Episode 7! Clash of realities! The Power of The Sailors!

[Anastasia]

[16:14] <Kotono> roll 2d6 Usa black
[16:14] <Reikobot> Kotono rolled : 2d6 Usa black --> [ 2d6=4 ]{4}
[16:14] <Kotono> roll 2d6 Usa yellow
[16:14] <Reikobot> Kotono rolled : 2d6 Usa yellow --> [ 2d6=7 ]{7}
[16:14] <Kotono> OOC - Two DCVs, Usa.
[16:15] <Kotono> roll 2d6 black Takeshi
[16:15] <Reikobot> Kotono rolled : 2d6 black Takeshi --> [ 2d6=8 ]{8}
[16:15] <Kotono> roll 2d6 yellow Takeshi
[16:15] <Reikobot> Kotono rolled : 2d6 yellow Takeshi --> [ 2d6=6 ]{6}
[16:15] <Kotono> OOC - You twoo, Takeshi-chan. <_<
[16:16] <General_Nephrite> roll 2d6 black
[16:16] <Reikobot> General_Nephrite rolled : 2d6 black --> [ 2d6=7 ]{7}
[16:16] <General_Nephrite> roll 2d6+1 yellow
[16:16] <Reikobot> General_Nephrite rolled : 2d6+1 yellow --> [ 2d6=8 ]{9}
[16:16] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6 black
[16:16] <Reikobot> Sailor_Moon rolled : 2d6 black --> [ 2d6=10 ]{10}
[16:16] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6 black+1 yellow
[16:16] <Reikobot> Sailor_Moon rolled : 2d6 black+1 yellow --> [ 2d6=7 ]{7}
[16:18] <Kotono> Takeshi reacts first - he manages to swerve his head aside as a black scythe nearly dismembers him from the neck down! But that leaves him open to the second, passing through him harmlessly! It does no physical damage, but his inner energy is slashed! (10 EP damage.)
[16:19] <Kotono> Usagi turns to see that, but as both of her targetted attacks clip her by surprise! The black one tears her flesh, a nasty, jagged cut down her ribs, and the yellow passse through and leaves a wake of pain inside of her! (20 HP damage and 10 EP damage.)
[16:20] <Kotono> OOC - Neph and reactions go.
[16:20] <Sailor_Moon> "Ahhh!" Usagi cries out as her bodysuit is shredded, skin beneath bleeding freely as she staggers, disoriented by the attack and looking up to see the source!
[16:21] * General_Nephrite grimaces at the weakness that surges through him, but he drops back a step, surveying their new opponent above.
[16:21] <Kotono> Death is in the sky above you - hidden by shadows, drifting and watching! Perhaps 100 feet up, not a word said, but both of his pallid hands are out!
[16:24] * General_Nephrite scowls. "Not in the mood to chat today, I guess," Takeshi calls up, moving to stand between Usagi and Pestilence - with the blonde injured and himself not even certain of damaging the inhuman, the least he can do is keep her from getting wounded further.
[16:25] <Kotono> Pestilence leans back! It spews out a storm of black locusts that turns into dots of black, trying to engulf the shielding Takeshi!
[16:25] <Kotono> roll 2d6-2
[16:25] <Reikobot> Kotono rolled : 2d6-2 --> [ 2d6=11 ]{9}
[16:25] <Kotono> OOC - DCV+3
[16:28] * General_Nephrite grimaces at the onrushing wave of black, thrusting out his palms to try to shatter the attack before it can overwhelm him! "I don't THINK so!"
[16:28] <General_Nephrite> roll 2d6 for Cleave
[16:28] <Reikobot> General_Nephrite rolled : 2d6 for Cleave --> [ 2d6=9 ]{9}
[16:30] <Kotono> The mass of black shatters like a glass mirror, harmlessly falling all around Takeshi and Sailor Moon! Meanwhile Temptation concentrates...
[16:30] <Kotono> roll 2d6-2
[16:30] <Reikobot> Kotono rolled : 2d6-2 --> [ 2d6=7 ]{5}
[16:30] <Kotono> ABove her another Empty One appears, this one a perfect woman save for it's whip arms! Pink and a drop dead gorgeous blonde, ready to fight! OOC - Usa.
[16:32] <Sailor_Moon> And also naked, of course... Oh, they're so going to have to censor this on the news! Unable to press her advantage right now after that attack from Death, Usagi holds her staff out defensively against the multitude of threats arrayed against her, marshalling her reserves to continue the battle!
[16:32] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[16:32] <Reikobot> Sailor_Moon rolled : 2d6 --> [ 2d6=6 ]{6}
[17:25] <Kotono> As the battle rages, the call is from the sky! "Dragon CLAW!" Sailor Jupiter calls, the vicious lighting attack of Jupiter being sent in an airborne battle against Death himself!
[17:26] <Sailor_Jupiter> roll 2d6
[17:26] <Reikobot> Sailor_Jupiter rolled : 2d6 --> [ 2d6=8 ]{8}
[17:26] <Kotono> roll 2d6
[17:26] <Reikobot> Kotono rolled : 2d6 --> [ 2d6=7 ]{7}
[17:28] <Kotono> roll 2d6-2
[17:28] <Reikobot> Kotono rolled : 2d6-2 --> [ 2d6=4 ]{2}
[17:30] <Kotono> Deathw hirls and turns, hood slightly falling back! You can see a hint of a gaunt, barren face underneath for a moment, as  agreat black scythe appears in his hands! The sword of Nemesis and Death's scythe meet, the latter deflecting the former back with a solid CLANG! A gaunt, thin face, but fleshy, as a hand after goes back to steady his hood. "....Jupiter..." he says aloud, "We meet again sooner than we should."
[17:30] <Kotono> OOC - Reactions/initiative.
[17:31] <Sailor_Moon> "Alright, Jupiter!" Usagi calls in relief as the good guys get some reinforcements of their own. If the others are on their way, this just might swing back in their favour after Death's surprise attack.
[17:31] <Kotono> roll 1d6 Death
[17:31] <Reikobot> Kotono rolled : 1d6 Death --> [ 1d6=5 ]{5}
[17:31] <Kotono> roll 1d6 Pest
[17:31] <Reikobot> Kotono rolled : 1d6 Pest --> [ 1d6=5 ]{5}
[17:31] <Kotono> roll 1d6 Tempt
[17:31] <Reikobot> Kotono rolled : 1d6 Tempt --> [ 1d6=5 ]{5}
[17:31] <Sailor_Moon> roll 1d6+9
[17:31] <Reikobot> Sailor_Moon rolled : 1d6+9 --> [ 1d6=3 ]{12}
[17:31] <Kotono> roll 1d6 Empty One
[17:31] <Reikobot> Kotono rolled : 1d6 Empty One --> [ 1d6=6 ]{6}
[17:32] <Sailor_Jupiter> "Just shut up and fight me, you pompous coward." Makoto growls as the spinning Nemesis arcs back to her hand, flashing a quick smile for Usagi. *If she's that lively, it must not be dire yet...thank god.*
[17:32] * General_Nephrite glances up, relieved to see the odds swing back towards balance. "Now we just need to deal with these idiots on the ground," he grumbles.
[17:32] <General_Nephrite> roll 1d6+10
[17:32] <Reikobot> General_Nephrite rolled : 1d6+10 --> [ 1d6=1 ]{11}
[17:32] <Sailor_Jupiter> roll 1d6+10
[17:32] <Reikobot> Sailor_Jupiter rolled : 1d6+10 --> [ 1d6=2 ]{12}
[17:33] <Kotono> Death=Pest=Tempt>Moon=~Jupiter>Neph>Empty One
[17:34] <Kotono> Pestilence is the first to press his advantage! With a roar his body breaks apart into millions of locusts! This swarm engulfs Nephrite, stinging and biting!
[17:34] <Kotono> roll 2d6
[17:34] <Reikobot> Kotono rolled : 2d6 --> [ 2d6=3 ]{3}
[17:35] <Kotono> OOC - DCV
[17:35] <General_Nephrite> roll 2d6
[17:35] <Reikobot> General_Nephrite rolled : 2d6 --> [ 2d6=5 ]{5}
[17:37] <Kotono> "You wisht o fight me...?" Death chuckles, "It is not yet time..." With that he bows grandly, fading away from Jupiter altogether!
[17:37] <Kotono> "...Sir Death?" Temptation looks up and calls, a note of alarm in her vioce a moment!
[17:38] <Sailor_Jupiter> "What the hell?" Makoto growls, looking around and staring.
[17:38] <Kotono> Somehow Takeshi resists, parrying aside the entire swarm! He stands firm, battered but upright! They buzz and reform, Pestilence right back where he was!
[17:38] <Kotono> Meanwhile Temptation stands fir, holding for the moment! OOC - Moon and Jupiter.
[17:43] <Sailor_Moon> Seeing Death vanish, Usagi quickly hurries over to Temptation, sidling up behind the bound inhuman and holding her staff pointed upwards at the side of her head. "Your allies seem pretty unreliable," she comments, "But I don't really want to hurt you... even if you might not thank me for this."
