Week #:19
Being week 5 of Dark Half.
In which
the truth is revealed, an escape is found, and the darkness closes. For now
....
Scene 1, Week 18:
Leaving it to chance
The Void; Where time is immaterial.
<Pidedis> So... Where do we go from here?
<What Yet May Be> I don't know..
<Wyran> I think Pidedis was right. We're trying too hard.
<What Yet May Be> Then what are we supposed to do? Wing it?
<Wyran> These things have a way of resolving themselves...
<What Yet May Be> So we're just supposed to let it run its course?
<Wyran>It's worth a try.
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NMRC Camp, Search Engine Sea , Sandy Plateau , Lerris' Tent; Late Morning.
<Hunter Lerris> ::snorts awake:: Wha... What time is it? ::pokes his head outside the tent:: Light! It's really late! Why did they let me sleep in so late? I think I can rule out a sudden streak of kindness.
It suddenly gets dark, as if the sun is behind the clouds. Lerris looks up. <Hunter Lerris> Hey! A meteor! Cool. I wonder if it's too late to make a wish.......
*****************************************
The Void; Where time is immaterial.
<Pidedis;> Alright. What in Odin's name happened this time?
<Wyran> I'm not sure.
<What Yet May Be> I can. Nemesis came screaming out of the sky and squished Lerris flat.
Stunned silence.
<Pidedis> Well.. That kills that theory.
<What Yet May Be> It's an all time record. He didn't even make it to lunch.
<Wyran> Poor Lerris. He died hungry.
<What Yet May Be> Hungry? He gets pulverized in record time and all you can think is that he died hungry ?
<Wyran> Okay, okay. So I was wrong. What do we do about it?
<What Yet May Be> ... I have a plan.
<Pidedis> Alright. What's our latest hare brained scheme?
<What Yet May Be> Remember Leandr's crystal?
<Pidedis> The one Lerris has under lock and key in a lead box guarded by a bunch of Slimes?
<What Yet May Be> Don't forget the shard he has hidden away somewhere. It's useless without that.
<Pidedis> You're going to use that?
<What Yet May Be> WE are going to use that.
<Pidedis> You've lost me.
<What Yet May Be> If Leandr could offer to merge with Lerris, I think I might be able to use it on the three of us.
<Pidedis> Where exactly did you get this crazy idea?
<What Yet May Be> You probably don't want to know.
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NMRC Camp, Search Engine Sea , Sandy Plateau , Lerris' Tent; Late Morning.
<Aide Common Slime> Sir! Sir! Pandora's Box! It's been stolen!
<Hunter Lerris> Do gift wrap that for me, will you? ::turns over in his sleep::
<Aide Common Slime> He's asleep? ::anime sweatdrop:: Look, Sir, you have to get up! This is an emergency.
<Hunter Lerris> I wish I could be a little birdie, Mr. Carp. Can you grant my wish?
<Aide Common Slime> How can he sleep at a time like this! I bet he's missed breakfast.
<Hunter Lerris> Wha? Breakfast?
<Aide Common Slime> ::anime sweatdrop:: Sir, Pandora's Box has been stolen.
<Hunter Lerris> What? How? By whom?
<Aide Common Slime> I don't know, Sir. We never saw what hit us.
<Hunter Lerris> 20 guards taken out and none of you saw what hit you?
<Aide Common Slime> No, Sir.
<Hunter Lerris> You've got to be kidding me.
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NMRC Camp, Search Engine Sea , Sandy Plateau , What Yet May Be's Tent; Late Morning.
<Pidedis> I haven't destroyed so many Slimes in I don't know how long! That felt great!
<What Yet May Be> Calm down, Slime girl. We still have to get that shard for this to work.
<Pidedis> I can take care of that easily.
<Wyran> You're going to get it from Lerris using your feminine wiles?
<Pidedis> Of course not! Lerris hasn't hidden anything in his life that I couldn't find.
<Wyran> Oh?
<Pidedis> Just wait. You'll see.
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NMRC Camp, Search Engine Sea , Sandy Plateau , Commons Tent; Late Morning.
<Hunter Lerris> Reopen that kitchen this instant!
<Joc> ::sticks his tongue out:: Sorry. We officially stopped serving our breakfast menu half an hour ago.
