[IC] Eternal Galaxy: Phoenix

[Cucoo5]

Manor of Eternity - Entrance Hall

Morpheus stood there, arms crossed with a look of reluctance to tell the group of an idea that he had.

"There is another way. However..." The Guardian appeared from behind Morpheus, stopping to stand beside him facing the group, "...There is no real need to use it."

"As stubborn as ever, aren't you." Morpheus remarked with a grimace of frustration. "They know the situation; they can help, but we must get them out of here quickly..."

"Is there really such urgency that you would think that I should open a Fissure of Time to get them to the Tower of Aquarion immediately?"

"Is there such urgency?!" Morpheus echoed in disbelief, "Yes! I do believe there is 'such urgency'! Now are you going to waste more time with your pitiful idea that you call a plan, or are you going to do something about our current situation?!"

The Guardian stood there for a moment before responding to Morpheus. "If you are worried about the Void sending Nihiliods... it won't."

"Oh, yes, of course. Because your plan is just working BEAUTIFULLY." Morpheus said with sarcasm dripping from his voice.

"We still have the Phoenix Code. If the Void dares to make a move, we use it."

Morpheus was making a motion as if he heard this before but suddenly stopped with a look of shock as he realized what the Guardian said in his second sentence. He turned slowly to the armored figure and slowly spoke, "Use the Phoenix Code? Are you telling me... All this time you had been..." When the Guardian didn't make any motion to respond, Morpheus continued, "You've just been holding your hand over the switch, ready to use the Phoenix Code as if it were a sword held to the Void's throat... while it held the Nihiliods and the promise of annihilation at yours. But if you use the Phoenix code now..." Morpheus trailed off as the Guardian spoke again.

"...To avoid complications, I will only open a Fissure that leads to an alternate timeline where there is no water on the planet. The Demonarcs will help you get to the Tower of Aquarion quickly."

"Aurora won't survive if you use the Phoenix Code. Not in her current state!"

"...The Tower has a system that will allow you to open another Fissure that will lead back to this timeline."

"Aion!"

"Be careful in the alternative-"

"AION!"

The two were silent after a moment before Morpheus broke their silence. "After everything... all those that died... you would even think of using that infernal program?"

"..."

"Answer me, Aion! Is this really the full extent of your plan? To sit here and wait with your hand at the ready to initiate the GAIA Computer? To reset everything we've done so far? After all this time..."

"I will only use it if I have no choice."

"You will...Even if it kills Aurora?"

"She cannot be removed as she's too integral to the Phoenix Code process. It's a sacrifice that will have to be made if the time comes... and may it never come to it." With that, Aion unsheathed his sword and made a quick vertical cut in the air that formed a tear in space. "... This fear, it had cowed me from attempting to find another way. I have little hope left, and yet here you all are..." The tear turned into a rift that revealed a darker world where instead of the walls of the manor, there was ruins of a castle. Instead of a vast sea, plains with jagged outcroppings. "I will remain here, to make sure the Void doesn't try anything. You all..." Aion nodded towards the group and Morpheus. "As soon as you step through the Fissure and reach the Tower of Aquarion, you will be free to do whatever you see fit. Whatever you believe needs to be done." He then turned his attention to Morpheus specifically. "Summon the Demonarc Rocs, their strong wings will be able to carry them easily to the tower."

Morpheus responded with a sigh and a simple nod before turning to the group. "Ready?"

[S121]

(Sorry for small post. I can't think very well right now, but I also need to post to get out of the manor.)
Planet Dua - Mirror Sea - Isle of Spirits
Manor of Eternity - Entrance Hall

"Ready.", John said, waiting to follow Morpheus.

[Cucoo5]

Manor of Eternity
-> Rift Dua - Ruined Castle

Morpheus turned after the confirmation that the group was ready and stepped through the Fissure into the alternative timeline where dark clouds blanketed the crimson sky. After everyone else followed suit, Morpheus watched as Aion closed the rift by snapping the sword into its sheath.

