Roleplay:Parley

This Roleplay is Closed! Sorry!

Overview

War is now on the horizon. With Celia's recent capture, things are beginning to heat up as the Mythic Knights are pressed for time. Not to mention the new concept that Conquest could be pulling the strings for the war and causing both sides to clash against each other. Regardless, the Mythic Knights need to storm Forte City, head into Fort Drakon, find Fey and Celia, and end this nightmare once in for all.

Meanwhile Saren continues a battle for dominance within the realm of madness, proving to himself and to others of what he is truly capable of, and gaining the power to cut through black blood and restore his life.

Lexi learns of what her true destiny is, and gains knowledge and power far more than anyone had expected, with the help of dragons, an ancient book, and two heroes from eons ago, Lexi will discover the true end of Sir Galahad and finally see Sedna in the afterlife once again.

Participants

NeoExlucky

Zapor888

MaverickHunterWhoopsICouldntFigureOutAWayToHopIn

Characters

Zero Evol (Neo)

Knave Veron (Neo)

Echo Radon (Neo)

Leah Dubio (Neo)

Trinity Moon (Neo)

Delta Radon (Neo)

The Deceiver (Neo)

People of the Rebellion (Neo)

Zapor the Hedgehog (Z888)

Zak the Kirby (Z888)

Lexi the Hedgehog (Z888)

Part 1: Return to Hell

The headquarters of the rebellion never cease to leave a looming impression of failed intimidation. The city around it seems to be in a state of recovery after what happened the last time the knights had a mission here.

Eclipse Manor rested on the outskirts of town, close to the headquarters. Knave was quickly writing out a letter, while the others sat around Neo, who had somewhat recovered from before, and was now listening in on what had happened. "We need to hurry and rescue them, what's taking so long?"

"Mostly Knave." Echo shrugged, having recovered from her broken wrist thanks to her regeneration. "Plus, we have to tell you everything."

"We need to get their help as quick as possible!" Neo started.

"We?" Leah asked. "You're not going anywhere. You're still hurt. You can walk around now, but any physical strain on your body could ruin everything, you're staying here."

"What? We need all hands on deck with Saren's disappearance and Kala's letter..."

"Kala left a letter?" Delta asked.

"Yeah, all it said was...'Don't come find me.' I'm not really sure where she went or why she wrote it...did something happen?" Neo asked.

"Yeah...remember Sedna?" Leah asked. "Well...there's a reason you haven't met her..."

Neo let out a sigh and leaned his head back. "Christ...I can't imagine the hell you all went through..."

"Kala tried to save her, but her magic didn't work..." Delta looked down.

"Yeah. Things really weren't going good at all that day." Zapor added sadly.

"There is something bothering me though." Neo noted. "This country is supposed to be keeping outsiders out, right? Why are there so many of them here though?"

"I suppose Conquest and the Government could have called them here." Knave told him.

"God, I just want this all to be over." Neo sighed. "Station Square feels like it was so long ago."

"It's been, what? Five weeks since Radon was defeated?" Zero asked.

"Yeah, about that." Leah noted.

"What would we do once we get back?" Echo asked.

"I don't know." Neo said. "I guess we gotta find the other Shards of Light. Hart'll be easy, but Treasure and the other three might be a problem."

"In any case," Knave started. "We should head in. I've got to drop the letter off with the dragons, and convince them to aid us, but once that's done, we can head out."

"Alright." Zero said, grabbing his scythe. "Let's head out.

"It may be best for the...newcomers to stay here. Remember, most of you are traitors to the rebellion." Knave suggested.

"They're gonna find out we're all back sooner or later...." Trinity noted, but agreed.

The Legion pressed onwards, entering the base with cheers of congratulations. Not quite understanding what was going on, the group was ushered into the council room, where the four dragons awaited. Someone with really good vision may notice that something was wrong with the dragons.

"Thank you for reporting back, Shadow Legion. Let us start by saying that the work you have done has been amazing. Having Ann Denerim on our side will prove to be most useful." The eldest dragon said.

"Yes, but with Stigmata out there..." Knave started.

"It does not matter, so long as Ann is unaffected, we shall have our pawn all the same." He smirked.

"...Okay?" Lexi said, a bit confused. "But shouldn't we do something about Stigmata?"

"As worrisome as Stigmata is, we'll deal with it another time. With the Council of Dragons aiding us, we can mount a coup de gras against Emperor," Monica urged. "OmegaCorp forces are en route and taking positions in the outskirts. No one is getting in or out of our AO."

"Good, then that means no one can stop me from carving up some Conquest throats," Natalie cheered.

"...Is she always like this?" Anderson asked.

"I expect that we can have OmegaCorp's full cooperation?" The eldest red dragon asked.

Before an answer could come another soldier burst through the doors. "Your majesty." He muttered.

"What is it? Can you not see that we are in the middle of something!?"

"Sir, we just recieved word from the Government! They have just conceded and wish to parlay with us!" The soldier explained.

There was silence for a moment before the dragons spoke again. "So, we have won!" The youngest dragon said. "You can release this news to all!"

"They have specifically asked for the Shadow Legion to partake in the parlay however!" The soldier said.

"Leave us, and spread the news." The eldest dragon said again, prompting the soldier to leave. "Let us talk."

"About what?" Zero asked.

"We have some reports that we'd like to confirm with you. Did you, or did you not work with several mysterious forces in Viola City?"

"Yes, some people had broken off from a cult known as Conquest. We accepted due to our low army size." Knave explained.

"That should have been enough for a proper defeat."

"Yeah on our hands..." Zero muttered.

"Did you work with the infamous dragon incarnate?"

"Yes, Sedna was lost and needed help. We accepted her as one of our own." Knave nodded.

"You mean the girl who threatens everything we stand for? And you've given it a name now?"

Knave clenched his grasp on his sword. "Sedna had a name from the day she was born."

"And she is not here with you now?"

"No, Sedna passed away just recently." Knave noted.

Combust tried to stifle a laugh, but it did not little to hide how he was truly feeling. Knave pulled his sword out in front of him, between him and Combust."Knave, you are out of line."

