Talon

[i][color=teal]Hunter awoke, his shirt on the floor and Elysan was in his arm. Apparently she had used healing magic on him, for the wound was sealed and merely a scar now. He gently pulled Elysan closer, waking her and Challis, who slept on Elysan's stomach. The young fire-lizard creeled in protest as Hunter bent over and kissed Elysan's cheek gently. He stood, grasping his side and walking out into the streets. He left his shirt in the inn on purpose, calling Artos out of his cleft in the inn wall. The cat looked up at his friendly master, who relayed a telepathic message to the intelligent feline. Artos recieved fifteen gold pieces from his master and rushed away. Twenty minutes later, the cat came back, tail sticking straight up into the air. In his mouth he carried a small black box. Hunter opened the box to see a beautiful diamond necklace, engraved with the letters "E" and "A" inside a ruby heart, all of it set into an emerald rose bush with diamond buds. Hunter smiled and walked back into the inn, climbing back into bed and placing an extra helping of fish for Artos. Challis had snuggled deep into the crook of Elysan's neck. Hunter smiled.[/i] [b]Hunter:[/b]It seems little Challis has been Impressed by our dear friend. It is well that this is so. Now, to my plan. Hopefully, Elysan will find the note and necklace I place in her hand. [i]With that, Hunter fell to writing a note. When he finished, he pressed the note into the box, placing both into Elysan's hand, which curled up instinctively around it. Elysan began to stri, but Hunter had already crept back into bed completely and fell into a sort of trance-like sleep, praying the whole while that Elysan would see the note when she awoke. Elysan suddenly sat up, completely awake. She looked at her hand, opening the box slowly. She grabbed the note, reading it quickly, tears forming in her eyes as she did so.[/i][/color] [color=ocean teal][b]Note:[/b][size=5][font=Palace Script MT]My dearest Elysan, I know this may seem sudden, yet I cannot bear it any longer. For the last few hours, I have dreamed and hoped for us to be together forever. This necklace is simply a mere symbol of the love I hold for you. Perhaps, if you so wish it, you would marry me, taking the necklace as our engagement bond. Truly, I pray your answer is "yes", and nothing would make me happier. With love,[/font][/size] [font=vivaldi]Hunter[/font][/color]

[color=teal][b]Fox:[/b]Ami! Cover me! Let's get this bounty head on the rocks, quick! [i]Ami fired a smoke bomb into the alley, smoking out the assassin, who was too busy coughing to continue firing his assault rifle. With that, Detective Fox Eretima stood and fired a stun bolt into the bounty head's crotch, disabling him completely. [b][u]Three hours later[/u][/b] Fox slapped thirty-thousand woolongs onto the table in his dining hall, a mere nothing compared to the rest of his fortune. He smiled. He lived, not for the money, but for the thrill. And for the hope of getting Ami married off and finding love himself. Ami looked at him happily, the young woman smiling broadly and clasping her hands together. Suddenly, a page came through on the Vid-screen. It was the commander.[/i] [b]Commander Alis:[/b]Fox, we have a mission for you. Plenty of bounty on him, not to mention a huge pay raise. Plus, it's gonna be one hell of a challenge to get him... [i]Alis had said the magic words. Fox turned, smiled, and grabbed his sword off of the wall.[/i] [b]Fox:[/b]Ok, boss! Just gimme something to shoot![/color]

