The Hanging Gardens

Upon stepping out from the elevators, you enter upon a magnificent sight to behold: the Hanging Gardens. All around you, lush greenery envelop your senses in a medly of flowery fragrances, fresh air, and an almost overwhelming sense of peace. Exotic plants of all kinds literally make the place a jungle.

Justin has retired to the relative tranquility of the Gardens to collect his thoughts, scattered as they are. Currently he paces near the railing, back in his greatcoat but devoid, thanks to Security, of his usual arsenal. A mark of the seriousness of his other concerns, he hardly seems worried over his unarmed state.

Shiroi suddenly appears in mid air, upside down, in fact, in front of Justin. Dangling, with her knees hooked over... some vague form of support, convienently obscured by some thick, lush green leaves. She offered a brilliant smile. "Hi!"

Justin misses not a step. "...good evening, Shiroi." Reaching the end of his walk, and turning, he offers her a deeply ironic bow. "What can I do for you?"

Still dangling upside down, Shiroi gestures, as if she returned the bow. She takes a moment to ponder, as if unsure how to go about this. "I'm wondering... missed anything lately?"

Justin shrugs narrow shoulders. "You, by about two inches. Wish you'd hold still." He misses a lot of things, actually. His equipment, for starters, which he was stripped of when he checked into the clinic, and for the most part has yet to regain.

Shiroi smiled radiantly at the reply. "Hmm... well. Razz was looking for something of yours about a week back, she seemed worried, I thought I might return it."

Justin frowns. Lovely. "Mmm? That's quite nice of you, I think." He waits, with a dissatisfied species of patience.

Shiroi lowered and spread a hand, and one might recognize the silver chain wrapped about her fingers. It is Razz's locket, but the more interesting thing here, might be the silver ring dangling on the chain besides the locket, set with a topaz, with the inscriptions of 'LAC'.

Justin ponders the situation intensely. "Ah, could I ask you what interest you have in that... relic?" His hands remain in his pockets, his stance as relaxed as it ever is, his tone calmly querying.

Shiroi kept a careful watch on Justin's expression and stance, pouting a little. "Hmm, I thought you would've your wedding ring back, seeing as how you're wearing it all this time. But I see that I might've been wrong about that."

Justin shrugs again. "I would, to be sure, but..." A realization seems to come to him. "...perhaps you overestimate my attachment?"

Shiroi raised an eyebrow. "It would seem that I did. How strange, I /was/ so sure that you would love to have it back."

Justin grins, slightly. "I would not mind having it back, particularly as you so graciously offered, but if perhaps you've some desire for it for yourself, then do not worry on my account."

Shiroi grins back in kind. "Well, then. For this ring, I suppose I should give something else for it, if only to be polite..." She reached out with her other hand, a small security tape held in it. "Here you are, Merry Christmas!"

Justin accepts the small plastic object with... skepticism. "Dare I..?" That question is easily answered, though. "Thank you, Shiroi. I think." He studies the unlabeled tape.

Grinning, Shiroi makes for another mock bow, hanging upside-down. "Enjoy your present," she said, then lifted herself up, and disappeared out of view. So fast that one doesn't even see where she'd gone. Disturbing.

Justin stretches quietly, and resumes his pacing. Disturbing, more, Shiroi's continual needling of him. But, well. /He's/ certainly one to complain about irrational actions. "...and what /have/ I got, here? I'm quite uncertain if I want to know."

Back in her small office, Shiroi tapped absent-mindedly at the keyboard in front of her, the screen before her displaying several camera views of Justin, looking skeptically at the video tape. Wonder how long it'll take before he finds a player to view it, perhaps she should've left him with a portable tape player. Ah well, it's not that hard to find a room with a player, all he has to do is to ask a guard... or someone around.

Justin would wonder why Shiroi is so convinced he's going to watch it, actually. I mean, let's consider. It's a gift. From Shiroi. Whose current agenda seems to consist entirely of attempting to aggravate him. Whatever's on the tape, it's only going to distract him from his important business. ...But... still...

A convienent NPC helper, deviced solely to keep the RP moving over these rough spots that no one cares about (ie. finding a damn place where Justin can watch the friggin' tape with a minimum amount of hassel) walks by, peers at him, and asks if he's looking for something. After a short discourse, the NPC helper helpfully directed Justin to a room where he can quietly watch the tape, bowed politely, left, and was never heard from again. Probably put into suspended animation, until the next time players encounter similar problems again.

Justin knows he's going to regret this. He just /knows/. And yet, some inexorable force compels him to play the tape. ...Oh well. It's Shiroi's funeral. The small, battered screen fizzes to life, and after a moment, the scene begins to play out.

The video starts, in perfectly sharp images, with Razz sobbing, sitting on her bed. It's clearly night, and the video spans out to show a clear picture of the entire medical lab. Justin's unconscious form can be seen on an identical bed, just a few feet away from Razz's own. The door opens, letting in a spray of light, and Shiroi enters the view of the camera, in her old French maid's outfit. She stands, for a while, watching Razz, then approaches her, seating herself on the small bed. Sounds of bed sheets rustling against clothing can be heard.

