You find yourself in E1M1

[foq]

dead game?

[Shadowswift]

[[Not dead, just calculating...and working. Story time is srs bsns, yo.]]

[Shadowswift]

> Check inventory... all of it. Even folks not in your party right now... Even normally 'empty' inventory lists such as the 'inventory' of characters that can't really carry that category of things...

-Inventory-
-Ammo-
(100) Shells
(200) Nails
(20) Rockets
(71) Energy Cells
(200) Shadow Plasma Cells
(54) 30-06 Rifle Rounds
-Weapons-
Maglite
Riot Baton
Reaper’s Scythe
Blaster Pistol
10 Gauge Pump Shotgun
Nailgun
Lightspark Rifle
Plasma Rifle Prototype
R700 (scoped)
Grenade Rifle
-Consumables-
(11) Stimpaks
(5) Medikits
(2) Medic's Bags
(2) Dream Water Stims
Unopened Bottle of Water
Candy Bar
-Misc-
A Pair of Laser-Sharpened Titanium Fiend's Claws
Twin Crystal Laser Strogg Flyer Cannons
USB cable
Box of Paperclips
Cellphone


-Phoenix's Inventory-
-Ammo-
(100) Shells
(200) Nails
(69) Energy Cells
(200) Shadow Plasma Cells
(10) 30-06 Rounds
Charge = 100/100
-Weapons-
Grappling Hook
Maglite
Badly-Bloodied Hand Axe
Fireman’s Axe (charged)
Plasma Pistol
REALLY Super Shotgun
Enforcer's Blaster Rifle
Lightspark Rifle
Thunderbolt
-Consumables-
Biosuit
(1) Pristine Void Armor
(2) Stimpak
(4) Dream Water Stims
-Misc-
Burlap Sack
-(11) Shadow Crystals
-(1) Empty Crystal
USB Flashdrive
Fully-Stocked Toolbox
Complex Networking for Dummies Manual
Rune of Fire Magic
Rune of Wind Magic
Rune of Water Magic

-The DKC's Inventory-
-Ammo-
(100) Shells
(200) Nails
(100) Energy Cells
-Weapons-
Grappling Hook
Commander’s Sword
Lightspark Rifle
-Consumables-
empty
-Misc-
empty

-SFX's Inventory-
-Ammo-
(100) Shells
(200) Nails
(100) Energy Cells
-Weapons-
empty
-Consumables-
empty
-Misc-
empty

Darkscythe can't carry anything, so his inventory is naturally empty. Ted can only hold small weapons, and while he is currently 'borrowing' your and Phoenix's pistols, his inventory is empty, as well.

> As soon as there is a break in the combat and the very next moment of quiet breaks out... hook to the ceiling (or nearest ceiling) and stay hooked... descend to the floor very slowly (and keep SFX with Ted on back level)...

You don't have your console!! No hook!!!

> Ask Protos if he can still read minds like he did before... don't wait too long for an answer.

The first calm that breaks the fight, you ask Protos quickly if he can read minds. In an unprecedented act of diplomacy, Protos lowers his gun and takes the time to respond to your inquiry.
Well, I'm not exactly what you would call "psychic". I can send mental messages to others, especially any Shadows or Corrupted, but I can also reach out to humans or other sentient creatures that are more perceptive than others. If you're asking if I can read your mind right now like Yogg-Shargoth could, no. My telepathy isn't that powerful. You nod in understanding, and resume the battle with Protos.

> Plan 'talking out loud'... talkin' frantically (but not yellin' like in Trench warfare)... to have SFX peer around the corner again after Protos and fire a couple of shots, then jump around the corner and give 'em hell, and then... cast these plans aside.

Protos isn't hiding from you! You and he are darting around the room, taking turns chasing each other, firing shots here and there to try and catch the other off-guard. Only problem is, you are losing. You are moving a bit too fast for your companions to aim a proper shot, so they are letting you do most of the fighting. Of course, when they can catch a glimpse of Protos, they let him have it as best they can.

Whispering, but still, tell SFX and Ted and Phoenix about a change of plans... and raise back up to the ceiling on the grapple hooks to 'duck for cover' in the opposite direction that would probably be expected considering the 'jump around the corner' implied before.
If Protos attempts to pre-empt this move... it means he is still a mind-reader
(he probably just won't tell you if he can still read minds... and even if he did he probably might have been lying... so we should use both impulses here)
Protos may be able to 'read minds' about not following your own plans as well as the plans themselves but it's presumable he will notice the out-loud portion better than the 'quiet' portion.

Still no hook! Grappling to the ceiling would leave you as a sitting duck, any how. Protos is much too fast to simply grapple away from his action. You've gotten so powerful in your adventures that you are much faster on your feet than you are with a grappling hook. Imagine that! You get the feeling that Protos was telling the truth about his mental ability, so you opt to stick with loud vocal commands. You order your companions to stay on the back lines and offer supportive fire only when they can.