[17:45] <Kotono> "For killing me," she waits a moment, looking at Usagi darkly. "Your spirit is weak...you cannot resist," she begins, words coming rapidly, a swarm of them! "You are nothing but a little girl who pines for what she cannot have! The black haired one..you need her! She consumes your every thought!"
[17:45] <Kotono> roll 2d6+2
[17:45] <Reikobot> Kotono rolled : 2d6+2 --> [ 2d6=6 ]{8}
[17:45] <Kotono> OOC - Soul check -2, Usa.
[17:45] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6-2
[17:45] <Reikobot> Sailor_Moon rolled : 2d6-2 --> [ 2d6=7 ]{5}
[17:45] <Kotono> But Usagi's head stays clear this time, even if an image of naked Rei flashes inside!
[17:50] * Sailor_Moon is quite used to such images, at least! "You're exaggerating," she returns, putting a hand on Temptation's shoulder even as she holds her staff poised in the other. "But what about yourself? Nothing but a collection of empty promises and allure is what I see - you're empty inside. Unfulfilled and desperately seeking meaning in your hollow temptations!"
[17:50] <Sailor_Jupiter> With mild irritation, Jupiter drops from the sky and heads over to Nephrite's battle. "Go help Moon out! I'll deal with ugly here~!" She calls, closing her eyes...and summoning lighting to herself, filling her body with it until she glows, dropping directly onto Pestilence in a tackle!
[17:54] <Sailor_Jupiter> roll 2d6 ACV
[17:54] <Reikobot> Sailor_Jupiter rolled : 2d6 ACV --> [ 2d6=9 ]{9}
[17:54] <Sailor_Jupiter> roll 2d6 soul
[17:54] <Reikobot> Sailor_Jupiter rolled : 2d6 soul --> [ 2d6=7 ]{7}
[17:54] <Kotono> roll 2d6 DCV Pestilence
[17:54] <Reikobot> Kotono rolled : 2d6 DCV Pestilence --> [ 2d6=5 ]{5}
[17:55] <Kotono> Pestilence swarms out around Makoto, reforming behind her! He's trailing locuts, avoiding the electricty Sailor Jupiter sheds so readily! She sparkles with her power, a few trailing locusts zapped but no serious damage! "Ugh!" he cries, forming a body again!
[17:59] <Sailor_Jupiter> Makoto smiles at Pestilence...and it's not a nice smile. "Come on then-Where's your big old rant about the power of...DISEASE now, stupid?" She asks him over her shoulder.
[18:04] * General_Nephrite nods as Makoto moves to intercept Mr. Bugbomb, leaving him free to deal with the problem he CAN deal with. He smirks across at the pink woman, although her appearance is certainly a bit... distracting. "Looks like it's you and me then, beautiful," he taunts. "Shall we dance?" And with that, he launches a short roundhouse kick directly at the Empty One's side!
[18:04] <General_Nephrite> roll 2d6
[18:04] <Reikobot> General_Nephrite rolled : 2d6 --> [ 2d6=5 ]{5}
[18:04] <Kotono> roll 2d6 DCV go
[18:04] <Reikobot> Kotono rolled : 2d6 DCV go --> [ 2d6=6 ]{6}
[18:05] <Kotono> The blow sends the Empty One reeling! It staggers about, but looks towards it's mistress! It's tentacle arms lash out - but not to attack, butto wrap around teh end of the tiara and try to pry it loose from it's mistress!
[18:05] <Kotono> roll 2d6+2 (Using it's ACV for this.)
[18:05] <Reikobot> Kotono rolled : 2d6+2 (Using it's ACV for this.) --> [ 2d6=11 ]{13}
[18:06] <Kotono> But they fail to even budge USagi's tiara power! OOC - React/initiative.
[18:06] <Sailor_Jupiter> roll 1d6+10
[18:06] <Reikobot> Sailor_Jupiter rolled : 1d6+10 --> [ 1d6=3 ]{13}
[18:06] <Sailor_Moon> roll 1d6+8
[18:06] <Reikobot> Sailor_Moon rolled : 1d6+8 --> [ 1d6=5 ]{13}
[18:07] <Kotono> roll 1d6 Pest
[18:07] <Reikobot> Kotono rolled : 1d6 Pest --> [ 1d6=6 ]{6}
[18:07] <Kotono> roll 1d6 Tempt
[18:07] <Reikobot> Kotono rolled : 1d6 Tempt --> [ 1d6=5 ]{5}
[18:07] <Kotono> roll 1d6 Empty One
[18:07] <Reikobot> Kotono rolled : 1d6 Empty One --> [ 1d6=3 ]{3}
[18:07] <General_Nephrite> roll 1d6+10
[18:07] <Reikobot> General_Nephrite rolled : 1d6+10 --> [ 1d6=4 ]{14}
[18:07] <Kotono> Pest>Tempt>Neph>Jupiter=~Moon>Empty One.
[18:10] <Kotono> Pestilence reforms, this time lunging at Nephrite again! His withering claws of locusts lash out, a pair of deadly attacks!
[18:10] <Kotono> roll 2d6
[18:10] <Kotono> roll 2d6
[18:10] <Reikobot> Kotono rolled : 2d6 --> [ 2d6=6 ]{6}
[18:10] <Reikobot> Kotono rolled : 2d6 --> [ 2d6=5 ]{5}
[18:10] <Kotono> OOC - DCV x 2.
[18:11] <General_Nephrite> roll 2d6
[18:11] <Reikobot> General_Nephrite rolled : 2d6 --> [ 2d6=9 ]{9}
[18:11] <General_Nephrite> roll 2d6+1
[18:11] <Reikobot> General_Nephrite rolled : 2d6+1 --> [ 2d6=7 ]{8}
[18:12] <Kotono> Both claws tear into him! A jagged, dripping wound acros shis chest, and much of of his left leg's muscle is ripped! THe agony is only complimented by the raw, screaming heat that spreads in his body after! OOC - 80 damage before DR and two body checks, -1 on the body checks due to the stone.
[18:13] <General_Nephrite> roll 2d6-1 #1
[18:13] <Reikobot> General_Nephrite rolled : 2d6-1 #1 --> [ 2d6=4 ]{3}
[18:13] <General_Nephrite> roll 2d6-1 #2
[18:13] <Reikobot> General_Nephrite rolled : 2d6-1 #2 --> [ 2d6=4 ]{3}
[18:14] <Kotono> Nephrite resists the burning, the only pain from his vicious, consuming wounds! OOC - Jupiter and Moon go.
[18:14] <Kotono> OOC - Er, exucs eme, mis read.
[18:14] <Kotono> OOC - Tempt is up now.
[18:15] <Kotono> Temptation struggles against the Tiara anew, trying to get out of it!
[18:15] <Kotono> roll 2d6+2
[18:15] <Reikobot> Kotono rolled : 2d6+2 --> [ 2d6=5 ]{7}
[18:16] <Kotono> But she isn't quite able to escape, even if the binds are pushed out considerably! OOC - Neph.
[18:19] * General_Nephrite hisses sharply at the fearsome wounds delivered, but he manages a shaky smirk despite that. "That's the best you've got?" he counters to Pestilence, leaning in to drive a rock-hard elbow towards the Empty One's... wow. Would you look at those... er, never mind!
[18:19] <General_Nephrite> roll 2d6
[18:19] <Reikobot> General_Nephrite rolled : 2d6 --> [ 2d6=3 ]{3}
[18:21] <Kotono> "oll 2d6
[18:21] <Kotono> roll 2d7
[18:21] <Reikobot> Kotono rolled : 2d7 --> [ 2d7=7 ]{7}
[18:21] <Kotono> roll 2d6
[18:21] <Reikobot> Kotono rolled : 2d6 --> [ 2d6=8 ]{8}
[18:21] <Kotono> Another vicious blow to this empty one, perfect chest rather marred and bruised! It's still up but badly beaten! OOC - Moon and Mako!
[18:24] <Sailor_Jupiter> "Get back here, you @!^$%!!!" Makoto snarls, peeved at having Pestilence flee her reach, and she tees up her most vicious attack, Nemesis splitting the air with a rumbling boom. "Thunderclap SLASH!"
[18:24] <Sailor_Jupiter> roll 2d6
[18:24] <Reikobot> Sailor_Jupiter rolled : 2d6 --> [ 2d6=8 ]{8}
[18:24] <Sailor_Jupiter> roll 2d6
[18:24] <Reikobot> Sailor_Jupiter rolled : 2d6 --> [ 2d6=6 ]{6}
[18:24] <Kotono> roll 2d6
[18:24] <Reikobot> Kotono rolled : 2d6 --> [ 2d6=9 ]{9}
[18:25] <Sailor_Moon> "Stop struggling!" Usagi insists, starting to focus on Temptation's aura as she begins the difficult process of purifying her - if it can even be done. "You'll get to meet Michiru again - doesn't that tempt your hollow heart?"
[18:25] <Kotono> Pestilence is shocked, dozens of locusts exploding into black motes of lighta nd then nothingness! The sword slices through him, entire body lessened and coursing with electric aftershock!
[18:26] <Kotono> He flies back in a disorganized swarm, sparking and smokign!