Justin frowns, ever so slightly. That's hitting below the belt, that is. In any one of several senses. He reaches for the cutoff switch, but again something seems to stay his hand.

On video, Shiroi is gathering Razz into her arms, stroking the elfling's hair as she shushed the sniffling. Razz then proceeded to bury her face in the nape of Shiroi's neck, and for a moment it seemed as if that's all there's to it, until one notices Shiroi's relentless caressing of Razz's face with her lips, and the gradual exposure of Razz's white thighs. One of Shiroi's hands eventually disappeared out of view under Razz's buttom, and the elfling started to squirm uncomfortably.

Justin pales. That's /it/. He's not watching any more. He reaches for, and stabs frantically at, the cutoff switch, which falls off. Fuck. With a fascinatingly horrified expression, he lets the rest of the event play out in front of him.

Breathless moans can now be heard as Shiroi turned her trail of kisses over Razz's lips. The elfling seemed to struggle, but Shiroi kept a restraining hold. Razz was then lifted and pushed onto her back, as Shiroi pulled the elfling's robe open to reveal a small, round breast, which her hand soon closed over, fondling. Razz pushed weakly, apparently confused at these advances, as Shiroi spread the elflings legs, her free hand stroking rather incriminatingly b elflings legs, her free hand stroking rather incriminatingly between the elfling's thighs. Her lips still covered by Shiroi's, Razz started whimpering, half in pleasure, half in fear...

Justin has something far simpler in mind than the force sword. Save /that/ for the perpetrator herself. The vidconsole merely gets a fist through its flickering screen. The tape, however, he carefully extracts from the player and pockets. Evidence.

With her chin resting on one hand, Shiroi watched from her office as Justin breaks the off switch, then puts his fist through the moniter to stop the tape. Dumbass, could've just ejected the tape, oh well, not her problem. Pushing away from the desk, Shiroi stretched. Well, guess she'd better go pay him a visit. Armed, maybe.

Justin does not, aside from some glass dust on his sleeve, appear noticeably different from when he entered the viewing room. Indeed, any observer other than Shiroi mightn't notice that he'd ever left off his pacing about the Gardens.

Suddenly Shiroi is in Justin's face again, dangling upside down once more. "Hi! Didya enjoy my gift?"

Justin continues pacing, raising an arm to brush Shiroi aside like another curtain of foliage.

Shiroi's body leviates as Justin's arm waves past her. "What, no comments? Not even a word? That's rather rude. You're suppose to say 'Thank you' even if you didn't enjoy the gift..."

Alfghar walks in from the elevator, and shoots a quick glance at Shiroi, before walking up to Justin, "Did you manage to track down Razz?"

Justin's arm waves past her, and he raises his other even with it, neatly bracketing the hovering girl. Before he can execute whatever-- whoever?-- he plans to, though, Alfghar hails him from the central column. He lowers his arms very slowly, and turns, to face her and still keep Shiroi in sight. "Mmm. No."

Shiroi, from her hanging place, casts Alfghar an almost annoyed glance. Her lips twisted, but she remained silent otherwise.

Alfghar hmms.

Alfghar asks: I see that somebody has taken a liking to my little device, eh?

Alfghar looks over towards Shiroi.

Shiroi stared blankly at Alfghar, then shook her head.

Alfghar arcs an eyebrow.

Justin says: Oh, no, she's doing that on her own.

Shiroi says: Sometimes, the real thing's just more... how should I put this? Stimulating.

Shiroi smiled sweetly at Alfghar.

Justin notes that this adds serious credence to his theory that she just wants him to kill her. If so, so be it.

Alfghar snickers.

Shiroi asks: So, dear teacher, do you have any new information on our /sweet/ little elfling's whereabouts?

Alfghar shakes her head.

Shiroi tsks.

Alfghar says: As I expected, Kesnick turned off the security to that area.

Shiroi looked thoughtful for a moment, then nodded solemnly. "How very unfortunate."

Justin also. "I've about narrowed her location down to one department. To which I cannot easily gain entry." He nods in... agreement with Alfghar's observations. Yeah, that fits.

Alfghar arcs an eyebrow.

Shiroi hums a cheery little tone from where she hangs. You'd think her legs'd get tired, supporting her weight at that angle.

Alfghar says: And what department might that be? I just might be able to get you access to it.

Justin folds his arms. "Research and Development section." Yes, we all know now, don't we? So we can all work together, mm? Two of us, anyways.

Alfghar hmms.

Shiroi smiles disturbingly.

Justin nods, solemnly. "Soon, I trust? I should like to find her while she's still herself."

Alfghar asks: Hey Shiroi, mind making yourself into something that resembles a solid?

Shiroi tilted her head at Alfghar. "Whatever do you mean?"

Justin says: She's quite solid, I assure you.

Justin considers demonstrating this.

Alfghar hmms.

Alfghar says: Well, at the very least, come with us, Shiroi.

Shiroi asks: Where to, may I ask?

Alfghar says: Please, both of you, follow me.

Shiroi folded her arms. "Hmm, I don't know, are you /sure/ that Razz is there?"

Justin gestures gracefully for Shiroi to precede him, and with an edged grin indicates that it's not a request.

