Vin_Da_DM: Previously on Warriors of Destiny. Having awoken in a small temple to Selenia the group was given money, clothing and a translator serum by the Guardian. After he disappeared an odd warrior named Tristam took them to Ashton�s Bend, a small city in the hills. There they discovered early 20th century technology intermingled with the medieval culture. Heading to Ashton Manor to learn more the group met Ashton, Jr. The young man made a request.
Vin_Da_DM: Outside the manor the first of two suns peaks over to the hilltops and shines into the various bedrooms. In the hall outside your rooms you can hear the butler quietly knocking and announcing breakfast.
Vin_Da_DM: $ Start
Tewyn stretches and sits up. �It better be something good.�
Claron lays close to Tabris, her tummy against his back...starts giggling as the babies repeatedly kick Tabris in his ass.
Tabris: Grunting Tabris rolls onto his back and looks at Claron, �Later, Babe...later��
Claron laughs...�Rise and shine, my love, besides I smell food�.�
^Lilly^ groans and rolls over falling back asleep.
Tabris: Getting out of bed Tab gathers his pants and robe from the floor and gets dressed. With a big yawn and stretch he smiles at Claron, �Smells good, too��
Claron rolls over to get out of bed and discovers that it is becoming increasingly more difficult to maneuver than it had been before...
Vin_Da_DM: �Guests, breakfast will be in the dining room upon the hour.� The butler calls out from the hall before you hear footsteps leading away.
Claron puts on the oversized dress and robe she got at the temple, taking the night gown she shredded last night and braided so that she could secure her newly acquired daggers against her calves.
Tabris: �Claron, you keep getting bigger and I�m going to end up carrying you all over the place.� Tab grins as he opens the door and looks out into the hallway.
Claron: �Tab, judging by my increased size and the movement of our children...I am thinking they will be born sooner than expected.�
Claron nods her head realizing that her present condition is very obvious to all now...
Claron walks out into the hallway.
Tabris: After a small chorus of girlish giggles from down the hall, Tabris pulls back inside the room and looks at Claron, �You sure? I have no idea where a doctor is around here��
Claron: �Yes, I am sure,� looking back at Tabris...�Besides, I feel like I am ready to burst.�
Claron giggles, �Now are you going to stand there in the room, or you going to come out here in the hallway and escort me to breakfast?�
Claron wonders about the girlish giggles coming from down the hall.
^Lilly^ laying in bed awake trying to get to bed. �Darn it!!!!� gets out of bed and grumpily gets dressed and walks to the dining hall passing Claron and Tab.
Tabris: Walking out into the hallway he smiles and turns, �Food smells coming from that way.� Motioning down the hall he looks over his shoulder and smiles, another set of giggles comes from two young maids who quietly go into the bedroom to clean.
Claron: �Lead the way�� resisting the urge to ask the two young maids what is so funny.
Tewyn exits his room and heads for the food.
Claron locks her arm in Tabris� arm and waddles beside him to the dining hall.
Vin_Da_DM: The bright dining room is lavishly decorated and the large half-circle table sits prepared with fine china and silverware. Ashton, Jr. sits at the head of the table sipping a wine glass and reading a newspaper.
Claron: �Good morning, Mr. Ashton,� taking a seat at the table.
Vin_Da_DM: �Good morning, my dear guests. Please have a seat, breakfast will be out shortly.� Adjusting his glasses he smiles at each of you in turn.
^Lilly^ walks into the dining area and sits at a far end of the table and stares at the table looking like she is somewhere else and doesn�t seem to notice the rest of the group filing in or Ashton, Jr. at the head of the table.
Claron notices Tewyn and ^Lilly^. �Did Kitty need more than a cat nap?�
^Lilly^ just barely hears her name she looks up. �What?�
Tabris: Sitting next to Claron Tab sniffs the air, �Smells good, whatever it is.�
Claron notices ^Lilly^ seems distracted...�Did you not sleep well?�
^Lilly^: �No, not really.�
Claron: �Tis a pity�� wishing the food to be served... �I could eat a horse.�
Vin_Da_DM: Shifting his glance to the two doors on either side of the table Ashton nods. The doors open and a few satyrs wearing aprons come out with several trays of hooded dishes.
