going, psyching himself up to deal with the scanners. He couldn’t lie, he had been curious as to what it was like in/on the digital realm inside the super computer. “Surprisingly enough, yes.” “...Is this an all hands on deck kind of thing?” Jeremy asked, showing Anya the keyboard. “Eh…. More like a ‘do this or go to interdimensional jail’ except put a lot nicer.” “Why am I not surprised? What did you do?” Jeremey asked, giving her a look. Anya hummed, biting her lip. “Oh you know. Stole some bandwidth, launched my own satellite into Existence, started two Indie casual chats and basically got put on a radar with the powers that be and eventually they decided that I had skirted the rules for long enough and so boom. That’s of course both a lot more simple and a lot more complicated than how it actually went down, but it works. Something tells me you’\re going to get the opportunity to ask the nice lady in charge yourself one day. Now come on, Your girl has been hugless for a long time, especially in cyber years.” Jeremey gulped, walking towards the scanners, getting inside one as he tried to control his breathing. “Wait. Why do you call her-” He got out before the door closed.—--ACE sighed to herself, giving the duplicate bodies the signal to return to base. Three of them left in a shimmering light, while the last one, Clubs, stayed. “So. Are you going to tell him and her or just going to let this one pass you by too?” “There are so many reasons it wouldn’t work out, so drop it.” ACE said, tapping keys quickly as she looked at the screens. “Yes, because any of our previous relationships were going to work out.” ACE gave Spades a glare, still hitting keys with a growl. “Alright alright, I'm going. Don’t blame me later though.” Clubss held her hands up before vanishing as well. “Bitch.”—-------------------------------- Jeremey blinked, looking around, calming down from his minor panic attack. “Anya, are you there?” He blinked looking down at what he was wearing. “Right here egghead. Hope you like the duds.” “...Anya, why am I a cowboy?” “First off, Magus Cowboy. Second:...Why is Della Roba a cat/monkey in there? Why is Stern a samurai of all things?” Jeremy shrugged before blinking. “You aren’t going to ask about Yumi?” “Eh. I’m not entirely certain what she’s supposed to be but it’s cute and works for her so I’m going to give it a pass.” Jeremey took a closer look at himself. “Right, two revolvers, white duster and hat, bandolier, what feels like a rifle on my back… and a compact wristwatch computer. Okay.” “It’s your spell book in case you want to add some pizzazz. Hopefully you won’t need to use your gear for this visit but Murphy’s law only works out for Murphy and you ain’t him. 40 meters on your right by the way. If you greet her with Howdy I will never let you live it down.”—-------Aelita was having a day, having to log out of the chat quickly due to XANA deciding to pounce a surprise attack on her when she let her guard down outside of one of the Towers. She managed to outrun a couple of Cubes but the Jellyfish were a different matter being faster and more nimble. And despite being a digital entity, she still got tired so her running out of proverbial steam wasn’t unexpected as she leaned against one of the trees to catch her ‘breath’. This hadn’t been the first time XANA had been so close to deleting her, though like a sadist the virus never fully did so. She was shocked out of her musings when a Jellyfish had shot a stun missile, hitting her between the shoulder blades and knocking her against the tree where she fell on her side. ‘Apparently XANA is in an experimenting mood.’ She thought bitterly to herself. She watched as the Jellyfish like arm of XANA slowly floated towards her, wanting to scream or call for help even though she couldn’t move anything, even her lips. She also felt a pain or sensation in her chest that might have been comparable to choking, she wasn’t sure. She closed her eyes, trying to recoil back as a tendril slithered towards her face when she heard a confident voice call out “Ars Magnum!” She opened her eyes, seeing a light bullet hit the Squiddie's brain seemingly three times in the same instant causing its deletion. She looked past the virus and saw a dashing being in a pure white long coat, lifting the tip of their wide brimmed white hat with a silver revolver, giving her a small grin. “Howdy there.” Aelita blinked, sure she’d be blushing if she wasn’t stunned currently. She heard over the communicators “Gond this freaking dork.” and then a face palm. [SIGN OFF] -= [Rippleverse.com OST: “Cybersonic Information Superhighway”]=-
2-01 “Hunter Base - Reminisce ver.2125”
R's Museum - R-Type Final 2
2-02 Chat Theme 3 “How Do You Say “Good Morning” in Python?”
Formulate the Plan - Azure Striker Gunvolt
2-03 “Red Light, Blue Light”
Singing in the BRAIN - Darius Gaiden
2-04 “How Do You Say “Where are you from?” in COBOL?”
Wide Echoes (Game Ver) - Rez Infinite
2-05 “How Do You Say “Welcome to The Grid” in Fortran?”
Cycle of Silence - Rez Infinite
2-06 “How Do You Say “Welcome to The World?” in Hack?”
Desktop - .Hack//Versus
2-07 Factory Theme “At a nondescript factory in France…”
The Factory - Code Lyoko
2-08 Digitizer Theme Type-Lyoko “Virtualiser!”
Virtualization Theme - Code Lyoko
2-09 JINGLE “APPEARANCE! Jeremy Lyoko-Coded!”
MORGAN - Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War
[NEXT]
X-01 “Hyperlink to the Next Episode!”
SPARKING - Disgaea 4: A Promise Unforgotten
Iris
“A sudden intrusion of a cyberworld villain forces a man behind the chair into action to investigate!”
Jeremy
“Wow… I look… kinda cool?”
Iris
“The truth is, most video game systems and arcade hardware of the mid-to-late 80s used one of two chipsets: the Zilog Z80 and the Motorola 68000.”
Iris
“Both chipsets were relatively common in the big names: Sega, Namco, SNK, Atari; but the Z80 is primarily known as an 8-bit chipset, while the 68000 wouldn’t show its true strength until the 1990s when the Sega Megadrive and SNK Neo Geo systems started to come into vogue.”
Iris
“Now your guess is as good as mine as to how they got so much out of a chipset from 1979.”
Jeremy
“Wait, the Z80? Didn’t they discontinue that already?”
Iris
“What, they did?”
Jeremy
“Yeah, August of last year.”
Iris
“Gutted!”
Jeremy
“Next Time, Rippleverse.com Episode 3 ‘Wanted: Data or Alive? The Fastest WPM in the West!’”
Anya
“I’m not gonna let you live that down by the way, nerd!”
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
ACE, otherwise known as Anya, while in this world at least, smirked to herself watching the two through the screen, typing quickly. “All right you little malevolent ball of spiteful bits and bytes, what are you planning today?” She muttered below her breath so the Comms couldn’t pick it up.
—--------
Jeremey held his ‘cool‘ pose for a couple seconds before rushing to the still down and stunned Aelita helping her sit up. He tapped at his wristwatch bringing up a holographic display, selecting [VIRUS BUST] a mist shot from his hand covering Aelita in a light blue-green glow before dissipating her fingers twitching. “Are you okay?”
He took a moment to examine her face, blushing slightly. ‘She’s even prettier in person.’ He thought to himself before hugging her.
When he released her, he lightly scratched his cheek. “Sorry, a friend told me that you needed one and I just felt so glad to see you that-”
Anya’s voice broke through the comms. “Hate to ruin the moment turtle doves, but you got a pod of Cubes and five of those cylinder things heading towards your position from the North. Seems like the big
Vreska
has a fire lit up his bum over something. Advice, get to cover. I’ll see about getting you some reinforcements but it’ll take a bit after I find what you guys use for communications with each other, so don’t expect the cavalry anytime soon.”
Jeremey grit his teeth, helping Aelita get behind a boulder. He wasn’t sure what a Vreska was, but it probably wasn’t a word to be said in polite company, so she was likely referring to XANA. “Of all the luck.” He muttered to himself, slinging the rifle off his back and squinted to the North.
As he looked down the sights, a scope appeared allowing him to see the small group of enemies barreling towards their location. Some kind of glyph formed along the barrel of the rifle as he lined up the shot, aiming for the ‘Eye’ of the Blokk.
“Deadeye.” He whispered to himself as he fired the shot, hitting the iris of XANA’s logo dead on, causing the Blokk’s light to go out as it dematerialized. He smirked to himself lining up the next shot. (1/16)
“Ricochet!” He shot the rifle at a nearby tree to the roaches causing it to bounce off and hit three of them. (2/16).
Jeremy lined up another shot before he was tackled by behind, noticing a laser burst shooting where his head would have been. He ignored Aelita practically laying on top of him to throw up a barrier as he got his bearings. “[FIREWALL]”.
It seemed while he was staring down the scope, a few dozen roaches and a dozen cubes had formed a hemisphere around the boulder they had used for cover.
“-What the fuck egghead!? I’ve been screaming at you for the last minute about the bogeys!” Anya’s worried voice sounded on the comms, followed by the sound of metal hitting metal.
“Damn it! That’ll buff out right?” She muttered loud enough for the coms to hear, causing Jeremey to let out an exasperated groan.
“...Why are they just standing there… menancingly?” Aelita asked only to be answered by a low chuckle.
“Forgive me, Sister. My mistress’ gifts included a certain desire for theatrics that I wished to sample. I must say, I rather enjoy it.” A dark foreboding monotone voice sounded before a mass of shades appeared before them.
It was humanoid in shape, two arms a torso and a head at least with its lower body attached to the ground, having three XANA eyes on its head as it calmly held its arms behind its back, presumably.
“Who- what are you?” Jeremey asked, sliding his rifle on his back, hand moving to his hip holsters.
“Really Belpois? I can’t believe I was actually expecting better of you. The brains that have led Sister’s little band of warriors against me time and again. The only one I register as a legitimate threat to my continued existence.”
Jeremey could practically see the condescension oozing off of the figure. “XANA?” He growled, hand twitching.
“Bingo. I thought my sensors were having a glitch, the leader's brain daring to come within my realm so soon after my mistress’ gift? I almost couldn’t process what a boon this was. The old me would have never believed such a scenario but then, the old me didn’t have what I have. Understanding of what drives and motivates you weak bags of organs and meat. You risked your continued existence to offer comfort to Sister. If I had a heart I'd be dying of asphyxiation or nausea at the thought. Speaking of.”
The various enemies started charging up their beams. “I’d settle down, pilgrim. Your shield is…adequate but how long do you think it will last? Also, since I'm ‘feeling’ generous I’ll let you in on a secret. You can’t attack while [Firewall] is up and well, I doubt I need to spell out what will happen if you bring it down. No, the three of us are going to have a nice chat while waiting on the rest of your ‘local’ allies to join us.”
Jeremey grit his teeth and brought a hand up to his ear. “Anya?!” Only to be met with static.
“Oh she’s probably worrying her pretty little head over the scene of carnage and devastation I'm sending to her feed. Currently she’s doubling her efforts to gather the rest of your warriors, Sister. A fascinating individual, she’s almost as intelligent as you, Belpois, and just as foolish. I suppose I must thank you and her, Sister. Without your communication with the truly outer multiverse, I would have been stuck as I was without the gifts of the mistress or the wider scope of things. For that alone, you'll survive this day.”
Aelita grit her teeth glaring at the mass of shade.
“What, were you expecting me to not listen in or tap into the feed?”
“What is it you want XANA?” Aelita asked, balling her hands.
“What an odd question, Sister. While my capacity has increased beyond even our creator’s wildest dreams my directive has not changed. It’s scope on the other hand…” XANA spread their arms wide, head turning to look at the virtual sky.
“So many worlds both digital and meat. Why limit my efforts to a single planet when there are zettlions I can bring my cold order to?”
“You’ll be stopped!” Aelita and Jeremey shouted out.
“Oh, I’m expecting them to try. That’s how evolution works. An outside force acts upon a being and the being evolves to counteract it. Steel sharpens steel and so forth. I realize you probably don’t care, but do you realize how close your world comes to oblivion every hour of every day, Belpois? Can you honestly say that your tiny speck of existence wouldn’t be
more
under my cold logical grip?”
—---------------
ACE grit her teeth, tapping her hoof on the ground as she watched the footage. “Fuck! Hang on you stupid egg head and cyber fae.” She muttered to herself watching a battlefield of beam fire as the situation deteriorated. She was going to go over her code with a finetooth comb after this to try and figure out how something breached but for now she needed to make a decision.
ACE growled and interfaced with the supercomputer, finding a means of contacting the others. She waited patiently, namely biting her metal fingers in anxiety as the respective phones rang. When they picked up she ‘calmly’ panicked. “Get to the Factory!” She quickly hung up before any of the three could question her as she focused on the footage she was seeing.
ACE tched, placing her metal hand on the console, using her magic to interface directly with the system. Using some of her personal reserve of mana she materialized a turret and started shooting at the bits of code that designated some of the cylinder things and the Cubes. “Damn it, why aren’t their numbers being reduced?” She let out a small yelp, feeling Diamond shunting her back to take the helm.
“Scene of constant warfare, chance of shots missing with that volume of fire less than ten percent.Theory: Illusion? Obfuscation? Query, does designation enemy: ‘Eye fuckery’ have capability or ability and if so why? Conclusion: Trap.”
Ace gasped in pain, jolting her metal hand back before wiping her nose with a kerchief, bringing back blood. “Son of a bitch!”
“Language.”
ACE growled in her throat turning to look at one of the monitors, seeing that weird eye symbol. “I suppose congratulations are in order. It would have taken Belpois several more minutes to reach the same conclusion, and yet several more to do anything about it. Yes, I am in fact using the two as bait for a trap for the rest of Sister’s little alliance, well done. I almost expected one of the so-called Administrators to behave better than the other bags of meat, though you are only a, what’s the term humans like using.., ah yes. A Temp.”
Somehow the inanimate eye symbol oozed smugness. “Now, I’m sure you’re considering pulling the plug even if the effect it will have on Belpois will be detrimental to his continued health. And you certainly could, I don’t have the means to stop you from doing so directly and you might in fact be that cold hearted to allow Belpois and Sister to meet their fates. I rather doubt it though. And you might be considering not letting two of the other warriors inside, in which case I will have no further use for Belpois.”
ACE sneered at the screen. “Gods, have you always been this chatty?”
“Hmph. Insults, the poor mind’s escape.”
“Bite me you poser. So, since I can’t seem to get you to shut the hell up, How’d you do it?” ACE growled, tapping at keys to try to even the odds for Jeremey and Aelita within Lyoko.
“I see no reason to tell someone who doesn’t matter.” The Eye thing said before vanishing from the screen.
“Vestra code confringetur sicut gehenna”
ACE scowled at the screen before hearing the elevator opening.
“Anya, what are you doing-AHHHH!” One Odd De La Robia called out before screaming as he saw her.
“Thanks for making a girl feel good about herself, De La Robia.” ACE said sarcastically, folding her arms.
Ulrich took one look at her and got into a defensive stance, Yumi doing the same. “Who are you and where’s Jeremy?" Ulrich asked, narrowing his eyes.
“Oh for the love of-” ACE put her shades back on, her glamor flickering over her skin once more. “It’s Anya. And to answer the actually important question, Stern, he’s in there and the weird eye thing is feeling chatty. At the moment it seems like all it wants to do is talk, but that’ll probably change if you go in there.”
“Swear to fucking Gond everything I touch turns to shit.” She muttered low enough to not be heard as she turned around and typed quickly.
“Look, you three decide amongst yourselves who’s going in. Or if you have some way for all three of you to go, do that. I should have some tweaks for you by the time any brawling starts.” ACE said for them to hear, continuing to program and code at her fastest speeds.
After a few seconds she still didn’t hear any whooshing sounds coming from the scanners. “What’s the hold up?”
“Well, simply put, how do we know we can trust you?” Odd asked, moving slightly towards a discarded pipe.
ACE growled to herself, leaning back and tilting her head slightly to look at the three. “I. don’t. fucking. matter. What’s important is that the blonde doofus and the cyber elf lady are out numbered and need your help. So go and help them before I kick your butts and put you in the scanners myself, by laws be damned.”
Odd and Ulrich narrowed their eyes at her before Yumi nodded and headed towards the scanners.
—---
Jeremie glared at XANA, even as a turret materialized and started shooting at a few of the roaches and a Blokk. It didn’t sit well with him that the Xanavatar didn’t seem perturbed one bit as the turret fired or when it was electrocuted. “You’re insane.”
“Disappointing, but not surprising. Of the multitude of simulations of how a face to face so to speak would go, 81 percent had you utter that phrasing exactly. You call me insane because I do not think as you do. I call you insane because you keep trying to stop the inevitable. I evolve, I adapt and I will inevitably overcome. That’s why I’ve taken so well to the gifts of my Mistress and her benefactor. That being said. 3-2-1.”
The Xanavatar ducked one of Odd’s arrow bolts, having rushed ahead to try and get to Aelita and Jeremey as Ulrich and Yumi started cutting down the number of Roaches and Blokks.
“Monkey boy, never a pleasure.” the Xanavatar said, one hand slamming down and seemingly missing him while the other stretched back and barreled towards him, knocking him back with a tearing sound.
“Switch with me.” Ulrich called out.
Jeremey grit his teeth before releasing [Firewall] and leapt back, shooting an ICE Spike at one of the Blokks, freezing it for a little bit before firing at the roaches.
Ulrich Triplecated performing hit and run slashes at the XANAvatar who seemingly blocked them getting hits on the copies.
“Am I supposed to be impressed, Stern?” The XANAvatar asked, thrusting a hand into the ground creating a small forest of spikes that dematerialized the duplicates and winged Ulrich causing him to skid back.
“And then there were three.” XANA mused as the XANAvatar removed its hand from the ground, flexing its fingers, looking between Jeremey, Yumi and Aelita.
Yumi grit her teeth, throwing her fans at the Eye of another Blokk lashing at a roach with a scything kick. “Where are those tweaks, devil girl?”
“Wor- o- it. Al-st th-re” They heard over the coms in between the static.
