Futuristic An Agent of Maniacles

[TheAdept]

Clayton smirked at Kotsu after watching him fall. He too, had been concerned the pyramid might do something to Kotsu, but didn't think it was very likely.

"That was some nap."

In the late 20th and early 21st century, old men weren't known for their video game skills, but that was over a hundred years ago! Not to mention Clayton wasn't like any other old man. Most old men never even reached 100 years old, let alone 200. Pretty much none of them drank a whole lot of blood either. Clayton could never be like one of those fat unemployed young adults who sat on his ass playing video games all day, but Clayton fucked with them from time to time.

The scene that lay before him reminded him of some he had tried. A chain blocked the way to any terrain other than the one they were intended for. It was like they had to beat on level to reach the next.

It hadn't been that long ago that Clayton had assisted in killing the...thing on the moon. Being a "monster" didn't protect him from being disturbed by the thing he had fought...alongside Joe. The original one. Clayton knew more than the average person about what happened on the island. Not Ace, but something else like the moon monster. He looked at the twins.

"Tell me..." He pointed out at the island and city "Does it seem familiar to you at all? Any memories whatsoever?"

 

[mmarage]

The twins looked over at Clayton as he asked that question. The put a hand on their cheek, the right for 01, the left for 02. "...Mm... well... now that you mention it... we do have some of his memories and... we do remember some things about an island... and... um... those chains too. We've seen them before. Even how they're moving." 01 said.

The two glanced back over to the massive landmass, looking at the forests, the castles, the futuristic cities, the older cities, the strange desert with a giant fish flying through the sky... and they were right. The chains, they were constantly moving, shifting, the chains seeming to constantly be worming their way into the ground or into the pyramid, even though the chains never seemed to run out, or get ripped from the ground or the pyramid. "...It's weird..." 02 said quietly.

 

[GamerCarrot]

Whilst everyone in the group was doing their own separate things Vivian slowly approached Quentin and tapped his shoulder, her arms crossed and her hand rubbing her arm. "Hey, how are you feeling? I know you said you were fine and you can take a hit but you were out for a few minutes." She lowered her hand and moved it to hold his, her fingers sliding between his and holding it but she took it slowly just in case he pulled away. "You kinda scared me for a moment there, what exactly happened while you were out?" She asked. She didn't know if he has heard anything she had said while he was unconscious and a part of her hoped he didn't, since she wasn't quite sure how she was going to explain what she had said. "Plus I didn't get to thank you for the numerous times you helped me, if it wasn't for you I could've been the one injured by that doctor." She gave him a small smile as she spoke "So thank you." She continued.
AbatedBigfoot

 

[KotaKotsu]

Yellow owl sighs. "It's because kotsu, well, I might as well show you."

Yellow owl streams the images of the event into his head, after he see everything Yellow owl sighs and shakes her head. "I know we're the same person, so why do we act so opposite? makes me sad."

Kotsu received the images in a flash, but understood most of what transpired. "Yeah. Also, Owl, I think if that's how you see things, you'd make a great artist with that game you were working on with the Andras. That was three months ago now." He said in response as he smiled at Yellow Owl. "Thank you for the save. I appreciate you helping out. Sam's gonna be pissed off for a while maybe space will be for the best. For now, anyway. If she doesn't come back, I'll seek her out." A bit of a thought bubble appeared next to Kotsu on what her would have to say to apologize for Blue Owl's actions.

Snapping out of his train of thought, he smiled at Yellow Owl again, before turning his head and closing his eyes, sighing in frustration. He glared at Blue Owl.

"I really don't get your problem with thinking everyone's gonna slit your throat either. What the hell's your problem?" Kotsu had a very annoyed look on his face. "Psychology 101, the first conclusion you jump to is the one you're planning to enact. So tell me, who's the real danger here, us? Or you?" Kotsu stayed where he was, but stared hard at her.

"Tell me one thing we've done to harm you so far personally? None of us have turned on you. I even told you I can't kill you when you demanded I kill a clone."

Kotsu sighed before pinching the bridge of his nose in annoyance for a few seconds with his eyes closed. He opened them to stare at Owl like someone who's seen someone stamp their feet to get what they want. He'd dealt with patients similar to her in his trade.

'Seriously? Name a time, other than the manifestations, that have attacked us, any of us have attacked you?" Kotsu pursed his lips. "You were unscathed in the attack on the village when you awoke after we had put out the fires in the village, weren't you?"

"I never said anyone would slit my throat, but I can't rule out that possibility. As i said, i don't know you people. But if i was to guess your true intentions you are using me to get something." Blue owl says with a huff.

"Again do you honestly think the Mianiacles is funding this mission just for my sake? Don't be a fool, how do i know anything you have said to me is true? Lost my memories huh? Or were they taken? tell me what mind altering substance has the masked one injected me with? All of that is possible, as far as i'm concerned I have no evidence of anyones benevolence."

Kotsu stared at her incredulously. "Okay, wow. You have some interesting ideas. You were dead when we found you. We carried you with us when we did. I wouldn't leave your side." Chuckling Kotsu smiled a little bit. "Aria ended up carrying me and you to Quentin's. I guess I was kinda feeling guilty." Kotsu explained before shaking his head. "Hey, no fair! Quid Pro Quo, I exchanged information, now you gotta talk about how you wronged us!" Kotsu counted.

"I did nothing of the sort, Samantha sent her A.I into my lap top where they began to trash everything. I didn't ask for them to be there I merely defended what was mine, as for Joe, The information he wanted destroyed didn't belong to him to begin with. There was no moral law broken from me wanting to keep data neither of us owned. Asides from that I have kept to my self and aided in battle were needed."

Kotsu was stared at Owl with a look of like he had just witnessed someone throw a fit for a candy bar. "Did... Did you ask what they were doing? Because I believe they were ordered to destroy what was on the files in the lab computer. Not yours." His stare more pointed like he was trying to get the point across.

"Offering at least an explanation before attacking? They musta stuck out as strange in some way. I talked to Halo a couple of times. She's a nice young girl. Took a lot of voicemails for Sam." With pursed lips, Kotsu ventured with careful considered words.

"Sam was your friend too, I think. You guys hung out sometimes. Yellow Owl visited her with me in the hospital after... After the Andras." Kotsu stared downward, remembering how she had lost her memory. "That's how we lost you. Ya know. You as one person, you?"

"I don't trust that." Owl says plainly turning away stubbornly, but then glances over her shoulder. "But you know how you could prove to me your good intentions? You let me read your mind."

Kotsu sighed, and smiled wearily. "Some secrets are beautiful to unravel naturally." Walking toward Blue Owl. "Only skim. Don't conjure anything! Don't change any scenary around here!" Kotsu relented, holding out his hand. "Look at the night we spent together... When you told me you trust me the most."

Blue owl smiles certain that he is lying and reaches out for his mind. It was easy now despite yellow owl because he was offering it to her. She dives in skimming the upper most memory and is taken back.

First she feels his love, warm and genuine, it over flows his mind and spills into hers in a wave. She relaxes caught of guard by the emotion and then she feels it, him and her together, entwined in a passionate embrace.

She reels from it jumping out of his mind in shock, so surprised she was she staggers back wide eyed.

"...We...are a couple?" She asks blinking.

Kotsu blushes a bit. "Uh, you kinda rejected me, and I sat under some trees for a while, but I would have liked to have been a couple with you, yeah." Rubbing the back of his neck, Kotsu looked kinda confused himself. "Also, are you okay?" Kotsu looked worried from her jumping back.

"I am serious though. We mean you no harm. You and Sam really were friends."

Blue owl sighs her features softening a little. "No I'm not okay, right now the only memory I have is that my father sold me to my rapists for cash. That and now this apparent love affair I got in with a vampire of all people. No, I'm not okay, I'm not going to be okay for a while."

Kotsu expression hardened. "Yeah, I get it, you don't like vampires. Cool. I'm starting to get the memo that you and Fritz don't like my kind, even though for the most part we didn't really make this choice." Kotsu waved his hand to move the subject on.