> Keep firing as long as Protos is firing... but don't shoot first... YET.

You continue to dart around the room, keeping your trigger finger steady, but ready. Wasted shots are wasted ammo. Got it.

> Give a power cell or two to Ted to hold on to realll tight. Tell ted to stick 'em in SFX's socket 'soon as he gets hit more than a bit and has to back off again. Hopefully Ted knows a thing or two about 'putting blocks in matching shaped holes' and Phoneix can figure out the rest as needed.

You toss a Cell to Ted. Ted fumbles with it a bit, but catches it. In doing so, he drops his pistols. "Oh crap!!" You tell him it's fine. His aim sucks anyway. Phoenix picks up the pistols and holds on to them for the time being. You order Ted to hold on to that Cell in case SFX gets hit. Ted looks at the cell. "Huh....looks like a battery. Hey, Floaty, do you eat these or somethin? You hungry, little guy?? Want this?? You want this??? Go get it, boy!!" Ted tosses the Cell a few feet. Everyone in the room does a simultaneous face-palm. SFX is not amused. "What? What the crap did I do wrong now??" You reinstate your order to HOLD ON TO IT REALL TIGHT!! "Well, send me the crap to hell for tryin to keep Floaty here well-fed!" Phoenix retrieves the Cell and gives it back to Ted, re-reinstating to hold the hell on to it! "Jesus...why do I gotta get the boring job?"

> any breaks in shots should be used to pop a few medpacks/stimpacks as needed...

Thanks to your current buffs, you have quite a bit of health...however, that cannon Protos is holding can still take a nice chunk out of you. You're ok, now, but if you get hit again, you're gonna need to take your medicine. You've gotta get that gun of his out of commission!

> don't go below half remaining medpacks/stimpacks you entered the level with... unless Ray or Phoneix's health drops below 1/4 full maximum... and don't use medpacks to heal back to 'full health' if they heal more than the distance from current health to maximum

You get the feeling that Protos is merely toying with you at the moment...which is bad, as you are pretty much fighting with everything you have. You really don't want to see what he can do when he really tries...better step this up a bit. You stow your plasma rifle and take your your shottie. Dodging buckshot will be a crapload harder than dodging plasma. It may not hurt him much, but it might slow him down. Worth a try. You do your best to sight your shotgun at the fast-paced Protos, and pull the trigger. Hot buckshot rips into Protos. Success! His After-Image doesn't work against shotguns! He doesn't look at all winded by the attack, but you know it had to hurt at least a little. If you hit him a few more times, it might just slow him down a bit, enough to use more damaging weapons against him.


>

[((I take it you don't like handling many impulses at once... Well maybe not you yourself but the Story you got here doesn't seem too compliant with a more verbose series of impulses))
((I'll see if I can't keep 'em in short bursts for now. Let me know if this is still too much at once))

[[Just do what ya do and I'll try and keep up! I'm just happy to have people playing my game.]]

[H1CC]

Protos must be killed for realszzz

((More story is always better huh now MotherReaper... think you can take ANY amount of impulses in the name of furthering the story? ))
((Allright then you great Dungeon Master Death Knight... handle this! ))
->Try to get SFX to home in on Protos' hands some how (not to attack them but just get a lock on them if he can)... what about those crystal laser cannons... maybe those can be tuned to an 'energy signature' Protos resonates?
->Arm Ted with some of the more miscalleneous smaller ranged weapons... That Blaster Pistol evaded his grip too clumsily... give him the nailgun and 200 nails alltogether in the burlap sack and the enforcer's blaster rifle in the other hand...
->Have SFX look up Ted's wiring schematics and look for a way to 'enhance' Ted with built-in weapon-using circuitry... maybe he can be wired for laser weapons like the Enforcers use... or even better fuse metallic claws onto his arms at some point in the future so he can deal more damage every time SFX feels like spinning around
->See if SFX can't spin wildly allowing Ted to do more damage at semi-close range from shortrange spreafire weapons or even long-reach melee weapons... something about 'cycles' comes to mind... devote SFX's some of CPU cycles to a capability to spin in circles and resume normal movement on a dime?


