"Learning Curve" MSTed by Nyperold and GameMaster Anthony Original story by Anthony Bault PART THREE ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Rec room. Games of Anticipation, Trouble, and Sorry! are in progress...) TAILS: Aw man! I'm getting creamed! KNUCKLES: (smirking) Serves you right for those puns that made us want to play them! TAILS: Oh yeah? (rolls) Well, take this! (moves a piece, knocking Knuckles's lead piece back to its start) KNUCKLES: GAH! (Over in the video games section, Amy has been playing her character's missions in Sonic Adventure: Director's Cut. The ones not playing board games have been watching her, except Anthony and Ness, who walked up just as she finished the remaining mission...) ANTHONY: I can NOT believe you wupped me at Sonic the Fighters! NESS: Well...why weren't you using you psionics like I was? ANTHONY: O_O You were using your...? NESS! That's cheating! NESS: This coming from a guy who obviously used an Action Replay to get all those Unown on Pokemon Sapphire to spell "I AM OFFENDED!!" for "Someone's PC"? ANTHONY: Okay...point taken, but that was for my sake only and not for competition. NESS: Sorry then. (looks at Amy's game) How'd you do, Amy? AMY: Just finished my last mission! ANTHONY: I'm not surprised...that IS familiar territory for you. NYPEROLD: (off screen) Okay, guys! Let's get back to the fic! (as the others walk off, Amy stops Anthony) ANTHONY: What's up, Ames? AMY: Well, I wanted to ask. Why were you willing to give me that hug after that scene where my other self was crying? ANTHONY: Well...you kinda looked like you needed one, so I didn't mind being the nice guy again. AMY: Why WAS SEGAAmy crying, anyway? ANTHONY: She told me later. See...she was an orphan prior to meeting Sonic and didn't have anyone like a "parent". In a sense...she was kind of wishing she had someone like me around back then. AMY: I can see why...ya big softie! ANTHONY: Heh... AMY: Well...I appreciate it. ANTHONY: Hey...it wasn't like you were gonna grab me and say "Anthony no my kawaii hero-daddi-san!", or whatever they would say in Japanese... AMY: >_< Me too! ANTHONY: Come on...let's catch up to the others. (Theater. Everyone is seated. Sue is on Nyperold's lap again, and just as Amy is about to sit down...) ANTHONY: WAIT! Hold on! (picks Amy up and seats her on his lap again) AMY: What the...? ANTHONY: Well, just in case you need comforting again...like with that one scene. AMY: *giggle* Alright. NYPEROLD: We ready? ANTHONY: Well, first...I forgot to do something prior to the first two parts... SAMUS: What's that? ANTHONY: (to Pikachu and Jigglypuff) Pikachu! Jigglypuff! MIST ATTACK!!! PIKACHU and JIGGLYPUFF: (snickering, then muttering) Randomriff...randomriff...randomriff... > Chapter 11 - The Swords Session > "You are sure?...Alright, I'll guess we'll have to make due..." Major Sharpe > hung up the phone just as one of his other staff came in. "Report." ROUGE: (as random staff member) Are we having problems getting paid, sir? CAPT. FALCON: (as Sharpe) In this economy? You better believe it... PIKACHU: As least no one did the "campy fanfic" riff... > "Lt. Johnson appears to be progressing well, Sir," the officer said. "He is > anxious to know when he'll begin his swordsmanship training." > "Well, we had planned to have the training begin tomorrow, but that could be > difficult," Sharpe said. "Due to the 9/11 disaster, ANTHONY: Moment of silence... (all are silent for a bit...and a couple of quiet sniffles can be heard from Tails, Amy, and Sue) > most of our training staff is already on call training our troops. However, > there might be one chance..." > "What's that, Sir?" > Sharpe looked up at the officer and said, "I need you to go to the Masaki > residence on Ani-Earth and look for two people...specifically, Tenchi Masaki > and Ryoko. Are you familiar with them?" > "Somewhat," the officer answered, "I have a daughter that's a fan of anime." YOSHI: (as the officer) She also cosplays as an anime catgirl, sir. FOX: (as Sharpe) More information than I NEEDED, soldier! > "Good, then you should recognize them," Sharpe said. "See if either of them > are willing to help train our man in sword fighting." LINK: (as Sharpe) And if that fails, get Jazz Jackrabbit. I hear he has experience fighting swords... ANTHONY: (as the officer) I would, sir, but that would require me asking Miss Washu to open a portal to NetRaptor's reality, and quite frankly...she scares me, sir! > "Yes, Sir!" the officer said with a salute, and left the office upon being > dismissed. >------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ > That evening proved to be more somber than the night before at the Larson Clan > home. Sasha decided to go to bed early, KIRBY: (as Olaf) That's strange...why did I hear Sasha say something about "hibernation"? (Kirby gets a dirty look from Tails) > and Mary was busy talking to Amy about what happened at the Masaki residence. > Meanwhile, Anthony was talking with Jenna and Lars about what was to take > place tomorrow. > "Tomorrow, the two of you will be engaging in swords training," Anthony said. > "Lars, I think you'll find this easy since you've already had some weaponry > training." BOX: (as Lars) Can I skip a grade then? > "Will Amy be joining us?" Lars asked. "I mean...despite what happened..." > "No, I don't think Amy will be joining us," Anthony said. "Her mother may > decide to keep her behind this time, and I don't want any further encouragement > to happen. I'm beginning to think that making her my apprentice may have been a > mistake..." SHADOW: (FLAWLESS Vegeta voice) I could have told you that, Accountantmaster... > "I disagree," Jenna said. "I think you did a wonderful job with her, despite > what happened on Ani-Earth." > "Yeah, but I'm worried again," Anthony said. "I almost wonder whether she's > beginning to idolize me a bit too much to do the stunt she did..." (Jigglypuff opens his mouth to sing.) NYPEROLD: NO, Jigglypuff. JIGGLYPUFF: What? NYPEROLD: Number 1, you'll put everybody to sleep again. Number 2, if you're thinking of singing the "Liberty's Kids" theme... >.< JIGGLYPUFF: Understood. > "Well, I'm sure she'll have forgotten about it in the morning," Lars said, and > then turned towards the stairway. "Well, I'd better get to bed..." > "I'd better go as well," Jenna said. "Good night, Anthony!" > "Good night, guys," Anthony said. > As the two headed upstairs, they noticed Mary coming down and asking them > where Anthony was. After telling her, they watched as Mary headed downstairs, > and both wondered what was going on. PEACH: (as Jenna, fourth wall now beyond subatomic) Let's get out of here before we're dragged into a subplot... > Mary walked into the sitting room where Anthony was pacing and trying to > figure out what to tell Amy. "Anthony," Mary said, getting Anthony's attention, > "can we talk?" NESS: (as Anthony) Sure, but only if you drop the Joan Rivers impression! > "Of course," Anthony replied, and motioned towards a couple of chairs where > they both sat down. "I don't need my psionics to tell me that this is about Amy..." > "It is," Mary said. "Anthony...Amy told me why she had those two boys teach > her about fighting..." > "Let me guess...she was trying to be more like my apprentice, right?" Anthony > said. He was surprised when Mary shook her head. TAILS: (as Anthony, clueless) I didn't know her head moved that way! > "Not...exactly," Mary said. "Before you even came to Arcadia, she told me how > her past attempts at being a Freedom Fighter were less than successful, even > causing some of her friends to be captured. At one point, she had even run away > because she had felt useless." (A/N: "Forgiveness - An Arcadian Prequel", another > of my stories, covers this.) LINK: Hmm... we'll have to read more of these! SONIC: Freedom Fighters? Oh yeah, that's that group in some of the other MiSTs, like "Metamorphosis" and "Molten"! ANTHONY: Yeah...SatAM/Archie continuity. Actually, I know this story. "Forgiveness" takes place after Sasani and Tymes's "Chaos Race" and "Shattered Dreams". Basically, Amy ran away after feeling guilty from almost getting Sally killed because of her prior jealousy of Sally and from when her love of Sonic was almost used to capture and roboticize him. SONIC: Whoa...now I'm really glad Amy and I better understand each other. I wouldn't want her to run away from a misunderstanding! > Anthony then realized what she was saying. "Then...the only reason she wanted > to learn, was so she could feel like she could help Arcadia?" After Mary nodded, > Anthony then said, "Oh man...poor girl...and I had to berate her for what she did > too. I am SUCH an idiot..." > "You had no way of knowing, Anthony," Mary said. "Don't blame yourself." MARIO: (as Anthony, whiny) But I wanna... > "Alright..." Anthony said, "though I wish I knew how to make her feel > better..." It was then that Anthony was struck with inspiration. ANTHONY: (as himself, pretends to get hit) ACK! MEDIC!! NYPEROLD: Blake Stone: Aliens of Gold comes swiftly to mind... > "Mary...I have an idea...is Amy still awake?" > "No, she's already asleep..." Mary said. > "Then I'll tell her tomorrow morning," Anthony said. "Here's what I want to > ask you..." NESS: (as Anthony) Can you make me a red dress? I think I know where I can pick up a Piko-Piko Hammer... ANTHONY: ACK!! BAD IMAGE!! Get him, Ames! NESS: SHIELD BETA! (a barrier covers Ness) HA! ANTHONY: ELECTROKINESIS ALPHA! (a bolt destroys Ness's barrier) You forgot lightning destroys the shields. Ames? NESS: EEP!! (gets hammered by Amy, now dizzy) I just got SMASHed... (collapses) >------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Amy woke up the next morning, feeling like she didn't want to wake up. She had > messed up yesterday, and she knew it. She was also embarrassed because she had > to tell her mother why she did it as well. AMY: ...when she could have just told her to read Anth's author self's story. > After getting dressed, putting on one of her regular red dresses instead of her > apprentice's uniform, she walked downstairs and joined the others for breakfast > in the sitting room. > As she walked in, Anthony could sense the sadness coming from her, and decided > the time was now. "Amy, why aren't you in your apprentice uniform?" CAPT. FALCON: (as an army sergeant) YOU'RE OUT OF UNIFORM, SOLDIER! > "I don't deserve to wear it," Amy said sadly. "Especially after yesterday..." > "A pity," Anthony said, keeping as non-chalant as possible. "Especially since > I planned to continue your apprenticeship when you join Jenna and Lars for > swords training." > Amy's eyes widened upon hearing that, and when she looked at Anthony, he > continued. "Mary told me what you said...and I figured you deserved a chance to > learn a little more. Besides...you ARE my apprentice, and Mary has given me > permission to give you full training." ALL: TOO LATE!! > Amy ran forward and grabbed Anthony in a massive hug, crying tears of joy. (Again...awwws and gags. Bowser is REALLY starting to look greener than his scales now.) > The scene caused the others in the room to smile. After a while, Amy let go, > wiped a few tears away, and whispered a thank you to Anthony. > "It was nothing," Anthony said. "Now, why don't you run upstairs and get that > uniform of yours on?" > Amy nodded happily and ran back towards her room. As she did that, Sasha > looked at Anthony and said, "Well, aren't you just the sweetheart..." NESS: (better now, as Anthony) We've established that, THANK you... (rubs head) Ow... > "Hey, if I'm going to make her my apprentice, I might as well go all the way," SAMUS: Eep! Good thing that other group isn't here... EGGMAN: Yeah... Amy'd be making like in my Hedgehog Hammer game... ANTHONY: Ugh...tell me about it! (sudden realization) Wait...are you referring to the group I was with in Station Square? SAMUS: Yep. ANTHONY: >_< Gotcha...and you're right! > Anthony said, and then turned towards Jenna and Lars. "Once she comes back > down, we can head for our next location." > "Where are we headed next?" Lars asked. > "The Hyrule Kingdom Palace," Anthony said. LINK and ZELDA: ^_^ >"Link and Zelda will actually be teaching you two while I give Amy some pointers." > "I swear...all these palaces..." Jenna said. PEACH: (as Jenna) ...and our princess is always in another one... > "Hey, friends in high places, remember?" Anthony said, and noticed Amy run > down with her apprentice uniform on and one of the biggest smiles on her > face. AMY: Like this? ^__^ ANTHONY: No...hang on, I think I can coax it... (hugs Amy close) AMY: ^___________^ ANTHONY: Yeah, more like that. >"Alright," Anthony said once Amy joined the group, "let's head to Hyrule!" > Anthony, Amy, Sasha, Lars, and Jenna then headed towards the transit gates. ROUGE: The white zone is for loading and unloading only... >-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > "So, you want me to teach this soldier how to wield a sword, huh?" > Ryoko couldn't believe Sharpe's request, even though the idea of being > considered an expert by the military was