"I get you're confused if that's your last memory, and for that I'm sorry. You told me about it that night as well when I told you some secrets are beautiful to find out naturally." Soft eyes and a less sharp tone carried with his words despite the hardened expression he wore.

"It's hard for you to trust people, but at one point you trusted me. I have no reason to lie to you, and you know that. Sam was your friend, don't hurt her or her daughter anymore than you have."

She turns to him. "Answer me this. What did you see in me? the old me that made you want to be with me? What. was I like? I can't imagine I was that sweet."

Kotsu kinda blushed before rubbing his head. "Uh, wow. I didn't expect that. Hm... Let's see..." Kotsu closed his eyes for a moment to think. "Thinking on it? You were honest with me. You're passionate about your opinions, too. Hmm... Kind, that's definitely a trait that you had that made me like you." Kotsu opened his eyes, and stared at Blue Owl.

"You were always willing to go the extra mile to help your friends and comrades as well, even if you didn't really know them. Even warned us about attacks from underground when you barely knew us, and coulda let a bunch of us get swallowed alive by Pests." Kotsu said smiling as if it were a happy memory now. In a strange way? It kinda was.

"Well I can't promise you I will be the same girl you grew to love, we are defined by our experiences after all and I don't have hers. The owl you know is gone, this is who I am now or maybe I was always like this, maybe I am the part of her she tried to hide from you. Well, here I am out in the open, a distrustful manipulative bitter woman with an ax to grind. Do with that what you will." She says with finality.

Kotsu cocked his head at her, his smile dropping to a thoughtful expression.

"You're a part of Owl, whether you like it or not I'm going to care about you. But I'm not going to put you above anybody else either, as you should know by now." He said as he cracked his neck by sharply turning it back to its original position.

"Man, I'm old. More to the point though, you didn't always trust me. The first time you seen me you dove into my mind, I think? You made me think about things that I didn't want to." Kotsu furrowed his brow trying to remember six months ago. Time was irrelevant in a sense when you lived for an eternity.

"You think we all don't have an ax to grind? The twins have just as much of one. I have some axes to grind myself. But I don't take it out on everyone around me, because I realize that behaving like an immature child won't get me where I need to be." Kotsu stared at Yellow Owl and then back to Blue.

"Take some tips from your younger self about how to be mature enough to appreciate things. Like friendship and giving back Sam's daughter." Kotsu pursed his lips. "When you remember what you told me about not wanting to have children with me, let me know. I'd like to have a word with you then." Heading over to the twins, Kotsu stops and beams Yellow Owl a smile.

"Thank you again for being amazing. You keep saving us left and right. You'd make an amazing daughter to anyone lucky to have you as one." Kotsu pulled out a plastic wrapped candied apple from his belt and opened it for Yellow before handing it to her, and walked over to the twins.

 

[AbatedBigfoot]

Quentin was taking in the new scenery when he felt tapping on his shoulders.

"Hey, how are you feeling...."

He squeezed her hand gently. "Yeah I'm fine now." He looked at the ground. He didn't want to tell her but he thought he better be honest. "Truth be told, he hit me. Hit me hard. So hard that it actually almost killed me. Even though I have a demon living in me that grants me this fire gift" he held a fireball in his hand before making it disappear. "I'm still only human so I do have my limits. The only reason I'm still standing is because of the demon actually. Him and I had a talk when I was out. He's granted me another gift. It's sorta like the vampires with there regeneration although mine is different. It's much more powerful but doesn't last as long. There's work in a way that keeps going until they are at 100% and starts as soon as they take damage. Mine only activates when I get really hurt and heals everything back to normal, but that's it. And I don't know how long it takes before I can do it again. My demon and I are on speaking terms. But we're not friends. And while I was talking to him, I heard your voice. That's what kinda snapped me back.

He gave her a hug and kissed her cheek as he pulled back. "I'll always be there to protect you. No matter what. That's just who I am. I want to protect everyone." He looked down and laughed. "Ha, I'm starting to sound like kotsu now.". He turned his gaze back up and looked her in the eyes. "I know you'll worry no matter what, but try not to worry that much okay? I'll be fine. I promise."

GamerCarrot

 

[GamerCarrot]

Vivian felt her heart stop when he said that the attack almost killed him, she didn't let go of his hand her mind racing at the thought he could've died. Her mind eventually calmed down when he mentioned how his demon helped him "Well I guess I have him to thank for saving you." She smiled as her thumb stroked his hand. Even though his demon could heal him she still couldn't help but be slightly worried that it would only activate if he was badly injured, she hid it well behind a smile and avoided touching the back of her neck so that he didn't know she was hiding something. "Try not to test your demons healing abilities I don't want another death scare, I can only handle so many of those. And just seeing you hit so badly was scary enough." she looked up into his eyes, she cared a lot about him and it was written all over her face when ever she looked at him.

All her worries disappeared when she was pulled into a hug and kissed on the cheek, the actions themselves still making her cheeks red. She let out a small laugh at his Kotsu comment, kissing his cheek "Yes but with you it works. Although if you are going to protect me expect me to do the same, I may not have a demon to heal me but I'll still protect you and you can't stop me." she smirked "I also can't promise I won't worry about you but I'll try." She looked away and down at the ground gathering up her courage before opening her mouth to speak "You said you heard my voice... by any chance did you hear what I said?" she asked.

 

[AbatedBigfoot]

Quentin smiled. He liked being around Vivian. He could only imagine what it would be like in the real world. He raised his hand and caressed her cheek. "I did hear one phrase from you. It was a quiet one too. You said I need you. After that I woke up rejuvenated and ready to take the doctor on myself. You give me like this weird power that lets me surpass my limits.".

 

[Exzalia]

Sand lands
chapter 3

Where art thou?
​

"Alright guys lets focus shall we?" Bickle says interrupting their bickering. "We're back were we started in the sand lands, we need to find owls villiage again. And this time, no digging."

"But I like the cats." yellow Owl pouts.

"I'm sure Kotsu will buy you one in the real world, not how do we get there again?"

Yellow Owl hops tot he front it the group. "Turn around, take ten steps backwards facing south, and then hop on one foot."

"What?" Blue owl crosses her arms.

"Just do it!" Yellow owl spins around takes ten steps back, hops on one foot and vanishes. They all stare at the spot she used to be and then look at each other.

"Oooh that looks fun." Khepri says with a clap, "I'm liking life outside the lab already." She does the same vanishing with a hop on one foot.

They all do it, and in a moment they are there right out side owls villiage. Little houses scattered about a small fences area with cloths lines and dirt raods and a river that flowed peacfully by. There were no people in this villiage it was deseretd as if everyone living their had just yesterday got up and left bringing nothing with them.

Carts sat in the dusty street, childrens toys lay at the front of houses, a ball rolls down an alley. The villiage was small, peacful, and empty.

When Blue owl arrives she starts staring at the place of her child hood.

"I'm beginning to remember things." Blue owl says walking forward. As she says this little jewels of light manifest in at certain points in the villiage hanging in the air like stars.

Yellow owl touches one and they experience a memory, all of them as if they were their.

It was a memory of owl whe she was five playing hide and seek with her father, she would dash around the house as he counted. Then he would walk after her and spot her in the terrible hiding places that five year olds try to use. In this memory Owl had hidden her face with a basket exposing her legs. Her father pretended not to see her and calls.

"Cova? Where are you? were did my little bird go? I can't find you anywhere."

"Boo!" Cova jumps at him throwing of her basket and jumping at him, her father fakes being surprised before picking her up and spining her.

"You scared me! I had no idea where you were, your so good at hiding!"They laugh together, and the memory fades away back into owls mind.


There is a sad smile on blue owls face, one of that quivers with longing, and pain, she finds another one.This time they see her mother rocking her baby brother who would not stop crying. Cova now six walks up to her tired looking mother and says. "Let me."