[18:26] <Kotono> OOC - Soul check Usa. +2
[18:26] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6+2
[18:26] <Reikobot> Sailor_Moon rolled : 2d6+2 --> [ 2d6=7 ]{9}
[18:26] <Kotono> "..damn you," Temptation snarls darkly, struggling in vain against her bonds. "Pestilence! Go!"
[18:27] <Kotono> The Empty One staggers, lashing out at Takeshi in revenge!
[18:27] <Kotono> roll 2d6
[18:27] <Reikobot> Kotono rolled : 2d6 --> [ 2d6=12 ]{12}
[18:28] <Kotono> But it's attack only slaps the ground, it's balanced ruined as it falls forward! Nephrite nearly gets a chest to chest meeting as it stumbles at him!
[18:28] <Kotono> Meanwhile...
[18:29] <Kotono> Rei and Hotaru zoom into the battle! They just see Death vanish and then the round as they approach, Makoto descending to help the battle! "That's it," Mars snarls, Staff of Cinders in hand, "Ready?"
[18:31] <Sailor_Saturn> "Always," Hotaru hisses, black and violet flaring around the glaive as she and Rei begin to descend. Air support!
[18:31] <Kotono> "There he is," Rei calls, her voice heard by the others as she descends in a fury! "Together, get him!" Rei says, getting her Staff ready to be thrown like a javelin of fire!
[18:37] <Sailor_Saturn> Hotaru's smile is perhaps a little more sadiastic than it should be, pulling herself up on the bright gushes of violet energy that surround her, focusing and swirling the destructive force until it becomes the familiar set of twisting, black encased barbs, that suddenly lash forth at the locust monster! "Ruination--!"
[18:37] <Sailor_Saturn> roll 2d6
[18:37] <Reikobot> Sailor_Saturn rolled : 2d6 --> [ 2d6=9 ]{9}
[18:38] <Kotono> "DESTROYING THROW!" Rei finishes, her Staff of Cinders tossed! It meets with Hotaru's barbs, becoming a black tipped and barbed fiery lance of ruin!
[18:38] <Kotono> roll 2d6
[18:38] <Reikobot> Kotono rolled : 2d6 --> [ 2d6=7 ]{7}
[18:40] <Kotono> roll 2d6
[18:40] <Reikobot> Kotono rolled : 2d6 --> [ 2d6=6 ]{6}
[18:41] <Kotono> The powerful spear of flame roars into Pestilence, bugs fried alive! His cry is one of pain and torment, "Te...TEMPTATION!" He wails, "...I'm sorr-" Bugs burn and burn, a sickening charnal oder as he is consumed into nothing but ash that fades! A second later there is an all over burst, a great feeling of sickening!
[18:42] <Kotono> Where he was the Staff of Cinders juts out of the ground, not even a rain of ash left, and only a few flickers of destruction remaning!
[18:43] * Sailor_Jupiter blinks as a lightning strike of power finishes the job she started, but pondering is put off in response to heaving at the sudden burst of nausea.
[18:44] * Sailor_Moon emits a faint gurgling sound of disgust as the foul malaise of Pestilence's death throes wash over her, but nonetheless keeps a tight hold on Temptation... even if she's going to be so much more pissed off and difficult to handle after that.
[18:44] <Kotono> "No...NO!" Temptation's eyes go wide,s truggling even more against the tiara! (I'm going to give her an extra body check here for it as she has a good plot reason to.)
[18:44] <Kotono> roll 2d6+2
[18:44] <Reikobot> Kotono rolled : 2d6+2 --> [ 2d6=8 ]{10}
[18:44] <Kotono> But she's still trapped, screaming out Pestilence's name!
[18:46] <Kotono> Rei buffers in the air, Sailor Mars holding her stomacha s she slowly drifts down. She resists throwing up if but barely, looking pale. "Got him," she smiles thinly after that. "You guys okay?"
[18:47] <Sailor_Saturn> "Another one bites the dust," Hotaru breathes, drained but not panicked, covering her mouth after a moment to hold back the sudden leap of her stomach. She nods to Rei, beginning to descend towards the ground. "Anyone hurt?" she asks more specifically.
[18:47] <Kotono> OOC - Go ahead and act - y ou can all go before the Empty one, it has zero chance of going before all of you. <_<
[18:48] * Sailor_Moon struggles with Temptation, wondering if she might be a lost cause after this... but Usagi can't bring herself to hurt her while she's effectively harmless. "He knew the risks, Temptation. But we won't kill you if you don't force us to," she murmurs, beginning to carefully probe her bright purifying aura against the unhuman's condensed core of grey...
[18:48] * General_Nephrite looks pale as a ghost, still standing after the wave of noxious feeling from Pestilence's death but not feeling wonderful between that, the burning sensation, and loss of blood.
[18:48] <Sailor_Moon> inhuman*
[18:49] <Kotono> OOc Soul check, Usa-Usa. +2.
[18:49] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6+2 burning 10 EP
[18:49] <Reikobot> Sailor_Moon rolled : 2d6+2 burning 10 EP --> [ 2d6=4 ]{6}
[18:51] <Kotono> The Empty One lunges at Usagi, striking out with it's whipcord arms at SAilor Moon!
[18:51] <Kotono> roll 2d6
[18:51] <Reikobot> Kotono rolled : 2d6 --> [ 2d6=6 ]{6}
[18:51] <Kotono> But it just misses, slamming the air instead!
[18:51] * Sailor_Jupiter grimaces and opens her palm, a ball of lighting forming at her call! She closes her hand and with a snap-hiss, a giant Uru Hammer is formed as she staggers in the direction of the final opponent, a somewhat listless throw at the Empty one. "Thunder hammer!"
[18:52] <Kotono> OOC - ACV Mako go!
[18:52] <Sailor_Jupiter> roll 2d6
[18:52] <Reikobot> Sailor_Jupiter rolled : 2d6 --> [ 2d6=7 ]{7}
[18:52] <Kotono> roll 2d6
[18:52] <Reikobot> Kotono rolled : 2d6 --> [ 2d6=9 ]{9}
[18:53] <Kotono> The Empty One is slammed by the Thunder Hammer, sent and knocked back but still solid! It's skin cracks with burns, badly ragged!
[18:53] <Kotono> Rei just looks at it and grunts, a jet of flame coming from her towards it!
[18:53] <Kotono> roll 2d6
[18:53] <Reikobot> Kotono rolled : 2d6 --> [ 2d6=5 ]{5}
[18:53] <Kotono> roll 2d6
[18:53] <Reikobot> Kotono rolled : 2d6 --> [ 2d6=7 ]{7}
[18:54] <Kotono> Fire licks the Empty One, finishing the job as it vanishes admit a small sea of flaem1
[18:55] <Kotono> "STop..." Temptation struggles, "Murderer!"
[18:56] * Sailor_Jupiter props herself up on her sword, turning away from the carnage to watch Usagi's progress. "Bullshit. You come down here and threaten people's lives, and you expect us to shed tears for your deaths? Don't make me laugh." She mumbles.
[18:57] <Sailor_Moon> "We had no choice!" Usagi insists fiercely, glowing hand clamping onto Temptation's shoulder as she focuses into the woman's otherworldly aura, going for the forceful approach that worked on Stagnation after her more careful ploys failed. "You sought this battle, not us!"
[18:57] * Sailor_Saturn shakes her head, lowering her glaive and sighing. "No more a murderer than you or Death would be given a chance," she mutters, moving over towards Takeshi with a light glow of violet on her hands, and calling energy from within herself. "Sit?" she asks the one visibly wounded member of their group.
[18:57] <Kotono> OOC - Soul check one mo' time. +2.
[18:57] <Sailor_Saturn> roll 2d6 rejuve
[18:57] <Reikobot> Sailor_Saturn rolled : 2d6 rejuve --> [ 2d6=6 ]{6}
[18:57] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6+2 burning 10 EP
[18:57] <Reikobot> Sailor_Moon rolled : 2d6+2 burning 10 EP --> [ 2d6=10 ]{12}
[18:58] <General_Nephrite> "Yeah," Takeshi says, gritting his teeth as he takes a seat. The sight of his leg earns a wince - didn't really see how bad it looked before now.
[18:59] <Kotono> "This is for us! Everyone else on this world can never un derstand! They live as unaware beings like specks of dust!" STruggling in futility against Usagi's tiara, "The Lightbringer will change everything!"
[19:00] <Sailor_Saturn> Hotaru laughs softly, mostly to herself as one black gloved hand touches Nephrite's knee, willing energy into it to heal the torn leg.
[19:00] <Sailor_Jupiter> "Go to hell." Makoto replies succinctly. "You aren't more important than any of the people who live their lives happily here."
[19:00] * Sailor_Moon breathes deeply, disheartened by the scope of the task ahead of her. But she refuses to be daunted... still, remembering how much easier Eleni was to deal with than Michiru, and what was different then, she speaks up, "Everyone, it's too hard for me alone. I need your support," she tells her friends, gathering herself before making another attempt at penetrating into Temptation's tightly wound core.
[19:00] <Sailor_Moon> "You're the one that doesn't understand - but you will, soon," she promises.
[19:00] <Kotono> Nephrite's wounds heal as Usagi works and the others talk, pain lessening.