[i][color=teal]Hunter stood up quickly, eyeing the door of the tavern as he felt a ripple of air flow in from outside. Sudenly, a gruesome looking Drider burst in. The spyder-fiend leapt forward, smiling maliciously, and attepmted to skewer Elysan with a spear. Hunter cried out, jumping between the blade and the elf. The lance sank into Hunter's stomach, wrenching a scream of pain from his now-bloody lips. Elyan leapt up, slashing the Drider's neck. The fiend's echoing cry resounded and sputtered as Hunter sank to the floor, his breath ragged. Elysan gave Riona a look that clearly said "Stay here" as she helped Hunter up to their room. Hunter lay on the mat, his breath growing more and more ragged. Elyan began to dress his wounds, wondering the whole time why she was crying. Hunter suddenly opened his eyes, the wound bandaged over by Deedlit, and his breath became less labored. He leaned back against his bed, and Elysan simply collapsed. [b]Elysan:[/b]Aldra.... [b]Hunter:[/b]Call me Hunter, please. My friends do. [b]Elysan:[/b]Hunter...don't ever do that to me again.... [b]Hunter:[/b]Elysan....I...I've fallen in love with you. Hunter's strength held her up, restored to its fullest, and Hunter pulled her close, thanking her with the look in his eyes. He gently kissed her as he smiled, but her hand accidentally brushed the wound. Hunter gasped slightly through the kiss, then pulled back and began to grow dizzy. He'd lost too much blood. He fainted in Elysan's arms.[/color][/i]

[center][color=teal][font=times new roman]A simple flick of mortal wrist One, Two! One, Two! And thus the vorpal blade cuts through and through! As of a man in love-struck tryst Amen! Amen! As a young woman dances o'er field and fen! Does a boxer rely on strength of the fist? Of course! Of course! He'll fight to the fiercest 'till his energy's hoarse! Is a snake friendly when by vice it has hissed? Not so! Not so! You must heed its warning and by strain, just go! When a star's light is dimmed, does it go missed? Too true! Too true! For of stars in the sky, there are too few![/size][/font][/color][/center] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Come on, be honest....it sucked, right?

[color=teal][i]John looked up as the message blared out, standing and walking towards his rooms. As he dressed in his uniform, he donned his blue jean jacket, smiling at its familiar warmth. He then headed off for the rooms in which the lessons would be taught, finding it to be the VR Room. John nodded in acceptance of his father's foresight. He then heard his father blare on the P.A.[/i] [b]Lord Valentyne:[/b]Attention, trainees. Welcome to the Valentyne Mansion, home of the U.S.C. Project. However, there is an unexpected...[i]Lord Valentyne paused as he sneered to himself with disdain[/i]....privelege this year. My own son, Maverick Valentyne, shall also undero training. If you need directions, ask him. He built this palace. If you wish to see my home, it is a mile to the north. You will spend your weekends there, if you so wish. Have a good year...and Maverick...do NOT embarass me, you miserable wretch! [i]John flushed with anger at his father's words, and all of the people in the mansion that knew him also seethed. john was no embarassment. His father was the blemish...[/i][/color]