The alternative of the planet Dua felt desolate with dread clinging to the air. On the horizon one could make out what looked like ruined settlements. Behind them was the remains of what used to be a castle. Only fallen walls remained.
"Always a cheery place..." Morpheus muttered as several massive bird like creatures glided in to land nearby. "Hopefully you all don't mind flying?"


Sent from my Bad Apple!! iPhone using Tapatalk

[Koishi]

Manor of Eternity

---

"Fella, I can only move by flying, so yeah. Let's get this over with so I can go somewhere nice and retire, and you people can do whatever you people do." Mima replied flatly after steeping through the rift. "I do like what ya dd here with the drapes, though."

[Cucoo5]

Dark Rift Dua - Ruined Castle

Morpheus chuckled at Mima's response. "Well then, let's get moving. Our friends here will take us to the base of this realm's equivalent to the Tower of Aquarion. Once there we'll be at the Pangaea Space port of our original timeline where we can proceed as needed."

[Kristia]

Dark Rift Dua - Ruined Castle


"I just hope that if there are people there, they have the common sense to speak normal, or talking with cryptic methods is the new language here?" Mara asked with some sarcasm. She looked at the outside "So how much time there is before this "end" of the time?" I all honesty, the bioroid wanted to see how much time they had, she was already making ideas in her mind to probably stop the situation or even better, take advantage of it.

Shrine of seasons

While Bryn waited for Bardock, Runa had an idea "Why don´t we use your portals?, their frequency isn´t that strong to cause vibrations and we could use them to cross this place without problem." She commented. The redhead knew the fragility of the bridge, but there weren´t mechanisms that stopped them to curve the test.

[S121]

(Small post from me. Gotta take care of ATWAG.)
Dark Rift Dua - Ruined Castle

"Bricks aren't supposed to fly, but sure.", John quipped at what Morpheus asked.

[Cucoo5]

Dark Rift Dua - Ruined Castle

"Ah but bricks can 'fly' if you give them enough force and in the proper direction." Morpheus responded to John with a slight smirk before turning to Mara.

"There most likely won't be anyone on the surface. If there are people... they're either colonists or..." Morpheus paused as he considered the possibility of what he was about to say. "...Or infected by Nihiliods and therefore lost to the Void. I doubt there would be any but... just in case, be wary of anyone that says they're native. As for how much time is really left... that's anyone's guess. Aion said that he and the Void are at a stalemate, but I have a feeling it's been doing something in the background, outside of Venturia."

He then got onto the back of one of the Rocs. "Right, get on a Roc and we can talk on the way to the tower. It'll be an hour or two before we reach our destination."

[Kristia]

Dark Rift Dua - Ruined Castle


"Colonists and natives? perfect for me" Mara responded with a simple shrug, but when she heard "infected", her eyes glowed with interest "Maybe having a conversation with the other side wouldn´t cause problem". With that, the bioroid followed Morpheus on the Roc. "This Aion.. you talk of him as a powerful being that has important roles, who or what exactly is him?"

[Koishi]

Alternate Dua

---

"A brick on a rock, oaring through the air. Sounds ironic. But, let's get this over with." Mima went over to a Roc and realized something. "Eh, I dunno if i can fly on this thing, considering, well..."

Mima merely pointed to her ghost tail. "I guess I could try to fly alongside you fellas. If they ain't going at mach speeds, that is."

[Cucoo5]

Dark Rift Dua - Ruined Castle

"...Aion is...was... The last Master of Time. A Prometheos by blood, he has been alive since the beginning, for over a hundred thousand years. He has died several times, refusing death each time." Morpheus took a moment to sort through memories before he continued. "He was the one in black armor. He's changed over the past few thousand years... Back when I met him he was more human. Now he is simply the Promethean noble he once was... If not less."

After a moment's pause he turned his attention to Mima's question with a slight smile. "They might be swift, but hardly that fast," he replied to Mima. "It will be a few hours flight, will you be able to manage that?"



Sent from my Bad Apple!! iPhone using Tapatalk

[Koishi]

Alternate Dua

---

"I'll manage. Needed to stretch anyways." Mima nonchalantly replied. "Gives me a little time to think out a plan for after I split and such."

