Brikman McStudz

OOC: Curious question: does Sonic Screamer, being a gun that fires, for all intents and purposes, concentrated waves of sound, need ammunition? Or would it need to be "charged", like with electricity? You can do whatever you want. I prefer if nobody else really came by (I'll through Solomon in though, simply because that guy already called). Blaire may be super-ultra-powerful, but he is one guy against one...four...seven...ten people I think? Sure, he's the Post Final Boss, but he won't go down too easy.IC:Zach clapped his friend on the back, smiling. "Good to hear." After seeing a level of apprehension in Andrew's face, Zach added reassuringly. "Just one more battle and then I can wrap a few (non-violent) loose ends here and we can head to LEGO Island for that party. I assume Laxus and Pterisa will be heading to that party as well?"Laxus and Pterisa nodded in agreement, smiling. "Good. Oh, and you have a Fire Hammer, right?""Yep. It's a bit beat up, but it can probably make it through one guy. As lone as he doesn't have any explosives," Laxus said."Good. You go find that and bring it over here. Even if it is one guy, I'm not taking any chances. Two Fire Hammers are better than one. And having you in the air will also probably make this whole deal a lot easier, Pterisa." She nodded agreement. As Laxus and Andrew turned to go get the Fire Hammer, Minerva, Zelda, and Dr. Cyborg were returning with two crates of ammunition for Xenon Multi-Mode Launchers and Cosmotronic Rays. As Minerva set the crate next to the Fire Hammer, Minerva turned to Andrew, Laxus, and Pterisa, smiling."Good to see you again, you guys." She tugged both Laxus and Andrew into a quick hug before pulling Pterisa into an embrace of her own. Pterisa smiled and returned the hug quickly before Minerva pulled away. It was at this point he realized how far Pterisa had integrated into the Dino Attack Team. Joining society (perhaps one similar to LEGO Island) would be a cinch for her."Got the ammo," Minerva said. She then reached down to her belt. "I also found something of yours." She held out the knife he had been forced to leave behind when they had been forced out of the headquarters at gunpoint. Zach smirked as he accepted the bloodstained knife. Minerva eyed it with a brief gleam of disdain that soon faded away."Think I could fight Mr. Darkling with just a knife," Zach asked, already knowing the answer."You probably could," Minerva said, the barest hint of a smile on her face. "I don't know if I would.""I'm thinking we blast him up a bit and leave it at that," Zach said with a shrug. He then turned to Vinyaya and Bluetooth. "Anything worth knowing?"A deep scowl was on Vinyaya's face. "Not really. I wouldn't put it past Darkling to have tampered with file at one point, because it's more bare than it should be. But what it does say is something I could summarize in a few sentences: He's largely unpredictable. He'll repeat a few maneuvers for drama, but mostly likes to keep his enemies on their toes. He's a complete sociopath and has little issue with violence, murder, arson, destruction, chaos, and punting kittens out of airlocks."Zelda blinked. "'Punting a kitten out of an airlock'? Seriously? How it that noteworthy?"Vinyaya rolled her eyes. "It was a big deal with some humane societies. Demanded that we do more to stop him. I get that kicking a cat out into space is bad, but they apparently didn't realize who Vherestorm was and what else he did.""So we got nothing," Minerva said, clapping her hands together with a shrug. "Guess we'll have to work by the seat of our pants.""Not sure it particularly matters, considering this team's track record of planning," Zach said."We plan, we get there, and all heck breaks loose," Andrew added. A wave of snorts and chuckles erupted through the group. "So we'll be getting that Fire Hammer. Lead the way, Laxus, Pterisa." The Martian, the Hybrid, and the LEGO Islander turned and started for their Fire Hammer.Zach watched them leave and strapped the knife to his torn uniform. He then turned to look from Minerva, to Vinyaya, to Bluetooth, to Dr. Cyborg, and finally to Zelda. He then barely wondered if this was the right thing to do. Blaire was dangerous and held a grudge; he had escaped a fiery explosion and trekked halfway across the battlefield just to kill him. Even if with the ten of them, if Blaire somehow could stop their Xenon Launchers or get them out of the Fire Hammers, he would be a tricky enemy to fight.He stepped over to Zelda. There was a look of grim determination on her face. Through her, he saw the mask of Nazareno and face of Thaddeus Brickhouse, just two of Blaire Darkling's victims. He has probably killed hundreds as a Matthew Vherestorm and could be killing more people now. One thing was for certain, Blaire Darkling needed to be defeated. "We're going to find him, Zelda," he said quietly. She didn't respond, only turning her stare to him.It was at this point that he also realized that this was the first time he was really interacting with Zelda since they were both Stromlings. "I know you...loved him," Zach continued. "I just don't want losing him to cause you to do something...rash, so to speak. Uh...catch my drift?"Zelda smiled weakly at him. "It...was kind of a shock. Like hearing what happened to my birth parents or when my adoptive sister died earlier this year. All of their deaths have been avenged. Nazareno...Kareem needs to be avenged. His...mission needs to be completed. Blaire needs to be stopped." Zach then noticed the katanas strapped to her back were Nazareno's. Zelda noticed where his eyes were and gave him a faint nod. Zach immediately understood her silent request. He smiled."I'll see what I can do," was all he said. Zelda smiled, thankful for Zach's understanding. She then punched him in the shoulder - hard."Besides," Zelda said, smirking as Zach rubbed his shoulder. "I still got to be that big sister you never wanted, right?" Zach nodded, happy that Zelda wasn't letting what happen change her. She then looked past him. "Oh, hello Solomon." Zach turned to see an older gentleman behind him. "Oh, this is Solomon Koplowitz, guys. He was with me, Nazareno, and Blaire before the latter two got separated from us."Well," Zach said, stepping forward and shaking Solomon's hand. "Good to meet you, Solomon.""The same to you," Solomon said, bowing his head slightly. "Now, I believe a heard something about hunting down a certain Blaire Darkling..."*****Several minutes later*****Andrew and Laxus's Fire Hammer rolled up to the other Fire Hammer. After quickly reloading the Xenon Launcher, Dr. Cyborg and Solomon jumped into their ride while Vinyaya took the wheel of the Fire Hammer manned by Zach, Minerva, Zelda, and Bluetooth. Pterisa jumped from the cab of Andrew's Fire Hammer and into the darkening sky, almost disappearing from sight."Alright!" Vinyaya said into the radio, slipping the jeep into drive. "Let's catch us a certain intergalactic baddie!" The Fire Hammer started to roll into the ruined city, illuminated by the dim purple and orange flames of the previous battle. Andrew's Fire Hammer followed close behind.Zach stared at the window, his face hardening. There was one last battle on the horizon.

OOC: Quick thing, Atton. Marco Martinet teamed up with Rosalie Mercedes in the end. Might want to note that.And I may add something to that with Martinet later, but now, Darkling!IC:Blaire swung his gun up and aimed it square with the Agent's forehead. The Agent snarled and the rocket launcher made a faint clicking sound. It was armed and prepared to fire.Great. Blaire though irritably, his mouth twitching slightly. This was not going as planned. It was extremely likely that he would have to flee before getting a crack at those who had wronged him. Light was disappearing quickly. He was not interested he staying in this city swarmed with Agents, Alpha Team, and Dino Attack agents. Kill those few agents that had wronged him and get out. It was supposed to be simple.And yet here he was, facing against an Agent that would not die. Half of Blaire admired his skill and his ability with the blade. Particularly since he used that massive blade with one hand. He probably didn't deserve a lackluster death like being shot in the head. Blaire shrugged off that thought, not willing to let his humanity get in the way of his goal.Blaire blinked once, thankful his sunglasses could hide that action. Perhaps...Nazareno was right. Perhaps Matthew Vherestorm was still alive. Perhaps he was taking control now as the situation demanded. Blaire gritted his teeth together angrily. No! He is no longer alive. His ghost faded with Nazareno. He should be no more, and yet they continue to bring him back up! Blaire felt like cursing. It was them. All of them. Nazareno, Frodongan, Fabello, the space cop, Bluetooth and more. They would not let Vherestorm die while Darkling lives. They needed to be destroyed. Once and for all."Leave," Blaire spoke, his old level of cold politeness in his voice. He no longer cared about this Agent at all. He was insignificant. The Agent raised an eyebrow in shock."What?" the Agent demanded, his voice hoarse."I am sparring your life," Blaire snarled. Despite this, he never lowered the gun. He was not a fool. "I am done with this random violence. I'm finished with you. Unless your life truly has no meaning that this fight is an opportunity to escape or something."The Agent stared in surprise, but the rocket launcher didn't lower. Blaire rolled his eyes irritably. Everyone just seemed MegaBlokLand-bent on making things more difficult than they needed to be. Even if Blaire liked to play up the drama, he knew where to draw the line. Now he was trapped in a standoff with no apparent way out.OOC: So yeah, not sure where else to go. I could've probably come up with something, but...eh? Though I'll probably get the E.S.B.D.H (Epic Squad of Blaire Darkling Hunters) going soon.

OOC: Today be the day t'be speaking like a pirate, savvy? I was mostly referrin' t'the build o' the scallywags as opposed't height. I imagined Winston bein' barely bigger th'n Blaire. Like broader shoulders, more muscles. Somethin' like that. That's...well I don't know, since I not be totally sure what ye think I be thinkin' of. Maybe I be goin' off t' brutally massacre the rest o' my cast after survivin' the entire war? Maybe I will be goin' n' kill a few choice scallywags so I can tell ye (If ye haven't figured it out yet), that Blaire be a serious bad guy who has no issues with killin' evryone he crosses and really is as powerful as I be makin' him out t' be? Maybe Blaire won't even get captured t' all and will remain a Karma Houdini?If this makes ye happy, I won' kill Zach o' Vinyaya. Whatever plans we have between them and yer characters stays on!Oh man, I can't speak Pirate. At all.IC:"Alrighty then," Zach said, rubbing his hands together. "We'll make some preparations, have a bite to eat maybe, and we'll head out in a half-hour or so.""Sure we shouldn't leave now?" Vinyaya asked, crossing her arms. "He probably knows he's wanted now. I'm sure he knows he can't salvage his identity as well. In fact, he might have already fled.""He isn't leaving," Zelda stated simply. Everyone looked at her. "I have a feeling...he might be looking for us. Knowing his habits, he'll want revenge on all us for ratting him out. He'll at least try to kill us before leaving.""Even with the imagination boost from the Einstein Device," Minerva said. "It would probably a good idea to get some food or rest a bit. And as much as I love to operate and come up with a plan simultaneously, we should probably work out some sort of plan against Darkling."But I don't think we should wait too long," Dr. Cyborg said, gesturing to the sky. Whatever natural light that was breaking through the clouds that were shrouded over the city was fading rapidly. If they waited any longer, they would be forced to find Darkling in the dark.Bluetooth grimaced. "We don't have much time at all, really. Once it goes dark, we can probably bet Darkling will flee. This is our best chance to stop Vherestorm/Darkling once and for all."Zach nodded in agreement. "So I'd say we find some ammunition and reload our weapons and the Xenon Launcher and head out. As much as a bite to eat sounds be good, we have to act now.""Dr. Cyborg, Zelda, and I will get the ammunition," Minerva said, stepping forward and gesturing to Zelda and Dr. Cyborg. "You guys come up with a plan. We won't be long." As she passed by Zach, she smiled at him and patted his shoulder. Before they got too far away, Dr. Cyborg was approached by a woman Zach didn't recognize. Dr. Cyborg gestured for Zelda and Minerva to continue while he talked to the woman. Deciding not eavesdrop, Zach turned back to Vinyaya and Bluetooth.Vinyaya pulled out her PDA. "This gets an Internet connection, correct?""I imagine it does to get messages to other PDAs," Zach said sarcastically. Vinyaya frowned at him."I don't need your lip, Virchaus," Vinyaya snapped. "The point is we can use my authorization to get into the Space Police database to peek into Vherestorm's file. There should be a analysis of his tactics that we can use to come up with a plan to fight him." She walked over to the Fire Hammer, the tiny light of the PDA illuminating her scarred face as sat down next the tire, crossed her legs, and began to quick press her hands across buttons.Zach glanced at Bluetooth, an amused grin on his face. Bluetooth shrugged and went over and sat by Vinyaya. Zach smirked in amusement and was prepared to say something when someone calling his name caught his attention. Turning, he saw Andrew, Laxus, and Pterisa walking toward him."Hey!" Zach said happily. "Glad to see you two make it!" He gave Laxus a high five and extended a fist toward Pterisa, who responded with her own."The same to you," Pterisa said, smiling.Laxus nodded to Zach before glancing over his shoulder. "Good to see you as well, Bluetooth!" Bluetooth acknowledged Laxus, Andrew, and Pterisa with a wave and smile before looking back down at Vinyaya's PDA. They were talking in hushed tones, both occasionally cracking a grin and laughing quietly.Andrew smirked, quickly interpreting the situation between Vinyaya and Bluetooth. "What are they doing, exactly?""Hopefully finding some info we can use to hunt down Blaire Darkling," Zach explained, turning back to the group."Yeah, we heard about him and Nazareno," Laxus said, looking apologetic. "Sorry.""What matters is that we complete Nazareno's goal and beat this guy once and for all." Zach then turned to Pterisa. "Have you ever encountered Blaire Darkling? White hair, sunglasses, trenchcoat? Maybe a katana?"Pterisa paused to think. Then her wings flinched in remembrance. "Ah. I believe I saw him when Tyrannus, Velosis, and myself were attacking XERRD operatives in their lab. He was sending guards after us and trying to kill us. He never directly approached us, preferring to stay back and shoot at us from afar.""I would say he was cowardly, but I'm thinking he decided he couldn't take on three Hybrids with the powers of Mutant Raptors, Pterosaurs, and T-Rexes alone with only mooks," Zach said with a shrug. "That's how he operates, as far as I can tell. Back away from situations out of his control. That's how he's survived so long, in addition to his skill. If we weren't thinking he wanted to kill us, he might have left already, knowing how in-over-his-head he is now."Zach then looked at his three friends that stood before him. He shrugged. "Why not? You guys want to come along and capture a terrorist? One last exciting, dramatic bit in our lives before finally getting to relax?"OOC: Don't be frettin', Jackson Lake! I be making a post about Blaire n' Winston later. Hopefully.*cough*