<Hunter Lerris> I demand you reopen that kitchen. I pay for that food. Open it at once!
<Joc> Breakfast ended at 10:30 . No exceptions.
<Hunter Lerris> I'll give you an exception! I'll get my staffblade and thrash you into a Light Pudding!
<Joc> Just try it.
<Hunter Lerris> Watch me! I'll whip you so soundly that they'll have to add raisins!
<Joc> My, your insults are terribly on an empty stomach.
<Hunter Lerris> You-- you-- you-- ::digs for a decent insult::
<Ops Ice Ghost> ::clears her throat:: Excuse me, Lerris?
<Hunter Lerris> Yes? What do you need?
<Ops Ice Ghost> I couldn't help but over hear your predicament. I have a little stash of snacks in my tent and I was wondering if you'd care to... ::blushes::
<Hunter Lerris> (taken back) Oh.... Thank you.
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NMRC Camp, Search Engine Sea , Sandy Plateau , Lerris' Tent; Late Morning.
<Pidedis> Smell the pretty crystal. That's right. Get a great big whiff. Who's the world's best finder? Who's the world's best finder? You are! That's right. Find that crystal!
<Common Dog> This is so demeaning.
<Pidedis> If I wanted a commentary, I would have asked for one. Just find that stupid shard.
<Common Dog> Lerris isn't going to like this if he finds out...
<Pidedis> Worry about that after you worry about me not killing you right now.
<Common Dog> .... Woof. ::starts sniffing::
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NMRC Camp, Search Engine Sea , Sandy Plateau , Sikaf's Tent; Late Morning.
<Hunter Lerris> Please. I couldn't. What would the others think?
<Ops Ice Ghost> Come on. It's just once. And once can't hurt.
<Hunter Lerris> I don't know... I'm not sure I'm comfortable with.. well...
<Ops Ice Ghost> Don't be such a prude, Lerris!
<Hunter Lerris> But what if they found out?
<Ops Ice Ghost> They won't. Don't worry, Lerris. What they don't know can't hurt them.
<Hunter Lerris> I.. I don't know if I'm ready.
<Ops Ice Ghost> Come on, Lerris. Just eat the stupid chocolate covered ants!
<Hunter Lerris> Alright. I'll do it. ::scoops up a handful and eats them::
<Ops Ice Ghost> What do you think?
<Hunter Lerris> Very crunchy. You're right. They are good.
<Ops Ice Ghost> See?
<Hunter Lerris> If anyone ever finds out I ate bugs...
<Ops Ice Ghost> Stop worrying. They won't.
<Hunter Lerris> Alright. Thanks for the munchies. They'll definitely tide me over until lunch.
<Ops Ice Ghost> Don't mention it. Feel free to stop by anytime.
<Hunter Lerris> I just might do that. See you around! ::turns and exits::
<Ops Ice Ghost> (whispered) Please do.
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NMRC Camp, Search Engine Sea , Sandy Plateau , What Yet May Be's Tent; Afternoon. <???> I can't believe it worked.
<???> Neither can I.
<???> Let's go test this body out!
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NMRC Camp, Search Engine Sea , Sandy Plateau , Kitchen Tent; Afternoon.
<???> Joc.
<Joc> Yes? Who's calling my... Holy Kitty Nibbles! What is that thing??!
<???> I'm your worst nightmare.
<Joc> You don't look like Lerris in a skirt....
??? attacks Joc with Bigsby's Mighty Punch....
172 damage!
<Joc> That wasn't so bad.
??? attacks Joc with Psychic Judgment...
347 damage!
??? was victorious!
<???> Next stop, Nemesis.
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NMRC Camp, Search Engine Sea , Sandy Plateau , What Yet May Be's Tent; Afternoon.
<??> What do you mean we're stuck?
<???> I mean I can't get it to unmerge.
<???> Look, little Ms. Champion, you got us into this, so you'd better be able to get us out.
<???> Just calm down, Pidedis.
<???> Don't you "just calm down" me, Wyran. We're stuck like this!
<???> I guess this means Lerris doesn't have to choose between us anymore...
<???> This isn't the time for jokes, Wyran.
<???> And what would you suggest instead, Pidedis?
<???> Getting the heck out of this body, for starters.
<???> Look, Pidedis, I would if I could. I guess we're stuck like this. We'll just have to wait for Nemesis to show up.
