Forgotten Freedom:81

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As Ketler and Liam finish their happy dance, Ketler for the destruction, Liam for the device working, Liam looks back to the firing controls.

Liam: Ok. So "1" was pretty cool. Want to try some of the higher settings?

Ketler: Ready for "10" yet?

Liam:  :eek: I don't think that would be a good idea under an impenetrable dome. Maybe we should just stick to "1" for now.

Ketler: :weep:

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With most of his generals taken down, Ariajni had taken over directly. The pirates had proven themselves far more crafty than he had anticipated. The gun the insane one wielded had thrown his troops onto a great deal of confusion, and just as he had regained control, the barrier came down. The strange construct double had annoyed him a great deal, but he was now ready to end this farce. Raising his hand, he prepared to blast a large group clothed in red. The blast was interrupted, however, by a rather heavy blow to the back of the head.

Ariajni: *turning* Who dares-!

Satnak:  :smirk: That would be me.

Ariajni: Foolish mortal. You may be powerful, but you cannot defeat me alone.

Satnak: Who say's I'm alone?

Around him, about two dozen figures appear. Terra, Lisa and Satnak seem to be in multiple locations. Try as he might, he cannot detect the true forms.

Terra double: This is the end of you.

Lisa double: All your plans are for naught.

Satnak double: Time to die.

Several figures rush him as he counters with the pent up energy from the uncast spell. They dissipate, only to reform at another location. One of the Lisa images strikes out at him with that accursed holy flame. Dodging the blow, he tears at her, only to pass through the image harmlessly.

Ariajni: What is this trickery! Stand and fight me cowards!

The same image turns to face him and holds out her hand. A massive blast of arcane power issues forth, striking him dead on. Steadying himself, his mind raced as more images attacked him.

Ariajni: (i.h.h.) How are they doing this? That was the Sorceress' power...

An image of Terra strikes at him from behind, connecting with the kind of raw power only Satnak could wield. Recovering quickly, he send a blast of dark energy at her, only to have it pass through her and strike one of his own minions several meters away. The assault renewed with another Lisa image swinging at him. In frustration, Ariajni struck out at it several times, trying to determine exactly what this illusion was. Passing through him, the double turned and sent out several chains that ripped into his body. As he reeled from the blow, they retracted and disappeared.

Ariajni: (i.h.h.) So, he's here too... I had not planned for this diversion. But it will make my victory all the sweeter...

A Satnak and Terra double attack, only to be rebuffed. Tiring of the annoyance, he sends out a weak blast to rebuff the next clone, only to have it strike it and dispell the image.

Jarlot: Suck on this, biatch!

Jarlot wielded a strange blade, seeming to be a shotgun and sword fused into one. As it struck him, Jarlot pulled the trigger, unloading two blessed bullets into his chest. They burned intensely as Jarlot came up for another strike, this one sending bullets ripping through his gut.

Jarlot: *pulling back* You lost our little game fair and square. You should have just given up then.

Ariajni: Urgh...I've never been a good loser.

Sending out wave after wave of dark power, Ariajni hoped to dispell the rest of the images. After hearing several grunts from the impact, he looked around. The group lay on the ground, stunned. Terra's body covers Lisa's, having shielded her from the blast. Jarlot begins lifting himself up slowly. Terrek and Satnak pull themselves free of some rocks. Pulling out the Soul Stealer, he picks his first victim. Terrek shakes his head, only to find the sword plunged through his chest.

Ariajni: One...

Terrek:  :devil: That's what you think.

Ariajni: *stunned* What! How are you-!

Terrek's body swirls into darkness as Ariajni finds his sword in an impossibly firm grip. Trying desperately to free it, a sharp pain eminates from his arm as Satnak breaks his elbow. Reflexively letting go of the sword, it is drawn into the darkness and out of the Material Plane. Satnak then proceeds to uppercut him with a massive spiked warhammer, sending him flying. He rights himself in mid air, lands and send another volley at the group. They disipate into shadow, only to return scattered about the field.

Terra: *in a German accent* No sword for you!

Lisa: Now you're watching sitcoms?

Terrek: Focus, please.

The doubles resume their place, circling him.

Ariajni: How many times must you mock me?!

In a fit or rage, he tears about the field, raking at the images with his claws. With each counter from the doubles, his rage only grows. He had never seen such an ability. How could he counter something he couldn't even detect? Unless... Idiot! Why did he not think of this before!