OOC: I've always imagined these airships as either pseudo Star Destroyers from Star Wars or more advanced airships from the Super Mario series. I'm imagining that the former is more closer to reality.Before I forget: to aid in Scott's little reporting venture, I'd almost suggest bringing in J. Theano, a radio reporter guy from the story on the Dino Attack website who's described as following around Specs, Shadow, Digger, and Viper and reporting on their exploits and made a brief cameo appearance during the battle of the Power Station in-RPG. Canonwise, he should be around here interviewing people as well. Probably made of some Maelstrom-enhanced metal that protects it from damage (as it is a Paradox katana and they use the Maelstrom against itself). Nazareno's swords were probably created out of some unobtanium and forged in the fires of the volcano behind his Space Ninja temple [/handwave].​I think he'll believe that. Hopefully. Maybe. Please?IC:"...and...they kissed," Vinyaya said with little emotion to Zach. He turned to Zelda, who was back to looking at the ground in silence. "That was it. He died shortly after that."Zach swallowed painfully. They had recounted their finding of Nazareno in the headquarters fighting against Blaire, how Bluetooth and Zelda had attempted to help, and Nazareno ultimately receiving his fatal wound. Knowing that any potentially close relationship between him and Zelda had been cut short because of a petty grudge sickened Zach."I'm...sorry, Zelda," he said shortly, unsure what to think. Zelda didn't say anything, merely sighing sadly. Zach could've seen himself in the same position not long ago when Minerva went after Oswald. He thought of Rex and what had happened to him after Claw had died. The Maelstrom hardly had a sway over his emotions at this point, but undeniable anger was boiling over in his head."Before we talk about what to do with Darkling," Bluetooth interjected, detecting Zach's anger. "What happened in the tower?" Zach let his anger die down for a moment."We (the Elite agents) pooled together our talents and disarmed the prematurely activated Einstein Device and made necessary modifications to it so it would only destroy enemy Mutant Dinos, not our allies with the Maelstrom in their system. We also took apart the Teleport Pad and built a new launcher out of it.""We need imagination to destroy the Maelstrom," Minerva stated. "Where did you get that?"Zach sighed. "Rex, who was apparently dying from Maelstrom poisoning anyway, volunteered his Creative Spark. Doc Cyborg and I used our powers (and Greybeard his pistol) to get the spirit out. Rex's body sort of...withered away to dust after losing the spirit. Like an action-adventure movie I watched one time."A stunned look appeared on each of their faces at this revelation. Then Bluetooth spoke up. "His sacrifice saved us all.""His passing deserves to be honored," Vinyaya said with certainly, wrapping her arm around Bluetooth. "Without him, we might not have learned of XERRD's existence before it was too late." Minerva and Zelda merely nodded in agreement. Despite Rex believing he had done nothing significant, Zach was more certain that ever that without him, this war might have gone on several more years or ended even worse."Now," Minerva said, a cold gleam appearing in her eye. For the first time, Zach noticed a cut running across her left cheek. He would inquire about it later. "About Darkling.""We're going after him," Zelda and Zach said simultaneously. Zach continued off the statement. "I made it clear earlier up in the thirteen floor that I was going to make sure he is defeated once and for all. I was imagining you three going along for the ride:" he gestured to Minerva, Vinyaya, and Zelda, who each nodded curtly. "And you wanted in as well, Doc?" Zach gestured to Dr. Cyborg, who had joined the party silently. He nodded as well.Pausing, he then turned to Bluetooth. "Willing to come along for the ride, Bluetooth? If this guy's reputation is as accurate as it would seem-" Surprisingly, both Bluetooth and Vinyaya nodded in confirmation. Then Zach remembered that Bluetooth, as a Futuron technician, had most likely heard of Matthew Vherestorm in comparison to most Earthlings."Since his reputation is as accurate to what Nazareno has probably said," Vinyaya continued, pulling her arm away from Bluetooth. "We can use all the help we can get in defeating him. So will you help us Ry-er, Bluetooth?"**************************Blaire brought his katana up as fast as he could to block the massive sword coming down at him. Blaire felt his entire body vibrate as the Agent's sword collided with his own. Kicking the bearded man away, Blaire stepped back and quickly examined his newer, clearly powerful opponent. He was bulkier that Blaire was by a small margin and had a wild, angry look in his eyes.Blaire continued to back away as the Agent regained his composure and sliced the air with his massive sword as he approached XERRD's former leader. He glanced briefly at his own katana. Even if it was stronger than the generic katana, another strike like that would damage it heavily. He would have to change his tactics.Blaire ran at the massive brute and ducked underneath a sweeping blow that would have split his torso in two had it connected. He fell to his knees and slid across the wet pavement as the Agent stabbed his sword downward, narrowly missing him. Blaire swung his katana out, striking the Agent's leg.The Agent snarled and kicked Blaire as hard as he could in the back. Blaire fell flat on his stomach, but quickly rolled back on his feet. It would not benefit him to slow down for a second. Blaire then sheathed his katana and gestured for the Agent to attack. Howling in anger, the agent charged. Blaire stepped to the side of the sword and grabbed the sword arm. Unfortunately, the wall of a man collided with him, sending him sliding slightly on the bottoms of his feet. Ignoring the pain in his shoulders, Blaire slammed his fist in the hairy man's face and pulled the sword from his grip and threw it to the side.The Agent swung his forearm into Blaire's face, knocking him to the side and tilting the sunglasses on his face. Quickly straightening his spectacles, Blaire ran at the Agent and tackled him to the ground. Blaire threw punch after punch into the man's face before an uppercut sent Blaire flying back. Blaire quickly rose to his feet and saw the man continue for his massive sword. Blaire rolled his eyes behind his tinted sunglasses and had his katana back out as the Agent charged at him again, sword raised.Blaire simply wasn't willing to let that sword land too many blows on in his katana. So as the Agent's broadsword reached out toward him, Blaire decided to simply duck or jump back, which was a challenge on its own due to the Agent's sword length. The XERRD armband was sliced off and several more tears were created in his trenchcoat and cuts in his skin as a result of this tactic. But Blaire wasn't without his own attacks. When the Agent relented briefly enough, Blaire would launch his own furious attack on the agent, managing to cut up part of his uniform as well.The Agent jabbed his sword out at Blaire. He quickly swung himself to the side and elbowed the Agent in the face. Blaire spun his katana in his hand and prepared to slam into into the Agent's chest when an fist slammed into his spine. Muffling the pain with a mere groan, Blaire swept his foot out, causing the Agent to stumble. Blaire quickly spun around and planted a foot in the agent's stomach, knocking him to the concrete. Blaire brought the katana down as quickly as he could when the Agent brought his broadsword back up, knocking the attack away. Scowling irritably, Blaire stabbed for the Agent's head, each attack being blocked by the broadsword. Roaring in anger, Blaire kicked the sword out of the agent's hand. He responded with his ankles being attacked with a sharp hit, sending him tumbling to the ground. The agent delivered a quick kick to Blaire's chin. Blaire raised his sword and thrusted it toward the Agent, who rolled away to recover his own sword. Blaire rose to his feet and sheathed the katana."I am always one for playing out the drama of a situation, but I'm running out of time," Blaire muttered as he reached for his handgun. "I'm not taking any chances with this one." He pointed it square at the Agent's shaggy head. Never the torso. Instinctively, Blaire reached into his trenchcoat and plucked out the bullet fired by the Dino Attack agent he believed was named Bluetooth and tossed it to the ground. With that, he cocked the gun and fired.

IC:"Okay," Vinyaya snapped with a hint of amusement. "We get it, you two are happy to be with each other."Zach pulled himself away from Minerva, both grinning happily. Zach could hear several snickers from Vinyaya, Zelda, and Bluetooth. Zach did a double take, glancing from Bluetooth and Vinyaya, who were standing next to each other. The message the former sent to the latter flashed across his mind."Time to keep my promise," he said with a smirk. Minerva suddenly patted him on the shoulder, an apologetic smile on her face. Vinyaya rolled her eye, her lips curled into a smile."You're too late, Virchaus," Vinyaya said, crossing her arms. "Miss Fabello saw fit to try and get us together before the battle ended." Bluetooth gave off somewhat of an exasperated look at this statement, but smiled good-heartedly.Zach shrugged. "Whatever. So are you two together or what?"Vinyaya scowled. "I really don't need you regulating my love life, Zachary." Zach raised an eyebrow, silently demanding a better response. Vinyaya stamped her foot in irritation. "We're talking, alright? These things take time, you know." Zach smirked. Talking was good enough."Anyway," Zach walked over to Bluetooth and clapped his friend on the back. "Good to see you all made it through." He glanced from Minerva to Vinyaya to Zelda.Bluetooth wrapped his arm around Zach and shook him gently, grinning. "The same to you. Glad to see that you and the other Elites managed to get that Einstein Device working.""Yeah. There's a bit of story as to how fixing that thing went about, but first," Zach tone grew somewhat morbid. "How did the whole...thing...with Nazareno happen? You were there, based on the PDA message." A shadow seemed to be cast over the group upon his mentioning of Nazareno. Zach blinked once. "Were...the rest of you there, too?"Minerva and Vinyaya nodded grimly. Zelda didn't respond, merely looking at the ground with a hard stare. Remember that Zelda had a crush on Nazareno, Zach imagined she wasn't taking his death particularly well. She then looked up to Zach, her eyes shimmering."I suppose I'll start out," she said with a sad shrug. Then she began to recount Nazareno's final moments.************************Doctor O'Brien of XERRD snarled angrily as he fired his hi-tech Space Marauder blaster at a rapidly-approaching Blaire Darkling. Beside him, Doctors Syme and Parsons and three Dino Attack agents named Artemis, Loki, and Mercury also attempted to down XERRD's former leader.It was pathetic really. All they could do was shoot until they realized that they were doomed. Blaire slammed his katana in to Artemis's chest with a grim scowl on his face. As she gasped for air, Blaire had his handgun out and shot down Mercury with painful ease. Kicking Artemis from his sword and placing it in his trenchcoat, Blaire began to run toward the XERRD scientists shooting at him.Blaire dodging each shot with surprising speed and grace for his build. As he passed Loki, he grabbed the Dino Attack agent's collar and pulled him in front of Blaire, taking a shot from Parsons to the head. A few more shots blasted Loki before Blaire dully shot Syme in the chest. Putting his gun away, Blaire hosted Loki into the air and swung him at Parsons, pinning the Space Marauder to the ground.Blaire quickly ran over to Parson and ripped of his helmet and threw it at O'Brien, knocking the gun out of his hands. As he scrambled to find his rocket launcher. Blaire slammed his foot as hard as he could into Parsons' face. It wasn't a pretty sight. He tugged his katana out of his trenchcoat and walked toward O'Brien, who had the rocket launcher in his hand. He adjusted his glasses, refusing to show any fear."I can't say I expected this turn," O'Brien said. "I knew you were powerful Darkling - that's why you were in charge of security in our facilities - but I'd never expect this.""I'm glad you're impressed, O'Brien," Blaire said with a bored shrug, holding the katana in a defensive position."You're done, Darkling. Heh. I'll be the guy who finally finished off Matthew Vhere-" O'Brien jolted in shock as Blaire sank his katana through the Space Marauder armor into his chest. O'Brien stared in shock before his eyes rolled back. Unamused, Blaire kicked the corpse from his sword."How terrible," Blaire snarled O'Brien's corpse. "To survive this whole wretched battle, only to be killed in the aftermath ." He looked back it his carnage. He had kept to his word. Anybody that crossed his path were dead. He turned his head to the central tower of Dino Attack Headquarters, where the Dino Attack Team had finally defeated Baron Typhonus and Dr. Rex. Blaire was relieved to see that this planet would last another day, even if was viciously murdering the people that had helped make victory happen, but he was truly beyond caring.In a short time, the Galactic Council would end the quarantine on the planet. He could escape into space and reinvent himself once again. In fact, he was hardly even obligated to stay in this city now that the war was over. Yet he stayed.His momentary loss of temper had passed. Blaire's level head returned and he began formulating a plan. Nazareno was dead and his secret was revealed. There was nothing he could do the salvage the identity of Blaire Darkling. It would be best to lay low at this point or flee. Instead, he was making his massacre very clear. He hoped that his actions would goad a few...select...individuals out into finding him. They were the true target of this rampage of revenge now. Find them, kill them, and then leave.Perhaps, Blaire scowled as he saw a few T-1 Typhoons pass over his head. I need to make my message clearer.OOC: I don't know when I'll get to the confrontation with Blaire, so if you want your characters to meet/fight/talk with him, now would be the ideal time.

OOC: So it ends.I really do have to thank you all for the fun memories have writing and playing this game. I almost feel I've become a better writer because of it. My only true regret was not joining early (I remember passing through the original topic briefly after the Time Slip at one point and seeing Greybeard's speech in Antarctica at another point.)It's going to be a particularly sad day when this ends truly in a few weeks. Actually, more bittersweet. Bitter in that this is finally over and sweet in that a text-based RPG's story was actually completed. I've made plenty of friends here and hope that we still manage to stay in contact once we've reached the end.Now, to the climax itself: It was awesome. One last epic battle between our main characters and allies and Dr. Rex. I can't help but feel like Rex's [physical body's] final moments were based on Walter Donavon's demise in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. I definitely got that feel the second time around reading the post. And you really milked the Star Wars side of General's inspiration, with him finally getting to use four laser swords and his end being vaguely similar to Anakin Skywalker's final moments in Return of the Jedi. Check the description on the website where the video is hosted (and I don't mean the wiki. The wiki links to the website). This is the party bit, correct? That will have to wait a bit, unfortunately. At least three more things will have to happen before then, and defeating Blaire is one of them.IC:It was the greatest feeling in the world. Zach could practically hear "Victory Celebratations" by John Williams playing in his head as he ran through the battlefield trying to find Minerva. At long last, it was over. The battle had been won. Baron Typhonus had been defeated and Dr. Rex was dead. The LEGO Planet and the Minifig species would see the dawn of a new day.The sacrifices to this war was not in vain. J.D., Tracer, Mur, Semick, Raider, Claw, Nazareno, Frank Einstein, General, Rex and many more would be smiling from beyond at their success. Zach could even see Scratch and Oswald Fabello celebrating their triumphant over the Mutant Dinos, despite their lack of morals and insanity (in the latter's case especially).The only thing that could make a happy moment happier was finding Minerva and seeing her alive and well.*************************Minerva laughed happily as she jumped from Xenon Launcher on the back of the Fire Hammer and landed on the ground. They did it. They had won! Minerva ran over to Zelda, who was laughing as well, her cheeks wet with tears. They embraced tightly in a celebratory hug. As the Imagination fallout from the Einstein Device washed over them, they entered a state of giddy euphoria. For a moment, Minerva forgot that Athena, Oswald, and Nazareno were gone. All the mattered now that was this war was finally over.Minerva pulled away from Zelda and turned toward the Fire Hammer. She saw Vinyaya and Bluetooth embracing happily inside before climbing out to join Minerva and Zelda. Minerva high-fived Bluetooth and patted him on the back happily before Holly pulled Minerva into a tight embrace.Minerva smiled and returned the hug, feeling tears of joy form on her face. The end of this war marked a new beginning for her. She would leave this city and her past behind once and for all and go to LEGO Island with Zach and Andrew to start anew. Everything would be alright after all.Holly separated from Minerva, just a flash of concern appearing on her face. "Are you alright?" she asked with sincerity. Minerva knew she was referring to the emotional instability following the death of her brother. Minerva gave Holly a curious look."Why have you been so worried about me? I'm...well, I'm not totally fine, but..." Minerva drifted off, managing to make her point as Vinyaya blushed slightly."Oh," Vinyaya rubbed the back of neck apologetically. "Well...we're friends, right? And you had lost your mother and brother, who, from what I understand, was a parental figure to you. I figured you just needed a little support..." Vinyaya shrugged. "Sorry if it was a little...intrusive, I guess."Minerva blinked once. "No, it's alright. It's just..." She soon realized how close she held the friends that she had made during these last few weeks. She thought of Zach, Vinyaya, Zelda, and Nazareno. Not until now did she fully become aware that they had became family to her in the same vein that her two brothers had always been to her. Minerva smiled contently at Holly. "I'm fine. I feel better than ever." She pulled Vinyaya into her own tight hug. The two laughed thankful to have made it through the war's end."I think," Vinyaya said with a sly grin. "Someone wants to see you." Minerva released Vinyaya and turned to see Zachary Virchaus running toward her, grinning as wide as he could. Minerva smirked kindly and extended her arms to accept Zach's powerful embrace, lifting her off her feet for half a second. She laughed again as she wrapped her arms around him."We did it," Minerva whispered, a goofy grin on her face.Zach smiled happily. "We sure did." He then leaned his head toward Minerva's and placed his lips on him. Minerva suppressed another euphoric laugh and kissed him back, allowing herself to get lost in moment of victory.Everything was going to be alright.