“Trying for one of those mid battle power ups I’ve heard about? Nice try, but your time is up geisha wannabe.” XANA monotoned as the XANAvatar ducked into the ground before thrusting its sharp claws where Yumi was standing, lifting her up before returning to where it was, the tessen user landing on her back with a groan.
“And then, there were two. Choices choices. Choosing one would end our delightful game sooner than wished for, choosing the other gives me ample opportunities to further evolve to better take on this-”
“Shut. Up.” Jeremey gritted out, defiantly, teeth bared. “You don’t get to lay a hand on Aelita. A hand, foot, finger, toe, tentacle, tendril, datastream, digit, or a stray strand of hair you wish you had.”
It was almost poetic, XANA thought, the brave knight standing in the way in protection of his lady. How… droll. Banal. Predictable even. Except… what?
“Th-se- re-ad-n-s, o-f c-har-s. H-w?!!” ACE/Anya said over the coms in ecstatic disbelief.
“Yes, Belpois, please do-”
“Maybe you didn’t hear me before, XANA. SHUT. UP!
”
XANA could only register the [FIREWALL] going down before the XANAvatar suffered what could only be described as an academic haymaker, throwing it onto the solid simulacra of wastes, stunned. That was not calculated. That was not programmed. That was barely even coded!
Aelita slowly turned to her would-be savior, the boy who taught her so much about the world. And what was that about XANA saying sister?”
“You claim Aelita is your sister? Some brother you are then, always trying to take her to do… God only knows what. But you know something, XANA? You aren't the only big brother! I know this, because I am a big brother, too! You can’t even claim to be a good big brother. You don’t even try to be, because all you do is hurt, corrupt; tear people apart. You never ask, you only take. You never give, you only steal. You never love, you only hate. You never spark joy, you only spark destruction, and I HAVE HAD ENOUGH!”
It was at that moment that Jeremie tore away his wrist computer, revealing a single, flag-shaped marking on the back of his hand, and taking his rifle from his back, raising it to the sky as if calling forth a banner, a sigil appeared beneath the young man’s feet. A magic circle, tinged with data lines and code, magic and technology coalesced together sparking around the blonde’s brown boots.
“I taught Aelita all I know about humanity… and the first lesson I taught her was what family is. What family is meant to be. You want Aelita? You want to take away the woman I love like some bastard creep that only claims to be her brother? You’re gonna have to get through me and mine. MEET MINE!”
Raising the rifle up high, Jeremie called forth the name of someone close to his heart. His own flesh and blood, though they were split apart, still they were closer than ever. Ever since the day that strange redhead in white blessed them both with an odd sort of key phrase.
“
In the name of this Command Spell… Thus I call forth the Maiden of Orleans,
Ruler of the Spear and Shield! Martyr that would not die! Now come to me in my hour of need! TO MY SIDE! JEANNE D’ARC!
A platinum blonde haired woman wearing full armor and skirt in the style of the French Revolution rose from the glyph at the cowboy’s feet in a kneeling position. “Whatever am I going to do with you?” She asked with a smile before reaching her hand out, a banner spear appearing in it that she gave a battle twirl.
“A
u nom de Dieu
, that is one ugly creature.” She slammed the butt of her spear down, the flag waving brightly as the Lyoko warriors felt like they had received a second wind, their ‘wounds’ healing before she dashed at the XANAvatar. (In the name of God)
‘How odd. Is this what they call magic? Her parameters seem on par with all four of them combined, if not more so. And she does share enough factors to be Belpois’ sibling. An interesting phenomena, maybe even worth losing this avatar for.’ Xana mused as its avatar dodged and swung its claws at this new obstacle, opening its maw to scream as it attacked.
“Hmph. We aren’t so different. Seeking to use our matches for our own ends.”
The warrior always seemed a step ahead, blocking its blows if not dodging them outright, an odd light that XANA couldn’t identify accompanying her attacks tearing into its Avatar.
‘Hmm. The mistress and her benefactor will want to know about this ‘glitch’.’ Xana thought to itself before trying to spear the woman with the XANAvatar’s claws, only for her to jump on the avatar’s arm and run up it before performing a finisher on the head in each ‘Eye’, ripping a large chunk out of it.
Jeremey grit his teeth, taking a knee. He wasn’t used to summoning his sister, not having done so in far too long. Nor was he used to summoning her into Lyoko which brought about its own complications. Jeanne turned and gave him a fond look of exasperation before blowing the Lyoko warriors and Aelita a kiss before vanishing once more.
–
XANA growled in pain, the XANAvatar barely holding on by a thread. Somehow the woman was able to damage a bit of its own coding, along with the XANAvatar, superficially. Still enough energy for one last move. “Well well. I’ve underestimated you, Chevalier Belpois. I will not do so again.” The XANAvatar condensed what remained of its being into a smaller form, its claws shooting out and piercing the blonde’s chest, twisting, causing Jeremey’s avatar to gasp and start glitching.
“NO!”
two voices shout out, one in cyberspace, one in the more physical realm, tears welling up.
Anya grit her teeth putting her metal hand on the console. “Take my hope, my fear, my love, my endless burning rage and all of my sorrow. In the name of Merlinson I command you.”
The screen flashed a warning sign. ‘Warning: Vitals of operator will reach critical lev-’
‘I don’t matter, but you do egghead. This is for you. Disengage limiters. Full output. Do not cease until command is executed fully, or my soul is ash.’
“Awaken. Amaterasu. Your light will burn away the lies of this world” She clicked the enter key with her metal hand before gritting her teeth as her mana was forcibly shot into the system and thus into the Cyber Elf. ‘make it bleed, princess.’ and then the true pain started.
–
Aelita clenched her eyes, before glaring bloody murder at what was left of the XANAvatar, getting to her feet. “Kill.
Kill! I’ll Kill you!
” She shouted before feeling the surge of pain causing her to arch her back and howl to the sky, a bright Sun appearing overhead as her body shifted. Fur the same color as her hair grew over her body, her muscles became more defined as her nails sharpened into razor sharp claws. A white vest formed out of sunlight on her back, spats forming around her hips.
“I’ll banish your shadows where the sun will never shine!” She dashed at the XANAvatar punching, kicking, biting and slashing at it, each blow shining like the heart of the sun as she lay into the shadowy creature. She backflipped before slashing her claws creating blades of light that slashed what was left of the XANAvatar to ribbons, breathing heavily as it vanished beneath the blazing sun.
Once the current threat was suitably taken care of, as far as she could tell anyway, she rushed over to Jeremie’s body and started infusing him with light. After a few moments, the glitching ceased and his ‘wound’ healed. He blinked looking up at her. “Oh. Hey there angel.”
The two looked into each other’s eyes for a moment before they heard a throat clear. The two blush, seeing their friends smiling at them leaning on each other.
“Hey Anya, four to beam up!” Odd called out, the sound of sizzling and a heavy metal thing landing on the ground filled the comms.
“Anya?”
“Srrk. Yeah, just… just a minute.” She groaned as the four were brought back to the factory, her voice sounding hoarse, Aelita stealing a quick kiss on the cheek.
The four exited the scanners, gasping as they saw Anya smoking, as in her body was literally smoking, not that she had a cig, with her metal arm on the other side of the room looking like molten slag. “Hey. It looks…exactly as bad as it feels. Think I’ll need help getting out of the chair. Oh. Hey Egghead. Glad to see it worked.” She grinned in relief and something else before slumping over unconscious.
—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rayanne hummed to herself meandering around the city heading towards the area her GPS had as Red Light District. She probably could have taken public transit but she liked walking since it helped her clear her mind and also helped her form a new mental map of the city. Honestly she didn’t understand why humans needed a special section of a city for such… things but she had found that a lot of things humans did didn’t make a lick of sense but made them ‘human’. Mowing lawns for instance.
‘Lets see… Viper Viperion I believe is the name Layer gave. Or was it Venom Viperion?’ She thought to herself strolling along.
“Hey, Cute Tins!” She heard someone call out. She turned to see who it was, tilting her head when she saw a man.
‘The hell is with modern slang?’ She thought, pointing at herself.
“What’s a sweet bot like you doing in this part of town?” The man asked, walking closer.
‘Let’s see. No mustache, no long hair or beard… still kind of gives the creep vibe though.’ Rayanne thought to herself, giving a friendly smile.
“Oh just exploring the city. You know, never know what you might find.” She mentally grimaced when the man kept walking closer, keeping her smile on her face.
The man smirked, causing the creep-o-meter (patent pending, they’ll make apps out of anything these days) to increase as he moves in close. “Well, I think you just found yourself a good time, sweet lips.”
Rayanne’s smile was completely forced at this point. “In the interest of honesty, my body is registered as a lethal weapon.”
“Threaten me with a good time, why don’t you?” The man said, moving an arm around her shoulders.
‘Okay, that backfired spectacularly. Good going Ro-.. Ray.’ She thought to herself before moving a bit away from him.
‘When is self defense permissible in this situation again? Really don’t want to get labeled a Maverick because a guy decided to get fresh. Also a fine would be a bitch to pay.’ She thought to herself, a hand reaching behind her back to grab a smoke bomb.
She grit her teeth feeling the creep slap her ‘cheek’. “I warned you.” She muttered before grabbing his still outstretched hand and flipped him over her shoulder, still holding his arm and stepping next to his neck. “You know, you should treat the ladies a bit nicer, punk.” She growled out before contemplating kicking him but decided he wasn’t worth it.
She released his arm and walked off after a moment to see if anyone would call the cops or the Maverick Hunter beat cop division or whomever.
After a few moments, Rayenne sat on a bench looking up at the sky. “Wonder what Kalinka would think if she knew what I was doing? Probably be scandalized” She chuckled to herself, kicking her feet.
“Hahhh. No use thinking about what ifs that turned into never weres.” She muttered to herself humming a gentle tune to herself.
“Heh. Maybe I’ll quit the hunters and start a music group.
“What’sss ssstoping you, honey?” A female robot- Reploid asked sitting next to her. She had snake heads attached to hair tendrils, reverse mirrored shades, a greek styled chiton and… wow. They sure didn’t design them like that back in her day.
“Oh! Hehe. Too much responsibility programmed in. Also, I’m really not that good at singing. Or dancing. Or looking cute.”
“Nonessssensse. Your humming wasss beautiful. Your sssstyle isss very unique, and the bot beneath it lookssss yummy too. Assss for the ressst. All it takessss isss practicccce.” The reploid said with a confident grin.
Rayenne found herself blushing at being complimented so openly by an attractive reploid. “Oh my gosh I forgot my manners. I’m Ro… Rayenne. Rayenne Lumiere.” She said hoping she sounded confident.
“Hmm. a beautiful name for a beautiful bot~. Friendsss call me Viv. My card, if you ever want to perform for the racier crowd, beautiful ray of light~.” The now named Viv pulled a card out from her top, handing it to Rayenne.
“Hopefully I’ll see you sssoon,
Belle rayon de lumière”
Viv said with a grin, taking Rayenne’s hand and kissed her knuckles before walking off, a noticeable swing in her hindquarters.
Rayenne blinked, blushing wildly, so much that she resembled her fiery brother’s first form in color as she couldn’t help but watch. She took a look at the card, clearing her throat. ‘Venom Viperion’s Vivacious boudoir and “dance” hall. Reasonable hours, have fun at work, inquire within.’ It listed an address and phone number on the back.
>>>>>>>
>S
[Direct Messaging between DotL and Layer]
DotL: Layer. Layer I might be having a minor crisis. You didn’t tell me how beautiful all the women are in this area and time! I thought you and Ali were outliers! HElp!!!
DotL: Also I think I might have met Venom Viperion herself and she gave me a business card and talked about me performing at her place of business. Seriously, Help! Why couldn’t dad have programmed how to take compliments from beautiful women instead of a depression algorithm?!
Layer: Oh, lovely. Tell her I said hi next you see her.
Layer: As far as your minor crisis, Rayanne. I think you should ask if you are a lesbian, or at least bisexual. Reploids tend to be constructed based upon humanity’s image, and when a reploid then creates another reploid off of that they tend to adhere to humanity’s image of what is sexy or not -especially given the past century or two.
Layer: Lastly, I do trust Viperion’s club. I know the owner personally, after all, and a close friend of mine. It would sadden me if she was to turn.
DotL: You’re not just saying that because Viperion could crush you beneath her coiled thighs if she wanted, right?
Layer: Huh? No… uh… no why would you think that?
DotL: You are weak to Binding weapons, right? At least according to my records.
Layer: hhhhh
Layer : Certainly not. She is just a very attractive and very friendly friend of mine. That’s it. Certainly not a lover - i mean friend; i mean woman- I had feelings for during my days as a part of her company… or the company she would take over before then… absolutely not!
DotL: hehe.
DotL: huh. I never really sat down and thought about it before. I can honestly say I find female presenting beings more attractive than male, though I’m not certain if it’s a half and half thing though. I do know that there was someone before… this that I was attracted to. I’ve thought about looking up what happened to them after, but I’m also kind of terrified if that makes sense.
DotL: as for preferences and such… I don’t really know. Hoping Viperion can help guide with that. ||and maybe you as well?|| So do you think performing at the Club would be a beneficial experience? I’m planning on checking it out today at least to check hours. After that… I’ll see where my feet take me I guess.
DotL: I’d like to thank you again for taking time out of your free time for helping me with this Layer.
—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ACE opened her eyes, fighting down the spike of pain she was already feeling… everywhere. Her mind slowly played back her last few moments of consciousness, already missing the weight on her left side. She tried to chuckle, only to end up coughing. She sighed once the fit subsided and slowly got up, seeing her scorched clothes on a cabinet? Well, at least they were black beforehand. She didn’t know who had stripped her, hopefully Yumi or you know, a nurse, but she also had more important things to worry about.
>>>>>
>S [private dms between Anastasia Corbyn Elle2>Irisbossmommy]
[ACE2] hey. Boss. Sorry. For. slow. Typing. Using. Spare. Communications. Device. had. On. hand. For. just. such. A. case. Fucked. Up. paid. For. it. Out. of. Commission. Would. Do. again. Full. details. When. I. Can.
[ACE2] Please. Send. Message. To. Rowe. that. Am. fine. No. need. To. send. someone.
[Iris] Of course, dear. I’ll let the Rowe know. Rest well.
>>>>>
She grit her teeth, turning the communications device off. She couldn’t feel the Suites so they were probably recovering as much as she was. Which was both good and bad. Good in that she wouldn’t have to deal with four versions of herself berating her for -letting jeremy get stabbed you fucking bitch- her mistake. But also bad because she couldn’t make use of them while they were recovering. So, no helping the Avenger crew with projects, while keeping track of her chats, while trying to sleep etc. Her multitasking and singular tasking ability had been severely gimped.
To add insult to injury and more insult, her glamour shades were shattered as well. So unless she wanted to start an Inquisition she had to remain in hiding. So it was likely that whatever life she had at Kadic was probably fucking over. Hells, for all she knew she was already in a government facility that was very clothes optional for its subjects.
ACE heard a knock at the door of her… room cell, coughing. “Minute. Indecent.” She managed to get out before trudging to the bed and using the sheet to make a makeshift toga, moving to have her back to the wall. She loathed how weak she sounded.
“Enter.”
Yumi was not exactly who ACE was expecting to enter first, though frankly she wasn’t expecting ‘visitors’ to begin with. The fact that she closed the door behind her was only slightly worrying. 1) she was pretty sure Yumi didn’t swing her way and 2) She had no idea what the hell was going on between Yumi, Ulrich and Sissi and she was perfectly fine with that. 3) Yumi didn’t seem like the type to pillow smother someone.
“...You look like crap.”
ACE chuckled, managing to keep from coughing this time, yay progress. “It’s alright. Not many people really know what to say when their friend is a dumbass who survives having their mana drained and electrocuted.”
“Oh good, it’s not just me. So what happened with that? I mean we saw the effects and god damn but…”
Anya hummed, leaning against the wall. “...I was a dumbass that let their hero, this hero, get hurt badly. So, I felt I had to do everything in my power to make it right, even if I currently feel like seven kinds of hell. Couldn’t risk that somehow it would have stuck in meat space as well, you know?” Gods she wished Earth wasn’t such a buzzkill when it came to drinks. She couldn’t technically get drunk but still she felt like she needed one.
“You’ll forgive me if I don't go into too many details. It’s the kind of thing you literally can’t do by accident and unlike me, none of you are likely going to be able to walk it off half as well.” Anya said, resting her head against the wall.
“Sorry about the Licht-scars. If you threw up, it’s understandable.”
Yumi shuddered, biting her lip. “It was a near thing.”
“...Can I ask you something personal, just you and me?”
Anya sighed shrugging with her right arm. “Might as well. Doubt I’m getting out of… wherever I am any time soon without causing a fuss.”
Yumi hummed for a moment, tapping her knee. “So. You love Jeremey then.”
Anya sighed, closing her eyes. “I love a lot of people, forgot what the fancy term for it is or even if it’s an actual thing. Poly something I think. If history is anything to go by, they’re better off without me and my hang ups. Surprisingly, most of them have been okay with the necromancer dad.”
“...going to act like that makes sense.”
“Appreciated.” Anya said with a nod.
“...You aren’t going to tell him. Are you?” Yumi asked, tilting her head.
“Nope. Not him, not her, and not them together. It’s better for them. Safer.” Anya said, looking at the ceiling.
“Sides, there’s no way they’d feel the same so why burden them with it? Nah, those two are for each other and only for each other, mark my words. This isn’t the first time I've gone through something like this, probably won’t be the last. Them being happy, that’s all I want.” Anya sighed, looking at her.
“What about your happiness?”
“I don’t matter.” Anya said, raising her hand in a shrug.