---

Crash Site

---

The Super Heavy was sent back from the powerful force of the shell, skidding againt the floor past the hallway, crushing many opponents thaat were pouring in behind it, as the laser went far off course, exploding part of the floor. Thoe smaller creatures were near instantly pierced through either mortally wounding or outright killing them. However, more merely replaced them, and some infected began to crawl up from the freshly made hole.

"Nearly done. Prepare for a swift evacuation." SiMo replied.

[Kilelicus]

Somewhere in Venturian Space
BGM: EVE Online OST: War Relics https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCFnIoCN68Y

---

As the inhabitants of Venturian went about their business, a small city floated its way through Venturian Space, its citizens sleeping peacefully within. It was late waking them up. Whoever configured the crew awakening protocols must have made a mistake somewhere along the line. The space station had already come within a days travel of multiple inhabitable, even already colonized, planets. Or could it be that the city could somehow feel potential danger lurking within this new galaxy? Could the city be alive? Fighting against its own programming to preserve the lives of the crew within? A siren blares within...

---

Space Station "Heaven" Interior
BGM: Halo 4 OST: Awakening https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzLCOY_FAeE

---

Sirens blare throughout the space station simultaneously, the dark lit corridors are all suddenly flooded with light. Air tight doors all blow open in sequence as the pressure within is stabilized and life support comes back online. The city whirs to life as the primary generator block begins to emanate a powerful buzz in the lower sections of the city. All of the stations systems come online one at a time. A large hangar-like chamber, filled to the brim with cells, begins to see the most activity. All manner of warning lights and life stabilization instruments begin to activate, filling out their purpose of restoring the Angels of Heaven to life. The doors to the maintenance crews stasis pods are blown open first, the engineers within jumping to life and wasting no time getting to their stations.

The engineer that was clearly in charge stood tall among his newly awakening subordinates, shouting orders.

"E-Teams Alpha through Epsilon, get to your respective engine rooms immediately! I need a full status report on those thrusters! E-Teams Zeta and Eta, report to the communications array, STAT! I need multiwave pulses sent out Yesterday! Find all planets bearing life within our current AO!"

The Engineers quickly bustled around, reporting to their respective positions. Forty or so to the bridge, twenty to Communications, forty more to the engines, and scores upon scores more splitting up throughout the station. Just as the large chamber began to empty itself of engineers, the Stasis pods for the support staff, intelligence officers and operators blasted open. The tenants of these cells were especially slow exiting their homes for the last Ninety Millennia, however they were far less imperative to the operation of the station itself. As the support staff broke their ranks and reported to their designated positions, one Operator in particular stood lazily in front of a particular pod.

A thin, medium height girl with brown hair wrapped up in a ponytail, green eyes, and a smile that could melt ice. She waited patiently for her favored pod to open.

Finally, the most heavily decorated group of pods, which wasn't saying much, blew open. Out stepped a hodgepodge of differently uniformed individuals. Command staff and their elite units, the Guardian Angels slowly stepped out, most of the Guardian Angels cracking their necks and stretching their arms and legs.

BGM: Chrono Resurrection - Battle With Magus https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ogZjHUyVeE

One in particular approached the patient girl, the one friend who's been by his side since he was a child, and spoke.

"It's nice to see you again, Lachesis. Any idea how long we've been out?"

"Well, ya big lug," Lachesis started," If the shouting I'm hearing down the way is correct, we've been in stasis for somewhere around... oh... Ninety-Thousand Years. We've wound up in a galaxy we're not particularly familiar with, but there's life here for sure. So tell me, Phenom, how'd you sleep?"

Phenom looked at his pod and back to Lachesis, "I slept well. Thanks. Let's head to the Bridge and see what's going on, huh?"

Though Phenom was stoic most of the time, this girl was the only one who Phenom would willingly show emotion around. Together, they walked towards the bridge of Heaven, Lachesis cracking jokes as she does in times of peace. However that peace would not last long. Shouting from an Engineer team heading away from the communications array quickly halted that.

"They're just disappearing! Don't ask me how, they just are!" one cried. As they passed Lachesis and Phenom, the Guardian Angel grabbed one of the engineers shoulders.