Cova casts her mental magic on her brother and he instantly calms. Her mother looks at her amazed. "How did you?"

"I gave him a sweet dream." Cova says happily. "He's crying because his tummy hurts by the way."

Her mother justs stares at her with concerned eyes, then the memory ends.


Yellow owl picks up another memory shard this time it is at night. fearful villagers stand pitch forks in hand shouting angrily at Owl who is ten now, they call her demon, witch, they thrust at her and she backs away. But she has no where to retreat to they have her cornered at the side of their mosque. She's crying, she's terrified and who saves her but her father.

He come between her and the angry villagers trying to reason with them and promising them that if they harmed his little bird he would die protecting her.

The memory ends. They find another shard.

This time it's owl at eleven running home her head and back being pelted with rocks by the other children who shout and taunt her.

"Witch!" They yell. "Stay away from us, stay away from our school, demon!" Cova runs home, runs into her fathers arms and cries, he pats her on the head and comforts her with sweet nothings, the memory ends.

The last memory, it is of her and her father having a talk with her. They tell her it's not safe for her to be alone, that the villagers are afraid of her, and that she must not use her magic. Cova nods and promises never to go into peoples heads with out their permission They hug. the memory ends.

Several more memory shards lay through out the village, but Blue owl had had enough. "I don't like seeing his face." She says bitterly.

"We won't be whole until we see all of them." yellow owl says. "I know it hurts but we have to keep going."

"Just give me a break." Blue owl says sounding tired.

​

 

[KotaKotsu]

As the Owls went around discovering new shards, Kotsu was doing inventory to make sure his supplies had completely restocked. Much to his surprise, it had. He had more elemental bombs, healing vials, even cigarettes and alcohol. But most importantly? He had more blood packs. Biting into one and draining it of its contents, he followed along while making mental notes to himself and staying quiet.

 

[mmarage]

The twins still were lost in thought as they did as Yellow Owl had asked. What had been up with that strange landmass? Why the barrier? What was it trying to keep inside? Who? Why... did that island exist, and why were those chains there? What was up with all of those weird landscapes locked behind them...? They shook their heads and focused on this for the time being. They would have to just investigate that place later once the Owls were finished with their business.

The two looked at all of the crystals floating through the air, but didn't touch them once they realized they were Owl's memories. They had been planning on avoiding touching them, or looking at the memories, but since their minds seemed to have been linked with the two Owls, they couldn't exactly avoid looking at them out of respect. They just didn't comment on what was happening for the time being, until Blue Owl had begun complaining. The two looked at Blue Owl and rolled their eyes at her. "...Don't run away." 01 said with a cold edge to his voice.

"These memories might be painful, but they're yours. We haven't all risked our lives to try and get you to become whole again for you to try and avoid facing your past. We haven't put up with you because we like you in particular." 02 said, setting a cold glare at the Blue Owl. Even after all she had seen, after everything that she had known the twins and even her own clones had been through, she had been more than willing to take the risk and keep whatever was on that laptop.

The twin's expression lightened when they looked over at Yellow Owl. "But not you, Yellow, we actually do like you, and you seemed like a pretty decent person when you were whole too." 01 pitched in, not wanting to upset the younger, and actually kind part of Owl.

02 even gave her a thumbs up. "Keep up the work." He said, giving her a smile.

 

[GamerCarrot]

His hand on her cheek makes her smile more, leaning into it she looks up at him. "While you were out I was a bit scared you were gonna die on me and I didn't like that thought, so I said it in hopes it'll bring you back and it did. And it's true that I do need you." She moved closer and placed her hands on his shoulders and leaned in, she was close to kissing him when Bickle reminded them all of their mission and stopped her in her tracks. She laughed "We should continue this later huh?" She said, just now realizing that when ever she was around Quentin she forgets about her worries and everything else. Removing her hands from his shoulders she turns and does as the yellow owl said to be transported into owls village where memory shards surrounded them.

 

[KotaKotsu]

Kotsu approached Sam hesitantly as she was standing off in a corner pissed off. "Hey, Sam? Can we talk?" Kotsu said to Sam in a careful approach. "I'm here to uh, apologize for Owl's behavior. I told her to free your daughter. And explained how you guys were friends."

"That is not Owl," Sam almost shouted, "That is a monster." Her eyes were red, like she was on the verge of tears.

Kotsu sighed deeply. "In a way, it is." Kotsu offered her a cigarette and his flask. "She's the part of Owl that doesn't seem to trust anybody. She's doesn't remember anything."

"She's gonna remember when I put a bullet in her brain," Sam snarled as she lit the cigarette with a puff of fire. Perk of Hephaestus, he's the god of fire. "Or maybe I'll electrocute her. I'm still tossing ideas around."

Kotsu squared his shoulders. "You hurt her, you're liable to hurt the Owl we know. And that wouldn't be good for multiple reasons too." Kotsu pulled out an interesting looking cigarette, and when he sparked it there was a sudden odor in the air. "Sorry. Calms my nerves. But I have a feeling she'll listen to you. All you gotta do is talk to her. I told her she should have talked to your kids too." Kotsu said with a bit of a smile. "Halo? How are you doing?" Kotsu called out to the A.I. in the armor.

Halo must not have felt like showing herself, because only her voice came out. "I'm a little busy, Kotsu." She sounded about to the point where, were she physical, she'd be tearing out her hair and plotting a gruesome murder.

"Just talk to her, okay? Violence doesn't always have to be the first solution. Trust me on that." Kotsu walked away, smoking and walking off. "She'll give back your daughter. I know she will. I'm just sorry for this. I'm here for you, as your friend." Kotsu gave Sam some space.

"Thanks, Kotsu," Sam stamped out the cigarette butt in the sand. "But I will kill her if I have to. That's one part of Owl we can do without."

"You won't need to kill her. She's just like a little kid stomping her feet constantly." He called back.

 

[Kinggunlucky]

Interlude - Unit 45/Part 1

LOCATION - Maniacles HQ


The Maniacles research facility was something Agent Denise Gray had never entirely gotten used. They were a key part of the organization sure, but the biological experimentation side of the business was...less then reassuring. Rumors abound the place, what the directors allowed to happen here.

She heard all of them, the majority at least. Cloning, attempts to create the ultimate vampire, and all sorts of freaky shit she would have rather not had to think about. However, the not thinking about it part was becoming increasingly difficult. The first floor was organized very much like a hospital. The long white hallways, doors on either side of her, a certain too clean smell in the place, as if the air itself had been sterilized. Miranda wrinkled her nose and blinked away tears.

Each door was numbered, 1-20, behind them were monsters. It wasn't anything she hadn't seen before of course. First floor meant low security, experiments that wouldn't be a problem. Modified vampires. Docile clones. Enhanced soldiers.

Denise approached the elevator at the end of the hall, using her security card to open it, and clicked on floor 0. The basement. She breathed, doing her best to steady her heart. A Xanax would have been nice. She regretted not bringing them. Going down in a place like this was oppressive by nature, like agreeing to go have a business in one of the lower pits of hell. She listened to the hum of the elevator, doing her best to focus.

Men and women in lab coats buzzed around her, talking fast, moving quickly, and generally regarding her with annoyance. Not an obvious annoyance, no. The type which makes you feel out of place, like a nail screaming to be hammered down. She wore no lab coat. Denise dressed according to what the mission would ask for.

Today it was green fatigues, military style boots, tight light beige shirt, no makeup except a touch of dark red lip stick, and her black hair cut in a pixie style. She'd done it yesterday.

Maniacles paid amazing, the benefits were even better, and for the most part she'd made it. Field Agent is one of the harder positions to obtain. Denise, in her decade with the company, felt she had more than displayed all the qualities needed to be and The Directors apparently felt the same. She handled Unit 45, replacing the former agent and her mentor after she retired. It took intelligence, ruthlessness, respect, and loyalty. Denise like those traits, like having them as part of her personality. They were respectable. Her team respected them.