"I don't care!" Knave shouted. "All my life, you've done nothing but push me around! You think that just because you were born into the royal family, that you're better than everyone else but I can tell you that's not true! Over this last few days, I've learned that status does not matter! Don't you dare disrespect her name like that!"

Combust stood from his chair, drawing a red blade that looked to be made of lava. "You are nothing but a failure. I had hoped you'd understand that situation I have been put in, but now, I realize that everything we have done for you is naught."

"I call for a duel." Knave shouted. "Combust Igneele, I call for a duel between you and me."

"You? A lowly piece of trash like yourself against an omnikinetic dragon like me?" Combust asked. "No wonder your a Knave."

"I mean, there isn't proof that he couldn't beat you." Lexi muttered under her breath.

(Relics)

"You fool." Masako took a step toward Combust. "Sedna sacrificed herself to save one of our own! I won't have you besmirch her name like this! Nor will I allow you to insult the only person who has helped us through this! Where were you when our friends were taken?!"

"Masako, don't!" Ciel warned.

"Now you'd be a different story." Combust noted to Masako. "You'd at least put up a decent challenge but even then you'd still be defeated. I am a demi-god, and you're all just mobians. You're just as useless as that dragon girl, which is why I had her killed in the first place!"

"You're the reason she died?" Delta asked. "How could you have the foresight for that."

Combust gave a smirk. "I told you before. Demi-god. Or perhaps you would rather use the term, meta? Half-Meta to be exact, but that still puts me leagues above the rest of you. Hypnos, the meta of dreams, just so happens to be my father. Of course, the power of dreams is quite a magcial talent to have. For example. if my dream were to kill the dragon incarnate and intercept her soul before reincarnation could happen, well, I have just enough power to realize that dream."

"You took her soul?" Leah asked.

"For her powers, yes. It was not a swift nor painless ritual for her to experience, I assure you. Once she was hit with that hammer, the ritual already took affect. Everything fell right into my plan. Of course it would take a while, so I had to prolong her life. Which meant all the pain she felt just continued to burn for the last few days of her miserable life, but in the end, it didn't matter to me. Of course it wouldn't have been possible without the help of that Meta of Time, even if he didn't realize he was helping me."

"Why would you do this?" Delta asked.

"Haven't you realized? I want my kingdom, and I wanted that girl to die. I didn't care how it would be done, I just didn't expect that the Mythic Knights would be the vessel that would lead her to death." Combust told them.

"So, why would we continue to work for you now? We could just kill you right here." Kanve spat.

Combust drug his blade down Knave's face. "Go ahead and try. Of course, you'll be killing one of your own with me. What, did you think I wouldn't foresee this happening? I'm not stupid. I knew this might happen, so when you were kidnapped. I placed a lifelink on someone. Of course, I needed someone who could rival me in power. Luckily, Fey Wayward's true power just so happened to rival mine. If you kill me, you kill Fey Wayward, and with her dead, who knows what Neo Tranquil might do? He might just fall into such a depressive state, that he'd be willing to do anything to see her again. Maybe even if that resulted in his suicide."

"You can see all of that?" Leah asked.

"I dreamt about it." Combust gave a deadly grin. "So, what's it going to be Shadow Legion?"

"..." Masako draws Susano'o and viciously swipes it down to her side. "The consequences mean naught. I have sworn to destroy anyone who plays with lives the way that you have. In the name of Her divinity, I will strike you down!"

"Everybody, stand down." Zero ordered.

"Oh are you sure? It seems Masako really wants to end it all right here." Combust said, taunting Masako. "Just want to be with the dragon again, huh? How pathetic."

"That sounds like a declaration of war. Are you that eager to die, Combust?" Natalie taunted.

"Masako! Now is not the time for this!" Ciel shouted as she shook her head. "We'll... we'll deal with him later. Right now, we need to get Celia and Fey back."

"No. I plan to finish this right here, right now," Masako growled.

"You said the same thing about Teal..." Ciel muttered.

"Are you so eager to kill another friend of yours?" Combust asked Natalie. "Let's say I do wind up dead, which won't happen by the way, Fey dies the moment I do."

"Masako, Natalie!" Zero said again. "Back off."

"See, there's the real kicker." Combust noted. "I own the Shadow Legion, which means I own all of you. Get out of my sight."

"We wouldn't be able to defeat him anyway..." Delta trailed off.

"Come on, let's get out of here." Leah pleaded to the two.

Masako raised her blade. It glowed sharply, as if some latent power was awoken inside of it. She brought it to her side and cleaved the air, the glow dispersing. It seemed as if nothing happened at first, but Combust would feel a sharp pain underneath his left eye. She'd cut him without her blade having touched his face.

Masako sheathed her blade and turned her back to him. "Let me be clear. You don't own us. You don't own me. I will kill you, and that is a promise that I plan to collect on." She turns her head with a glare. "Let that scar be a reminder of that."

Ciel starts walking. "Look, Masako. I don't like this either, but if what he says is true... we can't do anything without killing Fey."

"There's a way. There's always a way," Masako growled.

After the group had left the room. Zero immeditely asked a question. "So how do we beat him?"

Delta gave a sigh. "Even if he has half the power of a Meta, that's still a lot of power. More than anything we could handle. He's an omnikinetic dragon-meta hybrid with the dragon soul. Most of our team would be destroyed by him. He can trump every version of our kinesis, and most of our weapons are no good since he can control metal and wood alongside that. Magic is too slow and weaker than kinesis in any elemental form. There's chaos energy but that would require the chaos emeralds, and most of our team can't use chaos energy anyway. There is Black Blood."

"I haven't been able to contact Crowley since we got here." Zero shook his head.

"We still have Teal..." Delta suggested.

"Absolutely not." Zero noted. "We can't trust her."

"I thought about a Stand but he is a meta, and since meta are able to damage Stands, those won't work either." Delta noted.

"So your saying he has no weaknesses?" Zero asked.