"What are you talking about? What's disappearing?" Phenom asked, staring down the corridor. The engineer looked up at Phenom as he answered.

"Stars! You know how multiwave pulses usually return information from much farther than we really intend? Well, the readings are indicating that stars outside of this galaxy are vanishing one by one, and they're not exploding or collapsing. There's no Nova Echo. They just vanished... gone entirely. And its occurring in a perfect radius around this galaxy."

"Strange..." Lachesis pondered.

"Notify command immediately. They'll certainly be interested to hear about this."

---

5 hours later

---

"And of course they select me to lead this investigation." Phenom complained as he and Lachesis made their way towards their units quarters.

"Well you did hear about it first, Phen. Besides, you love working, you know that. Don't try to tell me I'm wrong, either, I could hear the excitement in your voice during the Morkt Crisis." Lachesis said.

"The Morkt Crisis, huh? Lot of good averting that catastrophe did. Planet exploded 6 years later..." Phenom groaned.

"Well now you get a chance to stop these stars from vanishing. Maybe. Brass thinks it has something to do with this galaxy, considering the perfect radius in which they are vanishing. So what will you do?" Lachesis asked.

"Exactly what I've been ordered to do. Uncover the cause of these disappearances and put a stop to it."

[Kilelicus]

Celestora System | Alcyon Space
Space Station "Heaven" Interior | Orbital Drop Pod (ODP) Hangar
BGM: Halo 3 OST: This is Our Land Part 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eUFEyp_O9w Ends at 1:38

---

A day has passed since Heaven buzzed to life, or at least an Earth day, and Phenom was prepared to begin his investigation into the cause of the vanishing stars. All that he needed to do now was deploy via orbital drop pod. He sat rather impatiently in his pod while he awaited deployment. Within his pod, he could see nothing of the world around him. There was almost no light within the pod except for a few dim red lights used solely for orientation and equipment stowage inspection. A number of small displays flickered and fluttered on the sides of the pod's interior, but they were mostly diagnostic checks.

"Running final checks, Major Ortus. Sit tight." The deployment deck's crew chief's voice crackled in Phenom's headset.

"Get on with it." Phenom said.

"Oxygen levels optimal. Internal pressure nominal. Deployment zone locked. Guidance systems green. Stabilizers green. Thrust vectoring nozzles active. Impact dampening systems green..." droned a crew member.

"Everything checks out chief!" shouted another.

"Excellent! Major Ortus, are you ready for drop?"

"Lachesis?" Phenom asked.

"All ready, Phen. You're good to drop." the cheerful operator responded.

The Guardian Angel checked his weapons to make sure they were safely stowed before answering the crew chief.

"I'm ready for deployment."

The crew chief grinned. "This is your first real mission since the Morkt Crisis, isn't it? Good luck, Angel of Salvation. Deploy!"

BGM: Halo 3 OST: This is Our Land Part 2 (1:39-3:20)

With barely enough time to brace, the drop pod jumped as its crane locked in place, and Phenom lurched with it. A great scraping sound echoed through the hangar as the airlock doors rolled open. As the fourth generation COFFIN system spun to life, Phenom could feel a slight tingle in his head as the pod's navigation computer linked with his mind. This was of course a last resort system in case Phenom needed to manually maneuver the pod to a safer landing position, but it was rarely ever necessary. Within the pod, the 360 degree Field of View display, linked to the COFFIN system, flicked on. Phenom looked down below him to get a good view of this planet. He did not know its name, but it was not too dissimilar from Earth in appearance.

"What a dumb nickname... I wish they would stop calling me that, I just did my job." Phenom groaned to Lachesis.

"Well, I mean... you did save the world. For a few more years." The operator responded.

"Six. Six years is not anything to celebra-"

"You're launching!" Lachesis interrupted.

As the pod fired its primary thrusters, it broke away from the station. A violent stuggle against Heaven's artificial gravity well rattled the pod, but once it broke free, it was a smooth ride. Of course, until it breached the atmosphere.

"So, Lachesis, where am I dropping into?"

"Still like knowing what to expect on the ground, huh? Well... the first place you're investigating is a strange structure that... kinda looks like a temple. Multiwave pulses indicate some strange activity around there, so command figured you might find someone... or something... that you might be able to get information from."

