Session Start: Sat Oct 08 15:03:59 2005 Previously, on Hunters: The team was caught up in the midst of an odd situation at the Navy encampment on the USC grounds - masses of Tokyo police demanded to be let in to investigate reports of local teens being abused or pimped or something. The Hunters got out of the immediate fracas, only to stumble into a strange, glowing fog. After an odd encounter with some pixies that left Rin glowing bluely, they found Haruko's missing Dragon Lord, who explained that they must destroy the evil dragons soon, else his spirit would be lost forever. Happily, the Dragon Lord of the North maintained a castle only a short walk away. That tower was filled on the first through fourth floors with all nature of unbearably cute things. The fifth floor was a magical laboratory, which Leena was restrained from trashing. On the sixth floor, however, they met someone. [Monday, March 21, 2004 - 2300 local time, at least back in Tokyo] [The Castle of the Dragon Lord of the North] [Session Start] * LadyMallet spins the Mallet, and grins widely. "So, you're gonna give up to me?" Are you here to surrender to the cute, or to fight? We cannot surrender to your evil! Since I -am- the Cute. *poses* * LadyHeat fiddles with her belt water bottles. * LadyMysteria replies by setting herself, wand out and ready. "Sorry, but cute can wait." And how am I evil? What harm does pleasant appearance and friendly demeanor impart? You've taken away their lives from them! * Rin replies with a level look backed by a small smirk. "None. Though it -is- rare that people surrender to Lady Mallet before she starts smashing things. " * LadyMysteria looks to Haruko, and lets her do the talking for now, because she's... well, it's all her fault, anyway. Lives filled with hurt and worry - now they live peacefully. * LadyMallet giggles. "Besides, all your artificial cute junk isn't as good as the real thing." You can't call what they do living. You lock them up in your tower to satisfy you! Cute isn't something you can just give to everyone! Only certain people have it, and when you make that fake cute, it's ... worthless. They came here of their own free will. Well, the ambulatory ones, anyway. After you enslaved them! After I *freed* them. As I will free you, and after you, the rest of your world, and then the worlds beyond! Never! Come, join me, Haruko! Together we can defeat the Dragon King, and free your friend! ... team. I think it's time we end this part of the nightmare. She'd never listen to you! You're just trying to trick me, you would never turn against your King. The King does not share my vision... ... ...I want to improve the world - he seeks to banish it. Are we going to beat him up yet? ... I think so. He's just spouting off stupid stuff now. * Rin draws her bokken, which becomes a katana. "As you wish, Lady Mysteria. Good sir, if you seek to improve it, then end the charade and tell us your true objectives. I grow tired of lies." I agree. Enough roundabout talk. The truth, quickly. I don't see how cavities from cute is an improvement... Improve the world? By transforming all that doesn't suit your will? I have made my objectives as plain as I can. There is no deceit here. * LadyMallet twirls the Mallet, making ready to pound something. And your objectives are evil! Hunters, be my aid this time! ... * LadyHeat opens a water bottle and takes a sip. We- uh what? I guess. Only when you awaken from the dream of your own making, Haruko. And when you do that, you won't need our help to defeat foolish fantasies such as him. * LadyNightshade looks adequately ready to fight. * CloakedMan raises one arm, and a length of blue ribbon seems to drop out of the end of the sleeve. "Make your choice." Now, dear boy, will you send us from this place and free Haruko's friend? Or need this end in..." she licks her red lips, "...violence." I'm up for violence. * LadyMysteria looks ready herself, but sighs softly. "And this choice is to either sell out to you, or to fight?" Tough decision. Really. * CloakedMan shakes his hand, and the ribbon stretches and stiffens, seeming to become a blade. "Cute violence is fine with me." ... cute? Fine then. We do this quick! We don't have time to waste! * LadyHeat isn't very cute. * Lady_MakeBelieve looks around, her confidence wavering slightly as the Hunters hesitate. Well, I'm more