Their mission success rate so far was 100 percent. Fifteen high risk situations handled without to much trouble. Three of here people had died so far - the ice mage, Terrance Dooley, and,the sharpshooter, Potland Reis , cases seven and eleven respectively. She frowned at the memory of Terrance's head being separated from his body. The mission had been to kill or capture a group of mermaids that had been terrorizing a local village. Denise and her unit had proudly returned the favor to each of the maids.

Denise arrived at the basement, putting on face so impassive and hard an armor piercing round would likely bounce off it. The basement was huge. A warehouse underground practically. There were rows and rows of tall, ceiling reaching shelves, boxes and

Denise walked towards the center of the room, taking in the mission. Six white pods sat in a circular position. Several dozen tubes hung from the ceiling, feeding into the ends and sides of each pod. There was a larger machine above as well. The source of tubes. A large boulbous metal structure, low green lights flashing on it.

Staring at it was...off putting,. Cold. The harshness of a technology made for a bitter purpose and a cause so complex one may consider madness a better alternative than to try to comprehend how it works. Denise had heard a god had assisted in its construction.

She was the first arrival it seemed?

Denise snapped to attention realizing she wasn't alone as two other stepped forward to meet her. Director Fleece. An elderly woman, at least sixty, grayish brown hair done in a bun, curiously ...almost yellowish eyes, and a permanent scowl on her wrinkled face. The second was one of the higher ups of the research team. Miranda Faust. A woman of African and Asian descend, long dark hair reaching her back, a silver badge pinned to her white lab coat.

Faust smiled.

Denise felt her a chill run through at it, she barred her teeth, doing her best to return it.

"Agent Gray," Director Fleece said. "Punctual as always. Your team is on their way I assume?"

"Affirmative Director," Denise replied. "They'll be here shortly. So are these the Pods? The one you briefed us on. Will they really take us to another world? The Sandlands."

"They will," Faust cut in. "We'll need - "

Fleece held up a hand to get the woman to shut up. Thank God. Director Fleece said, "Yes. We'll go over things again once everyone else arrives."

Harry had started to come down the elevator maybe 10ish minutes after the Field Agent had entered the room of directers a floor below him. His weekly check ups and reinforcments for his enhancements brough him very close with some level 1 dctors and even subjects, if allowed near him. Harry did have his temper, but tried his hardest to keep a solid complexion.

With the elevator grinding lightly to a stop on level 0, Harry strutted out. His normal outfit, complete with his customly make full suit and as always, his favirote gun strapped to his back or slung on his shoulder. While he walked through the halls of white and absolute coldness, he didnt feel unnerved. More over, he felt excited. He always loved a bit of detach from humanity. Be it himself or his enviroment

As Harry walked in the door, the Directors and Field Agent had already taken stance, waiting on him and whoever after were to come. Harry stood to attention seeing the Field Agent and the suspected Directors
"Present Field Agent"
He had a cold, echoing announcment from his face mask and general voice. He could notice the oddle placed machines but really payed no thoughts just yet.

Senya had joined Harry in the elevator as well. They both had been evaluated by doctors to confirm their health levels. Once approved, they were allowed access down to the lowest level of the facility. Senya looked down at her arm during the silent elevator trip down. The flickering lights reflected on the brushed metal of her arm. “Impeccable as always…” she said as she gradually closed her artificial hand into a fist. She didn’t expect Harry to reply. Their relationship was strictly professional and he was a man of few words.

The elevator doors open, and Senya stepped in to the familiar light of the laboratory. She always wished she could work with them down here. To her, this was a more comfortable place to conduct work. She never argued her position seeing as she was good at it.

She followed Harry closely behind and when she approached the room with all the Directors, she politely bowed her head to display her respect. “Good evening, directors.” She circled around to take her place beside Agent Gray, her demeanor serious and calm as always. She looked at the pods from the corner of her eyes and wondered what business needed to be conducted with them. She refrained from speaking, however, awaiting orders as she always did.

Denise gave a genuine smile at the arrival of Henry and Senya. They were good people. Two of her best. And having them present felt like balancing the room out. She looked passed them to see if the others were coming. They weren't not yet.

"Senya, Henry," Denise nodded. "How are you two doing? Pretty nice set up they made for us. This is going to be very Matrix."

Agent Fleece stared at the two mercenaries, a level gaze, unreadable. "

The elevator opened again, revealing three faces that were familiar to Denise, Senya, and Henry. Their teammates. The vampire Dora, over fifty years old, tanned skin, and trapped in a pre-teen state. Ageless. She had on a purple shirt, yellow pants, and hiking boots. Her strength, durability, and speed was extremely formidable. The greatest physical thread on the team in terms of raw power. A red eyed monkey walked beside her.

Fleece scowled at it.

The monkey scowled at it.

Dora gave a friendly fanged grin to Senya. No malicious intent in it. She spoke with a thick Mexican accent. "Hey what's up?" she noted the pods. "Freaky stuff isn't it, Beets?"

The monkey hissed in agreement.

Two men were behind her. Phillip Nelson. Shaved head, tall...six foot, broad shoulders, wearing a wife beater to show off the tattoos covering every inch of him, and a nasty smirk on his face. He was always smirking.

Their final member was a mage. much like to Denise herself, only instead specializing in wind he preferred to tap the Earthy elements. Rock and sand. Felix O' Flex. He dressed in fatigues much like Denise, a gun at his hip, and a baseball cap covering his long dark hair Denise imagined his skill set would be the most useful going where they were. It was part of the reason she volunteered her team to be ones to go in second.

Felix's ability provided a near perfect control of the area.

Felix gave a nod to Henry and Senya before settling his eyes on the Pods.

Harry looked around the room and held a heavy composure. He scanned the pods and people, literally and figuratively, with a emotionless movement. He cared little if any amount for ths people in the room. Not to say he wouldnt risk himself for the people in the group, but beyond that, he cared less of them then he did dirt on the road. Work was the only concern that brought him with these people.

"We are ordered here why? So you can poke and prod us in a glass tube?" Harry was joking and suprisingly chuckled a little. It wasnt faked but wasnt full hearted either. It just had a off feeling about how it felt in the atmosphere. Along with that, he seemed almost lost. His voice had no direct emotion or person really. He was physically there but his mind was wondering.

He took many moments to visualize each person in the room dying. Not out of hate but fun almost. Every time he had more of a smile. Hidden by his mask he was almost psychopathicly grinning. It was his favirote daydream. Seeing his enemies burn, or people in general burn. It didnt matter, one way or another. He did put a small halt on the idea of Senya burning though. He almost choke up mentally. Something just kept the thought feom fruition and threw him back to a more focussed and attentive mindset. He was blocking off his emotional and mental process now, for the sake of work.

Though contrasted in personality and and fashion, Senya enjoyed Dora's energy. It was very unapologetic even in the presence of her superiors. She leaned her head back and out of Agent Gray's view to look at Dora and Beets. She returned a smile of acknowledgement, and we would have said more if their bosses weren't around observing their professionalism. Surely by now The Directors understood the lack of it, but Senya always held high hopes that everyone would remain in order in the presence of their employers. She nodded towards the other two before returning her attention to Agent Gray.

Curious to know more about the reason for this conference, Senya leaned in to address Agent Gray in a low voice. Though, Denise Gray had no doctorate in anything, her experience and knowledge as well as her impeccable leadership skills in the field had earned Senya's respectful title of 'doctor'.

"Doctor, what is going on here? Is everything alright?"

"Yeah, Denise. What seems to be the problem?" Phillip had impeccable hearing and he squinted with that awful smirk of his as he tilted his head and crossed his arms confidently. "What, did we drive you to insanity so now you're putting your toys away for a goodnight's eternal sleep?" Harry reached his arm to scratch his chin, releasing a hearty chuckle.

"No way," Denise said to Phill.

She stared at her team, feeling proud, feeling like a million.