appealing to her. TIFF: (as Ryoko) This would explain why the courts wanted my testimony... > "That is correct," Sharpe said. "Naturally, we intend to compensate you for > your troubles..." > "Ah, I've stolen more in the past than you can offer," Ryoko said. "Still, > knowing your military budget, I could probably be interested. KNUCKLES: (as Sharpe, muttering to self) Don't tell about our deficit...don't tell about our deficit... JIGGLYPUFF: (as Ryoko) What was that about a deficit? KNUCKLES: (as Sharpe) D'OH!!! > Alright, let's see this second Gamemaster you want me to train." > Sharpe led Ryoko to an area where Alec was busy throwing a few punches on a > large punching bag. He was rapidly firing punches onto the bag, causing the > bag to vibrate from the speed. BOWSER: Uh... ANTHONY: IXNAY!!! > He then finished of with a Force Blast power which rocketed the bag off its hook. PIKACHU: (as Sandbag) Aw man... they finally secure me, and then this guy shows up! Ah well, looks like Team Sandbag's blasting off again! > Ryoko couldn't help but stare at the fine specimen of soldier she was > observing. She then turned towards Sharpe and said, "On second > thought...this one's on me..." SAMUS: Now I'm REALLY glad-- NYPEROLD: We get the picture, Samus... >-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Anthony led his students into a large courtyard that was located inside the > palace. Anthony was surprised that it looked like the same courtyard he saw in > the game "Ocarina of Time", even down to where the throne room was located. (all begin humming "Zelda's Lullaby"...except for Jigglypuff, who's being stared down by Anthony) > He noticed Link and Zelda waiting at the end of the courtyard next to a table > which had several cylindrical objects which looked like lightsabers on it. > "Anthony!" Link said, greeting his fellow hero and waving. > "Hi there Link and Zelda," Anthony said, and then motioned for Jenna and Lars > to step forward. "These are my students, Jenna Larson and Lars Olson." > "A pleasure to meet the two of you," Zelda said, shaking the hand of Jenna. > "The pleasure is all ours, your highness," Jenna said, still not believing she > was meeting Zelda in person. ZELDA: Just call me Zelda, please... > "Please, none of the formalities," Zelda said. "Any relative of Anthony is a > friend of ours. Just call me Zelda." ZELDA: Like I said... ANTHONY: I think my modesty is rubbing of on the others... > "Of course," Lars said, after shaking Link's hand. "Um, if you don't mind me > asking...which Link and Zelda are you?" > "Ah, you're referring to the games on Earth," Link said. "Actually, we have > played them all. SUE: Which is interesting, since they don't have ANY electricity in Hyrule. ANTHONY: Then how do you explain the clocks in Clock Town on Termina? Those didn't have any visible pendulums. SUE: Well, I...hmmm... > Zelda and I are the ones from the regular NES game, Adventure of Link." > "So...Ganon is gone for good then..." Lars mused. > "That's right, Lars," Anthony said, and then turned his attention towards the > lightsabers. "Um, Link? Are you sure lightsabers are the best things to use > for swords practice?" LINK: (as himself) Sure, as long as you don't catch the shiny end. ANTHONY: (as the Pack Rat) SHINY!!! > "Oh...these are special lightsabers developed by Doctor Light and Washu," Link > said, and activated one of them, causing an orangish beam to appear. TAILS: Hey! I like that color choice! SHADOW: Okay...who gave these guys the Sunkist promotional lightsabers? > "These are practice sabers which are designed for practice fights. They can't > cut through anything." Link demonstrated by sending the beam through the table, > and later through his leg. Neither, thankfully, were sliced by beam. Anthony > also noticed that the beam turned red as they passed through. > "Cool!" Anthony said. "I guess the color change means a hit was scored. PIKACHU: (sounding stoned) Wild man...50's mood lightsabers! > But, how can you practice parrying with these?" > "Simple, they were designed to only be blocked by each others' beams," Zelda > explained, activating another lightsaber. She then engaged in a practice fight > with Link using the lightsabers, and Anthony and his students noticed the beams > were blocking each other. > "Nice!" Jenna said. "But, why am I tempted to say 'Use the Force'?" TIFF: (as Jenna) Which sounds odd, seeing as how the two look like Vulcans... (Link and Zelda shoot Tiff a mean look) > Anthony shot Jenna a look. "Actually Force powers and psionics are somewhat > similar, Jenna. Alright, Jenna and Lars, Link and Zelda will now begin your > lessons. Lars, you're with Link. Jenna, with Zelda." ROUGE: (as Jenna) Yeah, whatever! (under breath) Sexist... > After all four that were mentioned paired up and readied themselves to > practice, Anthony picked up a couple of practice lightsabers from the table. > He then called out, "Amy!" > Amy looked up and caught the practice lightsaber that was tossed to her by > Anthony. SONIC: (darkly, narrating) Unfortunately, it was a real lightsaber that activated when she caught it. Horror ensued... AMY: ACK!! ANTHONY: Sonic! Don't scare her! > The two then walked over to another portion of the field while Sasha sat down > nearby to watch. > As Anthony and Amy got ready, Amy looked up at Anthony and said, "Anthony...I > can't thank you enough for giving me another chance..." AMY: (as herself) Thanks for showing me where the hidden extra life was! > "You deserved it," Anthony said. "You are my apprentice after all. One other > thing, Ames..." > "Yeah?" ANTHONY: (as himself) You boots are untied. > Anthony smiled warmly and continued. "Whatever happened in the past, you are > not useless. AMY: (as Carmen Cortez, paraphrasing a bit, to Tails) You're not worthless! You're strong, Juni, you're strong! (Tails pantomimes punching a wall.) AMY: (as before) You're not that strong, Juni... (Tails feigns hand pain.) > Hell, if it weren't for you...the Dark Gamemaster would've beaten me that one > time." SHADOW: Dare I ask? ANTHONY: Think of someone as cruel as Frieza taking over my body...and then adding the bloodlust of a vampire. SHADOW: O_O;;; > Amy smiled, holding back a few tears of joy, and said, "Thank you, Anthony." > Anthony smirked and activated his practice lightsaber. "Let us begin..." > Amy nodded and activated her own practice lightsaber, and the two moved > towards each other... >------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SONIC: The Light Speed Dash? BOX: No...that would require a bunch of OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO's. KNUCKLES: Ivan? > "WHOA!!!" Link said as he found himself dodging several slashes from Lars. He > was surprised at how well Lars was using the practice lightsaber. After asking > Lars to stop briefly, he asked, "How long have you been trained in weapons > fighting, Lars?" > "Since I was twelve," Lars said, "and since I'm in my thirties now..." > "Sheesh, you could teach ME some tricks!" Link said. > "Wow, I'm honored!" Lars said, and then got back into a fighting stance. > "Shall we continue?" LINK: (as himself, checking his own pockets) Aw man... out of quarters... > Link nodded and thought to himself, "Sure, but who's teaching who?" He then > got into a fighting stance and the two continued to duel. ANTHONY: (as an announcer type person) Soul Calibur III...Rise of the Gamemasters... >------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > "It's alright, Jenna...you're doing well!" > Jenna was having a hard time with her sword fighting. Her martial arts > training didn't cover weapons training. NANA: (as Jenna) I KNEW I should have added Kendo training! > Still, she managed something of a defense against Zelda during her training, > but was still struggling. POPO: ...injuring herself from the recoil. PIKACHU: Aww...you beat me to it! > "Zelda..." Jenna asked with a bit of inspiration, "can I try something?" > "Sure," Zelda said. "What did you have in mind?" EGGMAN: (as Rigelatin[or however you spell that alien creature from Duke Nukem II]) Your BRAIN. > "Well, I wasn't trained in weapons fighting," Jenna said, "but can I throw in > a few martial arts moves as well?" > "Of course," Zelda said. "You don't just have to fight with the > sword...especially if the situation is desperate enough." > Zelda then went into a fighting stance again. "Are you ready?" > "Yes," Jenna said, "but are you ready?" As Jenna advanced and Zelda readied > for her attack, Jenna suddenly jumped over Zelda, flipped, (several of the group hold up cards with varying scores from 9.4 to 9.8) > and sent a slash towards Zelda with the practice lightsaber which connected > with Zelda's shoulder, turning the blade red to indicate a hit. ZELDA: (as herself) OUCH! When did that turn into a real blade? > "Whoa..." Zelda said. "Nice work, Jenna!" > "Thanks," Jenna said. "I guess I have to work with what I know." > "At least you have an advantage over Anthony," Zelda said. "He didn't have any > training in fighting when he started his adventures." ANTHONY: (as himself) Oh, sure...rub it in, why don't cha? >-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Meanwhile, as Anthony's students were excelling in their swordplay, Ryoko was TAILS: Getting a new outlook on life. SAMUS: (as Ryoko) This guy is HOT! "No need for Tenchi" is RIGHT! > finding the skills of Alec to be quite impressive. The two dueled using > practice lightsabers of their own (even though Ryoko would have preferred to > use the real thing), BOWSER: Well, she DOES like to play rough... NYPEROLD: Guys...can we PLEASE stifle the dirty-minded riffs? I want to keep Sue here as much as possible! > and Ryoko was surprised at how well he could handle a weapon. Still, she knew > that his military training might have had something to do with that. CAPT. FALCON: MIGHT have?!? ANTHONY: Oh, calm down! > However, during their duel, Ryoko noticed something strange about Alec as the > two of them fought... > Alec seemed to be enjoying the fight...and this worried her. SAMUS: (as Ryoko) We don't NEED two mes, thank you very much! > After they had stopped, Ryoko said, "Not bad, kid. You sure you weren't > trained in sword fighting prior to us meeting?" > "Well, I think my psionics training had to do with that," Alec said. "Speaking > of which, it's time for my next treatment." > "Treatment, huh?" Ryoko said, and watched as an officer walked in carrying a > large bottle of pills. ANTHONY: (as Roger Rabbit) My Uncle Thumper had to take these big pills and drink lots of water! > That officer in turn was followed by T-Bone. > "Your treatment, sir," the officer said, handing Alec one of the pills and a > glass of water. As Alec took the pill, Ryoko took T-Bone aside to talk to him. > "T-Bone, we need to talk..." Ryoko said. > "What is it?" T-Bone said. > "I think something's up with Alec," Ryoko said. "He almost seemed to be > enjoying the fight we were having." KNUCKLES: (as T-Bone) Well, his favorite game's "Mortal Kombat", what can I say? > "Ah, that's nothing," T-Bone said. "I was told he had a competitive spirit, so > he was probably just enjoying the melee for that reason." SUE: (as Ryoko as Cleo) Have I ever steered you wrong? NYPEROLD: Not that T-Bone, sis! > "I hope you're right," Ryoko said. "The last thing we need is a psychotic with > Anthony's powers..." > "Miss Ryoko," Alec said, getting Ryoko's attention, "are we finished or do you > need to work with me more?" > "We're done, Alec," Ryoko said. "Personally, I didn't even think you needed to > be worked with." > "Very well," Alec said, and then turned towards T-Bone. "Sir, are you here for > my report?" CAPT. FALCON: (as Sharpe as a school teacher) Yes...and it had better be five pages, double spaced! > T-Bone nodded and began to get the report from Alec. As that was taking place, > Ryoko used her thieving skills to pilfer a pill from the bottle that the other > officer was taking out of the training area. SHADOW: Wait for it... PIKACHU: For... what? ROUGE: The inevitable RPG joke. ANTHONY: Not this time...WAY too dang obvious. >------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Three tired students sat on the grass of the courtyard, exhausted from their > sword fights. Zelda had one of the servants bring some refreshment, and Link > leaned against the wall to hide his own fatigue. LINK: (as himself) Huh? Oh, no, I'm not hiding anything. Fatigue? What fatigue? Oh, THIS fatigue! > Anthony was pleased with the performance of all three, and was particularly > surprised at how Amy did. He knew she had some practice with weapons > previously during Robotnik's reign, but that was with a hammer and crossbow. > Still, the hammer practice seemed to give her some familiarity with melee > fighting. MARIO: ...even a though that a "Do-dodoloto-dotodoto" got annoying after a while... > "I must say I'm proud of all three of you," Anthony said, as he and Sasha sat > down in the grass with them. "You're progressing very fast with your training, > in fact we just have one more bit of training that needs to be taken