"He has a weakness, we just can't exploit it." Delta said. "Right from the start he told us his weakness; he linked his life to Fey. If Fey were to die, so to would Combust but that means we would have to....regardless, killing him would kill Fey and we can't let that happen."

"There has to be a way to break that lifelink," Natalie insisted. "A meta's powers aren't perfect, by any means. We find the hole in his failsafe, then tear it wide open."

"But where would we start looking first?" Monica asked.

"We don't. We have other obligations, remember? Emperor is still out there, and he still has our friends," Masako urged. "Answers will come to us eventually."

"How do we know he won't just wuss out and run away with Sedna's soul?" Rose pondered.

"We don't. That's why we must act quickly," Masako said. "Ciel, you haven't used your powers in a while. Something the matter?"

"Umm..." Ciel twiddles her fingers.

"The Lifelink is a form of Necromancy, which is a sub-genre of a sub-genre of dark. not to mention illegal, magic. It doesn't hold any elemental weaknesses, nor does it have any strengths. Since it's purpose is generally enchanting and not projectile or damaging, there hasn't been a lot of research into countering it." Leah noted. "A counter-curse might be possible but we'd need both Fey and Combust present and consenting before the spell would work."

"Ciel?" Delta asked. "What's wrong?"

"I... the last time I tried to make an Observation, my mind just drew a blank. Nothing came up... I think something may have changed in the timeline," Ciel said.

(Oops, I'm actually not sure if Rose is supposed to be in this section yet. -MaverickHunterSigma)

"Is it possible that Destruction is messing with it?" Leah asked. "Or maybe even Conquest?"

"It's either Destruction or... her," Ciel shuddered.

"Her who?" Zapor asked.

"Teal?" Leah asked.

"The Fallen Knight..." Ciel said. "Think about it... she's been popping up around every streesful event in Masako's life since their encounter in the future."

"That certainly is a possibility..." Leah noted. "We don't really know her intent after all..."

"Regardless we have a Parley to attend." Zero said. "We need to be careful to make sure things don't escalate. Once this is over, we start working on trying to save Celia and Fey."

"And if things do escalate?" Knave said. "Masako out right attacked Combust. I don't think we'll be getting any aid from him anytime soon."

"If that even was Combust..." Leah noted. "Something about that whole encounter felt strange."

"If it's a fake, it's a damn good one." Knave said. "He's acted like that for as long as I've been a Runic Knight."

"We'll need something to break the life link." Zero said. "I don't trust Combust, or whoever he might be. Is there anything that could break it?"

"Not without their consent..." Leah noted.

"I have an idea." Delta added. "What about the Chaos Emeralds? Could that break the link?"

"Maybe if we had all of them, but we only have four. Era never did come to get them..." Leah said.

"I may know the location of one..." Knave said.

"So then we'll need the others." Zero said. "Anderson, is there anyone in Omegacorp who could find the others for us?"

"Oi, how would I know? I don't work for them!" Anderson complained. "What about Ciel over there?"

"M-me? I mean, my Chaos abilities might be strong and all, but I don't think I'm attuned to the Emeralds..." Ciel said. "Did you guys want me to give it a shot?"

Zero nodded. "If you could find them while we're at the Parley, that would be best. Echo might be able to help you locate them, and you could use Eclipse Manor's telemancy to get to them as quick as possible."

"Neo might be able to help track them down too. He was a thief before all this." Leah suggested. "As soon as I know the location, I can teleport the house to somewhere close by, and then we can send somebody out to get them."

"Meanwhile, Lexi, Masako, and I can go get the one I know about." Knave said. "There's...a legend there that I think Lexi and Masako should witness."

"Then the rest of us should go to the Parley." Delta noted. "If we can't get the rebellion to help us, we might be able to get the Government to help. We at least need to see if they have any information about Conquest and Fey."

"Okay!" Ciel nodded in agreement.

"Very well. Lexi?" Masako looked at her.

"Right. Let's do it!" Lexi nodded.

Part 2 (A): Puppets

Zero sat in the rebel base waiting to be told when the Parley would happen, alongside the rest of the Mythic Knights not working with Ciel or Knave. There wasn't really much that could be done at this point, aside from waiting.

"So, can we talk for a second?" Delta blurted out to the knights. "Did anyone else think that what Teal said when we captured her was weird?"

"She's a mad woman infected with Black Blood." Zero shrugged.

"Yeah, but a team that gains power whenever we gain power?" Delta said. 'Not to mention that whole thing about Trinity being here for something? She called her Cherry Pie, right? What does that even mean?"

"I don't know if that's really our business." Zero told her. "Trinity's got a history with Neo though. From what I gather, it's complicated. She's a Shard of Light though, and Neo's oldest friend. I'm pretty sure out of everyone, she's the least likely person to betray us."

"Teal said she was a ticking time bomb. Is she implying that Trinity gets angry easily, or something else?" Zapor asked.

"I mean that is true." Delta shrugged.

"We don't know a lot about how Trinity's Phoenix worked. Even Leah said that the Mage's Guild had no information on it or how it existed. I guess it explains how the Mystic Magi got sponsered by them or whatever happened..." Zero muttered. "The closest thing we have to Trinity's Phoenix is Natalie's Orochi, but even they seem different."

"True, Orochi seems to be more of a seperate being from Natalie while Trinity and the Phoenix seem to be the same being." Delta said. "Maybe he meant it litterally. Like, Trinity actually is a bomb. She has to explode in fire to use her Phoenix Up form right?"

"What do you know about that anyway?" Zero asked. "Like, what do you get from your screen when it happens?"

"It's weird." Delta explained. "When Echo and Zapor use Full Potential, they're ratings constantly increase the longer they stay in the form. The screen also treats them like they're the still them. When Trinity uses Phoenix Up, the screen acts like it's a different person, and her ratings constantly go up, but they hit a roof depending on how much pain she is forcing on herself. In short, none of it really makes sense. It kind of lines up with Natalie, since the screen treat Natalie and Orochi like seperate people."

"Weird..." Zero huffed. "I just want some answers to all of this."