<???> You know how much I hate waiting.
<???> I also know you hate losing even more.
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NMRC Camp, Search Engine Sea , Sandy Plateau , Lerris' Tent; Evening. <Hunter Lerris> I've had a wonderful time. Thank you.
<Ops Ice Ghost> It was nothing.
<Hunter Lerris> Well, all the same, thank you.
<Ops Ice Ghost> Maybe we can do this again.
<Hunter Lerris> I hope so. Soon.
<Ops Ice Ghost> Good night.
<Hunter Lerris> Good night.
Content pause. <Hunter Lerris> Hey! A shooting star! Make a wish.
<Ops Ice Ghost> I wish...
<Hunter Lerris> Hey! It's getting bigger!
<Ops Ice Ghost> No! Lerris! Run!
<Hunter Lerris> Where? From what?
<Ops Ice Ghost> Lerris, if you trust me at all, you will run now, while you can, as far away as you can.
<Hunter Lerris> ::nods weakly and starts running:: I'm gone.
<Ops Ice Ghost> Pidedis! Wyran! What Yet May Be! It's coming!!!!!!!
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NMRC Camp, Search Engine Sea , Sandy Plateau , What Yet May Be's Tent; Evening.
<???> Sounds like show time.
<???> But who knows it's Nemesis?
<???> We'll just have to find out. Let's get us a Seed of Evil.
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The Void; where time is immaterial.
<Wyran> We got beat down hard.
<Pidedis> Tell me about it. The plus side is we're back to being separate.
<Wyran> But we still got mowed. And then Nemesis got Lerris in the end.
<Pidedis> How can you be sure?
<Wyran> Why else would we be here?
<What Yet May Be> I wish I knew who it was that called us.
<Pidedis> Little good it did them.
<Wyran> They tried. Same as us.
<What Yet May Be> Same as us.....
<Wyran> What's the plan, then?
<What Yet May Be> I'm beginning to think this is hopeless.
<Pidedis> Then the least we can do is try and live it up a bit.
<What Yet May Be> How can you say that? We have to find a solution!
<Pidedis> What if there isn't a solution? And agonizing over it isn't helping. The least we can do is make is last moments happy.
<What Yet May Be> We've tried this bit before, remember? "Let's all be nice to Lerris"?
<Pidedis> Your idea, if I remember. And this time we're not looking for a solution.
<What Yet May Be> What is the point then?
<Pidedis> Stall for time. See if we can escape Nemesis.
<What Yet May Be> It won't work.
<Pidedis> Most likely not.
<Wyran> But it's the best idea we've got right now.
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Digital Tokyo , MP3 District, Grayling's Karaoke and Grill; Evening.
<Pidedis> I still don't see why she came along.
<Wyran> Come on, Pidedis. You didn't say she couldn't.
<Pidedis> Yeah, well I thought the "friend" that was coming along was Berokuko.
<Wyran> Who hitched a ride anyway.
<Pidedis> I thought the Ice Ghost and him were a one time freak occurrence.
<Wyran> As did we all.
<Pidedis> But at least he's enjoying himself.
<Wyran> Unlike two people I could name.
<Pidedis> Guilty as charged. It's just... I'd hoped...
<Wyran> I know. But it's his choice.
<Pidedis> Any sign of What Yet May Be enjoying herself?
<Wyran> Nope. It would be the first time, wouldn't it?
<Pidedis> True enough. Think we'll make it?
<Wyran> You never know.
< ******************************************
The Void; were time is immaterial.
<Wyran> Well, it was a good try.
<Pidedis> Tokyo got almost as trashed as Lerris.
<What Yet May Be> Both seem to be rather accident prone.
<Pidedis> But did you see that? He almost won.
<What Yet May Be> Almost isn't close enough.
<Pidedis> And what was with that Ice Ghost?
<Wyran> I don't know, but we need a new plan.
<Pidedis> What is Nemesis after?
<What Yet May Be> Off hand, I'd say Lerris.
<Pidedis> Are you so sure?
<What Yet May Be> What makes you believe otherwise?
<Pidedis> Lerris is always getting in the way. How many times has he gotten killed on his own? He's always running in on a battle. Take the karaoke place, for example. He was fine until he decided to save the sushi bar from Nemesis.