Alfghar leads the way into the elevator.

Shiroi stays her place, a finger tracing along her own jaw. "I don't know, I think I'll stay behind... Might meet you all there." She smiled promisingly at Justin.

Alfghar presses a button on the panel and...elevator go doooowwwnn.

Alfghar walks out of the elevator, and into the lab hallway.

Back in her cramped office, Shiroi tapped lazily on her keyboard, again, staring into the screens that displayed Justin and Alfghar's every move. Strange how she could have clearance to view the section to which security should've been blocked off...

Alfghar hmms.

Justin follows, with silent footsteps, listening for... what? Not pursuit. Perhaps the whine of camera servos. Hearing the telltale buzz, he utters a low growl, and makes a rude gesture at the wall, venting some of his anger into a wave of electrical force.

Alfghar looks over at Justin, "Yes, I find them annoying too. Lets get Shiroi out of her hole, shall we?" She reaches into her coat, and brings out a little device. With a press of a button, the cameras that are left go out completely.

Shiroi snapped her fingers as her screens died. "Damn that lesbo, I knew I should've slept with her!"

Shiroi kicked back on her chair, and popped a gum into her mouth, chewing. "Oooh well... hmph."

Alfghar nods, and puts the device back into her pocket. "That should take care of that, now, if you please, right this way."

Justin follows, impassively, and mutters something rude as a blue bolt arcs from the doorway to scorch a hole in his sleeve.

Alfghar walks up a random door, and places her hand against the panel to the side of it. The panel blinks, and the door opens.

Justin follows Alfghar through, and scans idly for more cameras. One can never be to sure, here.

The room is strangely devoid of human life. The work strewn about the many tables here suggests that the room was evacuated recently, save for one spot in the southwestern corner of the room, which is curtained off from the rest of the lab.

Alfghar walks over to the curtain, and clears her throat.

Justin walks the perimeter of the room instead, gathering a detailed look at Darkwood's operating conditions. Far more technological than magical equipment, it certainly seems.

Shiroi blew a bubble, popped it, then chewed some more. Just doesn't feel like fighting Alfghar, really. Justin, maybe, not Alfghar. Not yet, at least. She blew another bubble. Hope they have fun down there.

Shiroi tapped around on her keyboard some more, and her screen flickered to another spot. Not the right time for god-slaying just yet. Wonder how Razz is doing?

Alfghar pulls back the curtain, and...

...nothing is there, save for an operating table.

Alfghar mutters.

A voice echos throughout the lab, "You overestimate your skills in being a double agent, Alfghar."

Alfghar snickers.

Justin's circuit of the room brings him back to Alfghar, the curtain, and the empty table. Almost disinterestedly, he trails a hand along it, and ignores the voices from above.

That voice, of course, comes from a figure leaning against the west wall behind Alfghar--Natdog, garbed in his usual black uniform and short-collared cape.

Natdog says: Kesnick read the report Velias sent off to the Board of Trustees

Alfghar turns around and snickers..."Ahh, project X, or as seems to be the more popular name...natdog."

Natdog grins, "Project X...yes, I believe that's what they used to call me."

Alfghar asks: And what was his response?

Natdog says: This.

Natdog gestures around the vacant room

Natdog says: He figured you'd try to stop him from unleashing Razz's runes

Justin ignores the both of them, now, studying the empty table for signs of occupation, although Natdog's conversation makes it clear that she was here.

Natdog says: So he set up a red herring...so to speak.

Alfghar says: You know...it is rather funny...

Alfghar says: I had no intention of stopping Kesnick.

Natdog says: No...

Natdog looks over at Justin, "But he would."

Alfghar shrugs.

Natdog says: It was an interesting report, really

Natdog says: More like a novel as to what Darkwood has been doing here all this time

Natdog says: I enjoyed reading it

Alfghar says: Wasting money, more or less.

Natdog says: It doesn't really matter

Alfghar asks: They decided to close operations here, and go back to Altasia, I take it?

Natdog says: Kesnick has one final ace in the hole

Natdog says: Razz

Natdog says: He's going to use her to salvage the operations here

Alfghar shrugs.

Natdog asks: Do you both plan to stop him?

Alfghar asks: Have I ever openly tried to stop Kesnick?

Natdog says: No, but you've been a constant hinderance to his plans. For that, I thank you. It's helped me out quite a bit...

Justin doesn't plan anything, as yet. Plans fence you in too much.

Alfghar shrugs.

Alfghar says: Some of his plans have been rather moronic. On the other hand...I should think that you, of all people, should try to stop him.

Natdog asks: Yes...I should, shouldn't I?

Natdog looks squarely at Justin, "The operation to remove her seals is going on as we speak."

Justin asks: On Altasia?

Natdog says: No. Here.

Natdog says: Kesnick wouldn't risk doing it on Altasia. He has too much to risk there.

Justin asks: Well, clearly not right here. Where, then?

In her office, Shiroi blew another bubble, popped it, and blew another. Does it really matter, whether or not Razz's seals are removed? She wonders what Razz would be like once that's done, even though she already has more than an inkling of an idea...

Natdog points up, "In his own office."

Alfghar hmms.