Ariajni: That's quite clever of you. Making me exhast myself striking at air while my anger blinded me. But no more.

A blinding flash eminated from his hand, dispelling the shadow doubles. Leaping up, the group loses him in the glare. Before she can react, Terra finds her wrists bound in Dimensional Shackles.

Terra: Son of a-!

She is cut off by a crushing blow to her head, sending her flying. As the light fades, Satnak and Terrek move in as Lisa heads for Terra. The demi-god, weakened significantly by their previous assault, finds himself hard pressed to keep up with the two. Satnak blinks in and out, landing a devistating sieries of blows as Terrek blasts him with spells and rips at his body with his chains. A blast of dark power stuns the two for a moment, and Ariajni sends Satnak flying with another blast to the chest. Grabbing Terrek's chains, he pulls him in and headbutts him. He then proceeds to throw him through a nearby rock formation.

(off to the side)

Lisa: You ok?

Terra: Ugh...all those illusions were harder than I thought. Even if I got out of these, I don't think I've got enough for another round...

At this time, several rakshasa's run by, fleeing from Volrath and Nalfein. Lisa proceeds to cut them off as the two close in from behind. Activating her graft, Lisa tears through them, the boys encasing their souls in the crystals. One leaps over Lisa, only to be ensnared by several vine tentacles.

Terra:  :devil: Just what I need...

The rakshasa shrieks as he feels his life force painfully draining away. Finally, he is released and flops to the ground. Vorath finishes it and entraps its soul as well.

Terra: *standing up, restored* That should do it.

(back in the battle)

Ariajni: *his wounds healing* I will not be beaten by such meager measures.

Jarlot: *reloading* Seemed like they hurt pretty good to me. :P

---

Leaving Ariajni to Jarlot's group, Volrath (transformed) and Nalfein (riding Cuddles) head for another group of demons.

Demons:  :eek: RUN AWAY!!!

The group splits in two, heading in opposite directions.

Volrath: You take that one.

Nalfein: Right-o.

Seeing his pursuit, one of the demons yells to run faster. One of the smaller, more pathetic looking ones trips and falls. Coming up to him, Cuddles snatches him up and eats him.

Nalfein: *sounding like a car switching gears* LoooOOO- *shift* -SERrrrrrrrRRR.

The group heads for an embankment, leaping in in an attempt to lose him.

Nalfein: *Jim Carrey style* Awwww...nobody want's ta play with me!

The embankment erupts in flame as the air fills with the screams of burning demons.

Nalfein: Ha-ha!

At this time, Cuddles slips on some blood, falling over onto Nalfein.

Nalfein: *strained* Like...a glove?

Pulling himself free, Nalfein looks over to see Volrath coming towards him.

Nalfein: I'm at 482. How'd you do?

Volrath: *BELCH* I'm at 483.

Nalfein:  :mad:  :weep:

---

Satnak - Are you really this stupid?

Ariajni - What?

A floating crystal whumps him upside the head.

Ariajni - GRrrrrrr... calm down she's trying yo make you loose foc-uk

Gutpunch.

Satnak - You talk to much.

Ariajni - wheeeeeze... where's my sword?

Satnak - Now he catches on :rolleyes:

Ariajni - OH CRAP

---

Lady has the sword on the ground in front of her as she finishes reading the scroll. A cluster of Floating crystals sheilds her from view.

Lady - Escemvigas Elshok gurram Moviun

The sword shatters as the remnants of the souls it has devoured are released, and its power matrix sundered.

---

The crystals, spheres and other manifestasions collapse into the black pillar.

Ariajni - (spots lady and the shattered sword) YOU .... I will have your HEAD ON A PLATTER, A PLATTER YOU LITTLE FREAK.

Ariajni Dashes past Satnak at Lady.

Jarlot - You won't catch me off gaurd twice, putty that.

Ariajni's gaping kidney wound has just slowed him up a bit.

---

Lady and Ariajni stand there, staring into each other's eyes, the sounds of battle passing around them. Terra, Lisa, Satnak, all hang back as they recognize a true moment of vengance. Ariajni bleeds from wounds that won't heal, yet he is still far from done.

Ariajni: So, the little deva had a child. And now her future version has come back to kill me. And…they plan on sucking out my soul.  :evillaugh Your mind is so open you might as well admit defeat and kneel before me. (he licks his lips) Hmm, that idea intrigues me.