care of > before you are completed." > "What is that?" Jenna asked. > "Simple...you are going to be equipped...with THIS," Anthony said, patting his > hand on his armor. (Box makes the echoing sound from "Wizard of Oz") FOX: (as Scarecrow) Beautiful! What an echo! > Jenna and Lars's eyes widened after hearing that. "You're going to give us > armor like yours?!?" Lars asked, surprised. > "Yes," Anthony said, "since you may be called upon to take my place if needed, > I figure you should be similarly equipped. After you receive your armor, NYPEROLD: Select your name, click View, click Equip, select the armor, click OK, and click Done. SHADOW: Well...not the RPG riff I was expecting... > I'll be teaching you how to use it as well as show you the activate the > devices within." > "Sounds like fun!" Jenna said. > As the servants brought in the refreshments, Anthony saw T-Bone come into the > courtyard area. "Hey there, T-Bone!" Anthony said, standing up. "How's Alec > progressing?" > "Awesomely, Anth!" T-Bone said. "He just finished his sword training...and the > military somehow convinced RYOKO to train him!" > "Ryoko?!?" Anthony said, surprised. "I'm surprised he's not dead..." ANTHONY: (as Concord from "MP and the Holy Grail") Uh...I'm not quite dead... > "Yeah, well, Ryoko was the one that was worried," T-Bone said. "Apparently, > Alec enjoyed the training melee they were engaged in..." NESS: (as Anthony) That's not good... he's supposed to be utterly BORED! > "Probably just excited by all that was happening," Anthony explained. "I > remember how I was when I first got psionic ability..." TAILS: (as T-Bone) Yeah! You wet 'em! ANTHONY: (as himself) I did NOT!! > "I hope you're right," T-Bone said. "Thing is, I think Ryoko is more worried > than you think..." > "How so?" Anthony asked. > "Well..." T-Bone said, "she thought no one noticed, but as Alec was talking to > me, I saw her stealing one of the pills Alec uses in his treatment..." CAPT. FALCON: (as T-Bone) I know prescriptions are expensive, but... ANTHONY: (as T-Bone) I mean...I told her to go to Canada, but NOOOOOOOOOOO... > Chapter 12 - A Day of Preparation NYPEROLD: So this is about Friday before sundown? SUE: Not likely, Nyper. > "C'mon, Mom," Ryoko said, showing her impatience, "there has to be something > about these pills!" AMY: (as Washu) Well there is a coating on them...oh, that's NOT what you meant, is it? > As Washu made her examinations, she turned to Ryoko and said, "I think you're > over reacting. Just because he was enjoying the swordfight doesn't mean he was > going crazy. NANA: (as Ryoko) You mean he might ALREADY be crazy?!? > Heck, you enjoy fighting a little too much and we don't think you're > crazy...well, maybe Ayeka, but she's the exception." SONIC: The Jur-- NYPEROLD: That would get a bad pun demerit, besides the fact that it was covered in the MiST of "When Worlds Collide!" > "OK, but still you can't fault me for being careful," Ryoko said. "After all, > we don't NEED a third Dark Gamemaster incident..." > "True," Washu said, and then furrowed her brow as she noticed something. > "Well, that's interesting..." > "What is it, Mom?" Ryoko asked. > "I've seen this substance before," Washu explained, "but I need to make sure." > "Why? What do you think it is?" Ryoko asked. ROUGE: (as Washu) I think... no... it can't be! SAMUS: (as Ryoko) What? ROUGE: (as Washu) It's Julie-Suu's cooking mixed with Arcadian Sonic's chili! SAMUS: (as Ryoko) That's impossible! That combo is LETHAL!!! > "Something I've seen in the medical files of Neo-Earth," Washu said. "I'd > better recheck those files, and then call Dr. Light tomorrow to make sure..." >-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > "So, what's on tap for today, cousin?" Lars asked, as he, Olaf, Jenna, Sasha, > Amy, Mary, and Anthony were having breakfast. ANTHONY: (as himself) Well, your choice of Budweiser, Miller, Grain Belt... BOWSER: (as Lars) NOT what we meant, cousin... > "That's up to you, guys," Anthony said. "You may want to practice using your > fighting, sword, and psionic abilities in conjunction. I've even brought > some of the practice lightsabers back with me for you to practice." > "So, no lesson today?" Jenna asked. > "Just pointers for when you practice," Anthony said. "Dr. Light will need > today to ready the armor he's preparing for you." > "Are we going to practice as well, Anthony?" Amy asked. > "Of course," Anthony said. "You wouldn't think I'd leave my apprentice out of > the loop, would you?" AMY: (as herself) I sure hope not... SA had a severe lack of them in my stages! ANTHONY: (as himself) Uh...you couldn't run fast enough in SA to go through them... > It was then that Anthony saw something out of the corner of his eye, a small > suitcase...Sasha's. "Sasha, you going somewhere?" > "Yes, I was thinking of returning to Mobius, if that's alright," Sasha said. > "Since my lessons are complete, I'd thought I'd return to my duties at > Bookshire's clinic." > "Alright, but before you go," Anthony said, pausing dramatically, "allow me to > give you something as a way to congratulate you for your 'graduation'." > "What?" Sasha said, curious. TAILS: (as Anthony) ...a NOOGIE! > Anthony then placed a hand over the Descendancy Medallion on his armor and a > glow came from it. SONIC: Oh...it's one of those glowing necklaces kids wear during Halloween for safety. > Within minutes, Anthony removed his hand from his armor, and in it was a copy > of the Descendancy Medallion. Sasha's eyes widened. "You mean...?" > Anthony nodded. "I figured Tails would do the same...but I thought it would be > an appropriate 'diploma', as it were." > Sasha took the Medallion from Anthony, and almost immediately found herself > covered in the Magi's Robes and holding the Magi's Wand. "Wow..." she said, > looking at herself. ROUGE: (as Sasha) I can take that role as Professor MacGonnigal(sp?) now! > "Show that to Tails when you get back," Anthony said. "He'll probably freak!" > "Alright," Sasha said, deactivating the Powers and reverting to her original > clothes, with the Wand still in her paw. "I see you all later!" Sasha then > headed towards the transit gates to return to Mobius. NESS: (as Anthony) Hey, wait! Those gates go to Tallon IV! > "A fine young woman there," Olaf said. "A honor to have met her..." > "We should have some of the other heroes come here," Mary said. "No doubt > they'd be just as honored to meet the patriarch of the clan, Olaf." > "Oh...that won't be necessary," Olaf said. "I don't think my heart could take > it." ANTHONY: ...and then we have that Christmas party at the homestead, and find out that he can. > "Great Uncle! You're not THAT old!" Jenna said. NYPEROLD: Unfortunately, youth does not preclude heart problems... > "Perhaps, but it still might be too much for me," Olaf remarked. > "Then you'd know how I felt when I first entered the other worlds of Arcadia," > Anthony remarked, and then stood up. >"Alright...Jenna, Lars, Amy...once you're done with breakfast, come outside. > I'll have the practice lightsabers ready for you." Anthony then went upstairs > to get the lightsabers. LINK: (as Anthony) Wait a minute...aw, DANG! These are flashlights! I grabbed the wrong items! > "Well, this should be a somewhat more relaxing day than the last few days," > Lars remarked. AMY: (as herself, fourth wall is basically non-existant) Lars! SHH! Do you want to make things *too* exciting? NEVER say things like that in a story! NYPEROLD: (eyes the space where the wall was, then taps a few keys on the computer) There, that should do it. DK: Do... what? (Gridlines appear, then a black covering. Finally, the wall solidifies.) NYPEROLD: That. ANTHONY: (looks) Good...if we lost it completely, we might accidentally do the unthinkable... SUE: Like...? ANTHONY: Make Dark Kefka's "A Sorcerer, A Demon, and Emeralds" come to life... ALL: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! > "Don't you believe that, Lars," Jenna said, smiling evilly. "I intend to give > you a real workout with what I have learned from Zelda and Gohan." > Lars was sweating bullets at the sound of that. DK: Unfortunately, they were using melee weapons. FOX: ...and also unfortunately, the bullets didn't fit ANY standard firearm. >-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > "Dr. Light's residence," Roll said, answering the Arcadia network > communicator. > "Roll, it's me, Washu," Washu said, her image appearing on the video screen. > "I need to speak with your 'father'." > "Oh? What about?" Roll asked, curious. > "Something my daughter found," Washu said, "I just need to confirm it with a > record I found in the Neo-Earth database." > "Alright, I'll go tell him," Roll said, and went to get Dr. Light while Washu > waited. > Dr. Light was busy working on several armor frames. He would be able to rework > the size of the armors once he got the necessary measurements. EGGMAN: ...and being the dirty old man that he was, he was going to take GREAT pleasure in getting Jenna's... ANTHONY: You DO realize she will most likely read this MiST after it's posted in my reality and then come here to rip you a new one for that crack...right? EGGMAN: *gulp* NYPEROLD: Which reminds me of a particular scene in Phantasy Star 4, for some reason... (gets looks) What? So I like ZVGQ! And no, not for the anime girls... >As he finished up with one set of armor, Roll came into the lab. > "Doctor?" Roll said, getting Light's attention. > Light removed his protective eyewear and looked at Roll. MARIO: You a-sure that's a good idea? PEACH: Mario! MARIO: I was-a kidding! But-a somebody-a had to say it! ROLL: (from the other side of the fourth wall) I know I look like Marrissa Picard, but SHEESH!!! > "Yes, Roll?" > "Washu is on the communicator for you," Roll said. "She says she discovered something she needs confirmation with." PIKACHU: (as Light) Don't you need a Cathowic pwiest fow that? ANTHONY: Alright, again...HE DOESN'T TALK LIKE ELMER FUDD! > "Alright, I'll be right there," Light said, and got up to go to the communicator. >------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- JIGGLYPUFF: Whoa...that communicator has one HECK of an attenna! > That late afternoon found four Larson Clan members tired and worn out after a > long practice session. Jenna, Lars, Anthony, and Amy ANTHONY: ...and the Beaver... > were all sitting or lying on the grounds of the Clan home, all panting heavily. > Olaf, who was watching the practice session, was amazed at how well all four > were swordfighting, and was amazed at how quickly they were able to swing the > practice lightsabers. > "Well...I guess I was wrong," Lars said between pants, and then turned towards > Jenna. "Was it absolutely necessary to go Matrix on me?" ZELDA: (as Jenna) Yes, Mr. Anderson. ANTHONY: (as Neo) Whoa... > "You're one to talk," Jenna said. "Somehow you managed to block most of my > swings...and even used Teleport to get behind me! I thought that was my trick..." > "Yes, I heard about that when you practiced with Gohan and Trunks," Lars said. > As Jenna and Lars talked, Anthony and Amy were lying on the ground silently, > letting the cool mountain air relax them. Anthony was amazed at the change he had > seen in Amy. When he first met Amy, she was a young girl in need of help to help > her deal with what was happening on Mobius. Now, SHADOW: ...she had a bigger fan following than Sally. AMY: (under her breath) Yeah, right... ANTHONY: Actually, he IS right. There are more Segashippers than SatAM/Archieshippers, it seems. AMY: ^_^ > she had mastered her new powers and became an accomplished fighter. Too bad > this mastery came much too late to help Mobius, since Mobius was already free. > "Hey, Ames..." Anthony said, getting the attention of the panting hedgehog, > "how are you feeling?" > "Tired...VERY...tired..." Amy said, trying to take in as much air as possible. KIRBY: HEY! That's my shtick! > "No, I mean about your training," Anthony said. "You've really progressed a > lot. Heck, YOU might be able to take over for me if needed." > "I doubt it," Amy said, sounding like she was about to fall asleep, "I'm not > of Sir Eric's blood..." (Amy begins to lean back into Anthony) ANTHONY: (looking down) Amy? AMY: (sits back up) Sorry...I think I was empathizing with my fic self there. > Anthony nodded in understanding, and smiled as he saw Amy about to fall asleep > in the grass. "Come on, you," Anthony said, picking up the near asleep hedgehog. > "Let's get you inside to rest. You'd probably prefer a warm bed to cold grass." TAILS: (starts to say something) NYPEROLD: No "Drug Prower" ref! TAILS: Aww... > Lars and Jenna saw what was happening and followed Anthony inside as he > carried the tired hedgehog inside. Mary and Olaf noticed their entrance, > and Mary took Amy upstairs. "Maybe you trained her too hard," Olaf remarked. AMY: Well, considering how tired they got at first from using psionics alone, I can believe that the first time you combine all that training could be exhausting... > "She's not the only one who's tired," Jenna said, plopping down in a