Megaman - Friday, July 14, 2000, 11:20 AM -----------------------------------------
=============================== IC Broadcasts ================================ Message: 9/21 Posted Author So it comes to pass.. Fri Jul 14 Sunstar -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The artificial source of sunlight that floats between the true source and the blue-green planet of earth slowly disappears, revealing the real deal. The camera within orbit rapidly zooms in, in hopes of the disappearance of the Destroyer.. Yet when it comes to luck, earth is not that lucky. Arms hanging almost limply to each side of his dark blue frame, Sunstar's head in thrown back -- and faintly picked up by the new sensor system is a sound that sends a chill down the spine as easily as a hot knife sinks through a tub of butter. Laughter from the depths of his dark core is spilled forth. The Stardroid who has truly made a fashion statement with his sunflower knee-guards floats there, all known shields diminished, no auras, nothing to stand in the way between him and the gem of a world beneath him. A rapid zoom reveals a sneer upon the left side of his face as the laughter dies off, an almost grim look within his eyes. Expect little, and any surprise you gain is a good one. It is this theory that comes to Sunstar at this time, and this time alone. This is the beginning of the Final Stage of Planetary Armageddon. Moving his limbs, he forms a shape rather similar to a deformed five-stroke star -- and at the centre of it all, at his torso, plates side to each side, revealing one rather large exit port for his body. Already, a faint glow is seen, yet one must remember that this is only the beginning. The brief respite of allowing natural sunlight through is over, however, as a new mass emerges from the Destroyer's frame, as black as space, a rapidly expanding circle. Within moments, the world is plunged into darkness as sol itself is blocked out, an unnatural eclipse. Streetlights throughout the world are now on as one, dogs quite disturbed along with numerous other creatures. Mere hours remain, and the small dot of light within the skies grows.....
=============================== IC Broadcasts ================================ Message: 9/22 Posted Author The Search for Salvation Fri Jul 14 GNN Emergency News Team ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is a GNN Special News Report. Earlier today, we released footage of the one known as Sunstar, apparently now nearing completion of his gathering of energy, as predicted by our scientists, as well as the statement from the Stardroids themselves. At last count, 9 of the ten 'keys' had been collected, leaving only the assumed commander of this group to be left. However, his location on the earth has not be confirmed, and there are no leads so far. We urge anyone who sees this man *a picture of Duo's reploid form, Mono, shows up on the screen* or Duo himself *the picture switches to one of Duo* to report it to the authorities as soon as possible. Please remember that this is a state of global emergency, and is not a facade. Please refrain from any prank calls about the subject. We shall run updates as we receive them. GNN Emergency News Team now returns you to your normal programming.
=========================== Unified Global Defense =========================== Message: 28/60 Posted Author 10 Keys Acquired Fri Jul 14 Twila Peterson ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The key's in possession:
Sunstar - (knowledge of) Ultimate Destruction Mercury - Knowledge and Its Use/Misuse Venus - Strength of Many, Unification, Conquered All/All Conquered (?) Pluto (Hades) - Death/Birth/Transformation Eclipse/Watcher - Gathering of Facts/Action/Involvement, Sacrifice (?) Uranus - Innocence, Purity Neptune - Fortitude, Strength and Courage against Adversity Jupiter - Compassion Mars (God of War) - Conflict Saturn - Reality and Imagination
Duo's is still needed.
Twila A. Peterson ==============================================================================
...While the assorted androids, Reploids, humans, and everything in between go about their business, Enker arrives, giving everyone no more than one click glance, looking for something. He finds him quickly enough, and heads for the Hunter Commander, ignoring everything else, including the girls he's currently already dealing with. The Elite is carrying something...a flat screen, which he offers to the Blue Bomber. "...This might be of interest to you," he says. "...And to you as well, Miss Peterson," he says with just a hint of a grin, turning to Mother Dearest.
Rock idly BLINKS at the log, passing it across to Twila. "O...kay." He glances up at the redhead, scrutinizing her, since she is The Mother...
Twila Peterson squints and then blinks at the datapad's recording...watching with interest...