->Check your bars on that Cell Phone... then dial 9-1-1 and see if any operators there can trace a landline to the nameless city... afterwards just give it to SFX for spare parts (and Ted to stash in his Burlap Sack)
->Have Ray put on the three elemental rune rings from Phoenix's possession... Fire on his middle finger, Water on his ring finger, Wind on his pinky finger all on his left hand... if Ray is gonna die he is gonna die like a PIMP
->Tell Phoenix about the final notice written to him before he was resurrected thanks to the power of the Well of Wishes... This is probably a bad time... but there may not be another chance to tie up loose ends...
->Unwrap candy bar and share it with Phoenix... Something to chew on while Ray breaks the news... totally Bromantic but what the hell 'cause it could be their last time alive.
Also sorry Ted but none for you.
You don't even have biological organs and (presumably) taste buds neither. Don't be Selfish! Just do your job well and maybe you'll get some more fun with sharp metal claws or somethin' later eh?


->Have Ray use his 12-Gauge Pump shotgun at first and then the Grenade Rifle and finally his Lightspark Rifle and have Phoenix use the REALLY Super Shotgun and THEN the Thunderbolt and THEN HIS Lightspark rifle in that order... don't go spending all the ammo at once... but generally work your way up from the less strong weapons first for a one-two-punch effect
->Have Phoenix hand that badly bloodied hand axe back to Ray...
it may not be all that powerful but it's his trademark axe dammit and there may be something more to why it's been bloodied for so long and yet never dried...
then have Ray and PHoenix duel-wield axes in the left hand and guns in the right hand...
Aren't you and Phoenix right-handed anyway?
Then it only makes sense to use the right hand for more accuracy-based aiming and the left hand for more speed-based swinging n'eh?
So try and fend off Protos if he ever gets too close via axe swings and every other time it's potshots until you can get a more even terrain...
Oh and, you know, continue with an awareness of ammo conservation...
->Dash around nearest corner... Get Ted to start makin' realy ****y taunts at Protos... then inch off a bit and target your guns to where his head and torso should be around the bend...
Once his shadowy self is just in sight...
Rain down all the weapon fire you can before he gets too close again...
->GUN IT and keep runnin' around the environemnt through corridors (but not too narrrow ones... ) and look for somewhere that is large and open... somewhere around here there's got to be a large open arena of sorts... anything to level the playing field considering Protos probably knows this place like the back of his hand


->Stick together. Protos will probably gladly take your party out one at a time, as he seems not to be bent on anger so much as less apparent motives, and may or may not hold back on less reputable/honorable tactics
->Flashlights off and around the waist/holstered... Protos seems to be the only darkness around here anyway
->Look for any lava pits in the level, just keep running from Protos and take pot-shots, once Ray and Phoenix's feet start to get unusually warm on solid ground there should be lava nearby... stop up a bit turn over any loose stones... and then leap over to the opposite side
->lay down any sort of explosives on the opposite side and head just a tad back behind any smaller walls or poles/bars one can still see around the corner or in between...
have SFX cover the back in case Protos sees a trap from far away and detours from behind...
and get Ted to 'check his inventory for remaining nailgun ammo' in that Burlap Sack of his to keep him busy and muffled a bit so as to avoid drawing attention


->Try and triangulate in formation around Protos... there are three individual parts moving around on your team on this playing field after all... even if you can't really hold him in place it should serve to confuse him what with being moreso in the middle of things
->Use Phoenix' grappling hook as a lasso of sorts and try to grapple Protos around the waist or one or both of his forearms if possible... if not... more confusion is better
->Watch out for traps while lookin' for the best thing you can get to a central open arena... if you manage to get past one without getting caught... maybe you can trick Protos into taking damage from a trap (considering that as the ones on the run at this point you should be positioned ahead of him)
->When you do get to some more open area then well see if you can't gain elevation somehow... it may be Martial Arts 101... but it can't be unimportant here to take the high ground...
Any edges around the outside should be hoistered over...
Any central platforms should probably be cranked up somehow... Phoenix is good at mechanics... have him figure it out!
->Have Ray take center stage in this Arena and wear the Pristine Void Armor (ANOTHER thing to take from Phoenix' inventory! Sheesh! And you were supposed to be being a little nicer to him from now on... ) and get everyone else out of plain sight for the time being
He should be ready to bear the brunt of attack and try to garner Protos' attention in what would appear to be without an audience... Ray should give the 'secret signal' and show off the Fire Rune ring on his left hand when Protos is within range... and doing this dance to get Protos' attention.
That ought to raise an eyebrow or two for Protos...
Ready up your weapons and prepare to get the jump on Protos...
->As soon as the 'secret signal' is given from Ray's free hand (though it should probably be given more directly to Protos himself so Phoenix and Co. can see where it's being directed) then
rain down heavy fire on Protos from behind the upper walls and start to storm on him... do not pass through any teleporters... do not collect 200 Armor and
then begin to circle up on him... he may not even be that battered at this point... but in this central stage it should be a better combination of spatial advantages one could get without being on a different level entirely...
((As you probably noticed I've changed up the character indicator for console command entry... let me know if this is incompatible somehow... ))
((Oh yeah and again lemme know if I'm dominating the storyline too much with my impulses bein' lined up so heavily... though I do have special plans for Ray's Reaper Scythe... ))

[MadGypsy]

that'll never work^

> Tell Ted to shoot at you with the biggest gun he can fire.
> Stick kinda close to Protos

>Absolutely DO NOT do this


that is the universal sign for "shoot/kick/mangle/stab my balls".