[19:00] <Kotono> OOC - Soul check +2 again.
[19:01] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6+2
[19:01] <Reikobot> Sailor_Moon rolled : 2d6+2 --> [ 2d6=4 ]{6}
[19:01] * Sailor_Jupiter moves over to Usagi without hesitating. "What do you need me to do?"
[19:01] <Kotono> roll 2d6
[19:01] <Reikobot> Kotono rolled : 2d6 --> [ 2d6=7 ]{7}
[19:01] * General_Nephrite slowly struggles to his feet at Usagi's request - wounds do heal faster with Hotaru's help, but the pain does linger a bit.
[19:01] * Sailor_Moon breathes deeply. "Just... focus on helping me, like when I purified Eleni or used the Crystal," she gets out, a golden crescent appearing on her sweat slicked brow.
[19:02] <Sailor_Jupiter> "Oh, ok." Makoto put her hand on Usagi's shoulder, and closes her eyes as the memories come back. *Open the gates to offer energy she needs...*
[19:02] * Sailor_Saturn blinks, looking up. "Hm?" she asks,, grabbing Nephrite by the arm to help him up, and beginning to focus on Usagi at her request, the way they'd done with her before, or with Setsuna.
[19:02] <Kotono> Rei raises ane eybrow but follows, "Right, Moon," she says, resting a hand on Usagi's upper arm.
[19:02] <Kotono> OOC - MAke a normal soul check, Usa, and then take your action on Temptation.
[19:03] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[19:03] <Reikobot> Sailor_Moon rolled : 2d6 --> [ 2d6=10 ]{10}
[19:03] * General_Nephrite has no idea what to do, really, but seeing as the focus is on Usagi he looks to her for guidance.
[19:03] <Kotono> "You...you're enjoying killing me," she struggles again, barely held by the Tiara. "Whever I go after this...I'll get revenge! I swear!"
[19:03] <Sailor_Jupiter> "She alreadt told you we're not killing you. Shut up." Makoto replies, distantly as she focuses on the blonde.
[19:04] <Kotono> "You'll...understand...once you finish this," Temptation spits, once again trying to break Usagi's tiara!
[19:04] <Kotono> roll 2d6
[19:04] <Reikobot> Kotono rolled : 2d6 --> [ 2d6=9 ]{9}
[19:05] <Kotono> but she is truly and goodly stuck, unable to do a thing!
[19:05] <Sailor_Moon> "Not killing..." the blonde whispers tersely. "You might hate me for it, but it's better than death, no matter what you think." Feeling the support of her friends, she focuses on encircling Temptation's aura with her own, solidifying her position before doing anything dramatic.
[19:07] <Kotono> OOC - Soul check -4.
[19:07] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6-4
[19:07] <Reikobot> Sailor_Moon rolled : 2d6-4 --> [ 2d6=9 ]{5}
[19:09] <Kotono> Sailor Moon's crescent glows brighter, like a sun encased within her forehead! Temptation flickers like a ghost, only slowly becoming solid again as she screams in agony1
[19:10] * General_Nephrite simply watches for now, a bit lost at what's going on - but the least he can do is keep an eye on Temptation in case something looks to be going wrong that he can act to prevent.
[19:12] * Sailor_Moon feels some of her resolve falter at the pain Temptation is clearly in... but the smoking crater where Pestilence once stood in the corner of her vision assuages her doubts. "I wish it didn't have to be this way..." she whispers sadly, "But you gave us no choice." Having set herself up, the blonde lets loose her power, waves of purifying and revitalising energy pouring into Temptation on all sides as she is remade by Usagi's will!
[19:12] <Kotono> OOC - Soul check -4.
[19:12] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6-4
[19:13] <Reikobot> Sailor_Moon rolled : 2d6-4 --> [ 2d6=8 ]{4}
[19:13] <Kotono> roll 2d6
[19:13] <Reikobot> Kotono rolled : 2d6 --> [ 2d6=6 ]{6}
[19:14] <Kotono> As light radiates from Usagi, the girls glow! Tiaras fall away, the symbols of the planets seen on their foreheads! Temptation screams again as if in the utmost agony, flickering as the tiara falls away from her! She collaspes, half transparent and curling up!
[19:15] * General_Nephrite tenses as the tiara falls away, although Temptation admittedly appears to be in no position to do anything coherent at the moment. Wincing at the screams, he nonetheless keeps his attention on the inhuman as Usagi does her work.
[19:16] <Sailor_Moon> It's different than what happened with Michiru... Realising that she's perhaps out of her depth, Usagi improvises! Bending down as Temptation falls, she redirects more of her power to fill in the cracks, trying to replace the withering core with something, lest the whole thing fall apart! "Saturn, heal her!" she cries, hoping that between them they can provide enough impetus for Temptation to stabilise now that her inhuman power is shattered.
[19:16] <Sailor_Moon> shattered.
[19:17] * Sailor_Saturn leaves Takeshi at a dash, coming to a skidding stop next to to Temptation as hr hand reaches out, offering what energy she can here!
[19:17] <Kotono> OOC - Soul check -2, Usa, and Soul check, Hotaru. (We'll say you spent 15 EP healing Takeshi.)
[19:17] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6-2
[19:17] <Reikobot> Sailor_Moon rolled : 2d6-2 --> [ 2d6=9 ]{7}
[19:17] <Sailor_Saturn> roll 2d6
[19:17] <Reikobot> Sailor_Saturn rolled : 2d6 --> [ 2d6=4 ]{4}
[19:18] <Kotono> roll 2d6
[19:18] <Reikobot> Kotono rolled : 2d6 --> [ 2d6=7 ]{7}
[19:20] <Kotono> With a cry PEstilence flickers again! The energy flows into her - so much energy, twisting her! Those that look cat her can see two - an older woman, perhaps 40 - very dark skinned. Like a faraway memory, slowly forming as the two Sailors work! Above the sun sets entirely - but silvery moonlight comes out, bathing the park in it's sudden rise!
[19:20] <Kotono> *Temptation
[19:22] <Sailor_Moon> "Keep at it..." Usagi encourages, bolstered by the moonrise as she continues her unceasing efforts, perhaps a journey she's not sure where the end lies, but certainly preferable to the alternative demonstrated by Despair and Pestilence.
[19:23] <Kotono> OOC - Soul check even, Usa. Soul check +1, 'taru.
[19:23] <Sailor_Saturn> Hotaru just keeps up the pressure of energy, letting it depart from her form in the ever familiar draining.
[19:23] <Sailor_Saturn> roll 2d6+1
[19:23] <Reikobot> Sailor_Saturn rolled : 2d6+1 --> [ 2d6=8 ]{9}
[19:23] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[19:23] <Reikobot> Sailor_Moon rolled : 2d6 --> [ 2d6=7 ]{7}
[19:23] <Kotono> roll 2d56
[19:23] <Reikobot> Kotono rolled : 2d56 --> [ 2d56=102 ]{102}
[19:23] <Kotono> roll 2d6
[19:23] <Reikobot> Kotono rolled : 2d6 --> [ 2d6=7 ]{7}
[19:24] <Kotono> The burst is a wave of gray energy exploding out! Another and another, mists of nothingness that shroud all! Temptation vanishes, only leaving the woman's body there instead! Where there was is a small point of whtie light, one that slowly drifts into the dark skinned body below - Spanish looking, logn dark hair and skin.
[19:27] * Sailor_Moon falls back onto her rear, breathing deeply and staring. "Is that... who she was, before?" she gasps raggedly, sucking in great gulps of air to recover as her glow mostly dims, although the crescent marking on her forehead remains for the moment.
[19:27] <Kotono> roll 2d6
[19:27] <Reikobot> Kotono rolled : 2d6 --> [ 2d6=3 ]{3}
[19:27] <Sailor_Saturn> Hotaru lets out a long, exhausted sigh. "Is that it?" she asks quietly, glowing hands checking the woman's vital signs.
[19:27] <General_Nephrite> "Bloody hell," is all Takeshi says, under his breath.
[19:28] <Sailor_Jupiter> "That's...an improvement." Makoto murmurs, her eyes opening.
[19:28] <Kotono> The flow of power stops abruptly - as the Moon itself goes dark! A looming skull appears over the Moon's face, glowering down as a great scythe of black energy appears in the sky!
[19:29] * Sailor_Moon only dimly notes the reduction in light levels, taking a moment to look up before she starts in alarm, scrabbling to her feet. "Death!" she cries. Guess he didn't leave completely, after all...
[19:29] <Kotono> "Thank you for those two...with only Hatred left...The hunger will soon be sated!" Death calls down, voice booming over the entire city of Tokyo!
[19:29] <Kotono> roll 2d6
[19:29] <Reikobot> Kotono rolled : 2d6 --> [ 2d6=12 ]{12}
[19:30] * Sailor_Jupiter starts at the sound, her eyes widening. "...This is...This is seriously messed up. He WANTS us to kill them?"
[19:31] <Kotono> The scythe roars down, nearly cleaving the Moon apart! It flies powerfully, coming right down - but instead the Moon glows brighter, banishing Death and his scyteh away!