Monitor> Luna's pale, doll-like face takes on a pinkish sheen at Sunstar's words, glancing up at Neptune's arrival. "I'm not quite sure I would enjoy the experience, Sunstar," she replies, giving a nod to Neptune's arrival.
Monitor> Sunstar sneers, first at Neptune's commentary, slightly less at Luna's. "You should know well enough by now that the upcoming event is the only true moment of happiness I gain within my present existence, Fish." His voice lowers, not that it really matters. "Although because of you, it may yet be stripped from me."
Monitor> Neptune directs an almost-civil nod towards the femmedroid in greeting, then glares at Sunstar. He lets the 'fish' comment drop. "Ye worried that the mortals may get Duo's key? No one has EVER done that. Ye should be pleased... ye'll probably get to destroy this world after all. As fer me causin you ta fail, I did nothin' that didn't need ta be done."
Monitor> "No one has ever gotten Mars' key, nor Pluto's key, in the past either, Neptune," Selene responds, floating between the two other 'droids. "But you are right. Duo's Key shall not be taken by the mortals..."
Monitor> Neptune hmphs at Luna's comment, not bothering to note that she said only mortals wouldn't make Duo surrender his key. There are other forces in the universe even more powerful than the Stardroids, after all. He looks down at the Earth with what approaches pity, "Tis a shame, though...it be a beautiful planet. Reminds me much of my home, before..." he trails off into silence.
Monitor> The words of both wash over the Destroyer, whose gaze moves on towards the prison that floats nearby. "If there is any interference by our own in obtaining our lord's key, I will go to Earth and personally dispose of any...unless the Lady does so first."
Monitor> Luna smiles a little at Neptune. "Most of Earth reminds each of us of our homes," she replies, glancing to Sunstar. "The blue skies, specifically, of mine and Sunstar's world." She glances back again, "None of our own may interfere anymore. They have been beaten."
Monitor> Neptune nods slowly in agreement, "And Justice wouldna allow it. I know not of what can help these mortals now."
Monitor> "The Mother," Selene says softly.
Monitor> Sunstar frowns over at Luna, looking at her for a time before looking elsewhere. He doesn't remember that... "That doesn't matter, Luna. This planet will be so much cosmic dust very, very shortly."
Monitor> Luna nods a little. "Yes. It will."
Monitor> Neptune's optics flick towards Selene, narrowing slightly. He has nothing to offer to that statement. He himself has met her on several occasions and knows what sort of power she contains. "Aye...perhaps she. Though even I don' know how." He falls silent a moment at Sunstar's comment. "I wonder if they realize down there how close they be to a point of Destiny. One path aleadin' to...power and unity they cannot imagine...another path leadin' to death and destruction. And because of that second path, Duo has decided to na risk it."
Enker crosses his arms, having delivered what needs be... His weapon is currently retracted to a cylinder, and clipped to his belt. The video can speak for itself.
Rock looks over at Twila. "That's... a bit disturbing," he says, in regard to the log. Intertwining his hand with hers he gives it a squeeze in comfort. "I...I guess this clinches it. You have to come with us when we go to confront Duo..."
Twila Peterson swallows hard and nods, "Yeah...I...suppose it does...." she manages out trailing into silence. .oO(Neptune's alive? But that must also mean Eclipse...But...)Oo. Then she whispers, "The Mother..?"
Rock gives Twila's hand another squeeze. "You're the Mother, you said..." he starts, but leaves her to her thoughts. Again, he gets an odd feeling and looks up and around. "Have any of you seen General, Bass or Wily?"
Iris answers Rock, "General is back at HQ, as far as I know."
Dr. Wily says, "Today...is the end...Not for us...But for Duo and his Fools...We need find Duo in order to confront him..." says Enker to Wily, before eying Toad Man over. "...None of Wily's creations are useless, Toad Man...The Stardroids... fall..."
Rock extends his hands. "Then you have no problem giving me the rest of the keys."
Dr. Wily looks to Rock with a grin and slowly walks over. "Heh... You and Bass are the Chosen Ones... You should hold the keys." The Mad Doctor extends the key to Rock. Unity, My boy. We fight together."
Rock takes the key, and gently slides it into his hip compartment with the rest.