OOC: Holy smokes guys. That was just saying PeabodySam could go ahead and wrap the battle up. If we have to wait a bit, you all may get your chance to get a crack at Blaire. Heh. That reminds me. Nazareno's death could've been a lot more morbid. I should elaborate on the "What Could Have Been" section sometime. I figured someone would. During the whole last bit I was using Exact Words to avoid revealing anything. I'd only say "when the fight's over, etc." And then there's this bit back just before the final battle started: That was possibly/maybe a tip of that one, the other, or both wouldn't survive. And there was the was this: Thirteen. So far, building on the thirteenth floor hasn't cause us issues, but Nazareno being thirteen-years-older than Zelda was another intentional clue; it wouldn't work out for them, one way or another.Regardless, we can have Snake, Solomon, and/or anyone else encounter Blaire. Not to kill, of course. Capture...possibly. Talking and fighting are up, though. But first...A post!IC:Blaire Darkling gnashed his teeth together as he cleaned up the wound on his hip and applied a bandage to it. All he had to do was find some downed Fire Hammer in this Builder-forsaken battlefield. Naturally, there had been a first-aid kit inside. Even though his side stung, Blaire allowed himself to grin.He's had won. A battle that had lasted the better part of a decade was over. Kareem Nazareno was dead. He would congratulate himself on tying up that loose end from his past except...Minerva Fabello, Zelda Frodongan, Zachary Virchaus, the Space Police officer, and the other agent knew he was Matthew Vherestorm. And with Nazareno's demise, they would certainly spread the fact. Blaire had been relying on them focusing on winning the battle, but they would certainly reveal him now.He jumped down from the Fire Hammer and made sure his lone Shinobi katana was placed neatly in his trenchcoat. He could work around this. As Matthew Vherestorm, he had navigated past unforeseen obstacles before. He could do it again. Somehow. Blaire had to admit things were looking grim for him.As he flipped his wet hair out from in front of in sunglasses, Blaire saw several Space Marauders suddenly run at them, their guns and rockets pointed at him. Blaire raised an eyebrow. "What is the meaning of this?" he demanded."Save it," the voice of Gary Oak snarled. "You're finished, Darkling. Or should I say, Matthew Vherestorm?" Blaire held back his surprise with a curt laugh."What are you talking about, Oak?" Blaire snapped, crossing his arms. "Who is Matthew Vherestorm?""We got the message from Dr. Cyrista," another Space Marauder hissed, a rocket pointed directly at Blaire's chest. "And there's another message from some DA agent named Bluetooth. You betrayed the alliance you helped create!" Blaire didn't say anything."Don't worry, Blaire," Gary said. "XERRD will keep reforming, just like you intended. Without you. Now drop any weapons you may have."Blaire gave Gary a curious smile that hid an undeniable anger. Not that his leadership from XERRD had been revoked. He could care less about that. In the background, he could hear a voice emitting from a helicopter."Blaire Darkling, this is Elite Agent Rotor. I have orders to take you in by any means necessary. I suggest you do not attempt to resist or there will be serious consequences. I repeat do not resist or else we will open fire."His cover had been blown. After three years, everything was suddenly coming out. He had resolved to kill the five people that knew earlier. Now, hundreds knew who Blaire Darkling had been. And they wanted his head. Blaire's body straightened up. "You do make reformation so difficult." Blaire said with a half sigh."What are you-erk!" Gary was cut off as the blade of Blaire's katana sunk into his chest. Before they could react, Blaire had his handgun out and shot down the Space Marauders one by one, feeling no remorse as they dropped. He then ran at the remaining three. One Space Marauder managed to avoid his fire and launched a rocket at him. Blaire rolled out of the way and fired again, clipping his arm. The Space Marauder howled in pain and clutched his arm, dropping his weapons. Blaire walked casually over to the Space Marauder and shot him dead with his own weapon before returning to Gary.The Space Marauder stared at the katana jutting out of his chest. "How-" he gasped.Blaire shook his head in pity. "You are a fool, Gary Oak. And you've paid for it. But...I'm feeling mercifully." Blaire's hands wrapped around Gary's head and sharply turned it. There was sharp crack before Gary's eyes rolled back. Blaire pulled the katana out the Space Marauder's body as he collapsed to the ground.Wiping the blade clean of Gary's blood, Blaire looked on to the battlefield. He had tried to reform. He tried to go good. It seemed fate itself was against the very prospect. Blaire shrugged and began to walk out into the battlefield. Matthew Cyrista and Bluetooth had made the worst mistakes of their lives. Everyone knew his secret. Everyone was a target.He would escape later. A new identity could be formed and his secret could be hidden again. Blaire Darkling would be no more in a matter of hours. It was his last hurrah. He would slaughter everything that crossed his path. XERRD, Dino Attack, Alpha Team, Agents, Mutant Dinos. They would all die should they cross him. There was a reason why Matthew Vherestorm's priority level to the Space Police only dropped after the Black Hole Gang rose to power, two years after he disappear; he was a one-man army. Without Nazareno to challenge him, he wouldn't be stopped. He would kill until he grew tired of it. And the best part?He would feel no sympathy.

OOC: It was a typo. I'm merely pointing it out, being the kind of person I am.

OOC: Heh. Blade Darkling. I suppose they kinda look the same. Blade...Blaire....Blade...Blaire....Blairde...Jackson finds it funny we're scrambling to get "that one last important post in". I find it funny that at, just before the climax, we decide to start killing important characters off (Swerve, Semick, Nazareno). Kind of like running a race and tripping just before the finish line. I guess. Heh. It could've been a lot worse. Trust me. Which brings me to a fun fact: I flipped on coin to decide whether or not to kill Nazareno back in March. Blame the coin. Not me.Just to restate, I'm all set. Let the end begin, PeabodySam. Blaire Darkling can be handled afterwards if necessary....or will he?IC:Minerva smiled shakily at Bluetooth. "Good thinking, Bluetooth. Darkling's being pushed into a corner." She was still trying to keep all her emotions under wrap under a somewhat optimistic face.. Just a little longer. She told herself repeatedly. She could breakdown later. Her mom, her brother, and now Nazareno. Who else was going to die in these last moments?Minerva looked toward Vinyaya, who was looking back at her. Vinyaya could see she was on the edge and had the same glint of concern in her eye like she had before. Minerva's lips curled into a weak smile to try reassure the Space Police commando before gesturing her head weakly to Zelda, who stared at Nazareno's body in silence. Minerva motioned toward her."Zelda?" Minerva said quietly to her. She resonating greatly with the mixed feelings radiating from Zelda's person. Lost, sadness, shock. Minerva had like this and more all day and whatever deity out there seemed MegaBlokLand-bent on having her watch her loved ones die."I'm okay," Zelda said, sadness in her voice. Tears streamed freely down her face. "I can't believe it...""None of us can," Vinyaya said as she and Bluetooth joined them. "You...we can't let this stop us. We need to get back out there. Finish this fight." Zelda nodded slowly. She then slowly bowed down to close Nazareno's blank eyes."When this is done," Minerva said with certainty. "We're going to finish what Nazareno started: hunting down and stopping Darkling.""He has nowhere to hide and no one to hide him," Bluetooth added. "He'll be found and will finally pay for his crimes." Zelda bit her lip and nodded again. Finally, she moved away the body and picked up Nazareno's sword that he had been killed with. She looked at it with cold, malicious eyes before wiping the blood of the blade with her jacket. After a quick search around the floor before find Nazareno's other katana. Dropping her silver sword to the floor, Zelda put both swords in the sheaths on her back."I think..." Zelda said, her voice growing stronger. "He would want Blaire to fall by his own blades." Minerva, Vinyaya, and Bluetooth nodded in silence. She then turned to Nazareno one last time. A sob was choked back in her throat. She then wrapped her arms around his and begun to drag him to the side. Minerva and Holly soon ran up to her and helped her carry Nazareno to the side, where they placed boards of wood over his body to conceal him."If the building still stands after this," Zelda said as she turned away, wiping a tear from her cheek. "I want his body to be safe." Minerva nodded in agreement. Hopefully he would be ignored by the increasing number of Mutant Dinos entering the building. Hopefully he wouldn't be turned into a snack for some lizard."Now," Zelda said, her voice growing stronger. "Let's get back out there."*******************************Zach stared at the PDA in shock. No. That's...impossible. Kareem Nazareno couldn't be dead. That would be absurd. And yet here it was in a message from Bluetooth. Nazareno was dead. Slayed by the only one who could truly match him in sword combat. His longtime rival."Motherznapping 4+ Megabloking Megabloker!" Zach muttered, curses directed at Blaire Darkling. Grief was being overshadowed by an undeniable rage. He had killed Thaddeus Brickhouse and now Kareem Nazareno, one of the closest friends he made in the Builder-forsaken war. Zach looked at his right hand. The gold sheen seemed to have dimmed with passing of its creator. He was just going to hold back because of the alliance between the Dino Attack and XERRD. Not anymore. Blaire would pay for the lives he's taken today, Zach was certain."Doc Cyborg!" Zach snapped, sounding much more harsh than he had intended. Dr. Cyborg turned to him, a definite look of sadness on his face as he learned of Nazareno's death. "You need to take control of XERRD. Now.""That was my intention," Dr. Cyborg said, cracking his knuckles. Under his breath, Zach thought he heard Dr. Cyborg mutter. "So that's what he meant by something 'regretable'."Zach ignored it. "With XERRD reforming, hopefully they'll take your command without question." Zach paused to consider the next move. "Tell them that, should they come across the Blaire, they lead him on into thinking he's still leader. Contact me if they find him.""What are you going to do?" Dr. Cyborg asked."Gather up a couple of friends." Of the top of his head, Minerva, Vinyaya, and Zelda came to mine. We're going to teach Blaire a lesson for killing our friends and betraying out trust."Dr. Cyborg nodded grimly. "I'll see to it." Zach nodded appreciatively and turned away, placing his hand firmly over his head, letting out a long sigh as his eyes began to water. A different kind of fatigue was setting in. He was tired of this. The death. The destruction. Not knowing if your friends will live through the day or not. It was draining. They were moments from firing the Einstein Device and stopping Dr. Rex. Fate seemed to decide that, in these last moments, to start picking off people close to him at this moment. Semick and Nazareno could just be the first. Who was to say Zach didn't lose the friends he had made during this war in the last minutes?"Are you okay, Zach?" Andrew said suddenly, moving in close to Zach. Zach removed the hand from his face and looked at Andrew. He could see that his fellow LEGO Islander's features suggested sadness as well. He had also lost a friend in Semick and, while he didn't know Nazareno particularly well, grieved the loss of the space ninja as well."I'll pull through," Zach said, lifting up his glasses up to wipe the tears out from under his eyes. "I'm just ready for that party you mentioned."Andrew smiled faintly. "When we don't have worry about whether or not we'll see our friends again.""I was thinking about joining the Nexus Force after this all was done," Zach said wistfully. "Seeing as how deeply involved I've sort of become with this. Now...settling down for a little while sounds a heckuva lot better at this point. Take a break, so to speak."Andrew nodded. They both stared at into the battlefield in silence, watching as Dr. Rex moved closer and closer. "I suppose you should get ready to help with Rex.""Yeah," Zach said, stretching his arms. Most of his energy from his fight with Willa had been restored. He was ready. All that mattered now was getting that Creative Spark out of Rex. It wouldn't be pleasant, but it was necessary. One quick procedure, then the Einstein Device would be ready.The end would finally be here.