Natdog lowers his head and closes his eyes, chuckling to himself for a bit.

Alfghar asks: Or have you also been...corrupted?

Alfghar levels a stare at Natdog.

Natdog opens his eyes and brings his head up again, to meet Alfghar's gaze evenly.

Natdog says: Let me ask you a question, Alfghar

Alfghar nods.

Natdog asks: Are you a hollogram right now?

Alfghar snickers.

Alfghar says: Take a guess.

Natdog says: I was always bad at guessing. Never my style

Alfghar shrugs.

The lights in the room flicker on and off.

Natdog looks around, "Looks like they've begun."

Alfghar says: I am quite solid, if that answers your question.

Natdog grins, "I'm glad you said that Alfghar, really, I am."

Alfghar says: For some reason, I have this sense that I am going to be in extreme pain in a few moments.

Natdog extends his arm out towards Alfghar, and she goes flying back into the opposite wall.

Natdog walks a few stepNatdog walks a few steps forward, "Your sense of perception is dead on."

Alfghar hits the back wall, slides down, and lands on her feet, "Cute, Natdog, really cute."

Justin takes a seat, arms folded, on the barren operating table.

Natdog says: What can I say? I never was a real gentleman

Natdog extends his arm towards Alfghar again, and she begins to levitate in the air.

Justin says: Do you mind, terribly? I was still using her.

Alfghar snickers slightly, and levels her hands towards Natdog. A sphere of pure energy forms between them, and she wills it towards Natdog.

Natdog remains unmoving, letting the spere hit him dead on, resulting in a moderate sized explosion.

As the room fills with smoke, Alfghar drops to the ground.

Alfghar lands on her feet, and stares at where Natdog was.

Alfghar asks: Great. Hey Justin, mind giving me a hand, or will I have to leave suddenly, and let you deal with him?

Aaaaand he emerges from the smoke as it clears, appearing unscathed.

Natdog says: I'm afraid I can't let either of you leave this room.

Natdog points to the northern exit, and it vanishes.

Alfghar says: ...Wellshit.

Natdog says: Razz's seal will be removed...

Natdog says: She is the final key in my plan

Alfghar asks: To take over the world?

Natdog says: One I've worked very hard on

Natdog shakes his head

Natdog says: To destroy it, actually

Justin asks: What've you got against Eldaria?

Alfghar asks: Hey, I admit, I hate taxes too, but do you have to take it to such an extreme?

Natdog says: It's not really what I have against this world...it's what I have against the ones who remade it.

Alfghar does not waste this time, and, raising her hands, forms a protective shell around herself.

Alfghar asks: Out to destroy the gods, then?

Natdog laughs, "No, I wouldn't be so foolish"

Justin asks: Why not remake it, then?

Natdog says: Because it is my nature to destroy

Alfghar hmms.

Natdog says: For three millenea, those "gods" trapped me in a world seperate from this one

Natdog asks: For what?

Natdog says: Merely doing what I live to do

Justin asks: Fun?

Alfghar says: Sounds...cliche.

Justin says: You ought to understand Razz's position quite well indeed, then.

Natdog says: Oh, believe me, I do

Natdog says: But she possesses a power on equal with that of an Ancient

Justin asks: Do something for her, then?

Justin asks: Rather than allow her to be exploited one more time?

"...excuse me. I heard some commotion in here, and I thought I might check on things." It's a woman in a blue business dress, long light blue hair, holding a weird metal crocus thing.

Natdog asks: But what about my plan, hmm?

Natdog asks: How else can I destroy Eldaria without her?

Justin says: I thought /you/ were the destroyer.

Alfghar says: Simple.

Justin says: She is Justice.

Far away on another floor, Shiroi is drumming her fingers against her desk, still chewing on her gum. Chewing gum is one of her weaknesses, truth be told. Suddenly her fingers flew over the keyboard again, clacking the keys at a rapid rate, her eyes glued to the screen.

Justin says: If you plan to destroy unjustly, then you will be justly destroyed.

Justin asks: And where will your plan be then?

Natdog says: Oh, I think she has other concerns to worry about

Natdog says: Namely my Dark Warriors

Natdog says: They are gathering the shards as we speak, to form the Orb of Darkness

Justin says: And if there actions are unjust, then in time they too shall fall.

Natdog exclaims: Indeed they shall!

Natdog exclaims: And the end result will be the end of the world!

Justin asks: Why?

Natdog says: I'm counting on both of them fighting

Justin asks: As a delay? A distraction?

The woman steps into the medlab a little further and asks, rather plainly, "Nothing too sensitive that I walked in on, I take it?"

Justin says: It won't take long, I can assure you.

Natdog says: Oh...I wouldn't count on something with that much finesse

Natdog says: It is the battle itself which will end Eldaria

Natdog says: Think of it

Natdog says: Two opposite powers clashing with each other

Justin says: Not much of a battle.

Natdog says: The ripples of power will destory cities, I garuntee you

Justin says: You haven't seen her at work.

Alfghar says: To be nice...

Justin says: You know nothing of her power.

Alfghar looks over at the woman, "Who the hell are you?"

Natdog says: I don't need to know anything about her power

Natdog says: I just need her to focus it on the Orb of Darkness

Justin says: You assume a lot about it.