Claron smiles as the food begins to arrive, placing her linen napkin across her tummy.
^Lilly^ frowns and sighs, �Had a lot of nightmares.�
Vin_Da_DM: Placing them on the table they open them up, revealing sausages of several different types, a stack of blue-strawberry waffles, toast, a large fruit bowl and a plate with eggs and hash browns.
Luna_Faline finds a brush after searching the room thoroughly. Stands looking in the mirror taming my mane.
Claron eyes grow large as she sees all the food��Shall we help ourselves?�
Vin_Da_DM: A young maid opens the door to Luna�s room, then pauses noticing her. �Sorry, m�lady. Breakfast is ready in the dining hall��
Luna_Faline puts the brush back and turns to look at the maid. �I�ll be there in a moment.�
Vin_Da_DM: �Please, feel free.� Ashton motions with his hand and smiles again.
Claron without hesitation begins to place some of everything that�s on the table on her plate....
Vin_Da_DM: �Of course, m�lady.� The maid watches Luna comb her mane for a moment, then begins to make up the bed.
^Lilly^ nibbles distracted on the different foods not talking much.
Claron smiles as she cuts up her sausage taking a fork full and placing it in her mouth... then reaches for the syrup and pours it on her pancakes.
Tabris: Watching Claron, Tab picks a few sausages, toast and some eggs and begins to eat. The same satyrs return, setting several pitchers of juice and one of milk down. Another sets down a teapot.
Claron smiles...�This is a mighty fine feast to be sure,� spreading jam on her toast and taking a bite out of it.
Vin_Da_DM: Sitting back in his chair Ashton watches everyone, �After you are done, I will go over my request.�
Luna_Faline pulls my robe on and ties it closed, tucking my sai into the belt. I leave my room and head to breakfast.
Claron reaches for the juice pitcher... pouring herself and Tabris a glass full.
Luna_Faline enters the room slowly and takes an empty seat. I look over the offerings and fill my plate.
Vin_Da_DM: Ashton nods to Luna in greeting, then quietly sips on some tea while glancing over the newspaper again.
Claron waste no time finishing her plate of food, then takes the teapot and fills her cup with some, turning to look at Tabris, �Would you care for some, too?�
Vin_Da_DM: With a mouthful of food Tab shakes his head at Claron, then swallows, �No, I�m good.�
Luna_Faline nods to Mr. Ashton, �Sorry I�m late,� as I start to eat.
Claron sets the teapot down, adding a lump of sugar and a dab of milk to it, stirring it then bringing the cup and saucer close to her and her tummy, settling back in her chair.
Vin_Da_DM: Standing up Ashton quietly picks up his empty dishes and disappears into the kitchen for a moment.
Claron begins to giggle as she watches the saucer move on her tummy.
Claron: �That seems odd, his taking his empty dishes to the kitchen when he has all these servants.�
Tabris: Grinning as he watches Claron, Tab rests a hand on her belly, �Maybe it�s a habit or something.�
Claron sips on her tea...�Tewyn, you seem lost in thought this fine morning.�
Tewyn: �Nope, not really.�
Claron chuckles��Too much pokey-pokey in your dreams then last night?�
Vin_Da_DM: �...right big lies it seems Mr. Ashton.� An older looking satyr in cooks clothing walks out beside Ashton, then proceeds to take away the empty serving dishes. Ashton returns to his seat and shakes his head at the newspaper. �Lies indeed.�
Claron stops as she hears the tail end of what the satyr said.
Claron: �Care to explain Mr. Ashton, what lies?�
Claron sets her teacup back down on the saucer then places them both on the table... leaning back in her chair crosses her arms across her tummy.
Vin_Da_DM: Looking at Claron he nods, then stands up again walking around to the other side of the table. �Seems that our neighbors to the south are claiming their technological advancements were developed by their academy of sciences...but those fools couldn�t invent their way out of a box.�
Claron: �You know that to be a fact?�
Luna_Faline ears twitch as I listen to the conversation.
^Lilly^ grabs a pitcher of juice and pours it into a cup guzzling it down.
Vin_Da_DM: �I know for a fact that my spy has clearly seen the blueprints and materials the mysterious foreigner gave that bunch of apes.�
Claron: �Interesting��
Vin_Da_DM: �Sounds like the news to me. Lies and bullshit on every page.� Tabris leans back in his chair and huffs.