[color=crimson]::command-open file on Eretima, Fox:: Password-****** Welcome home. File listed below, Commander.[/color][color=teal] [b]Name:[/b]Fox Eretima [b]Aliases:[/b]Firestorm, Pheonix, and EasyAim Fox [b]Age:[/b]27 [b]Height:[/b]6' 5" [b]Build:[/b]Slim, yet muscular [b]Occupation:[/b]Bounty hunter, detective [b]Clothing:[/b]Always wears a green longsleeve shirt, a pair of blue jeans, and boots. Often wears leather gauntlets and has a blue-jean jacket, sleeves rolled up, on. [b]Hair color and style:[/b]Silver, falls into a braid down to his waist. [b]Eye color:[/b]Clear ice-blue [b]Weapons:[/b]A semi-automatic pistol, a 9mm Browning highpower, and a longword strapped acroos the back. [b]Homeworld:[/b]R.S.N.A.(Republican States of New America), Earth [b]Background:[/b]Born of an expert pilot and detective, Fox grew up with the skills of an adult in both fields. He became skilled at piloting complex machines and ships, eventually learning how to handle the humanoid battle suits that were used in Earth wars. He reconfigured a Valkenis suit to be able to support him in space and to be able to transform into a jet-like ship for fighter encounters. He became an intergalactic detective and a bounty hunter. He is unmarried, but hopes to rectify this soon. His skills with gun and sword are rivaled only by the strength of his heart. When he was 18, he found trouble with the icy atmosphere of Pluto while tracking down a bounty head. His face plate cracked and a breath of pure frozen air turned his eyes the clear icy blue from their original black. He spends all of his time with his adopted sister, Ami Katrin, whom he found about to be raped in an alley, similar to Ian Mcmarmil and Mae (See Mcmarmil, Ian above). She was starved and naked when he rescued her from two thugs. She is now 17 years old and assists her "brother" in his detective work. [b]Misc. Data:[/b]Fox plays guitar in his spare time and writes poetry. He is skilled at video games and ether stream surfing. He is an excellent sportsman, but prefers to spend all of his time in his home on Earth, on a cliff overlooking the ocean, about two-hundred yards from a forest. Ami is the only one that can contend with his gaming skills, and she works as a poet and writer. Ami also enjoys dancing with her brother and often conquers dance competitions with him. Her style of clothing is the same as his, aside from a blue shirt instead of green. [b][u]Ship data:[/b][/u] [b]Ship name:[/b]The Alaris [b]Color:[/b]Green with a silver streak. [b]Cockpit size:[/b]Two-person and a space for a one-man fighter, the Valkenis, in the back. [b]Brief Description:[/b]Shaped for the most part like an F-18 Thunderbird, it is larger than the thunderbird by a good amount. It carries an F-16-like craft in the small-craft bay. Weapons systems are mounted in the same areas as weapons on an F-18. Piloted by and gun systems manned by Fox, navigation handled by Ami. [b]Armaments:[/b]Two vulcan machinegun systems, laser missiles throughout wingspan, and the Valkenis humanoid fighter in the small-craft bay. [b]Power/Armor/Speed:[/b]2/1/3[/color]

[color=teal][i]Hunter entered Solace light-heartedly, despite the dead ogre halfway between Solace and Mereklar. As he walked into the busy tree-city, he noticed a Qualinesti elf having trouble. Hunter, using his skills, moved over to the elf as best he could, realizing that she was having a hard time with the crowds.[/i] [b]Hunter:[/b]Hello, friend. My name is Aldra Srilvesti, and it appears that you need help. [b]Elysan:[/b]Yes, I do need help! I'm trying to get to the tomb of Tanis Half-Elven, but I'm having trouble with the crowds! [i]Hunter mulled over things for a while, trying to decide how to help the young elf. He sighed inwardly, realizing the only truly effective way would be to carry her among the trees. [/i] [b]Hunter:[/b]Please do not be disconcerted, but I shall have to carry you to help you. It will only be until we reach my great=great grandfather's tomb. [i]With that, Elysan nodded her head and felt Hunter's strong arms lift her gently from the ground. Using his abilities, he jumped from tree to tree, eventually reaching his ancestor's tomb. As Hunter set Elysan down, he felt a twinge of sadness at the fact that he might not see her again afetr today. He sighed and decided on something drastic.[/i] [b]Hunter:[/b]After we are done at Tanis' tomb...perhaps you could join me at Otik's for a plate of spiced potatoes? And you seem to be in need of rooms. I have money to spare. Perhaps you could stay with me in a two-bed room? [b]Elysan:[/b]I would enjoy it immensely. It is nice to know there are other elves as polite as the great Tanis. I shall join you at the inn....but I'm afraid of the crowds again. [i]Hunter needed no more encouragement. He stood by the doorway of the sacred grave, ready to lift Elysan into the trees to the inn. He smiled, realizing that he felt something towards her. Artos mewed softly as he jumped out of his pouch and began to purr against Elysan's legs as Challis flew up from her perch to Elysan's shoulder. Hunter was surprised. His pets usually hated any other sentient beings aside from himself. He took this as a sign from Majere and nodded lightly, watching as Elysan enjoyed the company of the little kitten and the golden wyrmling.[/i][/color]

[color=teal][i]John looked up at Bremma and dried his eyes, launching into his story about Setsuna, why she hated him, and how he loved her with all his heart, loved her enough to put his life on the line for her. He began to cry again, and Bremma could only mull over his words for a few minutes.[/i][/color]