OOC: Ah! Jackson! Zelda split from your group and headed to the Fire Hammer hosting my main cast (and Bluetooth)IC:The Fire Hammer tore through the ruined streets, splashing up mud and water everywhere as it shot toward Dino Attack Headquarters. "Are you sure they're in the HQ?" Vinyaya asked, a sense of urgency in her voice."From what I could hear through the mic in Nazareno's mask, it sounds like Blaire's trying to wrap up the fight so he can get back on the battlefield," Zelda explained. "Except...everything sounded distant. Like he lost the mike. Or..." It was a strange thought, trying to imagine Nazareno without a mask.The Fire Hammer blasted through a pack of Mutant Lizards and turned sharply so the passenger doors faced the gaping hole in the front of the headquarters. Minerva, Zelda, Vinyaya, and Bluetooth quickly filed out of the jeep armed and headed into the building, blasting Mutant Lizards and Raptors. Minerva felt somewhat bad about abandoning the battle for one person, but she wasn't willing to lose another person close to him."Sorry about this," Vinyaya muttered to Bluetooth. "This just isn't something I'm willing to let sit down.""No problem. Is there some sort of feud between Nazareno and this 'Darkling'?""Yeah. Darkling used go by the name of Matthew Vherestorm."Bluetooth's eyes widened in realization. "Him? Didn't he go missing a few years ago?""Turns out he's been with the Nexus Force, reforming. Though the truthness of that statement is in doubt. Which reminds me," Vinyaya redirected her attention to Zelda. "Did Nazareno tell you?""Tell me what?" Zelda asked, raising an eyebrow of confusion as she cut away a passing Mutant Lizard."That he-" she was cut off by the sound of two people fighting a floor above them. They could easily recognize one set of grunts as Nazareno's. "Hurry!" Vinyaya commanded, running to the stairwell. Bluetooth and Minerva followed until the latter notice Zelda stop."What's wrong?" Minerva asked, concerned. Zelda lifted a golden katana up from the ground. One of Nazareno's. Minerva swallowed uncomfortably. "Come on. There's no use standing here." Zelda nodded slowly and they both picked up their pace up to a run to keep up with Vinyaya and Bluetooth. They climbed the stairs quickly. The sounds of Nazareno's and Blaire's fight grew louder and more fierce.The group reached the second floor at the same time and could clearly see what was happening. Blaire stood over an uncovered Nazareno, one of his gray katanas in hand. A cold, malicious smirk was plastered on his face. He raised the katana to deliver the final blow. At the same time, Bluetooth raised his pistol and fired.The bullet struck Blaire Darkling in the chest. He grunted in pain and stared at the newly formed hole in his shirt. Nazareno took this opportunity to kick Blaire's chin and to sweep his foot across Blaire's ankles, knocking him to the floor. Nazareno climbed to his feet and turned to the group, wiping sweat from his bald head. There was a look of surprise on his face."How did you know I was up here?" Nazareno asked."Your mike in your mask," Zelda said. "I heard the fight.""Call in reinforcements?" Blaire snarled, rising to feet and backing away from assembled group, his katana at the ready. "How disappointing, Nazareno. I expected better.""You just got shot!" Minerva snapped. "Why-"She was interrupted by a cold laugh. "Please, Miss Fabello. When you've been in my line of work long enough, you wear a bulletproof vest. Always.""He unmasked," Zelda muttered, staring at Nazareno's head in surprise."Indeed," Nazareno said, his face twisting into a scowl. "Darkling doesn't wish me to remove his sunglasses, however. How hypocritical."Blaire dodged the statement. "I do thank you for coming, Miss Fabello, Miss Frodongan, and Commander. I was afraid I'd have to go and search for you myself. I can't let you get my secret out. That won't do." Blaire turned his head toward Bluetooth. "And of course, he probably knows my secret now as well. So he will have to be disposed of as well.""You will not harm anyone else, Vherestorm," Nazareno hissed."I AM NOT VHERESTORM" Blaire bellowed, charging at Nazareno. Nazareno rolled out the way of the attack. Instead of stopping, he continued his charge toward Vinyaya, Minerva, Zelda, and Bluetooth. Zelda stepped forward and raised Nazareno's sword to knock away the blow.Blaire's katana slammed into Zelda's weapon hard and with a elegant spin, had the sword fly from Zelda's hand. "You can't even hope to match my talent," Blaire snarled. He raised his sword to attack when Minerva, Vinyaya, and Bluetooth opened fire on him.Blaire spun out of the way as bullets shot through his trenchcoat and fled across the ruins of the second floor. Blaire turned back, his own handgun out of his pocket and fired his own round upon the group, causing them to spread out. Minerva, Vinyaya, and Bluetooth ducked behind several overturned desks as Zelda ran at Blaire, her katanas in hand. Nazareno had picked up the sword Zelda had brought up and charged at Darkling as well. Zelda and Nazareno swung their three katanas at Darkling quickly. Blaire spun and brought his lone sword down on theirs, knocking the blades to the floor."Get back!" Nazareno commanded to Zelda as he began to force Blaire's sword back. "He's too powerful!""I can help," Zelda said with assurance, aiding Nazareno. Together, they threw Blaire's sword upward with such force that he needed to step back."I admire your courage, Frodongan," Blaire scoffed. "But dear Kareem is correct." Blaire elbowed Nazareno in the face and slapped his sword upon one of Zelda's. To her shock, the katana, weaker than Blaire's or Nazareno's, shattered from the collision. Blaire kicked away her other katana and then wrapped his hand around her throat, choking her. "You should not be messing with me. A shame, really. So much potential, and now you have to die." Blaire pulled the sword back and prepared to lodge it in her chest when Nazareno knocked the blade on the ground hard. Nazareno then swung a punch into the side of Blaire's face, forcing him to drop Zelda. She slumped to the floor and backed away as Nazareno swung at Blaire's shoulder. Darkling was quick in blocking the attack."You will not harm her," Nazareno stated cooly, icy hate dripping from his words. Blaire smirked again as he looked from Nazareno to Zelda, the latter being covered by Vinyaya, Bluetooth, and Minerva."I see what this is." Blaire laughed coldly. "The great Nazareno...never expect...you have changed, old friend. The Nazareno I knew never would have such attachments." Blaire pushed back Nazareno's sword and launched a sweeping attack against the space ninja, forcing him to step back. "It is weak. Merely leverage to use against you. I'm sure those other three and Mr. Virchaus up above are close as well?" Blaire tutted in disappoint and shook his head as he stabbed his sword forward, leading Nazareno to step to the side. "You have changed.""For the better," Nazareno snarled. "Your "change" is merely a ruse created by Vherestorm. Do not deny it." Blaire bared his teeth, but didn't say anything as he launched a frenzy of attacks against Nazareno that the space ninja blocked with relative ease. "This is a waste of time and detrimental to saving the planet!""The only thing I care about at the moment is finally killing you!" Blaire snarled. He kicked Nazareno in the stomach and wrapped his foot around Nazareno's ankles, tripping him. "After many long years, this stalmate will end!" Nazareno rolled to the side as Blaire slammed his sword down. Blaire howled as the force of his attack rebounding into his arms. Nazareno jumped to his feet and attacked.Minerva watched the battle with a mixture of shock and awe. Nazareno's battle with Stromling!Zach and spars with Zelda were nothing compared to what she was watching. Both katanas were almost like blurs. Sparks surrounded the group. Shooting Darkling while he was distracted was out of the question; he and Nazareno were moving fast enough that a shot could easily hit Nazareno instead.Nazareno's blade crossed with Blaire's. Nazareno's other hand suddenly launched out at Blaire's sword arm and twisted it. Blaire roared with anger and pain and begun to back away as Nazareno's sword cut his chin. Blaire wiped away the blood casually and charged at Nazareno. The space ninja's hand grabbed Blaire forehead and, with all the force in his being, slammed Blaire down on the ground. Nazareno slammed his foot into the side of Blaire's head."This ends!" Nazareno barked, cold anger etched in his face. As he brought the sword down, Blaire's foot suddenly shot upward, knocking the sword upward. Blaire rolled up to his feet and quickly picked up his sword."This guy will not give up," Zelda grumbled. Indeed, Darkling seemed MegaBlokLand-bent on destroying Nazareno. Both combatants were panting heavily. Fatigue was setting in. Nazareno twirled his sword in his hand and knocked Blaire's katana away with ease. Without a word, Nazareno thrust his sword forward.Blaire jerked his body to the side, but much of his right hip was cut by the attack. Blood began to stain his light-colored trenchcoat. Blaire groaned and his knees wobbled, but he did not fall. Nazareno glared at XERRD's leader, never letting his guard down. He began to pull the sword away to deliver the final blow.Blaire's right hand shot out toward the katana's hilt while the left, with half of the strength left in his body, punched Nazareno in the cheek, loosening his grip on the katana. Blaire yanked the sword from Nazareno's grip and spun it one hundred and eighty degrees. Nazareno hands hovered above his chest and halted the blade from reaching his body."Not this time, Nazareno," Blaire hissed. With the final half of strength still in his being, Blaire broke Nazareno's barrier and plunged the sword into his chest.Time slowed down. Minerva could faintly hear Zelda screaming while Vinyaya and Bluetooth could only stand there in shock. Blaire and Nazareno were barely three inches apart, separated only by the hilt of the sword that had buried itself into Nazareno's chest and shot out the back. "I win," Blaire muttered, panting heavily. He drew the katana, dripping in its owner's blood, from Nazareno's body and flung it to the floor. Blaire patted Nazareno's bald head in an almost comforting matter, the sick, twisted smirk never leaving his face. Nazareno could only stare on in shock. With one last pat, Blaire forcibly shoved Nazareno to floor.Minerva, Vinyaya, and Bluetooth reacted at the same time. Each raised their weapons and opened fire. Two bullets clipped Blaire's shoulder, but he ignored the pain. Clutching his bleeding hip, Blaire picked up his katana and fled down the ruined hallways until he disappeared in a shroud of purple flames. Nobody bothered chasing after him. All four agents ran up to the fallen form of Nazareno.Zelda dropped to her knees and lifted Nazareno's back up while trying to cover up the bleeding wound with her hand. Nazareno coughed hoarsely, staring at his wound with bemused shock. Minerva bit her quivering lip. For the first time since her mother's death, tears were forming in her eyes. They were nothing they could do. Unlike when Zach's shot him what seems so many years back, Blaire had made sure to make the wound fatal."Nazareno...no..." Zelda whispered, tears streaming down her face as she cradled Nazareno's head in her arms. Out of the corner of her eye, Minerva saw Vinyaya grip Bluetooth's hand tightly as a single tear form in her left eye. "Nonono. You...can't..."Nazareno coughed again, sounding more pained than ever. "Holly...Minerva...I..." he couldn't seem to find the words to say to them. Vinyaya merely nodded, suppressing a sob."Thank you," Minerva managed to mutter, her voice shaking all the while. "For everything." She had been one of her closest friends during Zach's Maelstrom issues. To lose him was more than she could bear.Zelda was sobbing quietly. Nazareno turned his weak stare directly to her. "I'm sorry...Zelda...for what I did...what I said..." Zelda looked at him, her eyes shimmering with tears. "I wish...I could've told you sooner...I...I love you."Zelda wrapped her hand around Nazareno's. "I love you, too." She said, barely above a whisper. She leaned forward slowly and pressed her lips against his. Nazareno jolted in the surprise, but returned the kiss weakly. They held the position for the longest time. Vinyaya was sobbing openly now while Bluetooth attempted to confort her. Minerva was doing everything in her power to hold back her emotions, but tears and sobs still managed to break through her.Nazareno and Zelda's lips parted slowly. Nazareno sighed weakly. Zelda held him tight, never wanting to let go. Nazareno gazed into Zelda's face as tears dropped slowly from her cheeks to his. His breathing was becoming more ragged and strained. With one final, painful sigh, his chest suddenly became still.Kareem Nazareno was dead.

OOC: You guys are all scaring the spaghetti (for lack of better euphemism) out of me. If it isn't obvious enough, hold the post until until I complete Nazareno's fight with Blaire. In fact, I'm so terrified I'll write it now.Just hold the phone.

IC:Zach rubbed his wrists gently as Dr. Cyborg finished the final preparations. Things had suddenly became extremely morbid. Word came over the radio in the lab that Semick had been killed by Dr. Rex. Everyone was more determined than ever to finally defeat Dr. Rex and the Darkitect.From the radio, Zach was happy to hear Minerva's voice. There was sense of reclusiveness in her voice as she commanded the agents to pull back and defend the direct perimeter of the headquarters. She made no mention of any of her ordeals. He could only assume that Oswald was dead. He felt a shred of remorse for the older Fabello's death, knowing how much the Dino Attack truly broke him.He turned his stare to Rex, who was talking to Andrew. Zach swallowed hard. First Semick, and now Rex would die. Andrew would have something good to say. He usually did. Nothing he could say would stop Rex from surrendering his Creative Spirit to the Einstein Device, but he doubted that was Andrew's intention. His one last blow to the Darkitect would save the entire planet. Zach thought to people like J.D. and Tracer, who had given their Creative Sparks to save the likes of him and Zelda. Rex was saving the entire Minifig race with his sacrifice. He was almost tempted to say something to Rex, but couldn't find anything really uplifting to say that wasn't already probably being said by Andrew.He cracked his knuckles. The Maelstrom in Rex's body would try to prevent his Creative Spark from leaving. He would do everything in his power to hold it back so that spark could be extracted. You're finished, Darkitect. Zach thought with determination.*****************Minerva smiled faintly as Bluetooth climbed into Fire Hammer. They had responded to his message rather quick. "Good to see you alive, Bluetooth," she said."To you two as well," Bluetooth said. Minerva nodded and continued to work. She was surprised to see everyone pulling back to guard the headquarters under her orders. They needed it now more than ever, as the Darkitect decided to stop waiting and sent Dr. Rex lumbering toward the headquarters. Semick had already perished from the beast and, although being peppered with fire, Dr. Rex continued toward the headquarters mostly unfazed.Minerva fired at a group of Mutant Lizards swarming a medical Fire Hammer. Near the side of the jeep was Doctor Marco Martinet and Elite Agent Rosalie Mercedes, both fighting fiercely against the oncoming waves of Mutant Dinos. They stayed extremely close to each other as Marco swung his hammer into a raptor's skull and Rosalie paralyzed another with her Sonic Screamer. Not far from them, a rainbow-haired woman who Minerva realized was Raine Dashworthy, another Agent friend of Zach's, was fighting against her own pack of Mutant Dinos with a group of Dino Attack, Agent, Alpha Team, and XERRD members.Minerva turned her head briefly to Vinyaya. Even with the light of the world fading into night, she could see the Space Police Commando blushing. She clearly wasn't prepared to talk with Bluetooth. Minerva remembered Zach's sentiment about getting Vinyaya and Bluetooth together after this battle. Now's the best time. She thought with a smirk."Hey Bluetooth," Minerva said as she turned around in her seat. "Why don't you take control of Xenon Launcher from here while I go back and use a Cosmotronic Ray? I've become rather skilled at using them." Vinyaya shot Minerva a look of incredulousness. Minerva merely smirked."Uh, sure." Bluetooth said. Minerva nodded and climbed into the back while Bluetooth shifted to the front seat. Minerva picked up a Cosmotronic Ray and started aiming at Mutant Raptors while Bluetooth took control of the Xenon Launcher controls up front."So, Commander," Bluetooth said, just the barest hint of uncertainty in his voice. "How's your...ah..." He gestured to the right side of his face. Minerva suppressed a chuckle as she saw Vinyaya's cheeks turn an even brighter red. For all her combat skills, Vinyaya seemed very insecure of herself, romance-wise."Oh, it's fine," Vinyaya said, retaining an air of calmness in her voice. "I just took a few more pills that suppress the pain in the scars. Trying to adjust with shooting primarily with my left hand, but I still find myself using the right." Vinyaya chuckled quietly."Should you really be driving?" Bluetooth asked curiously.Vinyaya scoffed slightly. "They didn't want me out here in the first place. I'm sure the doctor that wanted me to stay behind would split a brick if he saw me driving a jeep around." They two laughed at this statement. Minerva allowed a small smile to form on her face. They were talking with no awkward stammering or anything. The weird tension was lowering"So, about your message you sent earlier..." Vinyaya began, finally touching on the subject that was ultimately making her somewhat on the edge."Yeah, you saw that?" Bluetooth responded, scratching the back of his head with one hand as he fired upon a group of Mutant Lizards. He seemed somewhat embarrassed, probably stemming from that he wrote that message when he believed he was about to die.Vinyaya smiled faintly. "Yeah, I saw it. And so did Miss Matchmaker back there and her partner." She jerked her thumb back at Minerva, who smiled apologetically at Bluetooth."It-it's alright if you're not up for it," Bluetooth said hurriedly. "I-I mean like I said in the message...we're probably just better as friends, commander. We-" he sort of drifted of as he saw Vinyaya laughing quietly."First," she said. "You can call me Holly, if you'd like.""Uh, okay, Com - I mean, Holly.""Now," Vinyaya continued, becoming more reserved once again. "Bluetooth...Ryan...I never said I was opposed to..." she shrugged. "Trying something, so to speak. Getting to know you better as a person instead of a technician-turned-Dino Attack agent who happens to be apart of a group that I lived with as a teenager." Vinyaya's features turned hard and took a quick look back at Minerva, who was smugly watching her. "After we send Dr. Rex to MegaBlokLand, we'll talk more about this, I promise."Bluetooth smiled weakly. "I...I think that will work." All three of them suddenly jumped as something landed on the hood of the vehicle. It was the body of a Fright Knight dressed in a coat of armor. Another body quickly landed on the hood and kicked the body off.Vinyaya's face twisted into a scowl. "What are you doing?!" she yelled out the window, rain smacking her in the face. The figure suddenly ducked down, revealing the face of Zelda Frodongan. Vinyaya raised an eyebrow, but stopped the vehicle so Zelda could climb in."I'm glad I found you guys!" Zelda said as she closed the door quickly. "Zach up in the headquarters?""Yeah," Minerva said, surprised by the woman's sudden appearance. "What's going on? Where's Nazareno?""I just got a lift over here. I was hoping to find you because..." she stopped, her features becoming more serious. "I think Nazareno's in trouble. I think Darkling's betrayed us."