Vin_Da_DM: �This is but another reason I wish you to go help my spy uncover all the facts. If they mean to make war, the other nations will not be able to defeat these machines.�
^Lilly^ listens as she finishes the tidbits left on her plate.
Claron: �So, what precisely is it you want us to do?�
Luna_Faline: �So, where is this spy, exactly?�
^Lilly^ grabs the pitcher of juice and refills her cup. She turns to Ashton, Jr. �So what was your request again?�
Vin_Da_DM: �If everyone is ready, please come with me to the library.� Ashton turns and heads for the hallway.
Luna_Faline finishes my milk and stands up to follow him.
^Lilly^ wipes off her hands and face and pushes her chair back getting up.
Claron pushes herself away from the table and with Tabris� help manages to get up from her chair then follows to the library.
Tewyn follows Ashton.
Vin_Da_DM: Ashton enters the library and moves over to a large bookshelf, waiting for the group to gather.
Claron watches Ashton closely.
^Lilly^ walks with the group to the library and stands waiting for an explanation.
Luna_Faline stands by Lilly watching Mr. Ashton expectantly.
Claron stands between Tewyn and Tabris.
Vin_Da_DM: Ashton removes several books behind which you see a recessed plate. Pressing it down he steps back as the bookshelf folds back revealing a gadget filled office with a large metallic door-shaped device against the far wall.
Claron: �What is that thing on the far wall?�
Tabris: �Talk about your mad-scientists lab.� Tabris eyes even more gadgets.
^Lilly^ watches the wall.
Luna_Faline waits for Ashton to walk thru the opening where the bookshelf was, �What is all that stuff?�
Vin_Da_DM: Entering the room he pauses in front of the device, �My father�s inventions. My request is that you travel to the southern nation. My spy will meet you at a certain location and ask you a question.�
Vin_Da_DM: �While I do not know what he will ask, the answer will be �as bright as it needs to be�. After this he will fill you in on the rest of the job.�
^Lilly^ looks at all the gadgets and listening to Ashton. �A question?�
^Lilly^ sighs, �Never mind.�
Claron: �...And what will we reply?�
Vin_Da_DM: �Now,� Turning Ashton checks an odd-looking clock on the wall then looks at the group, �If you accept, we can proceed.�
Claron shakes her head to clear the cobwebs out of her brain as she realizes Ashton already said the reply.
^Lilly^ glances around the group. �I�m in...I mean what else are we gonna do�we don�t exactly have a lead on any of the Warriors.��
Tabris: �I agree with Lilly. I don�t see anything else do to.� Tab shrugs and looks at Claron.
Claron looks back at Tabris...�We are in, too...What about you, Tewyn?�
Tewyn: �Sure might as well, place is to boring for me.�
^Lilly^ under her breath, �With all the maids�I find that hard to believe for someone like you?�
Claron looks at ^Lilly^, �His heart belongs to another,� then smiles softly at Tewyn.
Tewyn sniffs ^Lilly^ and wrinkles his nose, �Watch your tongue, halfling.�
^Lilly^ eyes Claron. �You heard that??� glares at Tewyn. �I�m no less then you. Don�t ever treat me like it. I am your equal.�
Tewyn eyes ^Lilly^. �No, you will forever be a halfling.�
Claron: �Luna_Faline, what say ye?�
Luna_Faline looks closely at Ashton for a moment. �Yes.�
^Lilly^: Getting mad, �That doesn�t mean anything!!�
Vin_Da_DM: �Ahem...very well.� Stepping aside Ashton looks at the clock again. As the large hand hits the half-hour a long electrical spark shoots along the edge of the door-like device. With a strange gusting a large black portal fills the inner section of the device.
Claron looks at Tabris and Tewyn....�I still hate going into unknown portals.�
Tewyn: �Well, this is the only dark hole I�m getting into lately, so I might as well jump in.�
Luna_Faline: �I hate portals.� I growl as I stare at the blackness.
Vin_Da_DM: The surface of the portal shifts about, but casts a reflection of the room and it�s occupants. The groups reflection seems to be slightly brighter than Ashton�s reflection.