[color=teal][i]John awoke violently, blood trailing from his mouth. He wiped the fluid away, gasping for breath as he struggled to his feet, coughing more of the crimson liquid. John walked into the shower, allowing the warm water to caress his tan skin, forcing the white epidermis to glisten brightly. As he dried off, he checked his calendar. It had been a week since he'd passed out, coughing blood violently. He tested himself, dropping to his hands and knees and doing one-thousand push-ups easily and without a single cough. He wondered at his quick health, but then shrugged it away as he saw the health fluid in a hypodermic needle. he smiled and ran off to the pool, passing Rev, who simply shook his head and smiled softly. Within three minutes, John was dressed in swimming trunks and spiraling off the edge of the pool in a flip, noticing that Bremma was in the pool with Kwaz, Bremma now properly dressed for swim and both paying a little too much attention to each other. John sighed inwardly as he began having a flash of emotion. He climbed onto the side of the pool, crying to himself. That didn't stop Bremma from noticing his sadness.[/i][/color]

[color=teal][i]A clang rang through Mereklar as a young elf sent his master to his feet, chuckling gently as he stood, wiping his arse of the dust. As Master Srilvesti rose, he clapped his sword to Aldra's shoulder, knighting him in full with a gleam in his eye.[/i] [b]Master Srilvesti:[/b]Hunter, my son, you are now a knight in your own right. May you be fruitful in the quest Majere and Bast have placed upon you. now go, Aldra Srilvesti, my son! [i]Hunter turned and ran out of Mereklar, calling his black cat, Artos, and his semidragon, Challis, to heel. Challis rested on her master's shoulder, the foot-long gold wyrmling crooning softly. Artos meowed as he jumped into a pouch at Hunter's waist, purring as Hunter sheathed his sword Alaris on his back. Hunter turned and cast one final look at his hometown, smiling and giving a salute to his birthplace.[/i] [b]Hunter:[/b]Glory to thee, Mereklar, City of Felines. May I one day have the pleasure of rescuing you from danger as the great Majere brothers, Raistlin and Caramon, warrior and wizard, once had the privelege of doing with Bast's help. [i]With that, hunter and his two diminutive companions set out towards the hometown of Hunter's heroes, Caramon and Raistlin Majere. They planned on being in Solace by the next morning with hunter's unnatural speed. Hunter smiled as he remembered the reason for his speed. His thought strayed to the day his great-great-grandfather, Tanis half-Elven had given him the gift on his deathday. Hunter began to tear up as he remembered the old hero and how, over many, many years, the half-elven blood had been restored to full Silvanesti. Hunter sighed, moving slightly faster so that Challis had to wrap her tail around Hunter's throat to regain her balance, creeling in protest. Hunter sighed apologetically and stroked his favorite's neck, making her creel in pleasure. Hunter looked to the sun as it reached its zenith, wondering what the world was coming to.[/i][/color]

[color=silver][i]Xion smiled to himself, grabbing his small bag of equipment. He pulled out his utility belt, checking all the pouches and pockets for his weapons. He found his new A-Buster module resting in his locker, equipped it into his arm, and tested it on a wall. He made a mental note to repair it before Signas found out that there was a huge security breach in Xion's room. As Xion made for the armory, strapping on his longsword, he also grabbed a pack of cigars and cigarettes. As he walked through the door, he headed for the weapons station. He grabbed a few thermal bombs, two semi-automatic guns, and a silvered hunting knife. He smiled as he grabbed a sub-tank and spare copies of Flame Stag and Storm Eagles physical attacks, storing them in his buster. He heard a small voice chime in his buster.[/i] [b]Equip Program:[/b]Flame Stag's Vulcan Jab, Storm Eagle's Wind Dash. [i]Xion smiled grimly and jumped on the Alaris, revving up his engine and waiting for Signas to give the team the go-ahead to commence mission.[/i][/color]