"Son of a bitch, you've actually done it." Phil uncrossed his arms and walked around to where the pods were, and with the back of his knuckles, knocked on the dome of one of the pods. "I ain't got no questions except, when are we starting this shit? I ain't got time to waste with tea time. It'll feel like an eternity in there and I'm not getting any younger." Phillip set the tone for the team, and he was quick to dismiss everyone's questions, including Senya's.

There were many assignments that the group had survived through. Some very ethically horrifying, but nothing terrified Senya more than the Sandlands. It was an unknown world beyond what she understood. She felt a sharp cold pain up her spine as she turned her full attention to the pods. She didn't want to go and she wanted to tell doctor Gray that. But she, like everyone else in the group, had signed the contract and in the fine print of the Terms & Agreements, she was obligated to accept every assignment without protest.

"Will you be coming with us, doctor? I imagine so." Senya wanted the support that Agent Gray provided, her eyes turning to look at her directly. Her authority and optimism brought Senya much comfort.


Harry huffed and started to come down from his mental high of insanity. He nodded and grinded his teeth a little. He held no hopes for this mission. A dreamland? Really? Now they had to be fucking around.

"Ok, so you are saying we are to do a operation where we are asleep yet still taking action in a entire different plain? Thats insnane. If seen the shit you guys do and make but this is just, impossible. And what id the purpose of even having a gate in between? Resources that may or may not exsist?"

Harry wanted to work but this had to be a joke. Its right out of a fucking book or cartoon. Its just not on his book of possibilities to have a dreamland, accesible by people. Just, outerworldly.


Denise nodded at Senya. "I will be coming. This is an all hands deck job. We'll be sticking close, taking it slow, and playing it safe. Director Fleece gets updates from Director Ward every couple hours or so. He's been overseeing the other team. They haven't had it easy. The world has been constructing enemies and landscapes out of their memories...is that right?"

Fleece nodded. "Yes, the Sandlands seem to be responding to our presence there negatively. The Unit already inside has been getting hammered ever since they arrived. Thankfully they've already secured us a small amount of territory there, but due to others obligations they've had to go deeper and deeper. You all will be going in as support."

Fleece tgeb addressed Harry's question, staring at him.. "No jokes. The Sandlands do exist. I would suggest you adjust your mindset about what you think is possible. The reason is simple. Expansion. We want to have gates in between here and there, start building technology around monitoring it, see if if patterns can't be discerned. Understanding the Sandlands would give Maniacles free access to the psyche and dreams of nearly everything on the planet. Human or otherwise."

Denise's heart skipped a beat. Heavy. Pretty unethical to. She closed her eyes and thought of the paycheck. She turned to her team. "You see?" She asked them. "This is big. Bigger then big. It would give us a huge starting advantage on our most dangerous and wanted enemies"

If the other group needs our aid, then we have no choice but to enter the Sandlands. Doctor Gray is right." She would've checked her equipment to make sure she had everything she needed, but there was no need for that where they were going. "Do we need to change into a different uniform? A sleeper suit or anything?"

"No," Denise replied. "The way Dr. Faust explains is that all we need to do is enter the pods and we'll be taken there. In regards to gear we'll provided everything we need once we enter via portal technology. I'll have the means to do so once we are inside. The terrain, I've been told, to be mostly sand and desert, but is liable to change and alter."

"It seems relatively sentient," Faust said. "We still aren't entirely sure. We have determined that it is just as big as we though. The other Unit hasn't even scratched the surface. Note, appearances are also liable to change there. A reflection of how you perceive yourself. So try not to be stunned when you look at each other there."

Dora's brown eyes shone with curiosity. "So are we really only just going in there to back them up?"

Director Fleece actually smiled.

Denise is the one who replied, though. "Unit 37 is the one currently in the Sandands. They are retrieving the memories of a member of their group. The who lost her memory is called Owl. Helping her was part of the deal their Field Agent cut so we could get inside The god Dionysus considers the woman an investment. We consider the Sandlands an investment. So see how it all works out?"

"So not just support?"

Denise shook her head. "Support is going to be the most critical aspect, but the Directors believe's Unit 37 cannot be entirely trusted due their actions recently. According to Agent Ward the clearest points of threat Owl, Kotsu, and Quentin Coldwater, All may have reasons for turning on Maniacles. Owl is the one to watch, though. Her memories are gone, but she's immensely powerful in the Sandlands. We're going to be an extra set of eyes. "

"Yes," Director Fleece cleared her throat. "Agent Fisher is...somewhat sentimental as all agents tend to get towards their own Units.

"Wait a sec," Phil said. "If we kill this bitch won't that god be pissed?"

"Which is why we will do everything in our power to ensure that it doesn't come to that," Denise said. "We are going there to help Agent Fisher keep them in line and to back them up. No fighting. Engaging them in direct combat would likely result in our deaths. We're all the same team."

Unit 37 was a fair bit larger than their own, frequently called in for jobs that were going to be of higher level of violence than usual. They were led by Agent Denton Fisher. The group, among the other Units, were considered morons by and large. Denise certainly did. Not due to their failures, no. In fact they had some of the hardest hitting soldiers and a very good success rate. But they made a lot of noise, frequently disobeyed the Directors, and were generally ...just weird.

Denise wanted little to do with them. She liked being in charge, working with her group. A joint operation with another Unit wasn't something she had ever done, but this...this would be her and her Unit's standing within Maniacles. They were already well liked and respected, yes. Good workers. Everyone at Maniacles had to be some level of good worker, really. But a mission to the Sandlands as support would be their ticket.

Pay raises, more days off, perhaps even no more combat based missions. Denise let herself be giddy at the possibility.

"Any further questions?" Director Fleece asked.

Harry refused to take off his suit. It wasnt out of fear or worry, but that he had never needed nor wore a different suit in over 8 years. He even considered it a part of his skin, and if he could, it would be sewn onto his skin.

"If that special suit is needed, I refuse to take this mission. Its my only request i get to keep on my current apparel. Other then that I will comply"

Harry almost had a sound of urgency in his voice. It seemed to be heavily caused by a almost warding tone and sheepish explusion of air and words.

"The suit can remain," Dr. Faust said. "Once you're in the Sandlands we have no control over what appearance you all take."

THE SANDLANDS

All six members of Unit 45 asked their final questions and prepare themselves. Denise, Senya, Dora, Henry, Felix, and Phillip. Beets had to be left behind. The Pods were a tight fit for some of them.

The uncomfortable feeling doubled in Denise's stomach when the pods shut. There was wrongness to it, a coldness to the devices. She would't call the doubt that lodged itself into her mind fear. No definitely not fear. Fear comes from not having seen enough, from not having lived. Denise had lived. She'd seen the worst monsters the planet could produce, fought them. Her earliest missions were wrought with heart pounding and brain breaking fear. Now the monsters were normal, the job simpler, easier. Denise closed her eyes as the pods began doing their job.

Sleep came at some point. sneaking up on her as it is liable to do at times, as if the Sandman had assassinated her. Denise saw no dreams in the darkness, heard no voices, no thoughts really. A sense of movement, maybe?

A gentle wind tickled her face. Denise opened her eyes, mouth falling open, and a gasp escaping her. The others were beginning to arrive now as well. Before them lay an endless expanse of sand. In the distance there were sand hills and further out there were ruins.

The visual stimulation was overwhelming. Denise stared at the sky and quickly tore her gaze away from it. It had a dark purplish red tinge to it. Stars were closer, brighter. The clouds were moving, interacting with one another, and they came in all shapes and sizes. Monsters, angels, children drawings. A myriad of creation and creations.

Steady yourself girl, Denise thought, steady. You've dealt with the supernatural before.

"Damn," Dora groaned, voice lower than usual, as she started to stand up.

The vampire had changed genders and clothes. Her purple swapped for brown adventure type gear.

Felix was helping up Phillip. Felix was gone. Or invisible. Basically a walking robe with a floating beard. The kind of robe you'd expect an archemage in a book or video game to wear.