OOC: Meh. Fine. Take Zelda.

OOC: Well, the others can board the T-1, but Zelda's running. She's specifically described (on the wiki) as extremely athletic (can probably run back to the HQ with ease) and is a million time more useful on the ground because of her particular skill set (swords).And because I say so.

OOC: Quick thing, Atton: Zelda's running back to the headquarters with the bulk of Jackson's cast and Solomon. Not riding on Rotor's T-1.

OOC: She isn't though, Atton. From both yours and avmatoran's posts, Zelda's clearly acknowledged the wide group of people that have suddenly decided to join her group. Her primary focus, at that moment, was Helm.But you're in luck, Mr. Rand, because its time for Zelda again.I just have one last idea that must be (ideally) completed before the end. Just a few days should do. I can then wrap up said idea after the battle. You'll know when I've accomplished "said" idea.*clap clap* Excellent way for Semick for go out, Andrewnuva.IC:Zelda turned snarkily toward Rotor, pulling her bandana back over her mouth. "Well, excuse me." Zelda snapped, crossing her arms. Rotor's face started to turn red with anger. "I'm trying to tie up a loose end here. I am full aware of what's going on. I just rather go to my grave with amends made." She then turned back to Helm. "Well, will you help defeat the psycho half-god controlling the Mutant T-Rex in silver armor?"Helm wiped his eyes and nodded grimly. Zelda clasped him on the shoulder reassuringly before backing away. Kat clapped her hands together. "Alright," she said, giving Zelda a brief, curious look. "Let's keep this fight up, shall we?""Indeed!" Solomon muttered loudly as he sliced through a Mutant Lizard's head, clearly back to focusing on the battle. Epic Winston nodded in agreement and joined him. Just before everyone was about to continue fighting, Lance Williams the surfer suddenly spoke up, having returned from the T-1 Typhoon he had been riding in."Elite Agent Fabello's given the order for all ground forces to pull back to the headquarters for the final defense. They're all to hold back the Mutant Dinos so the superweapon-thing can be completed."Kara Wise looked up to the sky grimly. Mutant Pterosaurs were divebombing Dino Attack Headquarters. "I think it's best we get back into the sky, Rotor, Cabin. Try to hold off those Pterosaurs."Zelda nodded faintly, a sick knot forming in her stomach. If this "Einstein Device" she was hearing about was completed soon, they were finished. "Let's get going." With that, she and the rest of the group began to retreat back to the headquarters. As she ran, her thoughts drifted back to Nazareno and Blaire. They still haven't returned. she realized, growing worried.*************************Nazareno was climbing the stairwell to the second floor of Dino Attack Headquarters, clashing swords with Blaire. Even with one sword, Blaire was giving away anything. Nazareno felt sweat drip down his cheek. Their duel only stopped to cut away Mutant Lizards that came to close to their proximity; even if their were rivals, their goal of saving this planet remained.Blaire stepped on to the second floor carefully. "Time is running out, Kareem," Blaire said irritably as he blocked Nazareno's katanas with relative ease. "We need to wrap this up. This is the final stand."Nazareno swung hard at Blaire's neck. The former assassin brought his blade upward and held back Nazareno's blow. Nazareno was already swinging his other sword when Blaire lashed out and grabbed Nazareno's arm. A sharp kick to the stomach later, Nazareno's left sword was sent spiraling down a hole back to the first floor."More evened odds, wouldn't you agree?" Blaire hissed with relish, his smirk. Nazareno adjusted his style quickly and continued the fight. They exchanged rapid blows, showering sparks everywhere. Purple fire reflected off of Blaire's sunglasses. He wouldn't give anything. Blaire wanted to final kill the great Kareem Nazareno while Nazareno wanted to final end the terror of Blaire "Matthew Vherestorm" Darkling."You claim to have changed your ways," Nazareno snarled, smacking Blaire's katana upward. "But you truly haven't. Matthew Vherestorm is in control, not you." Blaire's face twisted into an ugly frown. "If you truly wanted to do good, you would stop this petty fight and be back out there holding the line!""I am not Vherestorm!" Blaire roared, swinging his sword hard. Nazareno responded with his own swing. The swords collided with an ear-ringing clang and were sent flying in different directions. The two combatants clutched their hands in pain. "He is dead!" Blaire snapped."The man I see before me is most certainly Matthew Vherestorm," Nazareno said, clipping the side of Blaire's fist with a punch, sending him tumbling into a ruined wall. "Let go of this, Darkling. Once you do, Matthew Vherestorm will truly be dead." Nazareno wasn't sure what he was doing. Perhaps he could see that there was good in Blaire Darkling, but it was being overshadowed by an old persona threatening to rise back in control. As much as he hated the man, he would give him the chance to redeem himself.Blaire rose quickly and sent two punches toward Nazareno. The space ninja swung his arm upward and blocked on, but his cheek was hit hard by Blaire's other punch. Blaire then gripped his shoulders and slapped his forehead into Nazareno's. Nazareno stumbled back, surprised by the sudden ferocity of Blaire's attack."I am in control," Blaire snarled, gripping Nazareno's forehead tightly. Nazareno sent a punch straight to Blaire's midsection, knocking the wind out him. Nazareno kicked his lower chin, sending XERRD's leader back. Blaire quickly recovered and wrapped his hand around Nazareno's throat before slamming him against a wall. "You are a fool, Kareem Nazareno. I will take great pleasure in finally ending your life. But first..." Blaire was cut off as Nazareno wrapped his hands around Blaire's throat and squeezed hard. Blaire retched and swung his forearm into Nazareno's head. Before the space ninja could rise, Blaire curb-stomped his back, sending him smashing into the ground. With one foot on his back, Blaire lifted Nazareno's head upward by the neck."It's time to see the face of my greatest opponent," Blaire snarled. He quickly tightened his grip around the top of Nazareno's ninja cowl and, before Nazareno could throw him off, yanked it off of his head.Nazareno jerked his body abruptly, causing Blaire's foot to slip. Nazareno flipped himself over and, with little mercy, gripped Blaire's boot and shoved it away. Blaire flew back and went crashing through a wooden desk. Nazareno rose to his feet and glared at his fallen opponent.Blaire was soon back on his feet. A smirk formed on his face as he threw Nazareno's cowl to the side. "Well, I'm not sure what I was expecting."Nazareno's head was wet, not from rain, but from sweat. He was completely bald and cleanly shaven; not a hair was on his head except for his lightly-colored eyebrows. He had small, piercing black eyes and numerous creases around on his cheeks and around his mouth. Despite being in his early thirties and being extremely flexible and athletic, Nazareno's face gave off the impression of someone much older. He wasn't really attractive, but he was hardly ugly either.Nazareno wiped sweat away from his mouth, which was quickly forming into hateful, venomous stare as anger began to boil inside him. The only time his mask was ever removed was when he was in medical care. And to have it removed by his rival made the action even more insulting."Maybe I was expecting some handsome badman with long flowing blond hair?" Blaire said with a shrug. "A bit lackluster appearance, Kareem. Anticlimactic, if you will." Blaire smirk began to fade away as he could finally see how visibly angry Nazareno was. Before he could make a comment, a fist that felt like a ton of brick was thrown at his head, sending him smashing into another wall.OOC: A long time coming, but in a few posts, Dr. Cyborg will finally take control of XERRD!

OOC: Nazareno and Blaire have been separate from Zelda and Solomon for awhile now. Nazareno and Blaire drifted away while fighting Maelstrom Dragons.And I have noticed the sudden arrival of multiple agents. Zelda is more focused on Helm, however. I have yet to actually address that (which I will...eventually). Heh, you could've been the Chick like me. Which amuses me heavily.IC:"There's still the issue of Mutant Dinos that have broken away from the Darkitect's hold," Zach said, crossing his arms. "Like..." he glanced at Rex, then said in a low voice. "Trouble, Stranger's Mutant Lizard, or your Cyrista's Bane. They would still be susceptible to the Einstein Device's effects."**************************Minerva didn't both taking shots at Dr. Rex; it would've been a waste, really. She aimed the Xenon Launcher at the Mutant Dinos ahead of her and Vinyaya's Fire Hammer, clearing a path. Minerva looked in the side mirror and saw the Mutant T-Rex king approaching fast, vaguely reminding her of Jurassic Park. Vaguely.Minerva looked up out the window and saw the three Agents jets fly overhead and fire several missiles into Dr. Rex. They exploded as they collided with his Silge armor, but Dr. Rex was mostly unharmed. Ignoring the Fire Hammer he had been chasing earlier, Dr. Rex blasted the three jets out of the sky with a combination of lasers and fire breathe.Go ahead and run, Miss Fabello, The Darkitect sneered in her head, his pitch black skull smirking in her head. You won't last long either way. A scowl quickly formed on Minerva's face. She wouldn't let the Darkitect win."He's going after other agents, so we're safe for now," Vinyaya said with a sigh of relief. She then turned her only eye briefly on Minerva as she drove. "We'll get you back to the headquarters-""Why?" Minerva snapped as she began to train the Xenon Launcher on passing Mutant Dinos.Vinyaya seemed surprised with Minerva harsh tone, but responded with her own iciness. "You've been emotionally compromised, Minerva. You didn't say a word until the Darkitect spoke to you. You're in shock. You don't belong out here-""I belong out as much as you do, Vinyaya," Minerva snapped again. "I doubt someone who just lost an eye should be out here." Vinyaya didn't respond to this quip. "I can't...I won't let him take anyone else close to me. I can't lose you or Zach, or anyone else too. It..." she drifted off.Vinyaya stopped the jeep briefly and looked at Minerva intently with her lone eye. Her scarred face softened again like it did when she had convinced Minerva to leave her brother behind. It was a look of true concern for her well-being. "Are you sure you can keep going?" Vinyaya asked quietly. Minerva's lip quivered briefly. It would so much simpler to finally breakdown and cry on Vinyaya's shoulder.But there was a job to do. A battle to be won. Minerva was toeing the edge of an emotional breakdown. But she would hold it all in until they won. It wasn't healthy, but necessary. She could keep fighting. Win this battle for everyone that she lost because of this war. Minerva nodded slowly to Vinyaya. Patting Minerva on the shoulder in an encouraging matter, Vinyaya put the jeep back into drive and started back up again."Is there anything you can contribute to this...Einstein Device?" Vinyaya asked. "Just out of curiosity. I figure you'll still be out here, regardless.""Unless a couple of high school AP classes qualify someone to mess with something like it, no," Minerva continued to fire the Xenon Launcher. "I could probably help do something, but my talents are better used out here." Vinyaya shrugged without looking away from the road ahead of her. "So, what's the status of things? I've been sort of out of it.""Elite Agents Semick and Mercedes remained on the battlefield, but the latter was knocked out of the sky by Willa the Witch. Dr. Martinet is heading out to the crash site to see if she's alright. Rotor and Cabin have just returned from the thirteenth floor and have rejoined the fight in the air. Leadership roles have mostly fallen to the agents in the air, most notably Semick, who split the forces up to deal with varying threats. Though now, based on reports from I heard from Iron Predators still holding up at the headquarters, we need to organize a gauntlet of vehicles around the headquarters. Dinos are swarming the headquarters and, while the IPs are taking care of the bigger threats, Mutant Lizards are slipping through and entering the headquarters. Pulling everyone together to guard the headquarters from the dinos and at least hold back Dr. Rex a bit so the Einstein Device can be finished is the best idea I have at the moment.Minerva was extremely relieved to have a friend in a commander who had experiences with ordeals like this. Leadership was definitely not a strong suit of hers in any way, shape, or form. And having at least Semick, Rotor, and Cabin out in the field with her improved her spirits greatly. And she hoped that her being out with the infantry, despite all the MegaBlokLand she had been going through, would raise morale.Dr. Rex unleashed another inhumane scream. Minerva turned her head and saw him destroy a T-1 Typhoon and Iron Predator group with a combination of breath flames and laser bursts. She noted how easy it would be for Dr. Rex to run at Dino Attack Headquarters and topple it. So easy that she wondered briefly why he didn't. Then she realized the Darkitect was probably holding Dr. Rex back. Taking his time in reaching the headquarters. He wanted the Dino Attack Team and its allies to believe they still had a chance in defeating him. Just so that when he finally had Dr. Rex storm the building, he could savor the moment as the Minifig race lost all hope as the building, and their last hope, came crumbling around them. Flashes of her mother and brother suddenly appeared in her head. Victims of the Darkitect's work. Minerva gritted her teeth together angrily and turned to Vinyaya."Reforming the defenses around the headquarters sound like a solid idea, but that won't matter once the Darkitect uses Dr. Rex to his full abilities."Vinyaya nodded grimly. "I've noticed that. There's nothing we can really do about that, unfortunately. However, since the Darkitect firmly believes that Einstein Device will not defeat him, he will hold back until he decides he's done toying with us or he believes the Einstein Device is a threat. If he decided to attack and the device isn't finished, we're done for. In the meantime, the Mutant Dinos, Dr. Inferno, and the Fright Knights continue to attack. If we don't organize defenses, a little more than a few lizards will be breaking into the HQ. Think the Battle of the Power Station earlier this year only a zillion times worse."Minerva nodded, unable to come up with a good argument against this. "You should probably suggest this to Semick or someone.""No, you should just take control and form the defenses yourself, Elite Agent Fabello." Vinyaya smiled apologetically at a frustrated Minerva. "You think its a good idea, go for it. Your words will resonate with the team far more than mine would." Vinyaya turned her head briefly to Minerva. "From the way you look, commanding isn't really your thing. Just know that you aren't alone. I'll help you along the way."Minerva scowled briefly, but smiled appreciatively at the Space Police commando. She picked up the radio and stared at it momentarily. This was the best way to hold the line long enough for the device to be completed. The Darkitect must be stopped. Oswald and Athena appeared in her head again. She took a deep breath and began to speaking to every agent her radio's signal could reach.