Lady: (grimaces) I won't be one of your little playthings. You killed my father, and I'm here to make sure you can't kill my mother.

Ariajni: :evillaugh With what?! Your silly power of funny hats? Mrs. Fuzzy Logic was always a fool, even back in the age of demons. It is only chaos, and to harm me one must utilize the power of good.

Lady: You're wrong.

Ariajni: :confused: You speak nonsense.

Lady: I do know one thing about the Forgotten Freedom: through its chaos it creates true freedom, and that is a good more powerful than anything contained within the Silver Flame.

Ariajni looks around and the crew assembled to take him down. He can see it in their eyes now: the knowledge that they have so much to lose should they fail. The couatls had never even come close.

Ariajni: That won't be enough to save YOU!

He lashes out with all the power he can draw. If he is going to be imprisoned, he needs a backup plan. Though it seems as if he is crushing the punny Outsider in a telekinetic grip, he is secretly planting a soul seed inside her. A part of him would survive if he lost, and should he succeed this one would become……his.

But Lady doesn't struggle or cry out.

Ariajni: :mad: Cry (increasing the grip) DAMN YOU! CRY!

Lady: Thyrs, special technique.

Thyrs howls, and as it howls there come the sounds of many tiny yips, like thousands of yappy dogs. The patches of blue on Thyrs's coat begin to dissolve off, forming themselves into a swarm of Quenches, which converges on Ariajni in a flurry of yapping and ankle-biting.

Ariajni: Ah! Get off me you vermin!

He releases his grip. Lady flies down right in front of him. Her hat changes into a large foam cheese wedge.

Ariajni: :eek: No.

Lady: BEHOLD THE POWER!

Ariajni: AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!

The Quench swarm releases Ariajni, who now looks quite emaciated. He falls to his knees, barely able to stand up. He looks up at Lady with a look of pure confusion.

Ariajni: How did you know I was lactose intolerant?

Lady just smiles cruely, then punts Ariajni into the waiting group.

---

Kanatash suddenly teleports into the room at this time.

Kanatash: (cruel smile) Time to add insult to injury.

He pulls out about a super-sized chibi-wand and unloads a massive blast of chibi energy at Ariajni. A cloud of dust springs up around Ariajni, fluffy-happy clouds complete with smily faces, with the blast concealing him from sight.

Kanatash: That, sir, was for refering to me as a "fool" when we last met. (turning to the others) I'll leave the rest to you guys. If you need any more help just let me know. I'll be waiting in the wings with a new batallion of mutant pokemon. (materializing a hat so he can tip it in Ariajni's direction) And to you sir I wish good day. (teleports out)

---

the demon's fled before Sa'vor's forces, Sa'vor unleashed a triumphet roar, this was echoed by all his kin. Sa'vor barked orders to the troops, whom began to clean up the battle field and gather up the corpses of their fallen allies. cleric's moved amungst the warriors patching up wounds, Scouts returned in from the flanks as the mage's began to set up a portal that would lead back to Sa'vors fortress dimension. Sa'vor scanned the battle field, the shattered corpses of his kin and the enemy scattered before him, Naz'roth appeared blood staining his armour, a small gash on his face. they stared at the desloated land before them. Naz'roth sighed.

Naz'roth: to think, that once this area of Korvoire was fabled for its astounding beauty. ironic that now it is a twisted and barren landscape. now made worse

Sa'vor: *staring at the pillar of black flame* you think you could get rid of that?

Naz'roth: *frowns* im not sure, what ever originaly created this was more than a fiendish power. it irradiates more evil than i could think possible.... its not just evil... its somthing... alien. strange.

Sa'vor: *continue's to stare* it wasnt this powerful before....

Naz'roth: Of course! it's drawing on the souls of the dead... powering somthing... *his eye's widen, He lets out a particularly vile curse* Sa'vor. warn the others! quickly!

Sa'vor nodded and removed a vial of one of the crew members blood. he bloodwalked through Naz'roth. Naz'roth turned back to the pillar ... how could he have been so stupid. how could he have fallen for such a trick! Ariajni was far smarter than he'd realised. Naz'roth raised a hand and pulled back his magic from the land around him, the chasm's sealed up, the sky became as it was usualy. rivers of lava vanished. Naz'roth's soldiers didnt, Naz'roth had a feeling he would need them.

                                      ***

Sa'vor Bloodwalked through Kithle who shuddered Visibly.