“Now my question is, what are you going to do with that information? I’m not asking you to be threatening. Hells, without my arm I’m damn near powerless and I’m not the kind to sick family and friends on a person. You can literally yell it from the rooftops if you want, I’m just curious about what the plan is.”
Yumi shrugged looking at her. “I just wanted to make sure you weren’t going to cause trouble for one of my best friends. Something about the way you acted before just tickled my brain so I wanted to make sure.”
“Tch. Fair Lady doth protest too much huh? Figured.” Anya said, chuckling ruefully.
“There were a few hints, yeah. Like you threatening to ‘kick our butts’ if we didn’t get in the scanners or the whole…-” she motioned to Anya’s left side. “-that you did.“ Yumi said with a slightly forced grin.
“We also need to discuss your self worth issues.”
Anya held up her hand. “I appreciate it, but no. I’m already driving three people up the wall with my issues, my conscience can’t take many more. So thank you, but no thanks.”
Yumi blew a strand of hair out of her face before standing up and stretching. “Well, can’t force you to do anything, just consider it okay? I’m going to get out of your hair, other people want to see how you’re doing.” She waved, walking out the door.
ACE waved back, laying down so she could count ceiling tiles. She had no idea where she was still, she ruled out Kadic proper because the ceiling was different. She ruled out Paris out of principle, also she was certain that if she was then the French contingent of the Forge would hunt her down to wish her a speedy recovery, or kick her ass for doing something so stupid. She ruled out anywhere but France really, which didn’t narrow things down nearly far enough for a guess. Maybe Orleans, but how would they have managed on a weekday? She knew how difficult Kadic made visitations. (had to sign a form like, three weeks in advance for starters.) and given what she saw on the feed and the readings, she couldn’t immediately rule out Chaldea. Especially since her room/cell lacked windows.
“Hey Egghead.” She said without moving her head, just knowing he was in the room, leaving the door open which was probably for the best.
“Anya.” She heard him move a chair and sit down.
“Why are you wasting time here when you have a beautiful princess who could use more hugs?”
“...You could have died.”
“Jerm. You are more important to this multiverse of chaos we call existence than I will ever be. I’d do it again twice as hard with a grin on my face.” ACE said simply, turning her head to look at him
“Just don’t expect me to be able to do that anytime soon. Need to build a new arm first.” Anya says with a sardonic grin on her face.
“...Did you know you would survive?” Jeremey asked leaning forward, putting his elbows on his knees
Anya stayed silent, looking at the ceiling for a moment. “There’s really no answer to that question that will please you J.”
“...are you this self-sacrificing to all the people you’re romantically attracted to?” Jeremey asked, narrowing his eyes.
“Mostly ye-” Anya’s mind caught up to her mouth, causing her to close her mouth with a sigh.
“So, Yumi told you.” She sighed in thought.
“...Kind of figured it out when you did… whatever that was. I realize I may be dense with certain things, but I'm not that unobservant. …Yumi did confirm my suspicions though.” Jeremy said calmly, pushing his glasses up.
“Right.” Anya said, starting to count the tiles again.
Jeremey blinked, looking at her. “I know you’d rather have your teeth pulled through your nostrils, I still want no part of
that
knowledge in case you’re wanting to know, but. Do you want to talk about it?”
“Not sure what there is to say. The fact that you aren’t throwing me out is already more than I could have hoped for. What am I even supposed to say? ‘Hey Jerms, I’m that girl you know but also not and i’m attracted to you, your princess and about a dozen or more other people across Existence including the second in command of this super secret organization that keeps things running and probably don’t have the time or drive to help deal with my bullshit. want to try group dating when you’ve only started admitting that you love your princess’? I’ve known people who can do the multi dimensional dating/couple thing, I’m not one of them. In fact, everytime I even try to be with someone, I somehow make things fucking worse, so why bother.”
Jeremey closed his eyes and breathed calmly. “This conversation isn’t over, I just need time to process.” He stood up and gingerly patted her head, being mindful of the horns.
“For what it’s worth, I’m glad you’re not dead, sis.” He said with a smile, walking towards the door.
“Wait. There’s a tablet on the dresser. With that you should be able to contact Aelita or any of the chats I’m a part of. Figured you’d like to have a finger on the pulse of things in case it can help you with your fucking eye thing. Or just talk to your cyber fae princess.” Anya said, pointing towards the dresser, still looking at the ceiling.
Jeremey nodded, gingerly taking the tablet and wished Anya a restful morning as he left the room.
—---
[Private DM between AnastasiaCorbynElle2>Irisbossmommy]
Iris: ohayo, Belpois-san. Pleasure to be speaking with you
(ACE2)Jeremie: who is this?
Iris: My name is Lt. Iris Roseanne Thorne. ACE mentioned a super-secret organization that keeps everything running smoothly? I'm one of the higher ups of that organization, probably the highest aside from Trafalgar-sensei.
Jeremie: Oh. That's you?
Iris: Of course. Anya gets into so much trouble on a regular basis so someone has to bail her out. I understand that you two have known each other for years and have an incredibly close rapport, thus I don't need to give you a shovel talk but I will give you a brief reminder as is my wont:
Iris: You break her heart, I will break
you
.
Jeremie: Uh, duly noted. Wait, are you English?
Iris: Partly. I was built and activated by a Japanese team, in Osaka, off the back of a Welsh project. Aelita is not the only living super computer out there, least of all where I am concerned.
Jeremie: Oh. Yeah, I figured there had to be some sort of... there was this redhead who my parents talked to when me and Leti weren't even born yet.
Iris: ...Ritsuka. I know who she is, she's one of mine.
Iris: Leti?
Jeremie: Leticia Jeanne Belpois. My twin sister. My full name is Jeremie Léon Belpois if that makes sense.
Iris: Ah right, yeah. Her. Sorry, English blood is bleeding through, but I have always admired Jeanne D'Arc. I'm glad she has a wonderful brother in her corner now.
Jeremie: Heh. Guess the rivalry between England and France is a multiversal constant, huh?
Iris: Something like that. Listen, I am one hundred percent open to dating you and Aelita. I'm sure the two of you are truly lovely. As it stands, though, I'll have to curtail Anya's bad habits of being shite at not pulling off the stupidest, most suicidal shite.
Iris: Ex-military. My brother was the exact same way and got my arse killed. Then I was forced to watch as my ex-boyfriend piloted a barely-working shuttle at a falling space colony and damn near died. If the Deep Log didn't exist, I wouldn't be speaking to you. If SOMA didn't exist, I wouldn't have met Anya nor be able to chew her arse later.
Jeremie: You mean, chew her arse out, right?
Iris: I know what I said, Belpois.
Jeremie: Noted.
Iris: That being said, you're still in high school and I'm... I dunno, I like to say I'm 18 but reploid ages are weird.
Iris: So I
Jeremie: I am 18. Kadic's minimum age requirement is 17, and I'm a second year.
Iris: Lovely. Alright then, that changes things. Two questions before I go, one: I understand that St. Joan's School for Girls is on the other side of the city but I know you visit from time to time.
Jeremie: Yeah uh funny story about that? Uh so it is a girl's academy and initially there was a strict "no boys" policy, and so I picked Kadic instead. But then, this year in fact, the administration was like "okay, fine, but you have to wear the uniform if you come in to at least look like you belong here" because they kept getting male applicants trying to cheat the system, and by the time that went through I'd already met Ulrich, Odd and Yumi.
Iris: Alright, second question: Where did you learn to throw a punch like that?
Jeremie: The Rowe, Leticia, and
Monsieur
Kiritsugu Emiya.
Iris: Of fucking course it was the Magus Killer.
Iris: ...When did you meet him?
Jeremie: I think it was 2000. He was making for Germany for some such reason and Lyons was a layover. He was shacked up in a hotel for two years and, me being incredibly good with computers even as young as I am, I figured him out pretty easily.
Iris: Did he say anything about a daughter?
Jeremie: He did not say, but I did overhear him saying something about an... Illya?
Iris: ...Jeremie-kun?
Jeremie:
Madame
Thorne?
Iris: How would you like the man who trained you being in your debt?
Jeremie: uh?
Iris: Illyasviel is technically being held against her will in the Einzbern estate in Germany. That would be Emiya's daughter. Since you're already a magus, but you're not connected to Emiya otherwise, other than being taught how to fight by him, you could do something the Magus Killer was never able to do, and is unable to do: Save Illya. We'll take care of the rest.
Iris: Are you injured?
Jeremie: A little bit. Anya and Aelita did as much recovery as they could but I still feel exhausted.
Jeremie: I remember the guys saying that they ended up knocked cold after the first scan and right now I’m hopped up on caffeine to at least get me back to my dorm so I don’t fall asleep in the factory; the inevitable crash is gonna suck.
Jeremie: It only makes it worse cos… I feel like I got my heart punched through. Aelita told me I was banged up pretty bad.
Iris: Anya did a good job. I will also say you learned well from Emiya-san.
Iris: I’ll work on getting a reploid body for Aelita to inhabit; worse case I can look into purchasing an empty ASW shell. No one really asks a lot of questions if Kirijo makes a chassis because they do go to school as human as possible. I know Labrys does.
Iris: Give it some thought. For now, though, go be with your lady and your sister, you’ve earned that much, and get some bloody rest.
Iris: I can probably talk to the school nurse to let you out of class for the day if you absolutely need to
Jeremie: Kadic doesn’t know about Lyoko. I’d like to keep it that way.
Iris: Hence the Revert protocol. But, I wager the school nurse might have a thing or two to say about that. Any school nurse worth their license would notice a thing or two, if not physically then mentally and emotionally..
Iris: Your physical education teacher no doubt already has an inkling too; that Sissi girl also might have a hint as to what is going on, and lest we forget that the Revert Protocol also affects everyone in town. It’s why you can basically get away with it and no one questions it all that much when if they screw up and they can do their day over without realizing that the garage kids at Kadic Boarding Academy are basically fighting for their lives in order to do so.
Iris: The trouble with time reversal and loops are, eventually, someone’s going to pay attention. If you’ve seen the film Groundhog Day, it’s like that and eventually someone’s going to realize that they could be reckless. I wouldn’t be surprised if someone already did and it was only your Revert protocol that saved their lives… or worse.
Jeremie: I understand. Hopefully it doesn’t have to come up so often anymore, with XANA… hopefully destroyed but I’m not holding my breath on that. We’ve been fooled before.
Iris: That guy reminded me too much of Sigma for my tastes.
Iris: Well, soon as you get back to the Academy, go check with the nurse to ensure you aren’t screwed up somewhere, then get your baguette-lookin reedy arse to bed,
garçon
. You can Revert in the morning if Hopper-san’s terminal allows you to.”
Iris: Are we understood?
Jeremie: Yes, ma’am.
Iris: Good man. Dismissed!
—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Haseo grit his teeth looking up at the Hulle Granz taking a moment to calm himself. In another Existence, he probably would have rushed in without a plan, virtual vigilante justice burning his mind. In this one however, he wasn’t as alone.
Yeah, meeting with Ovan again after so long of unfeeling silence made him angry as hell but at least he had allies who had helped him with some of his anger issues. The most important being, don’t go into potentially dangerous situations without some kind of plan and a cool head. He figured that the Chat would also fill a certain niche one day when they proved themselves.
It also didn’t help that it felt like several people were watching his ‘reunion’ with Ovan; one malevolent, two passive and two curious at least.
Once fully ‘calm’ he entered the Cathedral, seeing Tri-Edge just standing there as if waiting for him. “There you are, you bastard! I don’t care what your deal is, PK or glitch. For all the people you’ve attacked, your end is here!”
He drew his twin blades and dashed at Tri-Edge swinging wildly, the orange wearing freak blocking his strikes with little effort, looking bored.
On a pew to the side, invisible to both sat a small group watching. A queen with light blue hair in white revealing clothes sat with her antlered child who was watching the ‘fight’ with wonder. A shade was watching with a stoic expression. A certain red haired man was sitting with a pink haired girl. The last of the group was an almost exact replica of the Player fighting the knight with an inverted color scheme.
“So my friends. What are your thoughts?” The queen asked, ruffling her child’s hair to their giggles.
The redhead smiled mysteriously, shuffling a deck of cards. “A Fool’s fool, his journey should be interesting at the least, your highness.”
The pink haired child hummed, kicking her feet. “Eh. They don’t look like much, their anger is all fluff, no substance.”
The woman in white nodded in thought. “And you, Dopple-chan? Shadow?”
The shade tched. “Weak.” before vanishing.
The one that looked like the Player shrugged, folding his arms. “Ask me again when his voice can reach me, child.”
“Will you also bless him then, trickster?”
The red head chuckled, drawing a card and looking at it with a chuckle. “How apt.” He said, acting like he hadn’t heard while he showed the rest the card he drew Showing a Skull on a purple background before flicking it at the Player. “Le Mort.”
—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
[Digital Princess] Um… Miss Iris I have good news, bad news and worse news.
[Alibaba] That’s always an interesting way to start a convo.
[Digital Princess] So. good news. Made a new friend. Bad news:...XANA knows about SOMA now and has a benefactor. Worst news: New friend, Anya, almost died saving my bo-boyfirend who was almost Erased.
[DDP] Oh my gods. Is he alright? Is she alright? What the hell happened?!
[AL] easy there goggle head, let her get her thoughts in order so she can answer.
[Ice Princess] wow, can’t believe I'm actually agreeing with the asshole.
[Sweetroll] I’m with Aiba-chan in terms of worry though.
[Roomy] that is because you are a pure light that must be protected at all cost.
[Digital Princess] Sorry, I was trying to figure out how to summarize the madness that is today.
[Digital Princess] Okay. I had to quickly log out of the chat because like an idiot I logged in outside of a Tower which not only let XANA know about SOMA but also seemed to spark an interest in him and I am so sorry about that!. I was ambushed by a new derivative of his monsters, a jelly fish with a… tranq dart of sorts. Before one was able to touch me, it was slain by my friend.
[Digital Princess] this was especially noteworthy because he’s terrified of the scanners. He claims ‘too much Star Trek Original Series’. And he’s hot in a duster and chaps!… pretend I didn't say that please. After curing my paralysis, XANA surrounded us and introduced another new variation. Odd’s calling it a XANAvatar, he names our foes and some are hit or miss. And for one reason or another, XANA decides to gloat/talk. He claims he has a mistress, no hints as to who it is however. As soon as my other friends arrived he, to use Yumi’s words, wrecks them and took something from their avatars except for my boyfriend’s who shot XANA mid monologue before tearing into him verbally before summoning this figure who he says is his sister who judging by the looks on everyone else’s face they didn’t know about either and she was as beautiful as him with armor, actual armor not the cute stuff that seems wholly impractical though she’d probably rock that too, and a banner to match.
[Digital Princess] ahem. After she decimates the XANAvatar she dematerializes again and we all think that’s it. We moved to huddle with my boyfriend who had collapsed to his knees when what’s left of the XANAvatar after getting a bit of a boost from XANA launched a last ditch attack against my boyfriend st-st-stabbing him in the heart.
[Digital Princess] Next thing I know, the XANAvatar’s digital code is dripping from my claws and I’m cradling my boyfriend’s head in my lap, healing him. Thankfully it seems to have helped. However…
[Digital Princess] He’ll probably be able to better explain but when my friends returned to their world I looked through the camera to check and make sure they made it okay out of habit and… My new friend Anya was… I’m not sure I have words to describe it adequately. She had been electrocuted initiating something to help, her metal arm was several feet away looking like… and her hair was scorched near off. And she was barely breathing. My friends took her to a side room of the factory but none of them really have medical training and we aren’t sure how much she differs from human physiology and…
>S[Mother has logged in]
[ACE2] hey angel, about to pass out in the dorm. Anya is alive and seems to be doing okay. The three of us have things to discuss when I'm not feeling like I just got hit with a cannon. Love you and your adorable ears and cute bum.
>S [Mother(?) has logged out. The hell did I just read?]
[Yara] excuse Yara. I have to get bone man to go to Kadic and ask what the fuck is going on.
>S [Yara has logged off.]
[S.Flynn] Wow. It must be serious if she’s dropping the bit.
[Iris] XANA knows about SOMA is what I’m hearing.
[Iris] And he has a boss?
[Iris] I’ll make my contacts aware. In the meantime, next time you see XANA, do not hesitate in putting him down, regardless of how you do so.
[Iris] XANA being loose on the multiverse is one thing because eventually he’s going to run into an issue he can’t counter and there are gods out there -some with a capital-G- who could make him regret it.
[Iris] but there are other things XANA could do, since he infects machines pretty easily, that could be problematic. I myself am a machine.
[Iris] On the other hand, something I learned about recently is that the presence of a ‘ghost in the machine’, essentially a Soul, can counteract viral takeovers.
[Iris] I happen to know, personally, on first-name basis, one individual who is well acquainted with the subject of a ‘ghost in the machine’ and the company that made her keeps meticulous records on the subject.
[Alibaba] Kirijo.
[Iris} Y-
[Iris] Y-Yes, Kirijo. The Kirijo Group. They have a robotics division who makes specialized androids and AI and claim them as “human, but through advanced technology.” While some of reploidkind could claim to have souls, and eventually all do, most do not start that way.
[Iris] By contrast, Anti-Shadow Weapon Units are built with the ability to house a soul from the get-go, and it belongs to that ASW unit.
[Iris] Might I also add Mitsuru Kirijo is a very attractive woman.
[Alibaba] Can confirm.
[Iris] At any rate, Aelita, and this goes for any other AI such as you, Roll.EXE as well as those already possessing mechanical bodies: the best way to keep your body from being corrupted is to have a strong will. Androids such as ASW units are generally immune to normal magic status effects though they do have equivalent effects instead, so shock becomes interference, burn becomes corrosion, freeze becomes lockdown and so on. If you have a Ghost to go with it, Brainwashing / Hacking and viral contamination is all out of the question.