[color=silver][i]Xion seperated from the group, not intending to see Signas. Instead, he walked slowly towards the data room, hoping to piece together his own existence. He punched in "Light, William" for his search. Several results came up, but only one of them caught his eye. "AlarisX Project" was almost hidden at the bottom of the screen. Xion delved into it, trying to find clues to what was wrong with him and why he felt strange compared to the reploids and Hunters. He got his answer.[/i] [b]File:[/b]WARNING! This is a confidential file. Read with caution. Dr. William Light, creator of famed robots such as Rock, Roll, and Blues, was believed never to have an heir or a blood relative. He did marry for a brief time before he began the construction of Rock, but it was thought that his wife died without bearing a child. However, there was a son, James Alaris Light. When James was born, he had a heart condition that, if not for William Light's fast mind, would have killed him. James continued to the age of eighteen without seeing much of the outside world. But one day, his own mother shut off James' heart-assistance module. James died. Dr. Light, maddened by grief, sent the woman away and frantically began to think of a way to reanimate his son. He had just finished the famed "reploid", MegaMan X, and so began to construct his son's new life on that basis, thus beginning the AlarisX Project. The project succeeded, resulting in the first combination between human and robot, bridging the gap completely. Dr. Light, before sealing his now-named "AlarisX" into a cryo-capsule, said that when James awoke, he would be free to obey his own rules, feel wmotion, yet act for the most part like an ordinary robot like X. Dr. Light died four years later. Current whereabouts of AlarisX are the Maverick-Hunter Headquarters, under the name of Xion. "Xion" is a challenging and fierce opponent, to judge from his training scores. Xion has only one drawback in his system: he can feel untainted emotions, enough to drive him to act rashly and unseeingly. [b]END FILE[/b] [i]Xion stood aghast. He fell to his knees. Most of what he'd said, he'd heard from the hologram from Dr. light, but still his spine shivered. Xion got up slowly, shook himself off unsteadily, and walked off to find Demos or Proteus, hoping he could get some answers and perhaps a mission.[/color][/i]

[i][color=teal]Setsuna walked back into John's room for reasons she couldn't grasp, only to find the convalescent doing push-ups on the floor. What surprised was that as she walked in, she heard him count "six-hundred and fifty-four, six-hundred and fifty-five"... John gasped in pain to himself, not realizing that Setsuna had walked in. He kept pushing himself, lifting himself to his extreme. Suddenly, he doubled over onto the floor, coughing and moaning in pain. As he coughed, he clutched his stomach, which had begun to bleed. Setsuna almost jumped to him to cradle him, but he regained his scant compsure and began pushing up again, this time coughing violently the whole time. The blood still coursed, yet he was determined to build his strength as he'd always done. He was determined to train himself. Setsuna smiled sadly, sitting in the shadows and watching him, seeing him double over in a fit of coughing over and over again over the course of five hours. But finally, one more time he doubled over. He failed to get up as the blood ran through his bandage and he coughed violently. He couldn't get back up. Setsuna immediately rushed to him, cradling him and trying to calm him down. Her touch alone seemed to calm him. He began to cry gently as his coughing eased...[/i][/color]

[color=teal][i]John, in his ragged, painful sleep, dreamt... John stood alone in his mansion. He searched high and low for some sign of life. Before him appeared his father, and upon his arm appeared a bloody, rapidly spreading wound. His mother, too appeared, and a sharp pain shot through his back. Suddenly, as he focused his vision, he saw all the butlers, physicians, and his friends. The pain ebbed slightly, but his father appeared suddenly again. John felt his body being destroyed instantly as he fell. Then a bright light appeared. An angel touched his wounds, bringing him back to life. The angel looked at him, brushing her hair out of her face and revealing herself to be Setsuna... John awoke slowly, seeing Setsuna awake in a chair by his bed. He looked over and saw the door was locked. He smiled to himself, filtering into sleep again.[/i][/color]