Kithle: Damn it Sa'vor! i wish you wouldnt do that! and anyway... how do you possess a vial of my blood?

Sa'vor: *hurridly* No time to explain. Naz'roth sent me to warn you all...

The entire land shuddered and quaked from an explosion of energy. Satnak whom had been nocked flying by the explosion collided with Sa'vor, both where knocked to the ground. from a huge crater Terra and Lisa crawled, many wounds bleeding strongly. a wave of pure terror washed over the crew, causing many of the lesser members to flee in terror, Sa'vor's eyes widened as he beheld the sight before him. it was too late... they had all been fooled...

                                             ***

Naz'roth quaked visibly on seeing the explosion. they where doomed.... even with the tampering from future entities the doom in wich they where to fall had come to pass... Ariajni had used the Demon Flame to his advantage, knowing Naz'roth would manipulate it. it had been slowly drawing on the power of kyber, using the depths to bind souls to the flame. now it was gathering all the souls of the dying from the universe and turning them into pure power, pumping Ariajni full of it. Naz'roth gritted his teeth. if he was to die then he would die fighting. Naz'roth groaned. the meddeling from the future is what had caused their deaths. now he understood, Ariajni had known that someone would have tried to meddle, so he built the pillar and used the battle to gather up souls and absobe the magic from the ubers. Naz'roth sent a all of this to Sa'vor in a telepathic message.

                                      *** 

Sa'vor noded, now he knew what to do. he grimaced, even by his normal standards this was evil. Sa'vor traveled through time, this time to the future, where there wouldnt be any ubers around to try and stop him, they wouldnt understand. he had to kill Lady when she was a child, or do it when she was an adult, either way. he frowned, he would have to do it, even if he had to cut down thousands that stood in his way. even if he had to kill his own friends to acomplish this goal. he would even kill Fuzzy logic if he had to, she had brought this down on herself, even killing a innocent child was better than having a world of demons.

---

Ariajni: Ha HA! I am invincible!

Satnak: No, you're not.

Ariajni: No, I am. I just haven't really been trying.

Satnak: Prove it.

Ariajni punches Satnak in the face.

Satnak: That was completely path- HEY!

Ariajni pulled Satnak's pants down and pasted a "Do Not Disturb" sign on her butt.

Satnak: It's going to take a week to get it off! That was my favorite pair too... Ketler! YOU OWE ME BIG TIME!

Ariajni: Hmmm? Oh, very well; if I must.

The Mi-Go cannon blasts through the air, vaporizing everything in its path. It hits Ariajni leaviing nothing but a scorchmark, with a bit of bone.

Ketler: HA! Take that you fool!

Liam: So... that was at 10 right?

Ketler: Yeah.... So?

Liam: Look outside...

Ariajni: [SIZE=4]I AM DISAPPOINTED IN YOU, JARLOT. VERY DISAPPOINTED. THE GAME WAS CLEVER. THAT WAS STUPID. THE RECONSTITUTION OF MY INTRINSIC FIELD WAS THE FIRST TRICK I LEARNED. IT DIDN'T KILL MY FATHER, DID YOU THINK IT WOULD KILL ME?[/SIZE]

Ariajni towers outside the impenitrable dome, nearly the size of Lyrandar Tower. He simply walks into it, demolishing an entire side of the impenitrable globe.

Ariajni: [SIZE=3]THE WORLD'S SMARTEST MAN MEANS AS MUCH TO ME AS THE WORLD'S SMARTEST TERMITE.[/SIZE]

Ariajni begins to shrink as he walks through the Field towords Jarlot. He picks Satnak up by the hair and calmly and easily tosses her out of sight.

Ariajni: What's that you hold in hand, Jarlot? Another secret weapon?

Jarlot: You could say that.

John, Enlightened Dire Keel: Hello.

--- Sarlona:

Milaji, useless daughter, watched as a star fell from the sky.

"Father, would it please you if I was allowed to visit the fallen star. I think it landed near by.

Her Father smiled and bid her to find her desire.

Milaji, wandered out into the woods searching for the fallen star. She found a large hole in the ground, several feet deep.

A very muscular woman climbed out, seemingly unscathed. Milaji took a step back, immensely surprised.

Then the woman ripped open Milaji's chest and threw the still beating heart off into the bushes.

Satnak rolled her eyes as she dropped the corpse on the ground.

"I am going to kill him, dead! I have to admit though, that was a cool trick..."