Twila Peterson's trembling eases a bit at the touch, allowing her to gain enough calmness to offer Enker back his datapad. "Here...I believe this is yours..."
Dr. Wily chuckles then... reaching again into his bottomless pocket. "There is this as well, Rock. The Key of Conflict. And good...you got the piece from Slash Man?" Wily slowly walks over...withdrawing a foot long...glittering Brass key. The Symbol of Mars is on it's end... as he extends it to Rock."
Enker nods curtly to Miss Peterson, and takes his datapad, placing it back in his belt... "The four mentioned will defeat Duo. We will need to be ready to free Terra the instant Duo's key is in hand...Sunstar will not likely be pleased."
Rock nods at Enker. "That much is true," he says, giving Twila a comforting squeeze. Comforting to whom, noone knows. Maybe both.
You whisper 'I...almost hate too comment on this...but If I'm Duo's key and the keys must be united...' to Rock.
Rock Frowns at Twila's whisper and shakes his head, giving her another tight hug. He whispers: 'Don't think about that... it's bound to be something else...'.
You whisper 'Can't help it tho. Still...*long pause tailing to shyness* Before you and the others face Duo...perhaps I'm needed to hold the keys.' to Rock.
Rock whispers: '*soft sigh* That's a pretty big what-if... but it's a valid fear. He gently kisses Twila on the cheek, after whispering something to her, looking up and frowning at Bass' entrance.
Bass comes to a halt just inside the entrance, Treble standing faithfully by his side as he sweeps a quick glare about the room, mouth turning downwards ever so slightly. "What...is this?" he mutters, noting how it's starting to look more like a party than...a temporary HQ.
Twila Peterson holds to Rock a little more tightly and follows his gaze. "Choas' Will..." she mutters...
The Mad Doctor looks up, a broad grin spreading on his lips... "Bass!" Dr. Wily says, "So glad of you to join us! Just two more players for the final show..."
Rock gives Twila another squeeze, before leading her over to two chairs, and pulling one out for her to sit in. He sits next to her. "Twila, if...something were to happen...to me, or to you, tonight..." Rock whispers: 'I want you to know that I love you more than life itself.'.
Zero finishes his cookies and glances to Bass, "Heh, hey there, Brother." He'll leave that greeting as it stands, laying back, "...Think I need to shut down, though, if I'm going to be able to handle riots tonight."
Dr. Wily looks to Rock and Twila. "Awww...How cuuute." Gagging gesture and walks over to Zero. "Yes, Rest Zero. We will save the world without you."
From somewhere behind Wily, Rush growls a bit at the doctor before wandering across the room to beg at Roll for a cookie.
Bass narrows his eyes faintly, turning his gaze back towards Wily for a few moments, then to Enker, and finally everyone else. He doesn't respond to any inquiries turned his way...or greetings for that matter. Instead, he raises his right hand, clenched into a tight fist. "What's this?" he mutters again. "There's supposedly -hours- left to this very planet, and it looks like everyone is hosting a -party-?"
Treble growls lowly in his throat, tilting his head downwards, ears flattened along his head. As if clueing in to his master's sudden change in emotions. Plant Man doesn't immediately notice Bass's entrance, having a loudly purring cat tucked into the crook of one arm and a plate of sugar cookies in front of him. He absently picks up the cookie of himself, and one that looks vaguely like Twila before grabbing a third cookie that looks like Tango. However, upon everyone's commentary, he looks up at the entrance to see Bass and Ballade. As his expression tightens with hidden emotion, Moonwalk opens her sleepy eyes, and eats the Tango cookie, as his hand holding the cookies has paused within her reach.
Iris offers Bass a cookie.
Dr. Wily looks to Bass. "No, Bass. We are gathering for our final battle... Relaxation helps before a fight."
Kyo-Ohki doesn't seem to mind one bit if she's getting crumbs on Zero's bed. But then, she doesn't mind when she gets crumbs on Twila's, Rick's, or Rock's bedding either. She then looks up towards the door, spotting a certain mangy mutt and growls...
Meanwhile, Twila is led by Rock and seats herself when gestured to do so. She tosses Wily a dirty look, muttering something about her "counterpart" and turn back towards the Reploid. She places a hand on his shoulder, not knowing if she should speak of this growing...feeling she's had for almost the past month, and whispers something in return.