Vin_Da_DM: �It�s safe, you have my word.�
Tewyn: �Well, if you yellow bellies are just going to stand there�� Jumps through the portal.
Claron takes a deep breath, slides her hand into Tabris� hand.��Seems we have no other choice but to trust your word.� stepping into the portal with Tabris.
^Lilly^ eyes Ashton before jumping in. �I don�t think it makes them feel any better.�
Tabris: �Here goes�� Tab spouts out before he and Claron disappear into the portal.
Luna_Faline: �That is reassuring.�� I purrumble as I step in behind Lilly.
Vin_Da_DM: As you all enter the portal you hear the soft gusting again as the entry path closes. Ahead of you another gusting sounds and deposits each of you, in turn, onto a waiting platform in a long abandoned subway station.
Claron looks around...�Why, its an abandoned subway!�
^Lilly^ lands in a squatting position she stands up and looks around. �Where are we now?�
Tewyn looks at ^Lilly^. �Hey, I dare you to go touch that center rail down there.�
Claron experiences a brief flashback to a time years ago.
^Lilly^ glares; snapping back, �Why don�t you!!!!�
Luna_Faline looks at Tewyn darkly. �You can touch it, just don�t pee on it.�
Vin_Da_DM: The subway station is dark, but illuminated from cracks in the ceiling above with water dripping from them. Ahead of you a short staircase leads into a larger waiting area with worn out benches.
Claron: �You had to say that, didn�t ya?�� feeling the pressure of the twins on her bladder.
Tewyn: �Cause my personality is electrifying enough.�
Tewyn heads to the stairs.
Tabris: �Hope we ended up in the right place,� glancing around Tabris follows Tewyn up the stairs.
Claron glances around then heads for the stairway.
^Lilly^: �So you�d rather send me to the electric death?� rolls her eyes as she walks up the steps passing Tewyn and the others arriving in the waiting room and looking around.
Vin_Da_DM: In the larger waiting area you can clearly see why the station is abandoned. A large crane is breaking through a hole in the ceiling in several places. In the center of the debris sits a small ticket booth. A dark shadow can be seen inside.
Tewyn laughs. �No, I just wanted to see if halflings are really that gullible.�
Claron: �Someone or something is inside that ticket booth,� pointing her finger at it.
^Lilly^ rolls her eyes and thinks to herself �Mental note...pull Tewyn aside later and ask him what the hell his problem is!�
Luna_Faline moves quickly toward the shadow, watching it.
Tewyn goes and taps on the window. �Ummm, 5 tickets, please.�
Claron watches cautiously.
Vin_Da_DM: A mysterious force seems to pull Tewyn about five feet away from the booth, then a voice echoes off the walls, �That�s far enough...who are you?�
Luna_Faline wonders why someone would be in the ticket booth if they are knocking the place down.
Tewyn: �I�m someone who is make your ass burn like never before if you don�t let me down!�
Claron manages to speak softly��I am afraid we are lost travelers...maybe you could tell us where we are?�
^Lilly^ places her hands on her new daggers readying herself if the need arose.
Vin_Da_DM: The force sets Tewyn down next to the group, then the shadow in the booth whistles. A black cat runs up the stairs from behind you and jumps into the ticket counter. �You are where I wanted you to be and because you are it means that he sent you.�
Tewyn: �What the hell, we playing riddle me this?�
^Lilly^: �That who sent us?�
Luna_Faline stares at the cat intently.
Claron gets a very bad feeling and shudders as she sees the black cat jump into the ticket booth.
Vin_Da_DM: The cat looks at Luna swishing it�s tail idly, but Luna notices something about the shadow feels vaguely familiar.
Luna_Faline steps closer to the booth lowering my hood. �Why don�t you show yourself?�
Claron whispers to Tabris...�Something familiar about this shadow...sort of reminds me of the night we got brought to this universe.��
^Lilly^ glares, �Probably too scared.�
Vin_Da_DM: As Luna steps closer ALL of the shadows in the room seems to flow into the ticket booth, leaving the room oddly illuminated by the light from above. �I have shown you. Now, riddle me this, elf. How bright must a candle be to drive back the darkness?�
Tewyn smiles, �As bright as it needs to be.�
Claron smiles and waits for Tewyn, then whispers, �As bright as it needs to be.�
Tabris: Watching the shadows Tabris perks his brows.