[Shadowswift]

>Try to get SFX to home in on Protos' hands some how (not to attack them but just get a lock on them if he can)... what about those crystal laser cannons... maybe those can be tuned to an 'energy signature' Protos resonates?

SFX can lock in on Protos, and at the moment, is probably the only one other than you that can. The laser blasts his cannons fire, however, are not fast enough to bullseye Protos, not as fast as that bastard moves. The crystal laser cannons may help in that aspect, though you're not sure, nor do you have the time to stop battle and install them.

...but Phoenix does. You toss the cannons to Phoenix and tell him to install them onto SFX. He gets to work while you keep Protos occupied.

>Arm Ted with some of the more miscalleneous smaller ranged weapons... That Blaster Pistol evaded his grip too clumsily... give him the nailgun and 200 nails alltogether in the burlap sack and the enforcer's blaster rifle in the other hand...

Ted isn't strong enough to hold a rifle. The smaller nailgun, however, he can use...but after seeing his poor misuse of your plasma pistol, do you really want him to? Seriously...his aim really sucks. He almost hit you a few times while trying to hit Protos...and the two of you were standing perfectly still...you're pretty sure he even hit Phoenix once or twice. It's quite clear that Ted is no warrior, and is pretty much only in this adventure for some comic relief.

>Have SFX look up Ted's wiring schematics and look for a way to 'enhance' Ted with built-in weapon-using circuitry... maybe he can be wired for laser weapons like the Enforcers use... or even better fuse metallic claws onto his arms at some point in the future so he can deal more damage every time SFX feels like spinning around

Ted thinks it'd be really cool to have a katana and some throwing stars. You promise him you'll get him an entire ninja outfit if you survive this.

>See if SFX can't spin wildly allowing Ted to do more damage at semi-close range from shortrange spreafire weapons or even long-reach melee weapons... something about 'cycles' comes to mind... devote SFX's some of CPU cycles to a capability to spin in circles and resume normal movement on a dime?

Doable, and possibly useful, except for a couple of things. You and Phoenix could probably get hurt by SFX, unless you stood perfectly still...and if you did that, then you'd probably get even more hurt by Protos.

>Check your bars on that Cell Phone... then dial 9-1-1 and see if any operators there can trace a landline to the nameless city... afterwards just give it to SFX for spare parts (and Ted to stash in his Burlap Sack)

You chuck the phone to Phoenix and ask him to check it.
"Nothing! No bars, no signal, no data, barely any battery left." You tell him to stow it.

>Have Ray put on the three elemental rune rings from Phoenix's possession... Fire on his middle finger, Water on his ring finger, Wind on his pinky finger all on his left hand... if Ray is gonna die he is gonna die like a PIMP

They aren't rings...They're just Runes.
Water

Wind

Fire

Earth

>Tell Phoenix about the final notice written to him before he was resurrected thanks to the power of the Well of Wishes... This is probably a bad time... but there may not be another chance to tie up loose ends...

You tell Phoenix about the note.
"Very touching Captain! I look forward to reading it if I don't get killed again!"

>Unwrap candy bar and share it with Phoenix... Something to chew on while Ray breaks the news... totally Bromantic but what the hell 'cause it could be their last time alive.
Also sorry Ted but none for you.
You don't even have biological organs and (presumably) taste buds neither. Don't be Selfish! Just do your job well and maybe you'll get some more fun with sharp metal claws or somethin' later eh?

In between ducking and dodging, shooting and jumping, you take out the candy bar and break it in half. You devour the first half and throw the other to Phoenix, who takes a quick break from working on SFX to eat it.

...This is no normal candy bar...this thing was almost pure adrenal! You feel your heart race. You notice your vision sharpen, your muscles tighten, you even feel lighter. You're glad you didn't eat the whole thing! You resume your pursuit, this time giving Protos chase. You continue to unload buckshot on him, peppering his legs and arms, trying desperately to cripple him before this adrenal wears off. You notice him start to slow ever so slightly.