Rock glances up at Bass. "It's not a party..." he says, waiting on Twila's response. "It's just...with a few hours left before...y'know...we're trying to get some last things done."
You whisper 'Just as I love you more than mine...' to Rock.
Dr. Wily gags again...
Star Falcon stops and looks over at Bass, blinking, then shakes his head, turning to head out quietly.
Dr. Wily says, "I am /really/ going to like it when things get back to normal..."
After Bass comes through the door, there is yet another high ranking master's appearance... this one quiet and graceful, yet imposing at the same time. It is Ballade, his presence almost emanating a dark boding feeling. Milk and Cookies? Maybe Kaufman really isn't dead, but this is not the way Ballade would like to prepare for the end of the world...
Rock gives Twila's hand a squeeze. This very well could be the last fight, with Duo, if they screw it up. He whispers to the redhead, softly. Rock whispers: 'I...just wanted you to know that. In case something happens today...'.
Zero shakes his head, "Iris..." He looks up at her and smiles some, "I may or may not be active again before this battle is over...But...I just want you to know, just in case, that I love you." He closes his eyes for a moment, "I've enjoyed our time together, if the worst comes. But -- If I'm able to wake up, and see you, then I know we made it through." He pats her cheek and forces himself to sit up a little, "...Rock...! ...Bass!" A pause and breath before he shoots a thumbs up, "...Go get 'em, you two..." Thus spoken, he drops himself back to the bed and starts up his shutdown procedure.
Rock glances back at Zero, with a smile. "Will do, bro," he replies, giving a thumbs-up again.
Twila Peterson nods sorrowfully as well as a little worriedly and wraps her arms around him tightly, armor or no. "Thanks." You whisper 'Rock, I love you...' to Rock.
Bass blinks again, glaring first towards Iris as she offers said cookie towards him. For the longest moment he just stares....
And in the next second, his hand darts out, slapping aside at hers to no doubt send said treat sprawling to the floor itself....or flying for a rather good distance as his hand meets forcefully with Iris' arm. In the next second, he turns his snarl around to everyone in the room. "That's it then? You waste -time- here? Time that could be used hunting down Duo so he can be exterminated...WASTED because all of you have to tell each other once again how much you love them, or wish you'd had more time to tell them that!?" His voice raises in pitch, anger building at the same time. "...and bake -cookies- and play music in the background? IS THAT all that it means then? HRM?"
Rock returns Twila's hug, again, and then pulls back a bit. Yeah, it's a PDA, but who cares. Crooking a finger and lifting Twila's head by her chin, he gently kisses her. He's scared, that much is evident to all, but...he tries not to let it show.
Twila Peterson winces a bit at Bass's bellowing. But for once she ignores him and doesn't jump. Instead, she brushes her lips gently against Rock's within a return gesture, meaning it all she has. She allows it to linger there a little before wrapping him in another embrace.
You whisper 'If something does happen...watch Rick for me...and make sure he takes good care of Kyo...' to Rock.
Iris is knocked off to the side with the force of Bass's anger, but not enough to be hurt. She glares at Bass, "Oh, just shut up you big dumb BRUTE! Will you answer a question for me? /Why/ are we trying to save this dumb world if not for each other?!" Iris fumes, and of course when Iris gets -really- angry, she cries..
Roll looks up at Bass, and folds her arms across her chest, "...I suppose this is because noone is declaring how they feel for you? Want a hug?"
Dr. Wily turns his gaze to Ballade and Enker with a nod. They are ready. Wily turns his gaze to bass, offering a broad grin as he walks forward. "Duo, My boy...will come to us. Don't you think he hasn't noticed? I have more then been hunting for him. He falls this day Bass. And dispute it all... We must work together."
Zero furrows his brow as he lays there and, since he may not get a chance to say it later, forces himself up again, "....Bass...." He shakes his head and peers at him, "Shut the hell up." There, now he's waited quite sometime to do that, so he'll just lay back down and peacefully go to sleep. "Iris...Do me a favor.. Go see about General and just leave my cranky little brother be.."