OOC: Yes! Gah! I have found all 100 Gold Skulltullas in Ocarina of Time. Time to post!Your headquarters is looking pretty swell so far, that guy. Nice, big, and detailed. I am anxiously awaiting its completion.IC:Zach smiled as Zenna got reacquainted with the group. He was happy to see that she was alright. However, guilt was gnawing at his insides. She was sent to Antarctica because of him and his Mutant Dinos. He knew he would have to apologize sooner or later."Zach?" Dr. Cyborg said, snapping him back to attention. "Do you see what I'm getting at?" Zach turned back to the cyborg Dino Attack agent. Zach had identified numerous Maelstrom samples that Dr. Cyborg had presented toward him, seemingly for some part of the tweaks that were still being added to the Einstein Device. He scratched his chin briefly."Shot in the dark," Zach said, raising both hands. "We can gather samples of Mutant Lizards, Mutant Raptors, Mutant Pterosaurs, Mutant T-Rexes, Minifig/Mutant Lizard Hybrids, and (maybe for good measure), Maelstrom Dragons so we focus the Einstein Device's energy only on stopping the Mutant Dinos, not you, me, Rex, or Pterisa?"************************Nazareno swayed to the side as the Fire Hammer ran over another bump. Quickly regaining his footing, Nazareno swung a katana at Blaire. Blaire quickly blocked the sword and jabbed his other katana at Nazareno. The space ninja carefully stepped to the side and knocked the sword down on to the roof of the cab, causing sparks to dance.Lightning brightened the sky and illuminated hauntingly across Blaire's sunglasses. Thunder echoed through the city. Blaire flipped back his wet hair and suddenly forced his sword through the roof of the cab. He then slammed his forearm into Nazareno's head. He stumbled back in surprise and soon found himself hanging on vehicles roof as it sped by."You lose, Nazareno," Blaire snarled, slamming his boot into Nazareno's fingers. Nazareno felt tears form in his eyes from the pain, but ignored Blaire's snide remarks. He turned his head and saw a wave of Mutant Lizards rushing past the Fire Hammer. Smirking to himself, Nazareno brought his feet to side of the Fire Hammer and kicked himself away from the vehicle.He landed hard on the back of a Mutant Lizard, causing it to collapse. Mutant Lizard were stampeding in his direction. Nazareno jumped lightly on to the next Mutant Lizard with one foot and seemed to run across the Mutant Lizards as if they were a conveyor belt going the wrong way.Nazareno kept the Fire Hammer in his peripheral vision. Another flash of lightning and boom of thunder. Nazareno saw Blaire's features clearly in that brief span of light. There was surprise, yet amusement on his old rival's face. Nazareno moved closer to the Fire Hammer and made one final hop that took him back on to the Fire Hammer's cab.Blaire clapped mockingly as his trenchcoat whipped behind. "Impressive, Nazareno. Impressive." Nazareno kicked up his sword that he had dropped on the roof and lunged at Darkling. His opponent yanked his own Shinobi katana out of the roof and blocked Nazareno's attack. "Come on Nazareno, you've got to do more than silly tricks to defeat me.""Have it your way," Nazareno stated simply. With that, Nazareno brought his foot upward in Blaire's stomach. XERRD's leader grimaced, allowing Nazareno punch him hard in the face. Blaire stumbled back and slipped off the Fire Hammer, leaving behind one gray katana. Scowling, Nazareno kicked the katana off the Fire Hammer and gave himself a running start and jumped from the Fire Hammer.Blaire had rose to his feet rather quickly. His trenchcoat was stained with mud. He cracked his neck ominously. "Still have that old charm," Blaire grumbled. Extending his hands, his familiar smirk returned to his face. "Look where we have arrived, old friend." Nazareno merely nodded before running at Blaire again. They were standing outside the front doors of Dino Attack Headquarters. Broken glass, ruble, fire, and corpses surrounding the building.Blaire still managed to block both swords with his lone katana. Clutching the sword with two hands, he executed several wide, complicated sweeps at Nazareno before letting one hand go free so it could punch Nazareno. The fist clipped Nazareno chin. He took a brief step back before launching send several quick attacks back at Blaire. Whatever he couldn't knock way with his sword he quickly moved his body out of the way. Blaire than swung his fist behind him, shattering what remained of the glass on the front doors.Shaking his hand free of an glass shards, Blaire stepped through the broken door and gestured Nazareno to join him. Nazareno rolled his eyes and stabbed his swords through hole in the door. Blaire jumped back quickly and began to step farther into the headquarters lobby, Nazareno close behind.

OOC: She doesn't have to be with Rosalie. In fact, I wouldn't recommend it, as I had Willa the Witch send her T-1 Typhoon to the ground after her airship was destroyed. Rosalie's reinforcements had twenty-five T-1 Typhoons and five Dino Air Trackers. Taking away Rosalie's helicopter, Zenna has twenty-nine helicopters she could have been flying in.

OOC: It is a Teleport Pad from Rock Raiders, colored in Dino Attack colors.However, it's been established by PeabodySam that the Super Teleport Pad is a one-way trip to Antarctica. No way back. At all. Hence why characters such as Talia Kaahs and Naomi Carver are considered Put on a Bus. No way they are coming back to LEGO City until we've won.Which is why I suggested way back: So, instead of thinly hiding behind my intentions, feel free to have Zenna arrived in LEGO City via Rosalie Mercedes' reinforcements from Antarctica. Heck, I think I even put that she "helped" organize it instead of just organizing it herself because I was vaguely hinting that Zenna could have helped organize the reinforcements.

OOC: Yay for Zenna!Though the Teleport Pad is sort of a one-way path to Antarctica, not from Antarctica, so you'll need to explain that too.Also, I wouldn't really have Zenna recognizing Zach, since they haven't met. Ever. I believe it would make more sense if she recognized Andrew. Though now we can guilt-trip more of my characters, since Zach's attack on the camp sent her to Antarctica in the first place.IC:They're gone.They're all dead.He's dead.I killed him.My family is gone.Mom is dead.Oswald is dead.I murdered him.Minerva Fabello stared at Oswald's unmoving body, trying to comprehend what had happened, only for her brain to refute it each time. She didn't no how long it had been since Oswald stopped breathing. Minutes, hours...it didn't really mean anything. All she knew was that her family was absolutely and truly gone. An act more than 14 years in the making. She was absolutely alone.Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the knife, stained with both her's and Oswald's blood. Minerva could hear a sick, distorted laugh rattling her head. It - the knife - was laughing at her. At her pain and misery. Knowing that, despite all her assurance to her brother that she would pull through, had finally been broken.How could you? a voice asked. Murder your own brother? I hardly thinks that makes you better than him killing your mother.It...is better this way... Minerva thought back weakly. She repeated that phrase multiple times in her head, trying to convince the other voice (and herself) that she was right.The voice laughed harshly. You don't truly believe that, do you? You killed him. You were the one that destroyed your family. You can barely live with yourself. Why not complete the deed and finish yourself off?Minerva's eyes shot back to the knife. It was beckoning to her. It seemed to be telling her that everything would be alright if she took the knife. She would see her family again, completely reunited. Everything would be alright. She began to unconsciously move toward the knife."Minerva!"Minerva stopped herself. There was a vaguely feminine voice calling her name. She wasn't sure if it was in her head or somewhere in this apartment. Become more acutely aware of her surroundings, she felt the entire building rumble. Very weakly at first, but growing stronger. Bits of dust were falling from the ceiling."Minerva! Where are you?!"Minerva closed her eyes. The voice was familar, but her mind was in such a whirl that she couldn't pinpoint it. In addition to the rumblings, she heard someone moving through the lower floor of the building and make their way to the stairs. She barely opened her eyes and leaned down to pick up the knife. She stared at it with cold, dead eyes. The knife was begging for her to do it. It would be okay once she did."Minerva!" the voice snapped. Minerva jumped, dropping the knife. She turned her head slowly and saw Holly Vinyaya approaching her, a look of concern on her face. "Are you - oh!" Vinyaya reached Minerva and wiped away the blood from the cut on her cheek. "Where's..." Vinyaya's eyes turned to Oswald's body. "I'm...sorry, Minerva," she muttered. The building rumbled more violently than before, an an inhuman roar echoed throughout the entire building."Minerva," Vinyaya said, her voice becoming more urgent and serious. "We need to leave. He's coming this way. We'll be killed it we stay any longer." Minerva turned back to her brother. She didn't want to leave him here. He couldn't be left here. He-The building rattled again, causing Minerva and Vinyaya to stumble and any objects still standing to fall. Vinyaya grabbed Minerva's injured arm. She turned to the Space Police officer and gave her a weak, monotonus look. To her surprise, Vinyaya's features had soften considerably."Minerva," Vinyaya said, her voice surprisingly calm and soothing. "There's...there's nothing left here. Please, we need to go." Minerva swallowed and nodded to Vinyaya. Gripping Minerva's arm tightly, Vinyaya began to lead the way out of the room and to the stairwell. Minerva felt like she was simply floating behind, not in control of her own actions.They soon burst out of the apartment into the rain. Vinyaya picked her pace up as she ran to their Fire Hammer. Minerva stumbled at her new burst of speed and tripped. Vinyaya gasped and spun around to help Minerva back open, only to stare upward in awe. Minerva climbed slowly to her feet and turned to see what she was looking at.It was one thing to see him stomping around the city a hundred yards away, but being basically right under Dr. Rex was another thing. He was a silver monstrosity with several constricting bands of Maelstrom energy surrounding his body. Despite being an intelligent, if mad, scientists, Dr. Rex's eyes showed nothing more than wild, animal-like ferocity. Eyes of a mad, feral beast that wanted to destroy everything. Dr. Rex bellowed in pain as the Maelstrom-bands tightened around his body and swung his tale around through the apartment building.Minerva and Vinyaya covered their heads as the top floors of the apartment building went flying toward them. Minerva flinched as large chunks of walls landed nearby. Small pieces bounced against her hands guarding her head and her back. Several bruises formed on her body from the chunks of rubble, but for the most part, she was unharmed. She looked up at saw Dr. Rex looking down into the apartment. Namely, the second floor. A deep, menacing chuckle echoed across the street. A laugh Minerva recognized instantly. Then, Dr. Rex opened his mouth and a large stream of purple flames shot out, torching Oswald Fabello's body and anything else that was on the floor.Minerva's body shook involuntarily. Nothing would be left of her old apartment. Any family memorabilia that survived the initial Attack was toasted. Her brother's body would be nothing but ashes. Dr. Rex looked up and focused his eyes upon Minerva, Vinyaya, and their Fire Hammer. Bellowing angrily, Dr. Rex burst through the burning apartment, reducing it to a pile of rubble. He opened his maw to breathe purple flames upon. Vinyaya was calling Minerva's name, but she just stood there, staring at the massive Mutant T-Rex. The purple bands around Dr. Rex's body suddenly brightened and constricted Dr. Rex tighter, choking out the flame growing in his throat.Minerva stared. Why couldn't he kill her? Dr. Rex closed his maw and shook his head, his eyes growing wide in pain. Then his maw opened and, to Minerva's surprise, a voice came out of it. "Just a second, Ronald. There is someone I'd like to speak with." Minerva's mind was in a whirl once again. She knew that voice. The voice that had spoken to her in the dark corridors of the Pharaoh's Forbidden Ruins that wanted her to betray her friend."It is excellent to see you again, Minerva Fabello and Holly Vinyaya," Baron Typhonus said, using Dr. Rex as a mouth. Dr. Rex's eyes widened and he looked down upon the brown-and-white haired Dino Attack agent that stood beneath him."Fabello..." Dr. Rex managed to mutter faintly, recognizing the name before choking as Baron Typhonus silenced him."Do be quiet, Ronald," Baron Typhonus snapped. Despite his irritation, there was no hiding the smugness in the Maelstrom's voice. His tone carried the aura of someone who knew nothing could stop him. He continued to speak to the Dino Attack agents, namely Minerva. "I'm impressed, Miss Fabello. It seems that you are in the running for having your fears in the Maelstrom Temple come closest to coming true in the Maelstrom Temple.""Minerva," Vinyaya whispered, keeping her glare on Dr. Rex. "What-""Silence, space cop!" Typhonus sneered. "Indeed. As far as I know, both you and Rex have been forced to live through their fears in this battle. How interesting. Like cruel foreshadowing, wasn't it? There was no doubt; you feared of truly losing your family. Even before you killed Oswald in that building back there, you knew that he was already gone. You are alone."Minerva's stare didn't waver. Her posture was changing. Unresponsive, mute sadness was fading into anger as Typhonus spoke about her brother. "It was obviously too much for him, knowing about me," Typhonus said, his voice growing more arrogant and snide. Minerva could practically see him smirking. "Know that he was nothing but a pawn. Sounds like a T-Rex I know of." Typhonus' laugh sounded out through the street again. Minerva gritted her teeth. She hated that laugh. "Isn't that right, Ronald?" Dr. Rex seemed on the verge of speaking, only to have his words destroyed as the Darkitect choked him once again with the Maelstrom. "Learning that he was - is - a puppet didn't do much for him either. Unfortunately, Ronald will not get death like dear Oswald. He will destroy until nothing is left. Then...well, a puppet that can no longer be used is mere garbage. This puppet's role will end soon enough."Minerva was shaking. Not out of fear or sadness, but of pure anger. "Not only did you fear of losing your family come true," the Darkitect continued. "But in the end, you made the final blow that sealed its destruction. It couldn't have gone more-""SHUT UP!" Minerva screamed, her voice hoarse and scratchy, cutting out the rest of the Darkitect's words. "YOU DID THIS! BOTH OF YOU DID THIS! BECAUSE OF YOU MY MOM AND BROTHER ARE DEAD!"Typhonus laughed again. "I suppose you could consider it retribution for taking one of my best subordinates. Which reminds me, I still have a score to settle with our good friend Mr. Virchaus. I'm half-tempted to keep you alive long enough so you can witness me finally destroy him."Typhonus' words sank into Minerva's like a rock. Zach was in Dino Attack Headquarters right now, working to help save the world. He was her best and closest friend. The past day with him in the Dino Attack Headquarters was the first time in a long time she truly felt content. She wouldn't let the Darkitect take him or anymore of her friends like he had taken Oswald and Athena."I can see the gears turning in your head," Typhonus said, amusement in his voice. "Good. Despite what you think, youhaven been broken yet. I want you to keep fighting. Thinking you can hold Ronald and myself back. Think there is a chance for the other Elite agents of your team to finish their weapon to defeat us. I want know that, when their plan fails and you lose everyone, you are completely and utterly broken before you die as well."Minerva spat angrily. "You won't win. Dr. Rex is going to get the death he deserves, I will see to it. For all the lives he took and helped corrupt." Speaking directly to Dr. Rex, Minerva continued, "You did this, Dr. Rex! You moron! You turned my brother against me!""Brave words when speaking to an invincible tyrannosaurs rex," Baron Typhonus muttered, clearly amused.Dr. Rex snarled, ignoring the puppetmaster's words. "Your...team turned...my sister...against me! Because of...your team...I've lost everything! Consider...losing Oswald Fabello...my payback!" With a growl, Dr. Rex opened his mouth and shot his head toward Minerva. She rolled of the way as Dr. Rex's shoveled out a chunk of concrete. As it disintegrated in his mouth, the Maelstrom tightened against Dr. Rex's body. He howled in agony as Baron Typhonus laughed again. "I...I shall consume!" Dr. Rex screamed to the heavens as the Darkitect's sinister laughter grew louder. "Consume...consume everything!"At this point, Minerva had ran to the Fire Hammer, dented slightly from Dr. Rex destroying the building, and jumped into the passenger side. Vinyaya put the vehicle into drive and slammed the gas, sending the Fire Hammer tearing through the ruined city. Dr. Rex unleashed one more agonizing scream running after the Fire Hammer, destroying everything in his path.