[i][color=teal]John played with the skull, threading a silver chain through a loop on the top. He slipped a note with a key on a string attached to it into Setsuna's hand as he placed the necklace around his neck, walking away.[/i] [b]Note:[/b]Setsuna....this key is the key to my room, and thus, to my heart. Use it if you want me to give to you what your life has lacked for so long. I swear, Setsuna....what I feel is true...I hope to see you soon. [i]Setsuna looked up, carefully hiding the smile she felt carefully and not noticing the tears in John's eyes as he walked away. She turned and walked into a hallway, not noticing the thief that John had let go the night before creeping out of an alcove. The man lifted a propelled-grenade launcher onto his shoulder, aiming at the retreating John. The recoil snapped the launcher upwards before the grenade could be fired. The explosion it caused burned the beams, weakening the woodwork. Setsuna jerked her head up at once when she heard the explosion and the scream of the idiotic criminal as a beam fell upon him, crushing his skull. Setsuna looked up and screamed as she saw a beam descending upon her... [b]Meanwhile[/b] John jerked around to see the fiery blaze, to see the beam about to crush Setsuna. John turned and ran full-speed, crashing into Setsuna and pushing her out of harm's way. As Setsuna fell forward, she turned to see John crash to the ground, his face showing a wince as he hit the ground. the wince turned into a blood-curdling wail of agony as the flaming pillar collapsed upon him, crushing him. Butlers, masons, and carpenters appeared at the scene, putting out the flames and surveying the damage to the house and to their master. The damages were not severe, and they found they would have little work to do aside from cleaning a wet mess. Physicians, however, found that John was in trouble. As they and the remaining butlers lifted him up from the smoldering mess, they noticed his back was injured slightly. They carried him into his room, Setsuna following in a daze. The men laid him upon his bed, tending to him and surveying his wounds.[/i] [b]Physician #1:[/b]He'll be okay. His back was hurt and burned, but he'll be okay soon. He won't be able to breathe properly for a few days, but it won't interfere with training. He should rest, though, for a few hours. [b]Physician #2:[/b]Master John will be just fine, madam. You are assured of that. We will take the best care of the man who showed us compassion when he was shown none by his own parents. When his father was ready to cast us out because he'd had a son, a son that defied him and was born a boy instead of a girl, John took us in on his own time and showed us true compassion. He is the reason we stayed on, to show him the things his father and mother refused to when they named him after a rebel. [b]John:[/b]Th...that's....not...tr..true. [b]Physician #2:[/b]Gracious! It is true, sir, and you should be resting! Now rest and Michael and I shall be back soon to change your dressings. [i]The two men left, leaving John alone with Setsuna.[/i] [b]Setsuna:[/b]Why? Why did you risk your life? Why for me? you could have died....it was just luck that saved you! [b]John:[/b]Be....because....I...L..lov.e....you....Set...su..na..... [i]John collapsed from the pain of trying to talk, his breathing ragged. Setsuna looked on at him, moving closer to him and sitting on the bed next to his body. As she began to think about why someone would do so much simply because he loved her, she found herself absentmindedly tousling his hair, gently smiling at his now-calm, dreamy smile...[/color][/i]

[color=silver][i]Xion smirked to himself, jumping recklessly out of bed. He stumbled slightly, taking out his longsword and slashing a gaping hole in an area of the wall that seemed to have been recently repaired. Fenir stared at Xion amazedly.[/i] [b]Fenir:[/b]But Karmen said we can't- [b]Xion:[/b]You seriously expect me to lie still and let my circuits atrophy? You ARE nuts! [i]Xion leaped out of the hole, landing on the ground soundly. He gave himself a diagnostic, finding one of his circuits busted. he repaced and felt a surge of energy, taking off for Signas' office, praying Signas hadn't noticed his disappearance. Luckily, Signas was still overseeing Havoc's session. X charged into Signas' office, however.[/i] [b]X:[/b]Signas! We've got two rookies with the skills of a- hey...where is he? [i]Xion surprised X.[/i] [b]Xion:[/b]He's watching Havoc, X. [b]X:[/b]You....you're supposed to be in the infirmary.... [b]Xion:[/b]You honestly think I'm going to let Karmen pore over me, worry over me, and then tell me I can't fight? Hell no![/color]

