[IC Board] All the World's a Game - Season II

[WriggleRid3r]

Yuuka's Mansion - Gensokyo

---

"No, I..." The fairy hesitated, but nodded. The fairy handed the cup to John.

[S121]

Yuuka's Mansion - Gensokyo | Day

John grabbed the cup, then spoke to the fairy again.

"Is that all the cups, or are there more?", John asked the fairy.

[WriggleRid3r]

Yuuka's Mansion - Gensokyo

---

"That's it." The fairy said as she hoisted a teaspoon (to her it must be as large as a shotgun) and flew next to John.

[S121]

Yuuka's Mansion - Gensokyo | Day

John raised an eyebrow at the fairy's difference in size compared to the teaspoon. John had spent four month in Gensokyo, but he never saw a fairy as tiny as her. Usually they were as large as Cirno, or Daiyousei. Thinking of Daiyousei reminded John that he had to talk with her on how to get HM back. It would have to wait for a couple of days, but he would eventually get to it. John quickly snapped back into reality when he saw the little fairy fly back towards Yuuka's room, and followed suit.

"I'm back. Here's your coffee, Yuuka.", John said to Yuuka as he placed the coffee cup on her nightstand.

[Zarem]

City - Nevada

"Hold up!" The Doomguy said as he went to grab a shotgun from one of the dead agents. "Yeah, now we're talking!"
He cocks the shotgun and then looks at the three. "I'm going with you guys. You'll most likely need it."

[Luna Pixu]

Research Laboratory - The Castle That Never Was
Cole was stunned. Never before had he seen anyone capable of taking apart so many creatures in an instant. When most of the creatures had cleared up, Cole spoke up. "Girl? You feeling alright?" Cole sheepishly asked the girl. Shortly after Cole asked the question, he got a response. "WHERE IS MY SISTER?! WHERE IS SHE?" The girl menacingly questioned Cole. Cole had no idea what this girl was talking about. Was she separated from her sister when she was brought to this prison? Regardless, Cole knew nothing about this sister. In fact, Cole knew nothing about this girl. And how could he? He had been trapped in this prison for a long time without any actual form of contact with any other beings. The girl continued to ask Cole the same question and, after several times questioning him, began to charge at Cole.
This was it. Cole was going to die at the hands of a crazed girl and numerous bizarre creatures. In that moment, Cole closed his eyes as if he was flinching, reached out with his undamaged left arm and charged it with all of his remaining electricity. Grabbing the girl's head as she got close to him, Cole pumped all of his remaining electricity into the girl in hopes that she would stop. After a few seconds, Cole felt the force of the girl's charge reduce to nothing.
It was over.
Opening his eyes and releasing his grasp, Cole saw the girl slumped on the floor, either dead or unconscious. Cole proceeded to check the body of the girl for any vital signs. No heartbeat. Cole's eyes widened in horror. He just killed another person. The last and only person he had killed prior to this was Kessler of the First Sons. And now this girl? What was he coming to? Seeking desperation and answers, Cole checked the neuroelectric signals in the girl's brain to find any memories relating to the hooded men. Strange. They were still active and new as if she was still alive. As if she was only unconscious and not dead.
While all this was happening, a new wave of creatures had appeared to replace the ones that the girl destroyed. Cole finally decided that it was time to run. Using the last of his strength, Cole picked up the girl and slumped her over his shoulder. Cole then proceeded to run as fast and as hard as he could through the open door.

[WriggleRid3r]

Yuuka's Mansion - Gensokyo

---

"Sorry." Yuuka sighed as she reached out to grab the coffee mug, still steaming with hot black liquid. "You're the guest but I end up being served..."

[S121]

Yuuka's Mansion - Gensokyo | Day

John smiled inside of his helmet and spoke to Yuuka.

"It's okay. It's no problem to me.", John said to Yuuka.

After Yuuka grabbed the mug, John thought about him leaving tomorrow, how it would be Christmas, and remembered that he had a Christmas gift for her. He couldn't exactly decide what to give Yuuka, so he decided to give her two items.

"You know, that reminds me. It's almost Christmas, and I most likely won't be here tomorrow to give you your gifts, so I should probably give them to you now. Do you want them now?", John asked Yuuka.

[WriggleRid3r]

Yuuka's Mansion - Gensokyo

---

"A Christmas gift?" Yuuka asked in curiosity. Christmas was something Gensokyo was not introduced to until last year, and most of the customs were still unfamiliar to them. All they knew is that it was a season of exchanging gifts. "Sure you can give me the gift now. Who knows if I'll be here to receive it when you come back?"

Yuuka reached into a drawer next to her and took out a pictuure frame. "I have a gift for you too."