Denise took stock of herself. Panic came fast, but she Her skin had changed ...in fact it wasn't skin anymore. It had taken on a grayer and rock like quality - similar to granite, hair completely gone leaving her bald, and waterfall like tears constantly streaming from her eye sockets. Denise choked back a scream. Appearances would change. It's what Dr. Faust had said, but what was this? Jesus.

Denise placed a hand over her rock body's chest, searching, and only breathing out a sigh of relief when she heard the barely audible sound of her heartbeat.

"This is it," she said quietly. "We're here."

"Guess it wasn't bullshit, huh." Felix asked Henry as he took in the scenery..
Harry seemed normal enough. He had his same armor on and even his gun, although unkown to him, it was non functioning. He nodded at Felix's remark and huffed. It was fucking real.

"You know Felix, you are one lucky bastard sometimes"

Harrys voice seemed to fade in and out of pitch. Almost like a ghastly figure trying to talk. It seemed as if even Harry himself was now made of black mist or smoke. It seemed to pour out of the crevices of Harrys armor, taking up into the air as soon as it escaped the armor. All but Harry seemed to notice his new voice and maybe even new body.

Harry though, took off his face mask, and complained of the sand all gunked in his mesh and metal lining. With the helmet and mask remival, it revealed a figure of smoke, black as night but still showing a outline of a person, and a small showing of almost a skull was shown, and was encompassed by smoke all over.

It took little to no effort for Senya to enter her deep R.E.M sleep and the transition into the Sandlands had been successful and with no complications. For a moment she lay still, the cool sand upon her back as she inhaled slowly, taking the time to take in her surroundings. She got up to examine herself to make sure all was well, but was alarmed to see her body had changed.

She no longer was herself. Her whole body resembled a glowing light, bare or and bright among the contrast of the sands. There was no color pigmentation on her; only a gradient of black and white. The black started from her legs and hands, but it gradually faded into a pure white, covering her entire head, shoulders, eyes and hair. She looked down at her hands. She had a hand. Not the mechanical limn she had worn. Senya moved her hand around and knelt down to collect a handful of sand. She couldn’t believe how real it felt. Her long white hair fell over her shoulders as she looked down. “We’ve made it…” she echoed.

"This is too freaky," Denise said, taking in everyones new appearances. She wanted to rub her eyes, deny it. It was all somewhat off putting. She looked from her team to the sky again.

Did we bite off more than we could chew? She thought.

Denise searched where her pockets would have been and found a small disc like device. She tapped the disc and tossed it on the ground. The device blinked blue several times, before expanding, and blue electric light energy began crackling it.

"They'll be pushing weapons we can use through this," Denise sad. "Are all feeling okay? Do the bodies hurt?" She tested her rock like arm, doing a curling motion. It felt no differently physically than her normal one and the tears pouring from her eyes weren't actually making it hard to see either. So strange.

Harry just nodded and looked around. He really hadnt been able to tell the difference between his old body and this one. It was almost like he never changed, atleast for him. Outside of that, the smoke that wisped off of Harry seemed to smell of pure death, of cracasses rotting and almost seemed to smell of what war is. With that Harry, for what it was worth, smiled at the naming of weaponry.

"I have my baby right here, although it seems it has no ammo and is jammed with dirt. Is it possible for ammo and a brush of sorts to be pushed through? I really have no idea as to how it came to this condition"

Harry was perplexes by the condition of his gun. It wasnt like this before, obviously. But the lack of ammo rattled his brain and the amount of sand astonished him. His gun was almost like trash if he wanted to use it. It would take a hour or so to clean. His smoke though, no matter, still poured out a stench of hellish death.

Unfortunately for Senya, there were no weapons to her form which made her very vulnerable. She approached Denise and turned to look at her, observing the tears in her eyes before turning to look at Harry. The dark smoke around his identity engulfed him and filled the air. She personally couldn't smell his decay, perhaps some reflection of his being rather than hers and that's probably why she couldn't sense it. She neared him and waved her black hand carefully over what she could identify as his face. The smoke trailed off her fingers without much result.

"Does it hurt? Can you see?" It was difficult to keep focus on the main mission. It was her first time in a completely different world and it was taking her some time to adjust. She understood that time was probably essential, but that didn't stop her from curiously examining everyone's interpretation of themselves.

Denise caught a whiff of Henry as well and took a step away from him. A rock nose did nothing to defend the putrid and burning odor of decay. In response to Henry's question, though, the large disc began to flash and the reality of the Sandland's it occupied distorted for a moment.

A box of ammo, medical supplies, assault rifles, healing and magical replenish, grenades, pistols. Everything a Unit could want. Denise beamed at the delivery and quickly began going through it,

Dora laughed at Senya and then laughed even harder as she started poking the girl's bizzare new skin. "You really lucked out dude. Your form is really tantalizing. It's like staring at one of those really beautiful nature occurrences."

"I look like a walking nightlight." She playfully complained with a smile and turned to look at Dora who's finger was prodding at her waist. Senya wasn't naked but it just seemed that way because of the glow. If anything it was more of a solid skin-suit that covered her from head to toe. "I do hope it fades seeing as it'll make us all vulnerable if I'm spotted from a great distance." She looked into the crate of supplies and was relieved to see a sniper rifle among all the items. She picked it up, along with its ammo, and strapped it to her back.

"I'll keep a distance if that's alright. I can post when given a signal. Doctor, what exactly ARE we doing? What are our intentions here? Or better yet, what are theirs?" Senya questioned as she clipped the belt to her waist.

Harry snapped his attention to Senya when she asked the question. He hadnt really been able to tell a difference yet but had felt something off. He was cold. Like a corpse kind of cold. He felt dead yet still breathing.

"All is well I suspect. Besides feeling freezing but not wanting to shiver or cover up, everything checks out"

Harry had also smiled a deathly grin at the ammo and tools arriving. He walked to the distortion and started to go to work on his gun. He almost seemed to be the legend of death. The reaper. The man coming to take your life away. And if not, his putrid smell and almost horrifying skeletal grin would make you say otherwise. He seemed calm though, as he would be in reality.

"We're here to support Unit 37," Denise said. "We're here to do to do exactly what Director Fleece sent us here to do."

"And how do we find them?" Dora asked.

"Now that is the challenge," Denise replied. "We can't perform a tracking spell here, not really. Fleece and Faust said Unit 37 found the memories of their team mate by doing...weird stuff. They apparently walked without purpose, did things to bring their objectives closer. This is the Sandlands. It's dangerous. It runs on the illogical. So we stick close together, keep our eyes peeled, document what would see, try and fund Unit 37, and most importantly stay in touch with HQ. Now lets move out."

 

[Exzalia]

The theater
​

Blue owl and Yellow owl pick up more memory shards. Fishing, playing tag, that one time they got chased by a literal hippo, many, many little memories came back to them all taking place in the village until one memory remained.

But this one is out side the village by a small tree, blue Owl walks up to it and picks it up. They all see the meemory in their minds, it is an image of Kotsu and owl sitting together. Kotsu has a worried look on his face, judging by the dried slime this was just after they killed the pests.

"Carmille, where is she?" He had asked, and Owl the original owl promises him he'd help him find her.

"CARMILLE!" Blue owl shouts suddenly remembering. "I remember now..."

"We wanted to rescue her!" Yellow owl says also remembering. "But we don't know where she is. How were we planning to?"

"I was planning to min delve Fizzroy." Blue owl says turning to him.

"You know how i feel about mind delving." yellow Owl says.

"even if it's to save a friend?"

Fizzy frowned as the older Owl suggested the idea to scavenge his mind for Carmille.

By now Sam already fixed both of his legs. She was having trouble with the women's demeanor.

Before both could react, Fizzy quickly grabbed the women's wrist and with a swift movement he immobilized her with a strong grip.

"Enough with the foolishness, what do you want that defective vampire for anyway? "

His grip became stronger, causing physical pain to the woman.