Natdog says: It will do the rest

Justin asks: What has the Orb ever done unjustly?

Natdog says: It is evil incarnate, you see. Its very existence is a crime against all that is good

She looks at Alfghar and replies with, "I'm an associate of Mr. Lucerna's from Earth. I've been in preparation for the assignment of retrieving Eikigou."

Shiroi continued to hack and crack her way into the system, when all of a sudden the alarm sounded, warning flashes filled her screens, and the fuse in her harddrives blew out. Releasing a heavy sigh, she sat back on her chair, arms folded behind her head. "Well.... I tried... Guess it wasn't meant to be..."

Justin says: And good's very existence is a crime against evil, yes, I know.

Natdog says: If the Orb is not destroyed, it will seek a new master

Alfghar says: Ahh...you are Trachas little puppy...

Natdog says: If it is allowed to exist, I shall be free once more.

Alfghar says: Mind helping us out? See...we are in a bit of a bind. The gentlemen with the ears seems to want to destroy the world, and whatnot, and whats worse is that he is going to kill us.

The woman looks a little ticked at that. ".....do not refer to me as such. And, yes, I see that he is not only going to destroy the world, but also doing it in a fashion that has been seen many times in the past. I'm well aware of the way these sorts of things work. I work for that kind of man, you know."

Alfghar hmms.

Slumping forward over her desk, Shiroi buried her head in her arms. "So... why didn't I help her when there was more of a chance of doing so? ... Then again, what do I care? They had little chance before anyways... What do I care for that little elfling, anyhow?" She sat back on her chair again, popping another piece of chewing gum in her mouth. "There's nothing I can do now, anyhow."

Alfghar blinks at the silence, "Reached a conclusion yet, Justin?"

Justin shrugs elaborately. "What does it matter? Unless Mr. Lucerna's Associate can let us out the way she came in, there's not much we can do, is there?"

Alfghar snickers.

Alfghar says: Oh, there is a way.

Alfghar says: I just doubt that the nice gentlemen over yonder would leave me alone long enough to pull it off.

Justin says: I note that he seems not to be hindering me any.

Alfghar sighs.

Alfghar says: Portals, Justin, portals.

Natdog shakes his head

Natdog says: Don't bother.

Alfghar asks: Ahh, shielded against it?

Natdog says: Well, that, and it would give me an excuse to attack him.

Justin hrms, but nods in agreement with Natdog. "In any case, I'm too slow opening them."

Natdog walks over to where the door used to be, and turns around to face the three.

Natdog says: Kesnick has indeed been a great pawn

Alfghar arcs an eyebrow.

Natdog says: I didn't think he'd act so predictibly

Justin mutters "As have you." to nobody in particular.

Natdog asks: What? You didn't see it, Alfghar?

Alfghar snickers.

Alfghar asks: How do you think I have survived this long?

Natdog asks: Why do you think Velias has been acting so strangely?

Natdog asks: Becuase he was working on behalf of the Board of Trustees?

Alfghar shakes her head.

Alfghar says: I never bothered with Velias, actually.

The woman considers for a moment... "...well, you see, I would have an easier time gettng an idea as to leaving if I had realized at the time that I came in that no door existed, at the very least, on this side of the room."

Natdog narrows his eyes

Natdog exclaims: No!

Natdog exclaims: Not yet!

Natdog exclaims: I will not...let you...Agh!

Natdog says: ...very well. You're right Alfghar

Natdog says: I do hate Kesnick, and would like to stop him at every cost

Alfghar asks: Hmm?

Alfghar says: Or is this just a change in plot.

Natdog says: I'm a bit...divided at the moment

Natdog says: But there is a way to settle this

Natdog closes his eyes, and he is encompassed in a glow

Alfghar says: Yes, suicide. Solves all of lifes little problems.

Justin says: At the very least you could interrupt this business with Razz first.

Justin says: She'd be far more use to you as a conscious and rational godlike superpower than a mindless weapon.

Natdog opens his eyes, and the glowing stops, "It is true that an Ancient cannot be killed, unless he is killed willingly."

Natdog says: I have just willingly given myself to mortality.

Natdog says: If one of you kills me, the door will reappear, and you can go stop Kesnick.

Alfghar asks: ...Why does this sound like a trick?

The woman look peers at Nat as if he were, say, a giant flesheating potato bug. "No one gives up immortality so willingly. It must be one."

Natdog says: There's only one way to find out...

Alfghar asks: Eh...I already got slammed into a wall. You wanna try him, Justin?

The lights flicker a few more times, and shuts off, leaving the room in complete darkness.

Natdog says: Ah damnit

Natdog outstretches his arms and the room is engulfed in light.

Justin shrugs, elaborately. "If you really want." Ignoring the lights-out, he rises to his feet, and produces a knife. "Anything specific you'd like, Nat?"

Natdog says: Your choice

A clinking of chains sounds, and Shiroi is in the room. "Stop-standing-around-GOD!" She shouted, the chain she holds in her hand goes flying around Natdog's neck.

Natdog is thrown back a bit, and his hands immediately go to the chain around his neck, "Agh! Damnit!"