Yuuka showed the picture to John. It was a photo that was taken four months ago, after the party. There was John in the center, making a V with his right hand. To his right, Yukari was clinging tight to John. To the left, Yuuka glared at John and Yukari with teasing eyes. To the left of her was Renamon and to left of her Nera, cool and calm as ever. To the right of Yukari was X, smiling nervously at the camera.

"I... You say that you will rescue me." Yuuka smiled grimly as she looked away. A teardrop fell from her eyes. "But just in case you do not... I hope you look in the photo and remember me."

[SUSTIC]

Mess Hall - Prometheus Labs - London | Night


Elsword shrugged his shoulders at Lily's comment about Jack. "He doesn't sound too bad. In fact I think I can take him on!" Said Elsword as he put down his plates. He then proceeded to crack his knuckles. "Now that me and Raven are done eating we'll be outside for a sparring match!... This place does have a training grounds outside right?" Elsword replied to Lily as Raven leaned up against a wall waiting for the two to get done talking.

[S121]

Yuuka's Mansion - Gensokyo | Day

John held the picture frame in his hands and remained silent for a moment, just looking at each and every face. Everyone was happy that The Devourer was defeated, and that their world was safe. The picture captured the happiness in the air at that point in time, but John was going to ensure that they would always remain that way, happy. John could tell that Yuuka was uncertain about her fate, possibly a little afraid. Who wouldn't be at least nervous about slowly dying? The more John thought about the possibility of Yuuka dying, the more he wanted to leave and go into Patchouli's portal. It didn't matter if it wasn't perfect yet, John did not want to lose his friend, especially if he could do something about it. In truth, John didn't know if Yuuka was going to be alright. What if her disintegration accelerated? What if something happens to him while he's in the other world? What if he couldn't save her? John remembered how he promised Cortana how he would save her after their mission, and look how that turned out. He was able to keep Yuuka safe when it came to physically saving her during the events of Base 3, but what about a race against time? No, John was not going to allow Yuuka to die. This time, things would be different. Not only was Yuuka his friend, but she helped him become the person he was today, a human instead of just a soldier, something he could never repay her or anyone else for. After a moment, John looked back up from the picture and to Yuuka.

"I will not let that happen. I promise.", John said to Yuuka in a way that made his voice crack ever so slightly as he forced his emotions back down.

John may have had his face hidden by his golden visor, but it was obvious John was sad and perhaps even a little scared about the possibility that one of his best friends would die, that he wouldn't be able to do anything about it. John had seen many of his friends die before, but after a while, all the loss just ate away at him until there was almost nothing left. He was afraid of Yuuka dying, of losing another person close to him. Despite that, he still remained adamant that he was not going to let that possibility come to pass. He was prepared to do everything in his power to ensure that she would live to see many more days after this one.






Mess Hall - Prometheus Labs - London | Night

"Yea... Kind of. We could probably spar on the runway, where we launch the Longswords.", Lily said to Elsword.

After a moment, Lily decided to speak again. She was interested in Elsword's skill, and was curious how well he would hold his own against Jack, their largest Spartan.

"Do you want me to go find Jack?", Lily asked.

[SUSTIC]

Mess Hall - Prometheus Labs - London | Night
________________________________________

Elsword's eyes shot wide opened at what Lily said, both about sparring on the runway and about her trying to find this Jack fellow. "Awesome! It would also be great if you could get this Jack guy for me! I want to see what this guy is really made of!" Replied Elsword as he unsheathed his sword.

Raven then turned to Lily and smirked. "I guess since they will be sparring against each other, then we could do a little sparring match against each other afterwards." Raven said the Lily as he walked towards the exit. "Anyways I'll be outside waiting." He said as he left the Mess Hall.

[S121]

Mess Hall - Prometheus Labs - London | Night

"That sounds like it would be fun. I'm going to go get some dummy knives and a new armor module, maybe my shock sticks. I'll also bring along Jack,", Lily said as she grabbed her helmet off of the ground and stood up from the table.

"Do you know where the runway is?", Lily asked Raven as she finally caught up with him.

[Koishi]

City, Nevada

---

The three didn't even hear Doomguy over the sound of gunfire from Hank's huge SAW, and the moans from incoming zombies. The AAHW's ranks were starting to fall apart from incoming undead foes, some even topping the huge MAG agents to the ground.

"We need to get to the Science Tower before the zombies overwhelm us!" Hank said, pausing his stream of bullets and holstering the giant SAW on his back, instead pulling out a large battleaxe, swinging it at a group of zombies with one hand.

[SUSTIC]

Mess Hall - Prometheus Labs - London | Night

Raven looked at Lily just as he was about to leave the Sector. "Yea I know where it is, I've been there several times before as part of security for a week before I left for my training. Also do you know if you have a training sword or something I can use? I just won't feel comfortable without a blade of any kind." Raven said as he turned to Lily.