"Come to think, you could return Sam's beloved AI, I'm seriously considering breaking your arm here. Oh and..." He glanced at the child Owl "Don't try anything funny, I have a monoshield active so your mind magic will be useless "

Kotsu lashed out with his whips, attempting to latch onto Fizzy's arms and pry them off of Blue Owl. "I want to know where she is, because just like Denton owes me one, I owe her." Kotsu's eyes had started to turn red again, the horns growing back. "I already talked to her about letting Sam's daughter go. That's the problem with us, we don't talk, we just fight."

Blue owl was about to unleash all of her reality warping powers on Fizzroy when Kotsu intervenes. Blue owl stares daggers at Fizzroy her eyes beginning to glow.
"You do realize we are in the mental realm right? I can literally warp reality here, but go on, touch me again, I dare you."

"Now, now lets just relax." Yellow owl says flying up to blue owl, she crosses her arms and turns to Fizzroy. "Go on, tell us then where is she?"

His arm being trapped by Kotsu's whip made Fizzy lost the grip onto the woman

"Ridiculous, why would I tell you that, the more we need is another troublesome vampire... HQ allowed you 'cause you showed at least certain restrain, that other thing however would kill us all without hesitation if she had a window of opportunity..."

He smirked

"I've heard superiors found her too uncontrollable to be useful, they'll be disposing of her eventually"

Kotsu's face turned dour, as he stared hard at Fizzy. "I'm hoping that's a sick joke you picked up from Denton. She didn't attempt anything to anybody else while she worked with me. Except for... Well... Me." Kotsu said, rubbing the back of his neck. "But I feel like she can do good," Kotsu took another puff off his odorous smoke. "She saved my life and sacrificed herself." He said, the smoke didn't escape his mouth.

"Enough of that bullshit" replied Fizzy angered trying to fend off the whip.

"It won't do any good for you to find where that thing is. Stop that rebellious behaviour vampire." Said, however he felt like adding a bit more

"I'll slip another one, superiors were also considering to dispose of you"

Kotsu laughed when Fizzy said that. "Yeah, I bet they were if you were whispering in their ear."

Kotsu began to make his best impression of Fizzy. "Stupid vampire, rebellious vampire, vampire, vampire, vampire. Shut up, already man." Kotsu tightened his grips on the whips only because he was struggling against them, but not enough to hurt Fizzy. "You're a broken record half the time and I'm starting to think you've got a malfunction. Maybe they should send you to the scrap heap if you've got a glitch in your operating system." Kotsu was taking shots at Fizzy for acting more machine than man.

"Everytime you talk I see less of a soldier, and more of machine. Tell me something, Fizzy." Kotsu said sitting down on the ground away from Fizzy while staring at him, finishing his smoke and lighting another one, and offering one to Fizzy with one of his free whips. "You ever try thinking for yourself? I do, constantly. And it's the only reason I ain't fed on a damn human. If I was like you? I wouldn't be a Maniacle. I'd be dead in the streets gunned down by em." Kotsu stared at the ground, almost like he was a thousand miles away. "Yeah... I probably would be. But HQ knows that. They got over it, and so can you." Kotsu gets back up and dusts off his slacks.

"And the more I hear, the more I realize how much stupid you are!!" Replied Fizzy.

With his free hand he reached his pocket, or more likely where his pocket were supposed to be in this world.

Blue owl looks at yellow owl, the little girl is fuming at Fizzroys words eyes hot with angry tears. Blue owl smiles.

"Can we mind delve him now?"

"Yes...yes we can." The anger on yellow owls face was unbecoming, for the first time yellow owl and blue owl are of one will, and what terrifying power that results.

The dream world skys shudder with their combined mental anger and while the two were still talking Yellow owl lowers the mental shield that protected their minds. Blue owl unleashes her mind magic, Fizzroys Mono shield put up some resistance. But it was merely a mental version of the real thing a mental version that is willed away by yellow owl.

The two owls plunge into his brain their magic blasting through his consciousness searching for Carmille, and in their zeal they don't realize that they were awakening a memory.

The group falls again, this time they plunge into Fizzroys mind and awake, of all placed, in a theater.

They are in seats, and dressed up in fancy clothes as if they were going to a ball. Owls yellow dress was now large and poofy like some child princess from the eighteenth century, and owls had an equally extravagant dress complete with what most have been a hundred dollar hair cut, style and permed in the fashion of nobility.

They are in seats all in front of a large theater a stage play. There was no actually play going on yet, and there were no other people in the lavish theater, just them, and a man standing on the stage in a dapper black tux.

"okay..." Blue owl says standing. "Fizzroy, what te hell is up with your mind?"

Fizzroy doesn't answer, he isn't there. In fact they are not sure where he is.

 

[mmarage]

The twins had gone off by themselves while the group had argued. They were kind of tired of the constant fighting... but it only stood to be expected. Owl had been split into different parts of herself... the kind, human side, and the cold, logical, cutthroat side. Then they had Denton who couldn't tell the truth to save his own life and always seemed to have his own agenda in mind... or at least the Maniacles' agenda. Then Fizzroy always seemed to love picking fights with Kotsu and was Denton's loyal lapdog. Add Aria being completely subservient to Denton into the mix and it all just turns into a massive mess. The sooner that they could get out of here, the better.

The two didn't dare talk about what they had on their mind, not if Denton was close, not if his spirits could be listening in on them. So they did what came so very naturally to them... they sat there in silence. Up until the ground suddenly disappeared beneath their feet.

When they awoke, the twins looked down at their attire. They were wearing a pair of matching tuxedos. "...Well... this is a thing." They mumbled in unison, before rising from their seats. Knowing that he probably had the best vision of the group, he began to cast his gaze across the theater, trying to locate Fizzroy, once he realized that he was no longer there.

01 meanwhile looked at Blue. "What the hell did you do this time?" He asked with an accusatory tone.

 

[Kinggunlucky]

This, Denton, thought is incredible.

The sudden change of scenery was jarring to be sure, but he had been jarring situations before. Hell it was sort of expected at this point given their line of work and where they were. He took note of the new scenery.

An older theater. One of class. Floors were made from a fine red carpet, chairs looked well cushioned, room temperature was a cozy warm. Denton took in a breath, enjoying it. He expected terrible things, he could feel them practically. Sandlands were a beautiful as were the things it could make, but beauty did not mean safe. He'd seen plenty of pretty blades and shiny blades in his career, all of them

But this meet an ancient village and a creepy old science facility. It, or perhaps, the man on stage had been kind enough to dress for the occasion. He work the mask of comedy, black top hat sat on his head, white gloves on his hand, a cane with a diamond handle on it in his left hand, tuxedo, and a black cape hanging off his back. Denton twirled the cane. It felt right. Pimping as the kids say.

He stared up at the man on stage, not liking him, but not really disliking him either. Denton looked to his group.

"What the hell did you do this time?"

"Calm down," Denton said. "Cool heads now. We are in another memory. Hot emotions tend to get us in trouble here." He stared at the Owls. "Don't they? If you all wanted to know about Camille so bad I could have told you. Perhaps. Unless Fizzy had information I didn't...which is unlikely. He behaved stupid as well. You all let your hearts rule your heads to much. "

Denton scouted the room.

Damn.

Fizzy was gone. Nowhere in sight. A shiver traced itself up Denton's spine. Bad news.

"Aria, Kotsu," Denton said, "You two have some of the best reflexes on the team. If the man on stage tries anything stop him. Owls? Maybe see through the walls. Fizzy shouldn't be far...hopefully." He pointed his cane at Sam. "You, don't keep yourself in check. You're already angry and I know you're quite close with Fizzy. I'll take point."

Denton straightened his suit jacket, approaching the man on stage, walking between Kotsu and Aria.

"Lovely place you have here," Denton said, his tone friendly. "I'm guessing you're running the show? Or perhaps at the mercy of greater powers. No matter. We come representing greater powers as well. I'd like to discuss where my solider went...although somehow I imagine you either won't know, or you do - and there will be a catch to you telling us, or we have to do you a favor or play some game to find him." He met the man's eyes. "Am I accurate?"