[color=teal][i]John grimaced as his Valken was placed under heavy fire, shooting his own vulcan cannons at Rev. As John hit Rev in his cockpit, the time-limit buzzer claxoned. As the score reeled in front of the combatants' viewers, John couldn't help but smile. He'd won by three-thousand points, a scant amount in Valken battling. Rev, too, smiled. It was clear that they both were good pilots, the three thousand being mere luck. John climbed out, shaking Rev's hand. As the two smiled and exchanged remarks about a rematch, John caught sight of Setsuna. She had a grim smile on, and John walked over to her, making conversation to her. He dropped one whispered remark that stopped her short.[/i] [b]John(whispering):[/b][size=1]I love you....[/color][/size]

[color=silver][i]Immediately, Xion jumped into the air, filtering Fenir's strengths and weaknesses in a swift motion, judging Fenir by his response to Xion's sudden flight. Xion smirked as Fenir turned and swung his sword where Xion would land. As the blade caught Xion in the shoulder, Xion brought his fist into Fenir's chest, sending him flying back into a wall. The two battled on and on, neither giving back or gaining an upper advantage. [b]Meanwhile[/b] A crowd was gathering outside the battle room. Reploids and Hunters were waving credits and betting on the outcome. X had three thousand credits going towards a draw. Alia was betting against Douglas that Xion would win. Lifesavor and Dr. Karmen hung their heads and prepared to recieve two patients, sighing exasperatedly. Suddenly, to the effect of bating everyone's breath but X, the final ten minutes of the duel closed in. [b]In the Battle Room[/b] Xion and Fenir stood, both clutching a random limb, staring at each other. Both of them charged fiercely at the same time, eventually crashing and meeting each other in mid-slash. Xion swung his weak arm into Fenir's chest, Fenir kicking Xion in the side. Both fell, weakened, as the end bell rang. The match was over. X had earned three thousand credits. The match was a draw. Lifesavor and Dr. Karmen both smiled grimly, both having a reploid carry one of the combatants to the Medbay. Xion could only manage to mutter.[/i] [b]Xion:[/b]Damn. I wanted to finish my brawl. Oh well. I have a new friend, at least. A great sparring partner, too. [b]Lifesavor(hitting Xion on the head):[/b]Shut up. You need rest.[/color]

[color=teal][i]Vid Screens appeared all over the mansion, interrupting all activity. The servants and butlers began whispering amongst themselves.[/i] [b]Servant:[/b]Master Maverick appears to have found an opponent at last. [b]Chauffer:[/b]My lord! I must call all the guests to attention! Everyone, attention to the Vid Screens! Lord Maverick is about to contest with the instructor! [i]John smiled to himself as he heard the commotion, settling himself into the Valken control form. He grinned at Rev, who grinned back. Both settled and instantly the VR began, sending them both into temporary vertigo as the soldi ground they had been on became merely the floor of a Valken Suit for each of them. Both drew their weapons, charging at each other.[/i][/color]

[color=silver]OOC:Sorry, Flash. I was writing that post while the other two came up, the I saved it in Word and logged off. Sorry. Just think of that posts time frame as he called Xion in, walked out in his impatience, and oversees Havoc's training. Now, I'm going to fix that with this post. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ [i]Xion sat in the chair grumpily, wondering when Signas was going to come back. He'd muttered something about Havoc, and left Xion alone in his office. Xion stood up, stretching his joints, and walked out of the office.[/i] [b]Xion:[/b]Screw orders, I'm hungry. [i]As he walked into the mess hall for his lunch, he found it mostly full. As he grabbed a platter, twirling it and collecting his food neatly, he found that his skillful handling had insulted a few reploids. The entire 16th unit and half of X's 17th, X included, stood and began to glare menacingly at Xion. Xion sat and ate in ignorant bliss, content to be fed. When he finished his food, he grabbed an energy cola and began to walk back out. As he neared the door, his hand was cut by the glass bottle shattering from a clean-fired plasme round. He found a big reploid standing in front of him. Soon, he found himself in the middle of a violent brawl against forty reploid warriors. And he was winning. For the moment.[/color][/i]