"Excuse me," A soldier came in. "You're wanted down in the meeting room."

The legion went down to find two very familier faces. The first was Ann Denerim of Crystal City, who stood at one end of a large wooden table. The other was Eliza Hamilton of Viola City, who stood at the other. The two seemed to be in a bit of a talk with one another.

"I'm glad you're here." Ann nodded.

"As am I." Eliza approached. "I've been caught up to speed by one of your members, an angry fox girl?"

"Speak of the devil..." Zero noted. "Yeah, that's Trinity. So you know about Conquest?"

"I've had a hunch for a while, but yes I know everything know." Eliza noted. "Ann and I have talked, and we both have come to the same conclusion. If Conquest is pulling the strings on this war, from both sides, then they're going to make themselves known to all the soldiers coming tonight. In that time of dissarry, we need someone for them to rally behind. As great of the things that you all have done, I do not believe they will be able to rally behind strangers and people who have harmed their friends."

"But they would rally behind someone of noteriety from Otogi. However neither of us can decide on who that is going to be." Ann said.

"Look, let me explain." Eliza said. "Being the Queen that they know, they see me as someone who is capable of holding power. By putting a powerful queen on the throne, we show that I was just as much a victim of all this as they were. I'm already of royal blood by marrying into the family, and as a result, I hold a claim to the throne. The nobles will accept me easily, and I have experience. I am the best possible candidate to lead the country."

"Except when this whole mess is over." Ann added her input. "Aside from the nobles, who cares about the throne?  The best possible thing to do is get rid of it and start a new government, one where the poeple's voice is heard, where absolute power is not held in the hands of one person, but in the hands of the people, who vote on what they want to happen. The people will rally behind someone who has always stood up for them. I don't know if I'd be the best leader, but if I'm the only one advocating for a new government, then I'll run for it! The people will rally behind me because of their morales!"

"Morales mean nothing if the people are dead." Eliza countered. "People don't like change, and people don't like when the power they have been sitting on for years is trying to be yanked out from under them. Your idea is great on paper, and when looking into the long term of this, but in the short term it's a disaster. The nobles will fight against you, the people may become confused, the armies will follow what the nobles say, which means they won't fight for your cause. Instead of military grade soldiers, your army would consist of random citizens who know nothing about war. We don't need citizens right now, we need soldiers. Not to mention that no one likes change, it scares them, and the idea of just starting up a new government out of nowhere, that would scare them."

"You seem to lack the faith and tact of inspired people." Ann told Eliza. "There might be some nobles against my ideas, but I know some will see what I am fighting for, and they will offer their aid to help their people. They may be scared of change, but as you said, in the long term it will help them! We need to make them see that all of this happened because people started fighting for absolute power over a lizard person who we deemed to be worthy of leading us. Look where it's lead us? We've kidnapped people, kids, to fight in our war, we've locked ourselves away from the rest of the world, we refuse to learn anything outside the country! If asked of me, I will lead the country properly, instead of hiding us away."

"We don't need to lead a country right now, we need to lead a war effort..." Eliza said. "In the end, we need to look like a solid unit to the people. We cannot afford to be splintered in anyway. We will leave this decision to you."

(This is a major Tales Decision. Not only will this affect the story and outcome of this season, it will affect the outcome of the Tales of the Echo series as a whole. Zapor and MHS can vote in character, Saren will vote OOC, with Delta speaking his vote in character. Your options are:

Eliza Hamilton

• Wants to recreate a royal family, with one person in absolute power
• Fought alongside the Mythic Knights in the battle of Viola City, after turning traitor on the government
• Logical, Analytical
• Realist
• The country will return to it's isolated state. No one will ever be able to leave or enter this country again.
• No one will ever be able to leave this country again. All problems will be self contained
• Will not become an ally of the Mythic Knights
• Will not fight against Destruction when the time comes
• The people's wants will be pushed down by the nobles

Ann Denerim

• Wants to start a government of shared power, where the people lead the country, (Kind of a  Democracy/republic)
• Used her influence and asked for favors so that the Mythic Knights could admit Sedna into the best hospital in town, allowing the Mythic Knights to say their goodbyes to the dragon. 
• Empathetic, Kind
• Optimist
• The Country will open up to the rest of the world allowing anyone to come and go, allowing new culture and teachings such as Runes becoming a worldwide power.
• May cause another rebellion between the nobles and Ann, but you are sure  Ann would win with the people on her side
• May not have full support at the final battle of Season 2, resulting in a critical injury happening to someone
• Will become an ally of the Mythic Knights
• Will fight against Destruction when the time comes
• The people will be happy

This is not an easy decision. Every user gets one vote. Take your time, make sure to go back through every roleplay this season, and look at everything. The Mythic Knights share a collective pool of information, so almost everything that happened to one knight, the rest know about. The exception to this is the Paralogue, since Saren isn't back to relay this info. Once again, take your time. -Neo)

(Saren votes Eliza.)

"Eliza is right." Delta noted. "We need an army now more than ever."

"And let the people suffer under a tyrant's rein again?" Ann asked.

"Ann, calm down." Eliza said.

"What do the rest of you think?" Zero asked. "Delta is right, we need an army, but is that more important than the people's happiness?"

"Ann has the right of things. The people won't rally behind a cause that they believe is not worth fighting for," Monica said. "It is the will of the people to be able to make their own decisions."

"Yeah, but after being held under the heel of the monarchy, what do these people know about politics?" Rose barked.

"Enough to know that they're tired of being oppressed. You saw what it was like, having to take orders from someone like Combust..." Natalie hissed.

"Zapor?" Zero asked. "What do you think? Will you side with Eliza or Ann?"

"Well, I kinda have to agree with Ann. Sure, the people are probably gonna be clueless about what to do with politics, and the army isn't gonna be all that good if I'm comparing it to an army of actual soldiers. But the citizens spent a long time under someone's rule and that wound up getting some to rebel. If we make another one of that government, just with someone in new management, people might rebel. For what reason, I don't know. Probably because they don't want a repeat of what happened with the last royal family. But with the type of thing Ann has, the people might actually be happy. The whole reason people throw rebellions is mostly because they want their voices heard and since it isn't heard, they go violent. Besides, the main thing about Ann's government thing is that it basically has people thinking of stuff, taking the best ideas that come out of it." Zapor answered.