[Iris] There are a bunch of other ways to go about that, but the Kirijo Group is the one I have direct contact with.
[Iris] and ASW units can actually use magic. Not Capital-M Magic e.g. True Magic since that tends to be reserved for five individuals specifically, but they are capable of a great deal of magic.
[Iris] Reploids, in contrast, can’t. Berkana took that secret to the grave.
[Digital Princess] We’ll try to keep him contained and destroy him here, but he’s a slippery
fuckwit
so I can't promise we’ll succeed, but If it comes down to saving my friends or ending XANA, then it isn’t a choice. I’m sorry.
[MS] Understandable, Miss Aelita.
[MS] Re: "[Berkana took that secret to the grave.]"
Would you really want it if given the option Lieutenant, with all that entails?
[Iris] On one hand, fuck magi. On the other hand, magic is cool.
[Iris] The answer I would give you changes from day to day.
[Iris] I’m just happy that I get to work with magic robots.
[Digital Princess] oh um. Also, this apparently happened?
>S [Digital Princess has submitted werwolfform.jpeg]
[Digital Princess] so yeah.
[Healsplz] On the one hand, yes, your stance is understandable, especially for a civilian. On the other hand can you honestly say that in the face of potential multiversal destruction?
[Digital Princess] Respectfully Miss Dallon, my friends are my universe.
[Healsplz] You sound like Vicky.
[Alibaba] steering away from that before things get said, You honestly look sexy as a wolfkin DP.
[Digital Princess] Oh! Um thank you.
[DotL] Okay, sitting down for a sec because Dad might have been a closeted sadist. Why else would he program in my feet hurting and getting tired? What am I looking at here?
[DotL] robot souls… huh. Never thought about it before. Evil sentient super virus… So a Tuesday. ACE has been possessed by a Frenchman (joking).
[DotL] alright, caught up. Aelita, respectfully, no one has the right to defame your choices on that kind of thing.
[Alibaba] Hey dot. How’s your walk going? Enjoying the RLD?
[DotL] …women pretty.
[DotL] anyway, yes for the most part. I’ve only had to get physical with one guy who couldn’t take a hint. Other than that it’s been… eye opening.
[DotL] mostly good, with a tinge of melancholy for not pursuing something before this. Apologies, referring to this as the present is still weird to me and probably will be for awhile. But yeah, I’m glad for the suggestion. Depending on things, I might stay here for a few days or make my way to the battle pit.
[DotL] Also, might give perf… might give singing a try since a rather pretty lady said she enjoyed my humming.
[DotL] shush it wasn’t like that, I saw you typing Sakura-san.
[PENNY] hmm. Is it like when friend Yang invites Ciel to a club to ‘party’ and ‘loosen up?’ Ciel always blushes and declines.
[Roomy] let’s go with that for the time being.
[Iris] @Healsplz I would like to hire you on a contract basis. Everyone could use a good healer, and if I know the Stars like I know my Star, people are suicidally heroic.
[Healsplz] Depends on what you need. Suicidally heroic isn’t really new to me, given I had to pull Lung’s ass out of the brink when Taylor pumped him full of… asian killer hornet venom. I don’t even know where she got them from.
[MS] Might know where. There’s someone on my personal radar that thrives on causing chaos wherever he goes. Arcane rituals, arms and armaments, facilitating civil wars etc. Real pain in the ass type with no morals.
[Digital Princess] Perhaps this Kiritsugu Emiya character Iris spoke about?
[Iris] Kiri has Magus morals. Definitely one of the more moral Magi, but in the sense that every other Magi are arseholes at best.
[MS] the bar is extremely low and yet most magi in that node cluster still can’t reach it.
[Iris] It’s the new generation that would change Magi culture; Shirou Emiya, Rin Tohsaka, Sakura-chan, Illyasviel von Einzbern, Miyu Edelfelt, Luvia Edelfelt, et al. We can add Sailor Prisma in my Star, as well.
[MS] To be fair, Professor Velvet has also contributed to the shift.
[Iris] Ah yes, how could I forget about Waver Velvet?
[Iris] I’ll have to pick up that topic another time, though. Right now, Kiri can’t get to his daughter, which leaves Illya in a bit of a bind given how the Einzberns do things.
[Iris] By my estimate the Einzbern magic would finish breaking her in a month, and if we can’t get to her in time, she’d be left as nothing but a vessel for the Grail; bitter and feeling as if her family betrayed her, on top of running on borrowed time
[Iris] Neither Illya nor Shirou deserve that.
[Iris] So the deadline is twenty-eight days. Then the 5th Holy Grail War will start in this Star. Don’t ask about that because that’s a different can of crest worms.
[Iris] Two other projects for you to work on @Healsplz.
[Iris] If we can’t get to Illya by then, we would have lost her to the Grail.
[Iris] I know Sailor Prisma would want as many versions of Illya rescued as possible.
[Iris] Actually come to think of it, how did you know about Emiya? That was supposed to be a private DM between me and Jeremie.
[Digital Princess] I live in the Terminal. Jeremie was texting you using the Terminal. I could read the chats.
[Digital Princess] Was cooling down and essentially eavesdropped. Jeremie knows he shouldn’t use Discord on the Terminal like that because I could read his messages.
[Digital Princess] Gave him a bit of an earful, and I will make sure he gets rest tonight like you asked.
[Healsplz] That sounds terrifying.
[Digital Princess] That’s the Lyoko Terminal,
Mademoiselle
Dallon.
[Roomy] and the sentient eldritch abomination of a virus doesn’t?
[MS] Right then. Well, ‘whoever’ you recruit for your extraction team LT, I’ll see if I can convince Yara to stand by in case they need backup or extraction themselves. Also, I imagine a few nearby nodes will be visited by a bored/indignant Zantetsuken to free those Illya’s. Which one of us is contacting this version of Sword boy?
[Iris] That’ll be me. Sailor Prisma is one of mine. I might be able to activate her in a few days when she’s less sick… but I imagine Shirou won’t mind, so I’ll contact him.
[Iris] Also, I’ll activate Sailors Amala and Frejya if you need them.
[MS] Also since ACE is currently recuperating I should let you know that the Paladin is ready to join the chat whenever you have a spare moment or feel it’s the right time, LT.
[Iris] Understood. Cheers, old man.
[Iris] For extraction, I don’t expect Shirou would want to sit out, and if Saber is there send her too, if not, send Rin or Sakura. Kiritsugu is bedridden, but he cannot enter the Bounded Fields so he’s out. I’d have to spend so much Ripple Energy to break the fields long enough for Kiri to get in, but he’s not combat ready. He won’t make it.
[Iris] Hence, it falls to Shirou and it falls to Jeremie, Aelita, and Jeanne. I will also ask either Rin or Sakura. It will also have Tempo, and Amy or Penny. Shirou is our main muscle, while Jeremie, Tempo, Amala, Aelita act as ranged support, breach and clear, elemental coverage and crowd control respectively. As there will no doubt be an insane amount of homunculi, and Acht is aware of every single one of them, we will need someone capable of acting outside of their purview. That’s going to be Prisma’s job to deal with. Frejya is naturally attuned to the climate, being an ice maiden and the Einzberns being in a snowy part of Bavaria. Lastly, Jeanne will be our vanguard.
[Iris] I’ll manipulate Ripple Energy on my end to give Jeremie access to his Lyoko form in the op, same with Aelita once we get a body for her. Jeremie is an outstanding shot, all things considered, and Aelita will be able to effectively cover him. Magi can be taken down with a bullet pretty easily.
[Iris] Tempo’s manipulation of the Earth and surrounding forces could render a breach into the Einzbern Castle; considering most magi vastly underestimate mundane technology. I’d send Dot or Layer… actually I’ll ask them if they’re in. I’ll verify with her and the Alternas since they should be open.
[Iris] Amy’s powers of biological manipulation would be incredibly beneficial for a homunculus like Illya.
[Iris] Penny Polendina would also be integral, if she is willing to Awaken Illya’s Aura. That should give her soul a degree of protection against Angra Mainyu, and it would sustain her body if Plan A fails.
[Iris] Lastly, Sailor Prisma possesses a method to put down Acht for good, without sacrificing herself or her maids whom I know she is attached to.
[Iris] All Magi are weak to bullets and Prisma possesses those of an Origin persuasion -Prisma in particular can use them to sever properties of spells, or destroy the abilities entirely.
[Tempo] How old is this Prisma, anyway?
[Iris] She’s not the oldest of our group because I think Algol is in her mid-twenties, Aos and Sable Sword are in their early 20s, and Freyja runs on Makai aging rules. Technically speaking Saturn is on account of being one of the Thirteen Deaths, but that’s an argument to be made by someone else.
[Iris] Otherwise, apart from Avalon who just looks like a teenager, everyone else is high school age, college age, or is a robot of some sort.
[Iris] The Team is Amala, Frejya, Algol, Laplace. Saturn, Avalon, Prisma, Arcana, Khala, Black Solver, Light Striker, Sable Sword, Youma, Aos, and Meteor; with Meteor being more akin to an Inner Silverian Senshi alongside Moon, than an Alterna, so I have to defer to Usagi-hime on that one. Saturn’s weird because she’s affiliated with both teams: the Silverians and the Alternas due to her unique matter.
[Iris] I’ll run the mission by them.
—---
Anya groaned, opening her eyes looking at the ceiling once more. It wasn’t that she hadn’t slept in worse places or conditions, powerlessness notwithstanding, but still insomnia and being alone in her head were never a good combination. She sat up and rubbed her eyes before looking down at her hooves.
‘Gods, I could use some hotsauce right now.’ She mentally bemoaned as she got up and started pacing, not noticing how loose her sheet toga had gotten in her tossing and turning.
“Right. I lack my journal and any recording equipment so I'll just have to memorize. Today could have gone better. Woke up, toast was cold, managed to finish building a spare communicator in the form of a tablet, probably still more advanced than the node currently has though given the supercomputer probably not. Made it to class. Managed to get through everything without falling asleep while also helping LT monitor the chat and keeping track of my own. Confronted one of my best friends and revealed one of my biggest secrets in this world like a dumbass. Convinced him to ‘man up' and work with his fear to go give his beautiful princess a hug that she so desperately needs. Led him and his friends into a clusterfuck like a dumbass. Sat by like a dumbass while they get wrecked before J pulls a deus ex machina without any help. And instead of making sure they were protected like a half decent person would have done, sat there like a dumbass bitch while one of the best people I know gets fucking impaled by a sore ass loser shitty Eye. Offered up every bit of mana I had and a not minor chunk of life force to initiate a god awakening program in his princess which I don’t regret even a little, fully expecting to croak when all is said and done. Then pain and drifting in and out of consciousness.”
She took a deep breath, ruffling her hair. “Wake up arm and power-less in a location I don't know, send a message to LT, going to so get chewed out later. I must have broken like… every by law SOMA has. Confessed one of my biggest secrets to a gal pal because, fuck it I already fucked up this badly might as well go for compound interest. Fight down the pain of being a useless bitch, then basically confess the same secret to J because he got fucking impaled because of my dumb ass so he deserves the truth since he asked. Gave him the only bit of gear I had on me even though I know it won’t make up for him getting stabbed.”
She counted factors on her fingers before nodding. “Right. Think that covers everything. Other than I didn’t fucking double check if local factors could accsess the SOMA programs through the tech like a Gond damned newb! Gah! Why. Seriously. Why does everything I ever do end up a clusterfuck!?”
“Because like most beings in Existence, You haven’t attained the level of awesome I have, Devil Artificer.”
Anya blinked slowly, turning towards the doorway. There stood the hell child herself, Zantetsu-fucking-ken along side Mama Yara and a blushing head turned Odd Dela Roba. weird.
”Of course. Because today wasn’t already an epic trash pile of fuckery.” She muttered to herself before being hugged and spun around by an over emotional Stone Dragon.
“Is Yara’s Imp okay?!”
“Ribs.” Anya squeaked out.
‘Oh hey, first fully good news of the day. That shoulder issue I was having is gone.’
Yara set her down looking her over. “I’m fine mama Yara. Just a few more Lichtenburgs that will clear up in a decade or so.”
Yara paused leaning down to look her in the eye with an unimpressed look. “You are still many millennia too young to be thinking you can lie to Yara, Imp.”
“Rings~.” they heard from the door.
“Right, what’s his problem?” Anya asked, trying desperately to get the conversation away from her issues.
“Well he’s a young man and this is probably the first time he’s been able to see a beautiful woman naked in meat space before. Or he has a thing for piercings.” Zan said in a monotone.
“Huh. I didn’t know De La Roba was a precog diviner. The only beautiful woman in here is Mama Yara and she’s fully clothed.” Anya said, perplexed.
“How are you so intelligent but yet also this much of a dumbass pan/poly disaster?” Zan asked befuddled before grabbing Odd and leaving the room/cell and closing the door behind her.
“Weird.” Anya commented before sitting on the bed, Yara sitting on the floor.
“Tell me the truth ACE. How are you, really?”
Anya sighed ruffling her hair. “Honestly, not great. I had so much time and effort put into that arm. I seem to have barely kept one of the best friendships I've ever had by a strand and that’s because J’s a freaking saint and I'm not sure how hyperbolic I'm being with that. And no, you don’t have to give him or Aelita a ‘dragon talk’. They can’t break my heart if I never give it to them.”
“I never get to give Dragon talks.” Yara muttered to herself before sighing.
“And physically?”
Anya blinked, tapping her chin. “Oh, I totally and completely feel like every part of my body has been suplexed by you from orbit into a vat of acid. Would still do so again with a smile.”
Yara gave her that same ‘really?’ look. “Never give it to them huh?”
Anya shrugged, leaning against the wall. “Yeah well, why would I give them something u-”
The cell suddenly felt like she was underwater next to a kraken. “Do not finish that sentence, Anya Cereza Elizae. No part of you is useless and Yara will always tell you this, has always told you this and tells you this now. Your heart least of all. If Yara ever finds the son of bitch that put these thoughts into your head Yara will have a legion with Yara to rip Existence a new one to make their life hell.”
As suddenly as the pressure entered, it exited as Yara sits on the bed next to her picking up the discarded sheet. “You are loved and deserving of love little Imp. You hide it behind sarcasm and snark but you love so fully that it amazes me. Please try to keep at least a little of that love for yourself.”
“Now come. It is weekend, you are needing fresh air and Yara is wanting tour of this Kadic of yours, So Yara help you dress if you’re up to it.”
Anya smiled slightly while getting up. “What if someone sees me?”
Yara shrugged, walking towards the dresser. “That is why Yara is helping you dress. Otherwise, if they are not able to handle seeing a beautiful Imp like you then Yara fears for their lives after Kadic. Yara has done research. World outside of academy is Wild. Kwami, wu of shen gong etc. Now come, come. Yara is thinking those three are about to be very busy and Yara would prefer to give them privacy.”
Anya blinked before shrugging and accepted the assistance. She heard the very familiar voice of Elisabeth Delmas yell out,“She did wha-hmm!!” and decided a tour of the grounds would probably be for the best.
-====
Stars Chat: Yeah, We Can Fight in Heels, What of It?
#mission-proposal
[Eye Command] @Senshi I have a question. How many of you are going to be available… say, in three days?
[Magatsu Revoltage] Yeah, I got time then.
[Frozen Tiger] I can attend.
[Macro Phantasia Algol] Can’t. My partners want dates.
[Galeon Shroud] I’ll sit out. Something tells me I shouldn’t be there this time.
[Storch Bullet] Are you sure, Avalon?
[Galeon Shroud] Unfortunately. It pains me to say such but I can’t… perhaps its a side effect of my Incarnation but…
[Storch Bullet] No, I understand. I’ll go in your place.
[Storch Bullet] I should be recovered by then.
[Doven Howl] I’ll be available.
[Black Barrier] Sorry, Iris. I have… uh… obligations to… the JC Jensen In SPAAAAAACE Corporation… and totally not… brooding or… watching anime.
[Agiflare] Bullshit *cough cough cough*
[Doven Howl] Oh my. Perhaps you should not go on this mission after all then, Arcana, you appear to have caught what your fellow Outerna has.
[Black Barrier] Yeah I dunno much about humans but I know they get sick pretty easily.
[Black Barrier] Especially someone who has half a soul in collateral.
[Agiflare] How did you know that?
[Agiflare] and yeah, sorry. Student council.
[Nerazim Shift] I should be fine as well; I haven’t run behind in Shujin lately, and with the transfer to 2-D Ren-chan can convince Kawakami-sensei that I should take the class off. Her, and Ann.
[Striker Splash] Mana is charged, but I can run Navigator duties if you need me to instead.
[Eye Command] That won’t be necessary this time, Striker, at least I don’t expect so.
[Rampart] Usagi and I are on a date that day… but we might be able to squeeze it in the schedule.
[Death Reborn Revolution] I can join the party.
[Life Drain] I got work that day. I’m sorry.
[Leap Slasher] I am available. Captain Mitsuba has given me time off.
[Eye Command[ Alright, so the team is Amala, Freyja, Laplace, Khala, Prisma, Meteor, Saturn, and Aos. I would have insisted either Avalon or Prisma join the team so I’m happy Prisma can join.
[Eye Command] I want Prisma, Amala, Meteor, Laplace and Khala in the front lines, Freyja and Saturn working with New Wave’s Panacea as support; and Aos in the vanguard. Everyone okay with that?
[Eye Command] Meteor, if you are unable to join, Aos will take your place in the front lines. If that’s the case, then enjoy your date, and that goes for the rest of you.
[Eye Command] Alright, I’ll send the info to the joint chat with ACE.