[19:31] <Kotono> "THe hell?!" Rei begins to brace, but looks up at the pristinely shining moon above. "...whew."
[19:31] <Sailor_Jupiter> "What the hell?" Makoto cries out in frustration, echoing Rei as the spectre is banished.
[19:31] * General_Nephrite tenses, preparing to intercept the powerful weapon... only to have it vanish away before even reaching the group. "I really, REALLY wish I knew what was going on," he growls.
[19:32] * Sailor_Saturn sweatdrops, lowering her hastily raised energy. "What the..."
[19:32] <Sailor_Moon> "Ahh... go Moon?" Usagi hazards at the odd display in the sky. She does frown at Makoto's comment, looking down at the 'new' Temptation, "This just gets more and more messed up..."
[19:32] <Kotono> She's breathing but look sto be asleep. She's also ratherunclad - she's okay to look at, but she's no prize.
[19:33] <Kotono> "Let's just get the hell out of here, now." Rei says, taking to the sky.
[19:33] <Sailor_Jupiter> "Um...Shouldn't we take her to the cops?" Makoto asks uncertainly.
[19:33] <General_Nephrite> "I'll second that sentiment," Takeshi says. "Who's taking her?" With that he indicates the unconscious former foe.
[19:33] <Kotono> Rei glances back, "If she'll talk, she's a goldmine for us, Jupiter-chan," Mars says simpy.
[19:34] <Kotono> *Simply.
[19:34] <Sailor_Moon> "She's our responsibility, now," Usagi shakes her head at Makoto. "We owe her that much... Take her to Serenity's - I can probably get out of work considering what happened, here."
[19:35] <Sailor_Jupiter> "We're supposed to be working with the authorities." Makoto counters. "Shouldn't we at least let someone know we have her?"
[19:35] * Sailor_Saturn takes a deep breath, clsoing her eyes. "I'll let them know," she offers, smiling weakly.
[19:36] <General_Nephrite> "Let them know, yes," Takeshi counters. "But do you think they're going to know what to do with her?"
[19:36] <Sailor_Jupiter> "Well, I'd think the police know a thing or two about interrogation." Makoto shrugs.
[19:36] <Kotono> "For now, we keep her," Rei says, starting to fly into the sky. "We need the information - the government can deal with her later. She's in good hands. Meet at her place?"
[19:36] <Sailor_Moon> "We can do that later. Just dumping her off at a prison before we even talk to her isn't fair. Anyway, we need to leave, now," she waits for assent before doing her usual post battle clean up and then taking Temptation with her as they leave.
[19:37] <Kotono> OOC - Mass Rejuv?
[19:37] <Sailor_Moon> OOC: that's the plan
[19:37] <Kotono> OOC - Go forit.
[19:38] * Sailor_Jupiter purses her lips, then shrugs. "Fair enough." She agrees, going over to Temptation, and beginning to scoop up the woman.
[19:39] <Sailor_Moon> "I think Pestilence dropped his sword earlier, by the way," Usagi adds, briefly looking around for it as she holds her staff aloft, waves of golden light washing out over the immediate area to repair the damage and rejuvenate everyone.
[19:39] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[19:39] <Reikobot> Sailor_Moon rolled : 2d6 --> [ 2d6=7 ]{7}
[19:39] <Kotono> Pandemic is to the side, near the bathroom. It sits in the grass, all the greena round it withered and dead.
[19:39] <Sailor_Jupiter> "Is it safe to touch?" Makoto asks, looking at the dead grass and frowning deeply, looking upset.
[19:41] <Sailor_Moon> "Not sure," Usagi admits, letting her staff vanish and walking over to the blade. "But we can't leave it here - I might be able to purify it later, anyway." At that, she carefully bends down to pick it up by the handle, her hand bathed in a soft glow as she focuses on a purifying barrier around the limb to prevent any infection just from holding it.
[19:42] * General_Nephrite winces as he straightens up, Hotaru's healing having taken the edge off his injuries but still in some pain. "To Serenity's, then," he says, springing lightly into the air himself.
[19:42] * Sailor_Saturn nods a little. "I'll meet the rest of you at Serenity's once I'm done contacting the authorities," she offers, beginning to move towards the entrance.
[19:43] * Sailor_Jupiter smiles at Hotaru. "Hurry." She offers, leaping into the air, her own wings igniting and carrying her off with her burden.
[19:46] * Sailor_Saturn waves, detransforming as she goes to find a payphone and call a certain someone.
[19:57] <Kotono> OOC - Soul check +1, Usa.
[19:57] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6+1
[19:57] <Reikobot> Sailor_Moon rolled : 2d6+1 --> [ 2d6=10 ]{11}
[19:58] <Kotono> Usagi's barrier of light shatters away into black, disease racing into her! Her brow heats up, body quivering in the fever's embrace! (5 HP of damage; -1 CV.)
[19:59] <Sailor_Moon> "Ahhh!" Usagi hisses, hand snapping back and being cradled in her undiseased arm as she promptly tries to expunge the disease before it can wrack her further!
[19:59] <Kotono> OOC - Soul check +2.
[19:59] <Kotono> OOC, Er +1.
[19:59] * General_Nephrite glances down at Usagi, dropping back to the ground. "You all right with that? I can take it if it's causing a problem - more luck to it trying to do anything to a rock."
[19:59] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6+1
[19:59] <Reikobot> Sailor_Moon rolled : 2d6+1 --> [ 2d6=6 ]{7}
[19:59] <Sailor_Jupiter> Fortunately, not being too far away, Makoto pauses midflight. "Moon?"
[20:00] <Kotono> The disease leaves Usagi's body, leaving her feeling vaguely ill.
[20:00] <Sailor_Moon> "It's fine, guys," Usagi waves them off, flexing her fingers a few times before once more trying to shield her hand in pure wholesome goodness, this time putting a smidge more effort into it.
[20:01] <Kotono> OOC - Soul check +1 again, Usa!
[20:01] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6+1
[20:01] <Reikobot> Sailor_Moon rolled : 2d6+1 --> [ 2d6=6 ]{7}
[20:01] * Sailor_Jupiter hovers in midair, watching...
[20:01] <Kotono> This time she is ablet o pick it up. She feels distantly sick but in control, only queasy.
[20:02] <Sailor_Moon> "I got it," Usagi nods unhappily. "See you guys there!" she calls before vanishing, teleporting herself to the entrance of Serenity's abode.
[20:02] * General_Nephrite takes to the skies again, shaking his head a bit as he heads towards Serenity's home himself.
[20:02] <Sailor_Jupiter> Makoto nods to herself and sighs, giving Hotaru a final check before arcing off into the sky.
[20:05] <Kotono> So everyone gathers to Serenity's! Temptation is put to rest on the couch, drinks and bandages doles out as needed. Serenity b usies herself with that, Nior standing guard over Temptation nonetheless. Janna has the good sense to wave hi and just flee upstairs. It's a good chance to rest, and everyone gets about an hour before Temptation finally stirs...
[20:07] * Usagi leaves Pandemic bundled up in a towel right now, not feeling up to purifying an evil artifact at the moment. Of course, Rei will have to burn to towel later, but such sacrifices have to be made in the fight against evil.
[20:08] * Takeshi simply relaxes on the couch, leaning his head back against the top of the cushions as his still-damp hair dries after a brief shower. While he feels much better for having cleaned up, it's still going to take a while before those wounds close up completely.
[20:08] <Kotono> "Finally," Rei murmurs to herself, sitting on one of the easy chairs and sprawled out.
[20:09] <Kotono> "Pestilenece..." It's a whisper/feathery soft speech, lips barely parting to say that. Temptation is still and quiet, covered in a blanket. "P..pestilence..."
[20:10] * Makoto amuses herself by practicing hardening paper some more, pondering idly pelting Takeshi with them when she looks up as Temptation's voice carries.
[20:10] * Takeshi raises his head to look at Temptation, his face showing its usual solemn expression. "Awake, I see," he says quietly.
[20:11] <Kotono> "Pestilence..." A soft shudder escapes her, body limp against the couch. Her eyes don't open, breathing heavily labored.
[20:11] * Usagi looks up at Temptation there, currently sat on the floor herself. "I'm sorry..." she murmurs. "We had no choice."
[20:12] <Kotono> "Too bright...go away," Temptation murmurs, "I'll never see her now...did you send me those dreams to torment me?"
[20:13] <Takeshi> "Dreams?" Takeshi asks quietly. "What dreams?"
[20:15] <Kotono> "I saw her...you have her after all and you torment us." Temptation sounds tired; exhausted.
[20:16] * Makoto rolls her eyes, going back to playing with her paper, and only listening with half an ear.
[20:16] <Takeshi> "The Lightbringer?" Takeshi says, leaning forward on his knees. "If we have her, it's news to us."
[20:16] <Usagi> "We only want to live in peace," Usagi chimes in. "You're the ones that insisted on fighting us and threatening our world. Any torment you brought on yourselves."
[20:20] <Kotono> "You..." Temptaion begins, opening her eyes. They go wide a moment before shutting, wincing. "Aaaaaaaaah!"
[20:20] <Takeshi> "What's wrong?" Takeshi says, a bit taken aback by the reaction.