>Have Ray use his 12-Gauge Pump shotgun at first and then the Grenade Rifle and finally his Lightspark Rifle and have Phoenix use the REALLY Super Shotgun and THEN the Thunderbolt and THEN HIS Lightspark rifle in that order... don't go spending all the ammo at once... but generally work your way up from the less strong weapons first for a one-two-punch effect

10-gauge? Yeah. You continue your shotgun assault until you notice he's weak enough to try a heavier weapon. You pull out your Grenade Rifle and pop a few rounds at his feet. He dodges the direct impacts, but gets caught by the splash damage. He is now showing visible signs of battle fatigue. You think you can hit him with your Lightspark now. You pull it out and try a few bolts. He's still very fast, but you do manage to catch him in the hand, which forces him to drop his rifle. Success!! You stow your rifle and take out your scythe. Protos takes out his swordstaff. You have a bad feeling about this...

>Have Phoenix hand that badly bloodied hand axe back to Ray...
it may not be all that powerful but it's his trademark axe dammit and there may be something more to why it's been bloodied for so long and yet never dried...
then have Ray and PHoenix duel-wield axes in the left hand and guns in the right hand...
Aren't you and Phoenix right-handed anyway?
Then it only makes sense to use the right hand for more accuracy-based aiming and the left hand for more speed-based swinging n'eh?
So try and fend off Protos if he ever gets too close via axe swings and every other time it's potshots until you can get a more even terrain...
Oh and, you know, continue with an awareness of ammo conservation...

Phoenix tosses you the hand-axe. You stow it for now, but you remind yourself how it once defeated Shub-Niggurath when nothing else would...you opt to stick to your Reaper's Scythe for now. Protos turns to assail you with his swordstaff. His strength is unreal! Even after taking the punishment you dealt out, his strength and speed far outweight your own. You're gonna need some help.
You know, I created the Reaper, right? I know that Scythe better than he did...better than you do. I sparred with him often...though I was often impressed with my creation's skill, he was never able to best me. What chance do you think you have? You smirk.
"Because I killed The Reaper, and stole his Scythe...just like I'll kill you and steal your weapons." Protos does not look amused. He resumes his press against you. You summon all the strength you can to fend him off, but he's just too strong. Just as you think he has you, a blazing-fast blue crystaline bolt sails into Protos, knocking him off of you. SFX floats triumphantly behind with its brand new cannons shining brightly. Phoenix salutes you.
"Great timing, huh sir?" You nod. Protos jumps to his feet. You decide now is the time to decide how this fight is gonna go. Melee is probably the best chance you have, but you need a little added muscle for that. You need Velen and Darkscythe's help. You need to lure this prick to E2M1 somehow.

[[To be continued...]]

[Shadowswift]

[[Continued]]

>Dash around nearest corner... Get Ted to start makin' realy penisy taunts at Protos... then inch off a bit and target your guns to where his head and torso should be around the bend...
Once his shadowy self is just in sight...
Rain down all the weapon fire you can before he gets too close again...
>Look for any lava pits in the level, just keep running from Protos and take pot-shots, once Ray and Phoenix's feet start to get unusually warm on solid ground there should be lava nearby... stop up a bit turn over any loose stones... and then leap over to the opposite side
>lay down any sort of explosives on the opposite side and head just a tad back behind any smaller walls or poles/bars one can still see around the corner or in between...
have SFX cover the back in case Protos sees a trap from far away and detours from behind...
and get Ted to 'check his inventory for remaining nailgun ammo' in that Burlap Sack of his to keep him busy and muffled a bit so as to avoid drawing attention

You give Ted the go-ahead.
"Alright, you fuckin' weirdo, come get a piece of my bear-ass. meheheheh...get it? 'bear'-ass? eheheheh. Come on, you douche canoe, come get some Ted. I'm gonna fuck you with a parsnip then feed it to your four small children." Protos looks visibly aggitated, but doesn't take Ted's bate. You order Phoenix to give the blaster pistol back to Ted. You tell Ted to keep up the insults and throw in a few blasts. Ted grins. "Come on, fuckstick! Come get me! I got your wife's vag on my breath! Yeh, you like that?! Come on!" Protos relents, but only to avoid Ted's fire. You use this moment to lead Protos on a chase. You tell your followers to hit the road. You remember where the lava pit is. It isn't deep, but you hope it's enough to slow him down. You gain just enough of a lead on Protos to follow the hallways and corridors to the pit and leap over it. Your party follows. You don't have any explosives other than your Grenade Rifle ammo, but you don't want to simply trap him here. You want him to follow you, but you need to stall him a bit. You slash open a portal to E2M1 and take your party through it. You only hope Protos follows, but at the same time, is far enough behind to fill Velen in on everything.