---

13: Can't do it, Sa'vor.

Sa'vor: Should I just live with the consequences? Given time, and a reason, I can, and will, destroy you as well.

13: No, I mean litterally. Well, you can't do it.

Sa'vor: Please, none of this Non-existant subtlety. I have work to do.

13: *sigh which translated means "Will you come down to my level?"* You litterally can't because you, Mr. "Preserve the Timeline as is", cannot create a situation which would ultimately prevent you from undertaking the same action. You can't kill your own grandfather. You can't kill Lady because then she won't come back in time, and you, being the über-law that you are, won't know that you have to kill her. And remember, without her help you get a world of demons anyway.

Sa'vor shakes his head.

Sa'vor: You are mistaken—

13: *time-traveling pimp slap* HelLO?! You still in there? Because last time I checked you tried to prevent me from doing what you are about to do now: using time travel to solve your problems. Look what it's getting Lady. Who knows what'll happen if you do this? We know it works……but I know firstsight that it doesn't work the way you want it to.

---

• While Jarlots clone fights Arijani outside with the others*

Real Jarlot: Now it's time for me to deal with this situation once and for all....

Andrea: DAMNIT JARLOT...what are you doing?

Real Jarlot: Take a look what's at the bottom of Arijani's tower....

• She stares*

Andrea: What the hell IS that thing?

Real Jarlot: It's the Ebon Flame. It's Arijanji's masterpiece. It contains the souls of all those who worshipped the Dragon Below, the Lords of Dust, and other evil powers. It absorbed them from the dimension of the dead and other places since its creation. It's only a fraction of the size of the Silver Flame but it doesn't have to be for what its designed to do....

Andrea: And what's that?

Real Jarlot: Ressurect Khyber.

Andrea: That's insane.

Real Jarlot: Yes, but Arijani believes that he can transfer his consciousness into Khyber's form with the proper spells around the Ebon Flame. That way he'll be essentially elevated to true godhood. With the Sovereign Host forbidden from interfering in the world and the Undying Court a pathetic half-mockery of gods, there won't be anything to stop him from doing whatever he likes to the world.

Andrea: We're going to stop him right?

Real Jarlot: Arijani is many things but he's a kitty of his word. I won the Ebon flame from him in a contest and it's mine now. Its now time for ME to become a god.

Andrea: That's....WHAT!?

Real Jarlot: Do you think without Aerith that I have any reason to hold back anymore? I'm sick of the Daelkyr, the Quori, the Lords of Dust, Erandis D'Vol, and the rest of those pathetic fools threatening my planet. I'm sick of the death, the destruction, and having to fear the Rajahs awakening at any moment. Now it's MY turn. Do you remember the fear of the Last War? I'm going to use this to sweep them away. All of the people who make this world suck.

Andrea: Jarlot....you're not going to do that. I know you too well. You're a good man at heart.

Real Jarlot: *The Captain sticks his hand into the flame and in a very short moment....the flame dies to become a Gauntlet around his hand as Jarlot is covered in a nightMarish glow*

Andrea: Oh my Gods....

Real Jarlot: Not Jarlot anymore...Thanatos. The collected power of Khyber is now connected to me through the Ebon Flame.

Andrea: I never...

Real Jarlot: You address omnipotence, tred carefully.

Andrea: What are you going to do with this power?

Real Jarlot: I am now omnipotent. What should I do with such almighty power? The answer to that is really quite simple: Anything I want. Anything. I am incapable of error. Any result that displeases me I can simply reverse. There is nothing I need to worry on, for I am Thanatos. And Thanatos is supreme. Supreme.

Andrea: I...

Real Jarlot: My first act is to recreate my lost love. Behold now...Dark Angel

Andrea: Andrea screamed as she became a black winged angel that resembled Aerith in many ways but was now a pale skinned demoness.

Thanatos: It is good.

Elsewhere

• the ground shakes as the Demon Wastes begin....changing. The ground begins to belch forth massive stone towers and black shapes*

Arijani: Hehehehe....that poor fool. He never did realize that my goal all along was to reunite Khyber's power with her avatar. Now at last the world of the Demon Wars will be remade. The Demon Wastes will flower with the fruit of darkness, the legions of the damned, and we shall sweep away all enemies....and eventually I shall have the gauntlet.

• he stared at the Forgotten Freedom figures*

I'll just need some patsies to help.

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