Avatar of Double

Status

User has no status, yet

Bio

User has no bio, yet

Most Recent Posts

@Double

Hey! The profile looks great! Just one quick thing that I suggest doing is reading through my Rules section. You have missed one key factor to the profile. I will put your slot on reserve till the sheet has been edited. :)


Egads, you're absolutely right! Terribly sorry. I believe it's fixed now.
Okay, then. Here be my Side Plot character. I I'll write the world in a bit later, but the full discussion about it can still be found in the Discord server.



((Collab Post between Double and Letter Bee))

Flashback, The World of Luna Dial

Hakim the Wise had set up a new laboratory in this strange world, a strange world where his Faith and Creed had been suppressed by the arrival of new powers that served the existing establishments. Deep in the mountain of Kilimanjaro, Africa, where the Selenian tide had not yet penetrated, Hakim was doing experiments more ethical than the ones he had done before. Operating Magitech simulations over and over again, he was experimenting with The Light, hoping to find a new source of energy that can allow Replicas to survive without taking strength from their originals...

There was another presence in the laboratory, without any real announcement or warning. One moment Hakim had been alone, and the next, there Cain was. His mastery of the Corridors of Darkness was well known, some might even say it was frightening. Someitmes it was as if Cain could simply just teleport at will. He was silent, but only for a moment. He was here for a purpose and it was best not to drag it out with any uneccesary theatrics.

"Restarting the Replica Program?" Cain asked, getting right to the point, "Tocsax told me. Asked for my help, even. Granted, I may not be able to stay around on a constant basis, but here I am regardless."

Hakim nodded at that and said, "Thank you, Cain. And I'm trying to find a way to remedy the most obvious problem with what Tocsax wants - Right now, I need to find a way to give 'No, I', a truly independent existence and my current hypothesis is that it would need a source of mystic energy to make it true.."

"There are many energies that could qualify as 'mystical', but in my experience that typically means it is something exceedingly rare and dangerous to deal with." he had noticed the studies of the Light by this point, "Huh, interesting. Most people I have ever known are fascinated with the Darkness, despite the Light presumably having just as much to offer." but then Cain had another thought, and decided to voice it.

"Do you suppose we are doing these Replicas any real favors by creating them? Appearances aside, the bodies are still synthetic at the end of the day. You ever wonder if we are dooming them to a life cursed with immortality? Fated to linger on for eternity while watching everyone they know and love die around them...?"

Hakim looked at Cain, saying, "I've considered it, but one should remember that there are already a myriad of ways to extend life in the Multiverse already, thus mitigating that risk. That, and if the Replica chooses it, they can ask for 'aging' to be installed into their new bodies. The keyword being ask, of course - I do not want to decide others' medical decisions for them."

A brief shudder, as if old memories and traumas were reasserting themselves.

"Fair enough." Cain replied, "Ah, but we are not here to have a philosophical discussion, are we?" he added, deciding to bring things back on track to the issue of No. I, "Have you considered Time Magic, perhaps? That particular vein of magical energy is used for the explicit purpose of speeding up or slowing down... or even stopping things altogether."

Hakim nodded. "That would be Emperor Michael's area of expertise - He'd be happy to help, but he's also busy preparing for the inevitable counteroffensive against Leo and his ad-hoc Multiversal Empire." A sigh, "He only has a shadow of the Old Keyblade Order's power, but dreams of rebuilding said order. That might not work out well."

"Luckily for us, I happen to be Renovation's resident loremaster. I could always have a gander at the scrolls and see what I can learn of the subject myself." he gave a small shrug, "But I must admit that would take a bit of time. I would need to undergo the research over time, and hope that I can produce the results we need by the time it becomes necessary for the mission. Ah, but speaking of which, the War Council will be starting soon."

A Corridor of Darkness opened behind Cain and he turned around to face it. This revealed the emblem that marked the back of his long black coat. It was silvery and white, appearing to depict a pair of axe-like weapons forming an X shape, and thus producing the shape of a black heart within the negative space of the emblem, "I should be getting back, I have a bad feeling that the Emperor will need me there soon. I have a request of my own too: Replica bodies, just a few. I wish I could explain what I need them for, but it would take too much time. And... Hakim?" he gave one more glance back at the other man, "I am sorry, for how I treated you when you first started the Program. You may not believe me but, I had a good reason for opposing it before." he did not say anything more or wait for a reply, instead silently vanishing into the Corridor that would take him back to his own quarters on Renovation.