IC:Zach flexed the tube in his hands before setting it off to the side. He continued to aid in pulling apart the Teleport Pad with Andrew and Hertz. The tube briefly gave him the idea of a weapon that could fire blasts of Maelstrom, but decided against it, considering their enemy was the Maelstrom. Chaos versus chaos wouldn't end well, I'm sure.As the Super Teleport Pad became a mere skeleton of its former-self, a new idea began to form in his head. Zach looked back at the work table. With Dr. Cyborg deducing the reason for the Einstein Device's arming, he, Reptile, Specs, and Hotwire were now had an idea on how to deactivate it. Not far from their work area a bazooka-type weapon laid, somewhat dented and bruised. Curious, Zach walked over to it."Is this what the device is supposed to be fired from?" Zach asked, lifting the weapon into his hands."Yes," Specs said, turning away from the Einstein Device briefly. "It's damage is a bit more substantial than I'd like to admit. The tools we have here could fix it, but we need more complex equipment to fixing it up in time to stop Dr. Rex."Zach cradled the weapon as he looked back at the Teleport Pad. "Perhaps we should disassemble this as well and build a new launcher out of the Teleport Pad and undamaged bricks around here. As Andrew and I were saying, our building material is rather flexible in terms of its application. We can take this apart and use the magnet inside to activate it when we're ready."Andrew took the notepad from Hertz and repeated his message. "'We could also gather together some of the computers and technology around here. With the talent around here, we could probably scrap together a more precise arming and disarming system.'"Specs crossed his arms, the barest hint of a smile underneath his balaclava. "Sounds like we have real plan forming.""It's a bit complicated," Reptile noted.Hotwire smirked. "Come on, it's us. We can definitely pull it off." Zach grinned in agreement.Andrew clapped his hands. "Alright. You guys finish fixing the Einstein Device and then you could look for computer bits. Zach, Hertz, and I will keep breaking the pad up and start designing our launcher. Nodding in agreement, everyone went back to work. Zach returned to Hertz and Andrew."Back to work, I suppose." He rubbed his hands together and smiled at Andrew. "With us building this thing, Dr. Rex and Typhonus better watch out."Andrew smirked. "Well then, back to work."***********************Zelda grimaced as she looked at Helm. Those same feelings of guilt when she looked at Hotwire in the mess hall what seemed months ago suddenly came back up. Except it was about a million times worse facing Tracer's father. The look in his eyes caused her lip to tremble slightly, though no one saw it underneath her bandana over her mouth.She hadn't been nearly as active as Zachary when she was a Stromling. Fearsome, unforgiving, and somewhat playful, Zach had slaughtered multiple agents over the course of his corruption. He had his own guilt spread out to multiple people. She only murdered one person as a Stromling and it somehow stung more than killing Minifigs in droves.She walked toward Helm slowly, ignoring the curious stares of those around her. She sheathed one of her katanas and reached down to pick up his Cosmotronic Ray. He looked at her curiously as she handed it back to him. Zelda sighed painfully as she looked at him. Through him, she could see Tracer, the shocked look in his eyes when the bullets had buried themselves into his stomach, and her dark, apathetic laughter as she watched the Dino Attack agent fall. She shuddered visibly."Listen," she muttered quietly so only Helm could hear her, lowering the bandana so he could see her lips moving. "I am really sorry...for what I did. The person who killed Tracer was just a monster using my body. If I could, I'd take it back..." She paused. Helm sobbed quietly. The death of his son had hurt him far worse than Zelda liked. An idea formed in her head briefly. "I know you want vengeance," she continued, her voice growing somewhat stronger. "As stated earlier, I wasn't in control of my actions. A certain man named Typhonus was." An angry roar pierced the sky. Zelda, Helm, and the other turned and saw Dr. Rex stomping toward a tan-colored apartment building, destroying everything in his path. Zelda turned back to Helm, her features growing hard."Typhonus is just as if not more responsible for Jason's death," Zelda said. "You want vengeance? Then we need to do everything in our power to stop him and his puppet from getting to Dino Attack Headquarters so we can defeat him. Stopping Typhonus from killing the rest of us will be about as close to vengeance you can get." She paused and let her words sink into Helm's brain.

OOC: PeabodySam...It's like you took all my hopes and dreams and crushed them into tiny little bits. I was thinking barely a few days ago "I wonder where Ben Gunn is at? I hope he finally gets to met Frozeen so he can...you know!" And then you go and do that. Just...eugh.And now, to the lab. Not going to lie, I've been ignoring it, primarily to wrap up Minerva and Oswald's bit, but also because I'm at a bit of a lost on what to write (which is impressive, considering I generally always bursting with ideas.) Maybe its because I'm on the edge about tinkering with stuff that isn't mine. Regardless, I will post!IC:Zachary Virchaus rubbed his glasses against his uniform, attempting to clean them up a bit from bits of dirt and rain. He examined them briefly and decided they were clean enough before placing them back on his head. He was somewhat on the edge, with the fate of the planet deciding on this weapon and the fact it was already armed. HIs face, however, showed a more calm, collected demeanor.He was doing everything he could to help to finish the Einstein Device so they could finally defeat Dr. Rex and Baron Typhonus. He didn't express it, but he was very eager in striking a blow against the latter. After everything the mad baron had put him through, Zach would relish putting an end to the Darkitect's chaos on this planet. Elsewhere was another matter that could be dealt with later.He glanced at Rex, who was speaking with Frozeen. He was apparently seeing hallucinations of the Darkitect in the room. Zach could feel the Maelstrom faintly inside the Elite agent's body. He didn't want him to die, but he was certainly thankful that he didn't want any help from Zach or Dr. Cyborg. In all honesty, Zach was apprehensive on trying to use the Maelstrom on anybody for good. Healing, extraction. He might make things worse, for all he knew.Zach glanced down at his bandaged wound. Meh. Why not? He hovered his hand of the wound and concentrated. Thin streams of Maelstrom seeped out of his fingers and through the bandages. The wound glowed for three seconds before returning to normal. Zach felt an unnatural and unnerving chill travel through his body, causing his body to shudder involuntarily. That...felt weird. Despite that, his stomach felt a million times better. He slowly removed the bandage. All that remained was a dark violet scar across his torso. I guess I can heal. At least myself. Not sure if I want to use the Maelstrom to heal someone whose immune system isn't resist to the Maelstrom like mine. That might end badly. Maybe it felt weird because I was using power contrary to its primary purpose: destruction.Regardless, it was back to work. There was plenty he could do. The one time where some of us can finally use our talents that we listed when signing up. Indeed. Unless your skill set had any sort of "fighting" notation or even a "driving" or "piloting" note, you rarely used said talents. As such, the only real times he had used his "building" talent was when constructed his Steel Sprinter, Urban Avenger (which he never actually used, ironically), and one of Rex's numerous wheelchairs. He only used to his "technology" skills was to hack into the XERRD Fortress mainframe. I did end up using "sharpshooting" a lot though. Generic fighting as well. Other that, one would assume that all those skills people put down when signing up (other than combat orientated skills) are informed abilities. And of course, his newfound, in-dept of the knowledge of the Maelstrom and the ability to manipulate were also skills that he ended up using a bit.He glanced toward the Einstein Device, whose blue lights were flashing dully. Zach noted Dr. Cyborg, Hotwire, and Reptile hovering over the device, trying to disarm it to give them maybe a few minutes more time to work on the device. Of course, there is still the Mutant Dino army and invincible Mutant T-Rex that's on our doorstep. He was half-tempted to join the three in finding a solution. He turned his head to Andrew, who was looking over the Teleport Pad. Shrugging, Zach walked over to him."Mind if I lend a hand for a bit?" Zach asked as he approached his fellow LEGO Islander and friend."Shouldn't be too much of problem," Andrew said, briefly looking at Zach before turning back to the Teleport Pad. As he began to disconnect parts of the pad, Zach suddenly thought of Minerva. A fearful chill washed over him. She was still out in the battlefield, probably fighting Oswald. He had basically asked Vinyaya to watch over her, but he knew Minerva would somehow slip away from Vinyaya to face her brother alone. Her murderous, insane, psychopathic brother. Zach swallowed painfully. He sorely hoped that last kiss in the Fire Hammer wouldn't be that last time he saw her alive. Or even in one peace He glanced briefly at his golden, metal hand, remembering how he left Minerva, only to return with one less hand.We really need to stop leaving each other like this.