<What Yet May Be> Not his brightest moment.
<Wyran> Does he carry that stick with him everywhere? I didn't think he was armed.
<Pidedis> Yeah. Then he whips out his staffblade and starts wailing on Nemesis.
<What Yet may Be> Until Nemesis starts wailing back.
<Pidedis> And then they wail back and forth across the karaoke place.
<Wyran> I know the end of the story! Tokyo (not to mention the karaoke place) are trashed and Lerris is dead again. So we're here and a rather battered Nemesis staggers off into the distance.
<What Yet May Be> Pidedis, before we hit that little story time, tell me, what was your point?
<Pidedis> It seems like Nemesis is attacking at random, almost a mindless force of destruction.
<What Yet May Be> That's not what the official dispatch said about it...
<Pidedis> Well, it just seems like one of us is just as good as any other in Nemesis' eyes.
<What Yet May Be> Which means....?
<Pidedis> Let's make the choice for it. We'll draw straws. Short straw goes up against Nemesis. No volunteers. We don't need heroes on our consciences.
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NMRC Camp, Search Engine Sea , Sandy Plateau , Lerris' Tent; Morning.
<Pidedis> Alright. Do you have the straws, Wyran?
<Wyran> I've got them.
<Pidedis> Everybody ready, then?
<Ops Ice Ghost> Wait! I want to know how we can stop that thing.
<What Yet May Be> You know?
<Ops Ice Ghost> At first, I thought it was all a repeating bad dream..
<Wyran> As did we all.
<Pidedis> We're drawing straws. Short straw gets to play sacrifice to Nemesis.
<Ops Ice Ghost> .... I'm in.
The straws are drawn.
<Ops Ice Ghost> .... When does Nemesis arrive?
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NMRC Camp, Search Engine Sea , Sandy Plateau , Training Grounds; Evening.
<What Yet May Be> Getting tired, Lerris?
<Hunter Lerris> Yes. We've been training since you threw me out of my tent this morning.
<What Yet May Be> You could use it far more often.
<Hunter Lerris> The sun set an hour ago. Can we stop yet?
<What Yet May Be> Sorry, fluffy boy. We're not done yet.
<Hunter Lerris> When will we be done?
<Pidedis> When a certain someone gets here.
<Hunter Lerris> Oh? Who's coming?
<Wyran> You might call them an old friend.
<Hunter Lerris> So she's coming today? I got her note last week. I didn't think she'd be here so soon.
<What Yet May Be> (stunned) She?
<Hunter Lerris> You mean we're not waiting for Deneb?
<What Yet May Be> (darkly) You said she wasn't going to come back to haunt me.
<Hunter Lerris> I did, didn't... Wait a sec. I don't remember that.
<Pidedis> Care to fill the rest of us in on this "Deneb"?
<What Yet May Be> Wish I could.
<Wyran> Well, Lerris, it looks like you've got some explaining to do.
<Ops Ice Ghost> I'm afraid I'll have to agree.
<Hunter Lerris> What right do you have to that information?
<Wyran> Lerris! Sikaf, I'm very sorry about that. She has more right than you know, Lerris.
<Hunter Lerris> I hate it when you guys go over my head like this. What's going on?
<What Yet May Be> Our guest is arriving.
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NMRC Camp, Search Engine Sea , Sandy Plateau , Training Grounds; 5 seconds later.
<Hunter Lerris> Nooooo!!
<Wyran> Lerris, stop. Don't do anything stupid.
<Hunter Lerris> I wasn't going to do something stupid.
<Pidedis> You were too! You're always planning to do something stupid.
<Hunter Lerris> But she's getting killed out there.
<What Yet May Be> We know.
<Hunter Lerris> Then why don't you let me out there? What was all this stupid training?
<Wyran> We figured we'd keep you in one place and let it come to us.
<Hunter Lerris> And you knew this thing was coming?
<Wyran> ::nods:: This was the only way.
<Hunter Lerris> Says who? I wasn't consulted. I'm going to--
<Pidedis> No, you're not! Not after all the effort we've put--
<Hunter Lerris> Let me go!
<Wyran> Not on your life.
<Hunter Lerris> But it's my life, burn it!
<Wyran> Not any more. It hasn't been in a long time.