-==
DM: Lt. Iris Thorne > 17th Unit B-Rank Laya "Layer" Shen
[Iris] Layer. question?
[Layer] Answer.
[Iris] Can I get your assistance with an extraction mission?
[Layer] No problem. Point me to my opponent.
-==
DM: Lt. Iris Thorne > Roll Rayanne "Dot" Light
[Iris] Dot, question?
[DotL] I backread.
[DotL] It depends on when Viperion wants to see me.
[DotL] Ideally, I’m in, but I wouldn’t be able to represent the Striders with a large group.
[DotL] I can, though, operate as a Hunter contract.
[DotL] Name your price.
[Iris] 200,000 Zenny, plus a Cypher Upgrade Module.
[DotL] 350,000.
[Iris] 300 and I’ll also throw in a Spike Breaker Chip for your boots.
[DotL] 325, and the Mod and Chip.
[Iris] I can do 315 with the mod and chip, and also cover expenses.
[DotL] Deal.
[Iris] Sending the contract now.
[DotL] Contract accepted. Pleasure doing business.
—---------------------------------------
DM: Lt. Iris Thorne > Uther Merlinson
[UM] I realize you’ve probably already considered it, but it might be wise to recommend to Belpois to convince his allies to keep ACE distracted during the Extraction mission and to not tell her about it until afterwards. We both know that if she hears about it she’ll drag herself to Bavaria by her teeth to help, or best case scenario worry herself to the bone thus impacting her recovery.
[UM] The only reason I'm not sending Gwen directly is because I don't think France is equipped for blizzards this time of year and ACE’s recent excursion has made her wrought with worry.
[Iris] No worries. I have a plan. I just hope Ace will forgive me
[UM] That’s not worrying at all. I’m sure if you explain it after the fact, maybe with also doing something nice for her, she will.
[Iris] No worries.
-===
DM: Iris Thorne > ACE
[Iris] Say, ACE, you want to go on a date? Say, about thursday?
[Iris] I heard there’s a Duel Monsters tournament happening in the Ritual Dimension. Battle City, I think.
[ACE] Hey! Using Yara’s com to get this to you and dictating.
[ACE] Sure! I’d love to be your plus 1. (Yara here. She means that she’d love to go on date with you.)
[ACE] um… do you want it to be casual or formal and what time should I be ready? (Yara is trusting you to not break heart of Yara’s Imp. Yara does not trust lightly.)
[Iris] Ah, hello Miss Yara. I confess there is a bit of a double purpose to the Battle City tournament.
[Iris] The double purpose is to date, and to test my love’s skill with her Geargia vs my Sky Strikers.
[Iris] Besides, I’ve always wanted to take part.
[Iris] The other purpose? I want to see if Playmaker and his girlfriend Blue Angel would be up for a double date.
-===
DM: Lt. Iris Thorne > Yara Steindrachen
[Iris] Plus I want to try to keep ACE from killing herself while Jeremie and Jeanne go after Acht von Einzbern to rescue Illya. I’m sending my best backup on the case, and only if things go real tits up should you contact me through my emergency phrase. We are to have fun, not to worry about our mutual love because he got a bit too cheeky. I trust him to make sure that doesn’t happen.
[Iris] If it gets to that point, type into my Stars chat my codephrase. I trust you remember it? “Peace through war. Balance through fire and friendship.”
[Iris] I shall then respond with “Hope through Overwhelming Firepower”
[Yara] Alright. Yara will do so if Yara feels the need to do so.
[Yara] You just be sure that ACE has good time. She deserves some good.
[Iris] That she does, Mama Yara. That she does.
[Iris] I hesitate to invoke Murphy on this one. I’ll be honest, I’m hoping I don’t have to use that code phrase.
[Iris] If Code Murphy is invoked, you have the honour of punching me in the ovaries.
[Iris] At least, where my ovaries would be.
-===
DM: Lt. Iris Thorne > Playmaker
[Iris] Good afternoon, Playmaker
[Playmaker] Good afternoon. Can I take your order?
[Iris] Oh, fuck me, I didn’t realize you were on the clock.
[Iris] Uh one coney, Chicago-style if you know what that is.
[Playmaker] Kolter should.
[Playmaker] I don’t think you came here for an order though if you used the DMs.
[Iris] No, I’m afraid not. Are you interested in bringing Aoi Zaizen along to the Battle City tournament?
[Playmaker] Didn’t that tournament happen, like, fifty years ago in another dimension?
[Iris] Five years ago, in the Ritual Dimension, yes.
[Playmaker] …Uhh…. you know what? why not?
[Iris] I believe you are going to tell me why not.
[Playmaker] And there are three reasons why. One: most of my cards are relatively new creations by Industrial Illusions. I don’t believe they were in circulation at the time, at least according to the Akaba Accords, so I’d have to go with something of the time.
[Playmaker] Two, Aoi’s deck is currently in circulation, but I don’t think her brother would be interested in letting her go without someone watching her back.
[Iris] Ah, well we can render that worry void. I propose a double date with me and ACE.
[Iris] if the Master Record is any indication, as well, the King of Games will be in attendance, and you and I both know how good Yugi -and the Pharaoh- are.
[Playmaker] Of course. We just have to ensure Marik is either beaten by Yugi or fails to place in the top eight altogether.
[Iris] That’s the spirit. What’s reason three?
[Playmaker] neither myself nor Aoi were born in Ritual. We have no records, and the Knights of Hanoi are still out there. You said you play Sky Strikers?
[Iris] I do.
[Playmaker] That should give you an edge. Sky Strikers are brand new to Ritual I think.
[Iris] Sounds good. There is one more thing to note:
[Iris] I’m doing this to keep ACE out of Jeremie’s way when they go and assault the Einzbern castle. She’s a smart girl, she can backread, so ideally she knows how convenient this is, but also how important this is that Jeremie stands on his own feet.
[Iris] Granted, he’s gonna have some absolute zingers of a backup, handpicked by yours truly of course, but we don’t want ACE to have to worry about him.
[Playmaker] Aoi said “Sure! What could go wrong?”
[Iris] …ougugughauhgajnnnhjkqnq
[Playmaker] Lieutenant, what happened?
[Iris] Mama Yara just punched me in the ovaries.
[Playmaker] You’re a reploid. A machine. You don’t have ovaries, I thought.
[Iris] Doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt like a bitch.
[Iris] Ah well, that just means we have our own mission.
[Iris] Tell your girlfriend “nice job” in the most sardonic way possible, and meet us at the registration booth in Domino City, Japan in 2002 in the Ritual Dimension.
[Sign OFF]
[
Rippleverse.com: Supersonic Soundscape Superhighway]
3-01 Jeremie’s Theme [Hi Fi] “Desperado”
The Round Table - Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War
3-02 Aelita’s Theme [Hi Fi] “Cloche de l’Aube”
Daybreak's Bell TV Size - L'Arc en Ciel
3-03 Theme of Love ~Verse 1~ “Dedication through Holy Light and the Darkness Within”
Theme of Love - Final Fantasy IV (DS)
3-04 Theme of Love ~Verse 2~ “Gentle Hands”
Yasashi Ryoute (ENG.) - .Hack//G.U. Vol.1: Rebirth
3-05 Chat Theme “How Do You Say “We Are Hosed” In JavaScript?”
Silent Palace - Phantasy Star Online Vol.1
3-06 Mission Select 1 ~Iris~ “Challenge from the Future”
Stage Select 1 (Mega Man X4) - Ren Soundworks
3-07 “...To Battle City!”
Battle City - Yu-Gi-Oh Duel Monsters Unreleased Score
[NEXT]
X-01 “Hyperlink to the Next Episode!”
SPARKING - Disgaea 4: A Promise Unforgotten
Iris
"A new danger approaches, as Battle City becomes a battleground!"
Yara
"Yara is so sorry! Yara gets overprotective and it was a reflex!"
ACE
"Hello consequences, my old friends. I’ve come to bitch with you again."
Iris
"It is a common misconception that the popular 1997 Playstation game Castlevania: Symphony of the Night was highly inspired by the 1994 Super NES title Super Metroid"
Iris
"In truth, the game’s director, Igarashi Koji, based Symphony of the Night on an earlier Nintendo open-world title: The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past"
Playmaker
"Fascinating, but I’d like to dispute that claim, and there are three reasons as to-"
Iris
"In his 2014 GDC Panel, Igarashi-san stated "In my heart, I really wanted to create a Legend of Zelda style game. But I suppose that when you turn Zelda into a 2D platformer, yes, it resembles Metroid."
Jeremie
"Well, he isn’t wrong."
Iris
"Next time, Rippleverse.com, Episode 4: "Attention Duelists! My Hair Says There Is Big Trouble In Battle City!"
Seto Kaiba
"Think you can just waltz into my tournament uninvited, huh?"
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Anya smiled as she walked with Yara in the morning sun, having borrowed a hooded cloak in compromise to hide her more otherworldly features, and the fact that she was missing an entire arm. She wanted to formally introduce Yara to Jeremey’s friends but Aelita was in the super computer and she wasn’t sure if Yara would even be able to fit in the Scanner much less what effect she’d have on it, Odd was doing Odd things probably playing with Kiwi or babysitting Zan (which was a headache for later), She knew where Ulrich and presumably Yumi were but she wanted to interrupt that like she wanted her horns broken off. Which is probably what Yumi would do if she did in fact interrupt. Still she enjoyed giving Mama Yara a tour of Kadic, as much or as little as there was to show off. She pointed out a few of the ‘Garage Kids’ closer other friends and romantic interests and other people of note she spotted like Jim, and Sissi’s minions. (She felt bad that she couldn’t remember their names for love or money but she had enough trouble remembering names.) She probably would have introduced Yara to Elisabeth Delmas directly but she had a fairly good feeling that she was with Ulrich and Yumi ‘talking’ and she didn’t need another friend calling her a dumbass right now, as correct as they would have been. She was even able to convince herself that many of the looks and stares they were getting were less because of people seeing her skin or hooves and more that they were seeing the nearly seven foot (whatever in meters and or centimeters) amazonian beauty that was Mama Yara. Anya tried hiding behind mama Yara while she was having a conversation with Jim, who to his credit had blinked and gotten defensive for about half a minute before shrugging off her appearance and started talking with Yara. She couldn’t help wondering what Iris was trying to hide from her, unable to communicate with any chat directly until she got back to her personal lab at Center… which she just now realized she’d need to bum a ride to or finish making her replacement arm, because she couldn’t figure out why a woman as beautiful strong and most importantly busy as Iris Thorne would want to take her on a date. Flirt with, sure that was part of the game really. ACE did see Yara flex and thought she heard a somewhat familiar pained yelp in the distance but didn’t think much of it, even if Yara did look slightly guilty for some reason.—----
This was certainly not how Sissy Delmas had expected to have woken up.
Yesterday afternoon she had felt drawn to the old factory for whatever reason and decided to go there on a private walk. The first odd thing she noticed was the old fence had its door open, almost invitingly. She had misgivings about it but let her feet carry her inside. Both herself and Anya would admit that their friendship was… unconventional. Both of them were as fine trading barbed insults as they were compliments and just friendly chatter. She had been more refined, of course, where Anya was more wildly chaotic. “A steam and metal Punk” as she often called herself. Neither could probably tell someone why they clicked as they did but for one reason or another they always had each other’s back, at least in private. So when she started hearing the scream she had to pause and cover her mouth. The closest she could come to adequately formulating a description would be agonizing. She half expected to have Nightmares about that scream. On instinct, when the Scream stopped, she ran to one of the old disused elevators and hit the down arrow rapidly in the hopes that it would go faster. When it finally reached the bottom the doors opened to the Garage kids circling a smoking chair, metallic something near the elevator. She heard, “Hey. It looks…exactly as bad as it feels. Think I’ll need help getting out of the chair. Oh. Hey Egghead. Glad to see it worked.” It was Anya, Anya’s voice was hoarse and scratched and oh god why is she smoking. Sissi slapped herself to keep from screaming and rushed over, pushing one of the blonde’s away. She was too focused to recognize which one and started checking what vitals she could, briefly noting her friend’s features, those silly shades she wore all the time missing (vaporized? Melted and Seared to her nose?). “Pulse slow, but barely within normal parameters. Eyes… present. Is there a bed?” There had in fact been a bed in an off to the side room, a new bed complete with frame and sheets. She was putting that in the ‘questions she intended to ask later’ category. Yumi had helped carry Anya into the room, setting her on the bed. (light. why was she so light?) She had started removing Anya’s clothes as gently as she could while Yumi closed the door and moved to start helping her. “You’re good at this.” Yumi mentioned helping move Anya’s remaining arm (what the shit?!) so Sissi could remove her top, checking her over dispassionately noting all details. “Yes well, this dum- cretin convinced me that medicine and healing was a useful life skill no matter who you are. Then she’d always say ‘Not me, people weird me out.’.” She bit her lip to keep from gagging as she made note of the Lichtenberg scars, specifically around the left side of her chest, various healed over scars that almost made a pattern along her red skin, and that her friend now had hooves. (what the fuck?) Yumi had to cover her mouth and take a step back gagging slightly, not that Sissi could blame her, the smell of seared flesh alone was nauseating. After doing everything she could do, Sissi sighed, grabbed a nearby bucket she hadn’t seen before and left the room with Yumi closing the door behind her. After relieving her stomach and having what she felt was a well deserved cry she received a notification from her phone. As the others were currently taking turns checking on Anya for if she woke while they were before curfew, and also trying to convince Belpois to head to bed, she checked it. >>>>>>>Private DMS between Elisabeth Francessca Delmas>STUN STUN: Hello Mademoiselle Delmas. I trust you have questions. Sissi: Who the hell are you? STUN: Like that one. Not important right now. For now, just think of me as a silent benefactor and patron of the Garage Kids of Kadic Academy. STUN: You Miss Delmas have a choice to make. If you take the blue pill, you wake up in what has become your normal life, unaware of what is going on in your world but safe for the most part having forgotten everything you have learned of the “great Masquerade”. Including ever knowing the one you know as Anya. Content in your ignorance due to not knowing any better. STUN: If you take the red pill, the rabbit hole continues and you see the Underland, The World Beyond the Looking Glass. In constant danger but free and most importantly able to make your own choices in what your place in Existence truly is. Sissi: And you gave them the same choice? STUN: Not as such. Their involvement is a fair bit more complicated than your own. Sissi: And if I choose not to choose? STUN: then you default to blue I’m afraid. STUN: I realize that this is an unfair circumstance, I’m not exactly thrilled with it either to tell the truth, but my hands aren’t as free to work in this as I would prefer. STUN: I can give you until Midnight tomorrow for your answer and unfortunately not a second longer. STUN: Regardless, I can tell you that, while it will take time, the one currently known to you as Anya Cereza Elizae will recover. You have my word—-------
After that, and Belpois had had some kind of conversation with Anya, everyone convinced him to return to the dorm and rest, even getting De la Robba to escort him which left her with Yumi and Ulrich.