Natdog narrows his eyes and pulls at the chain to give himself a bit more breathing room, "So, you've decided to join us after all..."

Alfghar looks over at Shiroi, "Thats one way to go about it..."

"Nobody, and I mean nobody, does things efficiently anymore!" Shiroi ranted and raved as she, holding on the chain, held Natdog restrained as she pummeled kicks-of-death into Natdog's person.

Alfghar snickers.

Alfghar says: It is not that, I just do not care to lose my life. Kinda fond of it, and it is quite dear to me.

Natdog crouches down, growling, "This is not good..." He then looks over to where the door was again, and it flickers into view once more.

"Oh, shut up and do whatever it is that you have to do to get out, /teacher/," Shiroi growled as she smashed her heel into Natdog's face.

Alfghar shrugs, and holds her hands out in front of her again, concentrating.

Justin looks from Natdog, to Shiroi, to the knife. Still closing on him despite Shiroi's intervention, he waits for the mess to present a proper target, and after a thoughtful pause, thrusts the narrow blade into Shiroi's back.

"There's a door! MY GOD!" Shiroi shouted, and suddenly she whips around, and breaks the blade Justin has meant for her back, and throws it in his face. Never trusted him, oh no.

Natdog grins, even though his head has been snapped back. He takes the chain in both of his hand and whips around sending Shiroi flying. With lightning quick reflexes, he unsheathes his pistol and blasts the chain, breaking it into a million links.

The woman just stands there and waits, fiddling with the metal crocus. "I guess I'll be completely unhindered once all of this is over."

Alfghar's forehead breaks out in a sweat from concentration, "I would suggest...getting the hell away...". In front of her forms a nice, big, ball of flame. Which she wills at Natdog, and whomever is in front of her. Yes, giant ball of flame. That happens to split into many smaller balls of flame.

Shiroi flies into the wall, on her hands and feet, if you'll note, and lands on the floor with her fours.

Justin shrugs, indifferently. His force blade won't break, not even for Shiroi. It crackles into existence as Alfghar takes Natdog off his hands. He faces his... nemesis, and smiles thinly.

Natdog holds his hand out in front of him, and the flames become absorbed into his body

Alfghar says: ...You know...that is definately not a good sign.

Natdog shakes his head at Alfghar, "No, it isn't."

Natdog says: Now, if I might make a suggestion

Alfghar says: ...Let me guess. Did not give up immortality.

Natdog says: Razz is still upstairs, getting her seal removed

Natdog asks: Why don't you two go stop Kesnick before he kills us all, hmm?

Natdog exclaims: NO!

Natdog exclaims: I will kill you right here, and right now!

Alfghar says: ...Ahh, fighting with yourself...

Alfghar looks over at Natdog, "Touched a shard, huh?"

Natdog exclaims: You know NOTHING of it!

Natdog says: Or the music I hear

Alfghar says: ...Yes, I do. Power, but you are controlled by it.

Shiroi remains crouching on the floor. "My /dear/ schoolmaster, would you consider the fact that Razz is still upstairs getting those tattoos of hers removed, and there's a crazy god here trying to kill us all?" She stands. "But she's none of my concern, really, I'll duke it out with you here, if that's what you prefer."

Alfghar says: Really, go save Razz, or some such hero crap, Justin.

Alfghar says: ...Let me put it this way, Nat. We will not take your music.

Natdog says: The music has gotten old, I must admit

Natdog says: The destruction of this planet will make a much better symphony

Alfghar shrugs.

Shiroi stares coldly at Justin, ready to cause intense and severe pain between the two of them, if that's what he decides.

Alfghar says: Would you make up your mind as to which being is in control.

Natdog says: Yes...I should...

Alfghar says: Because your schizophrenia is getting annoying.

Alfghar says: Either kill us, and destroy the world, yourself included, or let us save Razz.

Natdog outstretches his arm towards Alfghar and she levitates into the air again.

Alfghar says: Or levitate me, and slam me into a goddamn wall again.

Natdog throws his arm to the side, and Alfghar flies out the door and against the wall of the hallway.

Justin sacrifices a lot these days, it seems. With a final, quiet 'hah', he tosses the force-blade to Shiroi, and walks towards, and out the door.

Alfghar slams against the wall, and lands in a heap on the floor, "Yeah, go save Razz. I will be down here trying to get killed."

Alfghar gets up, dusts herself off, and waits for a few moments.

Natdog looks over towards Shiroi

Shiroi easily side-steps the dissolving blade, one can never be too careful. "Good to see that someone still retains some sanity..." She casted a glance at Natdog. "Sorry, Nat, no hard feelings."

Natdog says: Oh, none taken

Natdog says: But someone will have to pay for this...

"...what a thing, to think that through his manipulation the world will be destroyed. You are a very confused man..." The woman flicks a switch on the crocus, and it unfolds to project a dark blue beamblade. "I have no intention of fighting you. I am simply going off to see Eikigou now, and don't need any trouble."

Alfghar asks: Hey Shiroi, you coming, or what?

Shiroi says: No, thank you, I have better things to do then to visit a formerly blind little elf.