chair in > the sitting room. "I'm tempted to go upstairs and crash in a warm bed myself." > As the four Larsons talked, the phone rang in the other room. A servant came > in after answering it and said, "Mr. Bault...you have a call, forwarded through > something called an Arcadian network comm system? A Dr. Thomas Light." > Anthony walked up to where the phone was holding and picked it up. "Yes, Doc, > what you need?" CAPT. FALCON: (as Dr. Light) Well, first...I'm glad you did NOT say "What's up, Doc?" like you did last time! > "Just letting you know that the armors are ready for Jenna and Lars. I just > need the measurements to size them," Light explained. "Also, one other thing, > Washu was talking to me earlier about that medicine Alec was using." > "Yeah, T-Bone told me Ryoko snatched a sample of it," Anthony said. POPO: (as Dr. Light) Yes, well...her own drug problem aside... > "Well, your military chemists just stumbled upon a medicine we use quite > extensively in Neo-Earth," Light explained. "It's called trichlorodicathelene. BOX: Uh...well...YIKES! TIFF: What's wrong? BOX: My programming can't figure out the chemical structure from that name! > It's used in the treatment of memory loss and can also help with Alzheimer's to > a extent, though it isn't a cure." NESS: Makes sense that it would help, then... > "Wow...no wonder it helped with Alec's powers," Anthony said. "At least Ryoko > can no longer worry." > "Well, I'll be ready with the armor when you arrive," Light said. > "In that case, Doc, can you do me a favor?" Anthony asked. NYPEROLD: (as Anthony) I got this strange pain in... EGGMAN: (as Dr. Light) I'm NOT that type of doctor! MARIO: (as Dr. Mario) Don't even a look at a me! > "What do you need?" Light asked. > "Do you think you'll have time to make something else for me?" Anthony asked, > and then explained what he wanted done. FOX: (as Anthony) ...my hair. I think a nice perm will do the trick... ANTHONY: (rubbing bald spot) Yeah...I WISH I had enough hair for a perm... > Chapter 13 - Getting Equipped ANTHONY: ...and it usually takes me a few battles to get enough gold for the best equipment. > The next morning found the Larson Clan home in high activity. Both Jenna and > Lars were practicing swinging the Sword of the Gamemaster to get a feel for it. LINK: That reminds me...any chance I can check out that sword of yours? ANTHONY: Sure. > Olaf was talking with Mary about what the Rose family crest looked like to add > it to the Heritage Room. BOWSER: (as Olaf) It's got a sweet passionfruit right in the middle and-- (A blur, and Bowser flies away rapidly, dissappearing with a burst of light. He then descends from the ceiling on a platform. Amy is holding her Piko Piko Long Hammer, and looking very cross at him.) BOWSER: Okay, okay! No more jokes about your old theme song! ANTHONY: ...and be CAREFUL, Ames! You dang near hit ME when you did that! AMY: Sorry! > As for Amy and Anthony... > "How come I don't need to wear my apprentice's uniform, Anthony?" Amy asked, > currently wearing one of her regular red dresses with her Descendancy Medallion > attached to it. > "You'll see," Anthony said, "because I have a surprise for you..." EGGMAN: (as Anthony, badly OOC) BOO!!! Surprised? > Amy raised her eyebrows at that just as Jenna and Lars rejoined the two of > them. "Quite a fine weapon you have here, Anthony," Lars said, handing the Sword > back to Anthony. FOX: Seeing how we know Lars is something of a weaponsmith...that's saying a LOT! > "Thanks," Anthony said, placing the Sword back in the scabbard on his back. NESS: (as Anthony) You may have noticed the high WC, and the Speed, Agility, and Dex Bonuses. It makes the Blade of Power look like a Flail! ANTHONY: (pretending to look in a D&D book) Sword of the Gamemaster...+5 mithryl longsword, mastercrafted... > "So, is everyone ready to go?" > "Definitely!" Jenna said, excitement in plain view. "I can't wait to see what > my armor looks like!" > "Then let's get moving," Anthony said, and led the three of them to the > transit gates. >------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Anthony and his three students found themselves on the grounds of Dr. Light's > home and laboratory. SAMUS: (as Jenna) *There* I am! I've been looking all over for me! ANTHONY: (singing a song from Megadeath) Hello me...it's me again... > Jenna and Lars soon found themselves being met by three very familiar > robots...Megaman, Protoman, and Bass. > "Ah...the three Masters arrive," Bass said. "Welcome to the Light compound." > "Whoa..." Lars said, shocked at the reception. LINK: (as Mega Man) Anthony? You didn't Mega-tell me you brought Neo... SONIC: *shudder* I think that was ONE Captain N riff we DIDN'T need... > The three bioroids stepped forward and introduced themselves to Jenna and > Lars. After a while, after Jenna and Lars stopped acting starstruck, BOX: (as Megaman, using the MM8 voice this time) Sorry...accidentally fired Starman's weapon! KNUCKLES: (as Lars) Brains...oozing... > Megaman said, "Dr. Light is waiting inside his lab for you, just walk in. Bass, > Protoman, and I need to get to our patrols. We'll see you all later." > After the three bioroids flew off on Rush, Treble, and a hoverjet, Anthony led > the three into the building. > "Dr. Light needs to just get some measurements from you," Anthony explained as > he walked in, "and then he'll be finiiiIIIIISHED!!!" He finished his sentence > by tripping over something as he walked in. "Ow...what the...?" He then > noticed a bioroid cat near where his feet was. > "Oh dear..." Roll said as she walked in to meet the others. "Tango! You know > better than that!" > Anthony turned around and picked up the cybernetic feline, and noticed it was > purring when he picked it up. "What the...all right, who told Tango I was a > cat lover?!?" DK: So what's wrong with that? ANTHONY: Well, being tripped by Tango being underfoot wasnt exactly pleasant... > "Me...sorry," Roll said, taking Tango from Anthony, and then turning towards > Jenna and Lars. "You must be Anthony's students." > "Yep," Jenna said. "My name's Jenna, and this is Lars." > Just as Jenna was introducing herself and Lars, Dr. Light came out wielding a > small device. JIGGLYPUFF: (pretends to look) A Pokédex? The HELL?!? > "Ah, welcome. My name is Dr. Thomas Light. I overheard your names as I came > in." PIKACHU: (as Dr. Light) I didn't mean to, though... > "We're honored, Doctor," Lars said, and then turned towards Jenna. "I STILL > can't believe we're meeting these guys...and they're real!" > "You two will be seeing them on a regular basis once your training is done, so > get used to it," Anthony remarked. > "Now, I just need to get some measurements from the two of you for your armors," > Light said, showing them the device. "This will get your dimensions without the > need for tape measures. If you could just stand still..." > Jenna stood still as Dr. Light scanned her with the device, BOX: (as Dr. Light, perverted version) 36, 24, 36...WOOHOO! (gets thwapped by Tiff) HEY! TIFF: You wanna be Amy's next Piko target? BOX: *GULP* I'll be good... > and then Lars did the same. "This should be enough...I'll get working on your > armors. Anthony, could you come with me please?" SHADOW: (as Dr. Light) I cannot BELIEVE you're making them serts like yourself! > Anthony nodded and joined Dr. Light as he walked into the lab. Roll offered > Jenna, Lars, and Amy a few chairs and sat down herself to join them in a chat. NYPEROLD: Logging in as... BOX: I believe the chatroom riffs have been DONE, thank you... > "So, how long will Dr. Light need to work with the armors?" Lars asked. > "It won't be too long," Roll said, stroking Tango as she sat. "Dr. Light > already has the basic framework made, so all he needs to do is resize the > armor to your dimensions." > "I just wonder why Anthony wanted me here," Amy said, looking towards the lab. > Before another word was said, a knock was heard on the front door. Roll went > up to answer it and saw Ashura and Crystallis waiting on the other side. NYPEROLD: Ashura's I'm standing here... > "Morning, Roll," Crystallis said. "Ashura's having problems with his Gundam > and wondered if the Doc could look at it." > "Well, he's kinda busy with the armors for Anthony's students, so he might not > be able to get to it right away," Roll explained. > Ashura facepalmed at that. "Forgot about that! Sorry, Roll...we'll come back > later..." > "Who's that, Roll?" Jenna asked, and noticed Ashura and Crystallis as she > walked up. > "You must be one of Anthony's students," Crystallis said, extending a paw in > friendship. "My name's Crystallis, from Ani-Earth." > "My name's Jenna," Jenna said, shaking Crystallis's paw. ROUGE: (as Jenna) First we met game characters... now we're meeting a GAME?!? NYPEROLD: Again, not Crystalis with one "l", Rouge! ANTHONY: Hang on a bit... (walks off, and then comes back with the right gauntlet of his armor on him) SUE: What are you doing? ANTHONY: There's a computer similar to Nicole built into this. Let's see if I can bring up a certain pic. Computer...Ashura group pic. (The pic here: http://www.geocities.com/draggirlkacee2/TKK.jpg pops up.) ANTHONY: Okay...that girl in the white shirt is Drag Girl Kacee, who drew the pic. You should know who the blue hedgehog is... SONIC: ...or at least, they'd BETTER! ANTHONY: The penguin is Jim the Talking Penguin, and the guy behind Jim is Jerrod the Lone Outlaw. That's Washu with the pink hair there. NYPEROLD: Of course. What is it with anime women and weird colored hair? ANTHONY: No clue....and I've seen Sailor Mercury, and her hair is NATURALLY blue! NYPEROLD: O_O ANTHONY: Anyways...that girl on the left is Seiyuka, another of Washu's "daughters", and the two hedgehogs next to her... SONIC: ...are Ashura and Crystallis? ANTHONY: Yep. Ashura's the red one. > "And I'm Ashura," Ashura said. "I'm what you might call a SIFF." > "What's a SIFF?" Lars said, walking up. "Oh, hi...my name's Lars. I'm one of > Anthony's students." > After Ashura and Crystallis introduced themselves, Ashura explained. "You know > about the fanfiction on Earth, right?" Jenna and Lars nodded. "Well...several > authors wrote stories about characters in Arcadia using their latent talents, and > chose those characters as internet personas. As such, when they wrote about > those characters, they thought they were putting themselves into the fics. Those > of us that were chosen as those personas are called SIFFs, which is short for > 'self-insertion fan fiction'." NYPEROLD: Something we learned about in the LAST MiST... ANTHONY: ...which explains why you guys aren't weirded out. NYPEROLD: Yeah, that, and I know my author personally, so the *concept* wasn't new. If he ever does a fic, though, that version won't know... at least not at first. > "Whoa..." Lars said. "How does it feel having another you?" > "Well, technically I am my own self-insert..." Ashura explained. "Anth, > however, has an alternate version of himself that exists on a world called Rift > Earth, so he's also a SIFF." > "I repeat...whoa..." Lars said, and then turned towards Jenna. "We have a LOT > to learn about Arcadia, I can tell..." NYPEROLD: Like, for example, the different varieties of SIFF... >-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Anthony was surprised at what he was seeing...not two sets of armor, but four. > He figured the dark green armor was for Alec once his training was complete on > Earth...but why there was an extra armor was beyond him. > "Doc...I figure this green armor is for Alec, and these two armors you just > finished resizing are for Jenna and Lars," Anthony said, and then turned towards > the red armor, "but who is THIS armor for?" > "You," Dr. Light said, causing Anthony to raise an eyebrow. "I made some > improvements to the basic design of your armor, in fact I call this design > Mastertech armor." TAILS: (sarcasm) Oh, gee...I wonder where he came up with THAT name? > Dr. Light then walked Anthony through the armor specs. "As you see, the > 'backpack' is gone because most of the components are in these gauntlets and > boots. I devised the boots to allow for greater control of the four vehicles built > in, and I think you'll like what's in the gauntlets." CAPT. FALCON: (as Dr. Light) You are full of bombs and/or keys! ANTHONY: HUH?!? No...wrong Gauntlet! Besides...I like Gauntlet Legends better. > "I'm kind of wondering why the right gauntlet looks like an old school NES > Power Glove, though made of red metal," Anthony remarked. ANTHONY: (as himself) Uh...this won't open up the Ultimate Warp Zone, will it? > "Well, it actually has a microcomputer similar to Nicole built in it, as well > as a dimensional communicator that Washu finally perfected." Dr. Light then > instructed Anthony to put the gauntlet on. "Just say the location you want in any > Arcadian world. It will auto-connect you if there's a communicator in that > location, no matter what world you are in." > Anthony talked into the communicator. TIFF: Capcom Corporate Headquarters! SONIC: Sega Corporate Headquarters! MARIO: Nintendo Corporate Headquarters! BOWSER: Hugh Hefner's mansion! OTHERS: BOWSER!!! BOWSER: Sorry! >"Washu's Lab." (all snap their fingers) > He then heard Washu's voice come through. "Washu's lab. That you, Anthony?" > "Yeah...I guess you figured I'd want to test this, huh?" Anthony said. > "Yep...glad to see it works," Washu remarks. "Hope you'll find that useful. > Now, I've got to get back to my work. I'll talk to you later, Anthony." > "Later, Washu," Anthony said. "Anthony out." The connection ended and Anthony > turned towards Dr. Light. "Nice!" ANTHONY: (as Sark from Tron) Nice... > "Yes, you'll also find that other gauntlet useful as well," Light said. "It > has a grappling weapon like your original armor had, but can be used even if > the armor isn't fully active. After that incident where you had to rescue Amy > from that pit..." (Amy's eyes go wide.) SONIC: What happened? ANTHONY: Amy got caught in a deathtrap that caught her foot on the bottom while the pit slowly filled with water. She would have drowned if I hadn't have been there to get her out. (Amy shudders a bit, prompting Anthony to hug her close to calm her) > "Yeah, that still gives her nightmares sometimes," Anthony said. "Well...since > it appears that the armors are based on what you made for me, shall I show this > to Jenna and Lars?" > "Of course," Light said. > Anthony put on his new Mastertech armor, removing the Descendancy Medallion > from his old armor and putting it on the new one. "Maybe I can give my old armor > to Jeff," CAPT. FALCON: Did he accept it? ANTHONY: Being his badass self...he said he didn't NEED it. > Anthony thought to himself and then turned towards Light. "Tell me when you're > finished with the final touches to Jenna's and Lars's armors." Anthony then left > the lab to show Jenna and Lars. >------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Ashura and Crystallis were busy talking with Jenna and Lars, all four getting > acquainted in the process. Ashura was busy telling them about the adventures > they have had, from being trapped on the Satellite of Eggs and the Absolution > to the more recent events with the new Arcadian portals. JIGGLYPUFF: ... EGGS?!? I've got to find out about that... ANTHONY: Heh...think of the Satellite of Love as if run by... (points dramatically at Eggman) ...THAT MAN!!! (Box plays a jarring chord) EGGMAN: o.o;; > "All that happened to you guys?" Jenna asked. "Wow..." > "Yeah, even with most of the major baddies gone on Arcadia, we still find our > share of adventures," Crystallis said. > "Makes me wonder why we weren't found earlier," Lars said. "We would have been > glad to help." > "Don't worry about it, Lars," Amy remarked. "At least you can help with any > new things that come up." > "...and now you'll have the equipment to do it," the group heard Anthony say, > and when they turned towards where they heard Anthony, their eyes widened as > they saw his new armor. > "Wow! You got an upgrade!" Amy said. SONIC: (as Anthony) Yeah, and 1000 hours free, too! NYPEROLD: (quoting the Jake 2.0 teaser) A computer geek gets an upgrade...to ACTION SUPERHERO! > "Yep...this is called Mastertech armor," Anthony said. "Jenna, Lars...let me > show you the features of this armor..." > Anthony took the two through the features of the armor, as well as how to use > the various vehicles and devices in it. Ashura watched in great interest, > wondering if the doc could build something like this for him. ANTHONY: (as himself in the fic) Back off! This is my schtick! > "I'll take you through how to use the vehicles when your armors are > completed," Anthony said, and then saw Dr. Light motioning for him. Anthony > walked over and joined Dr. Light in the lab, and then walked back out. "Jenna, > Lars...your armors are ready!" > Jenna and Lars walked into the lab, and after a few minutes walked out clad in > similar armors, except Jenna's was yellow and Lars's was blue. LINK: Four Armor? ZELDA: No, Link! Then they'd all be the same person, practically. LINK: Well, they'll all be Gamemasters soon, so it's close enough. > Dr. Light was following them out as Amy, Ashura, and Crystallis were oohing > and aahing over the armors. > "Now," Dr. Light said, getting Jenna's and Lars's attention, "let me explain > some exclusive features I put in your armors. Jenna, because of your martial > artist skills, I put special impact sensors in your gauntlets and boots. When > the synaptic relays in them sense you are punching or kicking something, they > will send out a special sonic pulse to increase their effectiveness." SONIC: (as himself, muffled) HEY! Get me outta here! > "Nice..." Jenna said, looking at her gauntlets. > "As for you, Lars," Dr. Light said, "check out that rod like device that's > next to the lightsaber I gave both of you." NYPEROLD: NOT. A. WORD. Right, Amy? (Amy lightly hits her own paw with the hammer in response.) > Lars did so, detaching a rod that was about two and a half feet long from his > armor. It had a switch on the handle. > "I decided to give you a weapon appropriate to your Viking heritage," Dr. > Light explained. "Flip that switch on the handle." > Lars did so, KNUCKLES: ...and it turned into a HUMONGOUS beer stein! EGGMAN: (as Dr. Light) Oh dear...perhaps I shouldn't have used Hagar the Horrible as a reference... > and four smaller rods appears near the end of the rod. After they extended, two > laser-like fields appeared and formed two ax blades, turning it into a laser > battle ax. TAILS: (as Lars) Hey! Now I can play Phantasy Star Online! > "Very nice..." Lars said, giving the ax a couple of swings. > "Why don't you go outside and try out those weapons?" Dr. Light said. "Roll > can set up the target range for you." > Jenna and Lars nodded and followed Roll, with Ashura and Crystallis following > them. As Amy got up to join them as well, Anthony said, "Amy, could you come > inside the lab? I have something to show you..." > Amy was confused, PIKACHU: She hurt herself in her confusion! > but followed Anthony and Dr. Light into the lab anyway. She followed them to > where something appeared to be covered by a sheet. "What did you need me for, > Anthony?" > Anthony smiled, and then proceeded to uncover the covered object, revealing > set of armor that consisted of a pink breastplate and pink bracers. Amy's eyes > went as wide as dinner plates. "Is...is that for me?!?" AMY: (as herself) Why is it so... revealing? > "Figured you'd be surprised, Ames," Anthony said. "Since you're my apprentice, > I figured you deserved it, so I had Dr. Light create it." > "Well, go ahead and try it on, Amy," Dr. Light said. "You may wish to remove > the bracelets attached to your gloves to make sure the bracers fit." > As Amy started to put on her armor, placing her bracelets inside a pocket of > her dress, Dr. Light began to describe the armor. "Because Amy's hedgehog > physiology differs significantly from a human, I did a little research to come > up with the perfect armor design. NYPEROLD: (as Dr. Light) Unfortunately, it meant basing the armor off an armadillo's body, which meant I needed Mighty to help model. KNUCKLES: So THAT'S why he wasn't in Sonic Heroes! > As it turns out...I got the idea for Amy's armor from a fan made web comic." > "Which one?" Anthony asked, while helping Amy with the breastplate. "I may > know it." > "I believe it was called 'SonicVerse - The Chaos Diamond Saga'," Light said. > Anthony looked up at that. "By Sonic Adventurer? If so, I think I know the > armor in question...Sonic Prototype 105, right?" ALL but ANTHONY: FANBOY! FAAAAAAAAAN-BOOOOOOOOOOOY!!! ANTHONY: Uh, guys? > Anthony could swear he heard a muffled "FANBOY!" from Amy. ALL but ANTHONY: GYAH!!! ANTHONY: Well, I was gonna warn you... >"What do you want, Ames? I was a major fan of Sonic before coming to Mobius for > real!" > As soon as Amy's head appeared over the top of the breastplate, (all make a "POP" sound) > she said, "Well, at least you're not SONIC_FAN..." NYPEROLD: Okay, I'm gonna have to see what this guy's like... > Anthony shuddered and said, "Ugh...true..." > As soon as Amy had attached the bracers to her arms and placed her Descendancy > Medallion on the breastplate, she asked, "It fits perfectly, but how did you get > my size?" > "Well, when the Doc was sizing Jenna and Lars, he also got your size without > knowing it," Anthony explained, and then turned towards Dr. Light. "Doc, what's > in this armor?" SHADOW: (as Dr. Light) A small family of mice and a few cockroaches. Why? AMY: (as herself) EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK! > "Well, the armor's defenses are very different than yours, Anthony," Light > said, "and are only active when the full armor is active." > "Alright then," Anthony said, and then turned back towards Amy. "Amy, activate > your armor like I do. Armor, ACTIVATE!" Anthony was then covered from head to toe > by red metal as armor covered Anthony's upper arms and upper legs, and a helmet > appeared on his head. > "Okay..." Amy said, and then said, "Armor, ACTIVATE!" > Amy legs and red boots were covered by pinkish metal which pressed her dress > skirting close to her body. Her upper arms were also covered by the metal and > silvery metal gauntlets covered her gloved paws. Her head quills were also covered > by a metal helm which looked like a single row of pink metal quill segments. Her > eyes were covered by a red visor, and a silvery mask covered her nose and muzzle. > Vents were above the nose and mouth areas for breathing and speaking. (Author's note: > Looks kinda like this: http://www.planetdreamcast.com/sonic/svcomics/comics/sonicverse/sa-mct.gif > except pink.) NYPEROLD: Cool! A visual aid! (punches it up on his computer) ... it looks like Eggman, only pink?!? EGGMAN: WHAT?!? (looks) ...Oh, it's only a 404 redirection. Scared me there, Nyper... ANTHONY: Hang on...Computer, search for "Ashura Streaks in SA Suit". NYPEROLD: Is this the same Ashura...? ANTHONY: Nope...different one. Here we go. (another image comes up, this time from http://www.sonicverseteam.com/art/fan/displayimage.php?album=34&pos=0) AMY: O_O Whoa... > "Whoa...cool!" Amy said, looking at her armor. "I have GOT to see what I look > like!" EGGMAN: (snickering) Me, only pink. > Anthony began to worry when he heard that, since the armor made it look like > she was roboticized. ANTHONY: Which she ALSO had nightmares about since that almost happened to her! (Amy shudders again, prompting Anthony to hug her again) ANTHONY: Yeah, it wasn't pleasant for her either... > Still, he followed Amy as Dr. Light directed her towards a mirror. Anthony > could tell Amy was shocked by her appearance when she finally saw herself in > her armor. But, Anthony could sense she wasn't afraid... > "Ames? Are you alright?" Anthony asked, placing a gauntleted hand on her own > armored shoulder. > Amy looked toward Anthony, and then immediately grabbed him in a tight hug. TIFF: CLANG!!! > Anthony could sense she was crying tears of joy under her helm, and heard her > whisper a thank you. After the hug was released, Anthony said, "You might want > to deactivate your armor briefly so you can wipe your tears there, Ames." > Amy did so, and wiped away her tears after the armor receded. Dr. Light then > walked up to the two of them. "I take it Amy approves..." > "She does," Anthony said, deactivating his own armor. "Anything she should > know about it?" > "Just a few details...Amy, could you reactivate your armor, please?" Dr. Light > said, and Amy did so. "Now, Amy...there aren't as many features on this armor as > Anthony's, plus the defenses are only available when the armor is active. This is > due to the size of the armor." ROUGE: (as Amy) Oh, just tell me I'm short and get it over with! > "What defenses are there?" Amy asked. > "Well, besides the retro rockets on the back of the armor for limited flight, > similar to Anthony's," Dr. Light explained, "your two arms have different weapons > secreted in them. AMY: (as herself) They're all liquids, then? > The right arm has a lightsaber and the left arm has a blaster. I gave you > these due to your experience with a crossbow and your recent training with swords." > "Cool! How can I use them?" Amy asked, excitedly. > "There are synaptic relays inside the armor that activate the devices," Light > explained. "All you need to do is just think what you want done, and the appropriate > devices will activate." > Amy nodded in understanding and then looked at her right arm as she activated > the lightsaber. The bluish laser blade seemed to mesmerize her. "Wow..." ANTHONY: (starts to say something) OTHERS: (as the Pack Rat) SHINY!!! ANTHONY: Dang...was it THAT obvious? > "C'mon, let's head outside with the others," Anthony said. "You can practice > with your armor with them." > Amy nodded, and to Anthony's surprise she didn't just run out, she activated > her rockets and flew out. > "AMY!" Anthony said, trying to calm her down. He then rubbed the bridge of his > nose and said, "I've created a monster..." MARIO: Really? Which-a one? SUE: Maybe it's...TORGO! (all hum the Torgo