[color=royal blue][i]Wolverine finished his training, walking to mend a huge tear in his jerkin. His reaction time had been slow against a mimic Sentinel. He decided to try to move more than fight so that he'd be more agile than strong. As he walked into the mansion, he saw Gravitonne crying silently. He shook his head as Cable headed to comfort him. Cable stopped, nodded, and began anew his conversation with Siren.[/color][/i]

[i][color=teal]John sighed to himself and decided to practice his assault mech pilot skills. He walked into the VR Room in the mansion, glad his father had at least installed that. He jumped into the GZ Valken modulator, perfectly imitating the skills and attack levels of an instructor at the B Level of Valken Training. He was about to begin a new round of more intense, deadly training when Rev began to clap.[/i] [b]Rev:[/b]Bravo, bravo, my friend. You must be Maverick Valentyne, alias John, known around Europe and the Neo-colonies as the Perfect Warrior, the Gentlest Gentleman, and the Desperate Desperado. [b]John:[/b]I see that you, too, have read Ann Pielder's biography and articles about me. [b]Rev:[/b]Indeed I have, Mr. Valentyne. And she sells you short. Far, far too short. I envy the girl you've set your sights on, for she will be learning more about fighting from you than I could ever teach you. Of course, the USC training may or may not be with the Valkens or the Assault Mechs. It will also revolve around basics and other things besides combat. [i]John smiled as Rev jumped into the opposite VR module. Finally, John thought, I have a worthy competitor.[/i] [b]John:[/b]Let's battle! Broadcast system, full mansion. Activate all Vid Screens for viewing. Time limit, ten minutes. Begin![/color]

[color=silver][i]Xion set his coffee down, staring at her. He felt his Hunter comm go off through his helmet and he began to leave. He stopped, wrote something down, and handed it to Satina.[/i] [b]Xion:[/b]It's my comm number. Tap that channel from a phone or a radio to talk to me anytime you wish. I have to go. My boss needs to chew me out. [i]At that, he kissed her cheek briefly before jumping onto his Alaris and speeding away. As he sped away, he slapped himself for being an idiot enough to do that. He'd reached HQ, jumped off of his bike, and marched into Signas' office. He sat down and awaited his punishment for his outburst.[/i] [b]Signas:[/b]You wait right there. We'll wait for Proteus to get here. And I guess we'll wait for Demos, too. [i]At that, Signas commed the two Hunters and sat in his chair, looking exasperated beyond his activation date.[/i][/color]

[color=teal]I find that the graphics are slightly...NES...compared to its counterpart, Circle of the Moon, but the gameplay was good. What I found disgusting about the game was its lack of music from past games. Even Circle of the Moon had Sinking Old Sanctuary(Bloodlines, Castlevania 64, and Dracula X) and Vampire Killer(every Castlevania game ever created aside from HoD and the 64 versions) in its music! That is all.[/color]

[color=teal][i]John stepped out of the shower, dressed in his jeans, and walked outside to watch his parents' fencing. he smirked as he saw all of the errors in his father's form, the stiffness in his mother's arm. He then realized that he had become perfect with hand-to-hand weapons. He clenched his teeth at the thought and walked away from the window, wondering when the rest of the trainees were going to arrive and when they would all be shipped to the USC training center. He decided to spend his time with Setsuna, so he walked into her room, where she lay asleep. John smiled, brushed Setsuna's hair out of her face, and began to read a book titled [u]The Vengeance of Wrath[/u] in the twilight of her window. His reading glasses, which he wore just to look intellectual, gleamed with the starlight. John was at peace....[/color][/i]