Luna_Faline narrows my eyes at the sudden brightness of the room.
^Lilly^ eyes the shadows. �Who are you?�
Vin_Da_DM: �Then we find ourselves in good company, fellow Warriors.� The room returns to it�s previous state in a flash. The cat on the counter blinks and it�s eyes turn a glowing sky blue. Jumping down it looks at you. �I am Eclipse, the shadow walker.�
Claron: �Never seen a black cat with eyes of that color before.� stepping forward.
Vin_Da_DM: �That, my dear, is because I�m not a cat.� Prowling across the floor it heads for a lighted stairwell in the corner, �You simply see what I want you to see. You�d be surprised how easily a cat goes unnoticed.�
Tewyn: �So, where exactly are we?�
Tabris: �A talking not-a-cat...this keeps getting better and better.� Tabris shrugs and looks at Claron.
Claron shakes her head...
Luna_Faline: �So true, so true.� I purr as I follow Eclipse to the stairs.
Vin_Da_DM: �You�re in the southern nation, if that�s what you�re wondering. An abandoned attempt at a subway just across from the main production facility.�
Claron: � ...And what other information do you have for us��
^Lilly^ watches the cat that really isn�t a cat and tries to process that information in itself.
Tewyn: �So shadow walker, care to show us your true self, seems your weirding out some of the others, or at least something easier to process.�
^Lilly^ glares in Tewyn�s direction. �God�he�s really urking me� she thinks as she follows Eclipse.
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse shakes his head as he leads you up the stairwell out onto a Victorian style avenue. �This is the easiest form I can take...there, HE�s in there.�
^Lilly^: �He?�
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse pauses and lifts a paw toward a large high-walled and gated facility across the street. The massive building beyond looks like a giant square of metal with large pipes bellowing out black smog.
Tewyn: �He, as in the one you�ve been sent to spy on?�
Claron stops a moment rubbing her hand across her lower back for a second....then places her hands on her tummy, �Settle down, you two.�
Claron follows the others at a slightly slower pace.
Luna_Faline raises my hood and pulls it down over my face to shade my eyes again, then tucks my paws into my sleeves. I look around then study the factory building.
^Lilly^ turns to Claron. �You alright back there?�
Tabris: �Would you look at that...haven�t seen one of those metal monstrosities in ages.� Tabris watches the factory, then slows down to be with Claron.
Vin_Da_DM: �Yes...he�s no simple foreigner as Ashton said.� Padding across the street Eclipse swings his tail, you begin to notice that none of the people on the streets are noticing you or him.
Claron: �I am fine, ^Lilly^,� not wanting to let the others know how cumbersome carrying the extra weight around is becoming.
Claron: �Why do they act like they don�t see us?�
^Lilly^ after watching her for a few more minutes, she nods. �Just be careful��
Luna_Faline pauses next to Claron. �Do you mind?� My paw reaching out toward her belly....
Vin_Da_DM: With a short chuckle Eclipse looks back at Claron, �Because they don�t.�
Claron stops as Luna_Faline places a paw on her tummy.
^Lilly^ eyes Eclipse. �Why?�
Claron: �Are we�too�a shadow then?�
Luna_Faline lightly runs my paw across the top of Claron�s rounded tummy. �They are fighting over who will be first.� I purr softly.
Tewyn: �Come on halfling, he has said people see what he wants them to see�so he can obviously extend his talents.�
Luna_Faline smiles at Claron. �I don�t think you have much time to go,� withdrawing my paw.
^Lilly^ over hears Luna and giggles softly.
Claron glances at Tabris. �Seems we going to have us a set of hellions right off the bat,� then chuckles.
Vin_Da_DM: �Precisely,� nodding Eclipse turns and looks at the wall. A small crack sits at the base, �Everyone gather close please.�
Claron nods at Luna_Faline, �I think that, too.�
Luna_Faline steps closer to the wall with Eclipse.
^Lilly^ rolls her eyes at Tewyn as she walks close to the crack in the wall.
Tewyn follows close.
Tabris: �What are you going to do now Mr. Not-a-cat?� Tabris looks down at Eclipse with a questioning look.
