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Post by Midnight on Dec 8, 2005 16:25:40 GMT -5
Even though X23 had hoped for a response to her message, she was still surprised when she got one. It turned out she would rather have not known.
"Here, X23, let's see if you can be deep fried."
X23 had braced herself for the hit that was too large to dodge when a portal opened near her and Weaver herself pulled her in, saying the battle was lost. "We cannot leave her!" were X23's final words before she disappeared into the portal.
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Post by Health on Dec 8, 2005 16:29:43 GMT -5
"And what do you expect? Stay and be killed making sure that Apocalypse wins completely, at least this way we're alive and can gain strength, and return," Iris said in a sharp voice that she hardly used as she walked down a long hallway.
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Post by Eirik on Dec 8, 2005 16:57:34 GMT -5
Doyle over heard what was being said. Since Pestilence's fall Doyle had been ignored by troops. He guessed that they were aware that at least he was no longer there enemy. The young Eliza had given something Doyle he thought he would never get back and now the queen was in trouble. Doyle knew what he had to do now. His own life could wait. It was his and he knew how it was going to be spent now. Doyle turned into a black mist and shot himself next to Iris and the other traitor.
Doyle looked at them as his body reformed. "I can subdue her. I owe her much now." Doyle spoke with only candor and conviction. He did owe her much, his life in fact now. She gave him more in return he felt. It was the least he could do. The only thing that stop Pestilence from killing Health was Health returning Doyle control. His powers seemed to be given to him for just this moment. He could help in saving the present. His whole life now had purpose all along but it was now clear why he had to suffer. It was all to bring him to here and now.
Doyle turned to look at the castle awaiting Iris decision. He remained quiet deep in the thought of how his life unfolded. The sin he had committed lead him here and his powers enhanced. It seemed like fate had meant it all along.
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Post by raphael on Dec 8, 2005 18:29:03 GMT -5
Raphael stayed, covering the retreat. He hoped that it was a promise that he could keep. He was spraying bullets into hordes of oncommers. As the last of the rebel army was about to step into the gateway Raphael ran out of ammo. He picked up another knife throwing the rifle away. Close combat...some how it always came down to that.
"Dominus Pugnae..." Raphael yelled, demanding that the deamon not leave. "See me my master and guide my hand true. Hear me my lord and raise my voice to drown out the wickedness of others. My master demands of me and so I shall no falter, shall not lay down my arms when the enemy presents his face to me..." Raphael was alone, the deamon inside had left.
"Then I am the master not, and I will enjoy this."
Raphael readied himself, swinging wildly, he knives dancing, enemies falling as he backed towards the portal. Just a few more moments was all he had to buy, just long enough for the last few to get in, then himself. Raphael had not gone without injury however. A few new bullet wounds to add to his collection, several large gashed along his arm. However he did not fall, he made a promise and would not break it. Time was up, the last man through, now his turn. He threw one knife, hitting a man in the chest, and threw the other, nailing another in the throat. Raphael turned and dodged into the portal, catching a knife between the shoulder blades just before it could close. The redundant organs and thickend blood would save his life, but that all depended on how soon he could find medical attention.
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Post by Midnight on Dec 9, 2005 2:12:48 GMT -5
A sharp reply was on the tip of X23's tongue, but she saw the logic, and no matter how much it annoyed her it made sense. "I know, Weaver, but I swore to serve and protect her, even to the death. What you say makes sense, however much I wish I could die for her, I know that it would be a waste, and I know that there is at least one more reason for living," she admitted, striding fast to stay caught up with Weaver. She was still holding onto her anger to keep the sadness away. Strong emotions today.
X23's arm brushed against her bare skin and she noticed that Eliza's final blast had singed a hole in the side of her canvas uniform, enough to show part of her side, back, and belly. The flesh was singed and emitted a sickly sweet smell of burning human skin, but she could feel the healing take over.
One of the fomer horseman suddenly appeared and started questioning Iris. "Weaver says that it is too late," X23 snapped at him. Her anger was not really directed at him but the result of not being able to do anything herself.
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Post by Health on Dec 9, 2005 12:06:50 GMT -5
Iris sighed and opened the doors to the great hall, already is was bustling with Guardian's running back and forth. Some stopped to look at Iris, but dared not talk to her from the look on her face, "Laura I to swore to protect the Queen, and I would die for her because she is my friend. But we are in a war and must use our strength when we have it," Iris said settling heavily on a purple chair and sighed, "I am sorry about Alex, Laura," Iris said sadly remember the days before Apocalypse, and then she frowned in her own worry of Raphael.
"Healers!" the man that Iris had commanded to stay with Raphael called closing the portal behind them. Instantly the squat woman appeared and waved her staff.
"Ah laddie don't cha worry you'll be right as rain, yah should be ashamed of yahself worrin the Master Guardian like you do," she said with a broad grin before motioning for some of the other people around to help Raphael to the infirmary.
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Post by raphael on Dec 9, 2005 15:30:37 GMT -5
"I will live, but the war had not been won. Many more will die before we gain back our world." Raphael reached around placing hishand on the dagger. He tore it free of his flesh, without making a sound. He looked down at the knife. It was his, one he had lost long ago, thrown into the river to save his and Iris' life. He shook his head.