Natdog begins to walk slowly towards Shiroi, "You know, if you hadn't've showed up, Kesnick would have released Razz's runes without interference."

Natdog says: Now things have become complicated

Alfghar shrugs, and walks back into the room.

Shiroi stands, staring cooly at Natdog. "Don't you know? I exist solely to throw chaos into whatever thing I can."

Natdog narrows his eyes, "Quite an annoyance. Almost as much of an annoyance as my host over here."

Shiroi says: Tell me again why I'm suppose to care?

Natdog says: But soon it won't matter. Either I will kill you, or you will kill Natdog, and I will be rid of at least annoyance.

The woman begins making her way towards the door, but stops as she hears that... "...what? What did you say?"

Alfghar arcs an eyebrow.

Alfghar asks: Care to enlighten us more, Nat?

Natdog whirls around to face Alfghar again

Natdog says: I gave you your chance

Natdog says: And now it looks like you want to stay and die

Natdog walks slowly towards Alfghar

Alfghar shrugs.

Alfghar says: If it will make you feel any better, go for it.

Alfghar says: Or try to, anyways.

Natdog says: You know, Ancients are bound by a law never to harm mortals, but that means nothing to me anymore

Natdog says: Soon, everything will come to an end

Alfghar says: You know...there is no law that says I was lying...

Alfghar says: Or actually, that I had to tell the truth.

The woman looks to the doorway...then to Natdog...to the doorway again...she then just holds up the beamsaber and lunges at Natdog, going for a cut down the back. "I won't allow for you to do this!"

Natdog holds his hand out towards the woman, and she goes flying back.

Natdog laughs

Natdog says: This is fun

Natdog exclaims: I have no idea why this activity was outlawed! Surely other Ancients would enjoy this as much as I!

Alfghar says: Abuse of power. Yes, very fun indeed, but it can come and kick you in the ass if you are not careful.

The woman is about to strike, but then suddenly just doesn't feel the floor anymore; she hits one of the walls with a yelp, a few cracks, and an expression of confusion/wtf/suffering.

Natdog says: There won't be enough time for that to happen, Alfghar

Natdog says: I will pay the price for my transgression, when this world goes up in flames

Alfghar asks: That is, if it all goes as planned. Do you honestly think that I did not plan ahead?

Alfghar asks: Did you underestimate me that much?

Natdog moves his arm until it's leveled at Alfghar, and she goes flying back into a wall as well.

Natdog asks: Do you underestimate me as well?

Natdog asks: Do you think that I do not have a backup plan, even if you stop Kesnick?

Alfghar hits the wall, and falls to the floor, hard. She pulls out a small device, and presses the only button on it.

"...Mr. Lucerna hasn't left this place yet...I won't allow...anyone to hurt Mr. Lucerna...." The woman stumbles off from against the wall, stretching a hand out towards Natdog, a thin cone of ice beginning to form in front of it... "...no one is invulnerable...Mr. Lucerna's seen that...quite often in the past..."

Alfghar tosses the device over towards Natdog, "You have...I would say...30 seconds before the guards get here and start blasting everything that moves."

Natdog says: Let them come

Natdog says: I will enjoy slaughtering every one of them

Alfghar says: I thought you would like that. Think of it as...my gift to you.

Natdog says: Perhaps a stray bullet will hit you in the process

Alfghar snickers.

Natdog looks around

Natdog says: Though, I'm surprised you'd be able to amass any of them, given you were recently terminated

Alfghar's image begins to shimmer, "You forget, Nat, that I have no motive to tell anyone the truth, much less you."

Natdog grins

Natdog says: A hollogram...I thought as much

Natdog looks at the woman, "What about you?"

Alfghar says: Never underestimate me...

Alfghar's image shimmers out of existance.

Natdog asks: Care to retreat now, or would you like to die with the rest of them?

The woman stops charging up for a moment and looks a little contemplative at that... "...I'd rather stay and buy some time. My body and soul belong to Mr. Lucerna. I would do anything for him and, even if you do kill me...there are two who are strong enough to kill you with ease. The remaining dark warriors, from the report that I've seen."

Natdog asks: Are you deaf?

Natdog says: I just said that I controll the Dark Warriors

Natdog says: They've been recieving instructions from me all along

The woman blinks at that... "...what? How can someone like you be controlling them? You don't seem like the kind of man who would do such a thing, nor would you be the kind of man who would be capable of it."

Natdog says: Believe me, I am

Natdog narrows his eyes at the woman and sends her flying back into the wall again

Natdog says: Of course, you won't live to tell that tale

Natdog unsheaths his laser once more, and takes aim at the woman

The woman loses control over the energy as she once again feels the fury of the wall, a little bit more cracking and a little bit of coughing up blood, too. "....nngh...you.......no....Eikigou must.....nngh..."

Natdog says: I think I will kill you the old fashioned way

Natdog pulls the trigger, and fires a beam aimed straight at her heart.

Shiroi's chain whips out around Natdog's hand, jerking it out of aim.

Natdog exclaims: Agh!

Shiroi's foot, consequently, also connects with the back of Natdog's head.