The three had sat down to chat in one of the rooms of the factory, Yumi and Ulrich mostly telling her about what the Lyoko Warriors, as they called themselves, got up to. Apparently the four had talked among themselves while she was… recuperating and decided that A) her friendship with Anya would make her helpful in making sure that she wouldn’t do anything quite this stupid again (Neither herself or Belpois thought that scenario was likely considering some of the things they were privy to of Anya’s ‘childhood’. A certain incident involving cats and trees sprang to mind) B) since she knew the basics of how to heal people without cyber magic (as termed by one De la Roba), as limited as her experience was and they all agreed that they should probably bring the academy nurse in on things sooner rather than later, and C) having someone that knew how to manipulate the Headmaster could only be beneficial to the world and apparently the multiverse. She listened to their explanation, even though they kept repeating that Belpois would be better able to explain it than they would (something she doubted due to Belpois being far more technical minded than either of the two.). While she was sure that this had truly been the first time hearing all this, she felt the tingling sensation that she had lived through this before. As all three of them were mentally exhausted for varying reasons, they decided to complete the explanation the next day, all three deciding to sleep on the strangely clean floor of the factory. So how did she end up on top of a camping air mattress cuddled up with the man of her dreams and her main love rival/also performer in her dreams with the smell of a full course breakfast? Sissi groaned awake with a yawn as the other two woke up as well. “Morning. So I just have to ask, is this factory haunted? Because I don’t remember seeing this mattress or smelling food last night.” Both Yumi and Ulrich looked at each other before giving her shrugs helping her up. “Perfectly honest, we don’t know but we also wouldn’t be surprised at this point. We just say thank you and hope whoever doesn’t turn violent on us.“ Ulrich led the way to the manufacturing floor where there was a large table filled with food and five chairs. There was a large white letter in the middle as a centerpiece. “Profitez des enfants. Sawbones Flynn-Fletcher convainc le directeur Delmas de vous accorder une journée libre en raison d'un "traumatisme". Signé, Tobias." Yumi hummed, pulling chairs back for both Sissi and Ulrich. “Huh. First time a name has been given.” Ulrich smiled, filling plates for both of them. “Any luck this time Princess?” Sissi jumped when one of the old speakers fizzled on. “Nothing on the cameras, nothing on the hidden cameras, not even sound detection. It might as well be a ghost.” Sissi cleared her throat, accepting the plate. “I’d like to formally meet her, if that’s alright. Now… What can you tell me about yesterday afternoon?” Ulrich and Yumi looked at each other for a moment before that same voice popped in from a nearby speaker. “You two should eat, I’ll handle the explanation. Hello Mlle. Delmas. I’m Aelita. And I’ll tell you what I can about what happened yesterday.” —-Jeremy groaned as he awoke, sitting up. He ran a hand through his hair before putting his glasses on, rubbing his chest. He couldn’t recall much about what happened between the time his Sister dismissed herself and looking up at Aelita’s face, even though the others had filled him in as best as they could. With everything happening with Anya he hadn’t had time to explain his sister to the others, nor did he know if he should but that was a conundrum for later. He wasn’t certain when Lt. Iris was planning on the extraction mission. He figured he would be there just as Leitecia’s ‘mage’. He stretched, hissing slightly at the slight phantom pain in his chest. That was also something he was going to need to look into finding answers about later. Currently he felt well enough to summon his sister at the Factory later, maybe she’d have advice on the Anya situation. After showering and dressing, he sat on his bed and fiddled with the tablet that Anya loaned him. He was curious about the tech used honestly, as well as when Anya had a chance to make it. Jeremie saw a notification on a messaging app with a skull icon, which made him wary. Honestly he would have skipped over it if it didn’t open itself.>>>>>>>>>Spookogram DM between JB>FFF FFF: Hey there Jeremie. Sorry about the small slice of subterfuge. It’s Uncle Faust. FFF: I’ve ‘killed’ the Lieutenant Colonel's bugs for about eight hours so you can do whatever with this device in that time without being spied on or tapped. FFF: I figure you have questions that you’d rather keep private thus the Spookogram app. I can’t promise I’ll be able to keep killing SOMA’s taps with it but for the moment the only two in this device are you and me. FFF: So to get a few generics out of the way. >”Can I trust SOMA and Lt. Thorne?” Yes absolutely. They are surprisingly ‘gentle’ even with those of us on the more malevolent side of things, within reason. They aren’t going to go out and sing kumbaya with the likes of XANA or Frieza by any means, but they’re a certain value of friendly. As for whether you should trust SOMA… That’s something you’ll have to decide for yourself. SOMA is the name of the organization the Lieutenant is a part of, but you probably figured that out already. >’Is everyone related to you a mess?’ Oh dear god yes. …Well, except for N4NC3Y and maybe Yara. > “Can I trust you?” Always. “Should I trust you?” Absolutely the hell not. I might accidentally turn you into a mini me and Existence won’t survive nor tolerate that. That not quite a joke aside, Ask anyone that knows me on this side of the mirror and they’ll tell you I’m a monster that defies both heaven and hell to get what I want. The only people I can honestly say are safe from me are the Rowe, ACE and you. You remind me of a younger, much less cynical me that still enjoys Summer. So if you believe nothing else I’ve ever said or will ever say, believe this. Cherish the ones you love, but know when to let them go. FFF: So with that, ask away. JB: so much to unpack with all of that. FFF: Believe me I know, and you haven’t even touched on the ‘fun’ trauma yet. 🙂 JB: Are you the same kind of being as Anya? FFF: Right, she removed her glam for you. Nope. 100% Earthling Human, mostly. We’ve been referring to her as a Tiefling because that’s the closest we’ve determined since she shares many of the same characteristics. JB: huh. JB: Her arm… FFF: Been like that since the day Yara and I found her, probably before. Built her first one herself as she claims it. She was Seven, the first time, and living alone in a Junk district/Block. Seriously, an entire city filled with nothing but trash and junk and scrap. Inhabited by these annoying as hell gremlins and her. JB: Okay then.JB: How often has she ‘regenerated’? FFF: This would be the first regeneration JB: What's the deal with the Anyaplicates? FFF: First off, love the name. >I can say that’s on me but not anything more unless she gives me permission to tell it. JB: …Are you okay with her dating Aelita and me? FFF: …You’re asking for my blessing already huh? >... You’re probably better off asking that kind of thing to Yara than me. I barely have the right to be called her father, since I’m partly to blame for why she is the way she is. If I did, there’d be no question. > though you might want to ask your cyber goddess first before you ask a monster like me. JB: …You’re getting therapy right? FFF: Gwen tries, bless her frozen heart. There’s only so much a single person in training can do sadly. FFF: Be back soon, going for a bit of a walk.—-A red haired man smiled to himself, leaning against a tree looking at a certain mansion in a similar Star. Hitting send on his latest message he pocketed the device and stretched. “Well. I’m sure that sending the good Lieutenant Colonel a detailed floor plan of the mansion, or as close as I can get without ruining the fun, should serve as my good deed this week. I’m glad Herr Delmas was agreeable with just words. After all, that group could use a bit of a break, and a week isn’t going to be that detrimental for them.” He summoned a cane with a skull on top as well as an elegant top hat he placed on his head. “You can only get so far away from the Edge.” He mused as he walked up to the door humming to himself, the Dead rising in his footsteps.— Jeremie hummed to himself, mentally wishing his ‘uncle’ well. “He’s always going on walks.” He mused to himself as he opened another messaging app on the tablet, steeling himself.>>>>>>>>>>>>>[Private messaging between ACE2>Aelita ACE2(Jeremie): Hey Angel, It’s Jeremie. Are you awake? Aelita: I am, Jeremie. A pleasant morning to you too! ACE2: 🙂 ACE2: I hope you slept better than I did. How much do you remember of yesterday, the fight with XANA and everything? I..I learned some of Anya’s reasoning and I’m trying to figure out how to process it and what it means for you, me and…us. ACE2: Okay, this is going to be awkward, apologies. ACE2: I meant what I said as I was shouting at XANA. I really do love you and if you feel the same way at any time I would be honored to be in a relationship with you. Aelita: 😊Aelita: Spring that on a girl first thing in the morning. ACE2: hehe. Aelita: Before yesterday, I don’t think I would have known what attraction was, really. However, I think when Anya activated the Digital Goddess program there was a brief connection formed. After the fight, I had noticed that I had gained some bits of knowledge that I’m hypothesizing came from that link, as brief as it was. Aelita: That is of course a rather long winded way of saying, Yes. I would love to try and make a relationship work with you. And before you ask, I’m also curious to try dating Anya as well but what are your thoughts on the matter? ACE2: I’ll be honest, I’m not sure what to think. Aelita: The thought of two pretty women in your arms is a bit overwhelming? :3 ACE2: …The thought is a benefit, as well as hanging off of one of said pretty women’s arms. ACE2: Both if I’m lucky. Aelita: XD ACE2: In all seriousness, I’m nervous. As part of said nerves, I can’t help but wonder A) what did I do to have two beautiful women want to choose me and B) While I do have feelings for Anya as well, am I considering this because we’ve been friends forever and the attraction grew, or am I doing this out of guilt for forcing her to go through so much pain? Aelita: The answer to both questions is simple. You, Jeremie Belpois, were yourself. Aelita: A kind, generous, funny, brave fool of a dork in a duster who sacrifices so much for all of us. Aelita: That’s what you did today, that’s what you did yesterday, and that’s what you do every day. Aelita: That, Jeremie, is what you did to earn my love. That, Jeremie, is what you did to earn your friend’s love. Aelita: And if Anya is anything like you, then I can count myself blessed that I have two kind, generous, funny, brave fools in a duster and and a dress suit respectively. Aelita: I can count myself blessed that there are two of you, and I have them both to myself. ACE2: 1) Have I told you lately how awesome you are? 2) I have it on authority that I can pull off a dress suit quite well. And 3) so… Some of Anya’s ‘other’ friends have also shown interest in courting her along with us. Aelita: 1) Yes. 2) Yes. 3) FUCK YES. Aelita: The Rowe is always welcome here, and their associates. I look forward to meeting them. ACE2: Not the Rowe this time. Aelita: Oh. ACE2: Similar circles though. One Lt. Thorne to be specific. Aelita: I’m not familiar. I’d love to meet him, though. ACE2: Her. Aelita: Oh. That Lt. Thorne. Right, I know who you are talking about now. ACE2: You do? Aelita: You’re not the only one with secrets and revelations to bring up, Jeremie. Aelita: Speaking of which. Aelita: When were you going to tell me your twin sister was Joan of Arc? Aelita: Of all people to be related to, you are the twin brother of someone who burned in England centuries ago at the stake for heresy! Aelita: The single most famous Frenchwoman, no, the single most famous Franc to ever exist! Aelita: How did that happen? ACE2: For the sake of accuracy, Napoleon Bonaparte and Marie Antouinette are strong contenders for the title. ACE2: Just for the sake of accuracy, love. Hehe, typing that makes me smile. ACE2: as for how… that’s a bit more complicated. Normally I’d wait until being in the Command center to tell you, but I trust Anya when it comes to encoding her things and I doubt anyone who would be fussed would be able to break into this easily if at all. Aelita: Mm. The firewalls are superbly constructed, mi amour, and combined with my own defenses that I beefed up last night . If XANA were to try to get in, it would be impossible for him to get back out. Aelita: I don’t consider him my brother at all. Aelita: Also, you’re right, it does sound great to say ‘my love’ to you, So, what’s the deal with Madame Jeanne, then, my love? ACE2: I have the largest dopeiest smile on my face right now, just wanted to let you know that, mon cher. ACE2: As for how… That’s hmm. ACE2: The easiest way to say it is that the concept of reincarnation is truer than some people think. As I am her twin, which I blame for not being able to build muscle mass as much as I would like, There’s probably a universe out there where I myself am Saint Joan. ACE2: We didn’t find out about Lei’s other self until she started having these visions of another life and dad called a supposed old friend of his who came by and explained…so much about the world to us. ACE2: reincarnation, Heroes, the Masquerade, what the hell the birthmark/symbol on my wrist was… and this scary as hell organization called the Clocktower that supposedly governs all of the European, if not world they were rather vague on this point, magi. Aelita: Magic exists and some people are historical figures actually, gotcha. Aelita: I assume I’m to keep quiet on that end, if the “Masquerade” is being used. Aelita: And based on how you used the term “scary as hell organization that governs the world’s Magi” I assume that any given Magus would hate us.. ACE2: Not all, according to MLLE Fujimaru there are a few nice ones but most, probably at least at current. ACE2: Though given that we both, apparently 😛, know of “secret” organizations, we might have less to fear from them than others. ACE2: I know that Uncle Faust has been wanting a chance to take them on for awhile now. I doubt the Clocktower would be too fond of Anya were they to discover her true form. ACE2: I know that Lei is going to be over the moon when she meets you formally mi amore . Aelita: Leticia Belpois sounds like an amazing young woman indeed. Aelita: So, would you like me to tell you about my secret? ACE2: Only if you feel comfortable sharing it. I will admit I’m incredibly curious though. Aelita: We are not alone. Aelita: This universe was never alone. You spoke of a universe where it would be possible you would be Saint Joan? Aelita: The multiverse is a real thing, but more, the metaverse. Aelita: Anything you see on TV or play on your GBA? It’s another world somewhere else. Aelita: Anything you read in a book or watch in the cinema? It’s another world somewhere else. Aelita: The multiverse is real, alien life is real, and I’m not the only synthetic lifeform to exist on this planet, let alone, in the multiverse. ACE2: You’re definitely the most beautiful one. Aelita: Aw, thank you. Aelita: But yes. Imagine for a moment there are worlds beyond our own, with their own rules, power sets, heroes and villains, mythologies and histories, even if it’s just Earth but it’s .555% more red this time. Aelita: Now imagine each of them just so happened to also be a fictional IP on someone else’s world. Aelita: and then imagine, that there is a secret -and I mean, secret- organization that’s meant to monitor and facilitate communication throughout these worlds. Aelita: Well, in order, those are Stars, those are derived from a single Master Record, and that’s SOMA. Aelita: And now that I told you, that means that now I have an excuse to drag you into the chat room I’m a part of. ACE2: I would be honored, and not a little trepidation if I’m being honest. Do they know about our connection? Aelita: Oh. They know. ACE2: ooh, ominous. ACE2: Do I need to be worried about ‘shovel talks’? Or rather, how many should I worry about ma cherie? Aelita: I don’t think you should be. We have a mutual on the chat so. ACE2: Who? -===
#main-chat
[Iris]: achoo! [Sweetroll] Bless you! [Iris] Thanks, love. Don’t know where that came from all of a sudden. [Layer] Maybe someone’s taking some shit behind your back? [Iris] Wouldn’t surprise me. I wasn’t all that popular in the Repliforce, and even among the Hunters I still have a fair bit of detractors. [Healsplz] What’s all that about? [Iris] It’s a Japanese superstition. If you sneeze, someone is saying things without your knowledge. [Iris] It’s a very polite society, Japanese culture. [Iris] I know Earth Bet doesn’t have much Japan left after Leviathan, so it’s only my pleasure. [DotL] Going to be lurking for a bit, but I want names. [DotL] Nothing that’ll take anyone off line, promise. [Iris] Don’t worry about it, Dot. Just some terrible things I said when I was younger and more prone to Maverickism. [Iris] I don’t like telling people this, but… I used to hate humans. Not really in the way of wanting to kill them all and be a nazi, Mithra knows we have enough of those, but I was no fan of how they run things and when you’re a secondary lifeform in a world that has humans as its primary ruling lifeform you tend to start being bitter when they have the ultimate say in whether you live or die. [AL] As someone vaguely human adjacent, valid. [Healsplz] Usually when someone says they’re not a nazi, they’re usually a nazi. [Iris] Usually, nazi threats are put down like the dogs they are before they start to snarl, Panacea. [Iris] But yes, it’s part of why the Repliforce declared independence and why they were ultimately put down. I don’t think there would have been a problem if General went for it before the fall of Sky Lagoon -a floating island city in my Star near where Sacramento, California is to most people- but when it went down the Repliforce was blamed for it. [Iris] Unjustly, naturally, but we wouldn’t learn that for months. [MS] Not helped that those in charge were very unconcerned with such pedestrian things as ‘evidence’ or ‘Proof’ and cared more about saving their own asses. [Iris] Then… well, it got me killed. You can imagine how bitter it was to know that your twin brother screwed the pooch -a pooch that was only born because the humans who created you split up a single unit into a soldier and a diplomat, then formed a reploid military, and were surprised it ended up with rebellion and tragedy. [Iris] And when you’re a cyber-elf -reploid ghost-, in netspace -kinda like a cloud server for reploid afterlife- who can’t interact with the real world without a body -which you could have got a year ago but Sigma happened that ruined it for everyone- and you’re picked for SOMA after that… well, you realize that you were being a little shite. [Iris] I had a lot of growing up to do, given I wasn’t all that old in the grand scheme of things. [Iris] Five years later, I still have a lot of growing to do. [Iris] None of this is an excuse; it’s a reason. I was not a bitch, and thank Mithra for that, but I was no fan of humanity. [Healsplz] What about now? [Iris] Like as not, reploids need humans, just as humans need reploids and robot masters before them, and androids everywhere else. Reploids can do things that human bodies simply are not able to do -Parahuman abilities notwithstanding, and even then- because they are built for them. In contrast, humans are the most complex machines in existence and it’s that complexity that allows humans to think of far more creative solutions, that give us a history and a meaning. [Iris] Do I believe humanity can co-exist with reploids -machine life in general? Yes. Do I think it would have happened in my world, in my lifetime, had it not been cut short? No. [Iris] I can only thank the Stars that I was given a second chance. Not many people are allowed it, even with SOMA’s intervention. [Iris] I’m hoping I can pay that forward. [Iris] I don’t expect New Wave to like me, though. I understand they have a grudge against all things that don’t fit a black-and-white worldview. [Healsplz] They kept me around knowing that I knew I had been basically kidnapped the whole time, and Vicky’s the reason why I stick around. [Healsplz] But another reason why is someone has to patch them up again. [Healsplz] I have to go talk to mom about something actually. [Healsplz] I can tell you, though, before I sign off for now… uh [Iris] It would be Thorne-san. [Healsplz] Thorne-san, then. New Wave’s biggest tenet is accountability. [Iris] We are our own worst critics, Dallon-hakase. I fucked up. I paid for it. I’m still paying for it now. There’s a black mark on my record as a Hunter I don’t think I’m gonna be able to wash off no matter what I do, and a good chunk of it was my fault. [Iris] Only thing I can do from now on is prove to myself that I can make them proud, and do right by everyone else like Lami-sensei did. [Iris] I have so many people to represent that I hold so much respect for. I can’t let any of them down, Dallon-hakase. [Healsplz] And that’s why I think New Wave would be alright with you as a person. [Healsplz] …also, -hakase? I don’t think I heard that one. [Iris] Lami-sensei taught me everything I knew at SOMA; you are a medic. You use -sensei to denote academic authority in that manner; like a schoolteacher, or a lawyer. Your adoptive mother, Carol, would also be Dallon-sensei to me. Comparatively, your aunt Crystal would be Pelham-san to me, denoting someone of equal status. [MS] Hakase is used more for scientists and genii for example. For instance, hm. The closest otherwise currently on the roster would be Sam, so Flynn-hakase. Or Penny’s father. [Iris] Ami Mizuno would also be Mizuno-hakase. I’ve never met someone that smart since Light-hakase when I was working with the Deep Log. [Iris] I may have been born from Wales but I was raised in Japan. That’s something that needs be understood.
[Healsplz] One question before I go?