 

[KotaKotsu]

As Kotsu fell, his half of a joint fell out of his mouth. "Damn, can I catch a break!?"

When Kotsu was aware of his change in his surroundings, he realized he no longer had a bloodstained shirt. He had a monocle, and short cut hair that was greased back. Attire wise, Kotsu currently had his utility belt, and two rings on his left hand, and one on his right. The other biggest change was the metal collar he had on his neck. His anger flared for a minute, before he calmed himself down.

"... If you all wanted to know about Camille so bad I could have told you. Perhaps. Unless Fizzy had information I didn't...which is unlikely. He behaved stupid as well. You all let your hearts rule your heads to much. "

"Yeah, I tried to tell them to talk instead of fight. But I've got a question for you, Denton. Was what he said right? They're planning on getting rid of Carmille as well as me?" Kotsu asked pointedly. "No use in hiding it at this point."

"Aria, Kotsu. You two have some of the best reflexes on the team. If the man on stage tries anything stop him."

"Was gonna do it anyway, bud." Kotsu said, cracking his neck and stretching his arms as they cracked. He stared over at Blue and Yellow Owl. "Damn... You're both beautiful..." He muttered to himself before facing his attention back to the man on stage.

 

[Darkling0096]

He pointed his cane at Sam. "You, don't keep yourself in check. You're already angry and I know you're quite close with Fizzy. I'll take point."

"Considering I didn't Swiss Cheese the blue bitch yet, I'd say I'm showing more restraint than you can possibly understand," Sam growled. Like the others, her attire had been altered, not that she'd had anything when she entered. Apparently the Sandlands thought automata didn't wear clothes, not that she had anything to cover. But the theater had dressed her for a night out, apparently. A red backless dress dress with a leg slit, high-heeled sandals, and a silver necklace. Her hair had been styled, brushed and apparently conditioned, flowing freely.

"Oh, great." She'd never liked heels, it was hard enough to balance on limbs she couldn't feel. "Nice dress, though."

 

[TheAdept]

Clayton knew he had changed again, but completely different this time. He was looking quite...dapper. His torso was wrapped in a tux and jacket with coattails even. A bowler hat sat on his head and in his right hand where he would hold a pistol he held, instead, a cane?

"Damnit. I'm one of those 1920's comedians now." He griped.

You all let your hearts rule your heads to much.

"I have noticed that." Clayton remarked, having fought in two wars, brought down an eldritch monster on the moon, and killed mages centuries ago with nothing but vampire strength and a couple revolvers. He would confidently say he was the most level headed here but who was he kidding even? He lashed out back at the lab and almost gave into his thirst fully. Even now he was planning to walk away from Maniacles once they were out of these Sandlands.

He turned his attention back to his attire "If someone needs a barber shop quartet, I can't sing. And I am not dancing around on stage for entertainment."

 

[GamerCarrot]

As the world around her went dark once again Vivian awoke to see she was comfortably sitting in a theatre chair, moving a little she looked around to see the beautiful building around her. Every time they changed scenery like this she always felt confused, the whole being in one place then waking up in another surprising her every single time. As she looked around at the rest of the group and saw they were all dressed beautifully, seeing everyone in dresses and suits Vivian immediately looked down. She saw a floor length dark blue dress fit perfectly on her figure, her upper back exposed with silver bands that go over her shoulders and create a cross over her upper back with her back exposed it revealed a few scars on her back ranging from large to small. She could feel her hair was pulled into a braid that hung over her shoulder, a little smile on her face. It was rare for her to get dressed up because of all the work she usually had to do so it was a nice change to see herself in a dress however she wasn't quite sure if she liked the idea of having to fight in a dress if any problems should arise.

 

[Exzalia]

Considering I didn't Swiss Cheese the blue bitch yet, I'd say I'm showing more restraint than you can possibly understand,

Blue owl was starting to get annoyed with Sams brovado.

"You know if you keep spouting threats I might just start taking them seriously. Don't forget where we are Sam, you are at my mercy here, and it's my mercy that has allowed you to run your mouth at me this long."

Yellow owl comes between them. "Now now, lets be nice. Sam how about you not mention me, and older me lets not mention Sam, just pretend you don't know each other exists.

 

[AbatedBigfoot]

Quentin blinked his eyes and next thing he knew, the scenery changed once again. He was looking up when it happened. "Man this is getting old real quick". He then looked forward and noticed Nat he was now in a chair. Looking around he saw that everyone was now dressed up. He too was in a full tux. "What the hell? What kind of clothing is this. I don't have full range of motion." He lifted his arms up but stopped before his elbows reached the top of his nose.

His gaze came apon a wonderful sight. His heart skipped a beat as if time had stopped for him. He was looking at Vivian. She was stunning. He made his way over to her. "Damn. Remind me to take you out when we get back to the real world. You look gorgeous! Oh one sec, I gotta find a bathroom". He then turned and made his way to the doors at the top. He walked through the doors and in the blink of an eye, he was sitting right back in his chair next to Vivian. "Ok what the fuck? I'm confused now."

GamerCarrot

 

[Spoiled Bread]

Aria
​

During the fall, Aria was able to position herself and fell smoothly onto a chair. This routine of literally falling onto another person memory, she was used to it now. They're in something that looks like a theatre, with a stage in front of them.

While the others were dressed in beautiful dresses and suits, Aria looked down and found herself in a maid suit. Even her stone slate has turned into a tray with a notepad and pen attached to it. It seems whatever the setting was, the sandland would insist on her taking the servant role. She also found that if she hold the tray horizontally, two glasses and a bottle of wine would be summoned on it. She took the chance to fill herself with some of it but unfortunately the wine couldn't wash away the dryness in her throat.

"Aria, Kotsu. You two have some of the best reflexes on the team. If the man on stage tries anything, stop him" Denton said as he walked towards a strange man on the stage. Aria follows along walking next to to Denton and Kotsu. As Denton talk with the strange man on the stage, she poked Kotsu with her tray and quickly jotted down a message.

I agree with Denton. We are getting too emotional lately.

"Grrghh..." Unlike the whiteboard or the stone slate, she couldn't erase her writing on the notepad so she ripped the page and wrote on the next one.

We should focus on the objective.

 

[GamerCarrot]

Hearing Quentin's voice she turned and looked at him, her heart stopped for a second when she started to look him up and down checking out the suit he was wearing. She smiled and looked back up at him "Thank you, you know you look quite handsome in a suit. Plus I wouldn't say no to going out somewhere with you in the real world." she said blushing a little bit as she brushed a strand of hair out of her face. His little end comment made her laugh a little, watching him leave before turning her attention back to the main stage waiting for him to return she didn't have to wait long however when Quentin just appeared back in his seat. Looking at him confused she looked back at the doors "Didn't you just?" she glanced back at him "That's weird... Why can't we leave?" She asked knowing full well that neither of them would know the answer.

 

[KotaKotsu]

Kotsu nodded as he read Aria's note. "I agree. I'm surprised you're still rocking the maid outfit though, Aria. It doesn't look bad on you, but maybe I should take you out to buy a dress or two when we get back." He said smiling at Aria. He stared at Blue Owl and Sam bickering, and groaned. "Seriously? You're really gonna get pissy, Owl?" Kotsu said with a bored expression. "Look, Sam's got a right to be pissed. But I won't let either of you hurt each other either. The minute you do," Kotsu said, standing up and stretching in case he had to act.

"I guess I'll be the one turned into Swiss cheese or having my brain melted. And that won't do much good in either regard. I vote that we focus on the gentleman in front of us and finding Fizzy. As much as I can't stand the fucker, I wouldn't forgive myself if he died." Kotsu pursed his lips before turning to Sam and the rest of the group. "Under no circumstances can anyone tell him I said that either. All he'll do is lord it over me or insult me. Hell, knowing him? Both."

Spoiled Bread Exzalia Darkling0096