explosively cute than you can take. Let's do this. * LadyMallet licks her lips, and moves in. * CloakedMan raises his ribbon-sword to guard as Mallet approaches. * LadyMallet cries out, "One shot! Leena Leena Mallet Air Strike!", shifting her grip on the Mallet and spinning around in one complete circle, the giant wooden head seeking out the cloaked man... * CloakedMan tries to parry, but the spin confuses him, and the Mallet THUDS into his side. You hear a grunt from him, but somehow he keeps his feet. Leena thinks that it felt like hitting a large bus rather than a person... * LadyMallet bounces back from the impact, spinning again and coming in with an overhead blow. "Why do all you guys have to be the size of a tanker? Let's try this... Pancake Strike!" This time, the man does get his sword in the way of the Mallet. The Mallet seems to pass through the sword... but as it does, it is transformed into the World's Largest Squeakymallet! *SQUEAK* Oh. That hurt. ... ... if this doesn't wear off, I'm going to kick your ass, Haruko. Why does everyone always blame me for these things? Because it's your goddamn fault! Just kill the nice figment, Nightshade-san. Can we get a little less blaming and a little more putting this guy down on, please? Thanks! I am! * CloakedMan lunges forward and impales Lady Mallet with his sword. She turns into a very large, but somehow still cute, African elephant. Seriously... this is not the ti--... * LadyMysteria gawks. ... ... That one is new. * LadyMallet blinks, with big, elephant-y eyes. * Rin chuckles. "Honestly? I think you could have done better. Mallet-san was cuter." * LadyNightshade gets sort of weird look in her eyes as she charges at the Cloaked Man, fists coming in from all directions. Lady Nightshade dashes in and begins to pound on the cloaked figure. Her fists flash pinkishly, and he is driven back, but not down. Lady Heat attempts to launch one of her water bottles at the man. She bobbles it badly, dumps the water on the stone floor, and proceeds to slip and fall on her ass. Ow! * CloakedMan giggles. * Rin suppresses another chuckle. "A gentleman never laughs at a lady's misfortune." * LadyRoyal winces. He's no gentleman. Definitely not a gentleman. Pity. They are in short supply. * LadyRoyal wings a card at the guy. The card cuts through the robe, and disappears into the figure. Uhm. * LadyRoyal raises an eyebrow. * Rin points her sword at the floor, swinging it up in an arc to the side. One transformation sequence later, Lord Darkmoon calmly brings his Katana down on the cloaked figure's hood. Lord Darkmoon is notably not glowing, by the way. * CloakedMan twists away from the strike, and is raked across the back. The tear that the sword makes is difficult to look at, as if whatever is underneath is impossible. Don't underestimate him girls! Yeah, I sort of got that idea. * LadyMallet makes an elephant-y sound in annoyance. * LadyMysteria winces from the non-real wound, but nonetheless takes aim at him and cuts loose with a full-lunged "MYSTERY STAR GUN, HASSHA!" * LadyNightshade doesn't even pay attention to the wound or Make Believe's call. She just wants out of this damn place. The bolt of starry energy blasts through the left arm of the cloak, which flutters and hangs useless. Thisssss, thisssss isssss not CUTE! I'm liking it better already. * CloakedMan regains his balance, and charges for Lady Mysteria with a complex flourish of his sword. * LadyMysteria twists as much as she can in the space given. "Too bad!" This leaves the man in an awkward stance with Lady Nightshade perfectly positioned behind him... FUCK CUTE! Her first volley drives the figure off its feet, but it gets his sword in the way quickly and Taki knows better than to touch THAT. The cloak is looking awfully torn and ragged, and the man is hunched over on the floor. * LadyNightshade is really starting to look like she's gone off the deep end at this point and she stares at the Man and the sword with absolute rage. * LadyHeat climbs up off the floor and angrily looks at the cloaked figure. So... are you so sure that cute is the way? * LadyRoyal flings another one at the guy! * CloakedMan desperately rolls out of the way. You have no CLUE what you're dealing with, little girl. * Lord_Darkmoon doesn't seem to care, as he almost casually, as if in a drill, brings his sword to the side as he