"Then it's settled. Ann will lead the country." Zero noted. "We can't sacrafice the people's wants just for an army."

"I suppose we did swear to Ann that we'd help her anyway..." Delta noted.

"I respect your decision." Eliza noted. "Regardless, we have very little time before the Parley.:"

Eliza was right, not long after that conversation had started, Combust sat in one chair across from one of the Blue dragons. Guards from both sides filled in the room. Something someone with a keen eye would notice, is that Combust did not have any sort of scar on his face like he should have from what Masako did earlier. He was perfectly fine. "So, what's it gonna be?" Combust asked.

"I would like to make a proposal, let's divide the country up in half, you can take one half of it, and we'll take the other." The blue dragon said.

"What? No, we're not dividing the country in half, I want full power of everything, I want to return everything to the way it was before you killed my father, and I want you and your whole family to be executed for it." Combust demanded.

Part 2 (B): Legends

Knave took Masako and Lexi out of the base and around town. The city hadn't really changed that much compared to when the Knights first arrived. Though it should be noted that many of the citizens smiled or waved at Knave as they walked through the town. "I'm...kind of well known..." He told them as they walked through town.

Knave finally came to a large villa near the end of the street. Knave gave a knock on the door, and it opened revealing a young woman, roughly 17, she was an orange tiger. "Knave!" She hugged the runic knight for sometime before eyeing the other two.

"Carol, this is Masako and Lexi. They're friends of mine from...Piano." Knave bluffed. "Why are you in my house?"

"Your mom and I were talking about stuff." She invited the trio in to a plush room which led to a locked door and two doorways to the rest of the house.

"Oh and uh, this is Carol, she's my...well...that remains to be seen yet." Knave explained.

"Your mom uses the term 'lover'." Carol giggled.

"Ugh, please don't use her words." Knave winced.

"Wow Knave. I didn't know you had a lover." Lexi noted jokingly.

"Ah. Konnichiwa, Carol-san. Is it alright if we sit down?" Masako inquired.

(Canticle)

"I suppose so." Carol invited them into a sitting area with couches and chairs scattered all around. A large array of family pictures had been hung all over the walls. Despite this, very few contained Knave, only two or three, while plenty of the other family members could be shown. "So what's going on?"

"Carol, what can you tell us about the Dragons?" Knave asked.

"I mean, not much that I haven't already told you. Kings, royal family, worshiped as gods a long time ago, omnikinetic, and just about everything else." Carol told Knave.

"I know about that." Knave nodded. "Let me be more specific, I want to know about the tale of Galahad and the Dragon."

"You always did like my stories, huh?" Carol gave a foxy smile. "Well, in some versions of Arthurian legend, it states that Galahad was forced to prove himself before he found the grail. In this version, Sir Kay, Sir Galahad, and Sir Bors all had snuck away from the remaining members of the knights in order to make progress in the quest. During this, they encountered a Dragon who blocked their path. Sir Kay was the first to challenge the Dragon, but the Dragon's power was so great, he never was able to land a hit on him. The Second was Sir Bors, who tried to attack the Dragon, and proved to have stronger mettle than Kay, but his attacks were blocked, nullified, and reflected off the Dragon. Many of the knights recieved the wounds that Bors would have given the dragon if his attacks had hit. Lastly there was Galahad who saw that the dragon was impervious to all known attacks. As a result, Galahad decided to invent a new type of attack, something so different and new that the Dragon couldn't possibly be able to block it. Galahad met with other dragons, older dragons, and combined their essence with the three true elements; Holy, Arcane, and Demonic, what we know today as Light, Void, and Dark, and combined them together to create God's Blood. It's said that this form of attack was what the gods themselves used, and with it, Galahad successfuly slayed the dragon."

"And nothing else happened?" Knave asked.

"Well, it's said that many of the other knights also were able to claim the power of God's Blood. Although they were at able to at different times, Percival, Bors, and Kay got theirs very early on compared to other knights, but eventually more got them." Carol explained.

"Okay, now back to the Dragons. The stories never mention how powerful the dragons are at the start, right?" Knave asked.

"No, while they are being worshiped, they never have to fight anything. It isn't until the first group of invaders appeared, that the Dragons finally used their omnikinesis."  Carol said. "Knave, what's going on?"

"Does anyone else think that's strange?" Knave asked. "The Dragons never demonstrate their power until after people worship them? Sacrafice for them?"

"Maybe it's connected?" Lexi suggested. "Since they were able to make God's Blood, maybe it has something to do with that?"

"Perhaps we should be asking, in whose interests is Combust really working for?" Masako shakes her head. "Lexi, a word with you, if you will."

"Alright." Lexi nodded.

Masako led her into the hallway. "Do you know what this means, Lexi?" She clenched her hand into a fist. "Would it be that my hand were the one destined to slay the wyrm... but if history is correct, then you're the key to Combust's annihilation. So, I ask you now... are you prepared to undergo this task? To bring God's Blood into this world once again, use it to destroy Combust, and then feast upon his eyes?"

"Sure. But where am I supposed to find the three elements that make God's Blood anyway?" Lexi asked.

"Sir Galahad must have left clues about the steps taken to create God's Blood. It was not a secret that he took to his grave, after all," Masako said. "All we need to do is figure out where to look first."

As if on cue, there was a soft thumping sound behind Lexi, a book familier to Lexi sat on the floor behind her, waiting for it to be opened.

Lexi turned around and looked down to find the book behind her. "There must be something about the elements for God's Blood in here." Lexi thought to herself as she opened the book.

The Book revealed that most of the elements are still lying in wait for the next time they are called upon. They currently exist in a place known as Dragonmaw, a former fortess of sorts apparently. The book told that the only way to return God's Blood to this world was to commune with the dragons of legend. Knave or Carol may know more about Dragonmaw's location.