"Right... I'm gonna go silent for now. Will contact you again once I've hit the surface. Out."

Lachesis stared bored-ly at her monitor when Phenom broke radio contact. It displayed Phenom's vitals. "I hate it when he does that. The guy is the only one I actually enjoy conversing with..."

---

5 minutes later
Alcyon Surface | Shrine of Seasons
BGM: Halo 3 OST: This is Our Land Part 3 3:22 - End

---

As Phenom's pod careened towards the planet's surface, he surveyed the area. The drop point was in the middle of a forest, near a large stoney structure. He pondered how he would approach any situations with the planet's inhabitants. Before he could even focus on a plan, though, his pod's chute deployed, jogging the Angel inside. Eventually the chute detached and the pod came tumbling to the ground with a great crash. Phenom wasted no time contacting his operator.

"Lachesis, I'm on the surface. Since multiwave pulses classified this as an inhabitable planet, I'm capable of breathing the air here, correct? I'm surrounded by trees, so I assume there's oxygen..... Lachesis.....? Lachesis!"

"Hold your horses, I'm getting coffee! Yes, the planet's atmosphere is breathable. You're free to exit your pod safely. Or just kick it open like you normally do..." Lachesis repsonded.

Phenom retrieved his pistols and knife from storage as well as the pods survival pack, stored to the brim with in-mission rations and other sustenance.

"So intel was definitely correct. This place is definitely some sort of shrine. This structure has all sorts of markings on it. Which one had the most recent reports of activity?" Phenom asked.

"Hold on... transmitting the readings to your terminal. Aaaaaand... done. The readings are coming from the northern part of the structure. See what you can find."

"Hmm... Alright. I'm heading inside." Phenom said as he holstered his pistols and slung his survival pack around his body. "I might lose radio contact. If something happens, I'll signal you.. you know... that way."

"Be careful, Phen..."

[SUSTIC]

Shrine of Seasons B1

Bardock continued to float there, still a little angered at how oddly calm they are. I mean yeah... he's faced more stressful tests, and even far more stressful missions to other planets before. However right now... he is feeling strangely tense about their current situation. Though despite a bit of stress, Bardock continued to think about how to get across... That's when he heard Runa speak up about portals or something.

"Wait... what do you mean by portals?" Bardock questioned, being a little curious about this whole "portal" thing. He's heard of portals being used back where he came from, but he never bothered to actually learn about them, besides despite focusing on just trying to get across the bridge for... reasons he still is not sure himself. He isn't in any need or hurry... right? So why not learn a little more about what portals of at least the kind Runa mentioned can do.



((Remember Zekai. CY-044 is a colony built around a mountain, with the rest of the colony going further underground. Not a Space Station or anything like that. Sorry for any inconveniences about that fact.))
Alcyon Airspace - Reiya's Ship - Getting Ready to Land at Port 13 on the colony CY-044

Meanwhile on Reiya's Ship, as they left Hyperspace and things settled down a bit Add was released from the forces that sent him flying across the ship, up some stairs, and painfully into a wall. After of which he dusted off his clothes and with an annoyed expression on his face, he then began to make his way down to Reiya's location to give her a stern talking to...

While that was happening on Reiya's Ship, Port 13 on the colony of CY-044 of Alcyon began to open up for Reiya's ship to land and and resupply. Meanwhile inside the Port 13 several guards can be seen getting the landing pad ready.



Nevaaras CY-001

As the White Ranger recovered from the attack, he had fired a small blast of energy... from the hilt of his blade at Astraea's back, with said energy blast being enough to stun and paralyze Astraea of whom is now knocked out cold.


Seeing this Megumi looked a little surprised, but shook her head as she turned to look back at the White Ranger. Despite being pleased about this turn of events, she withdrew her Black Rock Cannon, which vanished and went back into data storage. The look on her face was one of surprise anymore, but rather a mixture of a blank stare combined with a contemplating frown as though she was trying to think of something to say to the White Ranger...




((Would post for Eve and Hajime with John and the others... but I cannot think of a response from them.))