theme, except for Jigglypuff) >------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Ashura and Crystallis were watching Jenna and Lars absolutely decimate the > targets using their new weapons. Jenna's sonic weapons were reducing some of > the targets to atoms while Lars's laser ax easily sliced through the rest. Roll > was shaking her head, realizing she would have to do some serious replacements > for the target range. FOX: ...or just replay the Bonus round again. > Just as Jenna and Lars were reaching the last few targets, they were shocked to > see something rocket past them and slice through two of the targets with a > lightsaber and shooting the rest with a built in blaster. All present were shocked > to see that the person who got the last targets looked like a metallic hedgehog. KNUCKLES: (as Lars) Is that... Silver Sonic?!? > "What the...?" Crystallis said, and then realized something. "Amy? Is that > you?!?" > "Yeah!" Amy said, still hovering a bit over the ground using her rockets. > "What do you think of the armor Anthony had Doc Light made for me?" > "Nice, but..." Ashura said, "it almost looks like you're...ROBOTICIZED!" > "Good thing I know I'm not!" Amy said, landing and deactivating her armor. BOX: (as Kryten) I knew I was lying. > "Well, I see you have seen Amy's new armor," Anthony said as he walked out to > join the others. He then saw the results of Jenna's and Lars's attacks on the targets. > "I see you two have gotten used to your weapons..." > "Yes," Jenna said, "and I'm amazed at how light this armor is. It didn't > interfere with my movement at all!" EGGMAN: (as Dr. Light) Of course it's light armor. I made it! (the rest groan) > "Did you activate the full armor?" Anthony asked. > "Er, no..." Jenna said. "How do you do that?" > "Like this..." Anthony said. "Armor, ACTIVATE!" Anthony was soon covered in > full armor. "Now you two..." TAILS: (as Lars) Actor, ARMIVATE! Hey, nothing's happening... (Sonic, Knuckles, and Rouge snicker a bit) ANTHONY: What's so funny? SONIC: Okay...the three humans here are wearing armor which will cover their bodies on a vocal command, and the armor is colored red, yellow, and blue... ANTHONY: So wha...? (sudden realization) Oh no... (Sonic, Knuckles, and Rouge all stand up quickly...and do the appropriate gestures as they say the following) SONIC, KNUCKLES, and ROUGE: NINJA STORM! RANGER FORM! HA!! ANTHONY: (facepalms) I didn't NEED that comparison! > Jenna and Lars nodded and said, "Armor, ACTIVATE!" Soon both were covered in > full armor similar to Anthony's, except Jenna's was yellow and Lars's was dark > blue. KNUCKLES: As we said... ANTHONY: STIFLE IT! > Once the armor was up, Jenna made a few practice moves, and saw her movement > was still not hindered. > "Okay, as I already told you," Anthony said, getting the two's attention, "in > your full armor mode you'll have no access to the four vehicles I've told you > about. In fact, we shall practice with those vehicles now. If you could > deactivate your armors..." > All three of the humans deactivated their armors and Anthony then continued. > "Alright, you're probably going to be using this vehicle the most, so we'll > practice with the jet sled first. That vehicle is Device 2...since the vehicles > are named after the same devices in the game Megaman 2. You activate it the same > way as the armor, calling it 'Device 2'." NYPEROLD: Heh. I might be able to use this information, with the upcoming Mega Man collection... ANTHONY: You get Device 2 after beating Airman, just so you know. > Jenna and Lars nodded in understanding and all three activated their jet > sleds. Jenna and Lars noticed the vehicles weren't moving, but were just hovering. > "Anthony," Lars asked, "how do we get these things to move?" > "The synaptic receptors in your armor will react to your thoughts and muscle > movements," Anthony explained. "Just think where you want to move the vehicle, > and it will move accordingly. Alright, follow me!" > Anthony then jetted off and Jenna and Lars followed, leaving Amy to talk with > Ashura and Crystallis. > "Man, I envy you, Amy," Ashura said. > "Thanks," Amy said. "I can't believe Anthony actually had this made for me!" > "Well, you are his apprentice, Amy," Light remarked as he joined the group, > "so it's only proper. Now, Ashura," Light said, turning towards Ashura, "Roll > tells me your Gundam needs work..." BOWSER: (as Dr. Light) Planning on changing your name to Heero? >-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Anthony was surprised Jenna and Lars managed to keep up with him. It also > seemed that Jenna and Lars were enjoying the ride on their new jet sleds as well. NANA and POPO: (as Jenna and Lars) WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!! > The three were currently jet sledding down one of Neo-Chicago's downtown > streets, and Anthony asked them to stop once they reached what looked like a city park. > "Alright, let's try out the fourth vehicle," Anthony said, motioning for them > to move towards the nearby lake. > As the three of them moved towards there, Lars asked, "Anthony...I don't > remember a device 4 in Megaman 2..." > "There wasn't one," Anthony said. "The jet ski was in Megaman 5, and Dr. Light > added it as a fourth vehicle for the armor." NYPEROLD: Uh...where...? ANTHONY: Waveman stage. NYPEROLD: Gotcha. > "Cool!" Jenna said. "Bet you that vehicle is fun in Minnesota." > "Well, these vehicles are only for transportation between areas or for > emergencies," Anthony explained, "otherwise you might find yourself > without power when you need it." > "I understand..." Jenna said. "Well, let's check this out. Device 4, > ACTIVATE!" > As Jenna's jet ski formed, Anthony and Lars activated theirs, and the three of > them practiced maneuvers with their jet skis. >-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- KIRBY: Such as traveling in straight lines. > "Dr. Light informed me that he's made a set of Mastertech armor for Alec," > T-Bone said while reporting to Major Sharpe. FOX: (as T-Bone) He's complaining that he feels like he's turning into Cam, but... ANTHONY: I said STIFLE IT! > "Excellent," Sharpe said. "Alec also appears to be progressing quite rapidly > with his powers. He even practices them during times when he's supposed to be > off duty. ANTHONY: (as Sharpe) Even when he's asleep...it's CREEPY! > Looks like we may have our Gamemaster 2 sooner than we expected." > "Cool...though I'm still going to have a hard time dealing with four > Gamemasters, sir," T-Bone said. > "You got used to being an anthro wolf, Lieutenant, you can adapt to this as > well," Sharpe remarked. NYPEROLD: "Got used to"? Would this be the famed "Mobius Effect"? > "I guess, sir," T-Bone said. "By the way...did you receive that report from > Dr. Light on the medicine that was developed for Alec?" > "Yes...trichlorodicathelene..." Sharpe mused. "Amazing that we stumbled upon > such a medicine. We even got all the necessary data on it. In fact, I'll need > to talk with our medical wing to give them that information. Return to your duties, > Lieutenant. I'll inform you when you need to report to Mr. Bault again. > Dismissed." > As soon as T-Bone left with a salute, Sharpe left the office and headed towards > the medical wing. There he saw one of the doctors giving Alec his regimen. > "Sir," Alec said, standing to attention upon seeing Sharpe. > "At ease, Lieutenant," Sharpe said. "Have you finished receiving your regimen?" > "Yes, sir," Alec said. CAPT. FALCON: (as Sharpe) I said at EASE, Lieutenant! > "Then report to your quarters and relax for once," Sharpe said. "You've been > practicing enough." FOX: (as Alec) But... the voices! They won't let me! > "I apologize, sir," Alec said. "It's just hard not to use these powers, and I > wanted to make sure I was in top shape with them." > "Well, even the Gamemaster has to rest from using them, Lieutenant," Sharpe > said. "Now, report to your quarters and rest. That's an order!" > "Yes, sir," Alec said, saluting and leaving the medical wing. > Sharpe shook his head in disbelief at Alec's overworking himself, EGGMAN: (as Sharpe) Normally my soldiers try to get out of doing work...especially that Beetle guy... > and then turned towards the doctor, handing him a folder. "Here's the complete > information on trichlorodicathelene I received from Dr. Light." > "Thank you, Major," the doctor said, looking through the information, and then > suddenly standing up. "Sir, we may have a problem..." > Sharpe, looking back at the doctor, said, "What's wrong?" YOSHI: (as the doctor) It appears to have the same composition as Viagra... OTHERS: YOSHI!! YOSHI: Sorry! > "Well, sir, the maximum safe dosage here says 450 mg," the doctor explained. > "What's wrong with that?" Sharpe asked. MARIO: (as the doctor) He's-a *there*, sir. > "Well, sir...the dosage we have been using was 600 mg..." ALL: Dun! Dun. DUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUN!!! > Chapter 14 - The Final Stop > The next morning found the Clan home in high activity. TAILS: (starts to say something) NYPEROLD: If that's a "Drug Prower" riff, don't say it! Too obvious! TAILS: Nuts... > Anthony, Mary, and Amy were busy packing since the final stop was their home > planet of Mobius. Jenna and Lars were also getting into their new Mastertech armor. > The two of them had even opted to create a "uniform" to go with their > armors...Jenna was wearing one of her white martial arts training gis with her > armor, NYPEROLD: Yeah, I've heard of those, but only in "Kung-Fu Fighting Peach!". PEACH: That... was odd. > and Lars was wearing a pair of blue jeans and a green shirt with his. As soon > as all were ready, they had gathered in the sitting room, where Olaf was waiting > for them. > "Ah...I see you are leaving us, Anthony, Mary, and Amy..." Olaf said. PEACH: (as... somebody from The Mary Tyler Moore Show who would say this) Oh, Marrryyyy! > "Yeah, but you can expect to see us on a regular basis," Anthony said. "The > transit gates will ensure we're just a hop, skip, and a jump away... ANTHONY: (as Puss in Boots from Captain N) ...and then a hop, skip, and a warp away to... BOX: Dude...that was so obscure, you may have blown a circuit in me even if I don't have an Obscure-O-Meter. > and besides, we ARE clan." > "That's good to hear, cousin," Jenna said. "So, I assume Mobius is our final > stop?" > "Yes," Anthony explained, "and this will be a different type of lesson. Instead > of being trained in anything related to your powers or abilities...you will > look first hand at one of the main reasons why I keep fighting." > "You mean...the effects of Robotnik's war..." Lars said, somewhat sullenly. ANTHONY: Uh oh...Nyp, better get some hankies handy. NYPEROLD: Got it! (runs out and comes back with a couple of tissue boxes) > "Yes," Anthony said. "Learn well from what I will show you, because you will > need to keep vigilant to prevent what I'll show you from happening again." He > noticed the looks on both Jenna's and Lars's faces and said, "I understand your > feelings...but this is a necessary lesson." ZELDA: (as Jenna) So YOU say...but what if I want to remain ignorant? > "Yes, I guess it is..." Jenna said. > "Don't worry, Jenna and Lars," Mary said. "You can also see how the six worlds > are working together to rebuild Mobius as well." > "Yes, and that unity is something else you'll have to get used to as > Gamemasters," Anthony explained. TAILS: (as Matt) I guess this means we stay in touch. AMY: (as Jackie) That's what friends *do*. > "Well then," Lars said, getting himself ready, "shall we get going?" > "We shall," Anthony said, and then turned towards Olaf. "Patriarch, thank you > for allowing us to stay here." > "It was my pleasure," Olaf said, and then turned towards Mary and Amy, > "especially to meet the clan's two newest members." > "Thank you, Patriarch," Amy said. > As soon as they said their goodbyes, Jenna and Lars saying they would be back > a little later, all five headed towards the transit gates...their destination: SONIC: (overdramatic) ADVENTURE!!! > Mobius. SONIC: Well that too... >-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > As soon as the group exited the portal to Mobius just outside of Mobotropolis, > Jenna and Lars were surprised at the number of races taking part in the rebuild > effort. Gorons, Zorans, Hylians, Nimbians, Bioroids, Mushroomers, and Floren > joined the Mobians in what Jenna and Lars thought was the best display > of solidarity they had ever seen. NYPEROLD: (as Lars) MYRON FLOREN? What on Mobius...? (Box plays a sample of Myron's accordian music.) > Of course...they also saw one other race that surprised them. ROUGE: (as Jenna) POPPLES? ANTHONY: ...and Box said I was obscure?!? NYPEROLD: At least she didn't say... (as Lars) MADBALLS?!? > "Koopa Troopas?!?" Jenna said. "What the...?" > "The Koopa Klan finally made peace with the Mushroom Kingdom to aid in the > fight against Robotnik," Anthony explained. (Bowser and Eggman look at each other) EGGMAN: That would have been...interesting... > "Bowser even came clean