Enker turns to his commander for the moment, having been ignoring the Hunters and their sentimental rubbish... "...The Hunters are not soldiers, they are vigilantes. They have neither honor nor the correct priorities." If Rock object to this, though. "...But they will serve us as need be. This alliance... Is a matter of waiting... As long as we are all here, the Stardroid can come to us, and we will be ready for him."
Kyo-Ohki finishes her cookie with an unlady-like loud burp and hops back over to her usual station right by Zero with a stubborn mew.
Rock blithely ignores Bass, for the moment. Bass is just going to make him angry and he'd rather not be angry right now...he holds the kiss and embrace for a short time, before breaking both and stepping back, letting his hand linger in Twila's for a time as he looks around at the rooms. "I guess...it's time we got down to business," he says softly, reaching into his hip-armour and producing a small box. Turning back to Twila, he presses it into her hand, and whispers to her. Rock whispers: 'I will... and if anything happens to me... keep Roll in line for me? And dad too.'. Rock whispers: 'And that box...it's something for you... open it later.'.
[OOC] Zero says, "Propose! Propose! *chants* :)" [OOC] Zero proceeds to flee. [OOC] Rock WHACKS Zero.
Dr. Wily slowly reaches up to stroke his jaw as he listens to Enker's words. "Indeed, Enker. Indeed. And this Alliance... is what will save us. This Alliance... is the end and the beginning... the end of an old age... and the beginning of a New. Just as we fought together against the Kaiser... for all reality... so we fight together for out world."
Roll starts to say something, but accidentally has her radio queued, cause she was going to respond to Wily.
(Ch. E [Hunter/Repliforce]) Roll transmits: '...how romantic! I wonder if he'll get down on a knee...I hope so...err...whoops.'.
(Ch. E [None]) Star Falcon transmits: 'Those two /still/ going at it?'.
Bass arches an eyebrow, snapping his gaze between both Iris and Roll, then settles on Roll herself. "I'm sorry..." he states, raising a hand to touch his own chest. "I believe you're mistaking me for someone who holds some actual VALUE to these pathetic emotions. And as for why I'm trying to save this dumb world..." he glares back towards Iris now. Zero or no Zero, he takes a step forward, coming -very- close to her as he practically glares right through her eyes with his own. His voice drops to a deadly whisper, mouth drawn back into a feral snarl.
"I've begun questioning that myself as of lately. After all, what's the point if it means I've got to put up with the likes of -you- each day hrm?" He then snorts, and turns back in a quick spin, setting his hands on his hips as he glares towards the floor itself.
"I've been asking myself that question quite alot lately..." he growls lowly. "...and you know what? If you're doing this for each other, I most certainly am -NOT-!" With that, he raises his glare once more. "If you're all going to save this world...then DO IT YOURSELVES!" With but a few seconds being given to allow that to sink in, he then begins to move at a rapid pace away from the others, back towards the entrance once more.
Twila Peterson nods mutely, promising non-verbally she will and accepts the gift. She offers the Reploid's hand one last squeeze before letting him go. After all, he has to prepare for the final assault...
Rock facefaults at Roll, stepping back and sliding his hand out of Twila's, turning then and watching Bass retreat. "Just great..." And he turns and heads out after the Dark Knight. "Bass, hold it!"
Dr. Wily turns his gaze to Bass...nodding slowly. He understands his boy. A grin comes to his features. He /built/ him after all...
Ballade lowers his head disdainfully, muttering lowly so only Enker can hear. "No control... any of them." He know why he fights for all of existance... it isn't because of any feelings he has, or friends he wants to save. "It is Wily's will."
Enker nods to Ballade, and speaks quietly into his radio... A dangerous thing to say, but then, Bass is needed to save Wily and his dreams... The Elite is not.
Twila Peterson cradles the gift within her hands and looks down on it while the bellowing commences, resolving to place it with her other meger belongings that were brought here as she needed to remain to offer medical aid.
Dr. Wily turns his gaze to Twila. "Have you explained Mercury's key to Rock?"
Twila Peterson sighs. Actually, she hasn't...much yet any. In reply she waits until Rock confronts Bass before stating to him anything and address Wily instead. "I haven't had much time to do so."