steps past the man, slicing towards his gut. The sword slices deep into the robed figure, which makes a sharp pop! sound and seems to explode, almost as if the cloak were a balloon. * Lord_Darkmoon braces his feet and holds the sword as if trying to cut the blast of air. Or just be ready for something attacking from that direction, anyway. * CloakedMan flutters to the floor, but as he does, the cloak begins to change, becoming green and scaly, and acquiring a more rigid shape. Now what the hell is it doing?! *looks directly at Haruko* And now you assume a monstrous form. Nightmarish you may be, but you are nothing when the dreamer awakes. Give up, and free those you've imprisoned. *addressing the cloaked man quietly* He's revealing his true form. Now is the time to strike! Oh, lovely. Fantastic. As it reaches the floor, the cloak seems to be the front of a dragon's face - its snout and eyes. Then that face comes to life, and surges forward out of the floor, as if from an invisible tunnel. So he WAS the dragon! * LadyRoyal sighs and stands ready for more attacks. It's an eastern dragon - wingless, snakelike, and ten meters long at least. Gh... * LadyMysteria tenses for more, eyes narrowed. "This is taking too long..." * LadyRoyal eyes it. "Just when I was thinking my day was going SO well, of course." * LadyMallet backs away some from the big dragon thing. It's bigger than her. She keeps big, elephant eyes peeled on it. Only the Kirin can siphon its power now! Celestial warrior, hear my plea and aid me! * Lord_Darkmoon rolls his eyes. "Finally," he mutters. At least this time it's for a *real* enemy. * LadyHeat is so confused. * Kirin appears in a sparkling column of pure light, tossing back its head and roaring in divine wrath, before firing a beam of pearlescent light at the Dragon Lord of the North. * Dragon seems to stumble, and even become somewhat wavery in appearance. It's working! Don't let him recover! * LadyMysteria snarls. "I don't intend to! One more burst from me... and Haruko, we're going to have to have a talk in the near future!" She levels the wand and sends a second burst of starlight and pain at the Dragon, wand smoking a little at the tip. It rips into the Dragon's flank, spattering blood and scales everywhere. The Dragon barely seems to notice, as it slithers around the room to face Lady MakeBelieve and her friend the Kirin. ... what, do we not matter in your dreams now? Gh... Let it be, my Lady; it makes this easier. The rest can wait until later. *calmly* * Dragon opens its gigantic maw, and breathes snow-white soft cotton at the pair, burying them under an enormous drift of the stuff. ... very well, my Lord. ... ... * Lord_Darkmoon actually turns just a bit red in the cheeks at that, but doesn't change his expression or acknowledge the obvious effects of heated battle. Yeah. That's it. Taki makes a leap for the Dragon's head, but misjudges the height of the ceiling, and bounces down, caroms off the wall, and must spend a few seconds reorienting herself. * LadyNightshade rolls on the floor and grumbles at herself. Lady Heat tosses a water bottle OVER the dragon. No help there. * LadyRoyal throws her hands out in the direction of the Dragon. Cards fly! And it's pretty hard for them to miss the huge shape of the dragon in this relatively small space. Detonations bounce it to and fro, but it's hard to tell that it caused damage, other than the dragon's sudden howl of anger. There we go! Keep it up! I damn well plan to! * Lord_Darkmoon steps forward, bringing the sword up in a graceful arc that happens to intersect the dragon's coils. * Dragon can't see the blade when the attack is that far back on its body, and the sword does a credible job of spilling the Dragon's guts out as it hits with a flash of silvery light. A shame that there is so incredibly much more guts to spill, yet... * LadyMysteria fights down the bile rising in the back of her throat. * Lady_MakeBelieve is busy struggling her way out of the pile of fluffy soft cotton. This time, let's try something a tad different. Focus on the head if you can! * LadyMysteria gives the wand a wave, and a swarm of missile-accurate streamers boils over towards the Dragon. "How hold still and die like a good villain-of-the-week!" With pleasure, my Lady. *smiles quietly* Mysteria's ribbons wrap around the creature, but they never were