IC:Minerva slammed Oswald's head into the ground hard. She pushed his chin back with one hand and punched him repeatedly in the chest with the other hand. Oswald snarled and desperately waved his hands at Minerva, trying to grab her. He finally found her arm. With a sharp twist, Minerva ended up on the floor, wincing in pain. Oswald rose to his feet. He had found his knife.She acted quickly. Her foot shot upward into Oswald's chest, knocking the wind out of him. Rising to her knees, Minerva knocked the knife out of hands and shoved his chest back to the floor and punched him hard in the face. "What's wrong with you?!" she barked, her voice shaking.Oswald chuckled coldly, his eyes never leaving hers. Minerva yelled in anger and slammed his head repeatedly against the ground. Oswald continued to laugh. "You've become just like Mom," Oswald whispered. "An evil, stupid bi-""SHUT UP!" Minerva screamed, breaking Oswald's nose with one, swift punch. "You think you can compare my actions to her's? I think you have become the very person you hate. No. Mom killing Tod was an accident. You've become even worse than Mom."Oswald bellowed multiple profanities before using his strength to throw Minerva off of him. They both climbed to their feet as Oswald swung a punch into Minerva's cheek as hard as he could. She stumbled and slammed her back against a wall. Flipping her hair out of her face, Minerva caught Oswald as he charging at her and grabbed his Dino Attack uniform. She turned and threw him against a wall, shattering it as stumbled through.Minerva ran up to the hole in the wall to continue her attack. Oswald suddenly shot out of the hole and grabbed her throat. Minerva yelped before grabbing Oswald's as well. They glared at each with pure hatred, but while Oswald's was real, Minerva's was still uncertain if she truly despised him."Suddenly she's the good guy now that she's dead?" Oswald hissed as Minerva's squeezed his throat. "After all she's done to us? What she did to Tod?""I talked to her, Oz," Minerva choked, her brother tightening his grip. "She was hiding behind any memories. Wasn't pretending that everything was okay. She knew what she did. To all of us."Oswald's eyes widened. Minerva could feel his grip slacken slightly. "She..." he muttered. "Mom?" Minerva managed a short nod. "What did she say?!" he demanded, shaking her violently."She was sorry!" Minerva gasped. "She regretted everything she did to us. She was sorry for everything." Thinking about it Athena Fabello's last moments cause a lump to form in Minerva's throat and her eyes started to become wet. "She...she wished she hadn't given up." Oswald stared, trying to comprehend what Minerva was saying. She remembered Athena's last request. "Mom still loved you, Oz. S-s-she wanted you to know that. Even after what you did to her...she still loved you..."An ugly look appeared on Oswald's blue face. "Does she think that just because she loves me I will forgive her?! Guess what, Minnie? We hardly went a day when she was living with us after Dad's death where she didn't make a note about how much she loved us. And as foolish as you are, you probably didn't forgive her, didn't you?!"Minerva stared. She was half-tempted to lie to save herself from a verbal lashing. It was always easier that way in dealing with Oswald. Instead, her features hardened. "I did forgive her. For everything." Minerva was met with a hard smack to the face that sent her staggering into a chair that she flipped over. Stunned and blinded by her hair, she was forced to listen as Oswald yelled."THEN YOU ARE WEAK!" he bellowed. Minerva shook the hair and stars out of her eyes and slid out of the tipped over chair. "You think just because you can get into a few fights and swipe a box of spaghetti from a store shelf makes you stronger than me! You could never have made it this far without me! Instead of telling her off while she could actually listen, you forgave her. This is why you have been weak, are weak, and always will be weak!" Minerva was back on her feet, only to get smacked again by Oswald. "Welcome to the real world, hon!" Oswald prepared to smack her again when Minerva caught his arm and twisted it sharply."I think you're the one who's weak," Minerva snarled, moving her face close to Oswald's. His face was scrunched in pain, but his hateful glare never wavered. "I know what you did for me, Oz. You gave up everything to take care of me. You could dumped me off at Aunt Ginny's or even at some home, but you kept me. You...you were the closest thing I had to a parent. The closest father figure I had." Minerva voice shook near the end of her sentence as Oswald's eyes widened. She had never acknowledged him as any more than a brother, but she knew she truly saw him as a second father as well. "Do you know how it felt to see you strapped to that chair on Adventurers' Island? Not only were you alive, but you had joined an organization bent on killing us all. Do you know how it felt when Carolyne Provencal told me that you joined XERRD because they convinced you I was the cause of all your problems and you believed it? Do you know how I felt when I watched my smarter, stronger older brother who basically raised suddenly shoot my mother?"You think I think I'm stronger than you because I was a thief and got into fights?" Minerva laughed bitterly. "Look at yourself, Oswald. You're broken. You've lost your faith in everything and you think killing me will compensate? You've given up, just like Mom. You are weak. I never had a clue that I'd become so much stronger than you. Ever since this war started, I've needed you less and less everyday. I haven't given up and I won't. When this war is over, I'm going to make things better for myself. Without you." Minerva threw him against the wall. Oswald grunted in pain, but didn't make a move."I forgave her," Minerva hissed. "That doesn't change what she's done to me. To us. I may have forgiven her, but I'll never forget what she did to us. There no point in it anymore. I've made peace with her. My ability to let the past go is also why I'm stronger than you."Oswald glared for several silent seconds, trying to figure out an adequate response to Minerva's speech. His lips curled into a hideous frown. There was wild, feral look in his eyes. "You think you can lecture me how you're better than me after all this? You took everything from me!" Oswald charged at Minerva and tackled her to the ground and punched her face multiple times. Minerva kneed Oswald hard in the stomach and threw him off of her. She got up to her knees before Oswald socked her in the face again. She managed to return the punch before she collapsed in exhaustion.She lifted her head and blew the hair out from in front of her face. Oswald was crawling toward him, his teeth bared. Minerva slowly crawled toward him to confront him. As they collided, they lifted each other up long enough to each deliver a punch. As Oswald fell back, Minerva fell on top of him. Lifting herself, she then slammed a fist into Oswald's chest, causing him to gasp. He responded with a backhanded slap to Minerva's face, jerking her head to the right. As she turned to face him again, she saw something flash to her on the ground. She blinked once as an idea formed in her head."I don't want to kill you, Oswald," Minerva whispered coldly, lashing her hand out at Oswald's throat to pin him to the ground. He bellowed in rage and hit Minerva several more times. She ignored the pain, keeping her eyes trained on Oswald. "I can hardly stand to look at you, but I never wanted to kill you. You were brother. My father. But..." Minerva slammed Oswald's head on the floor. "I've been thinking about it. If I just knock you out and arrest you, you'll just be detained until this battle is over. In the end, I thought you would simply just go to jail. Seeing you know. Seeing what you've become...I know they wouldn't take you to a jail. They would take you to an asylum. A mental institution. Perhaps even Napoleon XIV. You would live the rest of your life in an institution like Mom was supposed to." Oswald's eyes widened in horror as he registered each of Minerva's words. Minerva reached her right hand to the side as she kept one hand on Oswald's throat."I-I know the irony would destroy you. Being locked in the very same place Mom was. The person you hated most. You want nothing to do with me. Y-y-y-you have nothing left to live for. You believe there is nothing left for you. So..." Minerva felt her hand wrap around the object she saw. She had to do it. She couldn't back down. She needed to do it. For Oswald's sake. She-Oswald gasped in surprise. His knife was planted firmly in his chest, just below his heart. Minerva's right hand was wrapped tightly around the hilt of the weapon. She stared from the weapon she despised to Oswald, whose face was deathly white. "It's...for the best, Oz," Minerva whispered, not willing to believe what she just did. "Thank you...for everything. I'm sorry I made it so hard. I love you, Oswald. You were the greatest friend I ever had." She slowly removed her hand from the knife, but left it in his chest. Oswald scowled and pulled the knife from his chest. He then swung it at Minerva's face. She flinched as she jerked her head away. The knife had run across the left side of her cheek. She felt blood began to seep out of the wound.Oswald groaned and dropped the knife. His Dino Attack uniform began to turn dark red. He lifted his head briefly. He looked from his fatal wound to his sister, whose lip was trembling. All the pain and hatred seemed to fade away from his eyes. The only thing that remained was blissful relief. "T-thank you..." he managed to stammer. He looked at Minerva another thirty seconds before his head fell back and he became still.Minerva rose shakily to her feet and stared at Oswald Fabello's body. He was gone. He was dead. Her entire family was dead. Isaac, Tod, Athena, and now Oswald. All of them were dead. Minerva was the only one left. She had survived her confrontation with Oswald, but she had lost so much in the progress. She couldn't even make herself cry at this point. She simply stared at her brother, never feeling more alone in her entire life.

OOC: I'm back home. Time to address...er...stuff.As that guy said, I am from Iowa. I live northwest of him. Far enough that our schools will never interact or something like that. I believe the closest we ever got to each other was both being at a garden at the Iowa State campus that had LEGO sculptures in it on the same day. We probably walked past each other and we never knew it.As for help with your wiki pages, avmatoran, I have been increasingly busy so you won't find help within me (most likely), though you seem to be catching up Dr. Cyborg's page rapidly. I do have a suggestion to possibly "lighten the load" though: unless he physically appears in the RPG and becomes astoundingly important in the next week or so, I recommend deleting Joseph Twoplate's page. He's such a minor background character at this point that having a page for him is sort of...pointless.EDIT: Oh, I can finally half-answer your question about who you would have play your characters in a movie, that guy. I don't about playing him, but Nazareno definitely has the voice of Liam Neeson. That's who I could hear when typing up this bit.And now: posting!IC:Nazareno swung his swords fast, knocking back and countering each of Blaire Darkling's swings. Nazareno had never encountered the former terrorist use a doubled-bladed weapon such as the one he was using now, so he was forced to adapt his style so he could hope to challenge Blaire.Blaire was easily the most accomplished and skilled opponent that Nazareno had ever faced. Darkling worked around his larger build. His athleticism didn't match Nazareno's, but he made up for it in surprising speed and brute strength. Blaire was focusing on defend himself while Nazareno launched attack after attack."Just like old times, eh, Nazareno?" Blaire mocked. He spun his weapon in front of him fast enough to turn it into a dark circle with a thin purple line running through the center. It scraped the ground occasionally, showering the two combatants in orange sparks."Except that, in the end, you're not escaping," Nazareno said coldly. With that, he sent both his swords forward in an upward arc into Blaire's spinning weapon. Both men jerked as Nazareno held the blades' spinning with his own. He could practically see the old spark of amusement in Blaire's eyes through his reflective sunglasses as he smirked. I suppose Paradox makes these blades stronger than a standard blade."Believe whatever you wish, Nazareno," Blaire boasted. With that, Blaire disconnected his two katanas and continued the fight. Nazareno knocked away one swing to the head and another to his hips. He then launched his own rapid assault against Blaire. XERRD's leader blocked each blow with relative ease, but the furiously of the attack was forcing him to step back. As Blaire parried a blow to the stomach, Nazareno launched himself into the air over Blaire. As he landed, he swung his katana at Blaire's neck. The brute turned sharply on his boat and brought one of his swords upward. His blade held Nazareno's away from his neck about an inch."Once again," Blaire said as he swung his other katana in a sweep motion toward Nazareno. The space ninja brought his free sword down and blocked the attack. "I'm glad to see you still have that old fire, Kareem. I would hate for this battle to be easy.""The same to you, Blaire," Nazareno grunted before bringing his foot up sharply, connected with Blaire's stomach. Darkling gasped and shoved Nazareno's swords before taking a step back. Sloppy, Nazareno mused as he put his katanas in a defensive position. A kick? He reconnected his katanas and held it out in front of him, gesturing Nazareno to continue. He obliged naturally.As the fought, Nazareno made his attacks quicker and harder to dodge. He felt deep satisfaction in the brief look of frustration appear on Blaire's mouth. He couldn't let the XERRD leader win. Partly because of wanting to finally beat Darkling. Partly because of Blaire's threat he had made earlier. At least Andrew, Laxus, Zachary, Minerva, Holly, and Zelda knew that Blaire was Matthew Vherestorm. Darkling wanted to keep his past a secret and would murder anyone who knew. If Nazareno failed, more people would be killed. A pang of worry traveled through his body as he thought of Zelda. Now that he acknowledged his feelings for her, he couldn't let her fall victim to Blaire's attempt to cover up part of his crimes. Blaire Darkling would be defeated, one way or another.Their swords smashed together. Blaire was holding both of Nazareno's blades back from slicing through his shoulders. Out of the corner of his eye, Nazareno saw a Fire Hammer drive by. Blaire smirked again as if to tell he saw it too. Blaire threw Nazareno's swords back and disconnected his katanas before making a wide, sweeping arc around him. Nazareno backflipped to dodge the blow, giving Blaire enough time turn and jump on to the back of passing Fire Hammer.Nazareno swore silently and began to run after the jeep. Blaire climbed on top of the Fire Hammer's cab and swung his dark blades against the edge of roof, creating a storm of sparks. The Dino Attack agent in the Xenon Launcher was yelling to both the driver and Blaire. The Fire Hammer began to slow down, allowing Nazareno to jump on to the back."What are you two doing?!" the gunner demanded, glancing from Blaire to Nazareno."Never mind us," Nazareno commanded, making his voice powerful. "Just keep fighting. I'll deal with him." The agent shrugged and continued to shoot at nearby Mutant Dinos as Nazareno climbed on to the cab. Both he and Darkling swayed as the Fire Hammer drove over ruble and dino carcasses. Nazareno rolled his eyes. "You were always one for the theatrics."Blaire chuckled. "I want to keep the both of us on our toes. And besides, if this is so theatrical, this will keep the audience on the edge of their seats!" Breaking apart his katanas, Blaire swung his blades out to attack, only to stumble as the Fire Hammer hit a bump. Nazareno swung one golden sword outward, managing to make a small cut across Blaire's chest before he recovered. Blaire snarled and wiped away a small amount of blood before delivering another attack that Nazareno accepted with his katanas.*******************************Zelda Frodongan grinned in relief as the final Mutant T-Rex of the group that had attacked her, Solomon, Nazareno, and Blaire fell. She wiped the sweat from her brow briefly before joining Solomon in fighting the rest of the dinos. Nazareno and Blaire were both dealing the Maelstrom Dragons. She had seen the two send the mystical creatures crashing into the ground a distance away and were hopefully trekking back.She bit her lip. She didn't trust Blaire Darkling at all. He spoke of 'redeeming' himself, and that may be true, but his 'obsession', as Nazareno had put it, with the space ninja may hinder that process. The former rivals were alone. They might as well be fighting to the death to settle their grudge.She cut away a Fright Knight with ease. She was still somewhat upset with how things had went with Nazareno, but it was probably for the best, right? He was older and wiser than her. He knew a relationship wouldn't work between them. It was kind of stupid to assume he would share my feelings if I told him, Zelda reasoned. It was worth a shot, I suppose. She shrugged half-heartedly as she sliced through a Mutant Lizard's neck. She knew that being rejected wouldn't change how she felt.Zelda turned on her heel and got into a short duel with a Fright Knight. She was faster than the knight and easily plunged her sword into the knight's chest. He gasped in shock. Zelda pulled the katana out of his body and examined it as he fell. It was riddled with scratches. Nazareno had been correct. These were, for the most part, generic katanas. They would broke before long, which was why she had two daggers and a small firearm on her person in the case of that incident.She ran up the tail of a Mutant Raptor and cut up its back. Zelda stabbed one katana into its back. It collapsed instantly and several Mutant Lizard ran up to overwhelm her. Zelda lifted herself up with one hand on the katana and begun to rotate her hand rapidly. She extended her other katana and turned herself into a spinning weapon of death, cut any lizard that got too close to her. One Mutant Lizard spat a stream of fire, catching her sleeve on fire. Zelda jumped from the katana and landed hard on lizard's head, shattering its skull. She quickly patted out the flames and defeated the remaining lizards."Take that, ya' scurvy bilge rats," Zelda muttered under her breath as she pulled her other katana from the Mutant Raptor. She gasped and covered her mouth in surprise. 'Scurvy bilge rats'? Heh. I haven't talked like a pirate in long time. As she ran back to join Solomon, she briefly remembered her old dreams to follow in her deceased parents' footsteps and become a pirate. Doesn't sound extremely flattering now, being a pirate. Though... she grinned. With skills like mine, I could easily be one of the best pirates ever. A ninja pirate. Or pirate ninja. How did it go? She paused to recall some old pirate history. A pirate ninja is a pirate that dresses and uses ninja tactics, but is most definitely a pirate. A ninja pirate is a ninja that dresses as a pirate. Neither are well-liked by the Pirate community due to the 'ninja' bit. I think I'd fall under the 'pirate ninja' category. Zelda shook her head as she slammed her elbow into the side of a Inferno agents' head. None of that really matters if I die here. Focus!She quickly reunited with Solomon Koplowitz, who was defeating foes with relative ease. A T-1 Typhoon had flown over them and was helping them defeat Mutant Dinos. As they continued to fight, they suddenly joined by four Minifigs; a brown-haired woman with a Sonic Screamer, an large, bearded Agent wielding a sword and a massive Cosmotronic Ray, a Dino Attack agent with several knitted scarves around his neck, and another Dino Attack agent wearing a beanie cap had a black mustache and was holding a Cosmotronic Ray."Care we join you?" the brown haired woman asked."I don't think it will be a problem," Zelda replied, smiling."Good. The name's Kat." She pointed to the Agent, the scarf-wearing Dino Attack agent, and then mustachioed Dino Attack agent. "That's Epic Winston, Giles, and Helm."Zelda nodded to each. The big one, Epic Winston, looked like someone not be messed with. I could probably take him, though. Somehow. Giles seemed like a strange character with his scarves, but since he had lasted this long, she reasoned he could probably take care of himself. She didn't notice anything too strange about Kat or Helm, however."Pleasure to meet all of you," Solomon said curtly before turning back to the battle. "My name in Solomon Koplowitz.""And I'm Zelda Frodongan," Zelda said. She suddenly saw something change in Helm's face. His eyes widened and he stared at Zelda, surprise clearly etched in his face. Zelda, not really anxious to beat around the bush after the thing with Nazareno, cleared her throat. "Is there a problem, Helm?"OOC: Boom! Zelda finally meets the father of the man she killed as a Stromling and is a Minifig now because of said man's Creative spark/spirit! It's the confrontation no one's been waiting for that was briefly discussed more than two months ago. How will this end? I don't know, since I'm not entirely sure how Helm is going to react. So...Your move, Jackson Lake.