->GUN IT and keep runnin' around the environemnt through corridors (but not too narrrow ones... ) and look for somewhere that is large and open... somewhere around here there's got to be a large open arena of sorts... anything to level the playing field considering Protos probably knows this place like the back of his hand

You scythe down into the bunker to find Velen and Darkscythe playing a game of 5 card draw. Darkscythe has obviously been winning, as his winnings pile is far larger than the DKC's is. You let them know what's up, and that Protos isn't far behind. You take the few moments that you have to affix Darkscythe's claw upgrades to him. You also tell Phoenix to take out the elemental bindings and lay them on the floor. It's time to use these. You take one and bind it to your Scythe. The binding sticks fast, sealing itself to the Scythe. You blow on the binding. The binding's runic design shifts to match that of Wind. Your Scythe is now empowered with the element Wind. Cool!
"Alright, Phoenix, stick one on your Fireman's Axe. Velen, stick one on your Commander's Blade. We're gonna give this asshole a little taste of the elements." Velen and Phoenix each take a binding and affix them to their signature melee weapons. You take out your Lightspark Rifle and shoot the bindings. You pray that it works...the bindings' runic patterns shift to mark them as Light. It worked! Your weapons are now imbued with the power of Light. These will take Protos down for sure.
"But, Lord, my sword already wields the power of Fire, and Stockton's axe wields the power of Lightning...sort of." You tell them that it doesn't matter. The Light from the bindings should work with the powers of their weapons, not replace them. Alright, show time. Protos should be here any second. You scythe back up to the central atrium of the base, to the bridge above the waste. The three of you stand with your backs together, while Darkscythe, SFX, and Ted await on the other side of the bridge. You wait...

The base is quiet. So quiet, you can hear the lights humming above you and the waste sloshing softly below you.

You think you can run from me, Ray? I can follow you anywhere! Protos erupts from a portal torn in front of you. You and your companions stand to face him.
"You think I'm running from you? No...just regrouping. We make our last stand here, Protos. It's time to end this." You ready your scythe.
"You put me through a lot of shit, Protos. You turned my best friend and mentor against me, forced me to fight him. You killed my CO. You killed me...you have a lot to answer for. I'm gonna enjoy killing you." Phoenix readies his axe.
"You have defiled my realm and blasphemed my gods for far too long. It's time to put the fear of Death back into you, Protos. It's time to show you the power of true darkness!" Velen readies his sword.

>Stick together. Protos will probably gladly take your party out one at a time, as he seems not to be bent on anger so much as less apparent motives, and may or may not hold back on less reputable/honorable tactics.
>Flashlights off and around the waist/holstered... Protos seems to be the only darkness around here anyway.
>Try and triangulate in formation around Protos... there are three individual parts moving around on your team on this playing field after all... even if you can't really hold him in place it should serve to confuse him what with being moreso in the middle of things

You charge Protos and meet his blade with your own. Phoenix and Velen charge to either side of him and attempt to flank him. Protos pushes you away and 'breaks' his swordstaff into two separate blades and uses them to fend off Phoenix and Velen. Now he has two blades, one in each hand. You'll need to counter this some how....wait, you got it! You take out your Riot Baton and toss it to Phoenix to dual-wield. You take out your hand axe and dual-wield it with your scythe. Hm...no weapon for Velen.
What's wrong? Nothing for your knight? Did you run out of weapons?
"Not worried. He'll have something to use when I take that swordstaff from your corpse." The three of you resume your assault of Protos, attacking him with all weapons from every direction. In a display of sheer amazing skill, Protos uses his twin blades to fend off your attacks without taking a single hit. Shit, you thought you were in trouble when he was firing his cannon at you. The power of that cannon pails in comparison to his skill with this simple swordstaff. Even with the three of you attacking him with your weapons of Light, this will be a frighting battle. You call for Darkscythe and SFX to attack. Darkscythe roars into the fray, trying to attack Protos' legs. SFX unleashes his new cannons. The added attacks were just what you needed to gain the edge. Darkscythe's new claws tear into Protos's legs, disabling his ability to dodge your attacks. SFX's cannons rip through Protos's armor, allowing your weapons to eat into Protos's flesh. After your vicious assault, Protos stumbles, drops his weapons, and slumps to the ground.
Enough...
"No. It won't be enough until you are dead." You raise your Scythe and ready yourself for the final strike.
I said....ENOUGH!!!!!!!
Protos erupts into Shadowy Fire, scorching you and your party, forcing you to fall back. His human Ranger disguise melts away, revealing a truly monstrous entity before you. A gigantic mass of shadowy tentacles and bony arms flail about, scorching everything around them with million-degree Shadow Fire, a substance you immediately recognize as being able to destroy both body and soul. Horrifying...

[[To be continued...]]