intended to stop something this big, so it only stumbles slightly as it charges Lady Royal. She dives out of the way as the huge serpentine mass slithers through the spot she was just occupying. Nightshade leaps into the dragon's path. Her first kick only seems to stop it, but then she pummels its face, snapping the two-meter head back and forth with strobing pink flashes. That's it, Nightshade! Go! Heat's throw is closer, this time! Just a little too far right. Damnit! * LadyHeat needs to practice when she gets out of this. * LadyRoyal throws out her arms again, making sure to aim away from Nightshade. The cards scatter, detonating randomly around the room. * LadyRoyal curses under her breath. * Lord_Darkmoon dashes around the creature's coils, attempting to catch it in the jaw as he passes by. * Dragon twists its head, knocking the blade away with one of its horns, then nudges the swordsman with the tip of its nose. Lord Darkmoon writhes, shrinks, and becomes Rin. With a microphone, frilly dress, and no brain at all. She sings! ... !! ... ... * LadyNightshade suppresses the urge to vomit. * Lady_MakeBelieve pokes up her head out of the cotton just in time to be treated with this wonderful vista. Soon all of you will be mine - it is not worth the pain to resist... Funny, that last was what we were about to say to you. ... I... am going to BREAK YOU! * Lady_MakeBelieve winces a little at Mysteria's outbreak * LadyMysteria takes aim and fires YET another Star Gun burst, obviously massively enraged now. "Tell me if you find THIS cute!" * Rin sings a heart-warming rendition of fly me to the moon...in a sugary j- pop style. * Dragon shudders as it is hit again. The amount of blood it is leaking is truly prodigious, and you think it is starting to slow down a little. * Dragon plows across the room once more, aiming for Lady Mysteria. Even if you are some twisted thing born of fantasy, you WILL return my teammates back to what they were! She dodges, and the Dragon plows into the stone wall behind her. It whimpers, and shakes its head, spraying bloody scales everywhere. Taki's fists fly once more, and she forces it to retreat with a few clean hits among many misses. Die already, damn it! * LadyHeat gets a flash of realization and boils as much of the blood on the dragon's body as possible. * Dragon stiffens, then emits a disturbingly human scream and thrashes wildly. Oh god that's disgusting. All of the team members are knocked off their feet - Lady Royal finds herself turned into a black-and-red striped sugar glider for one long, awful moment... * LadyMysteria promptly gets smacked something fierce, and falls back onto her ass with a yowl. Ah! * LadyNightshade rolls with the blow, and keeps her feet. Then the dragon, and the room, and the blood, and the awful, awful things that the team was transformed into fade away. * LadyRoyal gasps, sugar-glider-screams, and yells, in order. * LadyMallet trumpets loudly as she/it gets whacked but good by the trashing serpent. ... and is still trumpeting as it shifts back to a she. * LadyNightshade cheers in spite of herself. You did it girls! ... .... [....] ... ... mn. * LadyMallet screams, and starts punching the wall, over and over again, with the left fist, then the right, then the left, right... * LadyHeat looks around. * Lady_MakeBelieve looks aghast at Mallet * LadyNightshade give Mysteria an angry look that just says Please let me yell. Everyone are fully themselves. The room is now a large office, and where the dragon was, stands the familiar shape of Haga, looking extremely bemused. Rin, glowing once again, but with sword rather than microphone, has landed right next to him. ... What? * LadyRoyal rolls to her feet and shakes herself abruptly a few times, looking absolutely ragged. Mallet, CALM DOWN. * LadyMallet doesn't care what her surroundings are- she rips out a section of wall when it's loose enough, and FLINGS it at Haruko. ...how did you get here?!? ...Haga-san. You have dishonored my name and that of my friends with your lying serpent's tongue. * LadyNightshade wheels on Haga and says in the iciest voice possible, "Magic." * LadyHeat tries to catch the piece of wall. ...Rin? * LadyMallet blinks, and focuses, breathing heavily, hands clenched tightly. Is she crying? * Lady_MakeBelieve looks startled as she is smashed to the ground by the impact of the