with why he was trying to kidnap the princess." BOWSER: o.O ANTHONY: Uh, I'll tell you during the break... > "I heard about that," Lars said, and then turned to Jenna. "I'll tell you > about it later." ALL: GYAH!!! > "We'll see you later, Anthony," Mary said, getting Anthony's attention. "Amy and I are going to head back to our home." > Anthony nodded in understanding, and watched as they walked off. "Speaking of > which," Anthony said, "I'd better drop my suitcase off. Come with me, I'll > show you where I live." > "You live on Mobius?" Jenna asked, confused. "I would have thought, as Earth's > hero, you'd live on Earth!" ANTHONY: (as himself) Well, the rent's better here, and the sales tax is only 3%, so... > "Yeah, me too," Anthony said, "but Mobius insisted on giving me a house in > thanks. You probably heard how I refused a statue..." NESS: (as Anthony) C'mon guys, I've gotta do this fairly! I need to get a Megalopolis first! SAMUS: (as Jenna) This isn't SimCity, Anthony...though with all this construction, it's close. > "...and destroyed all three attempts to make one," Jenna said. "That I HAD > heard about..." > After a quick tour of Anthony's house, Anthony led the two towards the palace, > where they were met by a salute and greetings by Geoffrey and Hershey. ANTHONY: ...but Geoffrey did it with a sour face. TIFF: Because of the fact he still can't get over his hate of humans? ANTHONY: Yep. > After finding out from Hershey where Sally was, Anthony led Jenna and Lars > towards the throne room. Anthony noticed all four members of the Acorn royal > family talking with each other over what Anthony thought was future plans for > rebuild help with Ani-Mobius. FOX: (as King Acorn) I still say we should install a wet bar in the palace... PEACH: (as Queen Acorn) Look, just because YOU like to sneak a drink now and then, doesn't mean your other self does. POPO: (as Prince Elias) Sally...what's wrong with having your guest house there? NANA: (as Sally) It's near Dr. Quack's house! Do you have ANY idea how disgusting it is to be near his house during molting season?!? ANTHONY: (looking straight at the fourth wall) HEY! Other me! Stop using my knowledge base with them...you KNOW they know next to nothing about the SatAM/Archie continuity! RIFT-ANTHONY: Sorry! > As soon as the three humans entered the room, Sally looked up and noticed > Anthony. > "Anthony, welcome back!" Sally said, and then noticed his two companions. "Are > these your two students?" > "Yes, Sally," Anthony said, and then motioned for Jenna and Lars to step > forward. "I'd like you to meet Jenna Larson and Lars Olson." > "Welcome to Mobius, Jenna and Lars," Sally said, extending a paw in > friendship, and then acting surprised when she saw the two bow towards her. > "Thank you, your highness," Lars said. > "No need for that, Lars," Sally explained. "Any relative of Anthony is a > friend of ours. Just call me Sally." PEACH: Bright students, but they seem slow to recognize patterns... KNUCKLES: Or maybe... (as Lars) Alright...ONE of these royal people has to stop telling me to call them by their name. They're screwing with my concept of royalty! > "Very well then, Sally," Lars said, shaking Sally's paw. > "You must be honored, being chosen for Anthony's training," King Acorn > remarked, stepping forward to join the rest. > "Indeed, your majesty," Jenna said, "and it's certainly exciting to see all > these worlds and well known faces for real. Though I am surprised we haven't > yet seen..." > "Yo, Sal," the entire group heard a voice say, and all turned towards the door > and saw Sonic coming in. > "You were about to say, Jenna?" Anthony remarked. > As soon as Sonic joined the group, his attention turned to the yellow and blue > armored humans. (Sonic, Knuckles, and Rouge snicker) ANTHONY: STIFLE IT! > "You must be Anth's students! Guess I don't need to introduce myself...seeing > as how I'm apparently the 'hog on Earth!" SONIC: OH yeah! Who's the 'hog? I'm the 'hog! > "Without a doubt, Sonic," Lars said, extending his hand in friendship. "The > name's Lars Olson." > "I'm Jenna Larson," Jenna said, also shaking Sonic's paw. "I see the ego from > the cartoons is real as well." > "Aw, man...did ya have to mention that?" Sonic said, ANTHONY: (as himself) Yes he did, and he'll keep doing it until you stop with the ego! SUE: (as Sally) I think even Anthony Prower will die of old age before that happens! SHADOW: (as Sonic) HEY! > and then turned towards Sally. "Sal...would you care to join me in a chili > dog?" ZELDA: (as Sally) Sure... as long as it's someone *else's* chili! SONIC: (as himself) HEY!!! > *I see his love of chili dogs is real too,* Lars said to Anthony, > telepathically. > *Yeah...to the point of addiction,* Anthony remarked back, causing Lars to > have to stifle a giggle. SUE: *giggle* The Kingdom of Mobara for a Betty Ford Clinic for chili dog addiction! > "Of course, Sonic," Sally said, and then turned back towards Jenna and Lars. > "Hope you two enjoy your stay on Mobius." > "We will. Thank you, Sally," Jenna said. > As Sonic and Sally left, Anthony said his goodbyes to the rest of the Acorns > and led Jenna and Lars out of the castle to continue the tour. As the three > of them passed by Bookshire's clinic, all three sensed rather intense > feelings...relief being the strongest one. CAPT. FALCON: Oh...that was probably just Bookshire coming out of the bathroom. He REALLY needed to go. NYPEROLD: Ew...Captain! CAPT. FALCON: Sorry! > "What the heck?" Lars said, and then all three noticed Bunnie walking out of > the clinic being comforted by Antoine. Tears seemed to be flowing freely > from Bunnie as the two of them walked. > "Antoine!" Anthony said, getting Antoine's attention. "What's wrong with > Bunnie?" > "Oh...Monsieur Bault..." Antoine said, "it iz nozing to worry about." NESS: (as Anthony) Something's wrong with her nose? ANTHONY: (FLAWLESS Antoine, even with the accent) No...nozing! NOZING!!! NESS: (as Anthony) Uh...No-Doze? ANTHONY: (as Antoine) Never you be minding... > "A friend of mine is crying, Ant," Anthony remarked, "that tends to worry me." > After wiping away a couple of tears, Bunnie spoke up. "I'll tell him, Ant..." > She then looked up towards Anthony. "I finally had it done, sugah..." > "Had what done?" Anthony said, and then noticed something. Bunnie's arm and > legs were real. Even though the Kintobor mode robotization could create a > pseudoskin that looked real, the joints of the robotic parts could still be > seen somewhat. But...Anthony no longer saw those joints... "You had yourself > fully deroboticized?" SUE: About time! > "Yes..." Bunnie said. "Antoine convinced me to finally have that done..." > "So those tears were tears of relief...with the restoration of your limbs signifying how your planet was finally free," Anthony remarked. > "You could say that, sugah," Bunnie said, looking towards her arm. > "We understand, Bunnie," Jenna said, getting her attention. "I guess after > having those metal limbs for so long, it would be a relief." ZELDA: (as Bunnie, accent and all) Well, sugah, the frequent visits for oil changes and lubrication were adding up... > Bunnie looked up towards Jenna and said, "Yeah...um, you're one of Anth's > students?" > "Yes, I am. The name's Jenna," Jenna said, and then knelt down, "and I'm free > if you need a shoulder to cry on right now." > "Thanks, sugah," Bunnie said, and was drawn into a sisterly hug by Jenna. (yet another chorus of awwws and gags) SONIC: Sheesh! And I thought Anth here was the sweetheart of the bunch! ANTHONY: I am...but Jenna is a LOT more sensitive than I am. You'll see what I mean... > "I zee zat ze ozzer members of Antony's family are just az willing to lend ze > shoulder to cry on," Antoine said, and then turned towards Lars. "And what iz > your name, Monsieur?" > "The name's Lars," Lars said, shaking Antoine's paw. "A pleasure to meet you, > Antoine." > After the two shook hands/paws, Jenna finished comforting Bunnie and stood up. > "Thanks, Jen," Bunnie said. > "It was no problem, Bunnie," Jenna said. > "Come, Bunnee," Antoine said, taking Bunnie's paw, "perhaps a treat of ze > carrot cake will cheer you up, oui?" NYPEROLD: Wait a minute, I am beening ze confused. Is this a sad or happy thing, or what? > "Alright..." Bunnie said, and walked away with Antoine. > This sight caused Lars to raise an eyebrow. "Anthony, are those two...?" > "Yes," Anthony said, interrupting Lars, and then turned towards Jenna. "That was a nice thing you did, Jenna." > "Well, it was my pleasure to help," Jenna said. "I could just imagine what she > went through..." TAILS: (as Lars) Well, yeah...but your imagination also came up with a picture of the continental United States wearing underwear... > "Yes...and I actually went through the robotization process...TWICE," Anthony > remarked. This caused Jenna and Lars to look at him wide eyed. (several of the MiSTies ALSO look at him wide-eyed) > "Two different missions...best you don't ask." ANTHONY: What he said...er, what I said...er, oh, never mind! > "I'm almost afraid to," Lars said, and then noticed a path going into the > woods. "Where does that path lead? Several people seem to be going in and > out of it at a regular basis." KNUCKLES: Take the road less traveled by; it'll make all the difference. > "That goes to Knothole," Anthony said. "It's currently used for temporary > housing, and is also a memorial site." > "Memorial...this is part of that lesson you mentioned earlier, isn't it?" Lars > remarked. > "Yes..." Anthony said, "though that incident with Bunnie gave you one facet of > what happened. Come, let us head there." > Anthony then led Jenna and Lars towards Knothole. >------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SAMUS: (as Jenna) Did you have to put us on a LEASH, cousin? > After getting unpacked, Amy decided to meet up with her friends to show them > her new armor. It didn't take her long to find them, as she saw Wendy O. Koopa > and Sasami running up to her. KIRBY: ...reenacting the nightmare Amy had. PIKACHU: That had better NOT happen. > She giggled when the two of them stared at her wide-eyed. > "Amy!" Wendy said. "Wha...what are you wearing?" > "My new armor," Amy said. "Anthony had it made for me since I was his > apprentice. Watch this! Armor, ACTIVATE!!!" Amy was soon covered in the pink > armor, and Wendy and Sasami became even more wide-eyed. > "Wow!" Sasami said. "You look AWESOME, Amy!" > While Sasami said this, Tails ran up to the three girls. "Sasami, Wendy...have > you seen...?" TAILS: (as himself) ...the latest news on the Sonic Heroes game? SHADOW: I have...and I'd better NOT be just a frickin' clone!!! > He then noticed Amy. "WHAT THE?!?" > "It's me, Tails," Amy said. > "Wha...you were roboticized?!?" Tails said, BOX: (as Tails) This isn't Ladymecha's fic!!! > and then grabbed Amy's armored wrist. "Come on...we've got to get you to > Chuck!" > "Don't bother, Tails," Amy said. "ARMOR, DEACTIVATE!" > Tails did a double take as Amy was seen replacing the armored form. "Wha? > Where did you...?" > "Anthony had it made for me," Amy said. > Tails gave a sigh of relief and said, "Don't scare me like that! I thought you > were roboticized! Anyway...have any of you seen Anthony?" AMY: (as herself) Naw, he gave it to me without me ever seeing him! > "He's giving Jenna and Lars the grand tour," Amy said, and then concentrated > with her powers. "Ah...they're in Knothole." > "Wow...you HAVE been learning, Amy!" Tails said. "I'll see you all later!" He > then flew towards Knothole. > "So, Amy..." Wendy said, turning her attention back towards Amy, "what can > this armor do...?" TAILS: Here we go again... >------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Jenna and Lars were just staring...looking at the large number of names that > were etched in stone on the imposing wall in front of them. FOX: (pretending to look) "Killroy was here"? The HECK?!? > They were shocked that so many had died at Robotnik's hands...either from > attacks or robotization toxins. It became too much for them to > bear...especially for Jenna, as she collapsed on the ground and started > crying. Anthony and Lars helped her up and Lars hugged her to comfort her. PEACH: I second that emotion, sis... > "Now you see why I keep fighting," Anthony said, "to prevent something like > THIS from happening again. I'm sorry to have to show you this..." > "It's alright, cousin," Lars said. "Still...it hard to believe...and yet, this > goes to show just how real this is..." > "I know..." Anthony said, and then noticed Jenna had calmed down. "You alright > now, Jenna?" TIFF: (as Jenna) Well, except for the skinned knees from when I collapsed dramatically... > "Yes, I'll...I'll be fine..." Jenna said. It was then that her eyes noticed > one name on the wall...Muttski. "What the...? Isn't this...Sonic's dog?" > Anthony nodded sadly. "Afraid so...Sonic still can't get over it sometimes. > Muttski died from robotization toxins." (many are seen wiping tears; a tissue box is passed around; Sue and Amy are taking it the worst and are