[20:21] * Usagi frowns a moment, "Turn the light off?" she suggests to whomever is closest to the switch.
[20:25] <Kotono> Even with that and half darkness Temptation issues, "This..this...color..." she winces again.
[20:26] <Takeshi> "Color?" Takeshi glances over at Makoto, looking rather puzzled.
[20:27] <Usagi> "Didn't you say their world was grey?" Usagi glances at Takeshi, before focusing on Temptation, "But she's been on Earth a while, now... Does it look different now that you're human?" she asks the middle aged woman.
[20:27] * Makoto looks back at Takeshi, shrugging.
[20:28] <Takeshi> "Mostly gray, yeah," Takeshi says, frowning a bit. "A sea of it everywhere."
[20:29] <Kotono> "...why?" Temptaion sighs, "...what do you want from me now? Torment? To be a toy?"
[20:31] <Usagi> "Information would be a good start," Usagi admits. "Past that?" she shakes her head, "We won't treat you as a toy now that you're human, even if that's how you viewed normal people before. We'll do what we can to help you adjust, but it's impossible for you to carry on the way you were."
[17:59] <Kotono> "I'm...just a human now? I can't feel any of it - just this...nothingness. Nothing." Temptation shakes weakly.
[18:00] <Takeshi> "And where you were before was any better?" Takeshi snorts. "I've seen your world, it looks a lot more 'nothing' than this one does."
[18:01] * Makoto frowns in mild disgust, but holds her peace-The temptation to smack the high and mighty attitude out of the inhumans was getting stronger with every meeting.
[18:01] * Usagi bites her lip a moment. She still feels rotten for doing this, even if it's better than killing. "You'll get used to it. Might even like it if you give it a chance," she offers quietly.
[18:03] <Kotono> "You..." Temptation cracks her eyes open again, squinting out at Usagi and then the others. "The illuion of color."
[18:03] <Makoto> "Don't soften it for her, Usagi-She can have a good life if she tries...if not, she deserves this anyway for treating people like crap." Makoto puts forth, glaring at Temptation. "Maybe we're not so insignficant now that you can be human too."
[18:05] * Takeshi shakes his head. "Illusion or not, I'll take this world of color over what you've been offering," Takeshi replies, frowning.
[18:07] <Kotono> "Humans...worth anything to deserve punishment?" Temptation snorts sadly. "Do what you will with me."
[18:09] <Usagi> "Then tell us," Usagi begins, getting to business. "Tell us about the Lightbringer, and what you wanted it for."
[18:10] <Hotaru-chan> At that, there's a quiet knocking at the door, Hotaru's tired knuckles rapping very softly on the entrance to Serenity's house.
[18:11] <Kotono> "No." Temptation is stony there, silent. "Kill me or torture me...even if Sir Death left us...I won't."
[18:12] <Takeshi> "He's been playing both sides of this game, you know," Takeshi says calmly. "He's stopped to talk to us a few times already, even given us information. Why stay loyal to him if he skipped out on you?"
[18:13] <Kotono> Nior looks down, before going to get the door.
[18:13] <Makoto> "For that matter...why did he even run off? It's not like I scored a major hit..." Makoto adds uneasily.
[18:14] <Kotono> "...I won't," Temptation says, voice wavering. "No. Never."
[18:15] <Usagi> "From what he said at the end, it almost sounded like he planned for you and Pestilence to die there..." Usagi adds in, frowning as she settles back a bit on the floor. "Why, though?"
[18:15] <Takeshi> "It's your choice," Takeshi says with a sigh. "It's not like we can force you to talk." With that he looks over at Temptation. "But do keep in mind that you're human now, so whatever Death had in mind for us is headed your way as well, now."
[18:16] <Hotaru-chan> "Hi, Nior," Hotaru offers softly to the giant, a bit of a smile as she slips her shoes off, going in on the end of that. "Loyalty even in betrayal?" she asks, arching an eyebrow as she leans against the doorway into the living room. "Admirable in some respects, but an essentially human trait. I thought you despised humans?" she asks quietly.
[18:16] <Kotono> "Sir Death's motives...hah." Temptation looks at Makoto, an angry expression back at her. "He is Death...heh..." She looks pained at it, tired. "An outsider, but yet...he'll get you. He IS Death."
[18:17] <Makoto> "I can respect your loyalty, at least." Makoto concedes, grudgingly. "But do you really think he deserves it? You were out could, but he as much as told us he'd intended you and Pestelence to fall...and he's planning to spend Hatred next."
[18:17] <Makoto> *cold
[18:18] <Kotono> "Shut up," Temptation growls at that, looking away quickly.
[18:19] <Makoto> "Why? As far as you know, the great future you keep going on about was never in the cards for you." Makoto presses. "You were nothing but a pawn to use against us."
[18:20] <Hotaru-chan> "It's sort of funny," Hotaru adds, though her voice is lacking in humor rather distinctly. "In how incredibly -human- you all are," she offers, folding her arms and staring at Temptation. "Your dedication, no, love even? For Pestilence and Death, to go beyond betrayal and simple alliance...so very human."
[18:22] <Kotono> "SHUT UP!" Temptation snarls again, flashing eyes fully on Hotaru! "We're above that! Beyond it! Sir Death is even beyond everything! He came to us, he's beyopnd anything you could imagine!"
[18:23] <Makoto> "Really?" Makoto asks dubiously. "I feel sorry for you. You're nothing to him, but you care for him that much."
[18:23] <Takeshi> "And what did he offer? A chance to live 'above' the other humans and see his glorious new age?" Takeshi says simply.
[18:24] <Usagi> "And beyond what you can imagine as well, if you can't even understand that he's happy to use and discard you for whatever his real plans are," Usagi states, sitting up straighter. "He was quite clear in what he said while you were unconscious."
[18:26] <Hotaru-chan> "And caring for him..." Hotaru smiles thinly, her eyes flashing back in a glow of shimmering violet. "You care for him, you desire his safety, his approval. You're just like Misuki. She was so human it hurt, and you're very, very human too. No matter what you say, it remains that you're being an emotional, dedicated, loyal human soul."
[18:27] <Makoto> "Very human. When the powers were peeled away, you were just like us underneath." Makoto adds, raising her eyebrows.
[18:27] <Kotono> There is nothing but a heavy, wet silence as Temptation looks away, beaten and weak. "Void take you! All of you!"
[18:29] <Takeshi> "And yourself as well?" Takeshi says quietly, after a moment's silence.
[18:31] <Kotono> "You're the ones who are mistaken! You live as humans - but when you become your true selves, your soar above them like the spects of dust int he universe they are!"
[18:32] <Usagi> "Maybe we don't want to soar?" Usagi asks. "Didn't you ever think that we live this way because we *want* to? Our human lives are more important to us than any power - that's why Death can't sway us, and that's why we fight you with everything we have," she declares earnestly.
[18:32] <Makoto> "We are humans." Makoto replies. "Born, raised, and staying that way. I'll give up my power before I ever let myself become so blindly arrogant and pompous."
[18:34] <Kotono> "You're one of the rare few...who can live and see things as they truly are! The very rejection of humanity makes you far greater than a horde of them together! This is the world of humans and fleeting existance. Will you wither away herelike a winkle in the eye of existance?"
[18:34] <Kotono> Temptation's voice is brimming with fury, anger and hatred, gazed turend to the couch.
[18:34] <Hotaru-chan> "Humanity has more power to it than any void. The Beast Lord wanted to consume me, to consume us all, and then he wanted me to be his servant. What do you think beat him? It wasn't my power, it wasn't my inhuman powers, it was the very existence of humanity around me. Human will can annihilate the void like a fleeting shadow in the sun."
[18:35] <Kotono> "You shouldn't be here! You're better than all of them!...you delude yourself, but all you have is because you are inhuman!"
[18:35] <Makoto> "Rejection of anything automatically makes you weak, not strong." Makoto adds to Hotaru's statement.
[18:36] <Makoto> "I can't speak for the others, but I'm not better than anyone." Makoto replies, almost kindly. "Just different."
[18:36] * Takeshi frowns a bit at Makoto's statement, but doesn't press the point - not the time or place for such a discussion. "All I have?" Takeshi says incredulously. "You really don't know much, do you?"
[18:38] <Usagi> "What good's all the power if it leads to the same hollow existence you had - if your life before meant anything, what did you even need the Lightbringer for?" Usagi asks as she stands up. "We don't need anything like that, because our lives are meaningful as humans."
[18:38] <Hotaru-chan> "All I have?" Hotaru asks, her expression twisting sharply. "I thought at one time that all I had was because of that power. But really, the power is nothing without direction. And you, Temptation, are living proof that such direction takes humanity. Even in the depths and throes of your power, you had to be human - your desire for control, dominance, your loyalty to death and pestilence...it's all human. Amazingly human."
[18:40] <Kotono> "...ugh." Temptation shivers at that, "The Lightbringer will evolve us! This pitiful existance of humanity will become greater! The wonderful void will...will...Humanity is the defect of the universe!"
[18:41] * Usagi shakes her head. "Now you don't even sound sure of yourself... Do you even know what you were fighting for?" she asks sadly.