wall. * LadyRoyal hisses a couple breaths, then visibly pulls herself together, keeping a weather eye on Maya, Mallet, Nightshade and MakeBelieve. * LadyHeat sighs and pulls a water bottle out of her backpack, and takes a long swig of it. * LadyRoyal walks over to Haruko and kicks the piece of wall off her. * Haga reaches for the telephone on his desk. * LadyMysteria takes a few deep, ragged breaths, then tucks her wand away... only to aim it at Haga's hand. "Don't." SIT THE FUCK STILL OR I'LL RIP YOUR ARM OFF. * LadyNightshade smashes the phone with a fist. * Rin inclines her head once, lifting her katana. "Have you anything to say before I pass judgment?" Or I swear you will lose your hand. * LadyMallet looks STRAIGHT at Haga. * Haga grabs the phone anyway, and punches a button on it. * LadyHeat takes another sip and swishes it around in her mouth, while pondering whether or not to spit it at Haga. * Rin swings her Katana around, decapitating him. It seems not. * Lady_MakeBelieve rises to her feet, looking at Mallet like she's gone insane ... Nice. ... * LadyHeat is so fucking confused. Mn. We'd better get ready to blow this joint. Anyone who doesn't think that button he pushed was an alarm can stay. * Haga crumples - the head rolls away messily - and the phone drops to the desk. * LadyRoyal is speaking sort of in detached shock. * Rin calmly flicks the Katana, which becomes a Tessen. "I am inclined to agree with you, Royal-san. ... * LadyRoyal points at the head. "Don't want to keep it, do you?" * Lady_MakeBelieve snaps her head around... "wait, what just happened?" * LadyMallet picks up the non-squeaky Mallet, slowly, shaking. Some noise comes out of the phone handset, but you can't hear what the other person is saying. Agreed. Make-Believe. We are going to have a very, very long talk once things settle down. This needs to happen... but on a calm front, not when emotions are boiling. Now let's go. ... Yeah. * LadyMallet then takes the Mallet to the phone- and the desk it's on along with it. * LadyHeat is not believing that Rin just decapitated someone. * LadyRoyal heads out without waiting for a response from Rin. * LadyMysteria starts on out as well, looking tense. ...and that's when the sense of sea-magic fully registers. It feels like a couple of Ningyo, some distance away. * Lady_MakeBelieve just stares at the headless body. * Rin uses the tip of her Tessen like a calligraphy brush, inscribing the Kanji for "Traitor" in blood on Haga's desk, before flicking it clean. With a nod to Mysteria, she walks gracefully from the room. ...it seems we are needed. * LadyNightshade moves out the door, dragging Haruko behind her. We need to go. Leave the garbage, Nightshade-san. * Rin transforms. "We have other business to attend to." Lady Nightshade recognizes this place - it's the sixth floor of the USC building. ... * LadyMallet heads to the nearest window, and peeks out it. Where are we? * LadyHeat leaves, not looking at the head ><. * LadyRoyal takes a sharp breath as the sea-magic sense cuts through her shock momentarily, and whips her head around to face the source. We're on the sixth floor. ...great. * LadyMallet closes her eyes, trying to orient herself and place what direction the sea-magic is coming from. We climbed the USC building in the fog? Well. * LadyNightshade heads for the elevator, dragging Haruko behind her. * LadyRoyal follows. * LadyNightshade slaps the first floor button when she gets there. * Lord_Darkmoon heads for the elevator, too, glancing worriedly at Mysteria en route. Hurry up. The elevator chimes and opens. * LadyRoyal tenses, cards ready. * LadyHeat nervously takes another drink. ...this is faster than stairs. *steps on, after hesitating a moment* Hurry. * LadyHeat climbs in. * LadyNightshade moves in immediately, hitting the button. * LadyRoyal strides in, taking a corner close to the door. * LadyMallet looks outside for a moment, then at the elevator, and shakes her head, and gets on the elevator. * Lady_MakeBelieve lets herself be dragged along. * Norcliff whispers in Haruko's ear, trying to get through to her. Someone call the Commander and tell him to expect company. You've got a phone. * Lord_Darkmoon flips open his cell phone, and dials. Assuming he was given a number. You don't want me talking to other people right now. Believe me. ...Ah. Yeah?!? * LadyMallet blinks