Bass pauses only long enough to turn around and glare -right- back at Rock, nothing short of hatred itself boiling through.
"No Rock..." he seethes. "I won't wait. I leave now. You're supposed to be the hero types anyways...aren't you? Well then you can save the entire planet all by YOURSELVES." He shifts a glare back towards Iris, then to Zero particularly. "How long have -we- been holding up our end while many more of you simply sit there and preach about nonsense and talking to th em. Hrm? No, I figure this is somehow fitting in a way. I did more than my part at first with shouldering such a burden." He then makes a dismissive gesture. "Now it's your turn. And if you have a problem with it....talk to your good friend...the Betrayer." With that, he gives a cruel sneer, turning about once more and stalking his way out, Treble fitting into place at his side and trotting after.
Dr. Wily turns, leting Rock and Bass settle this between themselves... He walks toward Twila and nods. "Hmm... Time to get them ready..."
Zero , once he replies, smiles an akward smile at Bass and states, "Hey, Bass? Might shoot myself in the foot for this later, but I might be molecules by the time I wake up. I did try to fight, and this is where it got me, but I did what I could. Good luck, Bass... And thanks for all of you've done, despite the Neptune...Thing." He winces, "...Brother." He adds this one, making sure Bass can hear him before he goes off-line to rest.
Chi hmms, thinking. "We don't have too long now, do we? Do we know anything about Duo, by chance?"
Rock frowns darkly, looking at Bass. "You aren't the only ones who've been holding up your end of the bargain, so don't get so @#$& high and mighty on me, Forte. In that talking we did we got more than one key, without incident or injury. So I'd say all that 'nonsense' and talking to them was worth the effort." His own eyes are set with determination, as he watches the Dark Knight. And as Bass turns to leave, he reaches out to grab the shoulder of the retreating Dark Knight.
"But we can't do it alone. We can't do it without you, or without Sigma, or without General. We're the only ones who can battle Duo and have a chance of winning," he says, rather matter-of-factly.
Twila Peterson nods towards Wily as she continues to sit, holding the gift. "Yeah...suppose we should..." Her voice drifts off into silence as the Repliforcer offers his question, not answering.
Dr. Wily turns his gaze to Chi. "No, Chi. We know how powerful he is... I know we Masters have stood against him... and defeated him once." Wily turns his gaze to Ballade. "You lead the force... You have first hand information on Duo."
Ah yes, it's like some predictable scene from a movie or somesuch. No sooner has Rock's hand made contact with Bass' shoulder than he halts in his tracks, glaring straight ahead. For the longest moment he says nothing. "First off..." he growls. "Don't EVER call me by that name again. And second off..."
*CRUNCH!*
With that he whirls around and plants his big white fist right on Rock's chin, where Twila's lips had just touched a few minutes ago. What a contrast isn't it? A fist sure takes that nice tingly feeling left behind by a kiss away real darn quick.
"Don't EVER touch me like that again. Rock, the next time I see you, it'll be as normal all over again. I'm sick and tired of this alliance, I'm sick and tired of having to hold my tongue, I'm sick and tired of putting up with YOU! ALL OF YOU! If by some miracle you manage to defeat Duo...then congratulations in advance. It changes NOTHING. The only thing that stands true right now, is that you'll do it -without- me. I'm beyond caring if the planet is destroyed or not now." With that, he turns, for the third time, moving to make his exit.
*KRACK!* sounds throughout the room, even above the din of everything else, as Bass decks Rock, sending the Hunter commander sailing back to land on his bum and slide a bit, hand snapping up to grab his jaw. He grimaces, his lip split and leaking the reddish, blood-like mechfluid.
Getting up to his feet, Rock watches Bass rant again. "Don't you think working like this is stressful on OTHERS besides you? Wily, the other Masters, the Mavericks, Repliforce, the Hunters. Even -ME-, with my 'eternal patience.' And nothing will be the same if Duo's not defeated. You won't even get to be the one to end my existence. Duo will do it for you. Then he'll end yours, and everyone elses on the planet. I know you don't care about any of that, or anyone else, but you -DO- care about taking me out."
Twila Peterson looks away from the Doctor to watch the melodramatic scene and winces as Rock is struck by the dark knight and stands. "@#$& you, Bass..." she curses, something she very rarely does.