Masako, however, was unable to read the book, only seeing the familiar scribbles that she might be able to identify as Draconic.

Paralogue 3: Karma

The dark room quickly came back into view for Saren as the Deceiver sat back and watched the Lynx with a grin. The feeling of the three orbs in Saren's chest was quite clear, although it was unknown as of now what they did, if Fey's Trust is correct, this could be the turning point of the battle.

"So now you have no gifts left." The Deceiver chuckled apparently unaware of the three remaining orbs as of yet. It may be beneficial to keep them a secret from the Deceiver. "No powers, no gifts, no hope, no chance. Honestly, what did you think was going to happen? Were you drunk when you came in here or just really stupid? Never mind, I'm sure it was a bit of both. I could just kill you here, but we're not done just yet. I want to see you squirm, I wonder how you'd feel about going up against your friends?" The Deceiver raised his hand, and the orbs that Saren had given up all rested on his palm. White puppet strings connected them to the white orb above them, controlling their every move. The Deceiver gave a hearty chuckle as he allowed the orbs to fly into his chest. "Let me show you how powerful true hatred can really be..." His hands were raised and he released a pure white beam of light at Saren.

"Now!" Fey's Trust quickly rushed outwards and took shape, taking part of the blast, while Saren took the rest. It seems that whatever she did, it caused something to change because now Saren was in a pure black room, and standing across from his was Saren's Karma.

No that wasn't quite right, now was it? The pure white beings and different patches of color on his jacket, each one had one of the colors of the stolen gifts. This being was incredibly more powerful than before, since now it seemed to be using Saren's team's hatred as power.

"I'm going to try and free them as they take control." Fey's Trust hummed. "Once they have control, you need to reason with them, this isn't a battle you can win by defeating them with your scythe, you need to talk them. They're being deceived so you need to make them see the truth."

"So I have to talk to them... Well, here goes nothing..?" Saren sighed, tossing his scythe to the side. "Let's talk.."

(Karma - Saren's Truth Theme)

"Nobody really likes this world. They like to hide away from the truth, distracting themselves with whatever little thing they can find." White Saren told his double. "Deceit needs to exist, because people want it to exist. Don't you get that?" White Saren rushed forward, slashing his scythe downwards at Saren's shoulder.

Saren sidestepped the slash before attempting to deliver a palm thrust to White Saren's nose. ".... Eh, can't argue with that really. But like it or not, its the only world we have; so we have to make do with what we got.. Both the good and the bad y'know."

White Saren balanced himself on his scythe, and quickly allowed it to fall backwards so he'd land on his feet. "Good? What good could there possibly be? This is a world where everyone around you dies! A world where no one understands who you truly are!"

An explosion of energy around White Saren caused him to change shape, becoming light blue and taking Trinity's shape. "Everyone around you burns in this world and there is nothing you can do about it!" Her corrutped voice echoed. "How is this world good? DON'T LIE TO ME!" She quickly exploded with darkness, and summoned her daggers out of ice, attempting to stab Saren as fast as she could.

"This is also a world where you can make friends, forge bonds with people and support them as they support you.. You don't have to besr the weight of the world on your shoulders alone." He spoke, crouching down to sweep Trinity's legs out from under her.

"Tragedy can happen, yes, but every tragedy can just as easily be turned into a happy ending if you just try."

"A happy ending?" A HAPPY ENDING?!" Trinity jumped over Saren's leg, and threw one of her daggers at the lynx. "WHERE'S THE HAPPY ENDING FOR THE MYSTIC MAGI? WHERE'S THE HAPPY ENDING FOR SEDNA!? HOW DO YOU MAKE A HAPPY ENDING OUT OF DEATH?"

"The fact that all your trials and tribulations are over, that you can spend eternity with those you cherish in the pearly gates of heaven..? I've died once before so I can confirm there is a heaven and a hell, I can also guarantee Sedna's and the Mystic Magi are in Heaven because if they aren't I will personally go up to god and shove my foot so far up his or her ass that he or she will bur burping out shoe leather."

Saren spoke, rolling to the side to avoid the dagger that was tossed at him.

The darkness around Trinity grew smaller, it seems that Saren was finally getting through to her. "But we failed them. I failed them. I'm just too scared to face what they would think..."

Scared...

"Yes, too scared..." Neo's corrupted voice came and the image of Trinity changed to Neo, wielding Nightmare as he stood against Saren, glaring at the Lynx. "That's what we all are, too scared to face the harsh truth of reality. Why bother living in a world of fear when we can make a world of lies!"

"You and I both know that isnt the answer to anything, because no lie lasts forever; and once it shatters around us we end up left with nothing.. With fear we can atleast replace it with hope.. That's why we fight afterall.. For a better tomorrow, even me I guess.. The traitorous drunk."

"And what happens when we're too scared to fight? There's so much to worry about out there, death, betrayal, Destruction, everything. What happens when we screw up, when one of us dies, and it's all my fault?" Neo fell to his knees and leaned on his sword. "I'm just...I'm scared...scared of the future, of us, of them...of Fey...what will I do if Fey dies, if you all die?"

"Then we die, though death is only permanent if no one remembers.. Death comes for all Neo, even the deathless can die if given a reason.." 

"And what if I'm not the thing everyone wants me to be?" Neo asked. "What if I've just been set up for failure, what if, this whole time, we've just been deceived?"

Deceived...

And that brought White Saren back, his shape taking over instead of Neo's. Looking at him though both the orange and aqua patches were gone, so it appeared as though Saren had done something right.

"Do you enjoy being deceived?" White Saren asked. "Does it thrill you to know that you're being fooled? I only ask because of how much you seem to fall for it."

"That's a part of life dude, of course I hate it and try to avoid falling into the machinations of others like the Deceiver; but no one is all knowing, and everyone can be deceived; all you really can do is pick up the pieces and move forward.. If you're me, or even my Karma you should know that shit by now.."