Claron steps closer to Eclipse along with Tabris.
Vin_Da_DM: As you hear the soft gusting from before Eclipse wriggles his vastly oversized body through the crack, moments later a large black portal appears on the wall�s surface then clears to be a cut-out section. �Come on.�
Luna_Faline follows Eclipse quickly.
^Lilly^ climbs in after Eclipse.
Claron lets out a sigh of relief...�Was NO way I could fit me through a crack like that.�
Claron enters into the portal.
Tewyn: �Damn, guess I get to jump into crack after all today.�
Claron starts laughing when she hears Tewyn.
Tewyn follows the others.
^Lilly^ shakes her head. �Men��
Vin_Da_DM: On the other side of the wall you can see a large garage area in front of you. Rows of tanks and airplanes are sitting out and at the far end you see workers and a group of soldiers talking.
Tewyn starts singing, �You put the weeeee in, you pull the weeeeee out...you do the pokey-pokey then you spurt it out..�
Vin_Da_DM: �You�re the strangest elf I�ve ever met�� Eclipse gives Tewyn a curious look, then heads for the shadows cast by the tanks.
Tewyn: �Cause these humans have tainted me.� Giggles.
Luna_Faline whispers to Eclipse, �You have no idea,� casting a glance back at Tewyn.
Claron notices the tanks, planes and workers as she follows Eclipse...
Tabris: Looking back at the wall now whole Tabris rubs his chin, �That�s cool...and creepy at the same time.�
^Lilly^ shakes her head. �As told by Tewyn.�
Claron: �Hmmm, so Clarice was a tainter, too?�
Tewyn follows after Eclipse.
Vin_Da_DM: As Eclipse sets a foot on the shadow he sinks into it and disappears, reappearing at the far end of the row you hear his voice coming from the shadow, �Watch your step.�
Claron: �Oh great, what if I can�t watch my step?�
Luna_Faline steps softly into the shadow like Eclipse did.
Vin_Da_DM: Luna finds herself standing next to Eclipse at the far end, he purrs idly waiting.
Luna_Faline purrs, �That is a very nice trick.�
Claron tries to look down to watch her step, but only sees her tummy as she follows Luna_Faline.
Tewyn giggles �Oh boy, another dark place to jump into.�
Vin_Da_DM: �My forte, if you would.� Eclipse watches as the others appear next to him.
Tabris: Shaking his head after following Claron through he looks back, �Very cool��
Claron stands looking around as Tabris pops up beside her....
Vin_Da_DM: �There, there he is.� Eclipse perks around the edge of the tank towards the group of soldiers. A loud barking order comes from behind them. A man in a black cloak with a gas mask wielding a flamethrower walks up. Two seven foot tall primitive mech-men flank him.
Luna_Faline stands frozen hoping the man can�t see us.
Claron watches the man in the black coat and the two seven foot mech men...
Vin_Da_DM: �Black Inferno...Master of the Dark-fire.� Eclipse hissing with a deep noise that makes the shadows at your feet ripple.
Claron: �Is this the foreigner spy?� whispers.
Vin_Da_DM: �He�s one of Daegriss� men...we have to kill him before he sends this planet into war.� Eclipse sinks into the shadows again. With a large batch of screaming you see the group of soldiers entwined in black tendrils from their shadows. They begin to sink underneath into silence.
Claron watches, not certain of what she is witnessing.
Vin_Da_DM: Black Inferno turns and watches. Pointing his flamethrower at the group of now terrified works he lights them in black flames. With a sickening pop the workers turn into black-bloody creatures.
Vin_Da_DM: �Come out and play, little Warriors.� The demonic voice cackles from behind Black Inferno�s mask.
Claron: �Accurate with that flame thrower�� whispers softly, ��and frankly, I ain�t in the mood to be toast.�
Luna_Faline: �I�m not either.� I gurrumble.
Vin_Da_DM: As Eclipse hops from the shadows into the air you can see the small cat spin as lasers from the mech men shoot at him. A stray shot vaporizes the tank next to the group leaving you in plain sight.
Vin_Da_DM: �There you are...time for some fun.� Black Inferno lifts his flamethrower at you and you swear you can see his eyes burning under his mask.
Vin_Da_DM: $ End