"I can walk my self." Raphael said as he managed his way to the infirmary.
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Post by Health on Dec 9, 2005 15:32:48 GMT -5
"Oh the laddie is strong," the squat woman crackled before she turned to another robed person, "Tell Master Guardian that he's return so the lassie won't worry," the man ran off and the woman turned back to Raphael, "Strong you may be but your fightin days are done."
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Post by raphael on Dec 9, 2005 15:51:08 GMT -5
"we shall see...we shall see."
Raphael looked tired, his physical augmentations were unique, but they required great expenditure of energy. Raphael was hungry, and tired. He would have to spend much time leanring how to use his new gifts, but right now, it was time to rest.
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Post by Health on Dec 9, 2005 15:58:13 GMT -5
"Warrior men," the woman rolled her eyes as they walked into the infermery and she forced Raphael to lay down on one of the beds, "The laddie need his wounds tended to and a hot meal got it?" she said to the attendent nearby who also ran to do her bidding.
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Post by Midnight on Dec 9, 2005 18:55:59 GMT -5
X23's eyes turned to the floor at the mention of Alex. Her attitude seemed almost calloused of his death, but the pain was hidden deep inside. Some girls had accused her of being like boys, always hiding her feelings, but truth was that she didn't feel most things, and others were buried so deep inside it was beyond the ability of normal boys to hide it that deep and well. Few emotions ever got out.
Looking back up at Weaver, the young woman said, "So there really is no chance, or are you simply telling me that to keep me from sacrificing myself? I would take any chance, no matter how small."
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Post by Health on Dec 9, 2005 19:24:28 GMT -5
"Laura, I have not had the ability to lie in many years," Iris said darkly, "You are my friend and ally, I would not lie to you, because if there was some chance then I would go to save Eliza. But we are weak and Apocalypse has the power now," Iris looked up at a yound Guardian who came rushing up to her and whispered something in her ear. Iris sighed in relief and relaxed a little, Raphael was still alive, as usual a little worst for wear, but alive.
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Post by raphael on Dec 9, 2005 20:48:38 GMT -5
Raphael did not stay in bed long, just long enough to get stitched up and fed, he did not like this place, it was alien to him. Raphael did not feel comfortable here. He had been given a cane to help him walk, and that was good and fine. Raphael's second heart had been repaired and worked once again, and some of the other things that made him unique were studied and fixed. Raphael still held the Iron bar that had been through his leg. He used is as a cane, leaving the one he had been given on the bed. Raphael wandered through the great halls, this place was too different, too peaceful.
"Where am I?" Raphael shouted at the nearest living thing he came across.
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Post by Health on Dec 9, 2005 21:02:38 GMT -5
"You are in the Neutral Dimestion, the place where Time Guardians may rest, stay, and sometimes live," one of the healers said a pretty little redhead, with kind brown eyes, "I'm sure that you've noticed that Master Guardian Iris leave Earth for several weeks at a time. This is where she stays to attend to the Thread of Time and Space."
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Post by raphael on Dec 9, 2005 22:44:45 GMT -5
Raphael raised his eyebrow.
"and where exactly is Iris now?" Raphael demanded. He was growing shakey, maybe he should have stayed in bed, or maybe he just didn't like where he was. Raphael had never been one to run from a fight, he had always managed to survive some how. He had also never fought a man such as Apocolypse.
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Post by Health on Dec 9, 2005 22:47:38 GMT -5
"She's in the main hall, talking to Laura," the healer said smiling, "I can take you to her if you wish?"
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Post by raphael on Dec 9, 2005 22:50:57 GMT -5
"Just point me in the right direction I think I can manage from there." Raphael said, a grimaced smile on his face. He was sore, but his knew muscles never grew tired, his new skeleton was so much heavier, He supposed that he was tired superficially. He had a rough attitude about him, this place was foreign, too different from everything he was used to.
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Post by Health on Dec 9, 2005 22:52:32 GMT -5
"Every well, Master Guardian Iris instructed us to let you do what you wish," the healer said with a frown and pointed down the hall towards a large door, "She will be in there, mostly likely near a large purple chair."
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Post by raphael on Dec 9, 2005 22:58:43 GMT -5
Raphael furrowed his brow, he did not like the tone the person had taken with him, but he could understand, he was in a bad mood and was probably difficult to deal with. However Raphael was usually wound up after a battle, and hated running from one. He used the rod as a cane, but by the time he got to the great doors he didn't need to any more.
Raphael pushed open the great doors as he strode into the massive hall, again he was taken aback and sort of sickend by the splendor and extravagance put into such a thing. He had always been a simple man who like things to stay simple, Raphael enjoyed fancy things every once in a while, but viewed them as wasteful.
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Post by Health on Dec 9, 2005 23:03:07 GMT -5
Iris turned around as the Main Hall's doors opened and Raphael walked in. The hubbub dimmed a little by his presence, but not by much.
But for Iris it was different, she held a hlaf curled hand to her chest, "Raphael," she whispered and smiled before taking off down the hall. How surpised the other Guardian's must have been to see their usually calm, stately leader suddenly start running into a mortal's arms and kissed him passionately.
Actually most of the shook their head and murmured something about mortal. Iris on the other hand had only eyes for Raphael, and was glad to see he was still alive.
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