"Salaam, Cain," Hakim spoke as his acquaintance disappeared. "And thank you."

Palace of the Blachrenae, Renovation

Through out the War Council, a seemingly unassuming figure stood in the corner of the room. He wore a black coat, but not one of the hooded variety that Tocsax was known to use. His was merely a black trench coat, the turtle neck of a pale shirt could be seen to give an indication as to what Cain was wearing underneath it. In his hand he held a heavy tome, open to a middle point in its pages and he appeared to be focusing his on it, while only offering the occasional cursory glance at the guests.

Cain wasn't there to participate in the council, per say. There was no information offered during it that he was not already well aware of, or even was the outright source of in the first place. But he was there for a purpose nonetheless. He wanted to see the Keyblade Wielders with his own eyes, and observe their behavior and mannerisms for himself. They were certainly not like the others, that was for sure. But, flaws or not, they would have to do. More than one of them seemed like experienced warriors or mages. As for the others, it wasn't as obvious, so Cain would have to continue his observation before coming to any real conclusions.

Giorgios and Damianos gave them the standard introduction. Sometimes Cain could swear that they rehearsed these things, but that was neither here nor there. Two of the warrior types responded with a polite enough etiquette, suggesting they were not mere brutes or mercenary types. The other two were whispering in a shushed tone. They couldn't possibly have known that Cain would be reading their lips. An... interesting conversation topic, though Cain would wager they couldn't take on either of the escorts in his own opinion. Still, these two were sounding like they were going to be an annoyance if they weren't properly kept in check.

When everyone else had left to follow Giorgios and Damianos, Cain remained behind, at least briefly. In another few moments, he disappeared into a Corridor that would take him to the throne room. Once again, Cain discretely placed himself in a corner. Somewhere he wouldn't be as noticeable as the Emperor, Empress, or Tocsax. He wasn't here to participate, only to observe.
@Eviledd1984 Only one Saiyan is present besides Negi right now (Tabaga). The other one (Po) was communicating over the Scouter.


As as he flew, Negi occasionally glanced behind him, noting the handful of people who had chosen to follow him. So he at least managed to gain a few allies. It was no army, not by a long shot, but it would have to be enough. One of which had blue skin of all things, indicating a similarly extraterrestrial origin. Something to worry about later, for now there were other more pressing matters. Negi didn't exactly offer much in the way of conversation. His time on this planet had turned him into a man of few words, preferring to let his actions speak for themselves. Still, these people needed at least a basic understanding of who they were up against.

"The Saiyans were a warrior race, born and bred for battle and conquest. They're infamous through out the galaxy for their fighting instinct and strength that only grows with each battle they survive. Those green monstrosities were Saibamen, a technology the Saiyans co-opted for themselves and started using as grunts and disposable training opponents." really there was a lot more that could be explained, but for the time being Negi focused on the most important parts, "When you fight the Saiyans, target their Tails and Scouters. Their tails are sensitive and squeezing it can render even a ferocious Saiyan warrior completely unable to move. The Scouters they wear on their face lets them track your energy and communicate over long distances. Destroy them and they will be forced to fight blind and be unable to call for help to boot." Of course, these tips applied to Negi himself as well, and part of him didn't feel right about giving strangers the exact strategy that could be used against him. But if these people were going to be his allies, then they needed to be well-informed lest they bumble into their own demise.

But then, Negi stopped without warning. His own Scouter fired up and without warning he heard a voice going off on him with threats and taunts. As if that weren't enough, he spotted a figure in the distance flying right toward them. When they were close enough, he spotted the Scouter and armor that let him identify her as a fellow Saiyan. But her Scouter looked damaged, and the message he received was further away, coming from the group's destination. So this Saiyan was not the same person. Negi made a gesture to his would-be allies to hold a moment, wishing to confront this Saiyan on his own for now. Negi floated a little bit closer to the Saiyan woman, reaching up to turn his Scouter back on and broadcast back to the one who had threatened him. He wanted them both to hear what he had to say.

"How old are you?" he asked the voice on the other end of his Scouter, "10? 12? It's obvious you weren't there that day. I'm guessing everything you know about our Planet is second-hand, isn't it? And as for you..." his gaze went to Tabaga and suddenly he was addressing both of the Saiyans, "I'm going to ask this one question of you both. What path do you intend to follow? The Warrior, who fights in earnest? Or the Soldier, who fights in order to blindly follow orders? Think about that question, and think about it long and hard. I won't fight you yet, because I'm not your enemy and I don't think you really believe that either. My brother is my only true enemy, and if he ends up being the only Saiyan I have to fight against then I would consider that a good day."