White Saren clapped his hands. "You're finally learning something for once! Good for you." He said in a patronizing voice. "I'm you, and you're me! I'm the embodiment of everything, your sins, your good deeds, your relationships, I'm all of that. See, when the Deceiver took me in, he gave me the gift of 'intelligence', I know, big word. I'm trying to figure out how stupid you could possibly be. Voices in your head, scythes from out of nowhere, a woman who wants to kill you, that suddenly defects to your side because you had a talk with her? Let me remind you that Echo, Delta, and Zapor, all children by the way, were also given the same temptation that you fell for. Two of which were smart enough to realize it was a trick and the other relied on his friend in order to get help. Meanwhile, you greedily accepted any morsel of  'power' thrown at you and even betrayed the people who were on your side from the start."

"Also, guess again on that all knowing bullshit. Destruction, The Deceiver, and Time Spinner all happen to be pretty omnipotent, and Diety's pretty close to it since he can see the destinies of everything around him! Gods you're dumb, no wonder you're the reason Fey is going to die."

Saren just shrugged. "So, I never once claimed to be smart. Just someone only interested in himself, you're just the piece of me that couldn't catch up to bite me in the ass even with help; so.. Anything else you feel like saying..?"

"Where do I start?" White Saren noted. "I mean there's not really much I can say that you don't know, we're the same person we know the same things. I just think this is pretty pathetic of you. I mean, look at where you were two years ago before any of the Mythic Knight bullshit, you were fine back then, and now? Look at all the weaknesses you've developed! Being with those idiots only makes you weak."

"True, but then again, I actually like those idiots."

"Why? What is there to like about those idiots! You're too stupid to see the truth in front of you!" White Saren told his counterpart.

Stupid...

Leah quickly replaced White Saren's form. "We're all too stupid..." Leah noted. "I've seen what Destruction can do first hand, I know there's no way we can make it out of this. We're not smart enough to stand against a god..."

"Yeah we're all stupid.. But we're also smarter in other things as well; we have eachother's back and we cover our weaknesses by working together Leah, unlike destruction we're a family.. And we'll send his raggedy ass back to hell together, sides.. Challenging a god amd winning requires stupidity to pull off, because that allows for the unconventional, the bat shit crazy yet still able to be pulled off..!"

Saren told Leah, he never was capable of expressing how he felt but he found it easier to do here for some reason. "God knows I'm the biggest fucking idiot here, so if anyone has the right to say this it's the biggest damned idiot around.."

"You don't understand, we can't send Destruction back!" Leah shouted. "Not after what I did, not after the seals opened up."

"Then we kill him, and guess what? If it can bleed, it can die."

"But he doesn't bleed. He doesn't even live, he just is! You've never seen him before, but I've gotten close, I've fallen into a seal, I've seen what it's like down there! No one really even knows how to defeat him, I don't know how to defeat him, and if I don't know then what good am I?" Leah said.

"Why not just give up?" Zero's corrupted voice came as the gift took on Zero's shape. "I mean, if we have no hope, why bother right? Better to spend that time with people we care about then to waste it on finding a method that doesn't exist."

"Why give in? If there's no hope than make it.. it's better to die standing then die on your knees." Saren retorted.

"Well, giving in is certainly easier than working towards a bleak future, no?" Zero asked. "And what's it matter how you die? On your knees or standing, it doesn't really matter. Not like we have some honor to follow anyway. Just accept that Destruction is coming and that we're dead."

"Correction, I don't have honor; and its because I have no honor that I refuse to submit even though it would be more honorable to do so.. Also, a bleak future; its always changing so there's no guarantee what the future is gonna be."

"Do you believe in destiny?" Zero asked. "I do. It's destiny that all of these things happened. It's destiny that we wound up here, that we all met each other, and it's destiny that people die. Sedna, Radon, Bravo, my sister, it was predetermined that they would die, so what's the point of trying?

"Because destiny is a load of horse shit? Seriously, if it was destiny that determined how things went then I would've kicked the bucket for a second time a long time ago and you sure as shit know that. We fight it because we have the power to carve out our own destiny, to make it a better one despite what is tossed our way.. Anyone have a bottle of whiskey for this? For old times sake, even though I should kick the habit?"

"You're in a metaphysical state here, you wouldn't even be able to taste it, let alone get drunk." Zero said. "If destiny isn't real then what? Is it all our fault? I can't live with that guilt. Maybe it was destiny that you avoided death? Maybe it was destiny that everything ends? Can you even say anything about it, you came here because of destiny."_

"I came here because I chose to, destiny is nothing more than a cowards rationale and you know it.. So man the fuck up!" Saren snapped. "Zero is a lot stronger than this!"

"Zero is a broken man too helpless to actually do anything for himself." Zero said in third person. "Do you remember the first person you killed? Zero remembers the first person he killed. It was the first time he had ever used Black Blood. His father, one of the best men he had ever known, died because of how uncontrolled Zero's blood was. His mother was able to soothe him enough, enough that she sealed it away for a long time but not before Zero took her life as well. Combine both of those with his sister, who died because of him, and it's clear why he gave up."

"The first person I killed.. Yeah, I remember him.. The fucker had it coming for the longest time.." Saren mumbled. "Aren't we all broken on the inside anyways?"

Zero's melted away to reveal white Saren underneath. "Are we? And how are we broken, Saren?"

"If you're me then you should know this by now.." Saren sighed. "This verbal game of cat and mouse is quite annoying don't you think?"

"I rather enjoy this game." White Saren said. "Humor me for a moment, what makes us as broken as the rest of the 'knights'."

"The fact that I'm a drunk bastard who'd sell out his friends for the far more reliable gold coins and silver dollars..?"

"Because you're a traitor." White Saren gave a wicked smile. "We're a traitor. So the question becomes one last thing. Will you continue to betray them? Once the Deciever's dead, he'll have that Shard of Darkness still left around, you could just pluck it from his corpse, and have all the power that Destruction could give you." The other half of Saren gave a chuckle. "Of course, who knows what that means you'll have to do to your 'friends'."