practically sobbing their hearts out) ANTHONY: Oh no... (hugs Amy closely) Nyp, we'd better take a break after this chapter so these kids can recover. NYPEROLD: (hugging Sue closely) But it's only been four chapters! ANTHONY: I know...but if I remember correctly, the last few chapters are short, so it'll work out better. NYPEROLD: Okay... (talking quietly to Sue) Shhhh...it's alright... > "...and yet...you let Robotnik live..." Lars said, looking at Anthony. > "I let JULIAN live, Lars...not Robotnik," Anthony said. He then explained the > situation to them and they understood. "You see? Robotnik was technically killed by me." EGGMAN: HUH?!? ANTHONY: Oh...you'll have to think Fleetway. Basically what I did was go in his mind and destroyed the Robotnik personality so the Julian Kintobor personality could take over again. > "Good..." Lars said. "I just hope the ROCC died with him..." > "I'm sure it has..." Anthony said. It was then that the three of them saw > Tails flying in. "Hi, Tails! What's up?" TAILS: (as himself) I am, at the moment! > "I need to talk to you," Tails said as he landed. "You won't believe what > happened!" > "What?" Anthony said. > "Sasha showed me how you gave her a Descendancy Medallion," Tails explained, > "and when we both called upon the Descendancy Powers to see what would > happen...we ended up creating TWO Wands of the Magi!" > "The artifact weapons can be copied TOO?!?" Anthony said. > "Looks like it!" Tails said, and then turned towards Jenna and Lars. "You must > be Anthony's students! I guess I don't need to introduce myself..." TAILS: (as himself) Like I should have to that one explorer. The guy felt he had to tell me where I live, and that it's more like a workshop. BOX: (as Tails, fourth wall beginning to crack again) That's the LAST time we hire Captain Obvious for a role! > "Of course not, Tails," Lars said. > Lars and Jenna then introduced themselves and shook Tails's paw. After the > introductions, Tails then said, "Anthony, are you going to introduce them > to...you know who?" ANTHONY: (as himself) Are you NUTS?!? I just showed them the memorial, and you want me to have them meet KINTOBOR?!? PIKACHU: (as Tails) No...not HIM... > Anthony smiled as he realize who he was talking about. "Definitely...have him > meet us at your house, alright? I planned to have them meet my namesake as well." > "Alright, I'll go get him," Tails said. "I'll catch you all later!" Tails then > flew off. JIGGLYPUFF: (as Jenna) Okay...but who's going to throw us? > Lars and Jenna gave Anthony a strange look. "Who are you talking about, > Anthony?" Jenna asked. > "You'll see when we get there," Anthony said. "But first...let me try > something..." > Anthony then drew the Sword of the Gamemaster from the scabbard on his back > and concentrated on it similar to the way he concentrated on the Descendancy > Medallion when he duplicated it. Within minutes, much to all three's surprise, > Anthony was soon holding THREE copies of the Sword. MARIO: And-a one original. > "Well, I'll be..." Anthony said, and then handed Jenna and Lars each one of > the Swords. "There you go, guys." > Jenna and Lars looked at the weapons they were handed and looked at them in > awe. "Wow..." Lars said. "Thanks, Anthony!" > "Not a problem," Anthony said, replacing his own Sword. "Come...let's get to > Tails's house..." TAILS: (as explorer guy) Actually, it's more like his workshop. (normal, shaking head) Yeesh... ANTHONY: Alright...no more explorer riffs. I think the dead horse has been stripped of its skin by now. > All three then left Knothole heading back to Mobotropolis. Jenna and Lars were > holding their Swords to their sides until they could get scabbards as well. >-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > As the three humans returned to Mobotropolis, they noticed what appeared to be > a mini air show going on near the town square. Several children were watching > as Amy, in her full armor, was flying around using the retro rockets on the back. MARIO: (overdramatic voice) Amy Rose a stars in...ROCKETEER 2!! >Anthony shook his head in disbelief at this sight, and then said to his two companions, "I think I gave her an ego like Sonic." KNUCKLES: Is that even possible? SONIC: HEY! > "Oh, let her have her fun," Jenna said. "She is still a kid, after all." AMY: *sniff* I am not! ANTHONY: You're 12...you are too! AMY: (resumes sobbing) ANTHONY: Oy... (hugs Amy closer) ...just like my version. > "Yeah, I suppose," Anthony said, and then noticed Mary nearing the area where > Amy was demonstrating. "Besides, looks like her mother will keep tabs on her. FOX: She's not even old enough to drink! NYPEROLD: Not THAT!!! > Come, let's get to the Prower residence." > The three of them arrived at a modest home that was located close to the > palace, and Anthony knocked on the door. They then heard what sounded like a > baby's cry from within, SHADOW: No...that was just Tails whining. TAILS: HEY!!! > and watched as Sarah Prower opened the door with young Anthony Prower in her > arms. > "Oh...uh, did we come at a bad time, Sarah?" Anthony asked, noticing the > fussing infant. > "No, it's fine, Anthony," Sarah said. "Miles told me what's happening and he's > waiting inside...along with our special guest." SAMUS: (as Jenna) The HECK?!? We're on a talk show now? > She then turned her attention towards Jenna and Lars. "Sasha told me about the > two of you. An honor to meet you, Jenna and Lars." POPO: (as Lars) Why do YOU always get first billing? NANA: (as Jenna) I'm special! > "Thank you, Mrs. Prower," Jenna said, and then looked at the infant fox in > Sarah's arms. "Is this your child?" > "Yes...the first child born to Mobius since its freedom," Sarah said. "We even > named him after the Gamemaster here." > Lars looked at Anthony and said, "So THAT'S what you meant by namesake!" SHADOW: Well, yeah, somebody's namesake is usually named after that person... ANTHONY: (as himself) Well, who were you expecting? Tony Soprano? BOX: (as Lars) Considering how many realities we've visited...YES!!! > "Did you want to hold him, Jenna?" Sarah asked. > Jenna said, "Sure!" and Sarah carefully handed the infant fox to Jenna after > Jenna put down her Sword. Jenna giggled as young Anthony Prower seemed to nuzzle > her. "He seems to like me, Sarah." DK: (as Anthony) No...I think he's trying to nurse again... ZELDA: (as Jenna) PAIN!!! > "It due to what's called the 'Companion's Bond'," Anthony explained. YOSHI: Now Anthony talk like Yoshi? PEACH: No, Yosh, you leave out articles, too. > "Apparently, the original Companions had a bond of friendship similar to that > of the bond between siblings. That bond exists with the descendants as well." > "So...you're more than just a friend to Peach and Zelda," Lars said, "they're > like your sisters?" ANTHONY: As we discussed earlier... > "Yep...in fact, little Anthony there, because of that Bond, thinks he's being > held by a family member as a result," Anthony explained. > "I see," Jenna said, and handed the infant fox back to Sarah. "Well, he's > definitely a cute one." > "Thank you," Sarah said, and then stepped aside to let the three humans in. > "Come, our special guest is waiting for you." > Jenna picked up her Sword and followed Sarah, Anthony, and Lars into the > home's sitting room. There they saw Tails, as well as who appeared to be a > elder fox wearing flowing robes. NYPEROLD: Oh, cool! It's Merlin! ANTHONY: Not...quite... > The elder fox, upon seeing the three humans, said, "Ah...welcome Jenna and > Lars. I've been anxious to meet you." He then noticed how the two of them were > carrying their Swords and said, "Here...this should help you be a little more > like the Gamemaster." He then waved his paw, and a shimmering light covered the two > copies of the Sword. Within minutes, both were in their own scabbards and strapped > to the backs of Jenna and Lars. > "Wow! Thank you!" Lars said. "Nice trick!" LINK: Actually, wouldn't that be actual magical power rather than, say, sleight-of-hand? BOX: (as Lars) Wow! The guy can manipulate Hammerspace! > "Thank you," the fox said. "I was afraid my magic became weak after 1000 > years." ZELDA: Hence why it wasn't, say, within seconds. > Jenna raised an eyebrow and turned towards Anthony. "1000 years?!?" > Anthony smiled and then spoke up, "Shall I make the introductions, Magi?" > "Be my guest, Anthony," the elder fox said, smiling slightly. > Anthony then gave an interesting smile of his own as he spoke. "Magi, meet > Jenna Larson and Lars Olson, my two students. Jenna and Lars..." Anthony said, > pausing dramatically, NESS: (as Anthony) This is Gaspar, and these are his two associates, Melchior and Balthasar. > "...this is Magi Reynard Prower." > Jenna's and Lars's eyes widened and their jaws nearly dropped to the ground. NYPEROLD: (does the same) That guy's still ALIVE?!? ANTHONY: He spent the last millennium in a space where time doesn't pass. We found him recently. >-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > "Sir, I assure you, I'm fine," Alec said, talking to Sharpe with a doctor in > close proximity. CAPT. FALCON: (as Alec) *cough* Too close. This guy's breath is RIPE!! > "That's all well and good, Lieutenant," Sharpe said, "but I would still like > to keep you under observation for a few days. We'll keep your medication coming, > but the dosage will be lessened to the safe level." > "I understand, sir," Alec said. FOX: (as Sharpe) You'd BETTER understand the word "sir", since you'll use it a lot! > "That's good," Sharpe said, and then turned towards the doctor. "He's in your > hands now, Doctor." Sharpe then left the room. > The doctor turned towards Alec and said, "Alright, Lieutenant...I need to run > some tests..." TAILS: (as Alec) Not the ACT, I hope... >------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- EGGMAN: (as the doctor) Stop flat-lining on me! > Jenna and Lars left the Prower residence with Anthony. Both of them still had > looks of disbelief after meeting with Magi Reynard. > "I still can't believe Magi Reynard is still alive," Jenna said. "Still, it > was great to hear about Sir Eric from a first hand account." ANTHONY: (as himself) *cough* First PAW account, Jenna. ROUGE: (as Jenna) Oh, stop being such a furry purist! > "I know," Anthony said. "He's actually King Acorn's new royal advisor." > "Appropriate, since he has over 1000 years of experience," Lars said. He was > about to say something else, ANTHONY: ...and I had a feeling it was a Methuselah riff... > when the three of them saw T-Bone approach. > "Anth!" T-Bone said, running up to Anthony. "Glad I caught up with you..." > "Why didn't you use the new communicator?" Anthony said, raising his right > armor gauntlet. ZELDA: (as Uhura from Star Trek V) Uh...you forgot to bring it... NYPEROLD: (as Kirk from Star Trek V, sarcastic) Hmmm...wonder why I did that? > T-Bone facepalmed at that. "Forgot about that! Anyway, Sharpe said we may have > a problem with Alec..." > "What kind of problem?" Anthony said, concerned. > "Seems he was taking an overdose of that medicine we just received information > about from Doc Light," T-Bone said. "The doctor's looking at him now. So far, > he seems fine, but we thought you might want to take a look with that psi of > yours." POPO: (as Anthony) I don't have a sai here... will Raphael's do? > "Well...I had planned to show my two students Mobara and Angel Island..." > Anthony said, looking at Jenna and Lars. KNUCKLES: Oh, REALLY? > "I can show them around," T-Bone said. "I haven't gotten a chance to meet who > might become two new Gamemasters..." > "Thanks, T-Bone," Anthony said, and then turned towards Jenna and Lars. > "Jenna, Lars? This is Lt. Hernandez, code named 'T-Bone'. He'll show you around > Mobara and Angel Island." > "OK, Anthony," Lars said. "Go see to Alec." > Anthony nodded and headed towards the Portal. T-Bone then turned towards Jenna > and Lars and said, "Alright, Jenna and Lars. Where should we go first...?" SUE: (better now, as Jenna as a child) Fantasyland! TAILS: (as Lars as a child) Tomorrowland! SUE: (same as before) FANTASYLAND! TAILS: (same as before) TOMORROWLAND! ANTHONY: (as T-Bone) If you kids don't calm down, we're going to the Amazing World of Turnips! SUE and TAILS: (same as before) NOOOOOOOOOO! NYPEROLD: You alright now, Sue? SUE: A little but... *sniff* ...can we still take a break? NYPEROLD: (Kisses Sue's forehead) Sure thing. Break time, guys! (All file out of the theater. Anthony is carrying Amy, who in turn is laying her head on his shoulder as he does so. Nyperold stops Anthony though.) NYPEROLD: Anth? One minute... ANTHONY: Huh? (sets Amy down) I'll meet you outside, Ames. Will you be alright? AMY: Yeah...I'll probably take Sue swimming with Sonic and Shadow. ANTHONY: Alright. (turns towards Nyperold when Amy leaves) What's up? NYPEROLD: Well, I said I'd explain this one thing back in the first part, and I thought I'd better do that before the MiST ends. ANTHONY: Good idea. I WAS kinda curious... (Anthony rejoins Nyperold in the theater, and Nyperold pulls up a document in preparation...)