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NMRC Camp, Search Engine Sea , Sandy Plateau , Training Grounds; Evening.
<Hunter Lerris> She's dead! Flaming, stone dead!
<What Yet May Be> She knew what she was getting into.
<Hunter Lerris> What kind of cold-hearted justification is that?
<What Yet May Be> Can it Lerris. We figured it all out among ourselves.
<Hunter Lerris> Don't you understand? It wasn't your choice to make! IT WASN'T YOUR CHOICE!
<What Yet May Be> Lerris, shut up. We saved your lousy butt. Get over it.
<Hunter Lerris> Saved my lousy butt? What the heck is going on?
<Wyran> Should we tell him?
<Hunter Lerris> Should you tell me what?
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The Void, where time is meaningless.
<Pidedis> I didn't think he'd do that.
<What Yet May Be> Alright... So it's my fault for telling him that the universe gets reset every time he dies. I'm sorry. I forgot we were on top of a cliff.
<Wyran> It was a long way down.......
<Ops Ice Ghost> Does this never end?
<Wyran> It looks like we get to do this until we do it right.
<Pidedis> You know how he said it wasn't our choice?
<What Yet May Be> Yeah, what about it?
<Pidedis> This whole thing hinges on him. Let's tell him and let him make the choice.
<What Yet May Be> This coming from the girl that gave us our last plan...
<Ops Ice Ghost> It sounds like it's worth a try. If we just keep trying, I think we'll eventually find something that works.
<What Yet May Be> I certainly hope so.
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NMRC Camp, Search Engine Sea , Sandy Plateau , Lerris' Tent; Morning.
<Wyran> Lerris, I need to talk to you. It's important.
<Hunter Lerris> Just as long as you don't forget the cheddar.
<Wyran> Lerris. Lerris... Breakfast.
<Hunter Lerris> Wha.. Breakfast?
<Wyran> Lerris, I've got a lot to tell you....
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NMRC Camp, Search Engine Sea , Sandy Plateau , Commons Tent; Morning.
<Hunter Lerris> So the missing rider of the apocalypse is showing up tonight, I've died half a dozen times, and there is no chance of me winning short of a legion of angels with 3 meter swords.
<Wyran> Yes.
<What Yet May Be> You got it.
<Pidedis> Uh huh.
<Ops Ice Ghost> Yes.
<Hunter Lerris> THEN WHY ARE WE JUST SITTING HERE EATING BREAKFAST RIGHT NOW??
<Wyran> I think he's taking this very well, don't you?
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NMRC Camp, Search Engine Sea , Sandy Plateau ; Evening.
<Hunter Lerris> Everyone packed up?
<What Yet May Be> I think so.
<Ops Ice Ghost> I've never seen the camp go down so quickly.
<Hunter Lerris> It's all in your skill in persuasion.
<Pidedis> Persuasion? After that insane panic number you did, they were packing up to get away from you as much as Nemesis.
<Hunter Lerris> Well... There is that. So.. Is this Nemesis thingy ever late?
<What Yet May Be> On occasion.
<hunter Lerris> Then let's kill some time....
Element: Thunder
Combo: Ghost-Bird-Bird
Level: 50
<Hunter Lerris> No winners. That's today repeating itself too, isn't it?
<What Yet May Be> Yup. Here it comes.
<Hunter Lerris> Light, that's a big, scary sucker.
<Wyran> That's one way of putting it.
<Hunter Lerris> And I have absolutely no chance of winning, huh?
<What Yet May Be> Not in the slightest.
<Hunter Lerris> Alright. I've made up my mind.
<Pidedis> Great! How do we get rid of this thing?
<Hunter Lerris> EVERYBODY! READY!!!
<What Yet May Be> This had better be good.
<Hunter Lerris> SET!!!!
<Berokuko> Alright...
<Hunter Lerris> RETREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!
<Pidedis> What?
<Hunter Lerris> I'd rather run than risk losing any of you.
<Ops Ice Ghost> ......
<Hunter Lerris> And don't stop running till we hit Cyberia!
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Will this mean an escape from Nemesis?
What role will Deneb play in the next cycle?
What's in Cyberia?
Can Robert get away with any more anti-climatic endings?
Will this return to weekly status?
The answers to these and other intriguing questions in the next NML !!!