loudly, and looks quietly, flatly, unflinchingly at Haruko. * LadyNightshade has a sort of icy calm about her although her whole body is tensed to the point of exploding. * LadyRoyal lets it go, and concentrates on being ready in case something crappy is on t he other side of that door when it opens. * LadyMysteria stays deathly quiet, trying to rein herself in. Suddenly, she coughs. "... this has been a terrible day." * LadyHeat is confused and scared and has no idea what has been going on. Yes. Captain, we can sense Ningyo nearby. Not terribly, yet, but we believe they're incoming. The elevator doors open on the main lobby. There's a security guard at the desk, and he's looking your way. * LadyRoyal is...Lady Royal. Slightly in shock, but still paranoid. NO SHIT THEY'RE HERE! WHERE ARE YOU? ... * Lord_Darkmoon tucks the Tessen in the belt of his suddenly civilian garb. "In the main USC building, sir. On our way." Hey! What are you doing here? * LadyRoyal heads out like she's supposed to be heading out. "On our way out, thanks, and you?" * LadyNightshade ignores the guard and continues dragging Haruko out of the lobby, moving towards the base. Don't ask. Where are they? * Lord_Darkmoon steps out and heads for the door, purposefully and as if he has every right to be here. "Looking for those children, didn't you hear?" * LadyMallet shifts her death-glare to the guard, but doesn't say anything. * LadyMysteria stomps along, eyes narrow and body way too tense for her to be anything but upset. * Guard pulls out a radio. "What are you talking about?" * Lord_Darkmoon is addressing the guard as he hurries past. "We just got called elsewhere. Wait here in case we need your assistance with this building again." * LadyMallet stops, and just -stares- at him, letting the others pass before going on herself. * LadyHeat is grateful for the ningyo, in an odd way, it gives her something normal to think about. * Lord_Darkmoon pulls out what looks like a badge in a wallet for the brief moment he flashes it before pocketing it again. "You -did- hear, didn't you? Now, sit there and be useful. We've got work to do." He strides annoyedly and purposefully out. * LadyRoyal turns and joins her glare to Mallet's. "Don't question us. We've got work to do." * LadyNightshade moves as quickly as she can while not dragging Haruko off her feet. * Guard blinks, and lowers the radio, and watches as the group goes out the front door. * LadyRoyal turns and heads out. * LadyMallet walks out, wordlessly, after the others have gone. * Lord_Darkmoon doesn't grin as he flat-out runs, but says, "Nice work, Mallet, Royal. I don't think I could have pulled that off without your input." *holding the phone back to his ear* The cops aren't blockading the entrance anymore, are they? Let's just get this over with. Can't you move any faster? * LadyMallet doesn't hurry for once- she walks at a brisk, even pace, following the scent of Sea Magic. * LadyHeat runs. MOST OF THEM RAN. *sounds of gunfire* HURRY! * CaptainWallace hangs up. What's the situation now? * LadyRoyal speeds up from walk to run. ... good enough of an answer for me. * LadyMysteria breaks into a run as well. * Lord_Darkmoon snaps it closed, and tries to pour on just a little extra speed. "They're in trouble. The cops ran from the ningyo; sounded like the Americans were fighting with everything they have. " Can someone take her so I can get there faster? And don't hurt her. I'll look after her. * LadyMallet picks up the pace, breaking into just as even of a run, with short, measured strides. Make sure she doesn't get lost. Please do, Norcliff. Make sure she doesn't get hurt. * LadyNightshade lets go of Haruko's arm and dashes off at top speed towards the fighting. As they race between warehouses, the Sea Magic seems to surge and whip about them. A steel building beside their path explodes in a surge of water and debris, and a Ningyo moves out of it to block their path. Taki, ahead of the rest, has to dodge I-beams, but keeps her feet. * LadyHeat prepares to swim. Heat, boil her! Let's do this! Hunters, ATTACK! * Norcliff continues to talk to Haruko as the team dashes off, when she continues to fail to respond, he jumps down, grabs her shoe in his teeth, and slowly tugs her towards the Sailors. * LadyHeat prepare to make some tasty dinner! [end session] Session Close: Sat Oct 08 18:39:37 2005