The Mad Doctor is currently looking to Twila, knowing his son. He reaches up and puts a hand on Twila's shoulder, shaking his head. Wily looks to Bass, slowly he spreads his lips into a broad grin. He turns, slowly making his way towards Rock and Bass, his cane tapping along. This tension was to be expected between the Blue Bomber and the Dark Knight...
"Right now?" Bass intones over his shoulder. "I don't think I even care about that anymore Rock. I really don't." A pause, in which he settles his glare on Twila once more, eyes narrowing to deadly slits.
"Be sure to kiss your girlfriend goodbye one last time Megaman..." he spits. "...because it most likely will be the last time you see her. Somehow...I find that rather fitting in a way. If this day is over and the sun still raises on a world that's still intact, I'll be pleasantly surprised to say the least. But it changes NOTHING. My involvement in this little alliance is OVER." And with that, he -does- storm out, pausing to even give an unfortunate a little kick on the way out. Just cause he's mean that way. Bass has left.
Rock watches Bass go with a frown, looking over at Wily. He doesn't really know how to respond to Bass' outburst. Other than kick something after the enraged Master, his own temper being pushed upward.
Dr. Wily shakes his head slowly... and looks to Twila. "Explain the rest of the keys. Gather them and get them to Megaman. Jazz...Inferno...and Slash Man should have the last pieces of Uranus' key..." Wily brings up his radio as he too makes his way out, sending out a transmission. He too gives the unfortunate a solid thwack... but with his cane. Wily is just as mean as Bass most of the time... Dr. Wily has left.
Twila Peterson's knees feel wobbly at the last of Bass's remarks before he takes leave fearing he may well be right, suddenly needing to sit down. Rather than doing so she heads over towards Rock and places a hand on each of his shoulders. "You...all saw the post I made earlier to the....Alliance board?"
Rock visibly shivers under Twila's touch, turning around to look at her. He nods, trying to calm himself slightly. "Yeah. I saw."
The grip Twila has on Rock tighten's momentarily as she eyes the others in the room. "Each key is certain knowledge needed, which is a part of a larger truth. Duo's key is what unifies them. Remember when Duo condemned the Earth for not heading the message the Stardroids were trying to tell us? That key is the message that will ultimately free Terra so he can deal with Sunstar."
Rock nods a little at Twila. "I see," he responds, shaking his head to try and clear it. He gets the concept. Now it's just up to him, Sigma and General to deal with Duo.
You whisper 'Apparently...mine is the main key...' to Rock.
Rock whispers: 'You're Duo's key. I still don't get that...'.
You whisper 'Chaos stated he was me...and I was him, remember? I'm sure that's part of it...somehow...' to Rock.
Rock whispers: '*nod* We'll figure it out...somehow.'.
Twila Peterson nods in return towards Rock and kisses him on the cheek. "Hope so," she murmurs... You whisper 'Or...Bass may well be right...' to Rock.
<Elsewhere...Within the heart of Repliforce Headquarters...>
General is currently seated at his desk, hands locked before him. They're raised to his face, head bowed and eyes closed. It almost looks as if he's praying in that position. The room is eerily silent, nobody being around at the moment so that the General may think alone. He's been this way since his repair and the darkness outside hardly helps. The lights are semi-dimmed, but visibly is still rather high.
"Blessed be the Lord my strength, which teacheth my fingers to fight and my hands to war. Amen."
As Iris speaks, he takes a deep, almost choked breath and lowers his hands. "So I have heard...Iris, so I have heard..." He stares wordlessly at the flowers and tilts his gaze down to those hands, now laced upon the desk, "I would not wish that you had to have any part of this, Iris. Same as I would wish for all others, but circumstance demands what the spirit would cast down."
Breaking the lock, he reaches out to take the flowers, despite their condition, and thoughtfully looks at them in the open palm, "Even in their deathly state, they are beautiful." His brows furrow, gaze moving aside to peer into the darkness before rolling toward the ceiling as he speaks, "How hard it is to forget the little things in life. It pains me that only now, at the end, do we stop to enjoy all that we have. Life, beauty and the world."