"Riiiight... Or I could double cross Destruction and take my powers back using that damned shard..? Possibilities are endless you know.." Saren chuckled, though really if push cane to shove he would just try to find a way to destroy it.

"You're so fucking STUPID!" White Saren shouted to his other. "Do you really think you'll have a choice once you take that shard? Newsflash for you jackass, in case you haven't learned anything from this entire ordeal; the Shards of Darkness come at a cost. Control vs power. Once you take that shard, you give yourself to Destruction until the world is destroyed. You won't have a say in anything you do from the moment you come into contact with it!"

White Saren's form melted into a green version of Knave who sat on his knees, leaning against his sword, which was sheathed into the ground. "Of course, I should of known, right? You're a little like me in that regard. Any chance I can get to rise from my position in life, to change the course of my destiny, I'll take it. It doesn't matter what the cost is. You're similar when it comes to power."

".... In that case, fuck the shard, power isn't fun without control." Saren shrugged. "I'm not gonna trust the guy a second time.. I'm tired of this nonsense really."

"And that's the only reason you won't take it?" Knave asked. "Have you learned nothing from this entire experience? Every time you try to gain more power, you only end up hurting yourself and betraying our trust. Does that mean nothing to you?"

"Because I do it for the wrong reasons.. That's why.. Every time that's happened it's because i'm focused on myself and my loathing of all but a few people."

"So why don't you focus on the people you don't loathe?" Knave asked. "Have you not realized that everyone is going to fucking die, and we're the only people in the entire planet who can stop Destruction? For once in your life can you not be some worthless scum?"

"Let me ask you something, do you think I really even care..?" Saren asked. "Caring only leads to an early grave, something I might've learned the first or second time.. I got myself into this mess because I cared about something, granted that something was me but still. If the world dies who gives a damn? I'm scum to the end and that's how I like it.. I don't want to take the damn thing because I don't care.."

Saren paused, as if remembering something. "By the way, my real reason is because I'm not trusting him a second time."

Knave dropped his sword, getting closer to Saren, getting in his face. "Second time? Second time?! Are we not counting all the other times you trusted him? Cut this fucking loner bullshit and look at what is happening around us! The reason you're in this situation now, is because you trusted a voice in your head more than everyone else!"

Knave gave a smirk. "That's it. You're a slave. That's all you fucking are, huh? Just some worthless slave. Why am I even wasting my time..."

Saren snapped, looking for something to toss at him. "Y'know what? I'm sick of it all..." He walked towards the copy. "How about this? Why the hell should I trust you to begin with, the bitch who wrote a fake letter to stop Echo from getting revived..?"

"And why the hell do you care eh? You're kinda me and i'm kinda you..?!"

"Which is my point to begin with!" Knave shouted at Saren. "We are the same person! There's a part of you who actually wants to save the world! If you're not here because it's the right thing to do, then do it because of the people we can save! Do it to prove everyone wrong! Do it because right now, you're a enslaved by society, by fate, by Destruction! Let us help you!"

"... Fine, I'll let you guys help me.."

(sorry, things have been weird and the recent wiki update just kills it for me thoughni will try to respond sooner.)

"Thank you." Knave told him  and faded away.

Standing there now was Celia, her bow out in front of her. She said nothing, nor did she attack Saren, she simply stood still for a moment. "So, we're being used, is that it?" Celia asked. "I suppose it certainly is a clever tactic to use your own power against you. Of course that's not why I'm here right now. Why should I trust you?"

"Not saying you should, I mean I don't trust myself much these days."

Celia gave a light laugh and smirked at Saren. "Well, guess that's understandable. Maybe you should start trusting yourself. You mght need it to finish off the Deciever." With that Celia finally faded away, returning the White Saren to the battle.

"This is the last one." Fey told Saren. "Once he's with us, we can deal with the Deciever once and for all."

"So how do I do that?"

"Just keep doing what you have been doing. Talk to him." Fey noted.

The White Saren did not move, nor did he say a word, he only glared at Saren.

(When you see this, please take a look at the Tales Decision in Puppets -Neo)

"Soooo... We're both me.. Honestly, why the hell are we fighting again..?"

"You tell me." White Saren shrugged. "What do you hate about yourself?"

"Quite a few things, I'm a compulsive liar.. I have an alcohol problem and I really can't keep friends."

"True, but you know all this. There isn't anything I can really tell you that you won't already know. What do you plan to do after this?" White Saren asked. "Do you plan on fighting Destruction, despite the fact that you will die?"

"Probably."

"Probably isn't good enough." White Saren shook his head. "There aren't any probably's in the world you're about to enter. You've been thrown into a world that you will not be able to escape from. You're options are to side with the Mythic Knights, or side with Destruction. That is where you stand now. Probably, is the same thing that you have been wasting your life doing. You either will or you won't."

".... Then I'll stick with what few friends I have and fight destruction, if I die as a result then so be it."

"Even if Destruction offers you more power?" White Saren asked.

"And we all know where that leads, so yes, even if he offers more power."

White Saren eyed his counterpart up and down. "You and I, we are one in the same, no?"

"Yeah, we are.. So I'm pretty sure you could tell if i'm lying or not, my..." Saren actually starts to cringe at this line. "... Determination.. God that is so gay.."

The corners of white Saren's mouth turned up ever so slightly. "Yeah, it really is." He walked towards Saren, and stood closer to him. "If you want to defeat the Deciever, you'll need to be careful." The other colored orbs came out around Saren as well, Trinity, Neo, Zero, Leah, Knave, Celia, Echo, Sedna and Fey, the people who believed in him.

"He's right, you're getting really close to losing everything." Echo noted.

"We'll be keeping his draining magic from you as long as possible though." Sedna nodded.

"Even with White Saren on our side, things aren't looking as up as I had hoped." Fey said. "Once you're fighting him, it'll be just you, Echo and Sedna. Everyone else will need to find an opening to join you, but once they do you'll start to feel their powers return. All we need to do is stop him for just a few moments and combine our power with the Scythe. We need you to buy us some time."

"Buy time, get odd power up, kill a bitch, got it.. Time for dry martini's afterwards..."