Meanwhile, back at the Archipelago, Korun found himself in agreement with the pipsqueak for a change. "Now there's an idea. We transform and reduce this entire pathetic mudball to rubble. Kill 'em all nice and thorough so we turn this place into home without having to deal with any annoying resistances." of course, Korun was taking the idea quite a few steps further than what Po suggested. As for the Commander, his usual cool stoicism cracked ever-so-slightly as they shot his two companions an uncharacteristically angry glare.

"No." Jagen said, his commanding tone a bit uncharacteristically hotblooded before it cooled back down again, "We do this as warriors. As Saiyans."
Palace of the Blachrenae, Renovation

In his quarters, the white-haired researcher worked tirelessly. By all accounts, he should have been sleeping. It was certainly late enough, and any sane person definitely would be. But the truth was, Cain didn't sleep, not really. He dozed or napped for thirty or forty minutes at a time on occasion but, otherwise he always seemed to be awake at all hours of the night and day. In the room itself, a half-drunk cup of coffee sat on the edge of a desk, some papers spread out up on it. But more noteworthy was the big tome opened up and sitting a top the papers. In this tome, Cain was writing something. The tome itself wasn't at all like any of his research or files. The contents of it was known only to the man himself, kept secret even from the Emperor. It was personal, according to Cain, so most just assumed it was his memoirs or something.

A knock on the door interrupted the man from his thoughts and he looked up in the door's direction, "It's open." he announced, so that the person could let themselves in without him having to get up. It was Tocsax, looking rather shaken and not at all as he should be. He had reservations about the Keyblade Wielders being summoned. He'd never say it aloud, but Cain did as well. They sounded like decent enough assets, but they could all just as easily become liabilities in their own varying ways. That was something Cain was never comfortable with, insisting on keeping the strategy under control at all times, specifically under his control.

"Mmm..." he murmured, not having looked up from his writing yet. But then Tocsax said something else. The Palace would soon be assaulted, by him no less. Well, Cain certainly wouldn't put it past the man to pull something like that, even if it was so he could gloat about his impending victory. Still, such a prospect in combination with a team that the both of them were unsure about? Certainly not the most optimal scenario. Why did Cain get a sinking feeling that he would have no choice but get directly involved? He didn't exactly care for the prospect, but...

"...you know what Replicas are, right?"

His thoughts interrupted again, but this time by something rather unexpected.

"I need to know the secret of restoring one that has already been destroyed - I want "No, I", back with me, I want him back so very badly..."

Cain's face remained stoic and expressionless. But his eyes looked to Tocsax with an incredible amount of scrutiny, "You... are aware of what it - ugh - he did to you? You'd both be drained, fighting over who gets to be the one that exists. And how exactly would that be of any use to us?" of course, his main concern was the practicality and usefulness of this. He didn't seem to have any concern for the emotional baggage at all. Still, Cain pressed his fingers on the bridge of his nose after pushing up his eyeglasses, "I'm not exactly the person to be asking this. Replicas are not my specialty, you know that." and yet here Tocasx was. He could just as easily have asked Hakim, who would have far more expertise on the subject, unless... "But you asked Hakim already, haven't you? And he declined... is that it?"

It wasn't that Cain was incapable of taking on this project. He had access to all of Hakim's old research notes. It would just be a matter of studying them and Cain could get a grasp on making a functional Replica. It wasn't about whether Cain could do this, though, but rather about whether he would. Cain had advised against the Replica Program from the start, citing that it would be like them deciding to play God and create life. What purpose would resurrecting the program serve now? Not that he had much room to criticize Hakim. When given the option, Cain supported the research of another instead and... that ended just as badly if not worse.

@Letter Bee
@Weird Tales Dunno if I'd call Negi's hair long, but whatever suits you. He's not wearing any armor right now, just dressed casually. That's not your fault though, since I never actually made that clear in any of my posts, so sorry about that.
@Eviledd1984 Negi's tail isn't really supposed to be visible at the moment.
@Genon@IceHeart@Eviledd1984@Headhunter@Chev@Senseless@Weird Tales@mattmanganon

So where is everyone? It seems like people are still fighting Saibamen, but my intention was for those fights to be wrapped in time for Negi to show up and address everyone. So what gives, here?
© 2007-2024
BBCode Cheatsheet