[foq]

he mad

[Shadowswift]

[[Continued]]

Protos now stands before you in a frightening new Shadow form. His Shadow Fire makes it impossible for you to get close enough to hit him with melee weapons. You'll have to work through this phase with guns. The fire is hot enough to melt and/or destroy any projectiles. Energy weapons are the only way to go. Lightspark should be saved until you find out exactly what you're dealing with, so you order Phoenix to give his Blaster Rifle to Velen. You put your Scythe away and take out your Plasma Rifle. Phoenix takes out his Thunderbolt. You tell Darkscythe to beat a hasty retreat to the sidelines. Phoenix gives the pistols back to Ted, who is still riding on SFX. You still stand triangulated around Protos, who looks like he might erupt at any moment. You order your team to open fire. Protos erupts into a pillar of black fire, powerful enough to deflect your entire assault. Shit. You were so sure that was going to work. You'll have to think of a new strategy to get through his defenses.

>Use Phoenix' grappling hook as a lasso of sorts and try to grapple Protos around the waist or one or both of his forearms if possible... if not... more confusion is better
>Watch out for traps while lookin' for the best thing you can get to a central open arena... if you manage to get past one without getting caught... maybe you can trick Protos into taking damage from a trap (considering that as the ones on the run at this point you should be positioned ahead of him)

You tell Phoenix to see if he can get a hook around Protos.
"I'm not sure what good that will do, sir. It doesn't look like Protos can move very much, and that fire of his will just melt my hook. I'd rather not break it again." Good point. However, Phoenix raises some crucial information to your attention. Protos no longer has legs, and hasn't moved an inch since transforming. It would appear that this form he has taken has robbed him of any mobility. You keep that in mind.

>When you do get to some more open area then well see if you can't gain elevation somehow... it may be Martial Arts 101... but it can't be unimportant here to take the high ground...
Any edges around the outside should be hoistered over...
Any central platforms should probably be cranked up somehow... Phoenix is good at mechanics... have him figure it out!

There is the open second level above you. Though you doubt it'll protect you from Protos's fire, it should gain you a higher ground advantage. You tell Phoenix to take Darkscythe and grapple to the second level. You tell Velen to hoist you up with him. SFX floats quietly behind.
You think you can run from me? I may not have legs anymore...hahahahahah....but I can still move! Protos's form begins to melt again. His writhing, tentacle-laden form shifts into a long, slender, serpentine Shadow. You wonder to yourself, he still has no arms or legs, how can he follow you? He then begins to levitate as he follows you to the second level. Shit. You open fire with your rifle. Protos swings his tail, raising a barrier of pure Shadow energy, deflecting your shots.
"Sir, that's the same kind of barrier that we faced when we fought The Serpent! It's nearly impenetrable!" You nod.
That's right, Phoenix. Remember, I created The Serpent, The Beast, and The Reaper. I have all of their abilities at my command! You have no hope of survival! Shitfuck. You had enough trouble defeating each of those Shadows by themselves...now you have to face a thing that has all of their powers and strengths? Hm...you think to yourself, if he has all of their strengths, he might also have all of their weaknesses, too. The Beast was invulnerable, but the Reaper was rather weak in terms of stamina and defense. The Serpent had a mighty barrier and massive stamina, but The Beast was completely defenseless on the inside. The Reaper was quick and agile, but the Serpent was slow and clumsy. There has to be a way to use Protos's strengths against his weaknesses. You also note Protos's unique ability to transform. Likely, he has other forms you'll have to defeat once you defeat his current one. You're not sure if he can shift back into previous forms, but you don't rule that possibility out, either. Come on, THINK!!

>

[[Don't feel bad if some of your impulses aren't utilized. If they aren't used, then they probably wouldn't have any affect on the current situation. Don't take it personally.]]

[metchsteekle]

> 0h shit, protos does the Hucklebuck!

[foq]

Kaioken is no longer useful against a power this great. In order to win, you must go even further beyond!

[MadGypsy]

wait.. we never used that against him and this is Death Knights world. Maybe Kaioken is the most powerful force you can harness.

That being said here is my (hopefully) creative twist

The DNC would draw the strength of all of his companions to empower him. Phoenix is the most skilled at Kaioken so maybe he could draw the energy from all of his companions to sustain and unleash a more powerful Kaioken. Kaioken always leaves the user drained, so this is going to drain the entire party.

I would impulse that a strategy needs to be devised around this untested possibility that, we know will at the very least leave the party exhausted, if it even works.

Protos needs to be knocked down a bit before the party throws everything to the wind and tries this. Also, it needs to be determined if Kaioken will even have an effect on Protos.

Official impulse> Cover Phoenix while he lets out one large burst of Kaioken. The idea isn't to hurt Protos (unless it does), it is to test if there is any effect at all. The party needs to be in concert. Everyone needs to be looking for an effect. Take everything away from Ted before you do this. The party should only be covering their sitting duck (Phoenix) up to the point where he "quacks", and then right after.

I can't remember the inventory, but if there are any health items, Phoenix should be given one before he attempts the burst. This way he can use it after and recover rapidly.

_____

If this works, I have another twist.