[18:41] <Makoto> "...Good god." Makoto flinches at the declaration. "What gives you...or anyone the right to decide that??"
[18:41] * Takeshi snorts. "I've had direct experience with what I'd call one of the 'defects of the universe', and it's pretty much the exact OPPOSITE of humanity. Might want to rethink that one."
[18:42] <Hotaru-chan> "It's all that gives the universe meaning, what you call 'humanity'," Hotaru snorts sharply, raising an eyebrow. "If you were a being without a speck of humanity, what would you be? You would betray Death, kill Pestilence for the joy of it, take your own control, but simply...do, for no reason, no direction. Why do you even care about the Lightbringer? You desire to be greater? You -desire-, you want. That itself is human."
[18:43] <Makoto> "Hell. 'Temptation'. 'Hatred'. 'Despair'. Without Humanity, your powers would be meaningless."
[18:43] <Kotono> "You..." Temptation merely shivers a second time, almost broken entirely. "You feel the power within you! As mere humans are above grass and dirt, you are above humans! Even..." Temptation looks at Nior, a dark, confused frown, words stopping.
[18:44] <Makoto> Makoto follows her gaze, and smirks a little.
[18:45] <Hotaru-chan> "Nior is purely human, but he could destroy some of us with even our inhuman powers," Hotaru snorts sharply. "Human will is capable of many, many things. And power without will is just that - power. No meaning, nothing. Without humanity, you are nothing."
[18:45] <Takeshi> "I'M certainly not above any human," Takeshi shakes his head. "I've sunk to depths below what most humans would consider in their worst nightmares - and that because I was 'inhuman', to use your words. No, I don't believe at all that I'm any better than anyone else out there. Maybe not any worse, now, but certainly not better."
[18:46] <Usagi> "Nior used to be inhuman," Usagi provides as she catches that look. "Had the power of an evil goddess flowing through him... but now he's as human as you are. Yet he still gave your group pause, didn't he?"
[18:47] <Makoto> "Humanity represents almost limitless potential." Makoto smiles at Temptation. "Literally. There's no cap on where they could go, given the right motivation and help. I bet, if you got the truth from your superiors, whoever they are, They're terrified of humans, rather than above them."
[18:52] <Kotono> Nior looks down, quietly meeting Temptation's eyes. "You're a fool,' he rumbles, arms crossed.
[18:53] * Makoto clenches her jaw to stifle a giggle. *Direct and to the point, as expected from Nior.*
[18:57] * Makoto looks to Usagi, wondering what the blond thinks of all this, and feeling mildly guilty-Usagi tries so hard to be nice, but this does seem to be having an effect.
[18:59] <Kotono> "Sir Death and the Sages....they know the Lightbringer! They'll bring her to us..." Temptation volleys out weakly.
[19:00] <Takeshi> "If they knew her, why haven't they brought her to you yet? What are they waiting for, if she's supposed to usher in this wonderful new age?" Takeshi shakes his head.
[19:00] * Usagi doesn't exactly look thrilled, but it doesn't seem to be directed at anyone in particular. "I'm sorry, Temptation, but it's clear to us that you've been in the wrong both in what you've been doing and thinking."
[19:00] <Usagi> "Nior is vivid proof, as if our choosing to live the way they do isn't enough to convince you. We don't want to be your enemies, but we'll defend our way of life with everything we have. And the includes protecting this Lightbringer from those that would try to use her selfishly."
[19:03] <Kotono> "I...she's been hidden here, but we'll find her! Now that the Beast has fallen and that the signs are in place..she's here!" Temptation shivers again, "We won't fail! We can't!"
[19:04] <Hotaru-chan> "Who told you that, dear?" Hotaru asks, her voice a grating razor on stone. "The person that lied to you about everything? That said you were inhuman and above them while just making you more intensely human?"
[19:05] <Usagi> "I think Death is past caring about the Lightbringer, anyway - from what he said, he was more interested in having 'the Hunger sated' by the death of you guys and Hatred," Usagi agrees wearily. "You were used, Temptation. Plain and simple."
[19:06] <Hotaru-chan> "That sounds almost scarily like the Beast Lord, actually," Hotaru muses, tapping her lips.
[19:08] <Kotono> "Is he," Queen Serenity speaks from the door to the kitchen, looking in.
[19:08] <Kotono> "Shut up..." Temptation shiversa gain, eyes squeezed shut and face buried in the side of the couch. "The Sages came to us...and Sir Death...after Hunger left us...no..."
[19:10] * Usagi frowns slightly, putting some things into place. "Sounds like you were down on your luck, then someone came in with a great plan to make it all better... except it seems you were just used instead to satisfy someone else's goals, leaving you worse off than before."
[19:10] <Makoto> "Mmm." Makoto frowns. "Maybe we should let her mull that over a bit?" She murmurs. "I get the feeling she's going to break if we push much harder."
[19:11] <Hotaru-chan> "Some of the same coloring...similar beings. Hunger sounds like the beast himself," Hotaru sighs, watching Temptation. "And that would sound right, yes," she nods to Usagi. "You've been lied to, manipulated, and deluded, like any human in dire straits is susceptible to be."
[19:12] <Usagi> "Yeah... not like this is easy to take in," Usagi nods to Makoto, backing off. "Maybe you should just rest now, Temptation. But think it over - we haven't lied to you."
[19:15] <Kotono> Temptation doesn't reply, face hidden instead. "Go away...plauge with your dreams of teh Lightbringer...she'll come to us...come to me. Sir Death didn't..."
[19:16] * Makoto nods quietly, stepping over to Hotaru and resting a hand on the smaller girl's shoulder. "Let's let it sit and see what she comes up with." Makoto smiles. "Did you make your call ok?"
[19:16] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru's eyes narrow slightly on Temptation, but she glances to Serenity before shrugging. ""She's our discretion to deal with, or that's the stance I told the government we're taking."
[19:17] <Hotaru-chan> She nods slowly, closing her eyes. "It went through, should be heard and listened to."
[19:19] <Kotono> "That is good," Queen Serenity looks long at Temptation a moment, unusually unsure and biting her lip a long moment.
[19:20] <Makoto> "Mmph." Makoto nods to Hotaru, taking the smaller girl's hand idly and looking to Queen Serenity to see what she thinks, frowning a little at the hesitation.
[19:20] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru snorts suddenly. "I half expect them to ask us to hold press conferences," she remarks dryly, sighing and looking at Temptation, before offering a slight smile to Makoto.
[19:21] * Takeshi simply remains quiet for the moment, watching Temptation - with a glance up at Serenity as she speaks.
[19:23] <Makoto> "Ugh." Makoto grimaces.
[19:25] <Kotono> Serenity takes her time...takes it...and finally walks over to Temptation, kneeling next to her. "If something happens...be ready," she cautions.
[19:26] * Takeshi takes to his feet at that. "All right," he says, tensing slightly.
[19:26] <Usagi> "How did you tell the government anyway, Hotaru?" Usagi asks, going over to join her and Makoto.
[19:28] * Hotaru-chan nudges herself off the doorframe, beginning to coalesce her own energy for Serenity's defense if need be. "I called my uncle. With Saturn saving mom on the news, it isn't a fair stretch for me and Saturn to have talked and Saturn taking advantage of getting his office number," she shrugs, her expression turning rather wry. "Besides, the prime minister indicated it wouldn't be long before government circles knew who we are."
[19:28] <Hotaru-chan> "Kind of suspicious, I know, but easier than convincing a desk sergeant that it wasn't a prank."
[19:29] * Usagi sighs a little. "Well, they already know who I am, so I guess it hardly matters," she agrees. "Still, you okay with your uncle knowing about you?"
[19:29] <Kotono> "Open your eyes and look at me," Serenity rests a hand on Temptation, shaking her. "Please."
[19:30] * Takeshi goes over to stand next to Serenity, ready to move in a hurry if something goes badly.
[19:31] <Hotaru-chan> "I was surprised he DIDN'T know," Hotaru admits, shaking her head. "I expected him to be waiting at my house after the meeting with the Prime Minister. So yeah, why not? At east it's easier to pass things through him."
[19:32] * Usagi simply observes the pink-haired woman, trusting her to know what she's doing, and honestly more interested in how she does it as something she can learn from. "I don't imagine they told many people below the Prime Minister, Hotaru-chan. How high up is your uncle?" she asks distractedly.
[19:32] <Kotono> "...." No reply from Temptation, but she finally turns and opens her eyes. There is a moment as she stares at Serenity, whimpering aloud.  "...why?" Her voice is like glass, transfixed. "WHY?"
[19:33] <Hotaru-chan> "Lieutenant Colonel, military intelligence analyst," Hotaru offers, shaking her head. "Remember the museum attack of Misuki's? He was there. I've been expecting him to piece it together for a while."
[19:34] <Usagi> "Depends how obvious you've been around him," Usagi shrugs. "Oh, well, he knows now, and it's not like he's a stranger."
[19:35] <Hotaru-chan> "Tried not to be, but I just sort of dusted off where Hotaru went when he asked Saturn. Maybe he'll take the familiarity to heart? Either way, yeah," she murmurs, shrugging.
[19:37] <Takeshi> Takeshi's expression tightens a bit as Temptation reacts to Serenity, his suspicions slowly solidifying.