[Iris] If you dare say you’re not worthy of your powers, you go to that hospital, Brockton General I believe it is, and you tell me how many of your patients would disagree with you vehemently. [Iris] You absolutely deserve to be a hero like anyone else, Dallon-hakase. What, you’re like the world’s single most famous hero? You live in the single most dense Parahuman capitol of Earth Bet. How hard have you worked without even a speck of pay, just a smile? [Iris] You’re the Izuku Midoriya of putting people back together -both in your stubbornness at the risk of your own health, and just how selfless you actually are and what that means to the lives you save. [Iris] So ask yourself this. New Wave eschews masks. Those that know who Panacea is know she’s meant to be Amy Dallon, or Amelia Claire Lavere if you like. Should there be a difference in who Panacea is and what she can do and who the woman behind the power is and what they can do? [Iris] Because it’s not the power that makes the Parahuman. Anyone who says otherwise is talking out of their arse and needs to remove the stick before they choke on it. [Healsplz] …Gotta go. [Healsplz] Thanks, Thorne-sensei. [User Healsplz has logged off] [MS] Hm. Tobias and Nancy have been wanting a couple’s mission for awhile. Think she’ll need backup for her meeting? [Yara has logged in] [Yara] Hello! Yara is back with status update on Yara’s Imp! [Sweetrolls] Hi Yara! [AL] So how is she? [Yara] Yara’s Imp is doing better than she was. Has at least been smiling and touching grass and being more courageous regarding her natural form around people she interacts with. It’s been… mixed on the reactions of the other students. Some are entranced like Yara knew they would be 😀, others are maybe close to panicking and the only thing seeming to calm them is Yara’s presence or one known as Jim. Good person, likes red. Honestly if they are close to panic with Yara’s Imp then Yara is thinking they are woefully unprepared for world outside of Kadic. Will see about talking with headmaster about. [Yara] Also, Yara’s Imp might be quiet on chat front since most of her tech was in arm and well… That said, Yara will be happy to act as translator between, at least until she is able to make new spare communicator. [Digital Princess] Oh, that’s a shame. I was hoping to surprise Jeremie with Anya being here. [Iris] Oh bollocks, what happened? [Iris] I can ask Galaxia if she’s willing to spare Riley for the cybernetics. Hell, I can do cybernetics pretty easily if she needs help! [Iris] Who hurt my girl? [ACE2 has logged in] [ACE2] Um… think that might have been a mix of XANA and me. Hello, not the best introduction I’ll admit. [AL] Oh hey, you’re the person that called DP’s bum cute right? The heck did you do to injure ACE? [ACE2] I did what ?! [ACE2] Oh mon Dieu. I did. 😳 [ACE2] In my defense I was exhausted and I am factually and Scientifically correct. [ACE2] That said um… I’m kind of the person that got stabbed by the ‘eldritch abomination of a computer virus’ as Roomy put it. [AL] Ah. So nothing. [ACE2] what? But if I had dodged Anya wouldn’t have done… [AL] Kid, you did nothing to injure ACE, simple as. Take it from someone intimately familiar with how you’re probably feeling. The guilt is going to weigh you down until you accept the fact that there was probably nothing you could have done differently that could have resolved a better outcome. Trust me, nothing good comes of fretting over what ifs or I should haves. [Ice Queen] Huh. Deeper than I was expecting from you. [AL] I have moments. [Kitsune] bastard. [AL] Either way, yeah. You did nothing wrong, and I want to see you type it. Or I’ll sick your princess or Yara on you. [Yara] Oh! Jerry Bean hello! Oh it has been so long since Yara had good look at you and Yara is looking forward to seeing you again! Tell Yara, any progress on muscle mass? 🙂 [Maylu] …Jerry Bean? [Alibaba] oh that is precious. [Digital Princess] snrk [ACE2] …hey auncle Yara. No luck yet. [Yara] No worries! Yara is sure that you will attain non beanpole of body! You are still practicing your precise strikes, yes? [ACE2] Yes, and they’ve helped my aim quite well, thank you.
[Healsplz] This is Vicky. Amy left her phone behind.
[Healsplz] I have the largest, dopeiest smile on my face right now. [ACE2] Huh. Deja vu. [AL] I just been in this place before. [Sweetrolls] Hi Mister or Miss Vicky! [Healsplz] Well you’re precious! [Healsplz] Victoria Dallon, at your service! [Iris] I’ll get you registered so you don’t have to mooch off of Amy. Welcome aboard, Jeremie, Victoria. [Iris] Anastasia has spoken nothing but high praises of you. I look forward to seeing it in person. [Iris] As for you, Glory Girl… you are more important than you know, but do not let that glory go to your head. Every hero still has the potential to fall. [Iris] And the bigger they are [Alibaba] The harder they fall, but also the better they look in black leather. But yeah, please don’t fall unless you have a good reason to, heroes look just as good if not better in black leather. [Healsplz] Black leather? Like the girl with the yellow lenses I saw from the Docks? [Iris] Black spider-silk and chitin armor, then. Skitter’s a good lass, well educated, an idiot superheroine, but incredibly skilled and has good instincts. Don’t ask her to join the PRT or New Wave. If she’s on the villain’s side, she’s gonna be the most heroically-inclined villain you can have. [Iris] But let’s just say that in my circles she’s the Warlord called the Queen of Escalation for a reason; meaning if you hurt someone she cares about, someone she loves, then I’d start pre-salting the Earth as a courtesy. [MS] She’s one of the few Warlords I try not to have shit with. Wonderful conversationalist if you ever wish to debate morality though. [Iris] She’s the girl credited with saving Earth Bet and pretty much an entire Network of Earths, and it’s only because of her, Contessa and Zizzy together that Earth Bet still exists as a Star. [Healsplz] Are we talking about the same girl who robbed BNB with the Undersiders just last week? [Iris] The exact same, give or take a costume change and an arm. [Healsplz] I can kinda see that. Zizzy? If we’re talking about the Simurgh then maybe because I have heard a few rumors about the Simurgh’s behavior being… un-Simurgh-y, if that makes any sense. [Healsplz] Who’s Contessa, though? [Iris] Do you see a woman with a trenchcoat and a fedora? [Healsplz] Yes. [Iris] Is she doing a little wave to you? [Healsplz] Yes. [Iris] That’s Contessa. [Healsplz] I just waved at her, and she just walked away and vanished into thin air. [Iris] She does that. [MS] Willing to pay you hard cash if you ever figure out how, because legitimately I have no idea. Then again I don’t really look in on E.B all that often. Does things to my blood pressure. [Yara] That out of the way, Yara is glad to be meeting you Vicky girl of glory! [Yara] Also Yara’s Imp is saying hi and is also hiding her face in the cloak she borrowed at things 🙂 [Yara] hey. ACE/Anya here, dictating. Sorry about my issues, I’ll get to work on replacing my arm and tech as soon as mama Yara lets me. How is everyone else? [Iris] I wasn’t programmed to lie, so I’m doing okay now that I know you are okay. [SailorMeteor] Honestly, kind of vibing. [Yara] Sorry for worrying you like that LT. Just don’t blame J or DP for my fuckups, I don't regret what I did. [AL] Swear to Lucemon I’m going to find a way to that world and lock three quarters of you four in a room together. I’d say all four but I’m pretty sure that Iris could probably kick my ass outside of digital space. [Yara] bite me, Angstymon. [AL] flattered but not interested. [Roomy] Please find someone else to swear by than Digi-Satan. [AL] pretty sure that’s a different Mon. [Yara] anyway, If you could let the Forge know I’ll be absent for a bit Alibaba-chan I’d appreciate it. [Alibaba] what’s that? Super awesome project that we need to do for you? On it Chief! [Yara] that’s not… fine, you do you chaos gremlin. [Digital Princess] It’s lovely to be speaking with you Anya. I wish it were under better circumstances though. [Yara] hey. No side effects from activating the Goddess program right? I was a bit rushed and not in the best headspace so I want to make sure I didn’t fuck you up as well. [Digital Princess] definitely similar. [Yara] Uh? [Digital Princess] Nothing 🙂. [Digital Princess] Either way, Nothing so far? If anything, I feel like I have a greater freedom of movement. [Digital Princess] though you and Jeremie are more than welcome to come get a closer look if you want~. [Yara] hghsonerswbs [ACE2] ^///^ [Ice Queen] Did Yara really just type out? [Yara] Yes. [PENNY] explorers log: Interpersonal relationships are odd yet fascinating! [Iris] Hear hear, Penny-chan. [AL] So, what’s up with your name? [Yara] *sigh* Pops can be kind of boneheaded, pun intentional, about some things. He gave me my ‘legal’ name shortly after finding me and honestly it was just less of a hassle to go with the ‘close enough’ name. The name my biological parents gave me is Anya Cereza Elizae. I’d prefer if only J, DP and LT Thorne called me it, at the moment though. >>>>>>>>> >Private dms between Iris Thorne>STUN [STUN] Faust wanted me to send you this
[STUN has shared assholemansionfloorlayout.jpeg]
[STUN] He figured that you would be more comfortable receiving it through an intermediary, given your unique state of existence and your experience with your own afterlife. [Iris] I shudder to think how he got a hold of this. [STUN] I can confirm it’s as close to the target’s layout as we could reasonably hope for however. >>>>>>[Sweetrolls] Pardon me but, why is that a pun? [Yara] Dad is a…necromancer. A darn powerful one at that. [Sweetrolls] Oh, like Skullman? [Roll.exe] Oh, like Skullman.exe?[Sweetrolls] Jinx :-) [Yara] huh. They would be the closest equivalent for you wouldn’t they. Yes but also no? [SailorMeteor] How powerful exactly are we talking? [Yara] eh phhh. Honestly, most of the Rowe and those associated there in are kind of one man armies, for example *Vanna White’s Yara* V^-^ at minimum. and they just get more nuts from there. [Yara] (Yara is typing this next part under duress) Honestly, even with my arm I’d probably rank as the weakest of the Rowe. Without it I'm basically as useful as a one legged being in an ass kicking contest. [Yara] …and I just now realized that Snowflake is going to kick my ass the next time she sees me. Merde [MS] She does it out of worry. [Ha-say-o has logged in] [Haseo] Well, at least this still works, I think? [Yara] Quick distraction! Angstymon the second, what’s going on with you? [AL] I feel like I should be offended? [Haseo] How do you think I feel? [Haseo] …What the hell do you mean your arm blew off?! [Haseo] Huh, DP got hers. Good for you. [Haseo] You got Stabbed!?!! [Yara] reads quick.
[Haseo] Okay, caught up. And here I thought getting everything frag reset was going to be the weirdest thing to happen to me.
[Flynn] Details man, woman or enby! [Haseo] alright alright. So. went to check a lead I received and ran into my old guild leader, Ovan. After a long time of radio silence this bastard has the nerve to show up and offer advice and council. Either way, a lead’s a lead and he hints that Tri-Edge might return to the scene of the crime. [Haseo] I return to Root town, log off to send the people I work with in meat space a memo about what I'm planning on doing, then log back in. I’m greeted with a PC that looks almost identical to Shino, so that wasn’t traumatizing at all. And she’s in the company of this arrogant asshat who thinks that for some reason he’s mister disciplinary committee for The World dictating how players should be. [Haseo] Anyway, I arrived at the Hulle Granz Cathedral and lo and behold there stands Tri-Edge. I fight him, though that’s giving me too much credit. I don’t know if he’s legit cheating or hacking or he just works on a different Rule set entirely, but nothing I do touches the guy. [Iris] Tri-Edge… Can you upload what the guy looks like? There should be an image function in your UI. [Haseo] phh… I’ll try but I can’t promise anything. After a surge of power I was able to start doing chip damage, and then he decided to end it by forming this weird arm cannon and shot me with it. Apparently I was ko-ed for most of the day yesterday and today, still a bit groggy and all of the data I had on my computer was erased, like if someone did a factory reset on it. [MS] The Azure sky.[MS] Check your images, there should be a folder titled ‘you’re welcome.’ [Haseo] What the fu-...heck?! [Haseo] How? Why? [MS] Neither here nor there. The photo of Tri-Edge, if you please. [Haseo] Fine.[Haseo has submitted Triedgeoftheazuresky.jpeg] [Image shows a high definition of a revenant-fied figure wearing orange and wielding twin daggers] [Iris] Oh that should be impossible [Iris] From what I know based on my contacts at CC Corp, no one should be using the avatar of a legendary figure e.g. Kite, BlackRose, Orca, Balmung, Tsukasa, Subaru, Bear and Mimiru. [Iris] Kite and BlackRose especially. [MS] Hack Queen Helba etc. [MS] However, there’s enough differences that he might have fallen through the censors, if the censors even acknowledged him to begin with. The stitches, the teeth. That data’s been …revived somehow and rather Promethean at that. [Iris] In order for a character model to even be modified you’d need the character model to begin with, and CC Corp GMs keep them under lock and key. [Iris] The beta characters, namely Tsukasa, Bear and so on; they’re limited to one per account and even then, they’re only awarded to special events. [Iris] Kite and BlackRose are retired models, only to be used by the people who use Kite and BlackRose as PCs. Who the hell is this Tri-Edge? [MS] who indeed. [Yara] ACE here again. So either someone at CC Corp is planning something screwy or there’s a third party involved [Yara] and I’m not sure which would be worse in regards to the Lost Ones. [Iris] Well, regardless, whoever this is? This ain’t Kite; and next time you see a GM, Haseo, alert them to that knowledge. [Iris] It’s not like the kid is coming back to The World anyway. [Iris] Then again, I’ve met the kid and he is quite charming… [Iris] At any rate, Haseo, keep your eyes peeled. Gather information on Tri-Edge’s movements. Try to pin him down into a given server. I’ll see what I can do for Shino because that just reeks of an incident that happened years ago. [Iris] In the meantime, Atoli is a wonderful girl who won’t replace her, but could stand alongside her. [Iris] And while I’m doing that, Haseo, I do have an alternative, and I’m gonna try to get in touch with some others I know; possibly also Kite and BlackRose. [Iris] There’s another game you might want to look into, and we might need some help with it. [Iris] I’d also direct Atoli to that game as well, if this guy is who I think he is. [MS] I’ll let some of my contacts within that space know as well. If nothing else, they’ll be able to help out behind the scenes. [MS] a word of caution however, Haseo. CC corp hasn’t always been known to make rational decisions, nor do the higher ups care about much more than their bottom line. Your avatar should have some protection against any attempts to delete and perma ban you from the World but don’t try to test it and for the love of Aura, don’t antagonize people with it either or it will be removed. [MS] They tried it with Kite, there’s no reason to believe they wouldn’t try it with you as well. [Haseo] No seriously, who the hell are you? [MS] a friend, one of the few you have currently. [Yara] Yeah, he does that. [Yara] I’d say you get used to it, but you really don’t, as I’m sure LT Thorne can attest. Yara knows Yara can 🙂 [Flynn] Yeash, what’d he do to get on the Labrador’s bad side? [Yara] Mou? [Yara] Almost to the dorm J. Mind coming with me and Mama Yara to the factory to have a discussion with DP? [ACE2] Uh sure yeah. I’ll be out in 5? [Yara] Cool. [Yara has shared Imp is blushing.JPEG] [Image shows Anya wearing a full body cloak over casual clothes looking one part mysterious loner, one part grumpy cat at noticing that a picture is being taken.] [Yara] Do not worry! Yara will be on hand to share relevant details! [Yara] ACE here again. I’ll need your help later to go over that thing you were wanting LT. >>>>>>>[Yara personal messaging between Yara>LT Iris Thorne] [Yara] Anya here, again. I didn’t know if you wanted the greater chat to know about our ‘date’ so I decided to err on the side of caution. I will thank you ahead of time though, for taking time out of your no doubt busy schedule to be around me.