[Shadowswift]

Kaioken is no longer useful against a power this great. In order to win, you must go even further beyond!

Well, if we're going to look at things in that perspective, then here.

Ray
Power Level (as if through a Scouter): 500
Strength: 120
Stamina: 110
Agility: 100
Intellect: 75
Skill: 150

Phoenix
Power Level: 300
Strength: 60
Stamina: 75
Agility: 90
Intellect: 120
Skill: 100

Velen
Power Level: 470
Strength: 130
Stamina: 150
Agility: 20
Intellect: 50
Skill: 120

As it stands, even with Kaio-Ken, which increases your Power Level by 50% per level, you are still more powerful than Phoenix. Of course, if those are your numbers, than Protos's Power Level must be somewhere in the thousands. Yikes...
"...but do not despair, my liege. With my blade's unique ability, when you gain our strength, you also gain the use of our abilities." Great news. When you take Phoenix's strength through Velen's sword, you'll be able to use Kaio-Ken as well as he can.

> Cover Phoenix while he lets out one large burst of Kaioken. The idea isn't to hurt Protos (unless it does), it is to test if there is any effect at all. The party needs to be in concert. Everyone needs to be looking for an effect. Take everything away from Ted before you do this. The party should only be covering their sitting duck (Phoenix) up to the point where he "quacks", and then right after.

I can't remember the inventory, but if there are any health items, Phoenix should be given one before he attempts the burst. This way he can use it after and recover rapidly.

To test Protos's strengths and weaknesses, you let Phoenix take the lead while you fall back and cover him. He still have some stimpaks on him in case of emergency. Phoenix stares Protos down, Thunderbolt tightly clenched in his grip.
"Alright, Protos. You and I have a very serious score to settle." Phoenix glares at the Shadowlord, eyes narrowed and burning with fury and determination. You remind yourself, that, while you may be the more powerful soldier, Phoenix has become a mighty warrior in his own right, especially being able to defeat the corrupted version of yourself two times over in single combat. You've no doubt he'll give Protos a challenge. Phoenix sites his Thunderbolt at the enemy and discharges the rifle at Protos. Protos's barrier meets the lightning might for might, not giving way to the powerful rifle. In a blur of speed that even you are barely able to follow, Phoenix erupts into Kaio-Ken's signature red fiery aura, drops the Thunderbolt (which is still firing), dashes behind Protos in a maneuver that allows him to somehow briefly levitate, takes out his axe and brings it crashing down on the horrifying Shadow. As fast as the strike was, Protos's counter was even faster. With a quick flick of his serpentine tail, the fiery Phoenix is sent flailing across the base, landing with a splash into the waste below. No! Phoenix!! Shit...it didn't work. You may need to rethink your strategy...you question the DKC how Phoenix was able to get through The Serpent's barrier.
"Well, lord...that's the bad news. We actually didn't break The Serpent's barrier. Protos did with the aid of my sword." Shit.


...wait a minute. That...that's it! The answer has been lying on the ground the entire time!!! You feel so stupid for not realizing it!! You need Protos's help to win this fight! And you know just how he's going to help you. You order Velen to retrieve Phoenix from the waste. You're going to keep Protos occupied while he does so.
"As you wish, master." Velen dives into the waste while you take out your scythe and assail Protos with a mix of melee and gunfire. Velen surfaces with Phoenix in tow. He looks conscious, but dazed. You dive down into the waste where your allies are telling Darkscythe and SFX to follow. They follow you down into the waste.
Where are you going, Captain? We were just starting to have fun!

...Captain?
When Protos slinks down into the waste to find you, he finds only a slashed portal which seals before he can go through it. He growls furiously. Grrrrr...DAMN YOU, RAY!! YOU CAN'T RUN FROM ME!! I WILL FIND YOU!!!

But you are no where near him to hear his rage.

[[Continued]]

[Shadowswift]

[[Continued]]

You find yourself in E4M8...the Nameless City. What you seek is lying on the ground where you first encountered Protos. You remembered that when he dropped his Shadowpulse Plasmabolt Rifle, he never picked it back up! This is a golden opportunity that you just can't pass up! You just hope you have enough time before Protos finds out what you're up to. You pick the gun up and look through it to find the lens. You remove the lens and toss it aside. You then take out your Lightspark Rifle and remove the Reverse-Polarity Magnifier. You place the small device inside Protos's gun where the lens was.

You create the Chromaspark Prismabolt Rifle!

This new gun is exponentially more powerful than your old Lightspark Rifle. It also eats ammo ten times as fast. You hope it's enough to eat a hole through Protos's barrier. You estimate that you have approximately 3 minutes before Protos homes in on you and ports to this map to come get you. Use that time wisely!

>

[metchsteekle]

>heal up whoever needs it also check ammunitions