[19:37] <Kotono> "You tell me," Serenity asks, voice like a soft feather on her. "...Am I?"
[19:41] <Kotono> "Why?!" Temptation lashes out, an uncoordinated blow striking Serenity's face! "Why do you taunt me like this?!" She reels back fr

[Anastasia]

* Usagi keeps quiet for now as this seems to be entirely between Serenity and Temptation, now... funny, now that she thinks about it. With her name, Serenity could almost fit into that crowd...
> "I wish as well," Serenity says, tired and sad. "I wish to be no Lightbringer, TEmptation. I only wish to live quietly with my friends and family on this world."
<Takeshi> "You may want to get that taken care of, Serenity," Takeshi says. "I can keep an eye on Temptation for now." His expression is flat as he looks down at the once-inhuman on the couch.
* Makoto frowns a little. "If you want to talk to her, I can crush some ice for you, Serenity-sama." Makoto offers, backing off a half step.
* Hotaru-chan takes a few very deep breaths, calming the flaming blaze of energy in her eyes and at her fingertips. She's more important than -that-. "I'll take care of it," Hotaru answers, closing her distance with Serenity with a slight smile.
> "Would you? Thank you, Makot-oh, Hotaru as well," Serenity smilse just the barest moment, before turning onto Temptation. "The Lightbringer you seek...is dead. She died millenia and millenia ago. All that is left is a very human woman living her life."
<Hotaru-chan> Hotaru tries to not disrupt Serenity's speech, touching jsut the back of her jaw to let the energy flow into her queen.
> Temptation looks striken, stunned, surprised - before she laughs. A wild, dazed, insane, hurt laugh, turning into tears as she exclaimers her false merriment.
* Usagi winces at the crazed laughter. "I really think we're putting too much on her all at once, guys..." she opines worriedly.
> "It may be so," Serenity says as her lip heals(2 EP needed), stepping back. "Nior, would you watch her...we should rest for the day now."
<Takeshi> "I think Usagi might be right," Takeshi says, still holding Temptation's hands above her head.
> Serenity nods as Temptation howls, "Let us go and rest for now..." she says, shaking her head. "Would you aid me in calming her down, Usagi?"
<Reikobot> Kotono rolled : 2d6 --> [ 2d6=8 ]{8}
* Usagi takes a deep breath as she approaches, kneeling by the side of the couch and putting a hand on Temptation's shoulder as she thrashes in Takeshi's grip. "Please... just rest, now," she almost pleads, voice a soothing carol.
<Usagi> roll 2d6 for aura of serenity
<Reikobot> Usagi rolled : 2d6 for aura of serenity --> [ 2d6=9 ]{9}
* Makoto watches the goings on, rather dismayed to be right about her mental state.
> "Calm yourself," Serenity says. The room is transfixed into a pure expanse of calm serenity! Troubles seem to vanish even in the greatly disturbed, Temptation going silent and closing her eyes. "Shh...rest now."
* Takeshi releases Temptation as she finally calms, although he remains alert - very, very doubtful that she'll try anything in the face of this surge of peaceful feeling, but alertness never hurt anyone.
* Usagi soothingly rubs the tanned woman's shoulder, helping to guide her back down into a more comfortable position as Takeshi lets go. "Just relax..." she croons. "You'll feel better in the morning." Whether that is true remains to be seen, but it's all she can do for the moment.
> Once Temptation has been calm for a little whilie, "We see now of much of what is to be done and our foe, do we not?"
* Takeshi shakes his head a bit. "She's been pressed nearly if not completely to the point of total fanaticism," the young man opines. "How we're going to deal with that now, I have no idea."
<Usagi> "One day at a time, Takeshi," Usagi sighs softly as she rises, "One day at a time."
<Hotaru-chan> "The last time we dealt with it, I killed her," Hotaru sighs sadly, shaking her head. "I don't want to do that again."

[Anastasia]

* Usagi keeps quiet for now as this seems to be entirely between Serenity and Temptation, now... funny, now that she thinks about it. With her name, Serenity could almost fit into that crowd...
> "I wish as well," Serenity says, tired and sad. "I wish to be no Lightbringer, TEmptation. I only wish to live quietly with my friends and family on this world."
<Takeshi> "You may want to get that taken care of, Serenity," Takeshi says. "I can keep an eye on Temptation for now." His expression is flat as he looks down at the once-inhuman on the couch.
* Makoto frowns a little. "If you want to talk to her, I can crush some ice for you, Serenity-sama." Makoto offers, backing off a half step.
* Hotaru-chan takes a few very deep breaths, calming the flaming blaze of energy in her eyes and at her fingertips. She's more important than -that-. "I'll take care of it," Hotaru answers, closing her distance with Serenity with a slight smile.
> "Would you? Thank you, Makot-oh, Hotaru as well," Serenity smilse just the barest moment, before turning onto Temptation. "The Lightbringer you seek...is dead. She died millenia and millenia ago. All that is left is a very human woman living her life."
<Hotaru-chan> Hotaru tries to not disrupt Serenity's speech, touching jsut the back of her jaw to let the energy flow into her queen.
> Temptation looks striken, stunned, surprised - before she laughs. A wild, dazed, insane, hurt laugh, turning into tears as she exclaimers her false merriment.
* Usagi winces at the crazed laughter. "I really think we're putting too much on her all at once, guys..." she opines worriedly.
> "It may be so," Serenity says as her lip heals(2 EP needed), stepping back. "Nior, would you watch her...we should rest for the day now."
<Takeshi> "I think Usagi might be right," Takeshi says, still holding Temptation's hands above her head.
> Serenity nods as Temptation howls, "Let us go and rest for now..." she says, shaking her head. "Would you aid me in calming her down, Usagi?"
<Reikobot> Kotono rolled : 2d6 --> [ 2d6=8 ]{8}
* Usagi takes a deep breath as she approaches, kneeling by the side of the couch and putting a hand on Temptation's shoulder as she thrashes in Takeshi's grip. "Please... just rest, now," she almost pleads, voice a soothing carol.
<Usagi> roll 2d6 for aura of serenity
<Reikobot> Usagi rolled : 2d6 for aura of serenity --> [ 2d6=9 ]{9}
* Makoto watches the goings on, rather dismayed to be right about her mental state.
> "Calm yourself," Serenity says. The room is transfixed into a pure expanse of calm serenity! Troubles seem to vanish even in the greatly disturbed, Temptation going silent and closing her eyes. "Shh...rest now."
* Takeshi releases Temptation as she finally calms, although he remains alert - very, very doubtful that she'll try anything in the face of this surge of peaceful feeling, but alertness never hurt anyone.
* Usagi soothingly rubs the tanned woman's shoulder, helping to guide her back down into a more comfortable position as Takeshi lets go. "Just relax..." she croons. "You'll feel better in the morning." Whether that is true remains to be seen, but it's all she can do for the moment.
> Once Temptation has been calm for a little whilie, "We see now of much of what is to be done and our foe, do we not?"
* Takeshi shakes his head a bit. "She's been pressed nearly if not completely to the point of total fanaticism," the young man opines. "How we're going to deal with that now, I have no idea."
<Usagi> "One day at a time, Takeshi," Usagi sighs softly as she rises, "One day at a time."
<Hotaru-chan> "The last time we dealt with it, I killed her," Hotaru sighs sadly, shaking her head. "I don't want to do that again."

[Anastasia]

> ---Arc 2 Go!---
> "Death! REPORT!" The circle of the universe swirls in disharmony! The cauldron amid it crackles with smoke, images of Temptation and Pestilence fading from view.  At each end one of the four Sages stand, cloaked in shadow. "This is inexcusable!" one rasps out.
> In the center of the circle Death appears. His smile is just visible, horribly mocking. "Yes?" he asks, waiting.
> "Temptation and Pestilence!" A voice growls darkly, a Sage registering it's complaint in fury. "You left them to die!"
> "...so?" Death chortles as he bows his head, quiet. "My only comment is that...the Sailor Senshi are far better murderers and fighters than I first though. A pity for you..."
> Death's cowl begins to blow, whipping in an unseen wind! His cowl stays in place, just barely, a gaunt face hinted at. "Hatred is merely a furious dog that will snap at any target I choose now. And..."
> "What is this?!" One of the Sages calls over a seeming inferno of noise! Above two red eyes glisten, ominous! "Master, help us!"
> The eyes glow with malevolence...but nothing happens. Death begins to laugh, laughing long and hard. "Did you ever wonder...who your Master was," he asks, a great black scythe appearing in his hand! His cloak flies away, darkness overtaking all! Screams and wet hacking sounds are just heard, and amid the absolute shadows, "The City of Twilight is mine. Hatred is mine. ...and....you're fed now, hm?"
> "...why..." One of the sages, one with the raspy voice, says through a haze of agony, another horrid ripping sound!
> "You're nothing but helpless old men. My plans were regretably hurried by the raw competence of the Sailors, but..." Death's voice is like a chill wind, whipping across the world.
> There is only long silence, heavy like a cloak. But at last, "It begins now...Hunger?" Death asks, only a low growling in reply.
> ---