The woman slowly shakes her head... "...no...please.....warn Mr. Lucerna...warn Eik--gghhhaa...." She slumps to the ground and, whether or not that hits her right in the heart or not, near enough is good enough, and she starts bleeding like Old Faithful on a good day.

The laser beam creates a very visible line up the wall and to the ceiling, before Nat releases the gun, then snaps forward from the force of the kick

Natdog asks: So, you've finally decided to join the discussion?

Natdog lashes his leg out, and spins arouns at Shiroi's feet, then leaps up to his feet.

Shiroi replies with the good-old plunge razor-hand into the not-so-immortal's back. She leaps over the leg, and squeezes with her hand. "Sorry to say... I'm here to break your heart..."

Natdog exclaims: Agh!

Natdog says: ...don't...think you can kill me...so easily

Shiroi tears deeper with her hand. "Now where's the fun in that? I'm just going to pull out a handful of muscles and nerves..."

Natdog's body becomes engulfed in pitch black darkness, expanding out towards Shiroi.

Shiroi's eyes widened to a frightening degree as the pain flows over her, paralyzing... Furious, she gritted her teeth and clenched her muscles defyingly... and her fingers closed over a vital blood vessel, and it breaks...

Though, as Shiroi breaks thet vessel, her hand falls through Natdog, and the darkness dissipates. Natdog himself now seems to be a mass of shadow.

The woman stretches a hand forward with the metal crocus of the beamsaber, trying to push it awatrying to push it away from herself as far as she can while struggling to get a few more words out despite the blood, the damaged lung, and various other fluids that shouldn't be let loose getting in the way "...please...someone tell....Eikigou...his instructor.........." She cringes from the pain, then goes limp about fifteen seconds later.

That shadow sinks into the floor to become one dimensional, then travels across the floor to a fast degree towarsd the northern door.

From that shadow, Nat's form rises, though he doesn't look too happy. He narrows his eyes at Shiroi, his hand traveling to the clasp of his cape, which he undoes, and throws to the side.

Shiroi falls painfully on the ground, breathing through clenched teeth. "Arrggh... Arrgggh.... Arrrgh!!" She forced her muscles to obey her will, standing. Can't stagger, will fall. She casts the fallen woman a glance. "Who is that, my homosexual instructor?" She asked of Alfghar... but her opponent rises out of the ground once more...

Natdog's voice seeths, "And now...it's time to get down to business..."

Natdog slowly begins to circle Shiroi, "Why don't you stop talking to the dead lady and worry about your own wellbeing?"

Drawing a deep breath, Shiroi seems to have abandoned whatever hindering pain she had been experience, and seems to stand rather leisuredly. "What do I have to worry about? A flying shadow trying to make me dizzy by floating in circles around me?"

Natdog says: Oh? That? That's just one of the benefits for giving up my mind

Natdog says: You should try it. Controlling shadows is quite fun

Natdog says: Though others like to call them Darklings

Natdog says: I can see why my predecessor liked to use them so much

Shiroi says: I have little use for shadows. I prefer something more... solid.

Natdog says: Ah well, your loss

Natdog leaps towards Shiroi, hands outstretched to make a grab for her neck.

Shiroi whips out her hand as Natdog leaps, grabs his hand, and dodges in, burying a knife deep into Natdog's torso.

Natdog exclaims: Agh!

Shiroi then rips out the jagged knife, and plunges it into Natdog's crotch.

Natdog roars in pain, then begins laughing. His free hand travels to the knife, which he manages to force out of his, er...crotch. With quick reflexes, he takes his other hand, which Shiroi currently has, and forces it onto her shoulder. He then leaps up until he is perpendicular with Shiroi, then falls back down again, with his knee out, right into Shiroi's stomach.

He then falls to his back, taking Shiroi with him, and kicks that knee up, throwing Shiroi over him and across the room.

Shiroi gives no sign of pain, save for a hardening look at her eyes, giving away that she is holding in the pain. She, however, had wrapped a thin wire around the knee that that assaulted her, and as she flew out across the room, the fine string dug into Natdog's flesh, severing the leg from the knee.

Natdog falls to the ground, having only one..er, leg now, cursing

Natdog exclaims: Damn you, and your tricks!

Natdog says: ...but I have a few tricks of my own...

A shadow forms where Nat's leg used to be, then takes form to become the lower leg that is now missing from Natdog...only it's all shadowy and stuff.

Shiroi darts forward without pause, flying over Natdog's head while he cursed, with a noose wrapping itself around his neck. "Replace /this/ with shadows," she murmured.

The string tightens around Nat's neck, until going through it, until his head falls clean off. As it hits the floor, it bursts into a million shadows, to say nothing of his body, which has now melted into one big shadow.

Shiroi raised an eyebrow at the... uhm, shadow remains. "... Now, the good thing about killing immortal beings is that their corpses usually disposes themselves... Yippie..."

The shadow laughs, speaking in a gutteral voice, "...you would think that."

The shadow says, "Even if this host is now dead, there's no way you can stop what's been set into motion. Either Eldaria will be destroyed, or I will be free. It's only a matter of time!"

Shiroi smacks a hand over her face. "Why does everybody think I /care/???"

And with that, the shadow melts into the floor, fading into nothingness.

"Either way, I will get my revenge upon you..."