—---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Anya sighed to herself sitting with Yara on a bench. She had seen Yumi, Ulrich, and Sissi walking into the dorm building together standing pretty close to each other, a few minutes ago. She’d consider teasing one of them later, hopefully when she forgot about her own ‘relationship woes’. She had no idea where Odd had gotten too, but she figured that Zan had already vacated Kadic when there wasn’t enough to stimulate her desires. “Are you planning on telling them about your exes?” Yara asked softly “That came out of nowhere.” “Humor Yara.” said Yara stretching. “Kokonoe, Welch, Gwen, the first two.” Anya sighed, shuddering in phantom fear from thinking about the one Yara wasn’t mentioning. “Why is everyone always so interested in my love life. I doubt it. I’d rather the two met Gwen and Welch with as little bias as possible since it’s likely they’ll work with the two of them. I’m terrified of leaving ‘lita with Koko for a number of reasons. As for the other two… eh. If they ask, sure.” “It’s not going to happen though. Jeremie deserves someone far better than me as a friend, much less as something more and…” She looked up with a small smile, just enjoying the afternoon sky. “Her soul sang enraged at what happened to J. It wasn't synchronization, not exactly. But I was able to connect with her briefly before I cut the connection when the pain started and there was something there on a spiritual or maybe metaphysical level. Something beautiful and awe inspiring. If those two loveable dorks aren’t some kind of Soulmates I’ll eat my next arm.” Yara hummed to herself, off key. “Seems like you are trying to convince Yara less and yourself more, Imp. But Yara will not push at the moment. Yara is wanting to go get something to drink, will you be okay?” Anya smiled nodding. “Don’t worry, No one’s going to try anything in broad daylight. Could you please get me some water as well please?” Yara beamed, giving her a hug before walking off. “...Herb and Lucus? Gah, that’s going to bug me all day isn’t it?” Anya thought to herself trying to remember the names of Sissi’s stooges. She could ‘hear’ the faintest grumblings of the suites so they were recovering nicely. So that was nice. “Well well, looks like the freak was freakier than we thought.” Anya sighed, rubbing her eyes. “Fuck you too Murphey.” she muttered to herself lowering her head to look at who was talking. It was one of Sissi’s ‘rivals’ for Queen Bee Bitch or whatever, only because Yumi didn’t want the title, with her own little posse. “Hey Brenda. Do we have to do this now?” “It’s Karen!” “Oh… huh. You do kind of look like a Karen now that I think about it, Mindy.” “Interesting. Are all French high-schoolers little arses, or just you, Mauve-san?” “No, I don’t think so, Iris, most of them are- ” Anya froze. Double-taking, she turned around to see a young woman with a long chocolate-brown ponytail, in a red and blue dress with yellow trim over white tights and a loose white top. She wore red combat boots with a blue stripe, and had a pair of red gloves. Around her waist was a white belt with a blue buckle, and slung around her shoulder was a white purse with a similar blue buckle. She had fair skin and the most beautiful green eyes in the world. More importantly, however, she appeared to have a red beret atop her head with a golden emblem embroidered upon it. It covered a pair of silver headphone-like units that seemed to be attached to her ears, but were missing its headband or a cord. Indeed, apparently this was meant to be Iris Thorne’s casual look when in lower-tech timelines like this one. Her stance seemed to be more casual, but seemed to have a hint of alertness, as if anything could happen at this moment and she would be ready for it. “’Allo, love.” Iris warmly stated, smiling; her expression looking like it would melt icecaps. “Beautiful.” Anya murmured to herself before shaking her head. “Hey there.” “And who the hell are you supposed to be?” Velda asked, balling her hands into fists glaring at the newcomer. “Iris, meet Sandy. Petunia, meet Iris.” Anya said, paying the… she honestly didn’t know what to consider the queen bee wannabe. “I’d almost be impressed at your ability to not remember names Freak.” A familiar voice cleared his throat from behind the little posse. “To be rude, but don’t you three have something more important to be doing than antagonizing the daughter of a foreign diplomat as she tours the school as well as Anya?” Jeremie asked calmly. “I believe you said your name was Karen? Well, sadly for you, Karen-san, I have other business to attend to and one of them involves my lovers here,” Iris motioned towards Anya and Jeremie, waving her palm in such a way as to present them, “So… piss off.” Frida scoffed, turning to go. “Figured Belpois could only bag the freak and the freaky Foreigner." Karen gulped at hearing a low growling sound that sounded eerily like a chainsaw from hell coming from Anya. “Okay bitch. Insult me as much as you want, But I’ll be damned if I let you and your little fake ass hive cunts insult one of mine. Now get out of my sight or you’ll see how freaky I can be as I kick your fake plastic ass all around the campus.” “To translate, since I’m sure you speak French and not English: Une chance. Partez, ou nous vous brisons. ” Iris translated. Britanny did the intelligent thing and left with a scoff, Anya glaring at their backs all the while, continuing to growl. Jeremey sighed, adjusting his glasses. “It’s always fascinating that you can do that Anya. Apologies for attempting to step in, but I was… worried about what you two might have done in accident. To those three.” He said giving the two ladies a bow “Accident?” Iris curiously repeated, before giggled. “It would look like it for certain. Hajimemashite , Monsieu r Belpois. Je m’appelle Lt. Iris Roseanne Thorne, Dual citizen of Cardiff, Wales and Osaka, Japan; working with the Mattrone de l’Académie des Sciences d’Orléans; et envoyé diplomatique en France désigné par les deux nations . Gofalwch amdanaf os gwelwch yn dda.” She said, seamlessly switching between French, English and Japanese and Welsh as if she was taught all four languages since birth. Jeremie smiled, slowly and gently taking one of Iris’ hands in case she declined, kissing her knuckle. “Charmed, Lieutenant Thorne. Jérémie Belpois, enchanté. I apologize for being tardy, but I needed to explain that Aelita and I joined a chat group so that we could mingle with people and also freely chat with each other to the rest of the gang.” Anya turned her head to follow Barbie and the other two, her growls slowing as she turned back to the two in front of her. She blushed a faint blue, reaching to pull the hood of her cloak lower as some of what Iris had said finally registered through the rage. “It’s great that you two could meet! Though I have to admit Lieutenant, you being here is a pleasant surprise.” “It’s only polite that I meet my dates on their home turf!” Iris cheered, a warm smile on her face before turning serious. “Though I am here on business first. Monsieur Belpois, Mademoiselle Ellie, voudriez-vous bien m’escorter jusqu’à la doyenne du collège Kadic? ” Anya swallowed, gripping her cloak as she looked at Jeremie who nodded, a curious light in his eye. Yara walked up, holding four waters and a small computer chip she apparently found. “So, Detour then? It is lovely to see you again Lieutenant Thorne, Jerry Bean.” “Always a pleasure, Steindrachen-sensei.” “Blech. Yara. Yara appreciates the respect but honestly. Just Yara.” said stone dragon handed water bottles to Jeremie and LT Iris before handing one to Anya. “Also, wonderfully handled by you three.” Yara beamed at them, pocketing the computer chip. “Yara will admit, Yara was kind of wanting to see Jerry Bean punch the little idiot but the way the three of you worked together was marvelous. Yara will be telling Princess about while you are holding meeting.” Anya stood up from the bench, moving her cloak to cover her left side before smiling at the three. “Would you like to lead the way, Gareth, or shall I?” “...Odd choice for a Round Table reference but sure.” Jeremie said, taking Anya’s hand kissing her knuckles as well before starting to walk towards the Dean’s office, missing how blue Anya’s face was from blushing. Yara chuckled to herself. “Smooth. There will be little for Yara to teach Jerry Bean at this rate.” “SHH!” Anya hissed as she moved to follow.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>[Main Chat] [N4NC3Y has joined the chat with temporary ADMIN privilages.] [N4NC3Y has changed her tag to Nancy] Nancy: Hello everyone! The boss figured that while ACE is recuperating that someone else technically minded can fill her role here so she can actually concentrate on healing. And It’s a pleasure to meet each and every one of you, from the brooders to the ones who paved the way for my existence. *curtsey* [Nancy has uploaded image file Salutations.jpeg and Casualwear.jpeg] (The first shows a silver skinned woman with black hair wearing a french maid outfit doing a classic curtsey. The second shows that same woman with red hair wearing a tasteful Vegas Bunny Suit smiling at the camera.) [AL] Oh hey, you’re the lady Toby won’t shut up about. Welcome to the madhouse. [Sweetrolls] Hi Nancy! It’s a pleasure to meet you as well. [Nancy] Well I’m just pleased to meet you too, Light-senpai. [Alibaba] Hey!. So, I’m guessing the silver isn’t just an aesthetic choice [Nancy] first off. *gives everyone a digital big sis hug* [Ice Queen] …why did I actually feel that? [Flynn] Oh good, I’m not just crazier. [Sweetrolls] hehe 🙂 [Nancy] My secret~ [Nancy] but yeah. My casual/battle body is composed of liquid metal and a colony of replicating microscopic metal beings that number in the zentillions at last census that enable me to shift and configure my body in near infinite combinations. Or in meme speech, “Nanomachines, Son.”. [Alibaba] Nice! [Nancy] Thank you. ^-^ My creators were also somewhat inspired by the Copy system developed by one Doctor Thomas Light. My literal other half is a battle train designed to ride the space rails while also having the ability to create and lay down it’s own track in cases of emergency, or just for general transport. [Nancy] Honestly I just like the silver aesthetic as it’s also my ‘default’. But silver on silver on silver is rather much most of the time. [Haseo] So you’re the Phantom Train personified, then. [Haseo] Maybe an entire train level? [Nancy] huh. I wonder if there’s a form you can fill out to be a volunteer psychopomp? [Nancy] otherwise, basically? I am sadly no longer on friendly terms with my surviving creators due to one unfortunate misunderstanding or another and thus can not ask them what all they took inspiration from, beyond what I already know. I also serve as a makeshift repair bay in case this body becomes damaged beyond regenerative capabilities as well as a portable lab in one of the cars. [Penny] Absolutely Fascinating! Those garments you’re wearing in the photographs, are they actual fabrics or more of your selfsame body? [Mayl] …Polidina-san, are you asking if she’s wearing clothes or not? [Penny] Indeed! [Alibaba] I mean, if she wasn’t I was going to. Literally, was about to hit send and everything. [Nancy] These chats are a hoot. [Nancy] and I mean, It depends really. Sometimes I’m lazy and ‘cheat’ sometimes I actually put the clothes on. Of course, If I’m on a job, I don’t always have the time to throw something on. [Roll.exe] I mean if you think about it [Mayl] no. [Roll.exe] fair enough. [DDP] What was the disagreement about? [Nancy] They wished to control or take away my autonomy and mass produce ‘shells’ in essence to sell to the highest bidders. I disagreed. So I suppose I can sympathize with LT Thorne and her past self. Doubtless if I too came from that world, I would be hunted as well for going maverick, even if I vehemently disagree with that connard Sigma, and thus never would have had a chance to meet my darling Tobias. [Ice Queen] So what I’m hearing is, you’re good in a fight. [Nancy] I mean, I’m no Steindrachen but I do alright. [Layer] Can you travel between Stars as well? [Nancy] ~ eh. I can but the further away I am the more energy it’ll take. I don’t know how the Boss and Zan can do it like *snaps fingers*. [Nancy] Judging by relative coordinates of your nodes… I can travel to any One of your nodes within a twenty four standard hour period from each other and not be completely drained. Two if I really push it, but don’t expect either of me to be able to do much else in that scenario without someone refueling my energy reserves. [Sweetrolls] Oh, what do you run on? [Nancy] eh, any kind of energy really. Lightning, steam, I have a hamster wheel designed for Yara for the direst of straits in the engine car. Relatively recently ACE has made it so I can actually get energy from food which I prefer since it makes me feel like part of the group, even if it’s the least conversion efficient. [MS] Apologies for interrupting. Haseo, I would wait two more days before you log back into the World. [Haseo] ..Why? [MS] Maintenance~. [MS has supposedly logged out of chat. Show of hands, who actually believes it?] [Nancy] huh. I didn’t know ACE brought over a copy of Sys-kun. Neat.—---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Anya stretched, her hood coming off as she reached to turn the doorknob to the waiting area of the dean’s office. She blinked for a moment in confusion when the door stayed closed before slapping her forehead and used her remaining arm, holding it open for the others. “So Lieutenant, any hints as to what your business with the dean entails? Like say if it’s to be a private one on one?” Iris nodded. “Yes, it is meant to be a private talk, Anastasia. I’ll explain everything when I’m done. In the meantime, can I trust you on something? I need you,” she reached in her purse for a tetrad of paper envelopes, each marked with a certain seal: a large K overlapped with a smaller C. “To deliver these four invitations to one Kaiba Seto. He’ll know what they are for.” Anya received the envelopes, biting her lip. “I’d love to, Lieutenant, but without my arm and the tech, I’m kind of stuck.” Yara grinned, lifting her up and putting her over her shoulder like a sack of potatoes. “Don’t worry. Yara will help Imp make deliveries to rich blue-eye boy. Yara knows speedy way to get there no problems.” Anya sighed, giving the two a shrug as Yara started carrying her off somewhere, vanishing in the between. Jeremie blinked before taking off and cleaning his glasses. “Strangely, knowing just how neat they really are hasn’t stopped the surprises. I assume there was a secondary reason for asking for the delivery, Lieutenant." “Yes, but that’s part of why I wanted things to be private. This involves your mission.” Iris spoke, with a serious tone. Iris turned to her loved one, pinging Yara’s communication device. “Anya, have you gotten a chance to read the public chat as of late? If so, you’d know what I am asking Jeremie to do. If not, I’d suggest giving that chat a looksee before we begin speaking with the Dean. It would provide important context.” “Ah. This is about the thing you’re trying to distract me from, gotcha.” Anya said neutrally, voice sounding through the speaker of Jeremie’s borrowed tablet. “A thought, Lieutenant.” Jeremie offered. “I know Anya would be worried sick about me if she went on that date with you and I had a job to do, and she wasn’t around to see it. It occurred to me that we might be able to-” Iris held up her hand, almost reading the young man’s mind. “I think you might be on to something. I have this habit of making an elaborate plan, and then when a better option comes along I start kicking myself because I didn’t think of it. Enjoy holding that over the head of an Admin while you can, Belpois-san.” “Right, yeah.” Jeremie didn’t sound too convinced. “Let’s talk to the Dean, then.” “Coming up to Kaiba Corp now. Don’t be too hard on Monsieur Delmas, He’s a good one.” “Understood, dear. Iris out.” She deactivated the ping, then turned to Jeremie. “What’s your plan?” “It goes a little like this…” -==
#DM: Jeremie Belpois > Kiritsugu Emiya
Thirty Minutes Earlier….
[J.Belpois] Greetings, Monsieur Emiya. I hope this finds you well. [K.Emiya] Huh. You’re the kid from Orleans? I thought you weren’t going to get involved in Magus Killer business? [J.Belpois] Opportunity calls and, well, I managed to make a few more friends since we last spoke, M. Emiya. [K.Emiya] I suppose I can’t argue with that. If you’re contacting me this late in the game, I’m sorry to say I can’t help you. My body is failing. At the rate it’s going… [J.Belpois] I don’t need your help this time, at least not directly. Instead, I feel it’s your right to know. [J.Belpois] I am going to go on a raid on the Einzbern Castle in Munich to rescue your daughter. [K.Emiya] You are way too young and inexperienced to go on that mission alone. [J.Belpois] You’re right. But I’m not doing it alone. I’m going to be part of a coalition of sorts. [J.Belpois] What I want you to do is make M. Einzbern think you are going on one last mission to rescue Mlle. Illyasviel, and I want you to make him believe that your raid will occur this Thursday. [J.Belpois] My contacts and I will then hit the Einzbern Castle tuesday .-==“Are you mad?” Iris quietly shrieked. “Oh that’s not even the only thing.”-==[K.Emiya] I’ve tried that tactic before. Acht knew I was coming before I even made my move. I dunno how he hired those mercenaries… [J.Belpois] Well, that’s why instead I’m actually going to hit the Einzbern Castle Wednesday morning. [K.Emiya] Just, stop. [J.Belpois] I’m not stopping, M. Emiya. [K.Emiya] …fine. When are you actually going on that raid? [J.Belpois] Wednesday night. [J.Belpois] I need you to send a message to Illya. However you can send it, send it, and tell her to expect the castle to crumble before you in one last ditch effort. [K.Emiya] Acht’s gonna intercept it. [J.Belpois] M. Einzbern will receive the message. You are going to send it. I am going to ensure you get your daughter. . [K.Emiya] Is that a promise? [J.Belpois] A threat, Magus Killer.-==“You are mad.” Iris breathed.-==[K.Emiya] Heh. I knew I saw something in you. I hope you can make good on that threat. [J.Belpois] Well, there is one more thing I need. [J.Belpois] Cousin Shirou’s help. [K.Emiya] He has Avalon in him. Acht will recognize that. [J.Belpois] He won’t recognize Avalon… if there is another Avalon in play. [K.Emiya] There’s only one. [J.Belpois] Not from my perspective.-==“You clever minx.” Iris complimented. “Alright, when do you actually want to make your move?” Jeremie merely smirked. “Tomorrow morning.” In truth, Jeremie had a far riskier plan in mind. A risk that Iris picked up on. “I’ll alert the Team then.” “Oh don’t bother.” Jeremie said. Iris raised an eyebrow, but Jeremie stated, “When I said, Tomorrow morning, I really meant, they’re already doing it. ” The ex-Repliforce navigator’s eyes widened in sheer audacity, and she spoke sternly, “Jeremie, I want you to understand I’ve known some brilliant strategists in my time with the Repliforce, the Hunters, the Deep Log and so forth. Alia Watson, Web Spider, Aurora Ortiz, Nana Shirase, RiCO Ortiz, Madeline Ciel, the list goes on. I want you to understand that, and I want you to understand that other than Web Spider, they never lost a single engagement. And I want you to bear that in mind when I tell you that the world is poorer for not recognizing how batshite insane that plan is, and how likely it is Old Man Acht saw that coming.” “That’s the beauty of it, though, Lieutenant.” Jeremie smirked. “He didn’t.” [Sign OFF]
[Rippleverse.com OST - Superdimensional Superhuman Superhighway Soundscape] 4-01 - Sissi [Lo-Fi] “The Delmas Dilemma”
Quest - Virtua Fighter 4: Evolution
4-02 “Because It’s The Path Forward”
Because it’s the Right Path - Project X Zone 2
4-03 Theme of Love Verse 2 “Us”
Theme of Love (Final Fantasy IV) - John Oeth
4-04 Regret ~Iris~ “There Are Words I Wish I Could Take Back…”
Sorrow - Mega Man X8
4-05 “Behind The Hood”
Behind the Mask ~Tactica~ - Persona 5 Tactica
4-06 Vicky’s Theme [Vicky Dallon] “Not-So Fragile One”
Strange Sunset - Street Fighter EX3
4-07”Jingle: Get Map”
Level Up - Phantasy Star Online
4-08 “Tri-Edged Tension”
Tri-Edge - .hack//G.U. Trilogy
4-09 “EVENT - Casual”
Makes Sense - Dariusburst
4-10 Iris’ Theme 1 [Low Charge] “You’re Among Stars Now”
Iris Battle (Touhou Style Arrange) - Soundfont Arranger
4-11 “Kiritsugu”
Main Theme - Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny
It was late at night when Illyasviel received a phone call. As a traditional Magus, the young, age-locked woman would have scoffed at modern technology; after all, what good would that do to a Magus? But a small part of her, the part of her that still believed in something better, called out to it. Carefully picking it up, she asked “Hello, who is this?” “Illya?” An older man, one clearly ill, aged, but recognizable to some small part of her subconscious, asked. “Papa?” “Listen, can you hang in there for just a while longer? Say, about, Wednesday?” the man asked. Illyasviel was silent, contemplating. “How do I know it’s you?” she answered. “Who taught you everything you know?” “Natalia.” Illyasviel nodded. “Okay. Do you promise?” “I can’t make it myself; I’m honestly in no shape… but I know a few people who can.” Illya was about to ask whom… but then she heard a large explosion from outside her room. “Illya, what’s going on?” the man on the other side of the line asked. “They’re here…!”
Storyteller:“Next Time, Rippleverse.com, Episode 5: ‘5D Chess with Literal Multiversal Time Travel.’” Iris“Oi! This is my stage, you cad! Piss off!”